Looking for a job is a full-time job

JoAnna Franke is the director of one of the most useful programs at any college—career services, an office where the goal is to help students become valuable employees and help them find work in their field.Career services offices hold job fairs throughout the year, and Franke said student attendance at these types of fairs is on the rise, particularly with the job market situation. “Students are taking them more seriously now,” she said.

According to Franke, there are several things students can do while in school to better their chances of finding a job after graduation. A student’s first year isn’t too soon to start thinking about career opportunities. Franke recommends all students, even freshmen, consider part-time employment while going to school, even if it is a work-study or on-campus job.

“One thing we hear from recruiters is that they like students who know how to work, have a shift, get to work on time and have responsibilities at work,” she said. “One of the best things you can have especially in these hard economic times is work experience.”

By their sophomore and junior years, students should look for internships, Franke said. “Students need to be able to say to employers I understand the jargon of my field and I’ve seen it in action,” she said. By the time they’ve reached their senior year, students should have participated in job fairs, beefed up resumes and sharpened interview skills.

For seniors, the job hunt also becomes an exercise in broadening expectations, Franke said. Some jobs that may not immediately appear to relate to a student’s field of study can often offer a variety of employment opportunities.

For recent grads, be patient and be ready to go where the jobs are, Franke said.
JoAnna Franke, , director of Career Services at Texas A&M University