‘JT & Dale Talk Jobs’ is the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the country and can be found at JTandDale.com.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m going to be graduating college in a few months. My parents are all over me about finding a job. They are making me miserable. This is my last semester with my friends, and I just want to enjoy what I can before it’s over. Do you have any suggestions for what I can do to make my parents happy without robbing me of my final days of freedom? — Tyler
J.T.: OK, I’m going to be candid: The fact you see your last semester of school as your “final days of freedom” tells me things are not going to be great for you when you graduate. Yes, new grads are struggling to get hired, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the situation. That’s like ignoring a paper cut — it’s going to get infected!
Dale: Whoa! Tyler, COME BACK. I know, I know…J.T. sounds just like your mom. So let’s talk a minute, guy to guy. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself — good for you. And if you do it right, your days as a young professional will be even more lively and enjoyable than school. Honest. But let’s talk about keeping your parents happy. The truth is, your parents could be a big help in finding your first job. If you don’t yet have a career plan, ask them to set up meetings with their most admirable friends to discuss what sort of work you’d find agreeable. If you already have a career in mind, then you can ask your parents to do some networking via friends and friends of friends, getting you introductions to people working in your new field. Your folks will either come through or stop nagging. And by the way, the career conversations can be a true pleasure if you go in determined to learn and to make a new friend.
J.T.: Here’s something to check out: JobStart101.org. It was put together by a fellow career coach, Alexandra Levit, to help students like you. It’s a 90-minute online course about how to prepare to be a young professional, focusing on skills like developing a professional reputation, communicating effectively with colleagues and solving problems autonomously. These all are things that I’m hearing business owners tell me are lacking in today’s college grad. So, if you can spare the 90 minutes to complete this…
Dale: NO! Don’t turn sarcastic mom.
J.T.: …it would — smiley face — help you stand out from your peers when it comes time to look for work.
Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a professional development specialist and the founder of the consulting firm, JTODonnell.com, and of the career management blog, CAREEREALISM.com. Dale Dauten resolves employment and other business disputes as a mediator with AgreementHouse.com.
Please visit them at JTandDale.com, where you can send questions via e-mail, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
© 2011 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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About J.T. & Dale
Two recommendations:
Take advantage of all the networking opportunities at college while you are still there. If you are lucky enough to attend a college that can help you with alumni network leads and job opening leads – don’t pass this by. Soon you may find out it is not as easy when you are out of this community.
And do something everyday to advance your job search. It can be an hour on the phone setting up networking meetings… Most importantly communicate this to your family regularly – they will stop asking and you will get energized by your success.
Good luck Grads!
Hm, I guess this was written with the 22 year old in mind? I’m 35 and I’ve been in “college” so long that I’m baffled.(2002-2006 for an A.S. Degree, I worked my entire time through that) and 2006-2009 to finished up my undergrad (I worked through some of that) and 2009-2011 for my MBA (my work now is full-time job seeker).
I’d say for anyone any age in college, look for work if you are a freshman or senior. It does not matter.You can’t wait until your senior year to look for work. Actually, if I HAD children I would NOT want them to start college (not even a jc) until the age of 22. Why? Teenagers fresh out of high school are very immature. They need to work in the real world first. Whether it’s flipping burgers at McDonalds or working as a factory worker (I worked at a factory, and I didn’t act like I was above it) the 18 year old needs to have life under his belt. Think of it this way. You are in school from age 5-18. Take a much needed break from school and learn life. When you are mature enough (say after 3 years of steady employment, you should know what you want to “Do” when you “grow up”) THEN go to college. You will be much better prepared!