Career Center Blog

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.

Check out WorkNet for new job postings such as the Part-Time News Video Tape Editor position in Toledo, Ohio. This is a position with WTVG ABC News. In order to qualify for this job, you must have some sort of experience with news photography and digital editing. They will offer about 15-20 hours a week including weekends and possible overnight shifts. For more information about this job and other positions availiable, visit WorkNet found in your MyBgsu portal.

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.

In the last post, I included all of the places that were visited and revisited during the job search. Now it is time to see exactly what each place had to say in regards to her application. All of the steps were made across a span of a couple weeks, not in the same day.

Buffalo Wild Wings

1. Called manager to get information about when to come in and apply.
2. Went in, filled out application but manager wasn’t there when she said she would be.
3. Called back and was told to call another time because they were too busy.
4. Went in again, and was told by a manager “I’m going to be frank with you, we’re not hiring.”
5. Crossed BW3 off of the list

Miles Pizza

1. Called and was told a time to come in and meet the manager.
2. Went in and was told that they were not hiring.
3. Crossed Miles Pizza off the list.

Quarters

1. Called and was told to come in at 11 to meet manager.
2. Went in at 11, and the manager was not there.
3. Went back in at 5 that same day, filled out application, but the manager was still not there. A snappy bartender told her that they were not hiring.
4. Crossed Quarters off of the list.

Ziggys

1. Called first to get a time to come in.
2. Went in, spoke with the manager. Did not fill out an application but the manager took down her name and number.
3. He was nice, told her that they usually hire over the summer but it depends on which employees leave and how well business will hold up.
4. Went back to visit again, and was told the same thing. He would let her know in a couple of weeks.

Easy Street

1. Called, but employee refused to give her the managers name. She was instructed to just come in. The employee was not friendly about this.
2. Went in, filled out application. Was told “If we need you, then we’ll call you.”
3. Called back to ask about the status of her application and was told “Don’t call during dinner time.”

Campus Quarters

1. Called, got a managers name and the best time to come in to speak to that manager.
2. Went in at that time and the manager was not present. She filled out an application but was told that they do not usually hire in the summer but they will keep her application on file to see what happens.

Jeds

1. Called, got manager information.
2. Went in, filled out application. Asked for manager but was not there. She was told that they would remember her name, they were making calls next week and that there were a lot of applicants.

Downtown

1. Called in, was told to come in the following Monday. Did not make it there that day.
2. Went in a few days later and filled out an application. The manager loved her resume and they talked for about 15 mintues. The manager was impressed and instructed her to go down to City Tap to apply as well if she does not get this job.

City tap/ Attic

1. Called, but it was the wrong number listed in the directory.
2. Walked in and applied, no manager.
3. Next visit, returned to hand in a resume to a bartender, no manager was there.

Howards

1. Tried to call, but like City Tap, it was the wrong number listed.
2. Walked in and filled out application.
3. Came back in to ask about the application. The bartender put her application on the top of the pile. After she asked many questions about job possibilities, he did not have many answers.
4. Made an additional visit to check on the status of her application and was told that they are not sure yet if they need help.

As you can  see, it is rather difficult to get in contact with managers. It seems like the only time they are there is when it is actually busy, and that is definitely not a good time to inquire about a job. It is hard to know whether or not a place will call you back because it seems like they hardly know what’s going on themselves. Especially when it comes to their current employees and possible available positions. At this point of the job search, she still has a few more bars to visit. Some bars have very late hours and it is difficult to coordinate with her schedule to make visits. Next we will see if any call-backs are made, and document any additional places she has applied to.

So to recap, I wanted to do a study that followed a student in search of a summer job here in Bowling Green. As many know, this is quite a difficult task during certain times of the year. There is a lot of competition between many students over a limited number of jobs. So I have been keeping up with a student in her attempts to get a summer job. I will describe her application process from beginning to end including all of the places she has applied to and how she will play her part in landing a position.

First, we will start off with what type of job she is looking for. The goal of this job search is to get a bartending position with one of the many businesses downtown. She has a bartending license and would like to put it to use. Although this is her specific goal, any job will suffice. She currently does not have any other job and needs one soon. The following are the steps that have already been taken thus far:

Step 1: Making the Calls– APRIL 26, 2010

• Goal of this step: To attain information including name of hiring manager, best time to come in and apply, and the manager’s availability.
• To begin step one of the process, she went online and got a full list of all the bars and restaurants in Bowling Green. Next, she began calling all of the places that made it on her list.
• Here is the list of places she called on April 26th: Uptown/Downtown, City Tap/Attic, Ziggy’s, Trotter’s Tavern, Howards, Kamikaze’s, Nate & Wally’s Fishbowl, Quarters, Miles Pizza, Easy Street, Buffalo Wild Wings, Brauthus, Brewsters, Campus Quarters, CJ’s Sports Bar, Jeds, Sky Bar, and Becketts.

Step 2: Making the Visits- APRIL 27, 2010

• Goal of this step: To visit bars and restaurants at the preferable times given, fill out application, turn in resume, and speak to a manager.
• Here are the places visited on April 27th: Miles Pizza, Quarters, Ziggys, Buffalo Wild Wings, Easy Street, Campus Quarters, Jed’s, Downtown, Howards, City Tap, and Clazel.

Step 3: Change of Location- MAY 11, 2010

• Goal of this step: Expand job hunt to a different location and apply to jobs on WorkNet.
• She decided to also visit some places in Levis Commons, which is a plaza about 15 minutes away. Prior to driving out to the plaza, she went online to see who was hiring and made a schedule.
• Places visited in Levis Commons: Lane Bryant, C.J. Banks, Jos A. Banks, Bar Louie, Franchesca’s, and Gymboree.
• In addition to applying for jobs in Levis Commons, she applied to some jobs on WorkNet. There, she found a local writing job and an advertising group position.

Step 3: The Re-Visit– MAY 12, 2010

• Goal of this step: Revisit several places again to check on application status. Continue to apply to various places throughout Bowling Green as well as online.
• She revisted some places downtown to get an update on her job application process. These places included: Ziggy’s, BW3’s, Jed’s, Downtown, Howards, and City Tap.
• On this day, she applied to Stone Ridge Golf Club and Hobby Lobby in person.
• Also, she applied online to Petco, Kroger, Huntington Bank, and Books-a-Million.

These were the steps taken between April 26 and May12. This part of the job application process planted the job seeds in which she hopes will blossom. Now that the applications have been filled out and handed in along with resumes, we will now have to see what the managers have said in response to her visits and take note of her next step. Coming soon…

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.

I have made a plan to run an experiment. One that deals with the best steps to getting a job. Many of us wonder why we apply to so many places and never get hired. It’s time to change all of that. There must be some secret that we are not aware of when it comes to geting jobs. There has to be a way to get hired before submitting 250 applications. My plans are to figure out exactly what employers want us to do to get a job.

When you think about it, it’s a lot like a dating. If you are interested in someone or trying to win that person over, you try and keep in contact with them and get to know them. You might even go above and beyond to show them that you are the one. When it comes to jobs, it can be similar. Most people who apply, just walk in, fill out an application, return it with a resume and hope for the best. You cannot leave your fate in their hands. You are in control if you get that job or not. Although, there are reasons such as qualifications and other things that may prohibit your employment, but in the end, it’s all up to you. Treat your future job as if it was a person of interest. Put a little extrra energy into winning them over.

So how do we do this? What are the steps? This is where my experiment will come in. I am going to talk to the managers and business owners here in Bowling Green and figure out exactly what they want. After that, it will be time to put it to the test. We will follow two students as they look for a summer job in Bowling Green and record everything that they do. They will have to do certain things on specific days according to the information gathered from the managers. In the end, we will be able to see if there is a certain method or secret to getting a job. So stay tuned to see how it all will begin.

So I have been checking WorkNet lately and there are a ton of wonderful internship opportunities available! It is the most perfect time to apply because many employers are looking for summer and fall interns. Why get an internship? Well, an internship in the industry that you have interest in can serve as terrific learning and hands-on experience.

A lot of students complain about how some classes aren’t beneficial because they are expected to just read out of a textbook. Where is the real-life experience? If you are ready to test the waters before jumping right in, an internship is perfect.

 After interning with a company, you might actually realize that this isn’t the right career for you. That experience could save you months and even years of time. Of course, there might be times when you have to do a lot of running around and perform various jobs that might seem like they have nothing to do with the profession itself. But this is all part of the job, many times you have to work your way up. So stay ahead of the competition and apply now! Here are some of the amazing opportunities available right here in Bowling Green that you should take advantage of:

• Ameriprise Financial Advisors– Client Service Manager Intern
• Convention & Visitors Bureau– University Fall Intern
• Evans Home Loan– Intern
• Ohio Department of Transportation– Public Information Summer Intern
• Diversity Boutique– Fashion Sales/ Marketing Promotions/ Event Planner
• Hagemeyer Fine Photography– Digital Production Assistant Intern, Production Assistant Intern
• Wood County District Public Library– Local History Intern

Check out WorkNet now for more details on these internships and browse through the other available internships as well. You will be able to find who to contact and the application deadlines. Remember, be persistent and get what you want. An employer will see your drive and interest and it will work in your favor. Don’t give up!

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!