A Degree May Not Be Enough...5 Reasons Why College Students Should Complete An Internship

Guest post by Lauren Towle, Class of 2012

You’re about to earn your degree, so finding a job should be easy right? Well...maybe not.  Many employers prefer potential employees with some experience. 

Is there a way for students to acquire much-needed career experience during college? Yes...it's actually rather simple: get an internship.

Not convinced as to why internships are important? Here are five reasons to help you make your decision:

1. Gain Real World Experience.

With internships becoming more common, employers are starting to expect at least one completed during college.  They not only give an added boost to your resume, but they give you experience to apply to your actual career as well as a healthy dose of personal confidence. Having an internship can help eliminate the common fears students have about the “real world.”

2. Test Drive Your Career Choice.

Internships show an employer that you have an idea of what is expected of you once you're hired. Also, you'll get an inside glimpse of what you will be doing after you graduate. This allows you to test drive your career and can help you decide whether you're on the right path...or whether you need a course correction.  

3. Internships Can Turn Into Jobs.

Not only do internships provide you with professional experience, they may lead to an job offer upon graduation. Many companies use them as a gateway to hiring employees. If you work hard and impress the right people, you may garner a job offer! And if not an actual job offer, you'll have some great professional references and an increased professional network.

4. Earn College Credit.

Many colleges grant 3-6 credits for internships - the equivalent to one or two classes.  These internships can be completed during semesters or the summer. Colleges work with many companies to help students find experience opportunities and they offer many resources.

5. Make Some Extra Money,

There are many different kinds of internships, including paid ones. If you can make money while learning how to work in your career of choice AND get college credit, then I’d say you've got it made! While unpaid internships also offer amazing opportunities to enhance what you're learning in class, making money can certainly help to lessen financial stress a bit.

The bottom line is this:  with the workforce becoming more and more competitive among graduates, it is imperative to gain experience that will make you a stand out candidate.  The more experience you have, the better you'll look against the 100s of other potential job applicants.

There is no way around it....do an internship! Visit your college career planning or experiential learning office for information on how to get started. Additional sources of internship information to follow in another post.  Stay tuned!


About Lauren Towle: 

Lauren Towle, Class of 2012, is a college senior majoring in public relations with a minor in marketing. She is two-time intern who has supplemented her in-class learning with real-world, practical experience and is looking forward to job searching, interviewing and beginning her next chapter.

Great Advice From HBR Blogger Jodi Glickman On Your First Job

If I had a dollar for every job seeker who harangued, gnashed teeth and agonized over accepting his/her first job, I'd be writing this from the lakeside dock at my Adirondack mountain retreat house.  Suffice it to say, I'm neither in the Adirondacks nor near a lake.

For new grads, a first job is the one taken after graduation.  But for moms returning to work, a first job can be the one she takes as she on ramps back to work and career.  In both examples, the first job decision can cause stress and uncertainty as job seekers ask themselves questions like, "Is this THE right job?" and "What will my future path be?"

In Jodi Glickman's recent post on the Harvard Business Review Blog Network, she explains that getting in the game is more important than the position you play.  Every job opportunity has inherent value in that you are learning, networking, honing skills and informing your internal interest/aptitude gauge. 

With today's job climate, the "numero uno, perfecto, match made in heaven" job opportunity can be elusive.  So rather than waiting for the job equivalent of Willy Wonka's golden ticket, broaden your horizons and be creative.  Think of the opportunity potential of a particular job rather than the obvious connections to your ultimate career goal. 

As for career goals, Glickman shares that a recent poll of 100 women leaders indicated that only 3% were on the same career path as the one they started travelling down upon graduation.  Hmm...kind of puts the gnashing and agonizing into perspective, huh?

Whatever your first job is, be the best (fill in the blank) you can be, taking advantage of all opportunities and networking as you go.  Get some positive momentum going, and you'll be off!!  Dr. Seuss, of course, says it best, "Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!" (from Oh! The Places You'll Go!)

All the best,
Carol
http://www.lookingfortheonramp.com/

Creating Space & Returning to Work

Create spaciousness so creativity can breath... 

so says my friend Claire O'Connor on a recent Enchanted Life facebook post.

Claire and her husband Ken help people live authentic, inspired and creative lives.  And this 6 word post is a pretty powerful mantra.   

When I originally read it, I was particularly struck by its application for job seekers, including moms returning to work.  Here's my slight redux, tweaked ever so slightly for my dear and wonderful job seekers: Create spaciousness so opportunities can appear.  

It's certainly not a necessity to declutter and organize in order to find a job and return to work.  But what I know is that it can sometimes make the difference between finding success and feeling stuck in place, with little positive momentum being gained.

What's in your environment that is creating a drag on you?  It could be a cluttered closet, an overburdened calendar, an overflowing junk drawer, or a car that is filled to the brim with the detritus of everyday life.  Whatever it is, the overall effect is the same.  It zaps energy and stops momentum in its tracks.  It's kind of like running in the pool...lots of energy expended, but not much distance covered.

Compare that to the zippy feeling of being organized and in control.  Ahhh...feel like you can rule the world, no?  

During job clubs, I sometimes give a take home assignment (or 'homeplay' to use the words of another wonderful friend and coach, Sierra J. Sullivan) to tackle an area of life that is cluttered or disorganized as a prep step for on ramping back to work. 

The result is often unanimous, with participants bubbling through the door sharing how amazing it feels to finally tackle something they had been putting off.  And by removing a negative, cluttered zone from their day to day, they've created space.  Perhaps that space is for creativity, self care or employment possibilities; things that couldn't enter because there simply wasn't enough space.

So, a challenge:  focus on 1 area and 1 area only to de-clutter or organize by the end of the weekend. Put it on your to do list and block out time on your calendar.  It doesn't have to be photo-shoot ready.  It just needs to be better than it was before - more airy and more spacious to create space for whatever your heart desires.  

If your project is a biggie (basement organizing - that's what I'm working on!), set a smaller goal for yourself that can be accomplished between now and the weekend.  For example, perhaps you'll just tackle going through 3 boxes or organizing holiday decorations.  

I'd love to hear how it goes.  Email me if you'd like to share!

All the best,

Carol

Volunteering and Your Next Career Move

Volunteering...that is, donating your time for a cause you care about and receiving no financial remuneration in return, can actually yield great career benefits.

Strategic volunteering is something I've been recommending to clients for quite a while.  And Careerbuilder writer Debra Auerbach's article, "Turn Your Volunteer Work Into a Career" (http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/10/living/volunteer-cb/index.html?hpt=li_c1) explains lists some of the same points that I share in my workshops and during client coaching.


If you'd like to learn more about strategic volunteering or aren't sure about how to get started, email me at carol@lookingfortheonramp.com. 

Music To Job Search By

Today I heard a song that made me stop and take a serious listen. 

Shania Twain, a mom making an amazing comeback and finding her on ramp back to her music career, has written what could very well be THE anthem for women transitioning back to the world of work.

Today Is Your Day is a solid dose of inspiration with some real-life insight added in for good measure.  Shania's voice is better than ever, and the wisdom in her words has legitimate street cred given her journey. It is SOOO worth adding this song to your playlist.

Here is a snippet of the song from Shania Twain's series on the O Network.  It's an acoustic version with an added bonus:  Gladys Knight adds some impromptu back up singing.

While Today Is Your Day is a new favorite, I'll share a couple of other songs that help me get going when I'm losing momentum or just can't seem to kick it in gear.

Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield:  My friend Denise suggested this to me when I was commiserating about writer's block and analysis paralysis.  Thanks, Denise!!!  I've added it here because for women returning to work after a significant time away, their career future is unwritten and presents a fantastic opportunity to claim their new story, set new goals, and boldly begin their new journey.

Hammer And A Nail by The Indigo Girls:  My favorite line - "The sweetest part is acting after making a decision...."  Yes!!!  When women decide to look for their on ramp back to work, it is indeed sweet to act on their comeback - research jobs, polishing skills, writing resumes, and developing their job search strategies.

Firework by Katy Perry: A mantra of mine - go ahead, show 'em what you ARE worth!!  Because returning to work can be scary for women who off ramped some time ago, confidence often takes a hit. Once they realize their talent, wisdom, life experience and  uniqueness, and really understand the  value this offers prospective employers, they begin to sparkle!  Wonderful!!

This One's For The Girls by Martina McBride: Girl power, country style, big and bold. I defy you to try and NOT sing along. 

What songs inspire you to get up get moving? Please share!!  There's nothing like listening to great music for some extra mojo!!

All the best,
Carol
www.lookingfortheonramp.com

Timing IS Everything

Timing is everything...


It's been said that finding a job IS a job. And whomever said it first was right!

Deciding to return to work is a huge decision for many women. But it's really just the beginning of an exciting and wonderful new journey. Finding the on-ramp requires that you carve out designated job readiness and job search time.

What?!?

You may be thinking about how busy you are already and wondering how to cram more to dos into your day. You're not alone. It is a challenge at first...but it's essential to finding a job as well as great practice for getting your family ready for your return to work and the changes this inevitably brings to the family.

If you've made the decision to return to work, take a look at your calendar and begin protecting blocks of time that you will dedicate to the process. The amount of time you'll need depends on a variety of factors and is unique to your situation. I suggest starting out slowly...perhaps you'll dedicate just an hour or two weekly to start, using the time to read some great articles or conducting online research.

Once you begin to put some structure around your process, you can add time and gain additional momentum.

It's all very exciting...wonderful... and a bit unnerving, perhaps....But I'm here to help. Visit my website for information about my services and upcoming programs.


Best,
Carol

An Anti-Aging Treatment....for your resume!?!?

A great resume is like an investment wardrobe piece - classic and timeless.  It doesn't scream an era or look out of style. 

If you created your on-ramp/back to work resume using the same writing tips from back in the day, chances are your resume is out of style.  If so, your resume may be ready for an anti-aging facial of sorts. 

Here are 2 resume renewal treatments that can give your resume an updated look for a 21st century job search:

1.  Be Objective About Your Objective:  We all learned that objectives should talk about what we are looking for...advancement potential, room to grow, yada yada yada.  Today, it's no longer 'all about me.'  Organizations are looking for what you can do for THEM, not how they can help YOU.  Rephrase your resume objective to highlight what you bring to the table.  Use keywords for your target market AND the job posting. 

2. One Size Does NOT Fit All:  Customizing resumes is essential.  A generic resume that tries to promote your skills and abilities for any and all potential jobs just doesn't work.  Tweak your resume to match what the prospective employer is looking for.  I help my clients create a master resume for each of their target areas, and then teach them how to make slight changes depending upon a job posting or company profile.  This way, they're not starting over each time.  Rather, they're making small changes that take their resume from good to GREAT!

For more ideas, check out Does Your Resume Make You Look Old on CNN Money.

All the best,
Carol