Washington County Weekend Post

SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • 5B GMTODAY.COM CAREERS Place your ad 24/7 @ www.gmtoday.com/classifieds .COM Southeast Wisconsin For assistance call 262.306.5000 or conleyclass@conleynet.com One of the biggest dif- ficulties facing new col- lege graduates is landing their first professional opportunity. How do you get experience without having any? If you're a new grad try- ing to answer this question, it's important to remember a few things. Understand Your Goals Unfortunately, many young professionals do not start mapping out career goals early enough. The first step of landing a great first job is knowing what you're trying to achieve. Overall, you're looking to set the foundation for a sustainable career that gives you chances for advancement. Ideally, your job search strategy starts in high school with the help of your guidance counselor. Starting early means you are more likely to find internship or job shadowing opportunities with professionals in your potential career field. And while it's hard to predict your entire career path, it's critical to start thinking about your first job targets as soon as possible. Ask the Experts What better way to find solid career advice than by reaching out to the people who have already "been there, done that?" Utilize alumni networking opportu- nities through your college or university. Ask your professors for guidance on how to turn your education into a strategic first career move. Leaning on the advice of experts will help give you a better idea of opportunities to attack immediately after college, or maybe even as an intern as you finish up your degree. Set up virtual meetings with your connections, keep them informed of any new projects you're working on and send them handwritten thank-you notes when your classes end. These small things can help you stay top of mind when it comes time to activate your networks for your job search. Avoiding Underemployment Researchers from the Strada Institute for the Future of Work and Burning Glass Technologies recently completed a study that found that 43% of new grads and first-time job seekers land jobs they're overqualified for. Their research also found that two-thirds of those job seekers were still underemployed five years later and 74% of those underemployed at the five- year mark were still under- employed 10 years after graduating. In terms of financial impact, underemployment can have serious financial implications. Underemployed graduates earn about $10,000 less per year than those in jobs that match their creden- tials, according to the study. This compounding effect underscores the importance of finding the right vocation- al fit right out of the gates. Find Something In-Demand Business Insider recent- ly released its list of top 30 career opportunities of 2021. See the list below and identi- fy if there are any that align with your skillset or college experience. • Marketing managers. • Industrial engineers. • Computer support specialists. • Human resources specialists. • Elementary school teachers. • Vocational nurses. • Speech language pathologists. • Industry machinery mechanics. • Electricians. • Sales representatives. • Counselors. • Ophthalmologists. • Construction managers. • Lawyers. • Information security analysts. • Physical therapists. • Computer systems analysts. • Physician assistants. • Accountants. • Health specialty teach- ers. • Project managers. • Information system managers. • Management analysts. • Market research ana- lysts. • Nurse practitioners. • Medical managers. • Financial managers. • Operations managers. • Registered nurses. • Software developers. © ADOBE STOCK New grad job advice

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