Question:

I graduated a few months ago from a good school with a BSBA-MIS degree. I was not able to participate in any work study opportunities while in school and now I have no experience in my field. I am willing to work in the management and sales industry but right now there are no jobs for entry level people. I am willing to work in any professional job, including sales or management. Should I return to school for additional education? If yes, what degree? If no, where should I look for a job?

First Answer:

You should not return to school if your primary reason is that you can't find a job. You should not go to graduate school unless you have a clear goal in mind. And in the business field especially, you may be much better off going to graduate school after you've worked for a few years. You need to ask yourself a number of tough questions before deciding to go back to school, and you may find those questions in this article: http://www.quintcareers.com/considering_graduate_school.html

I find your assertion that "right now there are no jobs for entry level people" rather naive. There are always jobs, especially at the entry level, and most especially in sales, for those willing to put the work into finding them. Granted, you are hindered by your lack of experience. What was your reason for not being able to participate in work-study or other experiential programs? Was it because you had to work your way through college? Was it because you studied hard and got top grades? Was it because you participated in lots of extracurricular activities and/or sports? In any of these cases, you have garnered skills that are no doubt transferable and applicable to what you want to be doing. Learn to portray those skills in your resume and interviews.

Are you doing everything you can do to find a job? Are you using (but not overly depending on) the Internet? Try applying directly to companies through their Web-based career centers instead of just through job boards. Go to: http://www.quintcareers.com/career_centers/ to find many of these company sites listed.

The best way to get a job is through networking. Therefore you need to be talking to EVERYONE, especially people in your field. Tell EVERYONE you're looking for a job. Think about any alumni you might know in your desired fields, and get in touch with them. Also ask for alumni contacts at your school's career services office. Try informational interviewing, a subset of networking. Set up some informational interviews with people doing what you want to do. Here's an info interviewing tutorial: http://www.quintcareers.com/information_background.html . Be sure you are following up after applying for jobs. You also may want to read this article, Ten Questions to Ask Yourself If You Still Haven't Found a Job: http://www.quintcareers.com/ten_questions.html .

-- Katharine Hansen, former speechwriter and college instructor who provides content for the Web site, Quintessential Careers, edits QuintZine, an electronic newsletter for jobseekers, and prepares job-search correspondence as chief writer for Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters.

Second Answer:

It seems to me that you probably have enough formal education and acquired knowledge to make a good contribution. The issue is what do you want to do? If you can focus narrowly on specific activities that you most enjoy and what type of company in a particular industry you would like to start out in, then your challenge would be to sell yourself to a potential employer.

One way employers limit their risk on hiring is to ask for relevant experience. Without this specific background, you will have a tougher time breaking into the job market since you are a first timer. BUT everyone is a first timer once. How to get over this hurdle? Once you figure out what you want and can do for an employer, offer yourself for a trial period- no obligations on either side say for a month. You volunteer to demonstrate your capabilities and to dispell any notion that you are a risky hire. You get to check them out from the inside so that you don't get committed to something that isn't good for you. This may be a way to break through the barriers you describe while at the same time helping you to learn more about what it is like to have a job.

-- Debra Feldman, founder of JobWhiz, creator of the JOBWHIZQUIZ, and specialist in cyber savvy strategic job search consultations.

Third Answer:

Going back to school may or may not be the right answer for you. Before deciding to go back to school, you need to examine the motivation for it. Ask yourself: WHy am I going back to school? What do I expect this to do for me? Will this help me get closer to my career goals?

As I am sure you figured out, the lack of any practical work experience is a real problem in your job search. If you decide to go back to school, do not make the same mistake. Take advantage of internships and employment opportunities for students. Gaining some practical work experience is the most valuable thing you can do for yourself.

Another avenue to consider is to check with a variety of staffing services in your field. Even though those positions tend to be temporary it would allow you to get some practical work experience in your field while making valuable contacts to help you in your job search.

-- Linda Wyatt, Career Center Director, Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Fourth Answer:

There are so many variable within this question. First, I would strongly suggest seeking the services of career coach or a career counselor at your school. Find someone who stays current on the job market and knows the projected job market.

In many parts of the world the IT industry is not the greatest place to secure employment; however it is expected to get better within the next 8 months. This is were the variables come into play ... where you live and are you willing to relocate ... how your resume targets your job search... what are your motivational interests ... how much time can you devote to your search (40 hours/week) .... what are you long term goals.

You may consider having a career assessment that assesses your motivational interests, thinking style, suitable occupations you would most likely enjoy and succeed at, job related behavioral traits that are mutual to other accomplished individuals in the careers you could consider. I have provided this service with useful results to individuals similar to yourself.

-- Candace Davies, Director and Founder of Cando Career Coaching and Resume Writing and All Trades Resume Writing

Fifth Answer:

Begin looking for a job in the classified section of a major metropolitan newspaper in your area. The Chicago papers this week carried twenty-seven opportunities in your specialty. Eight did not carry the requirement of experience. Apply even if you do not meet all the requirements asked for in the position as advertised. Many times want ads are written to a higher standard than the position requires to discourage borderline applications.

Simultaneously, talk with your alumni career services center and put your resume into their database. Consider putting your resume on-line but recognize the privacy issues that attach to this act. You are putting a considerable amount of personal information into a public forum. If you choose to go on line, choose a job site that specializes in your field.

Interview with two or three staffing agencies in your area. In major cities, there are agencies that specialize in specific career areas. Try the classified directory and talk to a variety of agencies you may find there to learn if they focus on your area of expertise.

Management of Information Services curriculum should have emphasized a balance of problem-solving, technical, and communications skills. These skills are applicable to most fields, so you are prepared in many areas to find success.

Consider using your forecasting classes to look into the financial arena, banking, mutual funds, and federal government. Apply your database management skills in areas that use and maintain large databases. Insurance companies, publication subscription services, colleges/universities, auto rental agencies, publishers of directories, mailing and distribution services (these are the people who distribute flyers, ad pieces, etc. that come in the mail), mail order catalog operations, e-commerce sites that deal in retail sales such as e-bay and others you may think of. Your networking talents may find a home in many area of government, some of the same companies that maintain large databases would also be in this group.

As to further education, why not wait before entering this option. Get a taste of the business world and a flavor for what is most needed, used, wanted now and into the future. You may find your interests will become focused on a particular aspect of your field. I do not mean to imply you should stop your education because in you field with its fluid status you will find yourself a dinosaur before long.

One of the areas you may wish to investigate is certification in networking, or databases such as Microsoft MCSE, Oracle OCP, Cisco CCIE or BCRAN. As you gain experience in your field be on the look out for the acceptance of these types of certification. Are they valued, will they help you move up to increased responsibilities, are they cost effective to you? When you have more knowledge of what business wants and needs you will be prepared to make continued education decisions.

-- Robert C. Resch, Career Center, Triton College.

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