2008 Woodie Awards
Words from the Wise: Successful Seniors on Finding the Right Job
Jeff Sheng
Issue date: 1/28/05 Section: Arts & Features
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seems promising for 2005 college graduates. According to the survey, there has been a 14.2% increase in college graduates hired for full time positions during the past year. Furthermore, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) estimated that there will be a 13% increase in grads being hired in 2005 as opposed to 2004. In the face of the economic decline that has stifled the job market in recent years, these are positive indicators for the economy, and certainly for Colgate's graduating seniors. However, these figures in no way suggest that the job market is any less competitive. For current seniors, the challenge lies not only in getting a job, but in getting the perfect job.
According to Do What You Are, a career guide based on personality types, "The right job enhances your life. It is personally fulfilling because it nourishes the most important aspects of your personality. It suits the way you like to do things and reflects who you are." A recent college graduate will often find him- or herself in a well-paying occupation, only to abandon it after realizing it wasn't what they were looking for. Surely, this is a story that is heard over and over, but what can we do as college students to make sure we land job offers we're confident we'll enjoy? We put the spotlight on successful seniors who are currently on the hunt or - in the cases of a select few - who have already found their ideal job.
One of the first things seniors will tell you is to take advantage of the Office of Career Services. According to Associate Director of Employer Relations Chip Schroder, "Career Services is essential for aiding students in their search for jobs after graduation because not only do we allow you to pursue more options, we allow 'them' to pursue you as well." Schroder says more than 80% of the class of 2004 used career services to aid their search."However, not everyone agrees with Career Service's claims. According to senior Greg LaBanca, an International Relations and Russian Studies double major, "Career Services is most helpful for students seeking a future in finance. Ninety percent of Career Services' [career counselors] are geared towards that direction."
According to Do What You Are, a career guide based on personality types, "The right job enhances your life. It is personally fulfilling because it nourishes the most important aspects of your personality. It suits the way you like to do things and reflects who you are." A recent college graduate will often find him- or herself in a well-paying occupation, only to abandon it after realizing it wasn't what they were looking for. Surely, this is a story that is heard over and over, but what can we do as college students to make sure we land job offers we're confident we'll enjoy? We put the spotlight on successful seniors who are currently on the hunt or - in the cases of a select few - who have already found their ideal job.
One of the first things seniors will tell you is to take advantage of the Office of Career Services. According to Associate Director of Employer Relations Chip Schroder, "Career Services is essential for aiding students in their search for jobs after graduation because not only do we allow you to pursue more options, we allow 'them' to pursue you as well." Schroder says more than 80% of the class of 2004 used career services to aid their search."However, not everyone agrees with Career Service's claims. According to senior Greg LaBanca, an International Relations and Russian Studies double major, "Career Services is most helpful for students seeking a future in finance. Ninety percent of Career Services' [career counselors] are geared towards that direction."