College Grads and Career Choices

I’ve had the chance to work with several new college graduates lately. A common thread among them is that they can’t articulate what their strengths are and what makes them unique – in other words, their value to the employer.

Even more concerning is that so many college grads don’t really know what they want to do – or if they know what they want to do, they don’t have a clue how to get there!

If you have are in college, or the parent of a college student, NOW is the time to do some work on yourself. Here are some suggested steps:

1. Personal Branding – go through the process so that you know your strengths and how others perceive you.
2. Co-op or intern in your chosen profession – before you’re a senior
3. Conduct field research interviews with people in your chosen profession. Ask them about their average day, their favorite part of the job, their least favorite part of the job.
4. Have a back-up plan – especially if your primary plan involves an advanced degree or if your career field is difficult to get into.