I would like to respond to a recent article written by an alumna about her post-graduate experience in the world of work. Her letter is entitled ” Strive for greatness in all you do” and was published in the Friday, April 15, edition of The Maroon. She describes a bleak world indeed; one in which she lives with her parents, works seemingly meaningless jobs and discovers that her diploma is, in fact, not a ticket to automatic success. I am sorry to hear that this has been her experience and I hope that it is not a discouragement or even a reflection of her effort, talent or potential contribution to society. I would even argue that she is actually using her time productively by contributing to The Maroon. (And just so you know, most of our services are extended to alumni, as well!)
I would like to support her advice to students by adding a few thoughts of my own. As graduate assistant of Loyola’s Career Development Center, I can attest to the fact that our staff, resources and connection to employers are exactly what students and alumni need in order to face the “almost impossible to navigate” job market. In our eyes, every one of you has a toolbox full of strengths, knowledge and experiences that only need to be packaged in a way that makes you stand out to employers. It is our daily mission to help you do just that.
I agree most with this student’s final sentiment, in which she refers to an idea I tell many students: take the active road (as opposed to the passive road). Showing up to class and receiving your diploma doesn’t really mean much if you haven’t taken the experience by the horns and squeezed as much out of it as you can. Actively exploring careers and searching for a job – via conducting informational interviews, attending networking events and career fairs, assisting professors and colleagues with projects, making valuable connections with others in your field, and pursuing internships and summer employment -will serve you ten-thousand-fold compared to a more passive approach, like waiting for positions to show up online and emailing in your resume (just like hundreds/thousands of others will be doing).
Starting early is your biggest offense. By early, I mean freshman year. Marking out your career path – complete with possible internships, community networks, professional and campus involvement - will only propel you forward. And we can be there for you every step of the way. That’s our job! While it is true that the average job search takes four to six months (think one month for every $10,000 you want to make), it is also true that you do not have to fall into that average. You can have a job offer lined up – potentially from your internship site or someone you networked with along the way – by the time you walk across that graduation stage. We see students in our office with this type of success every day, and we’d love to add you to those numbers!
Sincerely,
Kelly Fleenor
Recruiting Services graduate
assistant
Any member of the Loyola community may write a letter to the editor. Those interested in contributing can contact
