PISCATAWAY, NJ--(Marketwire - November 9, 2009) - There was a time when the question "what do
you want to be when you grow up?" seemed like it presented endless
opportunities. Fast forward to present day: getting a job has become a
reality. Your mindset has shifted away from the most important aspects of
the job search -- such as how to approach the search, where to look and
what tools you can use to get best results -- to drudgery and fear. If that
isn't stressful enough, students are now making critical career choices in
the midst of an economic downturn that is producing unprecedented
unemployment levels. While the economic climate and the difficult job
market are beyond anyone's control, there are a number of things that you
can do to position yourself for a successful entrée into the working world.
IEEE, the world's largest technical professional association, approached
some of its most successful members to ask them what students can do to
gain a competitive edge in the job market. Here's what they said:
Take courses outside of what's required.
With a daunting course load, there's always a temptation to pad your GPA
with easy, meaningless classes and avoid the challenges that will
ultimately prepare you for success.
"There are thousands of students out there with good GPAs, so that's not
going to separate a candidate from the pack," said Karen Panetta, Ph.D.,
Chair of the IEEE Women in Engineering Committee and full professor of
Electrical and Computer Engineering at Tufts University, Boston. "In order
to distinguish yourself from the competition, take courses outside your
required curriculum, such as graduate level, hands on courses, Capstone
classes, and internships to gain real-world experience, as well as courses
outside of your major to give you increased depth. For example, an
engineer with a concentration in English would find these skills highly
relevant when writing a grant."
Think globally.
The availability and use of global communication has grown considerably in
the past decade, and will continue to do so moving into the future. At the
same time, companies are focused on expanding their global footprint, and
to that end, face fierce competition in serving a global client base.
Taking the time to understand what's going on in the world can be as simple
as picking up a copy of The Financial Times.
"Students need to understand where the market is headed," said Eleanor
Baum, Ph.D., IEEE Fellow. "Companies are truly global now, with teams
scattered across continents, working in a variety of time zones, languages
and varying cultures. In order to position themselves as ready to step into
this world, students should invest time into learning a foreign language,
understanding other cultures and/or participating in a global exchange
program."
Get involved.
There are so many activities that a student can get involved with -- but
where to begin? It's important to send a message to potential employers
that you take your career seriously. To do this, get involved in relevant
organizations long before you begin your job search. For example, if you're
an engineer, join a professional society such as IEEE. This shows that
you're already taking action, and going above and beyond. Additionally,
active participation in extracurricular activities and organizational
membership will clearly differentiate you from the competition.
"Get involved in student activities on campus, such as an IEEE student
chapter, as well as professional groups," said Howard Michel, Ph.D., IEEE
Region 1 Director. "It shows you have the initiative to do things and get
additional experience, which can translate into real world experience on
your resume. Involvement in professional groups shows that you're taking
your prospective career seriously, and provides a great opportunity to
network."
Taking it a step further, Michel warns, "Don't join additional activities
just to pad your resume -- that will be obvious. If you aren't going to
invest time in it, it is meaningless. Do fewer things, but get very
involved, especially in positions of leadership."
Be prepared.
Once you have dedicated your time and energy to accomplish these things and
bolster your resume, you have to be able to communicate them effectively in
an interview, or else your efforts have been in vain.
"Be prepared to talk about the unique experiences that you've had," said
Leah Jamieson, 2007 IEEE President and the John A. Edwardson, Ph.D., Dean
of the College of Engineering at Purdue University. "It's up to you to
create the opportunity during the interview to make sure that the
interviewer sees the whole person, and not just the transcript. Have your
elevator speech ready -- a one minute synopsis of your skills, experience
and achievements. You should be able to talk about how you've developed a
rich set of professional skills that they can't risk passing up!"
Find something that makes you happy.
In this market, people often make the mistake of joining a team that isn't
right for them, as opposed to selecting both an interesting job as well as
a great company. Before accepting a position, ask yourself the following
questions:
1. Are you passionate about this field of work?
2. Can you see yourself learning from the people you're talking about?
3. What will success look like for you -- how do you envision your career
and is this a step in that direction?
"Interview companies to see if they are a fit for you. It is not just the
company conducting an interview. Determine if a company's lifestyle and
culture is a fit with yours and if you can truly be authentic at work,"
said Sophie Vandebroek, Ph.D., IEEE Fellow, Xerox Chief Technology Officer
and President of the Xerox Innovation Group. "Above all else, make sure you
are happy with the job you are doing and the team you are part of. With
happiness comes passion and the willingness to take risks. This is key to
being a great innovator and a great leader."
If you follow these simple steps, you'll not only be head and shoulders
above the competition, but most importantly, you'll be passionate about the
career you choose, which will position you for great success!
Contact Information: Contact:
Adrienne McGarr