Comments on: Q0: Genevieve http://genstuck.wbur.org/blog/genevieve/140/ Twelve 20-somethings chronicle their lives for WBUR. Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:12:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.3 By: Elle http://genstuck.wbur.org/blog/genevieve/140/#comment-109 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:17:00 +0000 http://genstuck.andrewphelps.net/?p=140#comment-109 For a contrasting viewpoint, I was eventually offered a job at every place I volunteered, but when I applied to paying positions I got interviews at only two places over the course of a year. Do what it takes to be a real person to the people who are making decisions and to demonstrate transferable skills, whether that’s informational interviews and other networking, or volunteering. But don’t work for free for places that treat you like a non-entity or don’t offer you useful experience. Good luck!

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By: ed http://genstuck.wbur.org/blog/genevieve/140/#comment-66 Sun, 23 Sep 2012 08:06:00 +0000 http://genstuck.andrewphelps.net/?p=140#comment-66 hello Genevieve, Rule #1 never work for free ! ! ! A internship from a reputable company wil compensate you in one way or an other. Many lower level companies dangle the internship in front of you as it is their way of trying to get free help as their business cannot afford hiring someone and if you reference them on a resume most reputable employers in the field will not be impressed, and might possibly hire you feeling sorry you became associated with a low quality company, but at a lower position than if you worked at Mcdonalds got paid and increased your academic credentials using their tuiton reimbursment program, and who knows perhaps you might find a worthwhile career with them!

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By: The Onceler http://genstuck.wbur.org/blog/genevieve/140/#comment-52 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 15:27:00 +0000 http://genstuck.andrewphelps.net/?p=140#comment-52 I have read and re-read your post, but I still find myself unclear on what your course of study was, and what your career aspirations are. Could you clarify?

The economy and job market are particularly bad these days, so finding a good job is even harder than normal. That being said, I would suggest that you open yourself to a more diverse range of job opportunities. It has been my experience that very few people follow the career trajectory that they had envisioned. Directly related experience is clearly desirable, but the bottom line is that virtually *any* experience is good experience. Your internship might just be the stepping stone that you need, although it is a bitter pill to work without pay, especially given the weight of your college debt. If you do in fact need to find a paying job (and who could blame you), don’t be afraid to consider work that might be only tangentially related to your intended path.

Over the years, the diversity of my work experience became something of an inside joke among those I am close with. In fact, I spent many years concerned that I lacked focus in my ‘career’. Ultimately, I realized that my diverse experience was an asset. I now have a job that I enjoy very much, and that pays me well. It is precisely because of my diverse experience that I am suitable for this job. I suspect that this is true for a great many people. In time, it will likely be true for you.

Good luck!

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By: Genevieve http://genstuck.wbur.org/blog/genevieve/140/#comment-50 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:44:00 +0000 http://genstuck.andrewphelps.net/?p=140#comment-50 Thanks for your advice. My head hunter told me exactly that about a month ago and I am currently looking for administrative assistant positions. I still haven’t found anything but I’m not whining and I’m not complaining. Perhaps I come across as picky but honestly at this point I am open to taking any sort of office position I can get. I just want a foot in the door.

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By: J http://genstuck.wbur.org/blog/genevieve/140/#comment-25 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:12:00 +0000 http://genstuck.andrewphelps.net/?p=140#comment-25 It seems that in all of these stories people want jobs in the specific field they either studied in or in what they want. Don’t be so narrow minded! Genevieve, your answer is in this quote of yours: “I almost feel I have to make my case as if I were switching careers because I didn’t major in English or journalism and I’ve never had an internship related to the field of radio or print publishing.” Yes, you do have to make your case because hundreds of others WITH experience are applying too. You need to look at other jobs. Admin jobs. I got my foot in the door by starting in admin. I ended up working in a couple of different industries, working up to working in sales, marketing, and managing entire departments. Because I have worked different industries, it gave me a resume that I could translate my skills into different positions. You are looking for jobs in 1 industry. In an industry that doesn’t pay well. Add that to your lack of experience in this 1 industry and you have your answer. Buck up and apply for other things.

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