How do Students Get Jobs after College?

Finding a career should be as streamlined and enjoyable an experience as completing a university degree. Why do most parents send their children to college if not to prepare them for building a secure and fulfilling career afterwards? Why should we be shy to say that practical considerations are indeed relevant in college choice? Of course, there is the idea of education as an end in itself but, let's face it, the reality is that most parents are paying more than ever before to selective universities in the hopes that their children will be highly employable and employed soon after graduation. But, whereas college majors, distribution requirements, and assignments are all structured carefully and tailored to individual students, when it comes to careers, students are often left to fend for themselves in an environment of ever-increasing complexity and aggressive competition. This is most definitely not your mother’s job market.

University career services are often full of great people who are supportive and help to the best of their abilities, but, because they are not professionals currently employed in the sectors their students aspire to, students must then turn to alums. Interfacing with alums can be a hit-or-miss venture. Some are wonderful and generous with their time and energy and even may have some job leads, or at least contact referrals. Others are happy to chat about their work in the most general terms but don't see students through the long and arduous process of securing internships or jobs.

The philosophy of going-it-alone is not really empowering grads today--especially in an ever-competitive career landscape where they are up against not only other grads, but also against ever-rapidly evolving AI technologies. Having the opportunity to definitively identify one's unique intellectual and interpersonal strengths and match these with one’s career aspirations in a systematic manner;  building long-term relationships with mentors who are personally invested in and actively lobbying for their students' success are not just happy circumstances; they are absolutely necessary components for success in today's job market.