Advice for New Grads

by Courtney Hyde

Thank you to our Board, volunteers, and team leaders for participating in this month's newsletter: Ria Severance - Board Member, Felisha Marecki - Team Leader, Ashley Kidd - Volunteer, Roxanne Langley - Volunteer, Urmi Hossain - Volunteer, Andrew Downing - Volunteer, Rachel Yegiaian - Board Member, Elaine Wong - Volunteer, Minel Cannucciari - Volunteer, David Bialzak - Volunteer, Felice Shiroma - Team Leader, Harismitha Ayyappan - Volunteer. 

What advice would you give to new graduates?

Ria: Stay the course - get an accountability buddy to help you continue to move forward - if mentoring is available - TAKE IT!!

Felisha: The road ahead might seem unclear. Your next chapter will be a journey. Trust the process because you can't always control it, but depending on your mindset it can be beautiful.

Ashley: Follow what you’re interested in, even if it’s many things!

Roxanne: Start saving now, even if it's as little as $25 per month. Start now and don't touch it!

Urmi: Make sure to network. My biggest mistake was not networking enough when in university.

Andrew: Limit the amount of time you spend watching TV, and use your extra time to read about your interests and successful people in your field of choice.

Rachel: Find as many mentors as you can and try to keep in touch with them monthly.  Pick different ages, genders, demographics as you will have different needs at different times throughout your career.

Elaine: Enthusiasm, willingness to get involved and showing real follow through in tasks are key in gaining trust in others. This will give them confidence in assigning you more difficult and important tasks to carry out.

Minel: I know the uncertainty of the future can be overwhelming, but try to enjoy these moments that you have!

David: It's unlikely your career will follow a simple, straight path.  Everyone has setbacks and triumphs during their careers.  Learn from your setbacks.  Be humble in your triumphs.

Felice: If you have found your passion as so many inspirational experts advise - bravo! For the rest of us, it takes a while to find what we are good at and what we want to do. My early career was a lot of trial and error but I ended up in research positions on Wall Street which suited my analytical nature matched with the challenge of daily changes in the market.

Harismitha: I would say that it’s normal to feel out of place when you’ve just graduated, whether you have a job lined up or you’re in the process of applying for one. Going through the process of school for so long, it can be jarring to not know exactly what your next steps will be, or where you fit in. Give it time, you’ll figure it out. Almost everyone stumbles at first.

What do you wish you learned sooner?

Ria: Saving for Retirement even while in college!! Social Security may not be there for us going forward . . .

Felisha: To make myself a priority. Becoming a mother and wife you might rank at the bottom. Fight to be a priority too.

Ashley: That your hobbies and interests can turn into your career. You will find your niche career based on all the life experiences that make you unique from everyone else. Don’t give up on something you spent your whole childhood doing or wanting to do. Those skills and passions should be incorporated  into your career. I didn’t learn that until even after college, when I stumbled upon a career path.

Roxanne: How to write and plan my budget/spending.

Urmi: How to create a Linkedin profile.

Andrew: It's important to read a lot of books, especially non-fiction related to topics that interest you. When I graduated I thought I was doing well reading 20 books per year, but when I started reading 60-80 books per year, it changed my life. If I could read more, I would.

Rachel: To save and invest early!!   I’d kill to have bought a condo when I was 20 - it would be worth 20 times its cost by now. 

Elaine: Trust in your own instincts.

Minel: The importance of networking and community building. Also that most people want to help, but you need to have specific questions to ask. If you don't they don't know how to help you.

David: Don't get discouraged when you have a setback in your career.  Every successful career has its share of setbacks.

Felice: Working on my social skills, reading people and work situations, realizing when I was being taken advantage of but doing a better, tactful job of confronting the issue.

Harismitha: Take initiative anywhere you can. Take advantage of every opportunity you have available even if you don’t think it’s important or if you’re scared (those are the best learning experiences). Live in the moment and take more pictures.

What would you say to those who are undecided about college?

Ria: GO!!! AND . . . DO NOT GO INTO DEBT - save and go, save and go . . . it's possible and easier than you think. 1. If you apply for financial aid make sure you write a letter to go with it that clarifies your situation in bullet points. The numbers in a FAFSA or other aid form like the CSS Profile will not clarify your situation or make you a "human" in their eyes. Financial Aid offices hate these letters but they are obligated to read them. Do not "cry poor" or act "entitled" to their help - they don't owe you squat. Be as matter of fact and honest and to the point as possible. It makes a difference in the aid you get. I'm a professional and paid for help even with the FAFSA to figure out how to fill it out thoughtfully and carefully. It's easy to make mistakes if you're not accounting savvy - which I'm not. 2. Also, professors are often generous and thoughtful - you can ask to "audit" a class when you're NOT enrolled and take all the tests and do all the homework, while you're working for a quarter/semester, and then ask your professor to insert your scores/grade when you're next enrolled. MANY will do this and you save some money by having more units in a given term. The risk is that your professor will get hit by a truck before you next enroll in the class, but that has never happened that I know of. 3. Volunteer in your area of interest. Now. AND use your talent to make a difference for others. Higher end colleges and universities consider how YOU, as a human and student will reflect on THEM as a human being, as well as a student. If you're an artist - figure out how to make posters for your local LGTBQAI+ center, or the humane society.  I tell this to high school students. Parents often don't realize that their high school students need to be getting job experience in their areas of interest in high school, if they're to qualify for meaningful work study jobs in college. Otherwise, you'll qualify to be a cashier in the cafeteria through college. If you qualify for work-study (part of financial aid) in your area of interest in college, you'll also have a better shot at getting better college-level internships. Without this "volunteer" work experience, a focus on using your skills to make a difference, and going after internships before and during college, you are not likely to be employable when you graduate from college - regardless of your field of interest. Nobody tells you this!!! 4. Go for schools with a quarter rather than a semester system. Why? You can cover more courses and get through school faster. I was a single mom with minimum means. Using the above methods my daughter was able to get through Stanford in 5 years with no debt at the end. 5. Go for schools with huge endowments - colleges and universities with successful graduates who donate tons of money back to the school to help folks like you get through - and be determined to make them proud. These colleges will have more to offer you in terms of aid. 6. You must see and think of yourself as having what it takes to make a difference for others in your field - not just yourself. THAT is what even your volunteer resume/CV needs to reflect. 7. Do not blow your student loan money on living large - live humbly and stick to what you absolutely "need" to function so you have enough to invest in your educational future - books, internet, extra training, etc. Yes. This means focus on feeding yourself vegetables from the 99 cent store. 8. GO FOR IT!!! 

Felisha: College isn't for everyone but I'm thankful for my degree and the journey. Just make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Try out different fields, especially with transferable skills.

Ashley: If you’re undecided because you have a great thing going already.... well you might be one of the lucky ones! But for me- I learned so much of what I didn’t know I didn’t know. College really can open you to more possibilities you did not know existed.  I couldn’t even begin to comprehend what careers or jobs were out there until I started university. Just the act of going opens you up to so many opportunities. Don’t be afraid to change your mind or follow your interests! College is the time to discover in you what you never thought possible, and the time and support to investigate that.

Roxanne: Have an end goal in mind. What is the profession you want to enter and does it require a college degree?

Urmi: Trust the process. It is normal not to know, but with time, you will figure out what you like or not. Try everything and then decide. It is all a trial and error.

Andrew: Don't rush it. Take some time to explore your interests through reading and talking to successful people in your fields of interest. Also, read biographies of people you admire.

Rachel: Go!   Go and take as many general electives as possible.   See the school counselors and they will help you narrow down your career paths. 

Elaine: Research.  Chat to teachers, lecturers, graduates, mentors to weigh up your options.  A college degree is a commitment in time, money and effort so start early on the process.

Minel: You don't have to go! There's many other paths to success that don't require going to college. Also, if you don't decide to go to college right now, it doesn't mean college won't be there for you in the future if you decide to change your mind.

David: I would say that for most people, a college education is a critical stepping stone to a successful career.  Also, the college experience can help to broaden your perspective and expose you to new ways of thinking about the world.  At the same time, with the high cost of college, it is important to understand that some fields of study in college will allow you to recover your college costs much sooner than others and you should understand this when you choose a college and a field of study.

Felice: I know it is expensive now, but college doesn't necessarily lend itself to a cost benefit analysis. The experience, the challenge, hopefully finding the right environment which will help you discover your strengths and how to make a living with them.

Harismitha: I think that college is not the only avenue to be successful in life. However, if you know the career you want requires a degree, then you should go to college. If you are undecided about what you want to do with your future then college is a good place to explore a bunch of different career options and maybe even learn about ones you’d never heard of before.

What would you say to those who are new job seekers?

Ria: Without experience your job opportunities are limited. Volunteer on top of your regular job if need be to get the experience you need to be employable. A degree alone will do nothing for you. You MUST get experience as you go along. Being an employee in your field, even if you work for free to start, is critical.

Felisha: Rejection is a hard human interaction to overcome. Make sure you understand just because it's a no now, doesn't mean it's a no forever. Don't let rejection define your path.

Ashley: I’m a firm believer in on the job experience. Interning or volunteering while managing a job (not a career) position to pay the bills is so important. You can apply for grants or support to help cover if the pay is not adequate to cover your living expenses. Plan ahead. College will offer externships for short term job “sampling”. Or even take seasonal jobs in an organization you see yourself working there. You also will figure out if the pace of work, workplace energy is right for you. Is it in an office? Hospital? Outside? Driving a lot (sales, environmental remediation). Always customize your resume to the posting. Don’t apply if you’re not interested, they will see right through you. But do apply even if you’re scared or nervous, because that’s a sign that you want it- don’t be afraid of failure. Don’t be discouraged by the list of requirements even for entry level positions. It is like a manager’s wish list - you don’t have to check every one. This is where the cover letter comes in. Enthusiasm and passion are things that must come through in cover letters and interviews. You don’t have to be an extrovert to win over your hiring panel, but show them why you care about this job in terms of your career path.

Roxanne: Don't give up and have both a short-term and long-term goal written down. Where do you want to be in 2 yrs, 5 yrs, and 20 yrs?

Urmi: Be personal and do a lot of personal branding. Managers like uniqueness and authenticity.

Andrew: Don't rush into taking a job to get a paycheck. If necessary, live with your parents or roommates. Figure out a way to take the time to find the right job.

Rachel: Stay positive!   It’s so hard.   But you have 30+ years of a career ahead of you!  And jump around- take the crazy job offers.   Learn as much as possible and add to your toolset!

Elaine: Do not get discouraged.  Prep, research and rehearse the application and interview process.  You will eventually succeed.  Does not matter how many no's you get.  You only need 1 yes. 

Minel: Rejection can be really demoralizing and job seeking can take longer than expected. It's important not to lose hope even though it's really tough. Lean on your network if you have one and/or search for online communities in your related field for advice on social networks like LinkedIn, Twitter, Slack, Facebook, Reddit, etc. There's so many online resources for job searching, interviewing, resume & cover letter writing, etc. My favorite source is Ask A Manager for resumes and cover letters!

David: No job is perfect but continuing to learn and grow your skills is an important part of a good job.  When.you evaluate potential job opportunities, try to keep in the opportunities the job and the company provide for challenging you and allowing you to learn new skills.

Felice: Try to get feedback when you get rejected. Customize your approach, resume and cover letter for each job opening. hang in there, don't get discouraged, in 2021, it is not you, it is the economy. Keep learning new practical skills but not just technology--writing and communications skills are important in any field.

Harismitha: If it takes you longer to find a job than some of your peers, don’t get discouraged. Once you find your job with a stable income, try to keep up with your hobbies or develop new ones and hang out with your friends as much as you can. All of these things make your life more well-rounded.

Do you think a degree impacts your career?

Ria: Absolutely. But without work experience as you chug along, the degree itself won't get you in the door for work that's interesting to you and/or pays well. And it depends on the degree you choose. A degree in ceramics won't get you an immediate job - maybe now or ever. A degree in marketing and computer science might help you use your degree to sell your ceramics art - and then you can sell your own ceramics and that of all your friends. Bet money whoever started Etsy was an artist or friend of an artist and saw a way to make money by creating a site to sell artists' products. See what I mean?

Felisha: I am currently doing a job that does not require a degree. I am paid higher than an equal because of my degree.

Ashley: For most careers, Absolutely. If you want to be a writer or an artist, maybe you can get around it- but it’s not an escape. Starting off on a career is a grind- no one knows you and you have to prove yourself, with grit and determination regardless of the path you choose. What’s nice is that college should help foster your passion and be a safety net by having people around you who should support you, and let you explore your options. It’s a framework for you to grow and apply yourself into bettering yourself. Wherever you go,  you will get as much out of it as you put in. Look for organizations or groups that will help you on campus and join them. You can use this time to present yourself however you want to be. Apply for grants, financial aid, so that you can focus on your studies and this stage of growth.

Roxanne: Not in all industries.

Urmi: Depends on the career you want to pursue.

Andrew: It depends on your career field and if it requires specialized knowledge.

Rachel: Yes- it gets your foot into the door.   

Elaine: Colleges teach certain skills like critical thinking, research and technical knowledge which often are prerequisites for many careers.  However, soft skills like communication, ability to work well in teams, leadership, negotiation etc. are all  important but often overlooked.

Minel: No! While degrees are important in some fields, I've met many people that work in fields that don't align with their college major. Not every career perfectly fits into an exact major either. Degrees may seem more important in the short term, but especially once experience is gained (through internships, club leadership positions, side projects), degrees seem to matter much less. I've met someone who went to school for teaching that is in product management, someone who studied history that went into consulting – not everyone's degree aligns with where they end up!

David: I think a degree has a very significant impact on your career.  While you don't learn everything you need to know to succeed in your career during college, a good degree will help you learn how to solve problems and solving problems is a critical skill in any successful career.

Felice: Depends on your career - if you want a profession like law or medicine or Wall St, you most definitely need a minimum college degree and probably graduate work.

Harismitha: I think that a degree allows you to specialize in a specific area of study. However, you can also decide to go into a career that diverges from your degree. There are a lot of people who end up in careers that are not remotely similar to the degrees they graduated with.