Top 10 best jobs
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Software engineer
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College professor
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Financial adviser
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Human resources manager
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Physician assistant
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Market research analyst
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Computer IT analyst
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Real estate appraiser
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Pharmacist
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Psychologist
— Money magazine
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How to
find jobs
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Encourage your child to
visit the university’s Career Center (and you go too!)
Most university career centers offer career information and job-search help, including:
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A jobs room with
currently available jobs (on and off campus) for students.
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Computers for job searching,
equipped with resume development
software.
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Valuable workshops on resume-building, interviewing
and other topics.
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Connections to employers
for information as well as employment.
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Information on internship and co-op opportunities.
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Connections to volunteer
opportunities.
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A knowledgeable staff ready to assist
students.
Many students use their first semester to "settle into"
college life and, for some students, the spring semester
of the freshman year is the optimal time to start using
Career Center services. But remember that it's never too
early for that first visit. Whether your
child is a freshman or a senior, the sooner a student
becomes familiar with the center's staff, resources and
programs, the better prepared he or she will be to make
wise career decisions.
Drop by the university’s Counseling Center and pick
up a business card from one of the career counselors.
When your son or daughter is feeling anxious about
the future, offer the card and say, "Please call this
person. He (or she) can help you."
Challenge your student to become "occupationally Iiterate."
Avoid placing too much pressure on your
child to know
from the beginning what he or she wants to do after graduation. Just be sure your student
takes steps to
establish a college plan as soon as possible. Encourage
your student to conduct research to see what the world
needs.
We also recommend:
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Taking a "self-assessment inventory," such as the
Strong Interest Inventory. These assessments can be
found at most university counseling centers.
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Talking to favorite faculty members to explore and ask
questions about possible career fields
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Researching a variety of interesting career fields and
employers. Students should talk to employers who provide
information tables on campus during the semester, and
participate in any career fairs that are offered.
A career decision should be a process and not a
one-time, last-minute event. Discourage putting this
decision off until the senior year.
Recommended reading: Knock ‘em Dead 2007: The Ultimate
Job Search Guide, by Martin Yates, Albany Media
Corporation 2006
Recommended Web sites:
Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics
CareerBuilder.com
Putting together a resume
Writing a resume can be a "reality
test," and can help a student identify weak areas that require
improvement. Starting early will provide time to develop the skills
and experience to present to prospective employers after graduation.
CSU's
Career Center has computers equipped with Resume Quicksteps software
to help your child get started.
The Web offers a variety of advice
and guidance on resume writing. However, not all of it is
appropriate for a college student or new grad. Use the university's services, which are designed specifically for your student.
You can review resume drafts for
grammar, spelling and content, but we recommend that the final product
be critiqued by a Career Center professional.
Recommended Reading: Resumes that
Knock ‘em Dead by Martin Yates, Albany Media Corporation 2006,
7th edition
Occupational Outlook Handbook JIST Works, April 2006
Tips for
job interview success
Prepare
- Assemble an excellent resume.
- Be able to discuss each point on your resume and give
examples.
- Be able to talk about yourself.
- Anticipate questions and plan your answers.
- Research the company or employer.
- Prepare questions.
Dress
- Visit your potential employer and note the office dress code
or style.
- Select an outfit in advance. Dress as if you already work
there.
- Try it on, walk in it, sit in it.
- Be sure it is comfortable and clean, including your shoes.
- Be well-groomed in every respect.
Advance work
- Find out how long it takes to get to the interview location.
- Identify where you will park.
What to take
- Copy of the resume you sent to that company.
- Questions of your own.
- A notebook and pen.
- Examples of your work you are willing to leave behind.
- Information for the application — just in case you get asked
to complete one.
- A copy of your references.
During the interview
- Listen, listen, listen!
- Think before you speak.
- Sit comfortably. Relax, but stay alert to opportunities.
- Ask questions.
Closing the interview
- Thank the interviewer for their time.
- If you want the
job, tell them!
Follow up with a "thank you" letter. Include something you
learned during the interview.
Consider the value of practical experience
The Career Center will not "place" your child
in a job at graduation. Colleges grant degrees, not job
guarantees, so having relevant experience in this competitive
job market is critical. Your student should continually look for
opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.
Your son or daughter can sample career
options by performing internships, co-ops, volunteer work and
experimenting with summer employment opportunities.
Why an internship?
- Employers are interested in communication, problem-solving and
cognitive skills, all of which can be developed through internships.
- Employers look for experience on a student's resume and often
hire from within their own internship programs.
- Having a high GPA is not enough.
- A strong letter of recommendation from an internship supervisor
can often tip the scale in a job-seeker's favor.
Why volunteerism?
- Students can experience personal growth and develop citizenship skills.
- Networking opportunities and references often result.
- Students can learn more about the world in general.
- Employers want to hire people who know how to work as part of a
team.
Additional tips
- Persuade your child to stay up to date
with current events. Employers will expect students to know
what's happening
around them. Encourage their input in discussions of news
events.
- Encourage informational interviews in areas of interest.
- Introduce your student to people in careers or jobs
that interest them.
- Suggest your son or daughter contact people in your personal
and professional networks for information on summer jobs.
- Encourage your child to "shadow" someone in the workplace to
increase awareness of interesting career fields.
- Build independence and encourage a sense of personal
responsibility. Give students living away from home for the first
time guidance
for good decision-making. Discuss how bad credit or a negative security
check can cost someone a job. Discuss how bad decisions on the
weekend can cancel out good grades during the week.
- Encourage extracurricular involvement.
Part of experiencing college life is to be involved and
active outside the classroom. Interpersonal and leadership
skills — qualities valued by future employers — often are
developed in extracurricular activities. Joining a
professional organization also shows a sincere interest in a chosen
field.
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