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By Rebecca Wu
KSDK -- Saint Louis University student Dan Finucane is not only concerned about finals next week, but others have questioned his chances of getting a job even when the economy was good.
"Being a theology and philosophy major, I've always been told, 'What are you going to do with that?'" Finucane says.
Kim Reitter, SLU's Director of Career Services, says the key is to start as soon as you can.
"When the economy is good it typically takes three to six months to find a job," she says. "When the economy is not so good, it can take six to 12 months."
Reitter says jobs are available. In fact, job postings at SLU's career center were up 55 percent in October compared to the same time last year.
During winter break, Reitter recommends students work with career counselors, who will be on campus, to develop resumes. She also says to network with family, friends and neighbors while at home. Statistics show 70 percent of jobs are found through networking. And don't be afraid to contact potential companies.
"A lot of candidates who are out there looking believe no one hires between Thanksgiving and Christmas," Reitter says. "So if you are working on it, you have a better chance of getting and finding a position."
As for Finucane, he still has one more year before graduating. He's confident the tips he picked up when he worked at career services will pay off.
"I'm trying to network right now just with my former high school," Finucane says. "And just keeping in touch with them and trying to make sure I'm keeping my feelers out there for getting recommendations or ideas for jobs."
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
You know what you have to offer an employer, but what will you get in return?
Considering the current economy and the necessity of adopting a more flexible (and global) job search, I thought I'd share advice from Ronald Mitchell, founder of gottamentor.com and a graduate of Harvard Business School (see the article at Gotta Mentor Advice):
What I would do as a college senior looking for a job in this environment
By: Ronald Mitchell
Updated : 10/15/2008
There are no simple answers if you are looking for a job as a college senior right now, but here are three things you should consider:
1) Take a job where you will learn the most
Pre-1980, college students took jobs where they thought they would get the most job security. They went to the big companies like IBM, GM and GE. In the 80`s and 90`s college seniors started to focus on where they could make the most money like Wall Street. In the 2000`s, students started to focus on where they could enjoy the best lifestyle like the dot coms. Well today, the focus should be on where you can learn the most. This may mean that you make less money and have less flexibility. But in the long run the skills that you develop will set you free and enable you to chart a career path that you will have control over.
2) Go Abroad
What I am going to say here, may seem contradictory to what I have written above but it is not. Get your butt out of the country. This may mean studying for an extra year or taking some menial type of job abroad. In this case the type of job does not matter. Don`t worry about what you learn on the job, because learning about a different culture is just as important. Learning a language is just as (if not more) important. Tops on my list to go to would be China, India and Brazil. Big markets that are only going to become more important to the global economy.
3) Don`t cop out and go to law or business school right away.
I know that many of you are taking your LSATs, GMATs and GREs. Don`t cop out! Even in a good economy, I would tell you to work for a few years before going to graduate school. These schools will always be there for you. Once you go and saddle yourself with even more school debt, you will have even less opportunity to find or do the things you want to do. You have very little risk as a young person to go and try something different.
What I would do as a college senior looking for a job in this environment
By: Ronald Mitchell
Updated : 10/15/2008
There are no simple answers if you are looking for a job as a college senior right now, but here are three things you should consider:
1) Take a job where you will learn the most
Pre-1980, college students took jobs where they thought they would get the most job security. They went to the big companies like IBM, GM and GE. In the 80`s and 90`s college seniors started to focus on where they could make the most money like Wall Street. In the 2000`s, students started to focus on where they could enjoy the best lifestyle like the dot coms. Well today, the focus should be on where you can learn the most. This may mean that you make less money and have less flexibility. But in the long run the skills that you develop will set you free and enable you to chart a career path that you will have control over.
2) Go Abroad
What I am going to say here, may seem contradictory to what I have written above but it is not. Get your butt out of the country. This may mean studying for an extra year or taking some menial type of job abroad. In this case the type of job does not matter. Don`t worry about what you learn on the job, because learning about a different culture is just as important. Learning a language is just as (if not more) important. Tops on my list to go to would be China, India and Brazil. Big markets that are only going to become more important to the global economy.
3) Don`t cop out and go to law or business school right away.
I know that many of you are taking your LSATs, GMATs and GREs. Don`t cop out! Even in a good economy, I would tell you to work for a few years before going to graduate school. These schools will always be there for you. Once you go and saddle yourself with even more school debt, you will have even less opportunity to find or do the things you want to do. You have very little risk as a young person to go and try something different.
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