By: Alora Peters, Contributing Writer
The end of the school year has always marked a time of change and uncertainty. And that was before words like “coronavirus” and “social distancing” became a part of our everyday vocabulary.
The virulent COVID-19 pandemic has permeated throughout every aspect of our lives, impacting the way we travel, learn, shop, dress, eat, and interact with others. Like any other facet of society, the workforce has also suffered and experienced profound change under the reign of the virus.
By the beginning of May, according to Forbes, more than 30 million workers in the United States had filed for unemployment due to job loss or placement on furlough amidst the nationwide stay-at-home orders and pandemic panic.
Furthermore, many of these now unemployed workers had formerly held positions in fields where unemployment was previously unheard of.
According to a study conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, nearly 80% of employers use one or more forms of social media as aids in the employee recruitment process,
At first glance, these startling statistics are understandably disheartening to newly graduated college students, who are on the hunt for their first out-of-college positions or are looking to get started with the careers of their dreams. It now seems like an impossible task, given how radically the nation has changed over the past few months.
However, this novel economic slump is not necessarily a cause for despair. It may just be time to rethink your strategy.
“Don’t look at that number, throw up your hands, and give up,” advises Susan Mickey, the Executive Director of Saint Leo University’s Career Services department.
Though the graduating class of 2020 is facing a practically unprecedented future, Mickey and the rest of the employees working with Career Services want to emphasize to Saint Leo students that the present situation is not hopeless—it’s just remarkably different.
To start, students looking to find a job in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic will need to be extremely patient.
“In a slow and uncertain job market, it’s going to take you some time to find the right opportunity,” says Mickey. “The process is just going to take longer.”
With that in mind, planning ahead becomes crucial for graduates. Mickey suggests that job-seeking students should pause to tackle their immediate goals first, rather than focusing exclusively on their long-term goals.
“Break down your thought process: ‘What do I do for the next two to three years? I want to get into that company’s door… This isn’t necessarily my target role, but I’ll be able to move into the role that I really want later,’” says Mickey. In other words, it is important for graduates to work on developing and pursuing a temporary “Plan B” until “Plan A” becomes viable.
Break down your thought process: ‘What do I do for the next two to three years? I want to get into that company’s door… This isn’t necessarily my target role, but I’ll be able to move into the role that I really want later.
In the meantime, there is plenty of work for students to do in order to secure a future career or job.
“It’s a job to get a job,” says Mickey. “You have to be very active in the process.” She recommends students construct a personalized task list and set aside a few hours every day or every other day to dedicate towards searching for jobs and applying for positions. It is also vital for graduates to spend ample time constructing their networks.
“Everyone has to network. Period,” says Mickey. “And right now, it’s virtual networking.” This means that students should take full advantage of sites such LinkedIn and Handshake, where they will be most visible to potential employers and recruiters.
According to a study conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, nearly 80% of employers use one or more forms of social media as aids in the employee recruitment process, with a little over 45% using various online sources to identify potential candidates. LinkedIn was singled out as the most popular among employers, having been used by over 90% of employers.
Handshake, a platform similar to LinkedIn, is already available and easily accessible for current Saint Leo students and alumni via their Okta login portal.
The jobs and internships listed on Handshake are listed by employers who are specifically looking for Saint Leo students, making this an invaluable job-searching resource for graduates.
However, more than anything, students need to remember that they are not alone. College graduates across the nation and throughout the world are facing the same challenging future.
And the employees, faculty, and staff here at Saint Leo University are still ready to help their students rise to the challenge.
“We’re here for you when you need us, no matter where you are in the process,” says Mickey.
Yes, the end of the school year marks a time of change and uncertainty. But it also marks an era of new beginnings and growth.
We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you. Congratulations, Lions!
