Don't waste your college degree

Jobs, economy, career issues -- always on my mind, and probably yours as well. But a show-stopper I saw this week was a WSJ article on "The Declining Value of Your College Degree."

There are no guarantees in life, everybody knows that. And a college degree (and beyond) tremendously increases your lifetime earnings -- everybody knows that, too. But knowing that simply having a degree won't insure a steadily rising income -- or even a job for you -- is tough to swallow.

This is not to say you'll never face a layoff (you probably will!) or be forced to take a job for less money (equally possible). During the dot-com bust a few years ago, I joined the tens of thousands of college-educated professionals who had to deal with those realities. What did I do? I took those skills and changed industries -- same job, different sector.

Self-defense, as outlined in the WSJ article, is key -- diversify, as they say in the investment world. When applying for a new job, it's not unusual to hear a prospective employer ask how you've kept up your skill levels (and you MUST have an answer for this question).

It's easier to do if you start now, while you are still employed, and the rules are pretty basic. First, network like crazy. Join professional organizations, social organizations, take new courses, keep current or learn additional skills. Would it make sense for you to try out a little freelance work, a volunteer gig, maybe even a (very) small business venture? Absolutely!

Now you'll have a plan, now you'll have more confidence in your ability to stretch, and now you'll be better able to withstand tough times -- making the most out of that college degree of yours.
Photo by CarbonNYC

Writing cover letters that rock

By Sarah Kneezle

There’s nothing like a good case of writer’s block, especially when you’re trying to do one of the most important assignments since graduation: writing a cover letter.

For anyone the task of putting all of your best attributes, your desirable professional experience and talent to paper is daunting.

But for a writer, it’s worse.

Your cover letter is a reflection of exactly what you’ll be doing—writing. Every comma and every semi-colon better be in the right place. Spelling errors? Think again. Organization, clarity, tone, style, these are what count, not just descriptive action words and proper capitalization.

Professional editors, who in my experience, are quick to point out any little error, be it a misplaced punctuation mark or scoffing at a reporter’s attempt at humor.

As a writer, you are constantly looking for your editor’s approval, a once-a-decade compliment, or even a small pat on the back and a “nice article, kid.” But in those situations, you generally have some idea of what your editor is looking for.

But now, in this cover letter that I’ve written and re-written several times, I have no idea what to write to my potential editor. I must teeter a line between creative writing and concise reporter-speak. Too creative, and I’ll give the editor trouble with my ‘creative vision;’ too reporterly and I’m, well, just another reporter.

What’s worse is that every professional writer I’ve spoken to—reporters at major metropolitan dailies, professors from varying backgrounds, other recent graduates who have jobs—seems to have a different method to this maddening process.

One says expand upon your accomplishments, recite your resume. Another says write a personal essay. A third asks, “Who cares about YOU? What you can do for ME?”

Even internet searches for “great cover letters” yield results, that if I were reviewing applications, I’d reject on the spot.

And still, I’m hammering away—writing and rewriting—until someone says, “you’re hired.” And then, I’ll know that my letter must have at least been good.

Sarah Kneezle is a recent graduate from Emerson College. She has worked on newspapers, in retail and as a waitress to celebrities. A Vermont native, she has hiked the highest range of the Green Mountains—over 280 miles—on the country’s oldest nature trail. Come fall, she has no idea what she is going to do, but she hopes she has a job.

The hot career that won't cool down

Good news, bad news.

For the health care industry, it's very good news. For the economy, not so much. According to the Wall Street Journal, the slowdown (OK, near-recession) is causing a shakeout in a lot of industries. But in health care, nurses have become a reverse economic indicator, according to the article, and nurses are very much returning to the workplace.

For several years, flexibility has been the watchword in nursing care. Because of the demands of the job, hospital administrators and nursing staff members have built in a lot of creative solutions to the problem of stretch a part-time workforce across a full-time need.

With the economy changing, however, more nurses are returning to work full-time, a trend we've seen before.

It's a great short-term shift in health care, and doesn't in the least obviate the need for more help in that industry. Health care staff shortages continue to be acute, and as Baby Boomers age, and require more care (even as Baby Boomer nurses begin to retire), the job opportunities will only expand from there.

The real question remains, however, whether hospitals are willing to make this profession more attractive (financially and otherwise) to fill all those needed positions. This is not something that can be outsourced, you know.

What changes have you seen in health care as a career? And what about its future?


Photo by supercapacity

Last Lecture at our office

At our office, departmental meetings can be strange, varied -- and sometimes wonderful -- things. We've had how-to demonstrations of improvements to the our email newsletter tool, and we've talked through all kinds of organizational issues. Today, we listened to a dying man.

Many of us had already heard of Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon professor who delivered the traditional Last Lecture with a non-traditional twist -- he wasn't retiring, he was dying of pancreatic cancer.



It's rolled across the Web, Oprah and other network TV shows have had emotional features on this lecture, but you should listen to the real thing, (and preferably listen to the whole thing -- it's about an hour and a quarter long) for yourself. Our little band had a lot of teary eyes by the end -- not because it was sad, but because it was grand. We tried to talk about what we each got out of it, but for a pretty talkative group, we couldn't get much of a conversation going at all.

So we all took away something (I particularly was moved by the messages of the brick walls, but you need to find your own takeaway). It wasn't a classic, by-the-book organizational meeting, although it was all about work, and was all about organizations, but sometimes it's better to learn things in that different way.

Do your departmental meetings ever move you to this "good kind" of tears? Is it appropriate for a workplace? What do you think?

NEW! Your Career Questions, Answered

You told us you needed the answers to these burning questions about your career, so we looked near and far to find you the answers. Click the "answers" label under What We're Talking About (at right) to check back for updates!

Ask us a new question here.

Q: What is the basis or criteria for which an internship should be paid or unpaid? –Lance from Huntington, WV

A: Unfortunately, there is no set standard to determine whether an internship should be paid or unpaid. That determination is at the employer’s discretion. There are several options in terms of compensation when it comes to internships. An internship could be: paid and count for course credit, paid without credit, unpaid for credit, or unpaid with no credit.

Q: MBA in Finance or MS in Finance. What’s the difference? –Rose from El Paso, TX

A: Although this varies depending on which school you attend, there are some differences between the two degrees. An MS in Finance provides a broader and deeper exposure to finance, while limiting or overlooking the general aspects of business you’d get from an MBA program. An MBA offers a more diverse approach to finance, covering general aspects of business. Keep in mind, there is a lot of overlap between the two, and they are both great programs for finance.

Q: Help! I'm trying to find a summer job on Long Island while studying abroad in London, and I feel completely overwhelmed! I want to try and do something that will be worthwhile for my future, but I also need to rebuild my savings account from this trip abroad. If someone could help me out that would be really great. –Kathryn from Mt. Sinai, NY

A: There are a number of ways to find summer employment while abroad. You can search the Experience seasonal opportunities page as well as the Experience internship guide. Both will allow you to search for beneficial opportunities in your area and provide tips for finding a job that’s right for you. Also, utilize your local Long Island network. Maybe a friend’s dad needs help at his company, or someone you know can refer you for an open position. Put the word out there, and keep your eyes open!

photo by Vlad T

Rejected, unselected, dejected

Maybe you’re an applicant (jobs, grad school – you pick!).

For many, it’s the middle of prime job-hunting season. You’ve made it through the winter, you’re ready for change, so it’s time to start looking, and applying, for jobs.

Many grad schools want to see a deposit by May 1, which means that by now you know – one way or the other. No check required to be written for “the other”.

What do these have in common (along a basketball player driving to the hoop, but that’s another metaphor)? Rejection. Fear of being rejected, fear of failure.

So give me the benefit of the doubt here – let’s say it’s neither the first nor the last time in your life you’ll know rejection. How do you handle it?

You can do the statistical thing -- decide that
1. you're unlikely to hear anything at all from 60 percent of the places you apply to,
2. you’ll get an auto-generated form letter from 30 percent, and
3. you’ll actually hear something positive from the other 10 percent.

If you increase the number of applications, hoping that the 10 percent “positive” responses then translate to significant real numbers, then that’s a legitimate strategy. If you focus on a smaller pool of more desirable places, that’s another approach that works well for some, not for others.

My recommendation? Forget the numbers, concentrate on attitude. Try to adopt a “professional” rather than a personal outlook to what you're doing. It’s not your whole life, flashing before your eyes. Think of it as a sales opportunity – sometimes you hit it, sometimes you don’t. Even the former Attorney General of the United States, Alberto Gonzales, can’t find a job these days.

And you can never tell how things turn out. A couple of weeks ago, I just heard something back from a company I applied to – last May. With that kind of a response time, I’m kind of glad I never heard anything – they have problems that I don’t want to be associated with.

Anybody else have tips on dealing with rejection?

Photo by Sim Sandwich

Career Question: How Can I Tap Into an Influential Network?

Question: I am an active Rotarian in a very influential local club and wish to use my network therein to search for an executive position. However I do not want to offend my fellow members and would like to know if you could suggest a format or resource to draft an appropriate letter to those who may have a position or could assist me in discovering an opportunity. --Michael, Elkhart, IN

Answer: Dear Michael, I think you will, indeed, offend your fellow Rotary members by writing a letter asking for job leads. Even though Rotary clubs are intended to provide professional networking opportunities to its members (in addition to the #1 goal of community service), I think such a letter would not go over well. Networking is not that overt.

What may be more effective is for you to spread the word that you are looking for an executive position when you attend regular Rotary gatherings. During this period, show up for every meeting and service project, and not just because “the” right person might be there to speak with you and steer you toward your goal. If you want something from the club and its members, you should be willing to give back.

At these regular gatherings, approach fellow members with questions that will allow them to share information and serve as informal mentors: “Can you share some insight on executive jobs in your industry?”; “Would you mind taking a look at my resume sometime and let me know if the language and format are correct for seeking a job in your industry?” “Are there any landmines I should avoid when applying for a job at XYZ company?” In this manner, you are not asking them for a job or even a concrete job lead; you are asking them to share their expertise. And be subtle about bringing up this topic and posing these questions. Wait until a conversation presents an opening for you to go down this road. If you are not subtle, people will begin to avoid you if they think that this topic will be the first thing out of your mouth whenever they greet you.

Good luck!

Nancy R. Mitchell
The Etiquette Advocate

For more advice on job-seeker & employee etiquette, check out Oh, Behave!, Nancy Mitchell's column on the Experience website.

Career Question: How Can I Write A Resume If I Don't Have Any Experience?

Question: I am a recent graduate (master's degree) without much experience, because I attended grad school a year after undergrad without working in between. What should I put on a resume? --Sherra, DeKalb, IL

Answer: This is a common dilemma, and some might say it’s a good argument for delaying grad school in favor of gaining some real-world work experience. But you’ve chosen to go pretty much straight from undergrad to grad school, and I have to applaud your stamina. Now, what can you put on your resume?

Presumably, you’ve gained a lot of professional skills over the past several years in school—start thinking about what they include. For instance, writing would be a skill, as would computer programming, as would research, as would “soft” skills like good communication, teamwork, etc. Maybe you know some computer applications? Put those on there too.

Then, you need to think about the things you’ve done that could qualify as professional experience. For instance, did you work as a TA or an assistant to a professor? What did you do with your summers? Ever have an internship or work with an academic mentor? All of this can go on your resume.

Did you attend any conferences, publish any papers, learn to speak any languages? These can all go on there too.

The best thing to do, once you’ve had a chance to brainstorm all the experience you do have, is to make an appointment or set up a phone call with the career services office at the university where you got your master’s degree. They can help you format a resume, decide what to include, and give you some tips on cover letters too. Good luck!

Any additional advice for Sherra? Please leave a comment.