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Shift from college to workplace requires smooth moves, planning

Whether it takes four, five, six or more years, almost everystudent at The University of Memphis will someday graduate and beforced to find a job in the dreaded "real world."

Making the transition from college to the workplace a smooth onerequires careful planning, said Clay Woemmel, assistant director ofCareer and Employment Services.

It's never too early for a student to consider his or her careeroptions. New students should "start the planning process as earlyas possible" by visiting The University's career counseling centerand seeking help in choosing a major that best suits them, Woemmelsaid.

The shock some graduates experience when faced with the realitythat they're under-qualified for their chosen career is avoidable,Woemmel said.

By junior year, students should start planning for their futureafter graduation by researching salary rates, job requirements andcost of living statistics.

Woemmel recommends students hone their professional skills andbegin looking for jobs at least three to six months beforegraduation. Resources at the office of Career and EmploymentServices are available to help students gain interview andr�sum� skills and learn how to make a good impressionon potential employers.

In an economy where new graduates must compete with experiencedworkers for coveted positions, gaining work experience while stillin school is a necessity, Woemmel said.

Internships, co-ops and part-time jobs not only enhancecredentials and provide experience, they aid in giving students afeel for corporate life.

"It's important to know about the company atmosphere," saidKaren Hayes, director of Career and Employment Services.

Attitude is important not only when seeking employment butwithin the workplace as well.

Most employers, Hayes said, look for good communication andwriting skills, motivation and initiative, ability to lead andcooperate and most importantly, honesty and integrity in newgraduates.

"We can't encourage students enough to be honest aboutsituations," Hayes said.

Of students receiving bachelor's degrees at The University ofMemphis in 2002, 47.8 percent had found full-time employment bygraduation, 12.7 percent had temporary or part-time jobs, 2.2percent were unemployed and not looking, 24 percent were seekingfull-time employment, and 13.3 percent had plans to pursue master'sdegrees, according to a report from Career and EmploymentServices.


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