GenY needs to step-up to the plate

Part 3, continuing from Where to go after graduation…

 

Beat stereo types: “Be a leader, not a follower.”

Reports summarize that GenY has been named “Generation Me,” that current college students are more narcissistic than ever before.

Based on research conducted by Psychologist Jean Twenge of San Diego State University, the chart below shows the increased level of confidence students have acquired since 1965.

The entire world has access to this chart and the evidence surrounding this research. Not only that but the evidence of ability, comprehension, and effort new–hires demonstrate in the workplace is apparent to the older peers and bosses.

Twenge Survey Results

While the older generation acknowledges that GenY comes into the workplace with a team-player attitude and technology skill sets, according Jeffrey Domsic, a senior scientist for Proctor and Gamble (P&G). But he says early in new graduates’ careers “there is a trend towards less self-motivation and initiative taking” however “there is also a trend towards being more open to suggestions, and more of a desire for self-improvement,” he says.

Where to go after graduation…

…continuation from last time

So what is waiting on the other side of a diploma?

The answer to this question is uncertain, but always changing. According to study results conducted by economics professor Dr. Richard Vedder, from Ohio University, he states that “part of the risk [of going to college] is that 45 percent of those who enter college don’t graduate within six years” and additionally “students who think they can major in social work then go get a fancy job and then live in an upper middle-class suburb are perhaps living a life that’s devoid of much reality these days.”

Johnson speculates she does not have a job in her field because of the lack of opportunities. “The field is growing rapidly,” she states “but the problem is that so many people are recent graduate-level graduates begging for graduate-level positions, yet [they] are settling for the entry level [jobs] in the meantime.”

After applying for “several bachelors’-level positions in human services fields” she “realized quickly that many of [those jobs] were masked social work positions that would not boost a psychology resume.”

If the jobs aren’t there what options does GenY have?

The most important thing new graduates and college students can do, is actively prepare their resume and heed the advice councilors and professionals take the time to offer.

Al Riddick, owner of Game Time Budgeting

Small business owner Al Riddick explains “In my line of business, I look for consultants who are passionate about their particular service.” After working in pharmaceutical sales Riddick found his passion for helping people “understand how they relate to money and then providing techniques and strategies to help them use more logic and less emotion when making financial decisions.” His dedication led him to start his own company, Game Time Budgeting, and with the help of exemplary contractors, he has found success in this struggling economy.

Additionally, Riddick examples of work and/or referrals while searching for a specific skill level, integrity, honesty, timeliness, and professionalism. Without taking the time to prepare a diverse resume and/or a relevant portfolio, students are asking employers to rely on promises alone, rather than proof of talent or skill sets.

How GenY can land a job – that does not exist

A house, a family, school loans, vacations, hobbies – none of these things can be obtained, paid for, or enjoyed without a paycheck. However, paychecks require jobs.

Use your online presence to your advantage.

With the job market currently unstable how do recent graduates know where to go for advice, where to find opportunities, and how to read the current labor trends?

Students are not alone in their desire to land a job that balances interest, financial steadiness and applies their degree. Jill Hermes, internship coordinator at Hood College’s Career Center agrees, “Getting a job is tough,” but encouragingly states “We work with students by trying to direct them to different resources. I say ‘cast a wide net;’ meaning every potential resource should be tapped into.”

Make YOUR Market Marketable.

stand out in a sea of resumes

Currently I am enrolled in a very demanding class called….video production. Those of you who have every put thought into how a T.V. commercial is made (60 sec spot) – let me tell you…it’s intense.

This class is focused on learning how to work as a team, learning how to use video equipment, handling schedules, and working with editing software. Every student chooses a topic to call to action, for example mine is to “DO YOGA!,” and my teammates are shooting public service announcements (PSAs) on anti-bullying, donating blood and homelessness.

When I wrote my script I had a very specific style I wanted to achieve (probably a little overzealous in my creativity department). Nevertheless, my challenge has been trying to figure out, from a director’s stand point, how to make everything work:  how to get the shots I need, where each scene would make the most sense, who looks best where, and more importantly how will all the pieces come together.

While walking through my script and reviewing the shoot-day itinerary, a member of my group says, “Wow, you are really artistic and good at this. Are you sure Hood College is the best place for you?”

I thought to myself: “Seeing as this is my last semester it’s not like I’m gonna go anywhere else…”

Experience explains all

Remember that advisory board I was invited to the initial “interest meeting?” Well, I was selected to become a board member!!!! Not only that – but I was named the chair position of one of the sub-committees!

where to go?

As you can imagine, when I got the news I was ecstatic. This is kind of a big deal, as an almost college graduate, times are tough when it comes to finding a job, so the more exposure I can bring to my name the more opportunities I hopefully encounter.

Now what? I will have the opportunity to meet and work with influential people in the Cincinnati area. Where do I go from here? What do I need to have prepared? What should I wear to the meetings? How extensive should my portfolio be?

When life gives you lemons…

…you figure out what kind of company to start.

Think of all your possibilities…

One of Rachel’s best friends, Alice, was the general manager of a restaurant in Cincinnati. When it came down to it, I needed a job and Alice needed servers. After having a very unofficial and unconventional “interview” over a couple of beers the first night I visited her house, she told me to fill out an application and, for formality’s sake, sit through an interview with the assistant general manager, Brad.

Not your typical Q & A…

Rather a question – question session turns into answers.

Left brain vs. Right brain thinkers

Alright. If you know me personally – you know I am terrible at math and that science is not really my forte. I interpret a lot of life’s lessons through different art mediums.

However for the point of unconventional reality I feel as though I need to speak to the left-brain thinkers as well as the right. Because I am more of a right-brain thinker, I spoke to Dr. Ronita Marple, a left-brain dominant Senior Scientist at Proctor and Gamble. She and I had a little Q & A session in regards to what she looks for from applicants during a job interview relating to a science-based job.

Finding pleasure in the pleasurable

Put your toes in the sand and enjoy.
photo: me in Gulf Shores, AL 2011

One of my biggest and hardest issues at this point in my life is enjoying relaxation without feeling guilty. I have been go, go, go since school began and have been in pretty much a non-stop production mode.

So it has been very hard for me to sit down and watch a T.V. show without feeling like I am being lazy in relation to my studies.

This is where my family balances me. My mom tells me to put the breaks on and Rachel tells me to relax. At the beginning of spring break this was easy. I was home, in my own bed, with my fiancée and pets. But then as break was coming to an end I was being more and more anxious to complete my assignments; and it was if the anxiousness was consuming my every movement.

Does this mean I have become type A?

Workin’ that Network: Part 1

Credit: Google Images

Remember how I haphazardly scored an internship with a financial advisory group in the fall? That same company invited me to a preliminary meeting in hopes they could form their own advisory board! However it was going to take place after I was to return from spring break. I approached my professors and each allowed me to miss class to attend the event.

Why?

Because this was an amazing opportunity for me to network with professionals from all walks of life…and I did. In one room a doctor, a lawyer, a humanitarian, teachers, a principal, people in public relations, marking and sales positions all shared at least one thing in common – we were all community members (clients) of this financial group.

And here I am in this room – a server, and a student.

I was in awe of the people around me and had the opportunity to connect with a few right off the bat. In short, the board would be select and the members of the board would work together for the betterment of this company…yes…for free.

So why waste my time working for free you ask?

Most definitely a quote to remember at the workplace or in the classroom…

Book Quotes Hub

He,who speaks of things that do not concern him,shall hear things that will not please him.

The Arabian Nights` entertainment – revised edition by George Fyler Townsend 

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