Weekly Poll: Is the government helping the economy recover?

In your opinion, is the current U.S. government helping the economy recover? Are you seeing jobs popping up more? Or are the government's actions worsening the economic situation? Vote below and don't forget to comment with your opinion on the matter.

Resumes Are Updated Every 1-3 Months

Last week we asked "How often do you update your resume?"

Our readers seem to update their resumes quite often, but should they be doing it even sooner than every 1-3 months? Or is it too often anyways? What's your opinion on this? Comment below!

Here were the poll results:

Every 1-3 months 53%
Every 4-8 months 27%
Every 9-12 months or longer 20%

Weekly Grad Star: Julie Kramer

Name: Julie Kramer
School: Edgewood College (Madison, WI)
Major: Business with concentrations in Marketing and Graphic Design
Job desired: Marketing coordination, social media marketing, consumer insights, marketing strategy
Graduation date: May 2009
Contact info: JAKramer@edgewood.edu
                      www.juliekramer.extendr.com

Why should you be hired?
“Dependable. Great work ethic. Professional and takes initiative!” are words my previous employers have used to describe me and are desirable traits employers seek in job candidates today (see testimonials HERE).

Although a recent graduate, I am not a typical new graduate. I interned in New York City, Australia, and Wisconsin, and have also studied advertising in China. Having these and other work experiences will help me add new perspectives and ideas to any department I am a part of.

I actually enjoy continuously learning and teaching myself new things, and thrive to live and work in different environments and put myself in new situations. Therefore I am very willing to relocate. Please let me know if I can be of help in any way!

Bio
I was determined to learn as much as I could during college- both inside AND outside of the classroom and get as much hands-on experience as possible. Beyond performing independent research on advertising in China, I have completed five internships at the following locations:

-Ruder Finn Public Relations (PR Intern)

-Lands’ End (Consumer Insights/Marketing Research Intern)

-NBC Universal Studios (Casting Intern)

-Edgewood College Admissions (Marketing & Communications Intern)

-Habitat for Humanity’s national HQ in Sydney, Australia while studying abroad (Marketing Intern)

I’ve also sought out specific experiences to develop creatively as well, working as a photographer at a local photography studio and as a freelance graphic designer, creating and publishing entire advertising campaigns for clients.

And on-campus, I held numerous leadership positions, including being the Co-President of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), an Executive Board member of Student Admissions Ambassadors, and a Rotaract Club member.

Since graduating, not much as changed, in that I am still constantly craving to learn more and do more. I have recently acquired additional marketing experience through multiple contract/short-term positions (including being a Marketing Project Coordinator at a digital direct marketing firm, PR Consultant at PR firm, and Project Manager at mobile media company).

Want to be a featured Grad Star? Click here!

Last Week's Poll Results

Last week we asked "Are office romances okay?"

After 210 votes, here are the results:

Sure, why not? 24%
No, it's unprofessional. 48%
I'm neutral on this one. 28%

Why do you think office romances are okay or not okay? Comment with your opinion below!

Health Insurance for College Grads

Health insurance news grads should be aware of

Graduating from college is one step, but what about getting health insurance? Can you stay under your parents plan this year? What did the recent health care reform do to your eligibility? Watch this video to find out!



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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zKbRDmnxic

Job Interview Questions: "Why Do You Want to Leave Your Job?"

Job interview questions are not easy but this one truly stumps people: "Why do you want to leave your job?" It is an interview question that catches many job seekers offgaurd during a job interview and can cause some trouble. Luckily, you can prepare for it and avoid some common mistakes job applicants make when answering this interview question by watching this helpful video. Enjoy!



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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDWBH2pku1A

Weekly Grad Star: Jillian Engel

Name: Jillian Engel
School: Miami University, Oxford, OH, May 2010
Major: Journalism and Speech Communication
Job desired: Seeking opportunities in publishing as an editorial assistant
Graduation date: 2010
Contact info: jillianengel@gmail.com

Why should you be hired?
I am very quick to learn, detail-oriented and self-motivated and I believe I can make immediate and positive contributions in publishing. I have shown ambition, the ability to multi-task and flexibility as a student journalist and editor of The Miami Student and as an editorial intern at the lifestyle and travel magazine, Maryland Life magazine in Frederick, Md. The knowledge and experience I have gained through these opportunities has convinced me that I want to pursue a career in editing and publishing. I feel I am an excellent candidate for an Editorial Assistant position and when put to the task, I believe this industry will give me an opportunity that would be difficult to duplicate.

Bio
I am eager-to-learn, hard working and self-motivated — all characteristics I am confident will help me make a lasting impact in the world of publishing. I have broad experience in all aspects of print journalism from my writing and editing positions at The Miami Student, and my editorial internships at The Oxford Press, and Maryland’s regional travel and leisure magazine, Maryland Life.

During my last two years at Miami, I worked as the Community Editor for The Miami Student, Miami University’s 16,000-circulation bi-weekly newspaper. Throughout my experience as an editor, I was immersed in the fast-paced, deadline-oriented world of publishing. I was able to develop productive relationships with my fellow staff members and my writers while making a collaborative effort to solve complex editorial issues. During summer 2009, I had the opportunity to intern for Maryland Life, a magazine dedicated to providing stories about lifestyle, travel and food across the state of Maryland. As an editorial intern for the now six-year-old magazine, I was able to show my strong work ethic as I was put to work on creating a brand new supplement for the 2009 Sept./Oct. issue, the Educational Resource Guide.

In addition to my experience in copy editing and fact checking, I am proficient in MS Office, Photoshop, InDesign, Quark, web publishing and HTML. I am a native of the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and am willing to relocate if necessary for a particular job opening.

Want to be a featured Grad Star? Click here!

College Grads With Federal Student Loan Debt May Qualify For Student Loan Forgiveness

Financial freedom awaits?

Many college graduates often find that they owe money for student loans, which were borrowed in order to meet the costs that seem to be on the rise at many universities and colleges across the nation. Typically, students will fill out a FAFSA form when seeking federal financial aid and many will obtain some form of federal student loans to help meet their college costs.

Yet, when it comes time to repay these college debts, many people fail to realize that there are forgiveness options for federal student loan debt if someone is in a particular career. For instance, anyone who works in a public service field may qualify for federal student loan forgiveness after 10 years of repayment.

Usually, this forgiveness comes from being enrolled in a Direct Loans repayment plan and being employed in a public service field when one applies for and finishes their payments in a forgiveness repayment plan. There are options for student loan forgiveness for non-public service workers, but these will require 25 years of repayment for those who qualify.

Direct Loans is a program within the Department of Education that handles student loans and anyone who feels they may qualify for student loan forgiveness or wants to begin a repayment plan that will allow them to have their debt forgiven after the timeframe has expired, may want to contact their lender to see what options are available for that particular college debt situation.

While the forgiveness plans can be very beneficial for those who may have acquired a large amount of federal student loan debt, they are repayment assistance options for anyone who may not have enough debt where these repayment forgiveness timeframes would be of help. While student debt is sometimes unavoidable, with forgiveness options and repayment assistance plans, like income-based repayment programs, student debt can be easily managed after college and does not have to be a financial burden for years down the road.

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http://www.rwbpress.com/2010/07/06/college-graduates-with-federal-student-loan-debt-may-qualify-for-student-loan-forgiveness/

College grads not ready for workplace?

According to last week's poll "Do you think college grads are prepared for the workplace?", most of our readers seem to feel that no, college grads are indeed not prepared for the workplace. Why do you think that is? Comment below with your thoughts on this topic and let us know how you feel.

Yes 24%
No 70%
Not sure 6%

Pricey Colleges Still Hold Value

Study: Grads earn more

by By Tricia Pursell, for The Daily Item



When it comes to college tuition, it seems like you get what you pay for.

Most college graduates face a significant debt load, so being assured of a solid career after graduation to pay off that debt as quickly as possible is a factor to consider when choosing a school.

Tuition costs at several Valley institutions range from $13,000 to more than $40,000 a year, but depending on the availability of financial aid, the average debt load upon graduation, the job students obtain after graduation and a number of other factors, students at either end of the spectrum may get their entire investment back in the same amount of time.

"There are a whole lot of calculations involved," said Edwin Koc, director of strategic and foundational research for the National Association of Colleges and Employers, based in Bethlehem.

For example, the average starting salary for a computer science major is approximately $60,000. If the student paid a total tuition of $160,000 for a computer/Internet technology degree, that amount could be earned back in less than three years.

But only a portion of one's salary typically goes toward paying off debt, Koc said, while the rest goes toward living expenses.

The average national student debt upon graduation is $28,000, and the average starting salary is $42,000.

But the numbers change significantly depending on the graduate's major.

Petroleum engineers are at the top of the list, with an average starting salary of $80,000. They are followed by chemical engineers, computer science majors, mathematics majors, accountants and, finally, liberal arts majors.

Over time, a person with a liberal arts degree can catch up to those earning the bigger salaries right at the start, studies show.

Tuition last year at Bucknell University in Lewisburg was $40,594. Sixty-two percent of students received some financial aid, with the average award of $25,000, while the average graduate's loan debt was $18,800.

"A small number of students are paying the full price," said Tom Evelyn, university spokesman.

The university may have one of the highest tuition rates in the Valley, but it also ranked No. 2 recently among all liberal arts institutions with its graduates obtaining the highest mid-career salaries — an average of $115,000 a year. The average starting salary is $56,100.

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Weekly Grad Star: Casey-Jack Kitos-Coppoc

Name: Casey-Jack Kitos-Coppoc
School: Ottawa University
Major: Communications
Job desired: Community Relations Specialist; Media Relations Specialist; Social Media Specialist
Graduation date: 2010
Contact info: cjkitos@gmail.com

Why should you be hired?
I'm energetic, loyal, intelligent, and I can bring a project to life and watch it through to the end. I love to take charge of a situation and I enjoy working with a team to come to a common ground for the project at hand. I'm willing and eager to learn more, and I just think I'd be a good hire.

Bio
I've felt like I''ll be a life student, however now that I'm graduating, I'm excited for the opportunity to use what I've learned in my years in college.

My experiences in college both academic and extra-curricular has given me ample opportunities to grow, learn and use what I've learned to help make a situation better.

I have worked very hard in college and throughout my entire life to overcome shortfalls and disappointments; and always look for the bright side and a new way of doing anything.

Want to be a featured Grad Star? Click here!

5 Tips for Crafting an Entry-Level Resume

How to make sure your first resume will be the best it can be

Re-printed with permission from CleanTechies

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For entry-level job seekers, resume writing seems like a catch-22: You need a resume to get a job, but you need experience to put on a resume. How are you supposed to show that despite your lack of professional experience you’re ready to jump in and make an impact? Entry-level resumes do look different from resumes for professionals with extensive experience, but many of the same resume-writing principles apply.

Here are a few tips for how to package yourself effectively as you start your job search.

1. Emphasize your education.

On resumes for established professionals, educational details are generally presented as the final section, after the details on career history. The reason for this is that once you’ve been out of school for a while, your professional track record matters more in defining what you’ve done and what you’re capable of doing in the future. If you’ve just graduated, however, it makes more sense to highlight your education up front, including the date of graduation. This positions you as a promising new candidate ready to go out and make a difference.

2. Include extracurricular activities and involvement.

If you’re a new (or newish) graduate, including your extracurricular activities can be a good way to show what you’ve accomplished even as a student. This is particularly important if you’ve held any leadership roles. Such details are considered irrelevant on resumes for more experienced professionals, but for new job seekers, it makes sense to include them.

3. Focus on the groundwork.

If the only jobs you’ve had so far involve administrative work in the admissions office, don’t despair. When describing these sorts of jobs on your resume, focus on what you delivered, and on what you learned. Did you take the initiative with a project? improve a process? provide exceptional service to university staff? earn Employee of the Month recognition at the bookstore? Think about the skills and experiences that show the kind of person you are and what you’re capable of—the things that “lay the groundwork” for future success.

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Job Interviews Becoming a Reality

According to last week's poll "When was your last job interview?", most interviews done by our readers have been very recent. Take a look at the results below

Within the last week 31%
Within the 3 weeks 23%
Within the last 2 months 19%
Within the last 6 months 7%
Within the last year + 20%

Do you think this means that in certain sectors more job openings are popping up compared to last year? Comment below and share your interview experience!