graduation

Careers in Demand Upon Graduation

Posted on by Alexandria Ramos

Once upon a time….simply obtaining a bachelor’s degree was enough to be sure that you could enter the job market in your respective field and make a solid income. In today’s economy however, there are many factors that contribute to your chances of landing a job after graduation. One of the biggest factors to consider is the field in which you are entering. While it is wise to choose a major that sparks your interests, it is also practical to pursue a degree that will lead to opportunities to have a career that is in high demand. To get started, here are some of the top careers that are in demand for recent college graduates.Career_Blog

  1. Public Relations Specialist: If you have a knack for communicating and love to shine a positive light on every situation, PR may be the field for you. A great thing about this field is the very high expected growth rate, which is 23% by 2020.
  1. Elementary School Teacher: Teachers have an advantage of stability that many occupations lack which makes up for the average salary of $40,434; the lowest on this list. However, the projected growth rate is relatively high at 18% by 2020.
  1. Accountant: If you’re a lover of numbers and good at math, you’ll be glad to hear that accountants’ average salary has increased by $10,000 in the last three years. Combine this with a projected 16% job growth rate and it’s clear to see why this field is a good choice for recent college grads.
  1. Market Research Analyst: If you happen to be a number lover who also has strong communication skills, marketing could be your calling. With a projected growth rate of a whopping 41%, marketing is easily one of the best choices for recent college graduates. The average salary is $67,380.
  1. Software Developer: Do you have strong programming and coding skills? If so, you’ll be happy to know that software developer rings in at number one on our list of best careers for recent grads. With a projected growth rate of 32% by 2020 and an average annual salary of $102,550, pursuing a career as a software developer is a smart move.

Preparing for Graduation: It’s Never Too Early

Posted on by Crystal Hollibaugh

graduationWhy do we go to college? To get a degree and get a job in a specialized field, right? It sounds like a no-brainer, but sometimes the purpose of college tends to be forgotten with all of the friendships students make and events they participate in. College is a social institution where as soon as you get your degree, you are out in the real world. It might seem daunting, but there are ways you can prepare yourself while you are still getting your education.

Take advantage of your school’s career services office and its members. They are there to help you! They can assist with resumes, cover letters and everything you need to get a job once you get your diploma. You don’t have to wait until you are a senior or close to graduating. Work on building your resume and cover letters from the start, and you will be a master by the time you are ready for your first post-college job.

Take advantage of every career fair, even if it is not at your campus. College faculty want you to get a job as soon as you get out. They want you to feel confident in your degree and put it to good use. A lot of universities will hold frequently host job fairs on campus. If yours doesn’t, check out another campus nearby that does! This is a good chance to get your name out there and network. Networking is the key to getting a great position after graduation.

Experience and resume builders are everything. Join societies and clubs dedicated to your field of interest. Seek out internships no matter what education level you are at. The more experience, the better. It stands out to employers that you are dedicated to your field, and are willing to work to make yourself stand out as a prospective employee.

 

Have any other tips for students anxious about joining the workforce after college? Let us know in the comment section below!

Thoughts of a College Graduate

Posted on by Mario Kolev

hire me

The nagging thought in the back of your mind is a thorn in the side of college students everywhere. What happens when the buzzing allure of campus is replaced by the concrete jungle of the “real world?” How are we to survive without the meal plan, the ease of social contact, and the free-flowing wisdom of professors? It’s a truly terrifying thought – the idea of complete independence.

In what will likely be your last summer at home in close proximity to the people that you’ve depended on for years, you might be reminded often that it’s time to “grow up.” What does this mean? You just graduated college (often regarded as some of the most formative years of life) and you’re still in your early 20s. You’re well acquainted with the stress of academics and the ins and outs of socializing. What you’re not quite so familiar with is professional and financial stress. Earning good grades is a start, but it doesn’t effectively emulate the challenge of being responsible for all of one’s own expenditures and making prudent life decisions. Now you sit, head in hands, slightly perplexed – it all came so fast.

Regardless of whether you plan on furthering your education or you instead opt to plunge into the job market, things will no longer be the same. The stigma attached to graduates differs drastically from that associated with the carefree, up-and-coming freshman or even the gradually maturing sophomore. Society’s expectation is nothing short of daunting and the professional world is no more forgiving. In truth, young graduates must emerge from the physical and psychological shelter of the past four(ish) years as soon as possible in order to avoid an incredibly rude awakening. Taking the time to carefully think about the future is an effective way to wriggle free from the past.

It doesn’t have to be a sorrowful transition, but things will change. Things will come with less ease, but will bring greater rewards. Fewer lessons will come in lecture form, but you’ll still be responsible for the material in the long run. The stakes are now greater and it’s important to brace yourself for the uncertainty ahead.

Destination Graduation: Overcoming the Panic Attack

Posted on by Kelly Craig

This is not a time to…

 

 

 

 

 

…just be drifting.

If you are a semester away from graduation (as I am) or even two, chances are you’re on the brink of a nervous breakdown similar to the one you felt before graduating high school.

 

 

 

 

 

Preparation is what will ultimately calm your nerves. Putting off preparation will just make everything worse.

It’s like the time you lied to your parents and realized you had to come clean but instead of going home and facing them, you hid out in your friend’s room for a week.

Sometimes you’ve got to rip off the band-aid.

Preparation is different for every major. Are you going to grad school or law school? If so, you better research and study for the GRE’s. Are you a liberal arts major? Chances are, there is no one path to take, just like there is no one step-by-step plan to becoming a full-fledged successful journalist. This could be extra scary.

1. Talk to professors
2. Talk with your school’s career center if you haven’t had a good professor you can talk with about this stuff, or just get another opinion from them
3. Internships, internships, internships
a. Many jobs look for experience. Sitting in a classroom gets you a degree, but nothing in terms of actual experience. If you find yourself asking where you get this experience, apply for internships and fellowships.
4. Shadow your parents’ friends who have cool jobs
5. Don’t get discouraged

It is never too early to start preparing. It takes the average graduate three months to get a job, so applying for internships and entry-level jobs before your last semester is appropriate.

If those nerves are hitting hard, remember. The more prep work you do before your diploma, the more confident you will be walking across that stage (unless you’re in heels).

Moving After Graduation

Posted on by Kelly Craig

It’s bad enough to know that after graduation, everything is going to change.  Wait, I won’t be able to walk to my friends’ rooms anymore?  Already made food isn’t a 100m walk and swipe away? I can’t choose my schedule each semester? Paying rent isn’t once every four months? Once graduation hits, life as we know it changes, but how much has to change?

Where you live after graduation is based on so many different factors:

Can you live with family?

Are there jobs in your field in your area?

Can you commute to an area that has jobs?

Can you afford the commute?

Will you be finding an apartment?

Will you have roommates?

Do you have the guts to move away to a place you don’t know anyone?

There are so many things to think about, it can be overwhelming.  Forget can be, it will be overwhelming.

Depending on your field and your luck in the opportunities available near the place you’ll be living, moving could make most sense for your resume and career.  Although finances is the biggest factor in moving, what you might not realize is that moving could benefit your career more than staying home and settling for a job lower than your qualifications.

Living with family might not be ideal, but it usually makes most sense financially.  There are a few ways to get out of your house without breaking the bank though:

– Residencies:  Some internship opportunities will provide housing, utilities and provide food stipends. These jobs won’t build your savings account, but your expenses will the low to say the least.  Residencies also give you a great way to test out a job, as you would be focused on your career without distraction.  Residencies usually last six months to a year.

– Fellowships:  Fellowships can be found domestic and international.  They provide incredible opportunities and will give you an experience like none other.  Benefits vary, but fellows are often provided with full access to events and sources like a regularly employed person.

Aside from these opportunities, internships abroad is another way to go, but unfortunately, the safest way to intern abroad is through a program, and many programs overcharge.  Also, internships abroad provide a false sense that your experience abroad will be superior to an experience in a different part of theUnited States.

When you are choosing which path to take, my best advice: do whatever is best for you, not anyone else.  Balance short-term sacrifice and benefits with long-term.  The world is wide open to you, but you have to decide to go out and knock on doors because no one will come to you with a job.  Figure out what you want and don’t be afraid to go out and get it.