One would think that the current state of the economy would create some sort of chaos among college students. The economy is the talk of the television set. It’s all over the internet and everyone’s parents are speaking about it.
It’s fair to say that if you live in America, it’s hard to escape talk of the current economic climate. But how come this scare isn’t enough to force students to wake up and get focused on their future?
Maybe it’s the beer. Perhaps it’s the reality television. There is something so comforting to a college student living in the “college bubble.” Instead of proactively looking ahead into their future, they are staying in college for an extra semester or two.
College is their safety net and they aren’t ready to consider what happens when they eventually take the plunge and enter the real world.
How Can Students Get Focused On Their Careers?
1. Start listening instead of changing the channel. As a young mind in today’s society. It’s important to clearly understand what is going on around you. The topic of the economy is something that is going to be brought up at meetings, interviews, and will be remembered ten years from now. Know what is going on. It’s your world.
2. Look in the mirror. This doesn’t mean check yourself out more than you normally do. Look in the mirror and identify what makes you unique. What makes you tick? What have you accomplished? Take a close look at your life and make a list of your passions and what drives you.
3. Self-Assess. There are some great new tools coming out that help you identify the careers that are best for you based on how you are wired and your personality traits. The best test that I’ve found is the YSN (Your Success Network) Career Assessment Test, http://www.ysn.com. Use this promo code: C0A3-3A52-A895.
4. Get An Internship. Once you narrow down the fields that you are interested in, get some experience. The best way to gain knowledge of an industry is to intern, intern, intern. Coming from the “Intern Queen,” I am a huge supporter of internships.
An internship is a hands-on experience and 8 -10 week glimpse into what the real world is like. Interns get to observe, listen, and learn and have the opportunity to network, engage, and execute tasks.
5. Set Meetings With Role Models. Is there someone that you really look up to in your city/town? Someone that works in an industry you want to work in and really stands out? Research the company, locate their email address, and send them a note. Use the student card (while you are still a student). Request a meeting and tell them you’d like to hear how they got started and any advice they might have for you. There is nothing to lose.
6. APPLY EARLY. This is for jobs and internships. It’s a tough job market out there. Graduating in six months? Start applying for interviews and jobs now. Set general meetings with recruiters. Put yourself out there. Make them remember you. Apply early and be prepared for your future.
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June 22nd, 2009 at 10:12 am
Great and timely post. As a Corporate Director of Staffing, I am amazed at the number of calls I am getting now (in mid to late June) requesting internships for this summer. Those students who hit the ground in February and March, requesting advice and opportunities, earned the really good intern spots and are already 4-5 weeks into their internships. They are now getting the experience and understanding that will differentiate them from their peers when graduation comes. I did not leverage internships myself while in college, but have now become an evangelist for the good structured programs that really teach students.
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
As a May graduate still looking for a full-time job, I have found the opposite to be true. My high school friends and I are downright panicked after searching months upon months for employment. We’re bored, and we’re hungry to start real life. We have blogs and Twitter accounts and part-time jobs and spend entire days strategizing how to beat out the competition. Perhaps you’re mistaking the acceptance stage as a lack of urgency. This stage is crucial for our survival; it’s the point at which we realize that, hey, times are really bad, and if I use employment status as a measure of my self-worth, I’ll never survive long enough to see that first paycheck.
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Good post. I’m currently a student entering my senior year and I’ve seen far too many of my classmates hang loose in the safety net for too long. But at the same time, there are many of my classmates who are getting the internships, learning new things, constantly looking, and keeping up with it all – only to find that their job offering was taken away, that their loans are creeping up , and their resume has been sent out 1,000 times with no response. When that happens, it’s either find whatever job you can or head back to get your grad degree. After all, now the game isn’t just with other college students. You’re now competing for that entry level position with someone who has worked in the industry for five or ten years and was just laid off, has a family to feed, and has the experience you’re trying so desperately to get.
There is a sense of panic out there amongst the students – I know, I’m one of them – but we have a sense of hope because many of use are learning to adapt to the changing climate and pursue our own goals. Many of us are now volunteering when we’re out of work. We’re freelancing. We’re taking on projects to improve our portfolios. We’re hosting events within our community. We keep busy, but on the inside, we’re sweating what will happen to us once we’re cut loose without health insurance, with a ton of resumes sent out, and a sense of confusion.
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I think right now college students should be branding themselves online in a different type of light. Now is a good time to lay down the ground work and foundation to getting their name out there.
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Definitely agree. As an intern myself, I believe interning will provide real world experience and give you a lead in your industry. As an intern you are not expected to know every as you would in a job, the company is there to help you learn and grow, so you will eventually be able to benefit the company and the industry.
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I agree with the idea of setting meetings with role models. The key to these meetings is having knowledge to share with them. For example, if you meet with the CEO of Nike, tell him about what your classmates think of their shoes or what advertising is working on your friends. It has to be a two way street.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I especially love #5 – setting meetings with role models. Anyone who has achieved any kind of success should naturally be excited about sharing their thought process with someone who is genuinely eager to do the same. We’re doing a hashtag-chat tonight (6/24) on #talentnet and one of the pre-set topics is how college grads can utilize social media to help land their first job. For the audience who enjoys this kind of article, I think it would be a valuable discussion to follow! http://www.tweetchat.com/room/talentnet