Applying for jobs post-graduation forced me to toy with the idea of doing yet another unpaid internship. Two summers ago, I interned for a non-profit organization and on Capitol Hill. Last summer, I interned for The Clinton Foundation. Each time, my parents graciously underwrote the cost of me living in fairly expensive cities. I realize that those opportunities were a luxury, not a right. My parents gave me the opportunity to take advantage of new cities, developing opportunities and the chance to find out what I was passionate about. But now, four years of private school tuition and two unpaid internships later, I am forced to re-evaluate just how willing I am to essentially work for free.
It is common knowledge that most, if not all unpaid internships, have an element of mundane, administrative or secretarial work attached. My time at the non-profit organization was spent doing hours of research and observing meetings. But at the end of the day, I had my own cubicle, e-mail address and telephone extension. At the very end of the summer, I was given the opportunity to spearhead a project and realized that the old adage is true, "you have to start somewhere." My experience on the Hill though, was quite different. My family joked that I had become an expert cuban coffee maker, because in fact, I started each day making Cuban coffee for the entire office. Not a complete waste of time though, because I realized how much I did not want to work in politics. And this past summer? I, again, did an unpaid internship, but this time for Clinton Global Initiative, one of the most prominant organizations in humanitarian efforts world-wide. But this time my intern experience was more comprehensive: I attended weekly 'Brown Bag' lunches, which provided speakers of all backgrounds to come in and talk to us about how they got where they are now. Without question, the icing on the cake and the metaphorical paycheck was having the opportunity to meet President Clinton, who is one of my personal heroes. In my eyes, this internship would provide me with the leverage (not to mention name association) to really take my job search full speed ahead.
In the April 2 edition of the New York Times, there is an article discussing the legitimacy and legality of unpaid internships in the for-profit environment. Now don't get me wrong--if I could have an paid internship with a non-profit I would be all of it. But many of them do not have the funds or capacity to compensate interns, and while they are not glorified volunteers, they are not monetarily rewarded for their work.
Officials in Orgeon, California and other states are filing claims that companies whom they believe are in violation of minimum wage laws. The Labor Department says that it is cracking down on firms that fail to pay interns accordingly. They maintain that a for-profit employer or a student seeking a for-profit internship should pay or be paid, respectively. More interestingly, The Department reports that many employers failed to pay interns even though their internship programs did not comply with the six federal legal criteria that must be met for internships to be unpaid. These include training that mirrors training given in an academic setting, the intern does not do work that regular employees should be doing and that the employer does not "derive immediate advantage" from an intern's work.
According to the Career Development Center at Stanford University, unpaid internship postings have nearly tripled in the last two years, fueling student desires to pursue unpaid opportunities. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, in 2008 nearly 50% of graduating students held internships, nearly tripled from the 17% who did in 1992.
And thus presents the Catch-22. Many jobs now require some sort of experience, yet the opportunities to get this experience are often saved for the elite. It is expensive and often times, an economic burden on a family to subsidize their child's expenses in another city. Many families rely on the supplemental income a summer job provides, or in other cases, the student serves as their own economic support.
What is important to remember is that internships--paid or unpaid--serve as a valuable teaching tool and stepping stone into the "real world". During my undergraduate career, I was ok with "working" 9-5, commuting in the morning and staying after if need be. In my eyes, I was earning my keep---keep that would come in the forms of letters of recommendations, a pathway to more prestigious internships and now, hopefully a job.
While there is speculation as to the fairness of unpaid internships, it is also important to remember that without them, you may never find out what your true passion is, what kinds of work environments you hate and what paths you may want to pursue.
For the full article, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/business/03intern.html
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Let the countdown begin
It seems surreal that we only have 40-something days left in our undergraduate career. Like other students, part of me is ready to graduate. I am ready to embrace the next step, a new city and begin the next chapter of my life. And like other students, I am sad to leave the tight-knit community we have called home for the past four years.
I find it funny that 50 days, nor the Senior Fair and picking up my cap and gown served as a wake up call. Both events, monumental in name, scream to seniors "THIS IS IT. ITS THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!". But it was the first job interview, the real preparation for the next step that jolted me.
I think it is a lot easier to be "ready" to graduate when your fate is unknown. You aren't bound to a plan or any responsabilities. But I see having a job as having a plan. And with a plan comes structure. And structure signifies the end of being a carefree college student.
We are presented with a unique situation: In order to proactively search for a job, one must start early. You can begin to send out resumes in December, network and pour over job listings. But many organizations or companies are not willing to hold a job until May. So you either don't hear anything or are told that they are looking for immediate hire. And the cycle continues until the Spring, when places are looking to hire and your timeline is more prevalent to their organization. It is almost like you are penalized for being proactive and then BAM! April rolls around and you start to feel the crunch of a looming graduation.
The first interview was incredibly rewarding--it reinforced that my skill set and background was relateable to someone and something and it was a nice payoff for the dozens of applications I had sent out. But it also signaled the beginning of the end--the end of Muhlenberg and days of school-centered responsabilities.
I don't want to stay in college forever, but I also regret rushing to verbalize my desire to move on. I propose that we enjoy what we have left as Muhlenberg students and Allentown residents and take the next step, one application at a time, in stride.
I find it funny that 50 days, nor the Senior Fair and picking up my cap and gown served as a wake up call. Both events, monumental in name, scream to seniors "THIS IS IT. ITS THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!". But it was the first job interview, the real preparation for the next step that jolted me.
I think it is a lot easier to be "ready" to graduate when your fate is unknown. You aren't bound to a plan or any responsabilities. But I see having a job as having a plan. And with a plan comes structure. And structure signifies the end of being a carefree college student.
We are presented with a unique situation: In order to proactively search for a job, one must start early. You can begin to send out resumes in December, network and pour over job listings. But many organizations or companies are not willing to hold a job until May. So you either don't hear anything or are told that they are looking for immediate hire. And the cycle continues until the Spring, when places are looking to hire and your timeline is more prevalent to their organization. It is almost like you are penalized for being proactive and then BAM! April rolls around and you start to feel the crunch of a looming graduation.
The first interview was incredibly rewarding--it reinforced that my skill set and background was relateable to someone and something and it was a nice payoff for the dozens of applications I had sent out. But it also signaled the beginning of the end--the end of Muhlenberg and days of school-centered responsabilities.
I don't want to stay in college forever, but I also regret rushing to verbalize my desire to move on. I propose that we enjoy what we have left as Muhlenberg students and Allentown residents and take the next step, one application at a time, in stride.
Monday, March 29, 2010
It's not about what you know, but who you know
It has become extremely evident that finding a job in today's economy is somewhat reliant on people you know. When I first started college, I thought that networking was cheating--it was as if I wasn't smart enough or qualified enough to get a job or internship on my own. But what I failed to realize is that networking serves as a step up and an endorsement. To have someone call on your behalf isn't cheating the system, it's playing the system. Today, simply submitting a resume and cover letter isn't going to cut it. It isn't about what you know anymore, but rather who you know. So break out the iCal or the Outlook and start downloading V-cards. Trust me, you are going to want as many as possible.
I have a hard time writing about myself on this blog, but I feel the only way to drive this point home is to in fact, write about my own experiences networking. My dad, in all of his professional glory, has racked up a substantial number of business friends and associates. With his help (and first round of e-mails) many of his friends offered to speak to me on the phone and send out my resume. I expected the worst--many places weren't looking to hire someone just out of college or there weren't any openings to begin with. But the fact that my name and resume were circulating was a giant leap in the right direction.
My dad always tells me that people who are successful in their jobs probably got help along the way and many of those people are willing to pay it forward. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, nor is it an indicator that you are incapable of finding a job on your own. It just means that you are exhausting all possible options and nothing bad can come of reaching out. Take it from me---I was the queen of "I am doing this on my own". So I applied for an internship, told my Dad (who told his business associate who incidentally worked for this person) and less than 24 hours later, I was offered an internship. Now--I am aware that most people have to go through rounds of interviews, and I just got lucky. But instead of being excited, I felt guilty, like they hired me because they felt obligated. I soon realized that there was no obligation to hire me, that I landed the internship on my own merit, but her phone call only made sure that my resume was given a deeper and better look.
The moral of the story is not to be afraid to reach out. Contacting someone, even if just for an informational interview, is more proactive and sometimes more effective than blindly sending applications. Networking is an effective job search tool and it should be utilized, just like a finely crafted resume and cover letter.
Don't be afraid to cast your line---chances are, something will bite.
I have a hard time writing about myself on this blog, but I feel the only way to drive this point home is to in fact, write about my own experiences networking. My dad, in all of his professional glory, has racked up a substantial number of business friends and associates. With his help (and first round of e-mails) many of his friends offered to speak to me on the phone and send out my resume. I expected the worst--many places weren't looking to hire someone just out of college or there weren't any openings to begin with. But the fact that my name and resume were circulating was a giant leap in the right direction.
My dad always tells me that people who are successful in their jobs probably got help along the way and many of those people are willing to pay it forward. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, nor is it an indicator that you are incapable of finding a job on your own. It just means that you are exhausting all possible options and nothing bad can come of reaching out. Take it from me---I was the queen of "I am doing this on my own". So I applied for an internship, told my Dad (who told his business associate who incidentally worked for this person) and less than 24 hours later, I was offered an internship. Now--I am aware that most people have to go through rounds of interviews, and I just got lucky. But instead of being excited, I felt guilty, like they hired me because they felt obligated. I soon realized that there was no obligation to hire me, that I landed the internship on my own merit, but her phone call only made sure that my resume was given a deeper and better look.
The moral of the story is not to be afraid to reach out. Contacting someone, even if just for an informational interview, is more proactive and sometimes more effective than blindly sending applications. Networking is an effective job search tool and it should be utilized, just like a finely crafted resume and cover letter.
Don't be afraid to cast your line---chances are, something will bite.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Making the Most of It
As a student worker in the Career Center, part of my position is to promote Career Center events on campus. I realize as a busy student that there are simply not enough hours in the day to attend everything AND get your work done AND have a life. There are times where I think sleep is simply over-rated.
But attending the 'Alumni in the Spotlight: History Majors' panel shifted my perspective. No, I am not a history major and yes, I am incredibly glad I attended. My primary motivation was work related--I needed to cover this event for a newsletter. But as I sat in the back row, scribbling down pieces of advice and quotes, I realized that I was going to walk away with much more than a news story.
Here's my dilemma: I am a political science major and as of now, want nothing, to do with it post-graduation. I have no desire to go to law school, lobby or work on Capitol Hill. I love Washington D.C. for its culture, not its politics. And three of the four alumni on the panel have careers and lives that have little to do with their majors as well. (Enter a sigh of relief---there is hope for me after all).
Two of the alumni who I related to the most worked in higher education as a Program Manager for Drexel's MBA program and as the Executive Director of Marketing for Everyday Rachel Ray. Both were passionate about their major, the topics they learned and the skills they garnered from studying it. But at the same time, they were interested in other areas, like magazines, marketing and programming in higher education. The advice they offered and the lessons they learned were easily applicable to my life and job pursuit, yet I wasn't a history major. After speaking with both of them after the presentation, I received their contact information and the offer to pick their brain any time I wanted.
The thing to take away from all of this is that the programs offered through the Career Center, although appropriately labeled one thing, can be interesting and applicable to students in other majors. History and political science encourage and foster the same skill set---strong reading, writing and analytic skills, the ability to locate and predict patterns and the development of a global perspective. In fact, any liberal arts major will have these skills post-graduation. Panels like these show students how to hone in on their skills and pursue their passion and I believe that every Muhlenberg student, history major or not, should take advantage of these opportunities.
Who knows--you may just learn a thing--or pick up a business card--or two.
But attending the 'Alumni in the Spotlight: History Majors' panel shifted my perspective. No, I am not a history major and yes, I am incredibly glad I attended. My primary motivation was work related--I needed to cover this event for a newsletter. But as I sat in the back row, scribbling down pieces of advice and quotes, I realized that I was going to walk away with much more than a news story.
Here's my dilemma: I am a political science major and as of now, want nothing, to do with it post-graduation. I have no desire to go to law school, lobby or work on Capitol Hill. I love Washington D.C. for its culture, not its politics. And three of the four alumni on the panel have careers and lives that have little to do with their majors as well. (Enter a sigh of relief---there is hope for me after all).
Two of the alumni who I related to the most worked in higher education as a Program Manager for Drexel's MBA program and as the Executive Director of Marketing for Everyday Rachel Ray. Both were passionate about their major, the topics they learned and the skills they garnered from studying it. But at the same time, they were interested in other areas, like magazines, marketing and programming in higher education. The advice they offered and the lessons they learned were easily applicable to my life and job pursuit, yet I wasn't a history major. After speaking with both of them after the presentation, I received their contact information and the offer to pick their brain any time I wanted.
The thing to take away from all of this is that the programs offered through the Career Center, although appropriately labeled one thing, can be interesting and applicable to students in other majors. History and political science encourage and foster the same skill set---strong reading, writing and analytic skills, the ability to locate and predict patterns and the development of a global perspective. In fact, any liberal arts major will have these skills post-graduation. Panels like these show students how to hone in on their skills and pursue their passion and I believe that every Muhlenberg student, history major or not, should take advantage of these opportunities.
Who knows--you may just learn a thing--or pick up a business card--or two.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Miami Herald Edition
Even though I am a die-hard New York Times girl, I will periodically read my hometown newspaper, The Miami Herald. It must have been a lucky day, because on the front page of the business section was an article titled "Once-certain jobs for postgraduates are scarce". Horrifying? Absolutely. Real? You bet.
College graduates are not the only group of people feeling the tight constraints of the job market. Recent MBA and law school graduates are also struggling to find jobs---some having graduated from top schools such as UC-Davis and even better, at the top of their class.
Nearly a decade ago, markets for both MBA and law students were thriving. But now, there are "too many applicants and not enough career opportunities". According to the article, nearly 80% of employers scaled back on campus recruiting, an event that many students relied on as an integral part of their job search. For law school graduates, the market has simple "tanked", according to the executive director of the National Association for Law Placement. Law students who actively pursue summer associate positions (which historically lead to job offers) find that there are fewer offers. For those who were lucky enough to be offered jobs, start dates have been pushed back, some indefinitely.
But there is another element of fear for those who are graduating unemployed: student debts. Law school students graduate with nearly $80,000 worth of debt for a private school education, and those who attend public school graduate with nearly $54,000 worth of debt.
To help those who are unemployed, law schools have begun creating their own jobs, attempting to formulate relief packages. UC Berkley's law school has created career development and financial planning programs for third-year law students and creates "bridge fellowships" for third year students hwo have not found jobs.
The good news is that despite a discouraging market, law and business schools are seeing a surge in interest and applicants. Perhaps it is to delay the inevitable or perhaps people are hoping that by the time they graduate, the job market will be better. The best thing to do is remain informed and realistic about the current economic situation. As Sir Francis Bacon once said, "knowledge is power".
Happy hunting.
For the full article, click here:http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/22/1539941/once-certain-jobs-for-postgraduates.html
College graduates are not the only group of people feeling the tight constraints of the job market. Recent MBA and law school graduates are also struggling to find jobs---some having graduated from top schools such as UC-Davis and even better, at the top of their class.
Nearly a decade ago, markets for both MBA and law students were thriving. But now, there are "too many applicants and not enough career opportunities". According to the article, nearly 80% of employers scaled back on campus recruiting, an event that many students relied on as an integral part of their job search. For law school graduates, the market has simple "tanked", according to the executive director of the National Association for Law Placement. Law students who actively pursue summer associate positions (which historically lead to job offers) find that there are fewer offers. For those who were lucky enough to be offered jobs, start dates have been pushed back, some indefinitely.
But there is another element of fear for those who are graduating unemployed: student debts. Law school students graduate with nearly $80,000 worth of debt for a private school education, and those who attend public school graduate with nearly $54,000 worth of debt.
To help those who are unemployed, law schools have begun creating their own jobs, attempting to formulate relief packages. UC Berkley's law school has created career development and financial planning programs for third-year law students and creates "bridge fellowships" for third year students hwo have not found jobs.
The good news is that despite a discouraging market, law and business schools are seeing a surge in interest and applicants. Perhaps it is to delay the inevitable or perhaps people are hoping that by the time they graduate, the job market will be better. The best thing to do is remain informed and realistic about the current economic situation. As Sir Francis Bacon once said, "knowledge is power".
Happy hunting.
For the full article, click here:http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/22/1539941/once-certain-jobs-for-postgraduates.html
Thursday, March 18, 2010
If at first your don't suceed...
Getting ready to graduate in less than two months scares me, but not for the reasons you would think. I am not afraid to move on and experience something besides the 84 acres of Muhlenberg's campus. I am not afraid to try something different and deviate from my 'political science academia' path. I am not afraid to move to a new city, make new friends and at 21 years old, essentially start from scratch.
But what I am afraid of is failing. I am terrified of graduating and feeling lost, feeling unprepared and (a distinct reality) jobless.
Will Wright of the Stupid Fun Club was asked what would be in his "two minutes commencement speech". He wanted to focus on the value of failure. Wright believes that graduating with a specific mindset about what you want to do and how you need to do it isn't for everyone. Graduating with rigid plans can lead to failure and then deflate a person's drive. For Wright, it is about accepting your failure, celebrating that you gave something a try and to embrace the new outlook that it has given you. For him, failure isn't really failure--it is more of a large scale trial and error. Wright believes that failure will occur when a person tries to fit a square peg into a round hole, or mold themselves to a work environment that isn't conducive to their strengths or talents. Rather, he encourages students to find a place where they can grow and adapt with.
I am graduating with a political science major and Jewish studies minor. My last four years studying have given me invaluable tools, like strong analytic skills, the ability to become a concise writer and the opportunity to be well-versed on American and International events. But when I got home for winter break this year, I realized that I wanted nothing to do with political science come May. I didn't want to work in politics, was unsure of law school, had zero interest in lobbying and felt completely lost. In my head, I had failed. But I realized that I had done more than most people---I had tried out a few kinds of environments through internships, took classes I thought would interest me and began picking people's brains about their jobs and careers.
Taking time to figure out what is right for you doesn't mean you have failed as a student or person. Rather, it means that you have made the brave step of being introspective. People change careers all the time and at all ages. At 21 and 22, we aren't expected and shouldn't have all the answers. So apply for that job or internship that may be out of your comfort zone. Enroll in the class that sounds really interesting. Take a leap, try something new and if you don't like the outcome, then you take the lessons it has taught you and the experience gained and confidently go forward to the next adventure.
For the full interview, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/business/14corner.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1
But what I am afraid of is failing. I am terrified of graduating and feeling lost, feeling unprepared and (a distinct reality) jobless.
Will Wright of the Stupid Fun Club was asked what would be in his "two minutes commencement speech". He wanted to focus on the value of failure. Wright believes that graduating with a specific mindset about what you want to do and how you need to do it isn't for everyone. Graduating with rigid plans can lead to failure and then deflate a person's drive. For Wright, it is about accepting your failure, celebrating that you gave something a try and to embrace the new outlook that it has given you. For him, failure isn't really failure--it is more of a large scale trial and error. Wright believes that failure will occur when a person tries to fit a square peg into a round hole, or mold themselves to a work environment that isn't conducive to their strengths or talents. Rather, he encourages students to find a place where they can grow and adapt with.
I am graduating with a political science major and Jewish studies minor. My last four years studying have given me invaluable tools, like strong analytic skills, the ability to become a concise writer and the opportunity to be well-versed on American and International events. But when I got home for winter break this year, I realized that I wanted nothing to do with political science come May. I didn't want to work in politics, was unsure of law school, had zero interest in lobbying and felt completely lost. In my head, I had failed. But I realized that I had done more than most people---I had tried out a few kinds of environments through internships, took classes I thought would interest me and began picking people's brains about their jobs and careers.
Taking time to figure out what is right for you doesn't mean you have failed as a student or person. Rather, it means that you have made the brave step of being introspective. People change careers all the time and at all ages. At 21 and 22, we aren't expected and shouldn't have all the answers. So apply for that job or internship that may be out of your comfort zone. Enroll in the class that sounds really interesting. Take a leap, try something new and if you don't like the outcome, then you take the lessons it has taught you and the experience gained and confidently go forward to the next adventure.
For the full interview, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/business/14corner.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1
Friday, March 5, 2010
Take it Easy
Welcome to Spring Break!
Take this weak to regroup and recharge. Sleep a little later. Watch a little to much TV. If you are headed down South, take a nap in the sun. Try not to remember that this is our (GASP!) last spring break as students--and just for that, let the job searching lie for a few days.
I'll be back next week with more stories, updates and news articles! Enjoy your (very hard earned) vacation.
-Jessica
Take this weak to regroup and recharge. Sleep a little later. Watch a little to much TV. If you are headed down South, take a nap in the sun. Try not to remember that this is our (GASP!) last spring break as students--and just for that, let the job searching lie for a few days.
I'll be back next week with more stories, updates and news articles! Enjoy your (very hard earned) vacation.
-Jessica
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