Career Center Blog

As the new school year prepares to begin, a lot of students, incoming and returning, continue to wonder what it is they really want to do. If you are interested in the fashion industry, then you might believe that you either have the option of being a fashion designer, or maybe a buyer. These are two great careers in the industry but did you know that there were other types of fashion careers? There are some types that have nothing to do with sketching or textiles. Here at Bowling Green, the Apparel Merchandising & Product Development program gives you a good start to the fashion industry. From this major, you can look into a wide array of fashion jobs. If you are unsure about the different types, try reading a couple articles from Jasmine Watts, Shopping and Fashion writer for Associated Content. Here are two great articles that will give you a look into alternative fashion careers:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5574624/writing_jobs_within_the_fashion_industry.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5573114/the_business_side_of_fashion_business.html

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, there are many things that employers dislike when it comes to emailing in the workplace. Here are a few things that you should not do when emailing.

1. ALL CAPS: When you are sending a message to a coworker or employer, do not type in all caps. Even if what you are trying to say is urgent, typing in all caps will not make the message more important.

2. all lower case: Writing without any capital letters is just as bad as all caps. It makes the message seem informal and lazy.

3. Wrong! punctuation?: Check over your email to make sure that you have included the proper punctuation. Your message may be confusing if there are exclamation points where periods should be.

4. Txt Tlk: Do not write in ‘text talk’. Firstly, it is informal and not appropriate for the workplace. Secondly, not everyone will know what you are trying to say. This will make messages hard to understand.

5. Sending extremely long emails that could have been summed up in just a few sentences: Although it is good to write in complete sentences without the use of abbreviated text lingo, it is not good to write an email that is extremely long. If you have a message that is one long continuous paragraph, then it may be necessary to shorten it down to just the important points.

Looking to find a job working for the government? A great way to discover federal jobs is by visiting www.usajobs.gov. Here, you will find over 35,000 job postings. There are a wide variety of jobs that are updated on a daily basis and can easily be searched by location, job category and agency. UsaJobs also has a wonderful feature that gives you the opportunity to create online resumes that are directly targeted to finding a federal position. You can use this resume when you apply to different positions and it can be searched by recruiters as well. If you take the time to search the site, you will discover the many resources available to you.

Recent graduates should create a profile on LinkedIn if they do not already have one. LinkedIn is a terrific website that connects people to employers and colleagues. There are many recruiters who surf through qualified profiles and resumes looking for the next great addition to their company. It is also possible to search for many companies and look for open positions in different locations. It is wonderful source for staying in touch with people from your industry. If you are looking to network, then this is the place for you. Just by creating a profile, you can raise your chances of an employer recruiting you for a position. Sign up on LinkedIn today!

This year, surgeons are one of the highest paid professions according to CNBC. Their average annual salary is $219,770. If that is average, then they must be getting some major paychecks. Other careers such as anesthesiologists, obstetricions, and orthodontists come close but do not hold the top place. Although surgeons are in the lead now, there could be a drop in their pay over the next few years do to the health care reform bill. Outside of the healthcare field, there are also other high paying jobs such as chief executives, lawyers and engineering managers making between $122,000 and $167,000.

How important is happiness when it comes to money? I have realized that many people put their happiness on the back burner in order to survive in this world. You find a job that pays you well. “Well” being relative of course. Your position isn’t bad and you can do the work without too much stress. If someone were to ask you if you liked your job, you’d reply by saying “I don’t mind it”. I mean, why wouldn’t you mind it? It’s better than your previous job that you absolutely hated and you make more money. But are we just satisfied with it being an ‘okay’ job? After a while, this satisfaction could and will most likely deteriorate, leaving you feeling like you should be doing something you love. Quitting your job that pays you well in order to begin doing something you love is not as easy as it seems. It takes courage and it can be frightening. Logically speaking, it would be a bad move to walk out of your job without any other plans to pay bills and provide for yourself and whomever else.

Becoming aware that you want change in your life is a huge step. It connects your mental activity with your physical actions leaving you to take subconscious steps in the right direction. In the direction towards your happiness. Whatever you plan to do, make sure that it is what makes you happy. How would you know? Well, it’s not as difficult as it seems. You will know. It is an intuitive feeling that is so obvious that it gets pushed aside. It is like that plant you walk past everyday in your office. You are so used to it being there that you don’t even recognize it. You know its there, but you pay no attention to it at all because you are indulged in a habitual environment that is more than predictable. If this is your only life, find something that makes you happy, and do it. As intelligent creatures, we can find a way to make things work for us if we really put our minds to it. Use your mind and creativity and make your life work for you. In the end, after money and happiness has had their battle, the only thing that matters is happiness.

Congratulations to all of the new 2010 graduates! It has been a long road, but you have finally made it. From all of the papers, exams, parties and all-nighters, it is now safe to say it was all worth it. So what’s the next step? What is your plan for after graduation? After getting used to the college environment, it takes some time to transition out of the student lifestyle. What seems to be even more difficult is the incredible task of finding a job post-graduation. I have talked to several recent graduates and graduates of the past couple years to find out exactly what they plan to do, what they have planned in the past and how successful those plans have been. The responses varied depending on the student, their location, type of degree, and personal goals.

Grad School– Some students have decided that they would like to continue their education and attend graduate school. Students usually prepare in advance, fullfilling proper requirements, applications and testing. Many students feel that if they do not attend grad school now, then it will not happen. This could be because once you get used to not being a student, then it could be hard to get back in that mind set. Grad school is a great option, especially if you can find an assistantship that wil help pay your way through school.

Job Hunt– Job hunting is the road that many students take after graduation. They hope to use their newly attained degree to find an entry-level position in their field. The success of this option depends greatly on the economy, the industry of the desired position, and the efforts of the graduate. I have known students who applied for jobs months prior to graduation and have been hired. Also, I have known students that have graduated and applied for positions for months at a time. Eventually, some were hired, or at least found an internship in which they could work their way up the ladder. There are a lot of graduates who cannot find work in their field of study and work other jobs until they land their desired job.

Military- One way to get school loans paid off is through the military, and that is why this is an option for some students. Depending on what you join, you can receive different amounts of loan reimbursements, and many other opportunities. This option is disliked by many because of the chances of war and losing a loved one. Although many parents, family and friends don’t like to see a loved one go away, there is a bright side. There are many different careers within military employment that one can take advantage of that do not require combat. Although training is most likely required regardless of what you decide to do, it is still an option for some.

The “Free Spirit” Approach- There are some students who have decided to just go with the flow of life. After getting their hard earned degree, it is now time for them to just relax and see where the wind takes them. This is a more than perfect opportunity to travel and see the world. It is a stage that can feel rather awkward at times. You are no longer a student, but not knee deep in the career world yet. It is a type of limbo that can offer a student a chance to figure out exactly which step to take next in life. It’s a time to stop and smell the roses and clear ones mind. Some students decide to go backpacking across some unknown land, or concentrate on some religious study. Regardless of what you decide to do, this would be a time to clear your mind and prepare for the future.

No matter what you decide to do after graduation, it is important to remember that this is your life and you must do what makes you happy. Whether it’s back to school for a higher degree, or backpacking across Europe, you have to go in the path that will suit you best and make you happy.

So I was sitting one day thinking about different ways to make some extra cash on the side. I truly believe that people forget how to market themselves. “Gigs” as I call them, are great ways to earn some extra money doing something that comes quite natural to you. The only difficulty in getting gigs is getting hired. You have to promote yourself, and there are many ways to do so.

First, let’s start off by making a list of any and everything you could possibly do. For example, if you know are pretty good at any instrument, you could advertise yourself a private music teacher for children. Charge per half hour or hour and expand your list of clients. If you market yourself properly, you could start your own small school out of your home.

How would this work? Well first, you could go to some local schools and introduce yourself to the music department. Talk to some of the directors and give them your information. You can tell them to pass on the information to the parents of the students if they were looking for some extra lessons outside of school practice. Now when I was in school, most students did not have lessons outside of the school orchestra or band rehearsals because they were either not that serious about it, or could not afford to do so. This could be a wonderful opportunity for some parents and children.

With this option, you would need to be available outside of school hours, and the summer would be an amazing opportunity for student lessons. You could also print out flyers and post them throughout your community and in local businesses on their community boards. Another option is to post on Craigslist.  If you have access to the Community tab on MyBGSU, you could post there as well. One of the easiest ways to sell yourself is through word of mouth. Just tell everyone you know. When you meet a new person, and are engaged in conversation, bring it up. You never know unless you put it out there.

So how does all of this work translate into cash? Here’s a scenario for you: You have posted your ad as a clarinet instructor for children in every place possible and now you are starting to get several calls and emails regarding your ad. As a result of your consistent efforts posting flyers and ads, you have 15 students that are interested. So you have agreed to charge $20 for each half hour session. An hour is pretty long when working with children so keeping it to thirty minutes would be best. Your schedule now includes 15 students, once a week for a half hour each which means you are working an average of one and a half hours a day.

What does that add up to? $300….cash (or check) a week! That’s $300 a week for working seven and a half hours. If you can offer a service, to several clients a week, your potential earnings are limitless. It just depends on how much work you put into it. Money doesn’t come easy, but you can at least do something that come easy to you.

Have you ever dreamed of having a career in fashion? Well why not start now? There are many different career options to choose from when heading in the fashion direction. It is an industry that will always be populated with ambitious, creative and driven people, and you could be one of them!

A career in fashion doesn’t necessarily require a degree, although it is great to begin an education in the field. Bowling Green State University offers a wonderful Apparel Merchandising and Product Development program (AMPD). This is a great start to a career in fashion because it offers wonderful instruction and even a chance to study in New York! So how can you use this program and actually start a career? Well, let’s use a real-life example.

An AMPD student by the name of Jasmine Watts has taken advantage of the program here at Bowling Green. She began her AMPD undergraduate study straight out of high school, with some knowledge of the fashion industry, and an increasing interest in the field. By her junior year, she got accepted into the FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) through Bowling Green’s one year program. Throughout her year in New York, she was able to study at one of the most famous fashion institutes in the world, intern with a highly renowned textile company, and participate in Fashion Week. Now that she has returned to BG to complete her final year, she will graduate with a Bachelors and an Associates degree.

With her experiences here in BG and through their program with FIT, she was able to create The Hidden in Plain Sight Fashion Show right here on campus. It all started with an idea which grew into an extremely successful production involving talented people of all kinds as well as local businesses and the entire community. This was her first fashion show and most likely won’t be her last.

As you can see, it is possible to achieve anything that you continue to strive for. Although it takes a lot of time, effort, and patience, if you are doing something you love, then it is more than worth it. So does running your own fashion show sound appetizing? If so, now is the time to get started. Take advantage of BGSU’s great fashion program, and begin your career in fashion. You never know, you could be the next Jasmine!

So I’ve realized that networking is such a powerful tool. Believe it or not, it’s actually not that hard if you don’t have a problem introducing yourself. I try to make a habit out of introducing myself to most people I come across anywhere I go. You never know what someone has to offer, or what you can offer to someone else.

For example, if you are trying to get a job in an a specific area, you should just go around and talk to people. Figure out when are the best times to go visit certain establishments, and then go introduce yourself to the owners or managers. Have a brief conversation about yourself and also why you like their business. It is nice to show interest in the place that you would like to work without appearing to be “over-doing it”. After you talk with them, you should just go to the next place.

The first time through, don’t ask for applications, just get familiar with the business owners in the area. Make sure they know your face and name. If you spend time in the area, make sure to go say hi and keep in contact with them. When it is time to hand out resumes and fill out applications, the managers and business owners already know who are and feel comfortable with you. This increases your chances of becoming a part of their team.

Overall, it just feels good to know people. You come across opportunites that you normally wouldn’t. The trick is to keep showing your face, introduce yourself, and always smile! There is never a better time to build up a good reputation and a growing network of people.