Below are interviews conducted with graduates from universities around the United States. Some of them have obtained great jobs, some have began their graduate education, but ALL of them have a story to tell and useful advice they’d like to share. Follow thier journey and read up on their post graduate skills, qualities, and plans them reach their own levels of success.
Tatyana Kozachek,
UC Berkley University, 2008
Bachelors Degree in Economics with a minor in Peace & Conflict Studies.
What did you do post graduation to find employment?
My senior year in college, I was applying for jobs. We had a career office in which a lot of companies use for a separate recruiting process. If I would have went to the company website my application would have ended up in a general pool with hundreds of others. If you go first with the your career office, you’re in a much smaller pool and less likely to be overlooked. During the fall after college I began working with a company that death with investments and trading securities. However, I got laid off in November. The company shrank by 50 percent and all the new people got fired.
What would you advice someone who was laid off?
Well I found myself on the job market around the holidays. During that time, a lot of companies don’t know what they’re Budgets are. So if you are fired before the holidays in November and December don’t get upset. A lot of companies know what they need and the opportunities are open in the spring.
I didn’t give up, I contacted many of my friends, started networking , and contacting job recruiters. I posted my resume on LinkedIn and kept my profile updated on Monster, Hotjobs, and other agencies are important.
I ended up getting a friend to submit my resume to the Google company internally. This was I was up against a different pool of people. Most companies were looking for the someone they know will do a good job upon reference.
What made you stand out during the Interview Process?
When applying for a company like Google, there is a different selection processes. You have to be from a top 20 school with a pretty high GPA. So my university and grade history helped a lot. They asked me questions about the experiences at the bottom of my resume so it helped knowing what was on my resume through and through. I think it was also important that I was able to make sure that I had a story with each one of the experiences on my resume that somehow contributed to my skills and qualities.
What is the most significant piece of advice that you can give to recent graduates?
When you’re interviewing and working you have to have a sense of eagerness and excitement about what you do and be able to convey that. It’s important to show them that you’re ready to learn more with an optimistic outlook. People can feel when you’re just there and that it seems like you’re not interested in the process. I have plenty of friends who have let the recession get to them. They approach the interview with a negative outlook and employers can surely sense that.
I would advise that graduates make as many connections with people around you as possible. You never know how many people can affect your life. Interact with people and Keep in contact with old co-workers. It helps when you are able to make friends and building lasting bonds.
————————-
Marlon Zuniga
Seaton Hall University
Bachelors in Finance, 2008
What did you do post graduation to find employment?
Fortunately I never had to apply for a job. I was a part of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA). We went to a career fair and JP Morgan was conducting interviews and talking with potential candidates as they walked pass the company table. I spoke to interviewer, and he introduced me to other the other JP associates at the fair.
What do you feel caused you to stand out during the interview process?
The interview was more so them trying to see what type of work ethic and intelligence I had. I was able to convey to them that I was willing to be a hard worker and go above and beyond to learn the job quickly with efficiency. I showed them that I was not going to sit back and let information come to me but I would go after info and be self motivated. My GPA was decent so that contributed to them seeing my intelligence.
What was one of the most important things that the interviewer asked of you?
They were interested in situations in the past in which I’ve was able to use the skills they are looking for: Knowledge of my field, drive, and leadership qualities. Employers tend to ask, “How would you go about this or that” and you have to give great examples to display your skills and intelligence. Most importantly you have to show that you want it. Have tons of Enthusiasm. They want to believe you’ll be excited about coming to work.
What is the most important advice you can give to recent graduates?
Always have a backup plan that includes at least two or three options such as a Job, Grad School plans, Work opportunities, hey even two jobs. Contingency plans are essentials because If you have just one plan and that falls though, you’re stuck.
More than anything else you have to be motivated. You’re going to hit road blocks. But, if you have a determination and its something that you want and your mind is set there’s nothing to stop you.. After four years in college you can’t be scared to take action. I read a book about Creating your own luck. If you want to do something you give it enough tries. By trying time and time again you can’t go wrong. Rather, than sitting around and waiting you.
Also, once you start working, it can get redundant. I’d advice that you travel because it contributes to who you are. It’s a way to stay motivated see more, do more. You’ll always have a job and its pretty common that for the rest of your life you’ll have to work but life in between. Visit the places you read about in your history books. Keep your youthful spirit and energy from college before you get stuck in the work cycle.
(Marlon’s Book recommendation: Lucky or Smart by Bo Peabody)
——————
Ebony Kennedy
Bethune-Cookman University
Bachelors of Psychology in 2008
—
What did you do post graduation to find employment?
I went about it by sending out applications online. I went through a general Google search. I narrowed down the search to the Miami Area in the field of Psychology. Started applying a two months before graduation. Post graduation, continued to apply until July. My Daily routine consisted of applying to five to ten jobs a day. I’d say I applied to over 100 jobs.
How did you eventually find a job?
Job that I got was not due to application. I called old professors and even went back to high school counselors already working in the Mental Health/Social Work Field. I called my god father, who on the board of a mental health facility. Went through application process and got an interview.
What skills helped you obtain the position?
I was assertive. When asked about styles of mental health communication I had plenty of background, knowledge. It also helped that I had an internship. This key to getting the position was my previous professional experience. I had two internships my junior and senior year of college. My first internship was at a Domestic Abuse Shelter and the second was with Psychiatric Department of a Nursing Home. Overall, networking, previous experience, internships, knowledge of psychology, and being assertive got me the position.
What do you mean by when you say that you were “Assertive”?
I mean going into the interview knowing that despite there were people possibly more qualified because of their experience, I was the best person for the job. I was a recent graduate, but because I knew that I also knowledgeable about psychology because of what I learned in school. I was assertive in the way I spoke with confidence. I maintained direct eye contact, and also felt comfortable with the questions because I researched the company before going to the interview.
What happened after the interview?
After the interview, I feared I was going to be a loser and work a dead-end job. However, I stayed positive and kept applying. I kept up with the schedule I started and kept being motivated to find other options.
What is the most significant piece of advice that you can give to recent graduates?
To those in psychology, it’s highly recommended make sure that you plan to get a Doctorate or you’ll be stuck doing social work which will have you over worked and underpaid. I would have to say knowing what I learned in classes, and understanding how to apply. You can learn something but if you don’t know how to apply it—its worthless.
In general, I would say stay positive and no matter what the outcome and know that better days will come despite the status quo.
——————
Calid Bowen
Ohio State University
Bachelors Degree in Communications, 2006
Columbia College- Masters in Arts Management/Music Business
What did you do post graduation to find employment?
Soon as I graduated, I was working a part time job at Radio One. It was a Hip-hip, Gospel and R&B station in Columbus, Ohio . A friend in promotions referred me and I was hired soon after.
What do you feel was the key factor in you obtaining the position?
My previous experience helped a lot. During my senior year in college I had an internship in New York. But my internships dated all the way back to High School. We were required to have internships sophomore thru senior year of high school. So I had three Diff internships under my belt before starting college.
What motivated you to go into grad School after College?
Well, I left radio one went to work with Clear Channel Network in Columbus part time promotions as well. Once again, I knew someone within the station which was how I got the job. After working for a while, I decided the job market in the radio industry wasn’t looking as lucrative as I had originally thought. I realized I needed to have an edge over the competition when trying to get into the entertainment business. They are starting to look towards people who are more qualified not just socially but intellectually. I wanted them to see me as well connected, experienced, and with the degrees to prove that I have knowledge of the business in the industry
How has going to Graduate School helped you in your professional endeavors?
As an aspiring entrepreneur I needed to gain. Before going to grad school I needed more business savvy to be in order to become successful. Grad school has helped me get understand the intricate aspects of the Music Business. It also has helped me from a managerial standpoint by gaining an understanding of the legal practices and accounting skills. I’m now able to think more critically and articulate my knowledge within a business setting. Oh and it helped me become a better writer.
What is the most important characteristic to have when trying to work in the Entertainment industry?
You should maintain a friendly and personable attitude when networking. My character has helped me when I needed a job and had to ask what kind of opportunities are available. W Keeping in contact with people from the past can help you in the present. The entertainment business is all about maintaining relationships
What is the most significant piece of advice that you can give to recent graduates?
Understand what exactly you want to do and what it’s going to take in order to get to the point of success. You should create a 5 year plan. Then, work your plan, research, and take the steps necessary to execute the goals that you set for yourself. Also, get in contact with those in the position that you want to be in. You’d be surprised at how helpful people can be. There are a lot of people out there who want to help out and see you to do well. Don’t waste your time or get into a field that you’re not comfortable with. But remember to plan, plan, plan and do what it takes to follow your dreams. It’s never too late.
