"I graduated college with my degree, and I have no real work experience.. what do I do?"?

Question

I'm an instructor at a college in Florida. A recent graduate from my university emailed me and asked me that question. Basically, she wanted to know what does she do if she has her degree but has no work experience. She claims that she has been on 5 interviews in various fields and that each of them seems to have gone well. However, she never gets a call back. She hasn't tried to apply for a position in her field of study yet. She claims all the jobs require a degree AND 2-3 years work experience. I told her to apply for an internship, and say that she'll even work for free for a month just to counter the lack of experience. She seems to be displeased with that answer and I want to provide her with positive feedback. Yet, I'm sorta lost on whatelse to say other than, try and find a related field, work for cheap if you need to, then apply for other positions elsewhere. If you were in my position, what would you tell her? What other ideas could you suggest?

Answer 1

Positive feedback or Sugar-coated reality?

Finding that first job is a difficult and often discouraging experience. And, the key to unlocking the door to a successful/rewarding career will vary depending on the particular career path. But, every one of them will involve some form of "dues paying."

About the only really positive think I can find to say about your student's situation is that she has completed the first step in a process worth $1,000,000. Her college degree is better than any lottery ticket. It is worth, on average, $1,000,000 in earnings more than what can be earned with only a high school diploma. She has already invested 4 years of her life, without any financial compensation, and still successfully completed a very difficult process. The determination and patience required to earn her diploma are traits in her that she must not abandon at this crucial time. She has already demonstrated considerable ability and strength of character to get this far. ...But, so have many others. And, the reality is they are just as deserving of jobs for the same reasons your student is.

I think it is important for your student to understand also, that hiring decisions are not merely about skills, abilities and experience. The decision to hire someone for a job involves a large measure of personal connection. She needs to appreciate that companies look at hiring people as $1,000,000 decisions as well, so the risk of hiring the wrong person are great. One way companies hope to reduce the risk of making a bad hiring decision is to require experience. This is based on the assumption that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.

And, in this regard, nothing offers a better perspective of past behavior than personal experience with a job candidate. So, I'm with you. The best way to land that first job is to offer to reduce some of the risk the company is taking. Offer to work for less than any other candidate, offer to work as an intern, offer to work for free for a period of time in order to allow the employer the time to observe your work and then determine what is fair value for what you have proven you can do. This is not a desperate strategy, it is unmitigated confidence that you can ultimately prove your worth. You have already invested 4 years of uncompensated hard work preparing for this opportunity. Now is certainly not the time to let money and a few more months of effort keep you from getting firmly on the road to success.

I have hired interns. I have hired people who have worked as volunteers. I have hired and promoted people who were willing to start in positions lower than what they were qualified for because that was all that was available at the time. And, all of those have been among the best hires I have ever made. Your students needs to appreciate how close she is to making all of her accomplishments to date finally pay off. So, keep knocking and don't lose hope.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes, some real colleges offer associate degrees. It basically means that you've managed to earn half of a Bachelor's degree. As far a the worth of your degree, it would depend on two things: You're major and the college you attended. Computer technology, nursing, and dental hygienist is something worth while and will permit you to earn a decent living. Now if you majored in pharmacy tech, medical assistant, etc., you basically have a glorified certification. There are a lot of for profit colleges popping up all across the country. These schools will pretty much take anyone with good credit and a pulse. They use the Wonderlic as an admissions assessment exam and there sole reason for existence is to make money and not educate the populous. Some of them are actually accredited. They claim to be career focus. Academics are weak and their degrees are not well respected. Once upon a time, before college became a right. There was no such thing as an Associates degree. The Associate degree came about with the invention of the Junior college that gave way to community colleges. Do I think an associate degree is as valuable as a bachelor's degree? No, I don't. Do I think it is a total wast of time? In some instances, yes.

Answer 3

When she see's positions she is interested in apply and keep trying.

The next thing to do is to attend the various college recruiting events that most major university's have. Many companies do their primary recruiting of college grads via these events. Look at the websites for local universities to find the events. In many cases they are open to any recent college grad.

The third thing is to start contacting companies she would be interested in working for. She should not just send a resume, she should write a formal letter indicating what attributes she has that would benefit a perspective employer and have her resume be an attachment. Then send this to the HR/Recruiting e-mail address available on any company's website. The goal is to have the recruiter look at the resume and hopefully something will come out of it.

Answer 4

Try to post yuour resume online and also check out government sites for career opportunities. If you need experience do a little volunteer work. Also consider applying for a position that get's your foot in the door. Then your work ethic and job performance can lead to a position that you desire more.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Tell her that she is looking at the wrong places. Tell her to start applying for internships or go to a job fair in her area. She should get at least an intership before she graduated. Network and hopefully something will turn up.

Answer 6

I agree with an internship and/or volunteer work...something she can start now and put on her resume. In the meantime, she can keep looking for a job. By the way, tell her that many internships and volunteering do turn into "real" jobs.

Answer 7

SOMTIMES YOU HAVE TO START AT THE BOTTOM AND WORK YOUR WAY UP.
IF SHE WOULD GET JOB THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TOWARD THAT PATICULAR CAREER EVEN A PART TIME JOB OR TWO THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

EXAMPLE: I HAVE WORKED IN NURSING AND MY CPR TRAINING, FIRST AID, MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY, KNOWING HOW TO DEAL WITH ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR, GOT ME A BETTER JOB IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

FIND A JOB THAT WILL ENHANCE YOUR RESUME.

Answer 8

Look for something entry level.