A college degree has only one purpose: get you a job after graduation! Even if you have put in hundreds of hours of work over the course of four years, none of that is going to pay off if you are unable to translate those skills into a pay check. I want to take this time to highlight some optimal means of locating available jobs.
Indeed
This website has the option to search for jobs in your field of work in combination with a specialized location. Last month they posted metropolitan areas with the best job markets. The top five cities included (in order): Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, San Jose, CA, New York, NY, and San Francisco, CA. Of those cities, the top four had only one unemployed person for every job posting, which is an ideal ratio. It also published the top ten job trends based upon the category of work being fulfilled. The top five industries were: HTML5 (web design), Mobile app, Android, Twitter, and jQuery.
Career Builder
This website updates its listings on a daily basis and currently provide information for 1.6 million jobs. They too provide specialized service based upon career specialization and location preference. There is also an area to post your resume for potential employers to view right on this site. In addition, there is a section in which recommendations from other professionals you have worked with can be provide, again with the convenience of staying on the same webpage.
Monster
In addition to the standard job search forum and resume posting venue, this website offers its users an advice column. Their articles range from interview fashion advice to what not to do as a new hire to how to respond to a layoff. They also provide individualized articles within each career category. In addition, they provide a spreadsheet-like questionnaire that allows you to compare salaries throughout various companies. In all, it appears that this is the most advanced website in regards to job listings.
As convenient as the Internet is, nothing can replace face-to-face connections. Carousel Expo provides a nation-wide list separated by states of local job fairs. Obviously these events can be overwhelming, but that process can be countered by preparation. Do a little background research of the companies that will be there and make sure you have a way for the people you meet to remember you (maybe a business card).
With the looks of the job market today, there is going to be no better link to a job than through a personal connection you have made. Make sure you take a look at our ‘Networking’ tab for more information on this topic!
So take these websites and start job searching!
-Amanda
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With your freshly printed diploma in hand you are ready to transition from care-free college kid into working adult. This section will focus on the tools necessary to make that change, as well as some pointers for while you are still in school.
Indeed
This website has the option to search for jobs in your field of work in combination with a specialized location. Last month they posted metropolitan areas with the best job markets. The top five cities included (in order): Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, San Jose, CA, New York, NY, and San Francisco, CA. Of those cities, the top four had only one unemployed person for every job posting, which is an ideal ratio. It also published the top ten job trends based upon the category of work being fulfilled. The top five industries were: HTML5 (web design), Mobile app, Android, Twitter, and jQuery.
Career Builder
This website updates its listings on a daily basis and currently provide information for 1.6 million jobs. They too provide specialized service based upon career specialization and location preference. There is also an area to post your resume for potential employers to view right on this site. In addition, there is a section in which recommendations from other professionals you have worked with can be provide, again with the convenience of staying on the same webpage.
Monster
In addition to the standard job search forum and resume posting venue, this website offers its users an advice column. Their articles range from interview fashion advice to what not to do as a new hire to how to respond to a layoff. They also provide individualized articles within each career category. In addition, they provide a spreadsheet-like questionnaire that allows you to compare salaries throughout various companies. In all, it appears that this is the most advanced website in regards to job listings.
As convenient as the Internet is, nothing can replace face-to-face connections. Carousel Expo provides a nation-wide list separated by states of local job fairs. Obviously these events can be overwhelming, but that process can be countered by preparation. Do a little background research of the companies that will be there and make sure you have a way for the people you meet to remember you (maybe a business card).
With the looks of the job market today, there is going to be no better link to a job than through a personal connection you have made. Make sure you take a look at our ‘Networking’ tab for more information on this topic!
So take these websites and start job searching!
-Amanda
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With your freshly printed diploma in hand you are ready to transition from care-free college kid into working adult. This section will focus on the tools necessary to make that change, as well as some pointers for while you are still in school.
I decided to grab an angle from an individual who just recently completed this process, 2009 Franklin Pierce Graduate, Steve Dodrill. After less than two years as a professional, Dodrill has already solidified Manager of web/news services as well as a reporter and anchor positions for 95.9 WATD FM. His first piece of advice focused on helpful hints for that time period leading up to graduation, including even the time prior to senior year. He also provided insight as to major ‘must-dos’ when one actually becomes a part of the field.
As I’m sure every one of you has had drilled into your heads since middle school: get involved! A potential employer is going to want to see an individual who is passionate about their future field of work. Dodrill explained to me that senior year is often too late to get involved enough in something to be able to give it significance on a resume, or establish a networking connection, meaning the sooner, the better. “I recommend before you graduate [senior year], finish at an all time high as far as involvement goes. Don’t take a downward spiral and abandon all of your studies and extracurricular activities,” he said.
His advice regarding once you enter the field was very perceptive in that he was able to touch upon ideas that he has yet to encounter himself. It is important to stay connected, even if you are to instantly land the job of your dreams (not likely). Constantly update your web pages including your professional portfolio as well as social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter. Especially in the world of the Internet today, it is almost too easy to stay in touch with others, there is really no excuse for anything otherwise. “Networking is fun and important, especially when its time to move on to the next step in your career,” said Dodrill. He told me that a lot of people who have been in the industry for a long time become too comfortable, which is not good, because that is when you become replaceable. It is important to stay up with technology as well as the evolving industry.
I then took the time to retrieve advice for recent graduates from one of the highest of experts among the field of journalism, Abby Goodnough, editor of the New York Times. In a video interview she explained that basic report skills are imperative, not even a thing to be questioned. Additionally, college graduates should have experience covering a variety of stories including police, education, and city hall to name a few. She then went on to explain that it is important to be able to communicate your story through a variety of mediums, as opposed to the traditional newspaper article.
It is important to develop your writing skills, but also you need experience in taking your own photos, and even shooting video to supplement your story. She also added that one has to be knowledgeable with regard to today’s developing technology.
I will be looking for more advice elsewhere, but in the meantime if you have not already gotten involved, wake up! And for those of you who are getting experience in your journalism classes, if not for the sake of your grade, for the sake of your future- make sure you are learning different ways to report your stories, including print, audio, and visual.
-Amanda
