From College to Career
From College to Career
From College to Career
Remember the transitions from elementary school to junior high, middle school to high school, and of course high school to college? For most students those changeovers take a little bit of time to adjust to. New learning styles, more responsibilities, and the freedom to make good or bad decisions are just some of the new culture shocks one must endure. However, what about next big scholastic transition? The one from college to career. A recent interview with John Moline, a successful branch manager of a Fortune 300 Corporation, revealed several methods to help make students biggest transition to date go as seamlessly as possible.
Internship experience has proven to be vital in today's competitive, post-graduate environment. It is confirmed time and time again that hands on experience can be much more vital going into a new job rather than having a stellar GPA. While many of the president-list students are generally focused solely on grades during their college tenure, the person with a 2.75 GPA has networked their self into an internship, initially leaving smarty-pants in the dust. "Yes, grades are important when I look at post-grad's resume, I don't want to hire a dunce," said Moline. "I would honestly hire a recent grad with a 2.25 GPA that had spark and intern experience with good references before a dull 3.5 grad with multiple honors and no internship familiarity. Just wait until the day I find a kid with both!"
Moline, a 38-year-old Minnesotan, started his career, with remaining unnamed, "XYZ Corp." as an intern and has now become a key branch manager in one of the companies' most profitable branches to date. "It essentially starts with landing a gig early, having short and long term obtainable goals, and devoting yourself to accomplish them." These words may sound simple and fundamental, but his success within the company is living proof that was he says is exactly right. As I was sitting down with MO I took the opportunity, as one of his interns, to have him enlighten me on how to siphon everything I can from this internship experience. His advice was extremely enlightening both on an entry-level internship position and someone who may be nervous about making the crossover from recent college graduate to a new full time career. His tips are as follows:
Find a Mentor: When Moline was first hired he made an effort to find a mentor and it has shaped the way he manages to this day 20 years later. "My mentor was rough on me, and some days I flat out didn't like the guy, but he taught me more about the business than anyone else ever did." Many people get the idea that a mentor is associated with the notion of friendship, that's dead wrong. You don't have to like this person at all times, but you must establish trust and respect with them. If you get along well with them, that's just a bonus.
Realize that no one is flawless in his or her business decisions. A mentor is no different. They can just as easily teach you, involuntarily, what not to do as they can educate you on valuable lessons.
Work Ethic: Moline added that very early on he established a work ethic that was committed to earning the trust and respect of his peers through his work. "If you want to get noticed quickly by management, take this mind set: I know I'm just starting this job and my co-workers are smarter than me when it comes to knowing this business, but absolutely no one will out work me on any single day as long as I am here."
Interns and new hires can often have certain monotonous duties that can seem unimportant. However, most of the time someone in a higher position is giving you this task. View these duties as a way to establish yourself with your managers and co-workers rather than dwell on the tedious task at hand. Remember: network, network, and then network.
Talk is cheap. Anyone can say they are able to do something. Managers like Paul Moline are looking for do-ers that take initiative. Show people what you can do and how well it can be done rather than just telling them.
Education and the Relevancy in the Real World: Higher education is almost a must in this day and age due to such widespread competition. A student can study tirelessly for his or her classes, but will it actually provide any real benefit in the long run? "Yes, there is a crossover between school and the real world," Moline says. "Sure the academic theories are all there, but learning exactly how to implement them is an entirely different ball game." Although not all classes are of the same consequence Moline added. "There is no question I use things I learned in college, mostly financial and accounting principles in my line of work. I believe college, if utilized correctly is a tool for networking, maturing as an individual, and establishing proficient work habits."
Tactful Immersion: Group projects in college serve as the perfect parallelism for group work in the corporate world. If one surrounds themselves with back of the class slackers, they will most likely earn a poor grade. This theory holds true with company projects and management tactics as well. "You aren't ever going to be the best and brightest at everything that your company or group does. The key is realizing your strengths, then try and surround yourself with people who specialize in your weaknesses so that you can build a team of experts in all areas. If you can do this, you are putting yourself in a very good position to succeed." Get to know the people you will be working with and make sure they return the favor. It's important to not be known as "Jane's intern" or "the new guy" for very long.
When first starting out, find an intern or full-time employee that can serve as your "go-to person." Go to them with elementary and standard protocol questions that a manager may find to be "under them" in a sense.
Click Goes the Light Bulb: When asking what John Moline was looking for in an intern or new employee from a management perspective he simply stated, "I'm looking for the light bulb to turn on with my newer employees." Moline he is waiting for a sense of understanding, drive and commitment from each individual person. "It's an exciting moment when you see someone really starting to get it." Said Moline, "It tells me that this employee has bought-in to what we are doing and you know that person is a valuable asset to your company." Several students coming out of college may pick up jobs that they do not have any real aspirations toward. However when they do land a job that has ladder-movement potential, creating worth and value within the organization is vital. If one has no commitment and understanding towards their career, obviously it will result in failure.
Nothing can prepare college students for the real world like experience within it. Making tough transitions from what is known to unfamiliarity can be unnecessarily stressful. However the stress part is preventable if students take the initiative to find local internships. "Whether the internship is a field of interest or not the purpose is to gain experience and knowledge." Said Moline. "After all if you've gained knowledge, you've won. "
Learning How To Make Cakes Latest Microsoft Questions To Pass 70-291 Certification Exam Learn to Recognize the Real Kim Kardashian Now 5 Leadership Examples That Provide Insight Into Developing Personal Leadership Skills Learn More About Custom Finished Concrete Floor Sealing Steve's And Tim's Blueprint Project Black Edtion Study & Bonus Offer Study In Canada-excellent In Academic Learning About Annuities And Annuity Quotes Interactive Retail - How Turn Any Shop Into a Classroom Avoid Hassle And Learn To Haggle For Smooth Relocation Killtest ISC Certification CISSP Study Guides How to Go to America For Graduate Studies - A Primer For International Students The fapturbo Scalper Settings – Learn Easy methods to Better Utilize Fap Turbo Scalper Settings