Why did you choose your major? Was it a professor who engaged you in a particular subject or a bet on the guarantee of a future career? Did an alumnus you met at a campus event motivate you or were you responding to a strong parental suggestion that you choose something that was more ‘career related’?

As you look toward your future, what are the factors influencing you to choose one career path over another? In the past, you could look to the choices of those who preceded you into the workplace for guidance. For some time there had been stability in the process of entry-level job search. If you achieved a GPA over 3.5 combined with a relevant major you were set.

Now, there are few certainties and internship experience far outweighs major and GPA in the selection process. Several career fields have closed their doors to new hires. How do you guess at an uncertain future?

Don’t guess. Do your research. Where are the emerging opportunities in this new economic model? The Sunday New York Times article, ‘Crème de la Career’ suggests that talent is shifting away from financial services and consulting and into positions in government.  Time to apply your common sense. If our society has determined that greed is not part of the value system, it is natural to consider the alternative, altruism.

Having the experience of a university that places high value on community service, you are on your way to your new career. If you think about it, most students are looking for a chance to contribute to society; to do important work and be recognized. That is not to devalue compensation. We all need a salary and benefits. This new model proposes a resetting of priorities. And with these new priorities, new places to work.

Does your career path exist with these new priorities or is it time for you to invent something new? This is a great experiment, rather than guess about the future, create it.

Does the competitive nature of the new economy change the relationship between a prospective hire and the employer? Over the past few weeks I have heard from a number of students who are interviewing for entry level positions. Many have expressed concern over aspects of the recruiting process with fewer positions available. All seem to be looking for the ‘perfect’ solution to manage the process. Did I make the best impression?  How do I follow up and maintain contact with the employer? If I receive an offer, how quickly should I accept?

What has changed this year is the number of opportunities. What has not changed is the process of finding a job. It may take longer and you may have only one offer. The key is not to let the overlay of economic news shake your confidence.

You will make the best impression by being prepared. Do your research. Conduct information interviews. Practice interviewing. Don’t memorize answers or overthink the process. Be educated, but be yourself.

Once you have connected with an employer, always ask about next steps. Get a sense of decision points and timeframes. Always acknowledge the time a recruiter spends with you in an interview with a handwritten thank you note. Realize that most employers do not IM offers. Follow up within the timeline set by the employer.

Once an offer is made, give yourself time to consider all aspects of the position. Do not make a decision until you see the offer in writing. If there are aspects you wish to negotiate, schedule an appointment with the recruiter and have the conversation face to face. Your research gives you a sense of industry standards and your negotiation should be fall within those guidelines.

Economic conditions add an extra element of anxiety to the job search. Analyze your competition. Know your strengths. You cannot control an employer decision, but you can manage your role in the process.

We live in interesting times. We all share a front row seat to history. Take notes. As citizens we anticipate the inauguration of the first black American President. At the same time we share the experience of family and friends who have been impacted by the economic downturn.

Late last week the federal government closed the books on 2008, reporting the highest unemployment rate in sixteen years (7.2%). The total number of jobs lost in the recession totals 2.5 million according to the New York Times, with 524,000 jobs lost in December. While we were working through the fall semester 1,087,000 people lost their jobs in the fiscal fourth quarter. In California, as reported in the Los Angeles Times, the state unemployment rate rose to 8.4% at the end of November.

These are the numbers. But not just numbers, people.

This space is often focused on the tactical. Today, let’s share the big picture. In the global picture, there are a multitude of options.

As we consider the political and historical mileposts of the week, seek out information. Take some time to do your research. There will be new jobs created by this incoming administration. Is there something in the economic proposals that opens a career opportunity for you?

The numbers are important. They ’size’ the problem. In the spirit of the glass is half full, 92.8% of jobs still exist.

When the semester began in August, not even the experts could have predicted the level of change we would experience this fall. While each academic year provides opportunities to embrace challenge and celebrate success, these past four months have created historical moments with the potential to redefine our place in the world.
As you are writing your final papers and studying for exams, let’s take a minute to review what we have learned.
First, we are in an age of globalization. If you have been hiding under the covers for the past ten years, the economic downturn brought the reality of the global banking community to the forefront. In a few short months we have learned more than we may have wanted to know about real estate, mortgages, investment banking, insurance and the auto industry. And we now have a better sense of how our domestic economy depends on the health of these industries. For many of us, the impact of the downturn in the economy has hit close to home with friends and family out of work.
It has been a year of unprecedented engagement. Record numbers of voters went to the polls on November 4th and elected Barak Obama the first black president of the United States. The senator from Illinois ran on a platform of hope and change. Let’s take that message and personalize it for a minute as we plan for the new year.
Change can be difficult. If you are a freshman this year, your transition from high school to college is a fresh memory. There was the excitement of a new place mixed with missing friends and family. With every new opportunity to change there is a sentimental longing for the past. For seniors, there is the anticipation of the next step: graduate school, professional school, a new job or and entrepreneurial start up. It is a time of hope mixed with uncertainty.
You are a part of a historic moment in time. Become an active participant. If opportunities in a career field are limited, look toward the new careers emerging as a result of change. All you have learned this semester in your classes, organizations and internships have provided you with a solid foundation to adjust and adapt. This is your strength.

If you are heading home for the holiday, you may want to bring a few resumes with you. It is not too early to talk to people about full time jobs after graduation or a summer internship. It is also a good time to take a reality check on the economic conditions close to home.

Are you reading your local newspaper online? You may want to take a few minutes over the next two weeks to catch up on what is going on in your hometown. Get some first hand information on how the economy is having an impact in your local community.  What are the implications for your job/internship search?

Is there someone you might want to meet with over the holiday weekend for an information interview?  Call them this week to set an appointment.

Visit your local library. The reference librarian can be a great source of information. The librarian can direct you to online resources that will help in your research on organizations, professional associations and career fields. Rather than spend hours surfing the net, visit with someone who can target the best resources for your search.

Are you visiting friends over the holiday? Talk to them and their family members about summer internships or full time jobs. Ask them if they know anyone in your career field. You can also help others with their job search. Network.

Always have a copy of your resume with you. You can ask people for feedback and you will be ready if someone asks for a copy.

The holidays can be stressful.  This year the degree of stress may be heightened due to economic pressures. Try to get some rest, but also program some time for your job/internship search. You will come back to campus with a sense of accomplishment and a realistic view of career possibilities.

Here we are in late October, a stressful period in a normal semester with mid-term exams and papers. Add to that the concerns about the economy and the upcoming election. It may be difficult to concentrate on classes when you are worried if you will have a job after graduation. It is important to share your concerns with friends and family. It is also important to develop a plan. You have time. You have options. Focus on what you can control.

Stay healthy. This may sound a bit odd as a first suggestion, however, getting out in the sun for a walk or run will immediately lower your stress level. If you look good you will feel confident and be ready to meet the most challenging interview.

Set realistic expectations. As the job market becomes more competitive, it may take longer to find a job. Organizations follow a cycle in hiring. Firms in accounting, finance, engineering and consulting typically hire in the fall for May graduates. All other employers hire close to the date when you are available to work. Set a timeline to match your industry’s hiring process.  You may find employers extending the hiring process to third and fourth round interviews. When there are fewer positions, an employer wants to be sure a candidate is a ‘fit’ before extending an offer. This is one reason many employers have shifted to hiring from internship programs.

Compartmentalize. If you are seeking full time employment you are balancing your life as a full time student with a full time job search. This requires time management and focus. You have to be successful in both. However, the priority is attaining your degree.

Finally, you are not alone. Meet with an advisor in the CPPC to get feedback on your plan. If your interview process is ending at the first round, it might be time to schedule a mock interview.

There is a limit to what we can take in at any point in time. And this fall, many of us are on overload. Realize that there are many issues beyond our control. Stay with what you can control and utilize the resources in the CPPC to help you stay on track.

Last week in the midst of all the confusion on Wall Street a number of media outlets were on campus interviewing students about their reactions. One student’s comment struck me. His quote: “I will be really disappointed if there are not jobs waiting for me out there when I graduate next year.” Here is the bad news-there are no jobs ‘waiting’ for anyone right out of college. This has nothing to do with the current economy and everything to do with taking ownership. Do you want someone else to define your career choice or do you want to take control? My suggestion is to take control and not procrastinate.

Some of you may have heard about ‘The Last Lecture‘ by Randy Pausch. Dr. Pausch delivered a lecture at Carnegie Mellon University last fall, which evolved into a best selling book with Wall Street Journal reporter Jeffrey Zaslow. The lecture was titled ‘Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams’. In it he talked about how important it is to overcome obstacles. He referred to them as ‘brick walls’. Here is the thing. You have to want something, in this case a start in your career, more than anyone else. The challenges you face in achieving your dream are your ‘brick walls’. Randy’s thought on this “…the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop other people.”

Where do you start? At the beginning. What is your dream job? Your dream job. Not what your parents or your friends think you should do. Not what Fortune Magazine has identified as the ‘ten hot careers for 2009′. What you want to do. If you start there, with your passion, you have a better chance of blasting through those walls.

Next, who is the best at doing what you want to do? Call them. Email them. Find out how they got where they are. What brick walls did they tear down?

Communicate your passion. Let everyone know what you want to do. You never know who will help you connect to your dream.

Here is the thing. You have a choice. It is very simple. You can do nothing. You can sit with your friends and complain about the economy and how it is limiting your career options. Or, you can spend some time thinking about your dream and get started. Bottom line, there is no job out there ‘waiting’ for you. This is your career. Go for it!

How will the changes on Wall Street affect your job search? Over the weekend Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy and there is a proposed takeover of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America. This is not a time to retreat to your room and begin filling out graduate school applications. Unless graduate school will add to your portfolio in the short term, postponing your career is not the best option. Here are a couple of ideas to keep you motivated and moving forward on your career plans.

First, be informed. What is going on in your industry? Read the trade publications. Check the website of your professional association. Read news publications either in print or online. Where is the growth? If your industry is shrinking, it is time for a course correction. Information will help you establish your priorities and target your job search efforts.

Next, explore alternatives. If you were considering a career as an investment banker, take a look at opportunities in corporate finance. In any industry, look at the ‘client side’ to create additional career options. Review your resume. If you had an internship with Lehman this summer, what skills did you acquire that would be of value to another employer?

Talk to people about what is going on in the industry. Today the Careers@4 panel discusses opportunities in the field of consulting.

Review the job listings on connectSC and the list of employers attending career fair next week. Employers are hiring.

If you have not worked in the field you are planning to enter, now is the time to obtain an internship. Gaining experience in the workplace will set you apart in a competitive market.

Keep the momentum going toward your career goal. Visit the CPPC for feedback and support.

Are we in a recession? How will the economy effect your job search? You have a choice. Browse the Internet and get depressed or take control and build a competitive advantage. You need a strategy. What is the job you want? Start there. Do your research to determine the type of individual who is successful in this position. Next, do a quick assessment of your skill set. Do you have the courses, community service, involvement and experience required for the job?

Here are a few things you can do today to begin the data gathering:
Check the job listings on connectSC. Who is hiring? What are the jobs? What skills are employers looking for?
Utilize the Trojan Network. This resource has over 7800 alumni who have volunteered to be information providers – folks you can talk to about what they do and why they have been successful.
Join a professional association. Check into the chapters on campus as well as external, industry related organizations. You may be familiar with the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. Most professions have an organization that advocates and offers professional development for members. Interested in a career in human resources? Check out the Society for Human Resource Management. Thinking about marketing? The American Marketing Association is the primary one association for practitioners. You can search for a professional association using the USC Library database. Once you are in the database click on Advanced Search. Next change the content area to Associations. You can then search by career field.These organizations give you a good sense of the trends and issues, the leaders in a particular field and an opportunity to network at local and national conferences. Most associations also have a job listings site.
Get an internship. There is no substitute for on the job experience.