A graph that I saw one day on LinkedIn has irked me for a bit and below are my thoughts.
In November 2023, I viewed a LinkedIn post from Inside Higher Ed/College Pulse survey of 3,000 college students that share their views regarding What Students Want in a Career Center. Of course, it’s a graph with numbers and stats. My view is, maybe I should assist the student in finding the information they desire. Many in education go bonkers for stats but also needed is a solution. The sky isn’t falling, let’s figure this out.
Here’s the requests from the students:
69% Developing a Resume.
I always inform students if they don’t know how to do a resume, view my YouTube Channel video on “Resume Booklet.” If that is overwhelming, go to the career center and inquire. Indeed has “How to write a resume in 10 steps.” Search “Sample Resumes” and view images, too many to count. Also, find other students at your school to help as well as ask professors as well as the people in the workforce. When I managed a computer lab in college I wrote many resumes for friends. Students in my upcoming second book were connected to business fraternities so there’s a place to go for help as well.
When developing a resume, one should be thinking LinkedIn as well. LinkedIn is required in the workforce. This is your living and extended resume. You must have this and with a professional picture as well as clear and concise details of your experience. Many in the workforce do not waste time on social media as they are working too many hours but all are on LinkedIn. Not only is it your active resume it shows who you are linked to, how many contacts you have and more. Basically your network, which is your net worth. The more connections, the more power you wield. Moreover, I have YouTube videos on this topic. Every student I speak with in elite universities are on LinkedIn and sadly the ones I connect with from lower-tiered universities or high schools are not. Hence where the divide starts.
If you are preparing for your second interview, review my “Resume Booklet” on my YouTube channel as that is what you should assemble if you really want the gig. It works. The concept was, on the second interview or even the first, don’t bring a resume, prepare a proper binder of your accomplishments; 30-60-90 day plan, samples of your successful campaigns, resume, names of references etc. Blow them out of the bloody water! This GlenGarry Gold worked for me, so I now pass it to you. Still to this day, I get messages from big hitters in the technology industry that said it not only worked for them in the past, that they still use it to this day. One associate informed “I get every opportunity I apply for…” and he is a serious player and awesome guy! This gold was formed in Los Angeles business circles so use it. Don’t go in lame, go in with extreme intensity like that of Elvis performing his last show.
Resume Booklet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLfyMxe59MM&t=21s
How to write a resume in 10 steps: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/steps-for-building-a-resume
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@careersbythepeople Search LinkedIn
67% Career Exploration
How is this not #1? Really? I could write a book on this subject, wait, I did! Plus, I also did a Udemy course on it as well as countless YouTube videos and to help you with other opinions I also informed about books that I recommend. So, I read the career readiness books for you and the ones that are good, and many are tough and very dry reads, I inform you about points and parts of the books that are imperative.
This is the most important issue of this whole survey. The rest is secondary. Networking is next in line but not by far. Per the OG of career readiness, Frank Parsons, this is 40 years of your life so you better know what you are getting into. Take a year to figure this out. Take whatever time it takes you to know what you want and then hyper-focus on that goal. Narrow down the industries that interest you. Talk to as many in that field that you can. Talk with as many that have left. Take every and any course on this subject that you can. Read the books I recommended as well as what your professors and career center mention. Talk with associations, organizations, go to trade-shows, speak to as many as possible especially outside of your family and friends. Speak to the professionals in industries that interest you. Burnett and Evans of Designing Your Life have a great example of networking to get a gig over applying. Their student in their book talks to over 50 people in occupations they desire and the professionals show an interest increasing the students chances of getting a gig in the field they desire.
https://www.ncan.org/page/CareerAdvising_GettingStarted
National College Attainment Network posted “Career Advising for College Students: Getting Started” and it was done well with solid information. It’s a good start.
Take, with a serious grain of salt “best job lists.” I viewed one of the more trusted lists and I did appreciate it plus found it interesting. I can’t deny those are good jobs for the people that enjoy them. Many are in the medical field and if you get queasy walking into a hospital you have to disregard them, right? So, it’s not a “Best Job” for you. Analyze the list for education but do not focus on any one of them until you talk with 5 people in the field that interests you and 2 that have left. Also, most are mid-level meaning you will need some training to get the gig but why are there no hyper powerful careers on the list? I didn’t see CEO, CIO, CTO, CMO, COO, CXO etc..Mergers and Acquisitions, venture capitalists, investment bankers, VP of xyz type gigs….. Then when I viewed “Highest Paying Jobs” I had to chuckle. The highest on the list made over $225K. Do you really think a CXO type at a Fortune 50 makes less than $225K? I truly want everyone reading this next book to find the career that interests them the most. Please do not look at these pay scales as it’s clearly gibberish. When you get the gig you enjoy, move up or around in that industry you will most likely do financially fine and scoff at these reports as well.
https://www.udemy.com/course/career-readiness-how-to-prepare-for-the-career-you-desire/
64% Recruitment Events
The students want more recruitment events. If the school doesn’t offer them what are the alternatives and/or where can they go to learn more about who is hiring? Per the book “Designing Your Life” by Burnett and Evans, I enjoyed the part where they noted similar to me and many others, talk with as many people in the occupations you desire in the hopes of an opportunity may arise out of your conversation. These are the hidden opportunities that are not advertised so your chances are much higher to acquire them.
Other places where the opportunities lie are tradeshows and associations plus following up. Find out where trade shows are in your area that you can get a student pass to attend. It’s the place to meet professionals in the industry you desire. Attending is usually marketing, sales, product mgmt. and more. I did my first YouTube video on this subject. A day at a convention can get you networked with many. Another video I made was about associations. This is more advanced as you join an association of the industry you are trying to get into. This is where the professionals socialize. As Frank Costanza of Seinfeld would say, “The place to be!”
Job fairs are worth attending, as well as signing up to every job board as possible like LinkedIn, Indeed, Dice etc….. These are where the obvious gigs are and that’s where 30% get their opportunities, The other 70% are via networking and connections. Correct, it’s who you know!
YouTube Trade Show Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G58yvQKUXLw
YouTube
YouTube Join an Association video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux8VapiyC24
62% Getting an Internship.
Since I have never applied for or did an internship I had to do some research on this subject. I know a few that post on Linkedin about internships, so I viewed their posts. The first action I did was to use the word “Internship” in the search bar and click on posts and many populated. Under jobs many populated as well. On nationalinternday.com I noticed the top 100. It was great to read that they offered both pay and free. I think that’s cut and dry, if they don’t pay you don’t take the gig unless money is not an issue. On LinkedIn, Sameen Hanan has posted about getting internships. Handshake shows the Top 100 companies that offer internships and in which states. Indeed.com also had a slew of internships. You can search for technical internships on Dice.com. Also, you can use the tradeshow and associations idea here as well. If you want to read all the stats on internships this website is stacked with them https://www.myshortlister.com/insights/internship-statistics If you are looking to find an internship it’s just like getting a gig. If you run into a wall, you can always get a summer job too which the older professionals did prior to internships. In an interview they might ask “I don’t see an internship on your resume?” “Correct, instead I got a job!” Which might help you stick out in a good way. I read how to get an actuarial internship, it seemed basic for me so maybe put in the type of internship you want and do that? I was happy to read to “follow up.” You truly have to meet people in person as that changes everything. Just make them feel comfortable around you, don’t be pushy, arrogant, be nice, ask questions, listen, enjoy and be professional then follow up. It’s gonna take time as it is work!
Top 100 Internships Programs of 2025: https://www.nationalinternday.com/2025-top-internship-programs/
Handshakes Top 100 Hiring: https://joinhandshake.com/blog/students/hiring-on-handshake-500/
Dice.com Internships: https://www.dice.com/jobs/q-internship-jobs
59% Interview Prep/Mock interviews
This is when it’s time to thank the internet. Not only can you research as much information on the company but also the person or people you will be interviewing with. Make sure you have the list of people you are meeting with and their titles, so you understand everything about them prior to walking in. Also know the company inside and out as well as the major competitors. 90% of this info may not be used in the interview but if it does arise, you are prepared.
In Shirley Morrison’s book, “From Classroom to Career” she notes how she is preparing for an interview for an opportunity she desperately wants and the in-depth planning prior about the hiring manager. She learns as much as she can about every person involved down to the sporting teams they enjoy and that she believes was the 1% that got her hired. When the hire manager asked, “Any final words?” Morrison assured “I, too, Jack, want Liverpool to win the FA Cup.” As we can all guess, Jack’s next words were “You’re hired!”
There is so much to prepare plus being on time, smelling good, brush those teeth, shake hands properly, make eye contact, be nice and personable, hold doors open, take a deep breath, slow down etc.. This is a first date so be at your best. Always be positive. Never speak of politics, religion, don’t bash your last gig or last manager. Stay focused at the goal at hand which is to get a second interview and make sure you ask how will that occur. This is soft sales 101. Bring a resume or better a resume booklet. Know the role inside and out as well as how it pertains to the competition. Always follow up even if you think it didn’t go well. Your competitor may do better and not do a follow up. I can’t tell you how many applicants I had to review that I reject and got the gig. In corporate America, when you reside in a territory away from headquarters the local teams usually are involved in interview process so it’s an added joy of the job. I’m joking, it’s usually boring but it’s shocking when a worker that gets rejected for a majority of the team gets the offer then rejects the gig……yes, happens more than not.
Scour the internet for questions asked during an interview and prepare. I enjoyed an article by Vicky Oliver of Harvard Business Review in 2021, 10 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them. Moreover, she wrote a book, “301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions.” https://hbr.org/2021/11/10-common-job-interview-questions-and-how-to-answer-them
YouTube Video From Classroom to Career:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ORy_NVsCPo&t=5s
56% Networking.
I have made a variety of videos on networking. They are not videos of me soapboxing about networking but actually doing it on video especially at trade shows. Please view my YouTube videos and search “Networking.” It’s fun plus cool people always want to be in videos, and I let many advertise their companies. Also, I did a video with a retired player from the NFL, Alex Green. Alex went to University of Hawaii, so we chatted up Hawaii plus he’s in career readiness, so we have two things in common. He was more than happy to be in a video.
Read the book, “The 20-Minute Networking Meeting” by Perez and Ballinger. It offers great advice. Networking is very basic. You meet a person in the industry you are in and ask what they do, LinkedIn with them and stay connected. It’s basically making a business friend that you talk business with so if you are in engineering you talk about that. That is why when you go to events you meet more and grow your network. The reason why I have made so many networking videos is because I was so shocked and enlightened when a student asked. “They tell us to network but what does that mean?” This student paid 160K for an education and no professor at his elite school could answer the question to his liking. The disconnect between education and industry is vast. I know I’m a broken record but it is shocking.
YouTube Video Networking with Alex Green: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAwrahFCvis
YouTube Video The 20-Minute Networking Meeting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqQk-G9VK3Q&t=8s
51% Preparing for and Succeeding in an Internship
Thomson Reuters posted this article “10 ways to make the most of your internship” which has some solid points. I would also recommend following Gorick Ng on LinkedIn and reading his book “Unspoken Rules.” I have heard some amazing internship stories as well as nightmares so be prepared for both. A few points I can make are to take it seriously, be prepared, be on-time, listen more than you talk, get to know everyone from the top to the bottom as you never know who they are connected to and why. The CEO might talk sports with the cleaning team so treat everyone with the utmost respect. This is the workforce so you will be with people from all ages, races, educational back grounds, attitudes, biases etc….all of you are at this place for some reason so make the best out of it. My last summer job was at a mortgage bank in Boston. It was my entry into the professional class. It was very interesting, my manager, Jane L, was awesome and helped me with my resume on the last day. I was lucky, I was an FGLI, so I had no idea how to act in a professional setting. Luckily, at the time the Boston Celtics were winning championships so talking with the general manager was easy as he was nice and avid fan of the Celtics.
Thomson Reuters article https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/careers/careers-blog/10-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-internship
YouTube Video The Unspoken Rules: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFd-UZkFsAE&t=3s
48% Preparing for Recruitment Events
I produced videos and have written about attending tradeshows, the information is applicable to preparing for a recruitment event. Best do your homework on the companies that interest you and learn about the ones you have not heard of as maybe you can get in on the ground floor of the next bubble to IPO (Initial Public Offering), shares, vesting aka The Real Money. What interests you, working for the cool, hot named company or working at the future cool, hot named company that comes with stock options where you can put a down payment on a house or pay off those school loans?
Here are some points about making your recruiting event successful. Bring mouth wash, mints and more. You have to smell good. Bring hand sanitizer as you will be shaking hands often. Bring power bars as you will need energy. Bring water. Bring a positive attitude, bring resumes, business cards (if you don’t have, get them made), always expect the worst. You might be dealing with an old school manager that writes notes on business cards “Email marketing, Suzy has some ideas.” You never know. Eat a hearty breakfast so you don’t run out of steam. When I work trade shows, I eat a lot for breakfast, so I don’t need to take food breaks. Be nice to everyone you meet and always ask for their card, name, title (position as to what they do). Always use eye contact and stay focused on that person. Have a few basic questions ready and follow up. Following up is key and is an ignored art. Be the student that follows up, and you will get the attention. Your peers will not follow up. Again, a 1% to bring you victory.
The University of Texas at Austin has an amazing article “Career Fair Preparation.” Offers you how to prepare before, what to do during the fair, interviews at the fair, following the fair and general tips. Very solid piece. There are many articles on this subject. https://education.utexas.edu/students/career-engagement/resources-students/career-fair-preparation/
46% Professional Headshots
If your school’s career center does not offer this check into school clubs. Many students are into photography and can help you with a professional headshot. Review other headshots in LinkedIn to see what you like as well as do some basic research. LinkedIn offers 10 tips for taking a professional headshot. It’s clear and concise and makes sense. I live on the islands, hence why I don an aloha shirt. If you are in corporate America in the Northeast dress like you are at work or going to an interview. Look at what the executives wear on their LinkedIn and mirror them if your goal, in time, is to be an executive. Looking good never cost anyone an opportunity. As Cindy Crawford once informed upcoming models “Smile!”
Linkedin’s Article: https://www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/product-tips/tips-for-taking-professional-linkedin-profile-pictures
45% Finding a Professional Mentor
It is great if a student can find a professional mentor. At the beginning of my career, I never had someone to talk with about careers, opportunities and more. So, I foolishly listened to many my age who were just as clueless. If one can find a mentor or two that is great but also look to trusted advisors. For me, later in life, those occurred more often. You can find successful people to bounce ideas off usually within your industry. It’s always best to meet as many people as possible in a variety of industries so you can get a variation of responses on subjects that you are needing to analyze. Always try to think about both sides of the coin. When it comes to imperative decisions, if everyone you deal with believes X is the answer try to find others that think Y is and why is that?
Tracy Brower, PhD, wrote a great article in 2023 on this subject in Forbes “How To Find A Mentor As A College Student Or Recent Grad.” She notes about how to benefit from it, find one, ask for one, manage the interaction, being selective, offer gratitude and building a relationship. She informs us about the Gallop-Amazon poll which advises where people find mentors. Being a first-generation low-income, I found the majority of trusted advisors in work settings whereas Gallop-Amazon says that is only 13% so if you do not come from the professional class, it’s tough to go to an uncle if he’s a sheet metal worker and you are growing your career in tech. He may be better on other subjects, but I’ve always found that relatives and friends usually offer rosy scenarios to not let you down whereas a co-worker will probably shoot you straight as they know the industry. An example would be “Should I get my MBA?” Who is better for that, a senior associate at your firm or Aunt Betty that works retail at the local hobby store.
Forbes article: How To Find A Mentor As A College Student Or Recent Grad. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2023/11/19/how-to-find-a-mentor-as-a-college-student-or-recent-grad/
43% Institutional Partnerships with Potential Employers
It’s great if the school can bring in the top employers but what if you want a gig in a start up? There are many pros and cons to this request. No matter what companies the school attracts, not everyone wins. In the next book’s student survey the students requested companies that were not business and engineering as that is what that school mainly brought in. Either way it’s good to learn to prep and meet with companies to hear them out as they could be opening a new division that interests you or it’s the industry you want which is great but not the position but maybe what you are preparing for is in their Ohio office? The best thing is to plan and meet with as many companies and industries as possible to understand the process and see what you can learn. The workforce is a pass/fail course…..you either pass or fail. You will never get another A or C again; you will either be employed or not. My whole goal is to get you into a career that pays well and you enjoy it. And that is an A+!
36% Finding an Interview Outfit
This is important and not often spoken about so let’s get to it. I’m not a fashion person so I would dress bland. Here’s a few ways to save on costs regarding interview outfits. For your birthday announce to all friends and family members what gift cards you want instead of “I need a suit for interviews.” Last thing you need is someone with no taste, like me, getting you clothes. Many stores have warehouses with clothes from last year, if you are going into a fashion field best dress amazing, if anything else no one will know what last years fashion is so looking impressive will be remembered. Also, many colleges do offer assistance with clothing. Boston University’s Center for Career Development offers a professional outfit rental program for the students. If the student is tight on finances BU’s Newberry Center offers coupons to assist with costs. “Many career centers, such as UNCG Career & Professional Development and NC State Poole College of Management‘s Career Center, accept donations that are then given to students — free of charge!” – Zoe Palomaki – North Carolina State University
Another angle is to become friends with students majoring in fashion design. They have projects as well so training a student how to pick out an outfit would be something nice in their portfolio.
The University of Cincinnati has a great article “How to dress for an interview.” In Shirley Morrisons book, “From Classroom to Career” she offers advice on how to dress appropriately.
And let’s not forget about your mouth. Prior to the interview, head to the washroom to make sure you have no food in your teeth. Bring mouthwash so your breath smells good and make sure to have water for the interview in case the room is dry. Avoid coffee for spills, heat etc….water, no ice.
University of Cincinnati Career Center article: How to dress for an interview
36% Developing your Professional Social Media Profile
When it comes to social media and careers, it’s imperative to have a LinkedIn profile and it has to be good. Feel free to view mine. I’ve done videos and written about LinkedIn profiles. Required is a professional picture, a nice background of maybe your college, have an interesting headline, complete the about section, experience, education, volunteering, skills services, get recommendations, follow companies that you are interested in for employment. This needs to look solid and be updated with activities you are doing. Post articles and pictures about your career journey such as “Attended the Robotics Conference in Pittsburgh.” Make it a living document that is interesting.
As for the other ones, I don’t think they are necessary but if you are doing interesting activities, YouTube is a solid platform. I’m not on the others as it’s not me. Also, remember unless you are entering comedy don’t act like a clown. Be professional, appropriate, avoid political soapboxing as well as attacks.
The University of Cincinnati has a nice article “Social Media Do’s & Don’ts for Professional Success.”
Wysocki LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-wysocki/
University of Cincinnati’s Social Media Do’s& Don’t’s : https://grad.uc.edu/student-life/news/social-media-dos-donts-for-professional-success.html
35% Workplace Norms
My favorite book on workplace norms is Gorick Ng’s “Unspoken Rules.” As soon as you score your first internship read it. If you are tight with $$$ ask the library to get you one. I saw a used one on Amazon for $4. I always say it’s an MBA for $25 and Gorick got his MBA from Harvard. He talks about his time in corporate American and how to act and deal with this new world as well as deal with your direct report.
The workplace is usually not fun. Your direct manager can either make it worthwhile or torturous hell. If your manager is a good person and helps you it’s awesome and in my time, that is about 50%. Do your homework, ask questions, meet everyone on your team and ask what they do. Get to know them professionally and try to keep your biases off the table. Treat everyone with utmost respect. Also, follow Gorick on Linkedin as he offers updated ideas about dealing with workplace issues. Also, if you have questions write them down and when you can schedule some time with your manager ask. It’s better to ask than to make a mistake.
Gorick Ng’s newsletter: https://www.gorick.com/career-strategies
31% Personal Branding
For years, UMass and Temple had a tempestuous relationship in basketball. Sadly, the conferences changed and that is no longer the case. The great news about Temple is that they have an awesome article about personal branding coined “Personal Branding!” It covers a great deal. A lot of this ties back to developing social media.
Branding is key and will help you shine which will facilitate your chance to acquire your goal. I have written about the great salesman Tom Freese and his book “1% Selling.” He makes it clear and concise to be the best you can be at every aspect of your profession as you only have to win every opportunity by 1%. This could come down to anything so make sure you understand your brand and who you are and what you want. Do your homework and prepare for meetings and interviews. You will get known and you want that to be in a good way. Stay positive, don’t give up, don’t snap at the drop of a hat, don’t cry over spilt milk. Everyone has been in your shoes and someday you will be in theirs. Set a good example and as Spike Lee says “Do the right thing!”
Temple University article Personal Branding: https://www.fox.temple.edu/news/2020/08/power-creating-personal-brand
What was missed?
Professional and Soft Skills didn’t make the list? From all the surveys and articles written about new graduates struggling with professional/soft skills students think they do not need this? Headshots ranked higher? Was this not asked? Where did it rank and why? Doesn’t that send up a red flag about what is being asked and how? The workforce management debases Gen Z about not being prepared for the workforce and these are Gen Z’s issues. As it’s been noted in my writings, schools rarely offer professional/soft skills courses and the workforce complains that it is needed and does nothing other than yell louder. It’s an easy fix but no one is listening. As the old saying goes, “Bueller, Bueller?”
5 Soft Kills from Liberty University: https://www.liberty.edu/career-services/blog/5-soft-skills-to-instantly-improve-your-resume/
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