Yes there are jobs out there

Don’t despair, employers are still hiring and the economy is growing and by using some of the same skills that helped you succeed as a student you can reach your after-grad goals. Research, effective writing, plus hard work and determination will make you stand out as a potential employee.

What are employers looking for? Daljinder Sanghera, a second year Mechanical Engineering student who attended this year’s Science and Engineering Fair discovered many employers value skill set more than GPA. Employers advised him that previous experience and skills gained from university were taken into consideration more than simply high marks and can set you apart from the competition. 

Luckily, all work and university experience provides transferable skills. Whether you are working in the service industry, retail or gaining relevant experience in your field you gain communication, problem solving and prioritizing skills.  Add any of these to your academic knowledge plus your experience learning to work successfully on team projects and you begin to see how impressive your resume looks.

So how do you find these jobs in the first place? Be prepared to talk to people. The majority of jobs are not found on online job boards but are filled by word of mouth. This means you need to network – this is not a bad word! Chances are you’re already an expert at social networking, talking to friends and helping each other out. Simply expand your circle to include people who can help you find a job. This list starts with family, friends, current and past co-workers, employers, and your professors.  Go to Career Services Networking page to learn how, where and why networking should be an ongoing part of your professional life.   

Yes, jobs are out there. It may take a bit of digging and talking and writing and research, but finding a job you want to do is worth all the effort.