He has worked as a tutor and for dads office doing analysis work, so he has had something to put on resume.
Unfortunately has no interest in actuarial work. He knows he shouldn’t be picky, but is pretty insistent that he doesn’t want that type of work.
Most of the jobs he has applied for are entry level data analysis positions. Not one interview yet unfortunately.
His career center suggested a linkedin profile would be a good idea, but that was about it from them. The main reason he hasn’t created one is he feels he really doesn’t have any experience of any worth to list. I will stress to him the importance of making one.
Thanks for all suggestions from everyone, it is really appreciated.
My daughter’s career center wanted her to have 100 connections on linkedin as a graduating senior. She never got that many. They also had a session where they took a “professional” photo for her to use on her linkedin account. The other advantage of linkedin is that some companies only post certain job openings on linkedin - if you don’t belong you won’t see them.
Having my son recently go through this made me realize some things. If you don’t get hired before you graduate, it can be very tough trying to compete with those who have experience. My generalization is that new grads get jobs mainly three ways: Through internship/jobs they have had, connections they have made, or through recruiters coming to their schools. Those recruiters showing up at your school are looking for new grads, they know you have no experience, but they are looking for YOU. Once you get out in the world, companies are looking for people with experience.
So what’s my solution…look for new grad jobs. Not necessarily entry level jobs, because many companies claim they want that, but then they’re still looking for people with experience. A nonspectacular GPA meant nothing, it was all about experience. I suggest looking at what companies hire from your son’s school. He may still be considered a new grad. There are a number of new grad programs at major companies, find them and apply.
And the network thing is huge. If he was to talk to many people that he knows who have gotten jobs, so often it is through a friend or family member, or just someone that they knew. It seems crazy unfair, and for some kids, this can be very tough to do. My son started calling old members of his fraternity for contacts in his field, and got some good leads from them. These were people that he had never met, and they were willing to help.
In the end, he got a job at a company that is working with a new technology, and they knew that they would have to train anyone that they hired. So it really didn’t matter that he didn’t have experience in it, but that he was interested and willing to learn something new. He put out over 400 applications and got through different stages of the process in many interviews, but it was a very difficult process.
There should be tremendous recruiting activities on the campus of a top 5 college.
My Junior daughter has her summer internship lined up and her company already involved her in their on campus recruiting efforts directed at younger students. Participation is not optional.
Career center is the main source of entry-level positions. They should support alumni as well.
In addition to actuarial positions there are positions in catastrophe modeling that do not require exams. Chicago area has many insurance and financial companies. First 4 CAS exams are pure financial mathematics relevant to many positions. Passing them will signal that he is smart. If OP’s son does not want to take actuarial exams he should have many software tools and programing languages relevant for data analysis listed on his resume. There should be some substantial skills listed on the resume to overcome low GPA and lack of relevant internships. Basically with GPA below 3.0 many companies will not consider your application. You may not be able to even apply.
If SAT/ACT was high it should be listed on the resume. Some students put their scores on Linked too!
OP, is it possible your son has cold feet syndrome? The actual prospect of permanent adult employment in the major has him suddenly wishing he’d gone with something else?
Don’t worry about the gpa or the interning. Those can’t be changed and I don’t think they are nonstarters, just obstacles (and everyone has those).
At one year, as a parent I would sit him down and discuss ways to widen and/or deepen the job search now that a year of specificity has net nothing. Starting with a regular job in town while he looks.
Graduation from a top 5 college will help him get noticed due to name recognition. That is always helpful.
I second the opinions on studying for the first Actuary exam (Exam P - probability). This will immediately set him apart from the rest of the herd. If he can pass another one then even better. They will only care about him passing the test and not so much on the GPA. These tests act like a standardized SAT test where employers know that if you passed, then you have a basic level of knowledge. In the case of actuary exams, if you pass them then you demonstrate a deep knowledge of the content.
Have him look into getting SAS certified so he can get into analysts. Possibly look into learning open source “R” or “Python”. Math majors are in demand and will be in the foreseeable future. It is the critical thinking that math studies develop. This is a very sought after skill with STEM students.