Juggling Work and School

Hey Everybody- I hope this post finds you well.

The other day, I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine about whether or not it was a good idea to work at the same time you're in school.  It made me think about what the benefits were versus the cons of juggling a job, and internship, and a full course load.

After three years of juggling two jobs and a full courseload, I'm still kinda uncertain about how I can do all that.  I mean, obviously, I've been doing it already, but every semester is different.  I'm taking the very last classes I need to graduate, and I want to do really well in them.  But at the same time, I need some moolah. 

Plus, I know that it'd be virtually impossible to get a job in my field of study I can actually support myself with.  That means, I need to pick up an internship at the same time.  So for me, all signs point toward the juggling game. 

But, if I had the option to not work, I think I would choose very carefully.  I would probably try to reserve my fall semester for straight-up course work that I know I wouldn't be able to do at the same time as a job.  Then, I would probably reserve my spring semester for coursework that I still need, but maybe isn't as challenging, and try to get a semester-long internship that's related to my major. 

The results of the juggling game can be extremely beneficial.  For starters, you'll be able to multi-task effortlessly after a while, and that's a skill that can help you get almost any kind of job.  Also, after graduation, you'll be more likely to be able to get a real job within your industry if you've already got some legitimate training from an internship experience.

In the end, I think juggling is worth it because- do you really want to graduate with no job experience and have to start from scratch?

Have a good weekend, and good luck with the first week of classes!
Seghel

Budget Woes

Hi Everyone, I hope this blog post finds you well.  I just wanted to give  you all some advice about budgeting.

I'm estimating that a lot of you guys reading this blog are on an all-out job hunt.  While you're job hunting, you may or may not be broke.  Even if you aren't, I would definitely suggest learning how to make a budget.  A simple way to start is by writing down everything you purchase every day and how much you spend.  I guarantee that you will automatically start spending less almost immediately because you'll be super aware of where your dinero is going.  The next thing you can do is to start lumping together the stuff you spend money on into various categories: rent, groceries, entertainment, bills, etc.  This way, you might be able to start pinpointing in which categories you could probably be spending less money in, like entertainment.  You don't have to use this written budgeting system forever- but at least do it for a couple of months until you figure out how to manage your money better by spending less on stuff you don't need. 

Now, once you actually get a job, don't think you can kibash the budget.  A budget exists not only for the reason of keeping you alive with enough money for food and rent, but also so that you can start to save a little.  You might think you don't need to start saving until later, but think again.  Graduation isn't that far away, and unsubsidized loans start accumulating interest faster than you can say "Whoo hooo, I'm finished!"  Plus, if you have ANY loans, you're going to be obligated to begin paying them off within 6 months of your graduation.  (Lucky for you, the Career Services Center offers a one year grace period of free services after you graduate.)  So just because you have money in your pocket, try your best to avoid spending it like you won the jackpot.

But...even though you're on a budget, don't forget to splurge once in a while.  Treating yourself to a massage or a fancy dinner once in a while won't ruin your budget (if you splurge in moderation). 

And just fyi- I got a lot of this budgeting information from Suze Orman's Young, Fabulous, and Broke.  It's a great book and well worth the 20 bucks.  Plus, Bank of America online has a free budgeting sheet, which I think is available to anyone, even if you don't have an account with them.

Good luck!
Seghel

The Job Hunt in San Francisco

If you’ve recently graduated and are looking for a job in San Francisco, here are some tips to aid your job hunt. In writing this blog, I referred a lot to resources presented by WetFeet, both on their website and the books and information we have in the office. The resources I used online were all free and any students/almuni are welcome to browse our book selection.

When searching for a job in a major city like San Francisco, a couple of questions you should be asking yourself are:

• What are the major industries located in San Francisco?
•  According to WetFeet in 2006, the major industries in SF were advertising and public relations, Biotechnology, Consulting, Education, Financial Services and Insurance, Healthcare, Information Technology, Law, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Retail Trade, Tourism and Hospitality, and Venture Capital. Of course, when looking to break into any industry, especially in a new city, research is key to getting a foot in the door. Knowing who the big dogs are, their mission statements, their goals, is vital to writing your resume and cover letter if you’re thinking of applying for a job there. This information is free and flowing, so start researching.

•  What level/areas of education are needed to obtain well-paying jobs?
•  For most well-paying jobs, higher education is key. That means a masters-level education is highly valued, but extensive relevant experience is sometimes comparable as well. That means that while you’re in school getting your undergrad degree, slaving away at all those unpaid internships really does pay-off. 

•  Do your application materials a true reflection of how good a candidate you are?
•  An up-to-date, clean resume is often times the first point of contact between an applicant and a hiring manager. The first impression you make is crucial, so make sure that your resume is as stellar as possible. Also, even if the job posting doesn’t ask for a cover letter, write one anyway. For more information about how to write an awesome resume and cover letter, visit our office, check out our website, or call us. See- we make it easy for you!

Best of luck,
Seghel

Helpful Literature

Hey guys! Are you feeling like you lack direction? Here at the Career Services Center, we offer some great literature to students/graduates who are trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Feel free to come in any time between 9am-5pm Monday through Friday to look at them. The only downside is that you can't take them home with you. Here's a list of some of my favorites:

50 Ways to Get Hired
The Overnight Job Change Strategy
I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This
How to Get Your First Job and Keep It
Job Hunting in San Francisco
150 Best Companies for Liberal Arts Grads
Vault College Career Bible

Good luck, and have a great weekend!
-Seghel

This Could Be You

Hey everyone, I hope this post finds you well. I just posted a video introducing Ankit Chovatia. He's a awesome guy who graduated in May 2010 and is set up with a schweet job because he used our services. See for yourself!

Have a good day!

Work-Study Debunked

Work-study is a bit of a mystery, I know.  In fact, a large percentage of freshmen who come through our office ask about it, thinking that work-study is controlled through our office.  Work-study is actually a federal grant that’s handed out based on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results, which means that you gotta talk to the One Stop Office in Lone Mountain (415-422-2020).  All financial aid inquires are handled by One Stop. 

Most departments on campus prefer to hire students who have been granted work-study packages.  (You can also see which departments on campus only hire students with work-study when you search for on-campus jobs on the Student Employment website.)  Unfortunately, not every student who submits a FAFSA gets a grant.  However, if you have been granted work-study, make sure you start hunting for an on-campus job STAT.  There is a cut-off date sometime in October in the Fall semester (and probably sometime in February or March in the Spring semester) by when you must get a job or forfeit your work-study grant.

Getting a job on campus is highly competitive, so you need to be prepared with a stellar resume and cover letter, not to mention some great interviewing skills.  We can help you develop your job application materials and interviewing skills at the Career Services Center.  Just come on by!   

See you then!
Seghel  

We're Still Open!

Ahoy there!  Hope you’re all having a good summer.

I just wanted to remind you guys that the Career Services Center IS open during the summer!  We are open from 9am-5pm Monday- Friday.  You can make appointments with counselors, or just come in during Drop-In Hours from 11am-1pm if you just have a quick question.



Hope to see you soon!
Seghel