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What They Don’t Teach You in College About Building a Career

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Graduating college is a huge milestone. You’ve spent years learning the principles of your field, mastering technical skills, and preparing to step into the professional world. But here’s the thing: while college gives you the tools to excel in a profession, it doesn’t always show you how to start your career in it. In many cases, the best you can hope for is a list of potential job openings, and maybe a job fair. (Not that those things aren’t helpful–they just don’t provide much in the way of context.) As a result, for many, the leap from classroom to career feels overwhelming, filled with obstacles that textbooks and lectures never quite cover.

If you’re feeling unsure about how to take that first step, you’re not alone. Building a career is about much more than knowing your subject matter. Here are five essential lessons they don’t necessarily teach you in college, but which are critical for landing that first job and thriving in the years to come.

1. Networking is Everything

You might have heard people say, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” That doesn’t mean your hard-earned knowledge isn’t important, but connections play a powerful role in shaping your career. Networking starts with building genuine relationships—not just collecting LinkedIn connections or attending job fairs.

Think about ways to expand your circle. Reach out to alumni from your college on LinkedIn, attend industry events, or ask professors if they can introduce you to professionals in your field. Start small by having conversations and asking thoughtful questions. Networking isn’t about instantly landing a job; it’s about opening doors and learning more about potential opportunities. That’s something you can begin doing even before you graduate.

2. Your Personal Brand Speaks Volumes

Whether you realize it or not, you already have a personal brand. It’s the way you present yourself online and offline, the reputation you build, and the story you share about who you are and what you value. Employers don’t just consider your resume; they also look at your LinkedIn profile, social media activity, and even how you come across in emails and interviews.

To start, make sure your online presence reflects the professional you want to be. Use LinkedIn to showcase your achievements, passions, and skills. Craft an elevator pitch that succinctly explains your strengths and career goals. A strong personal brand will make you memorable in a sea of candidates.

3. Your Resume Needs to Stand Out

College teaches you how to write essays and research papers, but crafting a resume requires a completely different skill set. A strong resume focuses on the value you can bring to an employer—not just a long list of everything you’ve done in your life.

Focus on results. For example, instead of saying, “Managed social media for a student organization,” try, “Increased social media engagement by 30%, growing our audience and event attendance.” Use bullet points, tailor your resume to each job, and keep it concise. And don’t forget to include internships, volunteer work, and campus leadership roles (since these may be the extent of your experience when you’re starting out). Even if they’re not directly related to your desired job, they show transferable skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

4. Interviewing Is a Skill You Can Develop

Interviews can feel stressful, especially when you’re new to the process. But here’s the good news: interviewing is a skill, and like any skill, you can improve with practice. The key is preparation.

Research the company beforehand so you can tailor your answers to their values and mission. Practice common interview questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” or “How do you handle challenges?” with a friend or mentor. And remember, interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions for the employer to show you’re genuinely interested in the role and the organization.

Finally, focus on confidence—not perfection. Employers don’t expect you to know everything right off the bat; they’re looking for enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

5. Navigating Workplace Culture Is Key

Once you land a job, understanding how to thrive in a professional environment is just as important as the skills you bring to the table. College doesn’t always offer clear guidance on workplace dynamics, but being mindful of your surroundings will help you adapt.

Pay attention to communication styles, team expectations, and unspoken workplace norms. For example, does your team prefer emails or quick messages for updates? How are decisions typically made? Observing and asking respectful questions will help you understand how to contribute meaningfully to your new workplace.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to seek feedback from managers or peers. Constructive feedback is one of the most valuable tools for growth.

Take the Next Step with Confidence

The gap between college and your career might feel like a chasm between two cliffs, but you don’t have to make the leap on your own. If you’re ready to take the next step and want some guidance on next steps, I’m here to help. Together, we can create a plan that aligns with your skills, goals, and values. To learn more about how it works, just hop on my calendar and schedule yourself a free initial session with me.

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Transitioning from College to Career: A Guide for Graduates 

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Graduation is just around the corner—a moment for college students that’s both exhilarating and a little daunting. After years of hard work, you’re about to step into a new chapter. But as exciting as that is, it’s natural to feel some uncertainty about what comes next. With today’s job market being anything but predictable, the best way to set yourself up for success after college is to be as prepared as possible. By taking intentional steps now, you can build a steady foundation to land the job you want and start building your career.

To help you get started, here are five actionable tips to make your leap from student to professional as smooth as possible.

Start Building Your Network Early

The saying “it’s not just what you know, but who you know” carries a lot of weight in the professional world. Building connections before you graduate can open doors you may not even have thought about yet. Start by reaching out to professors, attending networking events or job fairs, and connecting with alumni in your field on platforms like LinkedIn or Alignable. A thoughtful message introducing yourself and expressing interest in their professional experience can go a long way. You never know which conversations might lead to an opportunity.

Polish Your Resume and Online Presence

Your resume is often the first impression employers will have of you, so make it count. Highlight your skills, internships, and accomplishments relevant to the job you’re seeking. If you’re unsure where to start, career services at your college can be an invaluable resource. (And remember–your resume is editable. Don’t send a generic boilerplate resume out to 100 different job openings; tailor the resume to fit the job you’re seeking, highlighting the skills and training you’ve had that best match what the employer is looking for.)

Just as important is your online presence—particularly on LinkedIn. Make sure your profile is updated, professional, and matches the basic information on your resume. Clean up your other social media platforms while you’re at it–because employers are likely to check. (That photo of you drunk at a frat party isn’t likely to do you any favors.)

Develop a Job Search Strategy

Rather than applying to every job posting you see, focus on targeted opportunities that align with your skills and career goals. Use job search platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn, but don’t rely on them exclusively—many opportunities aren’t advertised online at all.

Set aside dedicated time to research companies you admire, tailor your applications to highlight why you’re a good fit, and follow up tenaciously. Treat your job search like a part-time job in itself, with a structured plan and goals to keep you on track.

Seek Out Mentorship

A mentor can provide valuable insights and guidance as you transition into the professional world. This could be a professor, a family friend, or someone in your network whose career you admire. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for advice; most people are happy to share their experiences and provide encouragement. Regular check-ins with a mentor can help you stay focused as you work towards your goals.

Continue to Build Your Skills

Even after graduation, learning doesn’t stop. Employers value candidates who are adaptable and willing to grow. Whether it’s taking a free online course, earning a certification, or developing your soft skills (like communication and time management), investing in yourself is always worth it.

Identify any gaps between your current skill set and what employers in your field are looking for, then work on filling them. This effort not only makes you a more competitive candidate but also shows initiative and a commitment to excellence.

Take the Next Step Toward Your Future

The transition from college to career may feel overwhelming at times, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to shape the life you want. With preparation, persistence, and the right tools in place, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. If you’d like personalized guidance as you move into this next phase, I’m here to help. Schedule a free initial consultation on my calendar today, and let’s work together to create a plan that sets you up for career success.

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College Grads: Don’t Count on Your Degree to Get You a Job

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As springtime approaches, we can almost hear the buzz of college seniors finishing up their last assignments, getting ready to graduate and transition into the workforce. College students approaching graduation tend to fall in one of two groups:

GROUP ONE: They approach graduation with a sense of optimism, even giddiness.

GROUP TWO: They approach graduation with a sense of terror and dread.

Those in the first group are giddy, either because they’re among the few grads who actually have a job offer waiting for them, or because they are blindly optimistic that a job will magically appear once they graduate. The second group realizes that there is no promise of a job after graduation, and when they think of how much student debt they’ve accumulated—it’s enough to make them panic, wondering what the hell they’re going to do with their lives.

Actually, neither approach is the right way to face the future. The truth is somewhere in the middle. But we’ll get to that.

Welcome to the Real World

The fact is, college students have been led to believe that you go to school for four years (or maybe six or eight, if you’re getting an advanced degree), and employers are basically waiting at the other end of the graduation line, ready to hire you. If that was true at one time, it isn’t anymore. While it does still happen that way for a few people, the fact is most employers are placing a lot less stock in your college education. A few years ago, an eye-opening Gallup poll revealed that by a wide margin, employers think a job candidate’s knowledge and experience are more important than their college degree! This is a huge sea change from a few decades ago when the whole go-to-college-get-a-job mindset really got started.

Bottom line—while a college degree still matters (at least in some fields), there’s certainly no guarantee that your degree alone will land you a job. Welcome to the world of today.

The Student Debt Problem

Another issue that is plaguing college students these days is the skyrocketing levels of student debt. As college tuition rates climb higher than they ever should, the government keeps backing loans of higher and higher amounts to students who otherwise would never qualify to borrow that much money. As a result, overall student debt has surpassed $1.52 trillion dollars (more than our entire national debt in 1980). A whopping 44.2 million of us now carry student debt, and more than two million graduates have debt that exceeds $100,000. Some graduates even report that they’re paying more in student loan payments than they are on rent! When you consider that most college grads who do find work start in entry-level jobs—that’s a huge burden to bear.

The News Isn’t All Bad

If you’re a student getting ready to graduate, I hope I haven’t just moved you from group number one to group number two! I know the news is a little hard to take—but there is hope. The fact is, there are jobs available for college graduates—including lots of good, high-paying jobs. You just can’t rely on your degree to get them. In this day and age, you have to approach your job search a bit differently, a bit more creatively. I have a whole coaching system dedicated to helping college students find their way into lucrative careers, but for starters, here are a few tips to get you thinking the right way:

  • Prepare in advance. Don’t wait until a month before graduation to start thinking about your job search. Do some research into your chosen job market. Find out which firms or companies are the best in your field to work for, and form a “short list” of companies you want to apply for.
  • Start networking now. Most jobs these days are filled through connections, not by advertising. Build a compelling LinkedIn profile and start connecting with other professionals in your chosen field. Start building your contact list with those with whom you already share a common bond—namely, your professors, classmates and alumni. Attend local business networking events. Start forming a network of your own so when you’re ready to start the job search, you already have a structure in place.
  • Focus on your skills and strengths. You probably don’t have enough work experience to impress an employer yet, but all experience is potentially valuable to an employer, not just job experience. For recent college grads, I recommend putting together a functional-style resume—one that highlights your skills, strengths and experience gained through college projects, part-time jobs and student activities.

Those college grads in Group One are probably in for a rude awakening. But for those in Group Two, the future is not as bleak as it might seem. The right job is waiting for those grads who are willing to be positive, creative and proactive. If you need help preparing for your first real job out of college, I’m here to help. For a free 15-minute consultation, give me a call at 646-320-1126.