Last Friday J.D Roth wrote an interesting post over at Get Rich Slowly about finding a good job in a bad economy and some very informative points were brought up in the post and the comments section. I figured it only made sense if Studenomics had an article for current college students and how they can find the perfect job after graduation. Mind you this is not a randomly generated list of points, it is what I plan on doing/am doing at the moment to prepare myself for life after graduation next year.
(Note: This is not your standard job hunt article, I will not list basic points like write a good cover letter.)
Work term/internship
I absolutely do not want to graduate from college until I have some decent work experience to put on my resume. Doing a work term at your school is the best way to get your foot in the door. If the company you work for enjoys your work then chances are they will hire you once you graduate from college. Worse case scenario and the company has no work for you then you will at least have a solid reference on your resume. You really don’t want to be another college graduate with a blank resume trying to find a job during a recession. Even if you don’t have an enjoyable experience during your internship you will at least know what position and company to avoid after graduation.
One thing you must keep in mind is that most schools require you have at least a 75% (B) average to get into the internship program. This is just another motivational tool to strive for the highest grades possible in college. This way you can complete college with high grades and experience in the field, it will not guarantee you a job but it sure makes the job hunt a lot easier.
Attend alumni events
Have you seen those posters around campus advertising the monthly alumni dinner? Believe me I used to think those events are a waste of time too. Once you actually check one out you will realize that you could meet some very helpful people. Most of the alumni are students that networked their way into a career so even if you don’t network with them, they can at least train you on the art of networking. If you don’t meet anyone helpful at the first alumni dinner you attend, don’t lose hope because there are so many of these events that you’re bound to run into someone helpful eventually. The best part about these events is that they are usually organized by the student’s union or fellow students, so the prices are reasonable and you have a chance to have a few drinks and to be yourself with your fellow classmates.
Don’t bring a resume or cover letter to any of these alumni events because you may come off as desperate. If you meet someone working in the field or company you want to get into then you will be better off by asking for their contact information (phone number, email) so that you have someone to talk to about any inquires you may have. It’s also an amazing opportunity to build relationships with people in the same field because even if they don’t help you straight out college, it never hurts to have reputable contacts in the industry.
Understand the power of your professors
I guess it depends on your school but from my own experiences I have come to realize that many professors are fairly connected in the field they teach. Granted there are professors that have been in school for their whole life and all they do is teach. On the other hand, many professors have worked in the field for over a decade before they got into teaching. It’s important to always build a good rapport with every professor you have because you never know how they could help you down the road. I have had professors tell me about job postings and write me reference letters. I have seen other students get directed at the right people in the industry for job opportunities. The possibilities are endless and you have nothing to lose. If any of your fellow classmates try to laugh at you for being friends with the professor then don’t worry one day they will be calling you up asking for a job.
As usual I’m positive the great readers of Studenomics will have some valuable input to add. What do all of you current college students like myself have planned for after graduation? Does the recession have you really scared? I’m also interested in hearing from some of the well established readers of Studenomics, how did you land that first job after college?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Professors, professors, professors!!!
They got me my internship in college and most of my interviews after college. I went with a job that I got on my own, but you should make sure your professors know exactly who you are.
Internship experience is crucial. I was offered a job at the company I interned with. I took another job instead, but it’s a great way to get a permanent job.
Networking is crucial these days in finding a job. The more people you know in the field the better your chance of your resume getting to the right place instead of being lost in the shuffle. I got my internship through a few neighbors that all worked at the same company. My boss ended up being in my dad’s fraternity. Small world, use that to your advantage.
A key opportunity you have in college is to network. Like you said, network with professors, administrators, alumni, and anyone else you can think of. As a college student, you have a big advantage in reaching out to others because you are young and they are often willing to help you out because they were once in your shoes.
Aww, some great advice. I wish I had gotten more of this type of advice when I was still in college; perhaps it wouldn’t have been so difficult to get my first real job out of college. Certainly, putting yourself out there as much as possible and attempting to get an internship (or better, a paid position related to your field) is a great way to get your start. Good things to consider, if you’re still young enough to take advantage of it.
Also, unless your school has much different grading system than mine, I’d have thought that 75% would be a C grade, not a B. Granted, most schools now use the 4.0 grade system anyway, but just wanted to point that out.
Professors make all the difference. Find one that’s working on something truly interesting to you, then do whatever you can to work with that professor – even if it means working for free. When you’re there, ask *lots* of questions, jot down things you don’t understand, and bone up on them on your own. Work hard, too, and do your job well. If you’re showing interest in the topic and work hard, many professors will go to astounding lengths to keep you around and open doors for you.
@the weakonomist Amen to that. It’s good to hear that your professors helped you out.
@Steve I wish I lived in your neighborhood. It’s good to hear it all worked out to your advantage.
@Grant Baldwin I agree and I can’t wait for the day where I’m in a position where I can help out young people with finding a great job.
@Roger My school uses a 4.0 grade point average system but our grade reports we receive a letter grade.
@Trent Hamm The hard part for young people is the thought of working for free, especially when you are thousands of dollars in debt. I have personally not donated many hours of my time but I have done small things. For example; help set up a presentation, help gather survey results, and various other small tasks that professors appreciate. How has this benefited me? Well at the end of every semester I ask those professors for a letter of reference and I occasionally receive updates about jobs opportunities.
Of course, what a great site and informative posts, I will add your site to mine.
Internships, attending events, etc. These are good basic tips that will have some impact for sure.
Since we’re also talking about being more creative during this economic slump, why not think outside the box of looking for another job in the first place? (This from a guy who has been working from home since March of 1996).
I’m rather amazed that there are plenty of skill sets that are for whatever reason not “conventional” enough to be taught in schools, but the mastery of which would lead to more autonomy.
Most of us are trained to be employees- nothing wrong with that, but I’m convinced that thinking that way is a kind of tunnel vision that keeps many from learning skills that would allow them to carve out there own path to income.
One of them is as close as the computer in front of most of us. For the first time in history, we are 3 feet in front of the world, yet few learn how to use it in a way to render 1) value to others and 2)income for themselves.
Once someone learns how to market a product on it, can even make (no kidding) income.
I have a few sites I go to, but the quality is always the best here!