Career Archives - Page 29 of 43 - The Voice of Job Seekers

How Can Career Services Engage College Students Through Social Media?

Editor’s note: Alexandra Levit, is a member of the Career Advisory Board answered some questions . I interviewed Alexandra Levit last fall about another survey conducted on behalf of the Career Advisory Board, DeVry University, and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). She offered insight and advice on how college career centers, students, and employers can engage more effectively on social media.

Mark: It seems as if Career Centers pass the eye and enthusiasm test initially in their use of social media, but not particularly the ear test because of the lack of conversations and engagement. Is that a fair assessment of this study?

AL: That’s a great way of putting it, Mark. Although social media awareness and usage skyrocketed in recent years, career services professionals leverage social networks in a similar fashion to email – as one-way communication devices to share career center-related information with constituents. Only about 25 percent of respondents use social media to engage in back-and-forth advisement sessions with students and only 20 percent of respondents engage with students daily on social networks. This is a wasted opportunity.

MD: Since enthusiasm of the use of social media does not equal success, does the disappointment continue of the adaption of social media?

AL: I do see some disappointment, yes, especially as the centers try to set up shop (or their own pages) on the social networks. Advisers may set up groups and neglect them as static entities, thinking that “if we build it, people will come.” We know that this is not the case on social media. Students will join and regularly visit a center’s group or page because it continually provides value to them and a chance to engage productively with people they know. If the centers understand this, they will put more focused effort into their online properties, will attract more engagement, and thus will receive more positive reinforcement.

MD: Can we assume that this process of career service/student engagement will take time since building an online reputation is a process itself?

AL: It absolutely takes time. I like to tell people that my blog Water Cooler Wisdom was launched in 2004 and only now that it’s 9 years old does it have a really terrific following. Everyone likes to try their hand at online engagement, but only a handful actually stick around long enough to engender trust and credibility. Career centers have to be patient. Slow and steady wins the race.

MD: What will really change the average student’s perception of career services brand universally?

AL: I think this will require a critical mass of career centers keeping up with the times and showing students how they are relevant from freshman year to graduation and beyond. Eventually, word will trickle down to students just beginning university that career services can be a major asset. I think we are a long way from this happening, but every bit of awareness helps.

MD: Why wouldn’t career services use a model like TweetMyJobs to bring opportunities mobile but still use career services as the main contact?

AL: The most sophisticated centers are doing this in combination with other strategies. The key is, I think not to do anything in a vacuum, but to present a uniform online communications approach for students (and other constituents) that showcases job opportunities as well as other offerings.

MD: What suggestions would you have to provoke meaningful dialogue between career services and students?

AL: Instead of “friend blasting,” career services professionals should connect selectively – sending unique and highly personalized invitations to each individual based on compatibility. The purpose is not to collect contacts, but rather to view, comment and converse on postings so that advisers can develop relationships that will eventually move offline. A student is much more likely to attend an event or seek in-person advice from an adviser he or she has already learned to like and trust through social media.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

The Evolution of The Career Internship [INFOGRAPHIC]

It’s hard to believe that the predecessor of today’s internship came to life in the 11th century. The interns in the past were actually apprentices seeking practical experience to grow their skill set in a trade, art, or calling.

Today, students embark on internships during their college years to gain out-of-the-classroom experience prior to entering their industry. But just like the 11th century, an internship are key to gaining the necessary experience to get hired in a full-time position.

InternMatch, an online platform connecting the best intern candidates and employers, compiled the infographic below which showcases the impact internships have had on our world. In the 80s, only 3 percent of college students completed an internship, but today, 47 percent of employers boast structured internship programs. Here are some key points to note:

37% of students say internships are a good job search resource
81% of employers find they have better experiences with new hires that have intern experience
33% of employers hire virtual interns, a 20% increase from 2011 to 2012
The average wage rate for interns at bachelor’s level is $16.21

Check out the full infographic below and let us know your thoughts in the comments!

What do you think? Do you think internships will continue to evolve into a mandatory aspect of every career?

Compiled by InternMatch, an online platform connecting the best intern candidates and employers — which details internships from the 11th century until today.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Conversation with Kathleen Brady, author of Get a Job! (PODCAST Episode #4)

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Editor’s note: Inkwater Press is giving away FIVE copies of the e-book and one hardcopy! If you comment below about your takeaways points from the interview, then you qualify for a copy. We’ll run this giveaway until next Monday! GOOD LUCK!

Kathleen Brady (@KBCareerPlanner) is an author and a Certified Professional Coach with 25 years experience in helping professionals identify their goals and design action plans to achieve them. Get a Job: 10 Steps to Career Success is her fourth book, her third with Inkwater press. Her central focus of her practice is the planning and coaching for recent graduates and professionals who seek life satisfaction. She is a former Assistant Dean of Career Services at Fordham University and past president of the National Association of Law Placement. If you want to know more about Kathleen Brady, her website is careerplanners.net.

Kathleen’s vast experience is impressive as you can tell in the depth and detail of her answers. It is by far the longest interview on this blog yet because it is hard to edit content that is vital to job seekers. Here is a table of contents to our discussion:

The mindset of job seekers creating his or her own opportunities
The importance of knowing what they want to do in their career
What should motivate a job seeker to pay attention to career goals and aspirations?
What does “success patters” mean and how it relates to the job search?
Using Linked In effectively
The Highland’s Ability Battery
What does AIR (Advice, Information, Referrals) mean and how it applies to job seekers?
Networking and how critical it is to do
Career Services at colleges and how under utilized they are
The breakdown of using three different languages–reluctant, suspicious, or negative

Enjoy our conversation!