Graduating from college

[mdg60]

Well, after 7 years it is finally going to happen. I'm finally going to graduate from college this December. I'm starting up this thread, hopefully in the right place, to see if any of you guys have some advice. I'm really nervous about searching for a job for when I graduate and any advice you guys can give me would be really appreciated. Where to look? What salary would be appropriate? etc. I went to one of my professors and I asked him about jobs after I graduate and his reply was that he didn't know a whole lot about the private sector since he has always been in academia. Wonderful.

In case you guys need some info in order to give accurate advice, I am graduating from a well respected university with a bachelor's in economics, minor in Chinese along with 2 different language certifications. So, any help you guys can give me would be great. Thanks.

[EagleOne]

Congrats and your best person to help you find a job in that field would be Jim since he is an accountant. It is going to be tough seeing that most people only hire those with experience so that maybe a hurdle to over come. Hang in there and you'll make it.

[Brocman]

Congrats on the upcoming graduation! You should try asking a few more professors because your university should have an office that specializes in job placement before and after graduation. The sooner you can get into a job the better since you will most likely be an intern for a little while and working for free.

[fitzgerald7]

Congrats Man

[APAT]

Congrats M.

I too am in the midst of looking for a new job(my decision...didn't get fired..lol). I graduated with a BS in Business Admin. So far the only luck I've had is by leaning some friends to get me a foot in the door. Many places aren't openly advertising openings. They're hiring based off recommendations and connections within their industry.

Find something, anything, with opportunity in mind. I made the wrong choice the first time. They only move up for me is ownership and I'm not willing to make the investment. If you cant find what you want take something that looks good on a resume. You may have to suffer for 2 yrs doing something you really don't enjoy just to get some experience in the field.

And lastly, if you can't find something withing a few months consider enrolling in a MBA program. You're probably sick of school but I've noticed a MBA can be substituted for lack of job experience for a lot of positions.

Good luck on your search bud. It wont be easy but you'll find something eventually.

[Cottoinc]

Congratz. When I got out of the army it took some time for me to find a job in my field (IT). Just don't give up on the job you want!

[mdg60]

Thanks for the advice guys. I plan on going to my counseling center this week to get started. I'm just a little nervous about not being able to find a job, even though I have good qualifications.

[jmhc74]

What do you want to do....that is the question. Major in Econ and Minor in Chinese...what field interests you???

Seek out guidance from your Advisor....what about alumni???you say prestigious school..you should have a wealth of alumni.

Get an internship....even if it is not paid

Also, any thought of teaching abroad in china?

[nd32479]

MDG....


Economic plus foreign languages give you some ooptions. But what is it you really want to do?


The last thing I want to hear in an interview is you are "still searching for what you really want to do" or " I just am looking to get my foot in the door and gain some experience". That tells me...you want me to invest my time, energy and money training you...only to have you leave me in a couple years. But that is more about interviewing. I will move on.

1. Network
2. Network
3. Network

As they say, it is not what you know but who you know. Use this last semister to meet and network with as many industry related people as possible. Make a good impression, stay in contact, and give them something with your information. Lastly...ASK EVERYONE FOR HELP NETWORKING. At the bars, at seminars, trade shows, etc. People like to help others...so ask.

When I say, give them something...This means, resume and/or your card (contact info, maj/min, and GPA if impressive). Include your linkedin id. And by all means have an email address besides your college one. A year from know you will not be a student...so establish a permanent one.

If your school is truly a respected one, then the Alumni Assoc is a great place to start. Often there are industry related association for student right there on campus. For example, Economic Student Assocation or Fraternity. Join those and network. Look to attend seminars with guest speakers who are actually in the field of your choice. Go up to the speakers, hand them your card and ask for advice on job search.

Your school will have career days where recruiters will come to your campus. Attend them fully prepared to interview. My wife helps recruit for her company and she tells me horror stories of how students show up unprepared.

By chance are a minority? If so, make that known. There are also specific associations that host job fairs for minorities specifically. My wife says these are VERY POORLY attended by students, so if you come prepared you will really stand out!

Back to knowing what you want to do. That really is important. Not only will it help you know where to look, it will help employers see you differently. Based on your above post they would only know you will have a degree in Economics from "Some College", speak Chinese and "two other languages".

As an example...I have an opening on my team for an Advertising Sales Account Executive. I will not even consider a college graduate unless they specify they are specifically seeking a career in Sales. Advertising Sales even better. A degreee in marketing/advertising...no thank you. It is a Sales Position.

So... the degree is nice...but what do you want to do with it. Work in the investment field, government planning, corporate finance, banking, bean counting?

Hope that helps.

[nd32479]

Get an internship....even if it is not paid

Also, any thought of teaching abroad in china?

Both great suggestions / ideas.

[k1gibson]

Congrats Mdg !!!

[mdg60]

ND, Jim, both good advice. I'll give a little bit more information and try to answer some questions ND asked. Basically, I have already done one internship, and that was with Volvo Cars of North America at their headquarters in New Jersey. That was a few years ago, but I have stayed in contact with them. I interned in the marketing department, specifically with market intelligence. To be honest, the only field in the business world that I think you need a degree in is accounting, just because of all the rules that you have with it. Everything else almost anyone can pick up on in a very short period of time.

Unfortunately I am not a minority. I'm a white male in his mid 20's.

As for what I want to do, basically any job that will pay well that I don't hate is fine with me. What I would like is something like a consultant or financial analyst.

I don't know if this answers your questions, but I don't like sales, cause I'm not good at it, and I do like numbers, but not math.

[Zabka]

Mdg,

Lots of times, jobs that recruit fresh grads for the types of roles you described do their hiring months in advance. In some cases they only hire from summer interns...which can be tough. This is not to discourage you, but more to prep you for how it will be a bit of a slog. It's not a great market out there, but there are jobs. You have to be diligent and have an idea of what field you are interested in and why. Saying you just want a good job that pays well isn't enough. A prospective employer will want to know that the investment they make in you isn't going to walk out the door for another job. They want you to show your commitment to the field and the company.

Use your alumni network,not just to find a job, but also to figUre out what job you want to do. People will be willing to spend a few minutes with you to tell you what they do and you can determine if the field makes sense. Treat finding a job like it is ajob. That means you need to be researched on the companies, on the roles,and why you are better suited for it than anything else.

I would hold off on the MBA. The best programs will only let in people with work experience for at least 2-3years. MbA is a degree where you do want to have the best name possible. It's a key credential if that is the route you want to go, so getting one without being part of the clear career path would be like firing a bullet too soon. Save it for when it optimizes your marketability.

Get your resume together. Tailor your skills in the resume to the job you are applying for.

Getting a job is about being prepared. And then it is about getting lucky. If you aren't prepared, you are relying too much on luck. Be focused. But first get educated on how you want to proceed.

[hecx2370]

If your in NJ you should check out the Telecom giants like AT&t, Verizon, etc. Inquire about their job fairs. These types of companies are always looking for people with degrees, A 2nd language like Chinese would be a huge plus for you. Also don't rule out the pharmaceutical sector, which is huge in this state!

[hecx2370]

Oh, and Best of luck!