GENERATION Y IS NOT READY FOR THE RECESSION!

I think we've all heard it before, Millenials/Generation Ys have never been through tough times, bla bla bla. Well we are about to, according to Beyond.com, Inc., the world's largest network of online niche career communities, with this looming economic recession we may be the hardest to get hit. And I agree that we are not taking steps to prepare ourselves.

But really what does it mean for us? What happens and what are we supposed to do? We own cars, we have jobs, we go to school, we are in debt, we eat out, and we have bank accounts so as far as I know, this talk that we won't be affected doesn't seem realistic, because clearly we are a substantial part of the economy. A friend and I have been joking about just staying in school until it's over because on a serious note, job searching is going to get significantly harder than it was a year ago. How are we supposed to find jobs in a time when no one wants to hire?

Geoffrey H. Moore, world renowned analyst of business cycles said about the Great Depression, "At the worst point of the Great Depression, in 1933, one in four Americans who wanted to work was unable to find a job. The high unemployment rates of the 1930s made those who had jobs thankful that they had jobs and fearful that they could lose them. Those who could not find jobs often took to the roads--thousands of men regularly rode the rails." Sure the concept of company loyalty is out the window and that certainly helps us a lot, so though it won't be as intense as the Great Depression, in part due to the government programs that have been created since, prepare for a hit, because it seems to be our turn now.

Check back tomorrow for an article on job searching through a recession. How to Job Search in a Recession It's time to rethink everything we do, because we simply have to. It's our reality.

Check out the links in the article, they are good sources to help you take the steps to preparing yourself and to help you get an idea of how this might affect you.

I would love to hear your comments and feel free to subscribe to be kept posted on new articles.

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Leyda Hernandez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com

DON'T WASTE TIME: WHEN TO GET READY FOR THE GRE!

UGGGHHH!!! I'm getting everything together now to get into grad school and am studying for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). You have several options when it comes to when to take the GRE that would quicken your transition, so when you graduate with your Bachelor's, you've gotten it out of the way and you're ready for the next step.

• Take it before you graduate College: You can study for the GRE and take it while you're still in college, that way when you graduate you don't waste a year or more studying and taking the test if it takes you several tries to pass it.



• If you won't be taking any more math: The GRE consists of a verbal, a writing portion (which isn't looked at too much) and MATH!!!! If your major like mine doesn't require a whole lot of math in your latter years, it's better to take it earlier when the material is fresher in your mind.



• You can even take the GRE in high school, the GRE SCORE IS VALID FOR 5 YEARS!!! So, your senior year you can pass the GRE, go to college, finish undergrad in four years, apply for grad school and you wouldn't have to worry about a silly GRE test.

I strongly recommend getting a hold of a GRE study book, you might not even have to buy one, just simply ask someone that has taken it recently. My older sister just passed it and there are about 3 books that are circulating around for those of us that are studying for it now.

I would love to hear your comments and feel free to subscribe to be kept posted on new articles.

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Leyda Hernandez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com

10 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL FUTURE NOW

What's the biggest mistake of college students and graduates? Waiting until they've graduated to develop themselves professionally.

You're stuck, they won't hire you because you have no experience and you can't get experience because no one will hire you, and you didn't give professional development a thought until now.

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." -Ben Franklin

If you've waited until you graduated to start... you're at a big disadvantage, though whether you're a college freshman or graduated, it's never too late to start.

1. Join a Job Search engine. They will send you updates of local job profiles available in your field. It'll help you figure out the demand and what skills employers are looking for.
2. Work with your school's career center. They have many resources available, from mock interviews; help with resumes to helping you find a job.
3. Read books and articles. Sure, you already go to school which means you're learning enough. I can't tell you just how wrong you are. Some classes cover such a broad spectrum that I can't say I have learned any one area in well enough detail and from internship experience I realize they doesn't cover some areas at all but yet I know it. And I know it because I've read it. Make use of your school's physical and online library, there is so much knowledge there and it's not taken advantage of.
4. Network. Take the steps to create an online professional network, once you leave college you will already have a list of professional contacts, recommendations and affiliations to professional groups. Make the effort to introduce yourself to interesting professionals, ask them for their card and chat with them. Attend workshops and luncheons; they are more likely to hire a familiar face.
5. Find a mentor. Find someone or several persons who are willing to give you advice, tell their own experiences, answer your questions, etc. Learning from the path that someone took helps you to avoid the same mistakes and all the knowledge they can offer will be indispensable.
6. Get Involved and Lead. Be an involved member of student organizations, whether they are social, professional, or Greek, they hone marketable skills and expose you to seminars, workshops and networking opportunities.
7. Keep a portfolio. Did you create a flyer for your band? Did you write a really good paper? If so, save it and archive it. When you're applying for a job, it's helpful to send in a sample for your work along with your resume, it gives your employer more information about you and your awesome skills.
8. Write up your resume. It might look pretty crappy with all that white space, but jotting down your accomplishments now helps form a foundation and makes it easier to add more as you go.
9. Do an internship. You want experience? Here you go. I recommend not taking all your hours at one place, rather doing several internships with lower hours. It gives you a broader experience, better appeal and more opportunities to network.
10. Learn to conduct yourself in a professional manner. Look and act the part. Don't talk with your mouth full. Make sure your clothes aren't wrinkly. Sit with your back straight. Don't repeat like and umm after every word. The list is endless and important, because failing to conduct yourself in a professional manner results in loss of credibility and respect.

Make use of as many tips as possible, they are sure to help you prepare for success after college.

I would love to hear your comments and feel free to subscribe to be kept posted on new articles.

Resourceful Links:

Job Search Engines:

Monster

CareerBuilder

Professional Networking Sites:

LinkedIn

Yorz

Xing


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Leyda Hernandez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com