CollegeSurfing Insider

When I was asked to write a guest blog for the CollegeSurfing Insider, I started thinking about the stigma that often surrounds career education. Admit it — no matter how enlightened you might be, you still have an idea floating around somewhere in the back of your head that career school is somehow not a “real” school. It’s a safety school, a fall-back option, a choice for kids who only excelled in shop.

OK, I’m guilty. I recently heard that a girl I know, a bright high school grad, is going to beauty school in the fall. And my first thought was that she could do better.

Or could she?

Maybe I shouldn’t turn up my nose at career education just yet. Consider this: Another friend of mine went to a large state university a few years back, but was unable to land a job after graduation. This smart, motivated guy with a bachelor’s degree in engineering found himself knocking on the door of a local career training school, taking classes to gain practical experience in computer programming. He earned his diploma in computer networking and security in less than a year, got a job shortly thereafter, and today is a supervisor at a leading investment banking firm, supporting his wife, two kids, and a baby on the way.

So back to my friend who’s fresh out of high school. Beauty school might just make perfect sense after all. She’s 18, she’s on her own, and she’s pretty much broke. She knows she needs more than a high school education in order to get anywhere in life. She saw the opportunity to apply for beauty school as well as a generous financial aid package, and she took it. Plus, she’ll be earning money along the way in the clinical portion of the 18-month program. So she’s found a way to get educated, certified, and professionally licensed, and she’ll be able to support herself through it all. Underachiever with a low IQ? I think not.

The point? Career education isn’t for burnouts, underachievers, or kids who haven’t lived up to their potential. It’s for honors students, engineers, self-starters, and anyone else who is driven to succeed. It may even be for me.

-Robyn Tellefsen

At a 4th of July BBQ yesterday, I caught up with an old friend. Actually, he was a co-worker from my video store clerk days, and we got to talking about the successes of some of the other kids we worked with at the time. Our little clique, we learned, has come a long way since arguing over late fees and applying “be kind, rewind” stickers (yes, this was the pre-DVD era).

There’s been a law school grad, a college professor, an all-out computer genius, a cell phone tech guru, and — um, well — us. He’s in radio, I’m in Internet media, as you know.

Like me, he loves his job, but he can’t help but wonder what his life would have been like had he majored in finance, law, or computer science like many of his friends. For one thing, it would make house-hunting easier to bare (I found out both he and I are looking for homes in the same neighborhood — small world, right?). But my response to him is that despite higher salaries, we’d be miserable and bored out of our heads!

In other words, there’s nothing to gain from sulking over career regrets. Just because you’re not a doctor, lawyer, accountant, or teacher doesn’t mean you’re destined for failure. I like to think that it makes more sense to choose your career destiny based on your unique interests and talents.

Just take a look at what these folks are doing if you don’t believe me:

Pretty cool stuff, no? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — when you do what you love, the rewards will follow. And, I’d venture to guess that there are even those out there who’d say working at a radio station, or getting paid to blog is pretty sweet! See, Chris? We’ve come a long way since the video store, too.

Ever ask yourself that question? Of course, you have! And while sites like CollegeSurfing.com aim to help you discover that all-important answer, this week’s guest blogger, Brett Farmiloe, reminds us that it’s OK if you’re still not exactly sure.

Half of the American work force is satisfied with their job, while the other half dreads reporting to a job they hate, working for a boss they can’t stand. As a senior at the University of Arizona, I was determined to join the group passionate about their work. But the biggest obstacle that stood in my way was that I did not know how to get to where I wanted to be, or for that matter, what I should do with my life.

“What should I do with my life?” is a question on the minds of many students and young professionals — and it’s a damn good question! You just spent four, five, six years in school and now you’re expected to answer it. You have parents pressuring you, friends and colleagues off to undoubtedly successful starts to long careers, and then you have your situation. I’m here to tell you not to worry. Not everyone has their life figured out at our age. In fact, no one really has it figured out.

Last summer, I ventured on a cross country roadtrip to interview successful people who LOVE their careers. I wanted to talk with these extraordinary individuals about the path that they pursued so I could develop an idea of which path I should pursue. The single most important thing that I took away from 75 interviews and three months of grassroots roadtrip travel was that at 22 years old, I didn’t have to figure it out.

One of my interviews was with University of Arizona head basketball coach Lute Olson. At 21, he was pumping gas and cleaning grease bays on the graveyard shift so he could pursue his love for education. Another was with Barry Moltz, who a week before college graduation did not have a job, accepted a position with IBM because he didn’t have anything to do the following Monday. Nine years later he transitioned out of the corporate world to enjoy a successful career in entrepreneurship. There were also 73 other people I talked with that all shared the common characteristic of not having life completely solved at our age.

I had reached a comforting conclusion.

Life takes too many twists and turns to decide right now what you want to do forever. It’s just not possible. The only thing we can do is have a determination to one day join the “better” half of the workforce by progressively working our way towards figuring out who we are and what thrills us.

Brett Farmiloe is the Founder of Pursue the Passion, where students and recent grads interview passionate professionals on cross country roadtrips about their career paths. Read interviews and about the 2007 tour at www.pursuethepassion.com.

Start low and work your way up the corporate ladder.
Your hard work will get you noticed.
Pay your dues and work long hours and it will pay off.

Sounds like pretty sound advice, just like your dad gave you when you set out into the world of work, right? The problem, says Penelope Trunk in her new book, “Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success,” is that such thinking applies to yesterday’s ‘old school’ workforce. “Today, there are new rules, new expectations, and new standards for success,” she writes.

For one thing, she stresses, people are not going to come and throw money at you or necessarily notice the great job you’re doing. That might sound obvious, but it took me years to find out from a manager that I need to “play the game” more if I want to get ahead. I’m a self-professed quiet type, always buried in my laptop, listening to my iTunes, typing away. I had always equated the “game” with office politics, schmoozing, and brown-nosing, all of which I wanted no part — or had time to do! But I’ve learned, it’s sometimes a necessary and even fulfilling part of the job, like sharing news with colleagues and higher-ups about my latest initiatives, like this blog. Had I not sent around a staff email, none of my co-workers would have a clue it even existed.

“Brazen Careerist” solidified for me some of the lessons that I learned the hard way throughout the years. For anyone making their way through corporate struggles, deciding if they should go for an advanced degree or launch a new business, or discovering a completely new line of work, Trunk’s renegade advice is right on. Some other highlights (you’ll have to pick up a copy yourself for the rest!):

- Break job-hunting rules. “Even though the advertisement says no calls, a call is a great way to get someone to pay attention to you when there’s a huge pile of resumes.”

- A messy desk portrays you as unorganized, not busy. “Use your workspace to control how people perceive you.”

- Forget dollars and cents. “Learning new skills is worth a lot more to you, in the long run, than some ridiculous 4 percent raise.”

Add Trunk’s book to your wishlist for her complete 45 rules for success. (And don’t believe everything Dad tells you.)

First thing this morning, my sister emails me. After graduating with a degree in biology a few years back, she’s taught bio at the high school level, worked for the department of health doing West Nile research, and now is a lab instructor at a college. So today when she emailed me that she’s “looking” again (she’s had it with the roach problem and computer glitches in her classroom — don’t ask!), I was a bit surprised. Not that roaches and lost Internet connections turned her off to her current employer (ew!), but that she wants her next job to offer a better salary but be totally unrelated to science! It’s going to be tough to make comparable money in a new field when all of her experience is science-based. What to tell her?

Soon after, a former writer colleague confided in me via IM that she’s also on the hunt despite everyone assuming she’s totally content in her current position. It’s not about money for her; she just doesn’t feel challenged. Of course, this isn’t exactly the best climate to be changing jobs in the journalism arena, with people getting laid off and mags folding left and right. But still, she’s not willing to wait around to see if things improve.

What’s the common thread here? Besides the fact that they both came to me for advice (as if someone who’s been at the same company for nine years knows anything about changing jobs!), both gals do have what by most standards would be considered respectable positions in fields related to their college degree. Yet, for very different reasons, they’re both looking to move on. And guess what? They’re hardly alone.

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the average person holds 10 different jobs over their working lives. Full-blown career changes are a different story altogether, and not officially tracked by the DOL, but career experts say changing paths is not all that uncommon. Add to that the fact that they’re both young, independent, and career-driven, and you’ve got yourself the perfect job/career change cocktail.

So how can I best advise them? Despite my anti-job-hopping background, I’ve learned something over the years by speaking with numerous career and education experts, successful pros, and students. So girls, here’s the deal:

For my sister, the career changer: Be prepared to take on something administrative or a temp job and hit the books during off hours. You’ve been thinking about returning to school for some time now, but haven’t been sure about what to pursue. This might be the time for you to take a risk in a totally new field and go for it. Even better, try to get an entry level position in your new field of choice. Although it might mean a pay cut now, when you finish your coursework, you’ll have that all-important experience to pair with your book knowledge.

For my friend, the job changer: If you really feel you’ve grown as far as you can with your company (or don’t like the direction it’s going in), then it’s time to pack up your cube. Be sure to leave on good terms and keep in touch with colleagues, though. Networking might matter someday (like if your editor moves to your dream publication and needs to recommend someone for an opening).

For both of them: Every job should give you something you can take with you to the next job. Put aside the negatives and think about skills you developed, things you learned, and experiences you had that can be strong talking points in your next job interview. Sis, you can describe how you overcame the challenge of teaching a course with limited resources — such improvisation is an impressive trait for any employee. And, gal pal, you can discuss how you taught yourself to create slideshows for your magazine’s Web site to make the most of your downtime and your work more rewarding.

Hope that helps, ladies! And if either of you need a personal reference, I’m your gal!

It sure doesn’t feel like spring today, weather-wise, but with talk of chocolate bunnies, Spring Break memories, and buzz about “The Sopranos” new season finally coming back on HBO (do you think Tony will make it out of the series alive?), it’s definitely that time of year.

And, of course, there’s also that whole urge to spring clean every aspect of your life, including your career. In fact, experts say it’s a good idea from time to time to rethink your goals and refresh your skills. Even if you’re happy at your job, for instance, it’s smart to keep your resume current.

For those of you looking forward to starting a new career season, however, take some cues from “The Sopranos”:

Wiretap your aptitude. Can your skills and talents translate into a different line of work? Say you’re a waste management consultant. While that job title might seem totally irrelevant to other professions you want to pursue, you probably gained experience like customer service, employee relations, sales, marketing, and more. Think about what you’ve done and what you’re good at, and then listen carefully to advice on how it can apply to a new career field.

Consider offers you can’t refuse. Perhaps the number one reason for putting off a new job hunt or career change is fear of going broke. Unlike placing bets with the local crime boss, though, investing in education isn’t a foolish gamble. When it comes to adult education, you might be surprised to know that financial aid opportunities are available, from Uncle Sam’s assistance and scholarships, to on-the-job training programs and tuition reimbursement from your boss.

Enter a career protection program. With people currently changing careers over five times in their lives, there’s no reason to feel like a disloyal rat if your first (or second, or third) career stint doesn’t work out. Explore various industries to determine where you’ll be happiest, and don’t look back.

If only Tony would do that…

Photo: Barry Wetcher/HBO

The big talk this week is March Madness, but I’m more psyched for April baseball. Ahh, baseball…

I’ve been counting the months, weeks, days, and minutes until Opening Day since last November. There’s just something about the game — those walk-off homers in the bottom of the ninth; the knot in my stomach when the closer comes in to (hopefully) save the game; David Wright’s supreme cuteness; the triumph of an underdog team celebrating on the field. I can hardly wait until my Metsies take the field on Sunday night. While I wait patiently (OK, more like obsess over Game 1 starters), I’m realizing that there’s a lot to learn from America’s pasttime — not to mention countless baseball metaphors to exploit (my apologies in advance). So without further ado, please rise for the singing of the national anthem — er, sorry — I mean, check out these baseball-inspired success strategies…

“You gotta have heart” - So the famous song from the broadway musical says. And, if you do, you can even beat those “Damn Yankees” (I hope the Mets do this year, anyway). In other words, drive, dedication, and lots of practice can take you to the big game, even if you’re starting from last place (a.k.a. have no educational background or career experience). To get one step closer to first base, start researching hot career paths and swing away.

“Who’s on First?” - I love Abbott and Costello’s famous, hysterical skit, don’t you? But it goes to show that if you don’t get to know the who’s who of your field, chaos and confusion might ensue. Take the time to research career paths, speak with industry MVPs, shadow someone on the job in your field of choice, seek out professional affiliations and organizations, etc. Staying in the know will help you warm up for your big game debut.

“Field of Dreams” - Remember that movie and that whisper: “If you build it, they will come?” And that last scene between father and son? Just thinking about it makes me teary-eyed! But I digress… What I really wanted to say is that to find success in the field of your dreams, you’ll have to do some building. Skills building, that is (who’s backyard is big enough to build a ball field anyway?!). Take a course, earn a certification, or pursue a full-fledged degree. The choice is yours, and the educational opportunities are there. Once you’ve completed your “spring training,” you’ll be ready to play the field.

So follow your heart, find out who’s who in the field, and build your career dreams! And if you strike out once or twice, don’t sweat it. You’ll knock one out of the park next time… just like David Wright will against the Cards, God willing.

I was at a media conference in Hershey, PA, this past weekend, and I don’t know if it was all the free chocolate or just getting away for a couple of days, but I was fascinated by Milton Hershey’s legacy (and not just the Mr. Goodbars and Kisses, I swear!). Check this out…

With no formal education, Milton went bankrupt several times trying to get into the caramel business. Literally down to his last buck — even after family members mortgaged their homes to help him — an English client put in a giant caramel order, and single-handedly saved him from financial ruin. The reason for this big order? In England, he combined the caramel with chocolate and it was a big Brit hit. Milton still faced “rocky roads” thereafter, but ultimately, this encounter is what inspired him to turn his attention and dedicate his life to chocolate.

Once he was successful, he opened a school for orphans, to give young people educational opportunities that he didn’t have. Today, qualifying low-income students who attend the Milton Hershey school get free room and board, free schooling through 12th grade, a large scholarship to the college of their choice, a brand new wardrobe, and a laptop. Plus the student houses have chocolate milk on tap!

Why do I bring this up? More often than not, people take jobs or enter careers that they later on realize are going nowhere. Some stay put and hope for the best, and others go with their gut and learn how to do something else. Figuring out your passion is not an easy undertaking, but as Milton believed, education certainly helps.

Plus, just like caramel and chocolate (or peanut butter and chocolate, or anything and chocolate, for that matter), you’ll be amazed at how your interests and talents can combine to create a delicious career. Some examples that come to mind…

Technology + Creativity = Web Design or Game Design
Health Care + Criminal Justice = Legal Nurse Consultant
Cooking + Business = Catering Management

Get the idea? It took Milton Hershey a while to discover his passion for chocolate, but once he did, he educated himself on various techniques to perfect his chocolate candy recipe. So take some time to enjoy some free samples (a.k.a. read about various career paths), and pursue an education that’s more satisfying than chocolate. Well, almost…

Q: What does it take to get hired in this wacky job market?

Does anyone really know that answer? If only… What I can tell you is it’s a combination of education, experience, and luck.

My husband landed his first job after earning a computer certificate following a job interview that went very well. Of course, I tease him that it was his broken foot that earned him a sympathy vote, not his tidy resume or sharp interview answers. What else would his interviewer be thinking, but, “Here’s a dedicated guy. He breaks his foot after making the interview appointment, and still manages to come limping in 15 minutes early!.”

Then, just yesterday, my future brother-in-law went on his gazillionth job interview. Not for lack of trying, but he just hasn’t had any luck in finding a good fit for his bookkeeping skills. He felt good about yesterday, but when he woke up with no voice from a bout of laryngitis, he figured it was a bad sign. I encouraged him, telling him it was my husband’s broken foot that brought him luck once. Sure enough, this morning he called to tell me that he was hired!

The lesson here? No, it’s NOT to go out with no coat looking for pneumonia or slip on the ice and break a limb — it’s simply that you have to stick out the sometimes long, arduous job-hunting process, and be confident in your skills. In my husband’s case, he had just completed a computer technical support program at a reputable career school, as well as short technology courses like A++, SQL, and other techie acronymns my editorial brain can’t recall. He just needed to find a company that would give him a chance to showcase his skills, while offering the chance to build on them and keep learning.

My bro-in-law-to-be, I think, was simply the victim of a tough job market and bad timing (despite having a business degree and experience in his field). Sure, he had a few job offers during his search, but none of them offered advancement opportunities, a decent salary, or normal hours. Until yesterday, that is.

So hang in there, new career seekers. Sometimes it takes a little luck, lots of patience, or even a networking fluke. But good career education and top-notch skills will always come in handy.

What do you think is the most important factor for getting hired? Share your comments…

Welcome to the crazy career world of Me, the CollegeSurfing Insider. I’ve explored so many career fields from health care to aviation, held dozens of jobs, and hold multitudes of diplomas, certifications, and full-fledged degrees in a variety of fields. And, I’m only 30 years old!

Alright, so that’s not quite the truth — well, except for the age part. I’m actually one of the editors behind the scenes at CollegeSurfing.com, a resource site — just under five years old — dedicated to sharing career advice, school news, search functionality and snazzy-cool interactivity to help you find the educational career path of your dreams.

From business corportate climbers and techie gurus, and lots of other hot professions, CollegeSurfing.com aims to connect you with educational programs that’ll prepare you for big-money, and more importantly, sanity-saving careers. The cool part? We’re there for you the whole way… so fire away some questions and we’ll choose the best ones each week and share our insight.

Stick around for the answers to these (and lots more), share your thoughts, and post your own questions in the comments section. And, be sure to check out the multitude of articles and resources at CollegeSurfing.

Any questions? The Insider is here…