From Student to Worker - Part I

Written by David Charney
Posted: March 28, 2008 (1 year, 11 months ago) | 0 comments

I gave a short speech to the graduating class of the International Academy of Design & Technology at Chicago. The topic was on the steps between being a student and finding a job. I have had several questions about the topics I discussed and thought I would write up the basics I talked about. I know some of these topics will sound obvious and basic and if you think they are then you are headed down the right track. From talking with students and teachers in the past, I find many students are so overwhelmed by everything in their final stages of school that their next steps seem a little confusing. While every person must find what works best for them, I hope the following topics can lead you in the right direction. I also plan to expand on these topics in upcoming articles.

1. Define Your Goals
Before setting out to find a job, take a seat, find some paper and a pen and start writing down ideas on your long term goals. While you are still testing the waters and understanding what you like doing, creating even rough goals can help to shape your direction. A direction is going to help you strengthen and focus your skills and move up in your field.

Keep in mind your long term goals are not set in stone. You can change your direction at any point in your life as need be.

2. Work as Hard as You Can
This sounds obvious but after talking to many students and teachers, it becomes apparent that the steam can drop off right after graduating. This happens because teachers and parents are constantly telling you to “Work as hard as you can.” every year throughout school. So when many students graduate, their sub-conscious tells them “You are done with school! You don’t have to work hard anymore.” But now is the time to start working harder. And a nice motivator is that now you will be getting paid for it! If you are working a $60,000 project, work as hard as you can. If you are working a $200 project, work as hard as you can. It will get easier, you will produce better work, production will be more fun, and colleagues and employers will pick up on your hard work (which is always good!). So go out there and give it your all!

3. Developing Your Portfolio
Your portfolio is your presentation of yourself to others. It must show off your abilities and work in a quality fashion. Choose your best work for your first real portfolio, even if it is only a few pieces. Spend a little time upgrading any “not so hot” work that just needs some tweaking to be another good piece. It is pretty easy for professionals to tell that a portfolio is all student work but it is also pretty easy for us to tell if there is strong potential. And if a project was created as part of a group, make note of what you did.

If you are having difficulties knowing how to present your work, take a look at what others have done. Note elements you like in the design or presentation and let that stem new ideas.

Pet Peeve: Please don’t name your resume “resume.pdf”. Name it something like “yourLastName_resume.pdf”. It makes it so much easier to store everyone’s resume in one spot!

4. Finding Your Job
I am sure your parents have mentioned this a few billion times. I have three quick tips…

The first tip in finding a job is to look for one. I see too many students that don’t quite open their eyes wide enough to the internet, the paper, or even just cold calling a bunch of companies to request an interview.

Networking is number two on the list. Find events that make sense based on your interests. Go to these events and meet people. Ask them if they know of any more networking events and go to those as well. Keep doing this and soon you will build an umbrella of professionals and potential employers who can help you grow professionally. Online forums is another great way to network yourself to the masses.

Finally, my last tip, which works with my previous tips, is to spend the time looking for a job. If possible work a regular work day. Start looking at 8am and relax after 5pm. This will get you used to a schedule and give you some time to work on your portfolio, research, make calls, network, go to interviews, and get that job!

Note: Don’t let yourself get stuck in a job forever too. If you are not happy with what you are doing and the job doesn’t follow them long term goals, it might be time to take a step back and make a move. Don’t give up too easily. Give your job a chance and work hard at it. Test the waters.

5. Have Fun
My last tip… [drum roll]… Have fun! This is it folks. This is life. Don’t get stuck only looking forward to after work or the weekend. Look forward to work. It is up to you to decide the attitude you are going to have every day. Keep it high and keep smiling even when all hell is breaking loose. Stay creative, work hard, and have fun at work!

Good Luck!