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So there is this aphorism: It is perfectly OK to bloom where you are planted. Like all aphorisms, it is simple, easy to remember, and pithy. Unlike most aphorisms, I find this one relatable to my life path.
Many times, I had fought against where I was “planted” and became miserable. I felt my expertise and knowledge should mean more than the roles I found myself.
I have always said everything happens for a reason and everything always works out. What this aphorism taught me is that we might not like the reason or the way things work out.
Having this mindset has set me free from the misery I previously felt and allowed me to calmly face my situation while I continue my career path.
I share this because I want you all to know that even successful people have set backs. So, if even successful people stumble, what makes you think you shouldn’t afford yourself the same?
You are not alone! If you find yourself needing assistance with your career path, Resume writing, or even discovering what you have to offer an employer, I am here for you!
Give me a call to setup a free 30 minute “meet and greet”. (716) 249-1903
What is it about graduating college and entering a world fresh-brained and ready to conquer?
For some, it is a great experience. Whether they have connections or just get lucky – I’m happy for those people.
For me, I worked through college – I couldn’t participate in group study (so minimal connections) nor could I have internships, as I went to school in a small university in Northern NY and there were only unpaid internships available – full-time employment with full-time school does not allow for a lot of free time.
The thing is, I am not the only one who was or is in this situation. The difficult times came when the market crashed in 2008-2009 as I was graduating with a Master’s degree and I found myself in classes with people who had 10+ years of experience already. I remember one classmate who had a Doctorate already and still had to return to school.
Again, working full-time and going to school full-time did not allow for unpaid internships and being unable to relocate to get a paid internship, I found myself at the bottom of the barrel. Good skills, work history, and good grades meant nothing to the potential employers who found themselves able to select accomplished professionals who they could select at newly graduated salaries.
I’m not complaining; being forced to take the jobs I did provided me with a wealth of knowledge no other HR professional has: Banking, Operations, Medical, Transcription, and Payroll. These skills were enhanced by my supervisory skills and experience in I/O Psychology during school.
So when I finally got into HR (at 32 years old!), I had more experience than most seasoned HR professional and I had a knack of speaking to employees in a natural comforting way. Of course, I didn’t even get into HR with a Master’s and years of professional experience – I needed to get into additional education in the form of an HR Development Master’s Certification. But the point is that I made it!
If I could turn back the clock, would I make the sacrifice to have unpaid internships so I could jump right in to HR? If I knew what I knew now? No, no I wouldn’t. But that doesn’t mean internships are unimportant.
Internships are a great way for people to gain industry specific knowledge. For some, this is their first work experience. This allows them to gain professionalism and learn the inner-workings of a working department.
While every department is different, having this basic understanding will set you apart from a person without it, but it doesn’t mean you won’t have experience to share.
What to do if you find yourself graduating and you haven’t been able to secure an internship… well, if you don’t have connections and didn’t get industry specific work experience yet, I suggest you consider NOT graduating yet. Take that extra semester to get an internship.
If the price of tuition makes you sick, then consider getting a summer internship after school. You may find you need to secure one without the help of your university, but it isn’t impossible.
Another option is to find an entry level position or find a temp position – low pay will be better than nothing at all (if you can afford it, of course). Don’t forget, part-time jobs can be used to supplement low pay as well!
The best thing I can suggest is to plan BEFORE you get to your senior year. Try to plan an internship with a large company (sometimes for an entire year). You don’t have to wait for them to post the internship opportunities. You can do your own search and send your Resume and Cover Letter to prospective employers with letters of recommendation. Not every prospect will lead to a “close” but it is invaluable experience for your future professional path.
A final option, that I did not think of at the time, is to petition your university to let you intern with your university’s departments, if applicable. For me, this would have been ideal, as the university obviously had an HR department. 🙂 Keep in mind, your university does not have to give you an internship, but use your budding job search skills to make a case for you to have an internship.
The point of all this is not to overwhelm you, but to let you know that you have options!
Are you already out of school? I can help you develop skills and use tried and true plan to get yourself a job. The important thing to remember is that you are enough and you are not alone!
Believe me, if I can get there, so can you! I’m here to help!
I regularly speak to people who are in a “worry-spiral”, unable to get out and unwilling to simply stop.
Most of us have probably been here before: Worrying about things that are out of our control, which leads to “what ifs” and then worrying about the “what ifs” and so on until our worry has us paralyzed.
This can take the form of something as simple as waiting to hear back about a job offer or being stuck in traffic. We can quickly lose control of ourselves because we do not have control of the situation.
The issue I see with this is that not having control of a situation can be freeing. Think of it this way, as scary as it is, I would compare the “worry-spiral” to a plane crash. Yes, this is scary, terrifing, but I promise you, there is nothing to be done but remain calm, trust the pilots, and hope for the best. Some of us will pray, others will call loved ones. Neither is wrong, but both show the willingness to relinquish control of the situation and make the best of it.
Do you see what I mean? Worrying when you have a lack of control is just making things worse for you. By relinquishing control of the situation you now have control over yourself.
Whether it is a boss, a loved one, or the universe, you cannot take control from another power – if you try, you only end up losing control yourself.
So remember, if you are waiting to hear back about a job offer and you have done all you can, you only need to let the “one” who needs control to have it and allow things to play out as they are meant to play out! If you are stuck in a traffic jam, turn on the music, let your boss know you are going to be late, and enjoy your alone time!
Whatever your situation, keep control of yourself by relinquishing control of your situation!
