Career planning strategies that really work

Black Collegian, Oct 1994 by Bruce, Calvin E

Job hunting is not easy during the best of times. With a sluggish economy and continual rightsizing among many major industries, the overall employment picture is not as bright as one would wish.

Landing a good job after graduation calls for careful planning, persistence, and taking full advantage of any and all opportunities for career advancement. Although the employment market is extremely competitive, people who "get the breaks" are those who create them, advises Ken Kragen, author of Life is a Contact Sport: Ten Great Strategies That Work, (William Morrow & Co., 1994).

"Breaks don't just happen. You have to make your own breaks. That's why it's so important to have the right attitude about your career," he says.

The right attitude includes optimism, enthusiasm, and openness to creative networking to reach the right decision makers and to set oneself apart from other job applicants.

To illustrate how some recent graduates have successfully launched their careers, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN offers the following mini profiles that focus on career strategies at worked for these promising young professionals.

Name: Yolanda Hunter

Age: 24

Education: BBA, Information Systems, Minor, Business Law, Tennessee State University

Awards & Honors: Dean's List eight semesters; Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Employment: State Farm Insurance Companies, Systems and Information, PC Support Specialist, Bloomington, IL.

Job Description: I am responsible for ordering all PC equipment and software for the entire Administrative Services department. I also develop, write procedures for, and support applications used in all 28 regions across the nation. My position requires me to act as a liaison between our Data Processing, Purchasing, and other support units involved in the process. I also work with the Personnel department to coordinate a mentor program for summer interns.

Why I Chose My Profession: I chose my profession in business administration and information systems because I had an interest in both fields. My business studies provided me with the fundamentals of accounting, management, finance, and law. Through information systems, I became acquainted with several programming languages, office automation, analytical skills, and a vast knowledge of computers overall. Both fields are growing and very promising.

Steps I Took Early In College To Prepare Me For Where I Am Now: Performing well academically, reading different publications to stay on top of the job market and changing technology, and joining different organizations in school to develop leadership skills helped prepare me to compete in the business world. I also took courses and attended seminars to help me with my interviewing skills, as well as interviewing whenever possible.

How I Found My Current Job: I found my current job by attending career fairs and talking to recruiters. As a result, State Farm gave me the opportunity to intern with the company. After the intern program ended, I stayed in contact with my intern supervisor and the personnel department.

Career Planning Strategies That Worked For Me: The intern program gave me an excellent opportunity to see what the company had to offer, and it gave me an idea of what working in the business world would be like. The program also offered me the chance to demonstrate most of my skills and hone any skills that might have been lacking. Speechcrafters is a public-speaking program that the interns participate in during the program. This program was tremendously helpful for me and other interns who had limited exposure to public speaking. Also in college, I took electives and other courses to strengthen my interviewing and communication skills. Doing well in an interview is essential. It is the interviewer's only way of getting to know you. Being able to communicate effectively is important.

Name: Lynne Antoinette Johnson

Age: 21

Education: BS, Business Administration, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

Employment: JC Penney Company, Inc., Merchandise Management Trainee, North Miami Beach, FL

Job Description: As a management trainee, my responsibilities are centered around a structured training program that teaches me every facet of business at a JC Penney store. Training includes a wide array of subjects ranging from customer services to actually planning and buying the merchandise for an assigned department.

Why I Chose My Profession: My profession is one that allows me to utilize my interpersonal, communication, organizational, analytical, and academic skills. Another major factor considered was the opportunity for job advancement and enhancement.

Steps I Took Early In College To Prepare For Where I Am Now: I was fortunate enough to come from a university with a business school that requires each student to complete two internships. The internships helped me choose the areas of business on which I needed to concentrate. The internships also provided me with the opportunity to experience different corporate cultures. In addition to a good academic foundation, extracurricular activities were also very important. I acquired leadership skills while also learning to work with people as a team.