Securing My First Job After Graduate School: A Personal Journey
Getting your first job after graduate school can be a daunting process that requires careful planning and strategic action. My journey from the completion of my dissertation in April 1997 to my first job, which I secured just two weeks before graduation, highlights the importance of various strategies and persistence in this competitive field.
Key Strategies for Finding Your First Job After Grad School
Many graduates find jobs through networking, internships, tailored applications, job boards, and preparation for interviews. However, persistence plays a crucial role in securing a job, especially when the competition is fierce.
Networking and Internships
Networking: Building a network is essential for finding job opportunities, especially for graduates. This can be done through attending conferences, workshops, and alumni events. These gatherings are valuable for meeting industry professionals and discussing job opportunities.
Internships: Gaining practical experience through internships can significantly improve your chances of landing a job after graduation. Many companies offer full-time positions to exceptional interns.
Tailored Applications
Customized Resumes and Cover Letters: Tailoring your job applications specifically for each position you apply for can greatly enhance your chances of success. Highlighting relevant skills and experiences is crucial to standing out from other candidates.
Utilizing Job Boards and Career Services
Employing job boards specific to your field and leveraging your university’s career services can provide valuable leads on job openings. Other resources, such as professional associations and online networking platforms, can also be beneficial.
Interview Preparation
Practicing for Interviews: Preparing for interviews, both behavioral and technical, can help you present yourself confidently to potential employers.
Persistence
Even with these strategies, the job search can be challenging. Staying persistent and open to various opportunities is crucial for success.
My Personal Experience
My graduate job search was a unique and memorable journey. I finished my dissertation in April 1997 and officially graduated in October of that year. However, I started working on May 7th, a full six months before my official graduation.
During those six months, I applied for several jobs at the local Job Centre, scheduled two interviews, and was offered a position. This was an unconventional route, as I had not initially planned to work until the day after the Rose Bowl on January 2.
While working on my dissertation, I was not immersed in the world of employment and often found myself in the main library on the Oval. I was more focused on my academic pursuits. One day, on May 12, 1997, while reading the sports section of the Columbus Dispatch and browsing through job ads, I noticed an ad for a leading computer manufacturer, which was the Google of the day in 1997.
The ad was for an immediate opening and since I had no job lined up, I decided to give it a shot. I applied for the position, and much to my surprise, received an invitation to interview. This was the first time I had ever been to the library.
As the day of the interview approached, I borrowed a tie from my boss at the Student Union bowling alley and borrowed his roommatersquo;s car, a battered Ford. The interview was a pleasant experience, and during the afternoon, the branch manager asked me about my career aspirations. The idea of being a salesman scared me, so I opted to go for the systems engineering role. As I was leaving the office, the manager called to tell me to buy a suit.
While I don't know for certain, it's possible that I was the only one who applied for that job. The company spent thousands of dollars training me, reflecting the high standards they had for their initial hires. My experience shows that persistence and an open mind can lead to success even in unexpected ways.
College in America has evolved significantly since 1997. Graduates now have access to numerous resources and platforms to help them navigate the job market more efficiently. However, the core principles of networking, tailored applications, and persistence remain as important as ever.