But I think recent comments point to the fact that there are ways, besides a paid job, to show you’re gaining experience outside classes, show that vision and drive.
True but it is easier with a work history these days in my opinion.
^^ DS worked every summer in college, but only had an unpaid internship during HS. More important than the work history, IMO, by the time he was a college sophomore, he was comfortable interviewing. He’s always been modest, to the point of having Imposter Syndrome, but he learned how to present himself in a favorable light.
Yes, interviewing well can go a long way in helping land a job!
As far as interviewing/lining up for jobs goes, we often hire college kids at work and Sept/Oct are the prime months. The best candidates are usually gone by the end of the year.
D worked summers during her college years. Had a TA job on campus during the academic year. She interviewed for several job fall of senior year and had multiple offers to choose from before Dec.
S is in a different situation. Worked 2 jobs summer after freshman year (one was an internship on weekdays and the other was a retail job over the weekends). Now, in the fall, he’s talking of an unpaid internship 3 out of the five days. The other two days will be filled with classes. According to him, this is pretty typical in his school - his roommate is doing something very similar (working 11-6 on three days). These kids seem to be very much in a pre-professional mode.
Title is essentially irrelevant for FLSA, but I’m sure that the company knows that and takes advantage of the kids anyway. Glad it worked out.
Updating: the good karma on this thread has worked for D2, she has a great offer after a stressful first year job. 20% higher pay, no weekends or night shifts ( huge for nurses), close to home. Thanks for the good vibes!
Your child is sending only ten resumes a week. That in itself is a problem. Take the job. 40k a year is better than being in retail. At minimum he will use his skills and create a track record. He is not going to be stuck there forever it is a stepping stone to something else.
My son, class of 2014, would be thrilled to land a job paying $40k.
Any updates out there in the job market?! Have the 2017 grads all become gainfully employed? Hope so!!
I just had a happy hour with a group of moms of ds2’s friends. The 2017ers are all gainfully employed or well on their way, such as doing a five-year combined bachelor’s/masters program or in graduate school. One transferred into a military academy so is a year behind the other guys. They are doing a variety of interesting things. 
My 2017 grad just finished her second week at a company and is working hard and loving it so far!
My son is a Aug 17 grad from a public with a masters degree in a LA field also a CommCollege grad … he had a hard to get internship in his field that he thought would be FT but didn’t turn out that way so he came home. He didn’t seem to have a real plan once he got here. But, and I’m still not sure how, he found a job in Atlanta and so far loves it.
Most of his friends from high school are lost in the college system somewhere goofing around and doing whatever according to him. A few of his friends are about to finish up, one or two with masters, and a few of the girls he dated are studying hard (one or two years behind him). I’m not judging and don’t even know all the parents. I would add that if your kids are in the job market don’t pressure them and ignore anyone who brags. It is not easy getting a great job. My son’s pay, not to brag, really don’t care to impress anyone, was more than fair let me put it that way. He admitted he got lucky and has a first time out of college job in a cool city doing work he really loves. I just want him to come home again in a few years
Sigh. No, our 2017 grad is not yet employed. He wants to work in a lab (chem degree). We don’t have any network that helps in that field. He’s applied cold, but nothing. Are there services that help place entry level workers?
Has he tried LabTemps or whatever they are called nowadays?
@ 453,
My son’s academic frat played a big role in him getting a job. He also mentioned that he kept updating his Linkedin page and that multiple people that he interviewed with at the firm he is working at commented on the articles he had written there so that clearly helped. Was your grad involved with any academic frats? I would suggest asking friendly profs for help as well and the jobs at the career center were better than what my son found on indeed and whatever because the career center ones didn’t focus on having 3-5 years of experience. he went to a few job fairs and came home a little scared. I don’t think those help if you are looking for good jobs but could be wrong.
@BunsenBurner No, we have never heard of that company. (Yeah, that’s how clueless we are.) Thanks!
Aha - here they are:
https://www.kellyservices.us/us/careers/areas-of-expertise/careers-in-science/
Kelly Scientific.
He needs to up his Linkedin profile and network, network, network!
Thanks, again, BB. I figured something like that must exist. I have sent the links to DS. I think he is getting tired of being a puppy nanny and personal chef. Though he is making my life easier . . .
Hmm, I could use a puppy nanny and personal chef!