Realistic Expectations

I attended a training meeting today about career decision making. One of our discussion points was realistic expectations.

If you are trying to decide your career path, do you have realistic expectations about the following?

1) What do the day to day operations of that position entail?

For example, being an archaeologist is more yard-work than finding historic specimens. Even then, there are tedious procedures required to extract the item. School counselors often spend more time on paperwork and schedule changes than counseling and interacting with students.

2) What is the outlook of that position/field?

Some positions may pay very well, yet do not have a positive outlook as job openings decline. Outsourcing, mergers and technological advances replace many jobs that were once prevalent.

Has anyone been to Detroit lately? Compare the difference between now and before the auto industry closed plants.

3) What are the skills needed for this position?

Many positions require more skills than one would assume. Both doctors and dentists are self-employed. How skilled are you at accounting or business management? And what about watching patients die? Can you handle it?

4) Do you understand the most appropriate path to take to get into/advance in that position?

Do you understand the requirements, but even more, the recommended path to a specific position? Often, majoring in a specific area is not enough. Medical professions often require extensive job shadowing experiences. Public Relations professionals often require a portfolio of professional or published work. Psychology graduate programs look for experience and or research. History majors are usually required to take the GRE by October of their Senior year to be admitted to the next fall's grad program. Sometimes taking the recommended classes are not enough for admission or to have an edge over the competition.

Essentially, it is important to know enough about a profession to make a sound judgement about your interest and ability to perform well in that position.

Recommendations:

1) Research outlook, pay, competencies, etc. of positions. One great resource is the Occupational Outlook Handbook by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

2) Talk to professionals in that profession. Ask for an informal interview to discuss recommendations, day to day operations, requirements, misconceptions, pros and cons, satisfaction, etc.

3) Job shadow. If you are a student, contact your counselor or career center and they should assist you in finding an opportunity. Or contact professionals on your own to watch their daily operations.

4) Attend information sessions, forums, and lectures. Many colleges and universities hold meetings and forums to discuss various careers. Several government and private agencies also hold meetings for the public to discuss career openings and details about the positions.

5) Visit a career counselor or school advisor. They can offer valuable resources and insight.

***6) Participate in an internship or co-op experience. Try the job on before you committ to it, while also obtaining skills and experience. It may confirm your fit or lead you in a completely different direction.

Why an Internship?

Whenever I meet with college students I make a special point to emphasize the importance of an internship or even better, more than one.

"An internship?" they often say, "What's that?"



An internship is almost a necessity in today's world for current college students. For so long, young adults were simply encouraged to "Get your degree and you'll find a job," but times are changing. Employers are increasingly interested in skills and experience. Yet, how do college students gain experience and job-related skills if no one will hire someone without those same skills and experiences? An internship is the solution.



I've heard that nearly 90% of employers offer internships or would be interested in participating in an internship experience. Internships often are mutually beneficial to both intern and employer. Employers have the opportunity to train and test a potential employee without a formal, long-term commitment. And interns gain and apply skills in a real-life setting without the accountability required of a full-time employee. Professionalism is expected, but mistakes are met with greater tolerance as it is often expected for interns to be a little green.


To avoid mistakes and make the most of an internship, interns should ask a lot of questions and look for feedback to improve their skills. This is a great opportunity for students who are uneasy about how their education translates into real work readiness to recognize how prepared they are and what they can do to make up for any deficits. For instance, many of my students say, "I'm graduating soon, but I'm just not sure if I really know how to apply my education to a real job." The answer--get an internship and practice and apply your skills.


Internships can be a great opportunity to network, gain references, and possibly find a career position. Many companies extend full-time offers to interns within their organization. Every intern should be on their best behavior at all times, even if performing mundane tasks. You never know when a coffee run could lead to a full-time opportunity. Interns should build positive relationships with their coworkers and mentors as they will serve as valuable references and networks. While the internship company may not have an opening, co-workers may know of alternative hiring sources or they can write a glowing letter of recommendation.


Internships can also help the decision making process. Many students make career decisions based upon what they think they would like to do or what notions they have about the day-to-day tasks of a particular field. For many, an internship clarifies the fit--or lack of fit--of a particular position. Others are introduced to new avenues never before considered and use the internship to springboard them into a completely different career. Consider an internship if you would like to "try on" your potential career. It can save a lot of time, money, and anguish to realize that a particular career is not for you BEFORE you invest years of education, only to change paths.

Interns typically get hired faster, easier, and are paid more money than students who never participated in one. If you are a student, consider at least one solid internship experience. And if you have time, do more than one! Resist the temptation to take the quick and easy PT "get through school" job and instead, branch out and gain experience through an internship. You will not regret it!

Contact me if you would like help in locating and applying for an internship opportunity or if you are an employer interested in hiring an intern.

Awesome Internship of the Day

KSL TV News Internship

Organization Name: Bonneville Communications

Work Schedule: 16 hour week/2 days to be arranged (M-Sat)9:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. (8 hour days)
Hours per Week: 20
Wage/Salary: Non-Paid
Salary Negotiable: No

Job Description:
KSL is pleased to announce the availability of an internship in the News Department. We are looking for students who are interested in a NON-PAID learning opportunity, where they can extend their television broadcasting education beyond the classroom.
PURPOSE: This KSL News internship is designed to provide students with a strong interest in broadcast journalism an opportunity to gain an insight into the operation of professional TV news production.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: • Needs to be registered at a university, college, community college or vocational-technical institute on a full-time basis. Priority will be given to students of junior/senior status, or in the last year of a community college or vocational-technical program. • Prefer someone working toward a career in broadcast journalism. Applicant needs to be in good academic standing and possess knowledge of current events. • Needs to be organized, able to meet deadlines and be a self-starter. Proven ability to be precise and accurate. • Good writing, production and conversational skills to transmit information clearly and efficiently. • The internship will cover a quarter/semester period of approximately sixteen (16) hours per week, with a schedule to be arranged by the intern, the intern coordinator and the intern's academic advisor. • Work in compliance with Company policies and procedures. • Work effectively in a team environment. • Maintain a positive and cooperative rapport with staff, management, and clients. • Proven ability to handle stress. • Project an appropriate professional appearance and demeanor. • Final discretion as to assignments while participating in the internship program will remain with KSL. • Persons participating in the KSL-TV News internship need to understand that no guarantees are given for future employment. KSL may terminate internship at any time. • Final selection of a KSL intern from among those expressing interest rests with KSL. • Must sign and abide by the Internship Agreement. University or college must also sign and abide by the agreement. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: • Substantial physical movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. • Receive, process, and maintain information through oral and/or written communication effectively. • Ability to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction with good eye and hand coordination. • Lift, move, and carry up to 20 pounds on occasion.

THE APPLICANT MUST SUBMIT: • A completed internship application form. • A current academic transcript (preferred). • A letter from the applicant's university or college verifying arrangement of credit for the internship. Qualified candidates are invited to download the application available on our web site. Questions can be directed to Human Resources at (801) 575-5777 or kslhr@ksl.com. We do not allow walk-in candidates. To be considered an application must be submitted by fax, email, or mail for current posted position(s). Resume is accepted when accompanying our application. Unsolicited resumes will not be accepted.

55 North 300 West
SLC, UT 84180
Online Map
Phone: (801) 575-5777

Post Date:
07/01/2008
Expiration Date:
08/01/2008