When a president gives a speech promising the economy will get better, and all of America (or at least everyone I know) has a knee-jerk reaction of, “Ha, doubt it,” there’s one thing I can say without hesitation: We are in the midst of a confidence crisis.
As a whole, we lack trust in our government, our banks and even ourselves. The unemployment rate may have recently declined, but it’s generally believed that’s because people are merely giving up on their job hunts, not because they actually found work. We see ourselves as victims of a gloomy era with no choice but to simply wait for it to pass.
Last week, The New York Times published a piece on college graduates who are “waiting out” the awful economy, literally — waiting tables until their degrees prove valuable again.
The article featured the unusual story of Amy Klein, a Harvard English literature student who graduated in 2007 and remained unemployed until her friends asked her to join their band, Titus Andronicus. She toured with the band last spring, “fulfilling (her) artistic goals,” she said.
Being musically incompetent , I can safely say I’ll never taste success like Klein’s. That’s not just a confidence crisis talking.
But I don’t want to be in a punk band — I just want to have a job when I graduate, and I know I’m not in the minority. So I whipped up a list of tips on how to actively survive this confidence crisis, not just wait for it to pass.
1. Make friends with people who matter
Freshman year, my adviser recommended I introduce myself to every professor I took a class with. “Just go up to them at the end of class or visit them during office hours, shake their hand and ask a question.” Being overwhelmingly shy, I only scrapped up the courage to do this maybe twice. In retrospect, it’s a decision I regret: Those were a ton of connections to skip past.
Learn from my mistake and start introducing yourself to professors, deans, club officers and anyone else of importance you run into. This is not only excellent practice for the real world, but an opportunity to build a relationship, get involved and, you know, juice a letter of recommendation or two.
2. Stay fresh.
I used to think that having grown up in the age of technology, I possessed all the skills I needed to succeed post-college. I can type like it’s nobody’s business, and I’m proficient in most basic computer programs. Unfortunately, the exact same goes for practically everyone in our generation.
To make yourself more marketable, you need to be up-to-date with the latest and greatest, not just the basics. Whether this means giving yourself Photoshop tutorials via YouTube, or researching the newest technology being introduced to operating rooms, keep your knowledge relevant. Freshening your resume with this background will make you endlessly valuable.
3. Master the art of marketing yourself.
Practicing your handshake and getting a leg up on your technical abilities is important, but it’s not enough to launch your success. For that, you need some stellar communication skills, both verbal and written.
I’m not just talking about professionalism here; I’m talking about the ability to talk positively about every job or experience you’ve ever had; turning phrases like “I worked for minimum wage at the front desk of a Hilton” into “I served as the face of the Hilton, welcoming and tending to guests’ every need.” Companies who see this on your resume will recognize your positive phrasing and attitude and, knowing you will represent them in the same way, will want to scoop you up. Take a course on professional communication, or if you haven’t got the time, check out a library book on the topic.
4. Count your money.
The average debt for 2011 bachelors degree recipients is $27,404, according to Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of Fastweb.com and Finaid.org. Some of your debt might be even higher. Talk to your parents, or whoever signs your tuition checks, and find out exactly how much you will be responsible for repaying. If you’re the independent type, you can also use the loan calculators at finaid.org to clarify your financial situation. Knowing exactly how much money will be at your disposal as you make plans to backpack Europe or move to New York City post-graduation is essential to a realistic budget.
5. Bulk up your resume.
This goes hand-in-hand with researching your financial situation. As soon as possible, start skimming Craigslist and other professional websites and note the skills, GPA, and other required areas your dream jobs demand. Search different regions and keep your criteria open; see what’s out there. Then take your search local and apply for internships in Milwaukee or part-time jobs on campus that resemble, or could at least teach you a thing or two about your ideal position. These opportunities are far more available than you’d think, so don’t miss your chance.