Dr. J's message for May 31-June 6, 2009
It is, without a doubt, hard to find jobs right now. I've heard a fair amount of anxiety among students who either have not found summer employment or whose jobs are less interesting than they had hoped to find.
With help from the staff at Career Connection, I've compiled list of 10 things you can do to advance your career this summer, whether or not you have a dream job or internship.
You'll find additional background and resources on the Career Connection website.
Look for opportunities in any job to develop transferable skills. If you show interest and initiative, most bosses will be glad to give you a chance to stretch beyond the stated job duties.
- Be persistent in your job search. Keep applying, be flexible in your requirements, and make it widely known that you're looking for employment. It might be your neighbor's cousin who has the lead you need.
- Volunteer your time. In addition to helping others, this can be a great way to explore career interests or pick up additional skills.
- Conduct informational interviews. Most people are happy to talk to interested college students about their jobs, and often will even invite you to "shadow" them at work for several hours or a day.
- Consider taking a course at a local community college that will fulfill an OSU requirement.
- Create your own job. Look for an un-met need in your community. It may not be glamorous, but often you can make good money doing things like child care, lawn care, house painting, cleaning, tutoring and coaching.
- Use your spare time to develop your non-academic skills and interests, such as cooking, crafting, computer programs, or outdoor activities. Life is more fulfilling when you have multiple interests. And some of those skills are big money-savers or opportunities to pick up a little cash.
- Read. Catch up on the novels, biographies, and special interest publications that you have had no time for during the academic year.
- Travel. It doesn't have to be expensive. Day trips, camping, and visiting friends and relatives are good ways to see more of the country (or the world).
- Help out at home (Your mom told me to put this one in). Voluntarily pick up some additional household responsibilities.
I have been impressed with how ingenious and hard-working the Ohio State students I meet are. I'm sure you can add several more items to this list, and have a profitable summer.
Dr. J
Javaune Adams-Gaston
Vice President for Student Life
vicepresident@studentlife.osu.edu
Contact:
Ruth Gerstner
614-292-8424
rgerstner@studentlife.osu.edu