myUsearch blog

I’m not one for regrets. Personally, I believe we all have a pattern in life. As for wishes, a favorite musician of mine, Eric Bogle, sings, “If wishes were fishes, we’d all cast nets into the sea.” We are all granted opportunities in life (sometimes they are disguised as problems) but if you sit around wishing for things, you’ll likely just continue to sit around. Still, you’ll often hear college graduates, especially those involved in a job search, talking about the things they wish they had done in college. So, with this in mind, I’ve put together a list of five important things you’ll want to consider before embarking on the next four years.

Photo by Velkr0

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A friend of mine is a 5th Grade teacher in Aurora, Colorado and she asked me to write a letter to her class:

“My students are very curious about college, yet still are unaware of the realities of adulthood (some think “playing football” is going to be their declared major). Most of them don’t think college is even an option for them, because no one in their family has ever considered it. To that end,  I’m seeking out positive adults in my life in hopes that you would be able to share a bit about your childhood, your experience attending college, and your current profession. Our student population is very diverse, and many of my students are 1st or 2nd generation immigrants.  Most come from economically disadvantaged families and have few luxuries in their lives. They are kids who have a lot of potential, but many have minimal awareness about the world at large. Because their families have usually not had the opportunity to attend college, they know very little about opportunities available to them.”

This got me thinking. What advice would I give 5th graders about life and college? And yes, I know you’re not a 5th grader, but you might just learn something from my advice.

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Some things, like going to class, seem obvious. But there is a huge temptation to skip class in college. There’s a lot of other things to do that you might find more interesting than, say, “density functional theory.” Unlike high school, many college classes don’t take attendance. And if you’re living away from home, your parents aren’t there to make sure you get to class.

Photo by rofltosh.

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Creating Career Pathways

As you start college, your career may seem a lifetime away. You very well may pack a lifetime of experiences into these next few years, but your time in college will pass quickly and soon you’ll find yourself seeking your first “real” job. Depending on the steps you’ve taken to prepare for your job search, you may have quick success or experience unemployment for longer than you planned. That’s why it is never too early to start creating pathways to your career. Getting an education is one important step to finding the employment you desire, but networking is the best way to invite opportunities after graduation. (more…)

Have you decided on your major yet? Given any thought to your career plans?

If you haven’t, don’t worry. However, consider at least taking some core classes that will help you in practically any career you choose. Don’t wait until you’ve chosen your major before diving into these. Most colleges have these courses as freshman-level classes, so you can start laying your foundation now even if you haven’t decided what to do after you get your college degree.

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Getting a second degree (or finishing your first) can be a great tactic during a recession. You make yourself more employable and sit out the worst of a lackluster job market.

But there’s another secret recession-buster that works especially well for students–networking. Creating a strong network of “who you know” is one of the best ways to find a great job more quickly. And students are in a unique position to start creating a great network that you can rely on throughout your professional life.

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I am one of the co-founders of myUsearch and I graduated from the University of Colorado- Boulder in 2003.  If I would have read this before I went to school, I would have saved myself a lot of pain and heartache.    (more…)

I had a great time in college and I don’t have too many regrets. But if I could go back in time and do a few things differently with my undergraduate degree, there’s one that stands out in my mind: I’d diversify.

I was a classic liberal arts major–I put off my science and math requirements until the last possible second, so I didn’t take a geology course until I was a senior. If I’d known how cool geology was, I probably would have majored in it. But I let preconceptions about what I thought I was going to like (and what I thought I was good at) get in the way. (more…)

If I could go back in time, the first thing I would change is my college major.  During my time in school I changed my major five times.  In my struggle to ”find myself”, I bounced around from graphic design, fine arts, international affairs and german, until, much to my parent’s relief, I eventually graduated with a very practical, applicable marketing degree.  But there is only one problem.  I don’t really like marketing.

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