Dear Savvy Student,
Although election day is in the past and both of our promising candidates had comprehensive strategies to boost our economy, finding a job after graduation can still be a very difficult process. Since the unemployment rate is still so high, college graduates have been having a hard time finding a job right after graduation. Therefore, we did some research over here at Savvy Student and found a great article on Forbes.com talking with Daniel Schawbel, a "Forbes contributor and founder of Millennial Branding, a one-man research and consulting firm that focuses on so-called Millennials or Generation Y, aged 18-29." In the article, Schawbel outlines 6 things college undergraduates should do throughout their college career in order to guarantee a job after college.
Here is a brief summary of Schawbel's advice, as well as some of the ways we think you can implement his advice throughout your Brandeis career.
1.Create a LinkedIn Profile.
Schawbel suggests creating a LinkedIn profile as soon as you can, no matter how little experience you have had thus far. He explains that LinkedIn in is a great way to put your name out there and start expressing interest in a particular field you may want to enter into after you graduate. It gives you a good social media presence that most employers look at when reviewing job applicants.
We believe this is great advice for young professionals. LinkedIn is a great, easy way to build connections and find ways to enter a certain field just by connecting with people you know. The article states that only about 1/3 of college students have a linked in profile, so by creating one, you are already getting significantly ahead in the job hunt!
2. Establish a presence on WordPress or through your own blog.
As we stated before, having a social media presence in this day and age is very important when it comes to trying to find a job. Schawbel explains that it is important to have a blog to show employers your interest in their field or any personal interests you may have that you wish to write about.
We feel that a blog is a great way to exemplify your communication skills to employers as well as present them with your strong writing skills. At the same time, we do not feel this is a necessity for all career fields. For example, you are interested in law, an employer's top priority may not be looking at your blog. That being said, a blog is a great and casual way to show employer 'what you've got.'
3. Get an internship as early as possible.
This is a crucial component to finding a job! While 85% of students think an internship is important, only about 40% actually do an internship while in school. An internship not only gives you great work experience that your employers can inquire about, but it also gives you the opportunity to see if the career you are aspiring to have is really the right one for you.
Savvy student is a huge fan of internships! Many students tend to take on only local jobs, such as life guarding, to earn money, rather than pursue an unpaid job such as an internship; however, many internships now have a stipend offer or will pay a salary, and there are also many scholarships you can apply for to alleviate the financial burden of foregoing a paying job in order to take on such an opportunity.
4. Get creative about finding a mentor.
In the world we live in, networking is very important. While parents, family, and friends can be great mentors, Schawbel says it is important to find a mentor in the field you are interested in. They can help you find interesting job opportunities and give you tips to being successful.
While LinkedIn is a great place to find such people, you are also on a college campus with faculty and staff who have had a lot of experience in an array of fields. We suggest setting up a meeting with a professor you really enjoy talking to so as to discuss your future job prospects and how to achieve those goals.
5. Use your school's career services.
YES! YES! YES! Schawbel suggests reaching your to your school's career center to connect your with alum and create your resume and cover letters for jobs you with to apply for.
This is a tip that we feel is essential to being successful at finding a job. Brandeis' Hiatt center is one of the best resources on campus, with so many options to get help. If you go to Hiatt, you can speak with an adviser about creating resumes, cover letters, and even practicing mock interviews. Hiatt has drop-in office hours all the time, and if you can't stop in, you may even chat with them online! Check out their website and all their wonderful services: http://www.brandeis.edu/hiatt/index.html
6. Join a professional development or industry-specific group.
A great way to be proactive on campus is to talk to other students interested in the careers you are interesting in. Schawbel suggests joining a group on campus that is related to the industry you wish to delve into.
Brandeis has over 200 student groups, and so there is a huge chance that you will find a group that specializes in your industry. You should browse through the student groups and get involved to get further ahead and get the job you really want!
For the full article click
here. In addition to these tips, it is also important to remember to stay positive and not be bummed out if you don't get the job or internship or your dreams. If one door closes, another one may still open!
Good luck with the job hunt!
Savvy Student
