What students ask in the year of COVID

Every generation and social group experience this year’s hardships in their own way. Whether the hard business decisions or the loss of the job, combining working from home with online schooling or missing school friends, the disappointment of moving back with parents or separation from kids living on the other coast – nobody has it easy. The feelings of ‘it’s a marathon, not a sprint’ and ‘the groundhog day’ settle in and wear all of us out.

Last week I had a chance to participate in a meeting of senior women executives and the students of Georgia State University and Agnes Scott College, organized by C200. We talked about professional development, careers and finding your voice. C200 is a by-invitation network that connects women from the highest levels of successful public and private companies to provide a peer advisory community, strengthen and inspire each other. Helping the next generation to advance in business is a big part of our mission.

Some of the questions asked by the students were very common for career forums, such as handling interruptions in meetings or fighting the imposter syndrome. But I found others to be telling the story of what students are facing today in the era of social distancing and financial crisis.

I want to seek internships to build up my resume. But there are no paid internships anywhere – and I need to pay my bills. So, what should I do with all my waitressing jobs?

If you lack a directly-relevant experience to share, put these jobs on resume. You will take them out when looking for your next role. But for now you will be sending an important message: you are not afraid of hard work, you are good in dealing with all kind of customers, you can manage your time well and be responsible. There is no shame in any work or being unable to find an internship during social distancing times – anyone who had to pay their way through education will appreciate it.

I remember talking a friend into putting her military experience on the software developer’s resume right after the financial crisis of 2008. She did not see the relevance at first - it was in another country, and she was looking for her first role in the US, which is was very difficult to do without a local experience. But I thought they would see discipline, responsibility, hard work, clear communications and appreciation of teaming, authority and clarity. Right or wrong – but she started getting calls back and found a job soon. Not everyone can find engagements in their professional fields when unemployment is high – yet, your other experiences may add a lot of positives to your profile.

How do you cope with disappointment? I feel so low these days….

First, while there are many reasons to feel low, think about all the positives in your situation – count your blessings! Being healthy, knowing that your family members are safe, having food on the table and pursuing a degree is more than many people can hope for! We are often so focused on our goals and difficulties to reach them that we miss the simple reasons to be grateful for where we are today. Sometimes, helping somebody is the best way to bring it up – being in a poition to offer assistance changes your perspective and makes you feel less powerless.

Second, I always believe that the saying about the darkest hour happening before the dawn is true. When a huge disappointment happens, think about the ‘wheel of fortune’ turning up and the fact that the next day will bring something better. I usually try to visualize the wheel turning, like the wheel of time, and it often makes me feel just a little better thinking that you move from its lowest point up.

Third, sports get adrenalin flowing. Exercising may be a natural remedy for some of us but others would rather curl under the blanket…don’t. Walking or running gets the body to produce adrenalin and if it does not change our situation, it makes us feel just a bit better about it.

Fourth, and the most important one, try not to experience the misery alone. Many of us, especially introverts close-up when hitting hard times. But it is the interactions with other human beings that gives us a relief from sad thoughts. Force yourself to set video time with friends or family, or just call one friend a day; go to a meetup or virtual event even if the subject does not excite you. We do not have that many events these days and it is especially hard for students. Meeting new people, learning new things is such an important part of college - but there is a way to build a network and meet others even under the lockdown.

What questions do you have? What questions do students ask you at career events? Please share in comments!

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