Almost every graduating senior will face the same task after May: finding a job. No two stories about the search seem to be alike, however.
Jadine Laniado, a senior communication major, has a slightly different path than most other students. While most will remain in New York State after graduation, she plans to move to Los Angeles and work for City Year, a program through American Corps that allows her to work with 250 other members in inner-city schools, mentoring and tutoring children.
"I'm more anxious [than scared] to get out to the West Coast, but also a bit fearful of struggling financially and being so far away from home. My parents are a little fearful of me being so far away from home, but I know that they will be supporting me as much as they can, and I feel that college has prepared me well for being able to be on my own," Laniado said.
For others, the interviewing process is the most difficult part about the post-graduation job hunt. Jessica Altrow, who graduated with a communication degree and currently works in marketing and sales/business development, attested to the difficulty of interviews.
"I learned that it was almost impossible to come completely prepared to an interview – every interviewer has their own style and can throw ‘curveball' questions," Altrow said in an email. "Always be professional in any social/public setting – especially when you are in the market for a job, you never know who your next boss/supervisor/interviewer [may be]. Master the art of networking."
In addition to the difficulty of the interview, working with others in situations with which one is not accustomed is another challenge that Altrow has had to surmount.
"I was not exposed to the real-life struggles of collaborating within an organization. Working with co-workers of several different age generations, different educational backgrounds and having different motivations was a struggle at times and I had to adapt," Altrow said.
Tatiana Amico graduated with a geography degree and is currently an expert coordinator for the International Fiber Corporation. Amico believes that the ability to write professionally is one of the most crucial skills to have when looking for a job. She believes that UBE 202, a class that helps students with resume building and interview skills, gave her an advantage over other applicants.
"For all students: writing is so important. In an age in which people are communicating more through email than anything else, it is so important to be able to communicate through writing. Unfortunately, the person on the other end may judge you based on an email, so remember this. Be professional – using ‘text talk' is not appropriate," Amico said in an email.
A number of other graduates expressed that it may be appropriate to take some time off to decide where one wants life to end up. College gave them the opportunity to try new things, make mistakes, and it taught them that it's normal to feel scared and confused at times.
"College gives us the ability to be critical thinkers, brainstormers and helps us put thoughts into actions. It gives us the ability to adapt to changes, and trust me, changes happen every day," said Jennifer Shalik, a 2007 graduate with a psychology degree, in an email. "I know that being a graduate of UB gave me the discipline and confidence to be successful."
Additional reporting by Veronica Ritter and Keren Baruch.
Email: features@ubspectrum.com
