Congrats to the Grads - Now the Hard Part.....

This is graduation season. I am writing from Buffalo, NY, where I am attending my daughter's graduate school commencement. She will be receiving her Masters in Biotechnology. Luckily, she already has a job in the field. Her company even reimbursed her for grad school. Unfortunately, many recent graduates are not so fortunate. When it's time to find a "big boy" or "big girl" job, a surprise can be lurking.

Ohio State graduates 11,000 at a time. now go find a job.

A few friends and relatives of mine are also graduating. But that diploma
doesn't guarantee much. It does say that you can write papers. answer multiple choice questions, and put up with sometimes egocentric college professors. But it does not necessarily prepare you to enter the job market.

In my opinion, the college institution themselves are at least partially to blame. Make no mistake - they are all for profit institutions. They make sure your tuition is paid,

one way or another, before class begins. They insist on some filler classes that may have little or no use in your chosen field. but you still have to pay for them. I think a real world internship in your major field would be extremely helpful, and even eye-opening for some students.

A recent study shows that 90% of graduates believe they are prepared for the job market, but only 50% of employers think they are. There are a few reasons for this. College can be what you make of it. Perhaps you got a degree in a field that just isn't too marketable right now. Some science degrees almost make it a requirement you continue to graduate school in order to get a good job. The real question is: do colleges prepare you for the real world?

The statistical answer would be yes. College graduates earn more than non college graduates. College is a place to develop your expertise in a subject.You can develop the skills needed to enter the workforce. But that model doesn't always work. Many graduates do not find employment in their area of study.

Consider this: Instead of going to college, if someone had just gone to work for a company, and learned that industry or business from the ground up, -  would they be further ahead than someone that had gone to college instead? Especially considering the staggering cost of college.

Today, academic skills are not enough to succeed. employers are looking for people that can communicate with others and express ideas effectively to co-workers. They value employees who can manage their time and get projects done with minimal supervision. Many human resource professionals today are more interested in a candidates experiences and skills, as opposed to their specific degree.

Maybe the best advice I can give a graduate looking for a career job, is to remind them they now have a sales job. You are now selling yourself to an employer. Fill the gaps in your education and experience that your school may have left out. Show the employer why you are more valuable than the other guy. If you have picked a career or field you have a passion for, it will be easier than you think.

Congratulations to the Class of 2018. Best of luck.

A tip of the cap to HWR reader Alex T. for the suggestion of this topic.