College Tomorrow, Today

By Guy Friedman, CEO, GF Education Group

Like no other mass marketed product in the US, the price of college tuition has increased at a near linear rate. From a young age, college is hammered home as the “golden ticket”: the ticket to a better life, a house and the entry way to adult hood.

While no one disputes that the college is a transformative experience – many are now concerned the ROI (return on investment) of college is declining of attending top schools (See a representative article here). However, the data shows that these claims do not hold up. Recently, payscale.com published ROI’s for the top schools in the country and the top prestigious schools still have a positive return that can beat the market and other schools.

Of course, the above data requires both employers and students to buy into the filtering system college offers. It, at the least, demonstrates that top employers are not hiring only for the hard skills learned at school – they are paying for you to grow as a person. Furthermore, they are using the college experience as a filtering mechanism to make sure you are a socialized, person who can work and has the ability to learn. Employers do use GPAs, but really are more focused on what school you attended vs. how much you know of a certain subject. The pressure to have abnormally high GPAs for all graduates has resulted in the metric becoming inflated and unreliable. With all the different majors, classes and professors, these metrics are very tough to use across schools and candidates.

But as any finance, economist or political scientist will tell you – tuition prices cannot increase forever. Operating from the assumption that this space will eventually be disrupted, we can see some interesting steps in this direction.

First, the Wall Street Journal ranked undergraduate colleges by polling recruiters (vs the USNews, which uses a mix of survey data and hard metrics). Turns out, most recruiters’ value the education and candidates at big state schools vs the liberal arts POV of creating a more all around, holistic educational experience.

Second is the dramatic increase in online and offline enrollment in for-profit colleges. (Yes, this is driven by government grants and financing, but in general are a cheaper alternative to many private schools). But are these really the alternative they claim to be? As good as the courses and curriculum are, it is hard to judge 1) what students learned in their courses and 2) The value of these degrees in the marketplace.

The non-profit response has been interesting. There are more online options as well as free content around the web. The economic value of taking a course online, or in school is high only if you can demonstrate that knowledge to someone who will pay for implementing that knowledge. It is precisely for this reason that many colleges are now offering their course materials for free (yes, free) online. The real value in top universities is the degree and the social experience, not the fact that you attended classes and learned the material, which is similar across many schools.

So where does that leave us looking into the next decade? There is no doubt there will be some disaggregation between the high price of tuition and the actual ROI of that education - but will the value of the knowledge acquired be disaggregated from the value of the college experience itself? In other words, how will an employer be able to tell the difference in the knowledge acquired between two graduates? One solution is to standardize this portion of the college process, allowing greater transparency between the student (who will want to show their skills), colleges (ranking how well they achieve results compared to peers) and employers (standardizing what knowledge is important and how to measure it).

Believe the [Negative] Hype... And Overcome It

By Eddie Earnest, Director of University Sales & Marketing, GF Education Group, Inc.

Let’s face it, you college students are stressed. In addition to dealing with the traditional stressors of college (keeping up that GPA, being actively involved on campus, looking for internships, balancing a social life, etc.), you also face something that many of us never had to encounter: the constant reminder that our faltering economy will leave most of you disappointed, to put it mildly, with your entry-level job prospects.

It is certainly true that an undergraduate degree does not guarantee anyone what it may once have (i.e. a job). As Christine Dugas of USA Today points out in the opening line of her recent editorial: “A college degree is no longer the ticket to the American Dream.” She outlines the key statistics that are being thrown in the faces of college juniors and seniors around the country on a regular basis, and I’m not suggesting that we ignore these:

Unemployment rate for 20-24 year olds has risen to a staggering 15%

Average student graduates with $24,000 in student loan debt

I am, however, suggesting (as Christine Dugas goes on to do) that there are a number of steps you can take to mitigate the risk of becoming a negative statistic upon graduating. Christopher Matgouranis and Jonathan Robe of the CCAP might argue that you should never have gone to college, but since you’re already there, focus on these tips:

1) Use NETWORKING tools, such as LinkedIn, heavily in your internship/job searches. It is estimated that 70% of jobs are found through networking.

2) Boost your RESUME. As the number of college graduates increases disproportionately (inversely is probably more accurate) with the number of jobs available, it is an absolute necessity to stand out on paper. This is often the first, and only, impression.

3) DIFFERENTIATE yourself. There are a number of ways to do this; focus on setting yourself apart from your peers (competitors) in the job market.

The Certified Business Laureate™ Exam and Credential was developed to provide ambitious students with an interest in business an opportunity in these three areas. Top scoring candidates will have exclusive access to the CBL Professional Network, which is comprised of representatives from companies in the Fortune 500, among others. For those of you who are not interested in going that extra mile, you can take comfort in knowing that there are always two sides to every story, and that things may not be so bad for this year’s graduating class (maybe).

In either case, recognize that it’s not the end of the world for you, the college student. You still have options, but it’s up to you to seek them out and take advantage of them.

Study Abroad and Stand Out

Matthew Guerriero, Campus Representative, Pittsburgh University

College students are always looking for ways to differentiate themselves from other students across the country. This is the reason many students join student organizations and take leadership positions. However, another way to differentiate is to study abroad and employers may favor this over other aspects. Many universities offer the option for students to study abroad and this experience could be extremely valuable, especially if it is in a foreign country and a student learns a different language. Sheila J. Curran of GoingGlobal writes about some advantages of studying abroad when it comes time to interview with a company:

Consider these ways of standing out from the applicant crowd and finding your ‘hook.’

• Study in the language of the country wherever possible, even though it makes for a tough first few weeks. (That’s assuming the native language of the country isn’t English!) You’ll smile when your potential employer realizes you really can conduct an interview in fluent Spanish.
• Live with a family, rather than with fellow Americans. You’ll start to understand the nuances of culture and how things work: great for a question on cross-cultural communications.

These are just a few advantages of studying abroad, and the rest that Ms. Curran writes about can be found on the website. I found this article particularly interesting because I am studying abroad in the Dominican Republic next semester. I hope to become fluent in Spanish and ultimately use this experience as an advantage when I apply for jobs. Understanding a foreign language and culture is becoming increasingly important as the ethnic groups in the United States continue to change. I encourage everyone to study abroad because it is one experience that cannot be missed.

Foreshadowing a Bad Position

By Elizabeth Chamberland, Campus Representative, Indiana University

After a busy season of career fairs, submitting resumes, interviews, second interviews, and finally offers; how do you know which offer to accept? When faced with this decision, we are told to consider company culture, location, and possibility for future advancement. While it is highly unlikely that your first job out of college will employ you for the rest of your life, it is important that the first work-force experience is a positive one. Looking upon graduation or a summer busy interning, you must decide the best place for yourself.

Career Builder suggests that there are several factors you may note that foreshadow a poor position.

1. You get asked strange questions

2. Nobody seems happy to be there

3. You get a whiff of dirty laundry

4. Your position doesn't have a title (or a start date or a job description)

5. Your gut tells you to run

Strange interview questions can give a glimpse into corporate culture, management styles, and potential problems that may be faced. Hints of dark company secrets or unhappy employees may foreshadow a negative working environment. Moral of the story - look very closely at all aspects of any offer to make sure your chosen position is a promising fit.

UN-Common Interview Questions

By Daniel Alexander, Campus Representative, Georgetown University

I just came across some really creative interview questions that everyone going to interviews should be able to answer. In a New York Times interview, Kathy Savitt, founder and C.E.O. of Lockerz, a social networking and e-commerce site discusses some questions she likes to ask in interviews. Here are her questions:

What did you love most about the work you just finished doing?

If you could design your life in terms of work, what would that job actually be?

If you could take 100 percent of your abilities and create a job description, what would it look like?

Describe the best manager and the worst manager you’ve ever had.

If everyone here was a C.E.O. and I was to make you the C.E.O. of something on Day One, what would you be the C.E.O. of?

Who’s your wackiest friend?

Kathy explains that she is looking not only for intelligence, but also for wit, passion, cultural fit and great communication skills. I think her approach and her questions are very original and effective. Unless you have read her interview or this post, you will probably be unprepared for these types of questions in an interview and, in my opinion, that makes for great interview questions. Creating your own job description is something I touched on in my last post. I feel as though many undergraduates, including myself, do not know exactly what their best abilities are and what they would like to do with them. Kathy’s questions force you to think about these things and that is how she is able to choose the most capable and passionate candidates. For those undergraduates out there who are exploring several fields, keep exploring, but try to keep these questions in mind.

Puzzles and Interviews

By Kevin Enriquez, Campus Representative, Drexel University

Are puzzle questions necessary at an interview? Many companies believe problem solving and probability questions can help identify the creative thinkers from a pool of their best candidates. It tests candidates how they perform under pressure and if they can think outside the box and avoid the obvious methods. However many companies believe this method only finds the best people who are good at solving puzzles, not whether they'll be a good fit for a job.

An article relating to this topic on BNet reads...

Companies use puzzle questions to help discover the smartest and most creative job applicants; employees who can think under stress as well as outside the box. The interviewer is able to get a feel for how applicants think by watching them reason their way to a final answer. Other puzzlers are really stress tests, such as seeing if an applicant reacts in a desired way when asked to open a window that's been glued shut.

In my opinion puzzles are great in sorting out the best candidates from the good ones. Apart from job experience, GPA, and scores on reasoning exams you cannot see the candidates thinking patterns. Telling a candidate to explain his/her answer on a problem solving question will show his performance first hand. Besides the interviewer will not base his decision on accepting an applicant solely on his/her problem solving performance, it's just a small chunk of the overall interview. This new "fad" of reasoning problems is just another creative way to test applicants, and I can see many other companies using this in the future.

Click here for an office favorite.

Networking for the Faint of Heart

By Monika Ragniak, Campus Representative, University of Minnesota

So as much as we’re all ready for the end of this semester, I’m sure we’re equally un-ready for next semester to start. We’ll have to sit through another week of reading through syllabi and meet new classmates and professors. It also means the beginning of round two for networking and job searching. Here are some pointers from CIO that you can think about over break and mentally prepare for the upcoming fight the big Knock Out.

1. Start Small – start with your intimate network, branch out slowly.
2. Stop Apologizing – inexperienced networkers generally apologize too much. It’s annoying.
3. Tap into Your Primal Instincts – we are innately social, embrace it!
4. Be Yourself – be authentic.
5. Tap into Your Passions – join clubs and attend events that you are interested in. It will make conversing in these settings so much easier.
6. Ask for Introductions – ask someone you know to introduce you to others they may know
7. Be Generous – although networking works best when you have something to offer, it can be as little as simply being sincere and authentic.
8. Be Prepared – prepare that elevator speech!
9. Follow Up – do what you say you’ll do.
10. Get Over Your Fear of Rejection – don’t take it personally
11. Take Risks – break the ice.
12. Get Help From a Pro – if you can’t get over your shyness or fear of meeting new people, talk to someone who can help you break out of your shell.

I know it seems like a lot of homework for the short month you have off. But, I promise, if you take these suggestions to heart, you can’t go wrong.

What's Your "Headline"?

By Daniel Alexander, Campus Representative, Georgetown University

Can you come up with one sentence that captures who you are? Seriously, give it a try. It is not that easy, is it? Branding yourself with a headline, and even a personal logo and website, can really give you an advantage in your job search, especially in creative fields such as marketing. In my Promotional Strategy class, professor Charlie Jones, President of Brand Intersection Group, asked us to create a “headline” for ourselves. While we’d like to think we know ourselves well, it can be extremely difficult to pack everything that makes us unique into one simple, concrete statement. My first attempt at this resulted in a headline that could apply to thousands of my peers and therefore fails at being unique to me.

I think this exercise is very valuable for three reasons. For one, it really forces you to think about who you are, what your strengths and weaknesses are and what career is best fitting for you. Some people might have a great understanding of who they are, while others, like myself, will struggle with the task of narrowing many personal characteristics down to only a few essential ones. This task can require that you start from scratch and try to forget what you think you know about yourself. Once you have a good understanding, try thinking about how your headline can correlate with specific career goals. Secondly, a concrete understanding of who you are and what you can offer is essential for being an attractive candidate in the eyes of potential employers. A great personal headline and logo will surely make your resume memorable, and will definitely add flair to your business card (once you have one). Finally, taking a personal inventory of your strengths and weaknesses is the first step in improving yourself. You have to know yourself to grow yourself. Try getting people who know you well to provide honest feedback through online tools such as 360 Reach or Rypple.

If you feel up to it, try making a personal websites and logo. Websites are a great way to create visibility for your personal brand. Even a blog can be very effective. Personal logos can be made using a program like Illustrator. You can try the program for free for 30 days here. For inspiration, check out logopond and logoyes. Yes, learning how to make websites and logos can be time-consuming, but if you know how to make them, that is another skill that will differentiate you from your peers

Setting the Tone at Your First Job

By Matthew Guerriero, Campus Representative, University of Pittsburgh

Many companies in today’s world are trying to get employees that are organization focused rather than personally focused. For example, a company wants someone who will stay with the company for their entire professional career rather than use the job as a stepping stone to somewhere else. Many students coming out of college have the tendency to only care about their own career because it is difficult to find a job and they want to start making the largest amount of money as possible. Kelly Butler from Employee Benefit News writes about what factors into employees staying or leaving an organization.

Eighty percent of employees decide whether to stay with or leave a job within the first six months, says DJ Chhabra, president of Enwisen, a Novato, Calif.-based firm that provides employee onboarding technology. In fact, the first six weeks of an employee's tenure strongly influences that decision about the job.

In the war for talent, employers cannot afford to waste one hour and must make sure that their employee retention strategy starts with quality employee onboarding. "When you think of the lifecycle of an employee, the first step is getting them engaged. It's much more important than getting them enrolled in the 401(k) plan."

This is extremely important in the business world because an organization’s main goal is to maximize profit. I learned about this concept in my Human Resource Management class, and the main idea of the lecture was that many companies are doing everything they can to keep employees in their organization. There are many benefits to this such as promotions and longer tenure at a company usually means higher level positions. I thought this is something that incoming employees should consider when they are applying for jobs.

Rules for Online Job Searching

By Kevin Enriquez, Campus Representative, Drexel University

These days finding jobs are easier than ever, actually getting the job is the toughest part. Job seekers can find jobs easier through the internet; literally thousands of jobs are accessible and it only takes your fingertips to find them. But with all these possibilities many people are still struggling to find potential careers. According to an article in Forbes, people don't realize that there's a certain approach to finding jobs online and there are things people have to keep in mind.

Don't spam your resume, try not to seem desperate look for quality not quantity. It's better to focus your attention to jobs you want, than jobs you are not interested in. Also don't apply for multiple positions within a company, apply to two at most, you don't want the hiring manager to judge you as un-focused on a particular position or desperate. Also be easy to find online, these days managers actually "Google" applicants for their accomplishments and employment record. Linked-in is a very powerful and professional tool to have, keep it updated and use a decent picture. Also keep a professional email as well, "car-lover425" is not a professional email, keep it simple it should be firstname.lastname@email.com.

Remember your trying to sell yourself to potential employers. You want to show your accomplishments and emphasize the skills you have obtained from past jobs in your career or show the skills you have learned from school. Keep it professional, and stay classy and that job is yours.

How many golf balls does it take to fill a 747?

By Matthew Guerriero, Campus Representative, University of Pittsburgh

Employers are constantly trying to find the most qualified candidates for their respective companies. Most of the recruitment efforts are focused on interviews because that is the most likely scenario where the employer and the candidate will get to know each other. Having said this, it is becoming more common for the people conducting the interview to ask strange questions to get the candidate to think outside of the box and use their problem solving skills. Susan Heathfield wrote an article about how unusual interview questions help select the best candidates.

Interviewers use unusual job interview questions to assess how well the candidate responds to an unexpected question or scenario. Most unusual job interview questions do not have right or wrong answers. These job interview questions provide the candidate with the opportunity, according to Lynne Sarikas (director of the MBA Career Center at the Northeastern Business School), "to demonstrate quick thinking, poise, creativity, and even a sense of humor.

This is an extremely important concept for students to understand because there is a good chance that unusual questions will be asked during an interview such as, “How many golf balls does it take to fill a 747? Why is a manhole cover round?” The business school at the University of Pittsburgh conducts mock interviews every year and the interviewers test out ability to answer questions similar to the ones previously listed. I would recommend that all students practice their interviewing skills, especially with questions that will really test them and make them think in creative ways.

Targeted Selection

By Elizabeth Chamberland, Campus Representative, Indiana University

You perfected your résumé, played the waiting game, and have gotten an interview! The interview can be the most influential factor in a hiring decision. While a well-written résumé can get you an interview, a solid interview is what gets you the job.

In Fortune magazine, Bill Byham writes about his well-known job-interviewing strategy called “targeted selection.” Based on the idea that the past foresees the future, candidates are encouraged to highlight previous achievements to forecast future success within their company.

Byham also notes the following interview tips:

1) Know your predecessors

2) Liars don’t get hired

3) Take advantage of the unprepared

By this he means, if possible, speak with current employees to find out about those people who previously held the position. Emphasizing your strengths in areas previous employees may have failed in can leave a good impression on the interviewer. Being honest is much better than getting caught in a lie or exaggeration in an interview. His third point means you should be prepared to ask questions and prove a high level of preparation to the potential employer to leave a positive impression.

Social Security and College Grads

Monika Raginiak, Campus Representative, University of Minnesota

Right now, I think it’s safe to say that our biggest worries are where the next big party will be, if we’ll pass that next big exam, if we’ll even graduate, and if we’ll find a job afterward. Not that you need more stress, but you should probably be worried about one more thing… Retirement. We all look forward to the day we can travel, lounge, and spoil our grandkids. But are you thinking about how you’re actually going to pay for all of that?

A national poll by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics sought to find how many students are actually worried about Social Security. They found that 70% of college students are somewhat or very concerned that Social Security will not pay out benefits when they retire. To translate, this means that all the money that is coming out of YOUR paycheck is being paid to some old person. And, some day, you will NEVER get that money back.

What they’re finding is that 52% of undergraduates would rather engage in private investment so that the future is in their hands. Surprisingly, 38% are alright with simply waiting it out and risking a payout shortfall. Where do you stand? Are you worried yet?

Internships

By Kevin Enriquez, Campus Representative, Drexel University

The value of any internship is not determined on how much money you obtain but on the experience you gain. Real life is much more than text books and lectures, you learn faster with hands on experience and most internships provide that learning experience. Differentiate your internships as well, try to look at all the fields your interested in; internships are suppose to help you find out what career you want to choose. It will also give you an idea of what's expected from you such as job deadlines, Microsoft office proficiency, and creative thinking. Take notes, keep track of your challenges and write down your solutions, take each internship as a real class.

An article by Jason Cunningham reads.

As a college student, your first experience with Corporate America should not be in your final year of school. During your college years, you have the opportunity to intern at various companies throughout this nation. But, without this valuable work experience, your future jobs choices may be limited.

Take Advantage of Internships

Many companies allow college students to intern during summer months. Other companies offer internships to college students throughout the year. You should apply to several internships in your first year of college. As a college student, not only will you possibly land an internship, but you also will gain interview experience. You might laugh at my previous statement; however, many thirty years olds are not prepared for entry-level jobs interviews.

Fortunately for me I go to Drexel University which has a CO-OP program which implements 3 six month internships along with school work. I intend to use those 3 CO-OP opportunities to explore the different fields of business ranging from entrepreneurship, marketing and finance. I expect to learn inside the classroom as well as inside an internship. The way I see it is school prepares me to perform, and I show how well I perform during an internship. Take advantage of all the opportunities you can get, keep yourself busy and as an added bonus you can even make some money.

The Job Fair

By Matt Guerriero, Campus Representative, University of Pittsburgh

Students are always looking for ways to be noticed and stand out in the crowd among their fellow job seekers. One place to make a great impression is at job fairs. Many companies do the majority of their recruiting at these events so it is crucial that students attend job fairs. However, students must make an effort to be noticed by the companies that are present. Recruiters will appreciate students that have confidence and walk up to a booth and start asking questions about their company. A large amount of preparation should go into researching the companies that will be at the job fair a prospective employee will attend. Collegegrad.com offers some general suggestions to improve one’s performance at job fairs.

Unless you do your homework, you will end up wasting your time at a job fair. Job fairs are the meat markets of the entry level job market, with employers sizing up candidates quickly, based on appearances, communication skills, and first impressions. Job fairs have a set of rules and protocols all their own. But if you understand how to effectively work within the system, you can easily double or triple your productivity and effectiveness.

This is extremely important for juniors and seniors because the market for potential jobs is not very good at the moment. A good first impression could be the one thing that gets a student a job. At the University of Pittsburgh, we have job fairs at least once a semester on campus and many students obtain internships and full time positions from them. The key is to do your homework to have the best presentation as possible.

Choose Your Own Major

By Elizabeth Chamberland, Campus Representative, University of Indiana

Many students have a difficult time choosing a major, oftentimes changing their minds several times. Switching majors often results in students taking more classes than needed due to differing requirements across programs. Options for students with varied interests include double majoring or adding minors to a primary degree of study. However, taking on this many extra credits can be a burden to students or entail additional semesters or years of classes to be taken.

To combat this issue and offer an endless amount of customizable majors, an increasing number of colleges are offering “make your own” majors. In an article in the Wall Street Journal, the College Board states 900 four-year colleges and universities are currently allowing students to create a personalized program. The article mentions that in the past ten years, Indiana University Bloomington has seen its participants in the individualized major program increase by fifteen percent.

Concerns that arise regarding individualized majors include lack of direction and employer recognition of developed programs, and increased faculty costs. Despite these potential difficulties, many students feel it can create an advantage after graduation. As long as the program is developed with one-on-one help from an advisor and continual guidance from professors, the concept seems to provide strong benefits for those who are interested.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Ties...at an interview

By Coffee Zhang, Campus Representative, University of Wisconsin

People usually say the first impression is crucial as it affects how the interviewers think about your and category you. The first impression usually lasts long. People seem to care much about how they are going to answer the questions but indifference about other details. A small and unpleasant movement could potentially cause a big trouble. In contrast, small pleasant movement may help you get a job. Some people have no problem at all in terms of the body language during the interview; some may feel so good themselves but neglect to notice their bad behaviors; still, others may be too nervous that they don’t know where they should put their hands. Thus, it is significant to practice in daily basis to make sure such mistakes will not be made because there is no time to check for body language during the real interview or even unaware of your gestures. The Doostang Team gave the interviewees some suggestions regarding the appropriate body language.

Here is the list of things that you should and should NOT do:

Your Hands:

Don’ts:	Dos:
Hands underneath the table	Use small hand gesture to compliment the answers you give
Folding handing nicely shows your passiveness	Smooth flow of gestures with your body
Gesture wildly is too distracting

Your Face:

Don’ts:	Dos:
Lock in on your interviewer as too earnest or even intimidating	Maintain a good eye contact for the majority of the conversation
Focus on the interviewer’s lips as can seem sexual
Touch your face as in strange or lying

Your Body

Don’ts:	Dos:
Slouch as it looks unprofessional and conveys that you are not interested	Sit up straight in the chair but also want to appear natural and not nervous or uptight
Sitting up too straight	Lean forward a little bit in your chair without slouching as involvement

First Job Traps

By Tatiana Serna, Campus Representative, University of Rhode Island

Peter Vogt, Monster.com senior contributing writer, writes about how you can be successful in your first job. He says you should avoid “first-job traps like these:”

‍Gossip: It's practically impossible to avoid office gossip, but you don't have to take part in it… Just be sure you don't generate any of it, especially when you're new on the job.

Political Battles: …there are certain people who don't get along with each other. In some cases, these damaged relationships go back for years and have become very bitter. …And it likely won't be much longer before both sides try to recruit you to their camp…Simply tell each person, individually, that while you understand he dislikes the other person, you don't want to be in the middle.

Trying to Revolutionize Your Job: If you bring the head supervisor a list of things that ought to be changed at work two days into your new job, you probably won't be praised for your initiative. Instead, you'll be seen as naive and perhaps conceited…You're far better off observing and learning when you begin your job.

Being a Know-It-All: When you were little, someone probably pulled you aside and said, "Nobody likes a know-it-all." ..You need to acknowledge what's being done, and why, in your new organization. Then make suggestions based on your own learning and experiences.

Isolation: When you're the new person, it can be difficult to get to know your new colleagues…So you need to make the first move. If you hear a few people are going to lunch, politely ask if you can join them…Chances are, your success -- or lack thereof -- in your first job will have little or nothing to do with your technical skills or academic knowledge. Instead, it will probably rest on your people skills and ability to fit into the organizational culture.”

When you get your first job you may think that the most important thing is to show off your knowledge, and impress people with your new ideas. Who would have thought that the most important things are to simply try and learn as much as you can, get along with your coworkers, and avoid conflict. I think these tips should be applied to all your present and future jobs. I personally have succeeded in my jobs due to my good work relationships, and my avoidance of gossip. This article gives great tips on avoiding problems in your first career job.

Sales Career Tips

By Kevin Enriquez, Campus Representative, Drexel University

A lot of opportunities out there are for sales jobs, which I am interested in as a possible career path. According to an article I read, there are five pointers that each salesman must keep in mind when trying to present a product or close a sale, also the benefits and rewards you get out of an internship such as this teaches you things beyond the classroom.

The article points out...

Salesman tip #1 : Know the business you are in

Salesman tip #2: How To Deal with being Said 'No' - The 1 in 10 Rule of Sales

Salesman tip #3: Appeal to People's Emotions and Not to their logic

Salesman tip #4: Be confident and sales will come in

Salesman tip #5: Know your prospects

Selling is not only about the product but about how you present it. Also pursuing people is one strategy, but what I believe is more effective is to tell people what your selling; if they like it they approach you. Success is measured differently from person to person, find what works for you.

Asking Questions at the End of an Interview

Matthew Guerriero, Campus Representative, University of Pittsburgh

Everyone has to go through the interview process when applying for jobs, whether it is for a full time position or for an internship. This process has become pretty standard in today’s world. The interview can be the deciding factor in whether or not a prospective student gets the job. Students applying for positions should practice their interviewing techniques so they can look professional and knowledgeable to recruiters. However, one aspect of interviewing that students tend to forgot is asking questions about the company they are applying for, to the person interviewing them. Kate Lorents from CarreerBuilder.com writes:

An interview is meant to be a two-way street. The hiring manager is interviewing you to determine whether you're the best fit for the job. At the same time, you should be asking questions to determine whether you would be happy in the position or with the company. But once nerves take over, it's easy to forget your role. After all, you're meeting on the employer's schedule in an unfamiliar office. After listening to the interviewer's monologue about the company and role, you're asked a barrage of questions about your background and future plans “all the while praying that you're delivering the "right" answers. By the time the employer asks if you have any questions, it's easy to be so drained and nervous you can only stammer out, "Nope."

Career services advisors and professors at the University of Pittsburgh have made it a point to let the students know that asking questions during an interview is extremely important. This lets the employer know that the applicant is genuinely interested in the company and wants to work there. I find this to be very helpful, and it may even be the one thing that gives someone an advantage over someone else that doesn’t ask any questions.

UC Budget Cuts Have Big Reprocussions

By Indu Sudhakar, Campus Representative, UC Davis

The budget cuts that the UC system has faced recently has forced many students to re-asses the value of their college education. Withteacher lay-offs, the demolition of significant majors, and 8% tuition hikes that financial aid can’t feasibly cover, many students are starting to leave the UC system. Institutions once considered part of California’s higher education system (that came with not-so-high-prices) are now becoming unattainable for many students.

So what is the school system doing to avert the budget crisis they’re facing? The UC system is starting to recruit more out-of-state students. From internet campaigns streaming to China, to budget money being spent to hold out-of-state career fairs in Boston, the UC system is hoping to garnish their failing budget with the extra money they will get from a hefty, out-of-state-tuitions.

As a student at UC Davis, I find it appalling how our school system is acting more like a business looking to generate profit than an educational institution trying to provide for its students. By enrolling more out-of-state students, both the UC system and out-of-state applicants are receiving a benefit, but what benefit do the in-state students who can’t afford this new cost of education receive?

With the UC’s recent budget crisis, many Californian students now have one less thing to gives them an “edge” to employers. While graduating from a respectable college with a decent GPA and remarkable extra-curriculars is already a challenge in and of itself, some students are being pushed out of a public institution completely, losing all of the above. These students who are now forced to attend cheaper institutions in California can find solace in less impressive state school, but they must make up for the loss in prestige doubly as much.

University life is getting increasingly competitive. With hard economic times for all, students hope to wow employers through sky high GPAs, impressive internships, and relevant volunteer work. The budget cuts in the UC system has many wondering though - how will those moving from a prestigious institution like UC Berkeley to a state school like Sacramento State partway through their education make up for their loss? What can they do to get on the level of the out-state students who are now taking their places as high-ranking, well-involved students at a respected institution?

Best Places to Work in 2010

By Monika Raginiak, Campus Representative, University of Minnesota

With graduation looming only a month away for some (and only six months away for others), it’s been fun and tantalizing watching other classmates find full-time employment. Some are excited by their futures, others are just merely satisfied to have a job. But where are they going? Will their job be fun? Will their firm treat them well?

Fortune conducted a survey on the Best Places to Work in 2010. Below are the top ten companies they decided we should be working for:

1. SAS

2. Edward Jones

3. Wegmans Food Market

4. Google

5. Nugget Market

6. DreamWorks Animation SKG

7. NetApp

8. Boston Consulting Group

9. Qualcomm

10. Camden Property Trust

These companies were ranked based on their retirement planning assistance such as 401(k)s and pension plans, the working environment, and the diversity within the company. So as you look to graduate, think about this… Does your company care about you and your future? Will you work well in this environment? If you’re going to one of these firms, chances are you’re being taken care of. But, what if you’re not?

Unpaid Internships

By Coffey Zhang, Campus Representative, University of Wisconsin

Recently, I found an interesting tool from SimplyHired.com, a website that is specialized for job search. You could research the trends of matching jobs in any industry within the past year with a click. I searched for unpaid internships in major fields in the business sector, such as accounting, finance, investment & banking and marketing. Even though the lines fluctuate a lot each graph; in general, a slightly upward trend from March 2009 to September 2010 is shown.

With the increasing number of students take unpaid internship lately, the topic about the legality, benefit level and associated costs draw the public’s attention. With that, critique sites are sprouting up over the web, such as blogs like UnfairInternships.com and evaluating sites YouIntern.com and InternshipRatings.com. Personally, I think the deferral benefits could be tremendous or insignificant regarding to a person’s attitude towards the unpaid internship. For most of the unpaid internships, besides the additional money spend on transportation and housing in order to accommodate the internship itself, tremendous amount of money is paid for the internship credits that are required by the employers. I took an unpaid internship when studying abroad in Ireland. I found it extremely costly not only because the program was taken place in a European country, but also the three credits that I paid for a totaling of $2300.

Even though it seems that the benefits cannot offset the current costs right now, it could be useful as a way to distinguish a candidate from the rest of the students that are still expecting to land a paid internship. Also, it gives a general idea of what the field of your interest looks like, what are the people there look like as well as a great experience that could put on your resume. Summarizing the above, I would say that the pros outweigh the cons if you take the unpaid internship seriously enough and be able to talk about it afterwards.

Maybe Social Media Isn’t a Waste of Time for Your Career

By Tatiana Serna, Campus Representative, University of Rhode Island

Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce writes:

“Social media terms like “Facebook” and “Twitter” are appearing in more and more job descriptions every month. Since its founding in 2004, use of the term “Facebook” in job descriptions has grown an amazing 550,000% (that’s not a typo, the number really is five hundred fifty thousand percent) through July, 2010. And it was the fastest growing in the 12-month period which ended in July, 2010.

Employers add social media terms to job descriptions because social media is growing in importance, and they need employees with social media skills. So, the value of your social media skills is increasing.”

“The Do’s:

· If you have social media skills, you need to add those keywords (as appropriate for you) to your resume and other online profiles.

· Be sure you have a good, 100% complete LinkedIn Profile, and throw in a Google Profile, too. [See Job-Hunt's Social Media & Job Search section for more information.]

· If you don’t already, separate public from private (and don’t trust Facebook to guard your private side), or just act like a grown-up.

· If you’re going to rant about politics, sex, religion, or something else controversial, don’t do it with a social media account that is in your real name. Or don’t do it at all.

· Do a mature/employment-ready version of yourself in social media that is associated with your real name or recognizably you.

· Learn as much as you reasonably can about how companies are using social media for your field

· Who are the people and companies on the “leading edge”?

· Who has done something remarkably good (or bad)? Pay attention.

· Demonstrate your knowledge and skills

· Focus on a few venues (3 at most) so you can show consistent, high-quality participation.

· Participate and contribute, if possible, in a meaningful (and public) way in your field.”

I thought about deleting my Facebook because of all the privacy issues it possesses. But lately I have heard about how social media is becoming the new tool in helping enhance your resume. It is very important to keep a professional online image, now a days employers are looking at our online profiles and these are influencing whether or not we get the job. Social media is becoming a new way to market yourself to employers, and don’t forget the importance of networking! Make sure to professionalize your online image before putting any social media skills on your resume, and try to implement Susan Joyce’s tips. Who knows maybe Facebook and Twitter will help you land the job.

Top Ten Cities for New Grads

By Kara Croteau, Campus Representative, University of South Carolina

It’s every graduate’s first big decision to make, where to live. Many narrow down their options based on the number of entry level positions available to recent graduates. As stated by CollegeGrad.com, the top 10 cities for entry level positions are:

1. New York, NY

2. Los Angeles, CA

3. Washington, DC

4. Chicago, IL

5. San Francisco, CA

6. Dallas, TX

7. Philadelphia, PA

8. Miami, FL

9. Houston, TX

10. Phoenix, AZ

After quickly reviewing the list, it is obvious that these cities also happen to be the top major cities across the U.S. It seems to make perfect sense that the biggest cities would have the most jobs available. However, these top major cities also come with high price tags with respect to the cost of living. Thus the problem is: entry level positions = entry level salary.

Let’s look at New York in particular, since it is number one on our list. New York comes in 3^rd place, with a cost of living that is 64.5% higher than average. If you are still interested in working in the number one city for entry level employment, you may also want to know that New York City is a great city for business. The popular industries include: finance, insurance, real estate, journalism and publishing, the arts, fashion, advertising, healthcare, medical research, and manufacturing.

While you can pursue almost any career in these big cities, it helps to know which ones specialize in which industries so you can plan accordingly. To see what industries the other cities on our list specialize in, go to www.employmentspot.com.