What happens after high school? A look at college enrollment and work activity

Debra Auerbach, CareerBuilder Writer — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:46:22 GMT

Summer is quickly approaching, and soon high-school seniors will be donning their caps and gowns and receiving their diplomas. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 3.2 million students will be part of the 2011-12 high-school graduation class. What's next for these young adults? How many of them will leave home come August to embark on their college adventures, and how many will forgo postsecondary education and head straight to the workforce?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently shed some light on the habits of high-school graduates. According to the report*, in October 2011, 68.3 percent of 2011 high-school graduates were enrolled in colleges or universities. The rate was slightly lower than the record high of 70.1 percent, set in October 2009.

Breakdown by sex, race and ethnicity

For 2011 graduates, the college enrollment rate was 72.3 percent for women and 64.6 percent for men. The college enrollment rates of Asian, white, black and Hispanic graduates were as follows:

Asian graduates -- 86.7 percent
White graduates -- 67.7 percent
Black graduates -- 67.5 percent
Hispanic graduates -- 66.6 percent

Who's working?

Recent high-school graduates not enrolled in college in October 2011 were more likely than enrolled graduates to be working or looking for work -- 68.7 percent compared with 38.8 percent.
The proportion of high-school graduates enrolled in college who were working or looking for work was 38.8 percent.
The labor force participation rates for male and female graduates enrolled in college were 36.5 and 41 percent, respectively.
Among recent high-school graduates enrolled in college in October 2011, 91.9 percent were full-time students.
Recent graduates enrolled as full-time students were less likely to be in the labor force (35.1 percent) than were their part-time peers (79.7 percent).
Approximately six in 10 recent graduates who were enrolled in college attended four-year institutions. About a third of those students were in the labor force, compared with about half of recent graduates enrolled in two-year colleges.

Check out these two videos on job-search and résumé advice for students and new grads:
How to write your first résumé
Job-search advice for students in school

For more advice on internships and finding work after college graduation, visit CareerRookie.com.

*Information on school enrollment and work activity is collected monthly in the Current Population Survey, a nationwide survey of about 60,000 households that provides information on employment and unemployment. Each October, a supplement to the CPS gathers more detailed information about school enrollment, such as full- and part-time enrollment status.

6 Ways New Grads Can Stand Out in an Interview

Sonia Acosta, CareerBuilder Writer — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:50:10 GMT

As a recent college graduate, you're probably not a stranger to competition. College acceptance, scholarships, internships and leadership positions within student organizations can all be significantly challenging to attain with dozens, hundreds or even thousands of students vying for the same spots. The job market, however, is a different kind of race, and probably one of the most competitive environments a recent graduate has ever faced.

While you might not have years of experience, tightly specialized skills or industry expertise right out of college, you still have a great deal to offer. There are many effective ways to impress an employer, stand out from the crowd and make the cut.

Here are six ways to set yourself apart, make an impression and secure the offer letter despite a highly competitive job market.

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare

One of the most important pieces of interview advice is to prepare. There's a good reason for that. It is said that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Before the interview, plan to win by preparing extensively.

Dr. Marla Gottschalk, organizational psychologist and practice manager at psychology practice Rand Gottschalk & Associates, suggests that before an interview, a candidate should conduct research on the company's history and leadership, as well as any recent initiatives or challenges. By going a step further, it will help you stand out amongst other entry-level candidates who might only regurgitate superficial company information found on the website. Show the employer that you've taken the time to gain a better understanding of their business and how you might help the company reach its goals.

"Once you've landed an interview, prepare, prepare, prepare," says Donna Whitmire, image consultant and owner of online perception management company Tailor Your Image. "Hire a professional to give you some tips and feedback or ask a friend to work with you. Record the mock interview and play back to watch for fidgeting, eye contact and how many times you've said, 'um,' 'you know' and 'like.' Listen, slow down, take a deep breath and think before you answer."

2. Mind your manners and your attitude

No one wants to deal with, or work with, Negative Nancy or Pouty Pete. Companies want to hire people with positive attitudes that will play nice with others and get things accomplished.

Beth Gilfeather, CEO and founder of Seven Step Recruiting based in Boston, Mass., says, "It is important that college grads find subtle and natural ways during the interview to show that they are flexible, committed and excited. Employers want to know that they are hiring a patient and mature person who knows what they're getting into and isn't looking for the absolutely perfect job, and the fast track to the CEO's office. Make sure to tell the employer that you fully understand the job responsibilities and are flexible and open to anything this role will require of you."

Many hiring managers fear that some of their new hires -- especially entry-level ones -- are simply testing out the waters at their company. In order to avoid being perceived as a turnover risk, it's crucial to communicate commitment during the interview.

"It is important that [recent] college grads make it clear that they are choosing this career path and want to commit themselves to it for the foreseeable future," Gilfeather says. "Don't mention all the other types of jobs you are also pursuing; especially if these are unrelated career paths. This will make them [employers] question your ability to stick with the job."

Coupled with flexibility and commitment, it's also important for new graduates to communicate excitement. "At the end of the day, all employers want to hire a person who really wants the job," says Gilfeather. "This is not a time to play it cool. Make sure to be explicit, and express your interest by highlighting that it's [the position you're interviewing for] your top choice, articulating specifically why you like it so much."

3. Exude confidence

Don't let a lack of experience drag you down. When you are interviewing for entry-level positions, employers are aware that you are a recent addition to the workforce. They want to hire fresh talent with the skills, education and ideas that will help grow their business. During the interview, exude confidence. When you are confident in yourself and your abilities, others will be too.

Jennifer Vickery, owner of National Strategies Public Relations based in Tampa, Fla., says, "Confidence can show how you will perform once hired, and many employers feel you can teach someone how to perform at a job, but you cannot teach certain leadership, confidence and communication skills. I've seen so many people sell themselves out of a job simply by talking about what they lack."

Jennifer Prosek, author of Army of Entrepreneurs and CEO of CJP Communications, a communications consultancy based in New York, says confidence is key in standing out during an interview. "Do your homework so you are an expert on the company you are interviewing at, and come armed with ideas of how you will add value in the position," Prosek says. "Panicked hires aren't successful during interviews because everyone a hiring manager brings on is a reflection of that company's brand as well as the person who hired them."

4. Apply your skills

Recent graduates may think they lack any business skills, but that's not true. Just think about how the work you completed in college classes and the skills derived from those projects can apply to the professional world.

Gottschalk offers a few examples of skills students may acquire during college that can easily translate to tasks performed on the job:

· Proposal development skills: Did you ever create a business or marketing proposal for a college class? Talk about the project and how you worked to develop that proposal, what came out of it, etc.

· Presentation skills: You probably had to give a fair share of presentations during your academic years. Discuss these in the interview. How did the presentation go, what was the audience's/professor's reaction, and how did your ability to present information improve from freshman year to graduation?

· Project management skills: "Knowing how to carry out a project from start to finish is a great asset," Gottschalk says. "If you have functioned as a project leader, emphasize that point."

· Team skills: "This can be a real deal breaker for many employers," Gottschalk cautions. "If you have experience working on a team, whether in a student organization, a part-time job [or for a class], be sure to mention this [in the interview]."

5. Go beyond the résumé

If you want to stand out as a recent college graduate, think big-picture. Your résumé might not be quite as detailed as you'd like it to be right out of school, so it's important to make the most out of the experience you have.

"Grads that have a business card, a blog, a résumé at the interview, references, etc., have clearly researched the company and the position, and seem able to jump right in, are a plus," Vickery says.

6. Don't forget the details

There are many seemingly small things that can help you set yourself apart from the pack. Christina Utz, event planner and designer for Baldassare Events, and Cody Boyte, online marketing manager at AxialMarket, offer some additional tips to help you stand out during the interview:

· Studied abroad? Talk about that experience in the interview.

· Send a handwritten thank-you note to the interviewer.

· Discuss any certifications you might have, i.e., a Google Adwords Certificate.

· Have a professional email address such as firstname.lastname@...com instead of HotJennifer@...com.

· Practice your handshake. Make sure it's firm and confident.

· Smile!

Sonia Acosta is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter.

5 Ways Recent Graduates Can Sell Themselves without Selling Their Souls

By Sonia Acosta, CareerBuilder Writer — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:47:30 GMT

While the economy might be slowly loosening its grip on our pockets, the job market is still intensely competitive. Graduating from college and stepping out from behind the comforting walls of higher education can be daunting. Many graduates assume they'll have to settle in order to land their first job. They'll need to sell their souls by accepting a job they hate, at a company they don't believe in, working for people they don't respect. If not, they'll remain unemployed.

Believe it or not, you can get a job that you enjoy and find fulfilling. Here are five ways to sell yourself in the job market as a new graduate while still keeping a firm grasp on your values and career goals.

1. Tapping your alumni network

Networking is often the cornerstone of any career advice you receive. While your skills, personality and effectiveness will ultimately decide your career fate, building relationships with individuals who might already work in the industry you wish to enter or the company you want to work for, can be extremely helpful in getting your foot in the door.

Too often, graduates fail to leverage one of the most effective networking pools they have access to -- graduates from their college or university. Alumni networking can be a gold mine for new graduates. These individuals were once in your place. Plus they are proud of their alma mater and are often eager to help their fellow graduates begin their careers.

Michael Hermens, president of Dallas, Texas-based financial advisory firm Finance Forward LLC, says, "It [alumni networking] may not mean a job right out of the box. In fact, those are quite rare. However, after a few months of attending alumni events, you should be able to know the players in the alumni network and leverage those connections to land a job."

As you network, tell people who you are, where your talents and interests lie and what kind of career you wish to pursue. When a position opens up at their company, they're more likely to remember whether you and set you up with an interview.

2. Visualizing your success

Have you ever heard the saying, "If you can believe it, you can achieve it?" Apply this mindset to your job search.

"Finding that job, and the right job for you, doesn't require selling your soul, but it does help tremendously to have a soul full of the right combination of confidence and desire," says Lauren Salamone, co-founder of CollegeGuidanceGuru.com and author of "5 Must-Know Secrets for Today's College Girl."

One recent graduate Salamone worked with founded her own successful design company post college. When asked how she did it, recent graduate Cole shared, "I stopped treating myself like a college student seeking starter design work and started treating myself like a young professional, up-to-date on current design practices seeking design work. Big difference."

College students and recent graduates should spend a little time each day picturing themselves excelling in their fields of choice, suggests Salamone. While getting a few "no's" on the road to "yes" is inevitable, holding on to confidence and a successful vision of yourself will make a huge difference.

3. Matching your skills with the position

Looking for work and building a career is all about crafting your story and figuring out how you want to position yourself.

"The biggest mistake I see recent grads make is framing things the wrong way," says Rich Enos, CEO and co-founder of academic tutoring preparation company StudyPoint Inc. "I can't tell you how many times I've read on a résumé something like, 'Looking to advance my career in a position that offers such and such.'"

Instead of positioning your résumé as, "What can you do for me?" job seekers should put themselves in the prospective employer's shoes, Enos suggests. "I am more interested in what you are looking to do for the organization than what you are looking to do for yourself. Tell me how your strengths are going to help our organization grow, make our organization more profitable, etc."

4. Selling yourself on your résumé

Whether you're trying to sell a house, a car or your used college textbook, you always talk about the product's best qualities first and leave the "needs some work" areas for last. When crafting your résumé, think of yourself as a product you are trying to sell.

"Make a list of your measurable achievements and accomplishments, and plaster them in the most important spot on your résumé," says Michael Mercer, author of "Job Hunting Made Easy."

A job hunter's résumé tends to stand out when it starts with a list of four to six measurable achievements, Mercer adds. Place these directly below your name, address and other contact information. List awards, campus leadership positions, measurable job achievements (part-time jobs or internships), campus volunteer activities and proven work skills.

Companies want to hire job hunters who are winners, those who have track records as highly productive employees or interns, workers who have proven leadership skills and those who have already learned and exhibited important job-related skills, Mercer says. By listing your accomplishments, you'll heighten your chances of landing an interview.

5. Staying positive

Yes, it's tough out there, and there are more applicants vying for the same job than there were five or six years ago. Don't get discouraged -- everyone has something unique to offer. You simply have to take the time to figure out what that is and start showing it off to employers.

You don't have to sell your soul to get a job either. There is a hiring manager out there looking for exactly what you have to offer. Being yourself and going after positions and companies you are enthusiastic about is likely to get you much further than selling your soul for a paycheck. And if you have to take a less than desirable job until the right opportunity comes along, there is nothing wrong with that. Chances are you'll end up learning a lot from the experience. And in the meantime, keep searching, polishing, selling and interviewing, and know that you'll get there.

How to ask for help: Advice for college graduates entering the workforce

Justin Thompson, CareerBuilder Writer — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:32:30 GMT

It's not uncommon for a college student, upon graduation, to think, "What now?" For the lucky ones who have jobs right out of the gate, the working world can be overwhelming, especially when projects are hurled at them at an unrelenting speed, with little to no direction.

Bing: How to get credit for your work

Whether you're job-searching post-graduation or you've just started working, you're allowed to ask for help. While you may think it should be obvious to your manager or co-workers that you need direction, they may be so swamped that they don't recognize that you're struggling.

Here are some tips for getting up the courage to say that four-letter word, "Help":

Have humility
You may have talked the talk to get in the door, but even if you have the right qualifications, you still face a learning curve. This is especially true if you're fresh out of school. When you start a new job, no one expects you to know everything, so don't walk in the door assuming you do know everything. Pretending that you have the same level of expertise and knowledge as the CEO will only backfire. That kind of attitude won't make you any friends and could get you kicked out the door. Instead, be humble and accept your flaws as well as your strengths. Remember that they hired you for a reason.

Those who ask for help get it
The only way to learn and grow in your career is by being inquisitive. Even CEOs ask questions. Your boss would rather you ask questions and get the project right the first time, instead of going into a task with uncertainty.

Ask questions intelligently
A key to asking questions at work is to ask the right ones in the right way. Don't ask questions that require a yes or no response. Instead, ask your boss what her expectations are so you are sure to meet them. This also gives you an opportunity to ask your manager if she has a preference on how the task is accomplished or when it's due.

Another approach is to come to your boss with ideas or suggestions and ask if they are in line with what she is thinking. By positioning your questions in this way, you'll get input on your own ideas instead of asking your boss what to do. She'll appreciate your initiative.

Confide in others
"When in doubt, ask," says Lindsey Pollak, career expert and author of "Getting from College to Career." "This is a foolproof strategy for a young person who is new to the workforce, and it works for established professionals as well." She recommends asking trusted friends or advisers for input on how to handle certain workplace situations.

"During your career planning and job searching, there will be lots of decisions you can't make on your own, and situations in which you can't know the right answer without asking someone with more experience. Ask for help when you need it. We all need it sometimes."

Bing: Getting the most out of meetings

Justin Thompson is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Can internships set your career path in stone before it even begins?

Sonia Acosta, CareerBuilder Writer — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:40:37 GMT

Internships. They're the buzz on college campuses everywhere. From freshman year to the graduation stage, students are constantly reminded how important it is to get "real world" experience under their belts before they hit the big post-grad job search. Companies hiring recent graduates are always going to have a preference for those who have taken the time and initiative to complete one, two or more internships, gain skills, make connections and bring more to the table than a diploma.

But what if you are not sure what field you want to go into? What if you fall into the general studies or liberal arts category? Maybe you're working towards a degree in finance or marketing, but you're not sure you want to go into that line of work. What do you do then? Will interning in marketing, finance or another field set your career path in stone and ultimately lead you to feel stuck in a field you're not sure you want to pursue?

Internships and career pathing can be tricky business. Here are three tips to help you get the most out of any internship and build the career you want, instead of a career you feel stuck in.

Building transferrable skills

Whether you are interning in accounting, public relations, engineering, social media, management or other field, any internship experience will add fundamental, transferable skills to your tool belt. Skills like project management, presenting, working in teams, planning, computer programs, writing, etc., can easily be leveraged in a variety of positions in many different fields.

Sarah Bender, account executive at Resound Marketing, based in Princeton, N.J., suggests students remain open-minded about internships.

"It's important to realize that just about every job [or internship] offers a chance for an individual to build their skills and prepare for their next move -- no matter what it may be," she says.

Instead of focusing on the possibility of being "locked" into a certain field or position, think of internships as your chance to soak up everything that is going on around you. You'd be surprised how much you can gain from simply observing, listening to, asking questions of and networking with more experienced colleagues around you. In most cases, these individuals have stood in your shoes and welcome the opportunity to mentor young talent.

Shifting your personal brand

You've completed several internships in one field, and suddenly you realize that's not where your passions lie. What do you do now? It's simple, and it won't be the last time you'll have to do it throughout your career. It's time to shift your personal brand.

Maureen Nelson, a career coach and résumé writer based in Walnut Creek, Calif., says, "You'll always have to align yourself with what's relevant in the job market if you want to keep moving ahead."

In her own experience, Nelson shifts her personal brand depending on the job she's going after. "When speaking with college personnel, I say I'm a career counselor. When speaking with government employees, I say I'm in workforce development. The language you use has a lot to do with how people perceive you."

If you've completed internships in marketing but upon graduation realize you'd like to go into something like corporate finance, you have to work to re-cast yourself, suggests Nelson.

"Volunteer, do project work, research and write (maybe partnering with a finance expert), hang out with finance folks at professional association chapter meetings, and find a mentor ... I always tell clients they are like diamonds, and employers only know the facets you show them."

Allow yourself to navigate

Perhaps you are interning in the right field, but you're not exactly sure what area of the field you'd like to pursue after graduation. That's OK. Allow yourself the room to do a little exploring, and see the opportunity in every step you take.

When Jessica Albon, a web development consultant based in Greensboro, N.C., was in college she wanted to work at a magazine, so that's where she interned.

"I gained loads of experience on every step along the way from working with freelancers to layout to selling ad space. I also learned that I didn't want to work in magazines," she explains.

Instead, Albon learned she wanted a career in graphic design.

"What I found was there were ways to talk about my magazine experience that were really relevant when I wanted to work for a marketing agency. I didn't focus exclusively on the experience I'd had with the magazine layout because that felt disingenuous. Rather, I talked about the way my big picture understanding of all of the pieces of a magazine translated to my working as a graphic designer -- that I understood the importance of seeing all of the pieces, even as my work directed contributed to only one portion. This was a big hit in interviews."

Tina Beaty, account supervisor at Porter Novelli, a public relations firm headquartered in Spain, adds, "Having three internships in one field is great if you know you are going into that field, but three internships in different fields and then job hunting in yet another industry can still be powerful if you spin your story and group your experience to fit an employer's needs. Fear of going down the wrong career path is no reason to not jump at a qualified internship and gain any and all experience in the business world."

More advice

"The right internship is very much like the first three months of courtship in a personal relationship," says Alex Sukhoy, career coach and adjunct professor at the Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland State University. "Both parties get to know each other's values, interests, abilities, skills and, most importantly, fit. The best thing an intern can do from the get-go is set goals, follow through on expectations and build relationships."

Tom Armour, co-founder of High Return Solutions, a hiring, performance and retention solutions provider based in Atlanta, Ga., thinks internships are terrific and students should not worry about casting their careers in stone based on these experiences. The main objectives when interning should be learning marketable skills and developing a good track record/reputation.

"I don't think pigeonholing is an issue," says Armour. "Large companies tend to bring people into entry-level positions and more often than not encourage people to move around once they establish themselves as a good performer. Smaller companies don't have specialized jobs, and one person is expected to wear multiple hats."

So what's the answer?

While internships might lead you down a certain career path, they are primarily meant to provide you with transferable skills, knowledge and larger professional networks. Getting stuck is always avoidable. It's simply a matter of rebranding yourself, and continuously working on your story, who you are as a professional, and what you bring to the table regardless of industry or field. College and internships are supposed to be a time of discovery, of navigation, and you should always go into it with an open mind. Your interests, passions and strengths will begin to show themselves organically if you just allow yourself to soak up what is around you.

Stay relevant, always welcome learning, dig into the projects you are given, find mentors and stay thirsty.

Top 5 Most Recent College Articles

What happens after high school? A look at college enrollment and work activity

6 Ways New Grads Can Stand Out in an Interview

5 Ways Recent Graduates Can Sell Themselves without Selling Their Souls

How to ask for help: Advice for college graduates entering the workforce

Can internships set your career path in stone before it even begins?