Comments on: wanted: a sense of urgency for students

By: Amybeth Hale

Amybeth Hale — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:59:33 +0000

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

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:47:20 +0000

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.

By: Arthur

Arthur — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:11:30 +0000

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.

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:25:58 +0000

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.

By: Mandy Boyle

Mandy Boyle — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:48:03 +0000

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.

By: Kristen L. Jones

Kristen L. Jones — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:24:57 +0000

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.

By: R. J. Morris

R. J. Morris — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:12:52 +0000

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.