Using Technology for Career Connections
By Jill Randolph
June 30, 2010
The following is an interview transcript with John Snyder, Co-Director in the Office of Career Services at Slippery Rock University. He has worked at the university since 1988. Before joining SRU, he was an English teacher and a high school counselor in public education, as well as a career counselor at Baldwin-Wallace College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Muskingum College and a Master of Education in Counseling from Cleveland State University.
The Office of Career Services serves both students and alumni. In addition to individual appointments, special events, and presentations to student and community groups, the office partners with SRU faculty to reach students in the classroom.
Founded in 1889, Slippery Rock University, also known as "The Rock," is located in Western Pennsylvania about an hour north of Pittsburgh. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are available in education, business, health and safety, exercise science, environmental geosciences, as well as the liberal arts. The Rock, which was one of the first universities in the nation to award the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, has nearly 8,600 students. It has a reputation for excellence, a distinctive curriculum, availability of distance education and small faculty-taught classes.
"Our 'Backpacks to Briefcases program' helps students make the transition from college to the working world, because they are able to ask their former peers about real-life work experiences. Hearing this information from recent alumni is more credible to students than hearing it from the news or other older or less familiar sources."
Jill Randolph: How has searching for a job changed from the past? How has it stayed the same?
John Snyder: Technology has definitely caused significant changes in the job search process. Job sites have also changed in recent years and students have the ability to research companies 24/7. Students are using technology at a level never seen before. We're concerned, however, that this may affect them in the future, as job seekers today generally aren't as strong or comfortable with face-to-face contact as people have been in the past.
However, many job search skills have stayed the same. Making connections with companies and individuals remains important, along with interpersonal, networking, and interviewing skills, which we can help students practice.
We work with SRU's Alumni Relations office to offer a program called "Backpacks to Briefcases," during which time alumni interact with and educate students about their work experiences. This program helps students make the transition from college to the working world, because they are able to ask their former peers about real-life work experiences. Hearing this information from recent alumni is more credible to students than hearing it from the news or other less informed sources.
Jill Randolph: What are the most common mistakes students make in their job search?
John Snyder: Students are too passive with their job search process. They may submit a resume online or email an employer about a job lead, but that's not enough. They need to add a personal touch to their application by calling employers once they submit a resume. Students also need to follow up respectfully throughout the entire process in order to express their interest and increase their odds of being hired.
Also, students sometimes bring up points at inappropriate times during their interviews. For example, if a student is interested in the possibility of telecommuting, those opportunities may be available in certain industries, but he or she shouldn't ask the question during the first interview. This is where consulting with members of the student's network or practicing interviewing skills with the Office of Career Services is useful. It's much better for students to learn these skills in a practice setting, rather than missing out on a job opportunity.
"... students need to remember that technology is connecting them with other people, so they need to ... add personal touches, such as ... a follow up telephone call to express their interest."
Jill Randolph: What advice do you give to students regarding traditional and social networking?
John Snyder:Traditional forms of networking can lead to many opportunities. I recommend students use their network to find chances to job shadow, where they follow someone who works for a field they are interested in for a day or more. This will allow students to gain an idea of the things they do and do not like about a particular field, and should make their career decision easier.
I also recommend that students use LinkedIn and other technologies to identify potential mentors. They can connect with alumni and potentially find opportunities this way as well.
Either way, it is important for students to remember that they should use both traditional and technological forms of networking in order to have the best chance at success in the job search process.
When students are interning and also once they've started working, they need to understand that they can learn things - including face-to-face networking tips - from older, more experienced workers. The converse is also true; different generations of workers should be open-minded towards each other, because they can learn a lot from one another.
Jill Randolph: How has the job market changed over the past year? Have you seen signs of improvement in your area?
John Snyder: There has been a slight improvement in the market over the past year. Accounting, technology, computer science, engineering and sales have all shown slight improvements. Healthcare opportunities, especially the market for practitioners such as physical and occupational therapists, nurses, and physician assistants, have remained plentiful. Additionally, because of the impending environmental geo-crisis, jobs in this field are projected to be strong in the coming years, especially with any type of green technology.
One field, however, that has suffered is education, which should take another two to three years to see signs of improvement.
Jill Randolph: What advice do you give students who are still not sure what they want to do with their lives after graduation?
"Technology is excellent for building and maintaining one's network, researching companies, and sometimes finding opportunities."
John Snyder: It's important for recent graduates not to become discouraged early in their professional lives. They need to experience life and try out all kinds of things until they determine what they are really passionate about.
Students and graduates should look at their career as a series of steps. One's career path will probably not always turn out as he or she had hoped, especially right away. I also recommend that students use internships and temporary work while in college in order to weed out the jobs they don't like and discover skills they enjoy and excel at.
Also, technology is excellent for building and maintaining one's network, researching companies, and sometimes finding opportunities. However, students need to remember that technology is connecting them with other people, so they need to be sure to add personal touches, such as using a follow-up telephone call to express their interest.
