Sure, the light bulb so many students hope for after graduation can shine like a floodlight for some. For many students, though, leaving school to enter the job market can mean a bewildering number of possibilities and decisions.
“Most of us don’t know what we’re going to have for dinner tonight, so why would we expect 22-year-old students to know what they want to do with the rest of their lives?” joked Lisa Brockhoff, associate director of Career Development Programs at Creighton University’s Career Center in Omaha, Neb.
This year in particular presents additional problems for students unsure about their future pursuits: a sour economy and high unemployment. Should a graduate hold out for her ideal job? Or pursue any offer that can be found? According to Courtney Hanson, assistant director of the Career Services Center at Marquette University, students need to keep matters in perspective, especially during a recession.
“It may take longer to find a job, but if you approach your job search seriously by learning what you need to do and then making a plan to accomplish your goals, you will be successful,” she said. “If you are unsure of your career goals, it only makes the process that much more difficult to navigate, no matter the state of the economy.” Hanson says he hears more and more examples of students who are aware of the state of the economy and taking action to be better prepared through methods like career training classes and assessment.
According to Brockhoff, the first hurdle for career-seeking students to jump is simply a lack of exposure. “Students lack knowledge about careers. They’re knowledgeable about school, it is something they’ve done all their life,” Brockhoff said. “They don’t realize that figuring out what you want to do needs to be like a research project. They need to do things and be proactive to figure it out.”
The easiest way to do so is to dive into job opportunities. Rather than waiting for the perfect job to find you, it’s important to take responsibility for your career direction. Though it can feel overwhelming, Brockhoff recommends taking it in small steps by thinking shorter-term. In the past, people in the workforce tended to find one company and stick with it through retirement. However, the average person born in the later years of the baby boom held 10.8 jobs from age 18 to age 42, with nearly two-thirds of those jobs held from ages 18-27, according to a 2008 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Statistics for today’s graduates aren’t likely to be any lower.
“I tell students that they don’t have to know what they’re going to be doing in 10, 15 and 20 years from now,” Brockhoff said. “Students should think about their career development in short increments.” The BLS survey figures back her up. Some 94 percent of the jobs survey participants began between age 18 and 22 ended in less than five years. Brockhoff reminds students that many factors will influence their careers as they get started and will take them in directions they never imagine or anticipate.
Consequently, it’s important to avoid putting yourself into a box. Though it may seem obvious, Hanson recommends students to seek jobs that fit their interests rather than pushing areas they “should” pursue.
Each person is unique and it may take time even to become aware of the things you enjoy and areas in which you excel. Rather than thinking about what you can do with an English major, think about what you want to do with one. Start by looking through career resources, such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/OCO), for descriptions of everything from the training needed to a daily experience in a variety of occupations. Then experiment with internships to build skills and obtain practical experience.
“You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do, just start trying out different fields so you can continue to refine your list of career options,” Hanson said. “If you can’t find a paid internship, offer to intern for someone as a volunteer. The experience you gain will be the pay-off.”
Internships and other experiences point to another helpful reminder: get involved. Trying out different student groups, volunteer opportunities and more can not only give you a better idea of what you enjoy but introduce you to people with other interests that may point you in new directions.
To avoid this post-graduation uncertainty before it starts, Hanson recommends current students meet with their college career counselors to stay on track. She says freshmen and sophomores should concentrate on exploring academic majors and activities. Juniors and seniors can work on job-seeking skills and gain important internship experience.
But for those who have already graduated, career education opportunities still exist. Consider checking out your alma mater’s alumni association, local job coaching agencies or even find free classes at the public library.
Finally, remember that career uncertainty doesn’t need to be negative – it can mean exciting flexibility and unforeseen options that a one-track mind might miss.
“Students don’t need to worry about it, they should embrace it,” Brockhoff said. “Take the opportunity to learn about careers and different career fields to determine the best option, and be excited to explore possibilities.”
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