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How To Choose the Right School for Your Career Path [Infographic]

Last year we reported that 1.5 million of college graduates under 25 are jobless or under-employed. And while diving in to find out what these numbers imply, we found a couple of things– typically, Millennials feel a sense of entitlement and career centers are not being utilized to their fullest potential.

Now, fast-forward to today, and this situation is still affecting many of you. So while revisiting this topic, let’s discuss the step prior to applying to your first job and even before your first internship– choosing the right education. (And, for those of you who’ve already graduated, take heed! You never know– the opportunity to go back to school may present itself one day in your future.)

This infographic produced by Northeastern University’s online MBA program, states that 39% of employers around the world feel graduates lack the right skills needed for entry-level jobs. Furthermore, 25% of students claim their college focuses on hands-on approaches, while 72% of educational institutions believe they’re adequately preparing students.

And since colleges can often be savvy with how they present their offerings, these tips might help break down the veil to reveal what you need to know before making the decision that can impact the rest of your life:

Find schools that focus on experimental, multimedia, workplace-relevant teaching styles
Look for colleges that partner with local employers– that’s a good sign that your acquired skill set may directly apply to future careers
Apply to schools with flexible options such as online classes, allow you to work while in school, applying your education directly to your current position
Remember that you don’t have to settle for the first college that accepts you into their program

So, check out the infographic below for more interesting stats and helpful tidbits! And if you have any questions or thoughts about your college and career search, make sure to leave a comment.

Northeastern University Online MBA Degree

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Certification vs. College Degree: What’s Best for Your Career (PODCAST)

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In episode #9, Keith Townsend (founder of VirtualizedGeek.com) and I discuss the options for career transitioners, IT professionals, and high school or college graduates. Keith has a Master’s of Science in IT Project Management and he explains why he decided to pursue his formal education as an adult and married with kids. Job seekers could apply these principles to his or her career as many of you are in similar situations Keith had faced.

We explore the following points:

Keith shares his story including his background and his dilemma on whether to continue receiving certifications or pursuing a degree that led him to opportunities that he would have never had.

I asked him, “Is there pay difference to make a professional distinction between certifications and degree?” Listen to what he said and why his blog played a major factor in his career path.

What are common judgment errors job seekers make in deciding which would be more beneficial?

Is it better to pursue a degree now or certification or both? Why? Why not?

What life considerations are there in pursuing all or none?

How valuable are pursuing the free online courses vs. paid courses?

Everyone can learn from Keith how to position yourself as an expert in the field of your choice, and create a career and life you desire.

by Sophie Samuel

Combine Old and New School Job Search Ways for Success

Editor’s note: Sophie Samuel wrote the article today. See her bio at the bottom of the article.

With the economy down and rising level of competition, it is becoming increasingly difficult to land a good job. While the traditional way is to look for job postings in newspapers or to apply to companies directly, many people are now adopting alternative and more creative ways to land a job. Instead of trying to land a job against massive competition with the same limited techniques, it is good to step out of the system and try innovative ways of a job search.

Make connections:

In today’s tech-driven world, connections can be made both real-time as well as online. Many people use Facebook and Twitter as job search tools. Using Facebook’s ad system is a great way to showcase yourself, and target age groups and areas. Since many employers post job openings on Twitter, use Twitter’s hashtag functionality to find conversations that interest you. Don’t be afraid to post that you are conducting a job search!

Apart from directly looking for job postings online, it is ideal to make connections with people who work in areas that interest you. Remember that the chances of landing a job through a person who knows you personally are much higher. Besides, even if you cannot directly access job openings, you can learn a great deal from people who have your dream job. They have a lot to offer and making connections with them somehow always trickles down to something fruitful.

Do job shadowing:

Many people are confused about what kind of job they want to land. Job shadowing is ideal for people who are trying to figure out what interests them the most. Even if you do know what interests you, it is a good way to make connections as well as get more information about how a company works. Job shadowing involves working in a company and literally ‘following’ another employee for about three to seven days. The best part about job shadowing is that you don’t have to invest a lot of time on your part unlike an internship! If you are getting your jobseekers allowance, you can use that extra time and money to creatively search for a job.

Try Google Adwords:

Using Google Adwords to display an ad about yourself or redirecting targeted companies to your resume is a great way to get noticed. A lot of times it is difficult to penetrate a big company especially if you don’t have connections. If you step out of the usual system of sending your resume along with other applicants and use Google Adwords instead, you actually end up getting more noticed. Use the power of the internet to your advantage!

Showcase yourself:

Try to do as many side projects as you can. Don’t be afraid to advertise and sell yourself. Always keep in mind that you are searching for a job while talking to new people, but never be pushy! If you feel that you have something to offer to someone through your skillsets, shout it out! If you don’t showcase your talent, people will never know.

Sophie Samuel is a blogger from London in UK. She loves to write articles on Technology, Finance, Health, Travel and Finance. As if now, she is conducting research on Jsaguide.co.uk and gathering information about it.