Graduation
What should I be doing to reach my career goals in a down economy?
Well, as a student of GU/MSB you are off to the right start. You are growing your skills and education base by earning a degree. As unemployment rises, those with education and skills have the best chance of obtaining a position.
If your goal is to get a promotion with your current employer, now is the time to really show them how much you bring to the team and maybe a few new ideas on how you can help the company save on expenses. This will show your commitment to the organization as well as your innovation and leadership.
If you are looking for employment elsewhere, don’t panic just yet. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers still plan to hire 8 percent more graduates this year than they did last year. Though, that projection has dropped from an initial estimate of 16 percent. The prediction is that next year may bring a downturn in hiring.
Everyone should be maintaining their professional network and doing all you can to be connected. You should have a career mentor, and networking is still the number one way to get hired. You should also ensure that you are prepared to “sell” your skills and abilities. This is not a time for modesty; be proud of your hard work and accomplishments. Remember as well, that interpersonal skills are extremely important. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, 87 percent of problems in the work place stemmed from interpersonal relation issues.
Not sure what your career goal is? Here are some steps to get you on the road to creating one. First, take time to reflect on what your skills are (or soon to be acquired skills will be) and what your interests are. You can find several free resources here: http://www.rileyguide.com/assess.html. Then, look at what career possibilities are out there and find out what the trends are in that area. Once you’ve completed these initial steps, you can begin to strategically plan the steps needed to reach your goal.
As always, the Career Services Department is here to assist you. Just reach out via phone at 612-798-3747 or 1-877-609-8889, or via e-mail at lfarnham@msbcollege.edu.
Lesley Farnham
Director of Career Services
Globe University/Minnesota School of Business is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees, Bachelor of Science degrees, Associate in Applied Science degrees and diplomas.