Job Out of College

Picking a College Major

"I'm 18 years old... how should I know what I want to do for the rest of my life?"

If you really want to get the most out of college, it is important to first determine what you want to study and then choose a school. Sounds obvious, right? Problem is, do you really know what you want to do out of college?

Here are a few considerations to take into account when choosing a major.

1. Outline your strengths and weaknesses then you should talk to your parents, friends and teachers to solicit their input. Are you good at math, science, literature, art, music, computers, debate, drama? What personality traits make you good at those subjects?
2. Talk to a career or guidance counselor at your school to determine what kind of jobs lend themselves to your strengths.
3. Do your homework about those careers. Talk to people you know who work in the field. Ask them what they like about their job, what they dislike, what are the important success factors, how they got into that position, etc. Ask them how much they make and what the future holds for that field. Make sure you take good notes while talking to them. Go to wikipedia and research those positions.
4. Make a practical decision. Understand that the purpose of attaining a college degree is to take the first step in your career. Make sure that you pick a degree that not only interests you, but will also get you a job out of college. If you are interested in Middle Eastern studies, that's great. But what are you going to do with that? Teach, Research, Write?

Bottom line is, find out what you are good at, do your research on possible careers, and pick a degree or concentration that will land you a job out of college. The last thing you want after $100K and 4 years of hard work is to be unemployed and miserable.

College Internship: Why it's a great idea

It's the beginning of spring. Spring break has past and there are only a few more months of school before freedom of the summer. You and your friends are all talking about plans for the upcoming months. Maybe you will be renting a beach house or traveling for a few weeks around Europe then bumming around the house getting a nice tan.

And why not? You have definitely deserved it after all the hard work you have done this year!

I completely agree that you need a break from your stressful lives. However, one of the best ways you can set yourself up for a great career while you are still in college is working an internship or co-op in the summer. Because internships are generally about 8 weeks long, this still gives you plenty of opportunity to relax and have a good summer vacation.

Here are a few reasons why it's a good idea:

1. Experience - talk to some of your friends who have recently graduated and currently seeking employment. Most of the time, the reason they can't find a job because employers want to see experience. So you have a Bachelors or Masters degree, but you have not been able to put it to practice yet. Get some experience - whether it's a paid or non-paid internship, you will still be able to put it down on your resume.
2. Networking - in working an internship or co-op, you are able to align yourself to people in your field. It gives you the perfect opportunity to be able to talk to people, establish relationships and learn as much as you can. Who knows, when you graduate, they might even have a job opening for you. That's how I got my first job out of college!
3. Speak the Language - college may teach you the "technical" skills and knowledge you need to know in your career, but they don't teach you much of the "practical" skills that are required. If you are able to understand the lingo, you will sound much more qualified during your interviews when you graduate.
4. Money - depending obviously on the internship, you can make a lot more money as an intern at a corporation than painting houses or working at a bar. As a freshmen college intern, I made an equivalent to $38,000/yr. Not a bad deal for someone with no degree and no experience.
   
5. Decisions about a career track - you have thousands of dollars in student loans, your parents are scrounging for  cash to pay for your tuition, and your not even sure if you like what you are studying! In working an internship in your career, you will be able to tell first hand whether or not you like the career you are aiming to reach.

So there are 5 really good reasons why you should work an internship or co-op this summer. What are some of your success stories?

Preparing for a Career Throughout High School & College

Despite what your high school guidance counselors and teachers tell you, you are not really preparing yourself for college throughout high school - you are really preparing yourself for your career. Though you may not know exactly what you want to do with your life in high school or even college, you are still building on the fundamental skills that you will need to be successful in your career. These include:

• Work Ethic
• Leadership Skills
• Communication Skills
• and a few others which you can read about in other parts of my blog

So even if you don't know what career you want, you can still begin building on these fundamentals to make you a stronger candidate for whatever career you will eventually choose.

If you want to be ahead of your peers in high school and be generally more mature and ready for college, career, and life, here are a few practical things you can do:

1. Find a mentor - mentors are one of the most valuable sources of information in my opinion. Early in your high school life and definitely in college, you should find someone who you respect and emulate. Begin speaking with them about their career and what they know. This also sets you up for more relationships with other successful individuals since successful people tend to flock together. Talk about your interests, but more importantly, listen to what they have to say.
2. Read - read books, blogs, magazines, newspapers, anything you can get your hands on. The more well-rounded you are, the more marketable you become. If you don't know what career you want yet, reading might help you develop an interest in something. If you know the career you want, learn more about it. Read books about leadership, communication, anything that is written by successful and intelligent people that can teach you something useful.
3. Practice - once you have read some material and learned more about leadership, communication, or maybe even specific knowledge to a potential career, put it to use. Begin exhibiting leadership skills. Try public speaking or giving presentations. Go shadow a doctor or physical therapist, or build a website on your own. The more you put your knowledge to practice, the more you will retain.

So remember, you're not preparing for college in high-school, you're preparing for life. Make a conscious effort to find a mentor, read, and practice fundamental skills like work ethic, communication, and leadership.