Is the tassle worth the hassle?

A graduation display at a local campus bookstore features a banner reading The Tassel Is Worth The Hassle. Which provokes a question in many students minds, students not quite ready for graduation in particular. Is the The Tassel worth The Hassle?

Seriously.

The only reply available now is "Who knows?"

You wont know until when? Your own graduation day? Your first hiring because you are eligible now that you have a degree? That long distant day when you have finally paid off your student loans?

Like completing the requirements for your degree the realization of the value of your hard work is incremental. It may take some time before you can finally say, Yes, it was definitely worth it.

Until then you have a choice to make that distant day come sooner. Just keep showing up, turning in assignments and generally plugging away. You're time is coming.

The High Cost of Hip.

Nate e-mailed Planet College about his latest frustration. Among other things he says;

My latest frustration, and perhaps my motivation for writing this, is the growing movement amongst my friends to drink “good” beer. It goes against everything the first few years of college taught me. I’ve drank all the crap beer in large quantities, spent under four dollars for twelve packs (Hobbs-don’t drink it- It’s not worth it), and even developed a legitimate fondness for Keystone Light. Until now, I was doing what I was supposed to: getting hammered on 30-packs you could buy with a twenty and still have enough for a Deli News pizza.

Now, a single bottle of “good” beer costs 8 bucks and that’s what real men are supposed to drink. That’s an hour’s work for this grocery bagger.

Nate continued in a good natured and humorous style about how he now feels left out of conversations with his friends since on his weekly wage he can not savor the 'aromatic hops' really good beers should have.

Planet College thanks Nate for pointing out what often happens in the social circles of college. Upper class men, Planet College veterans, not wishing to appear as 'un-hip' as freshmen refine their taste. And this refinement cost money. Plenty of money.

The company of classmates you've been partying with for many semesters is desirable and comforting. When they change, or their taste change, or their spending habits change it can be decision time. Continuing to drink Keystone while every one else is jovially swigging Red Witch, or Ol' Dity Bastard may call for a decision.

Planet College has no advice only the observation that, as Nate has pointed out, college offers opportunities for many different types of decisions. Ultimately, they had been summed up by a fictional college student on leave to attend his father's funeral. Hamlet, or his creator William Shakespeare, said it very well, "To be or not to be." This applies to hip, trendy or cool, and ultimately it says, "Can you afford to be or not to be." As always it is up to you.

You Are Your Resume Part Three

Sorting through the pre-interview process, that is resume distribution and application submittal can be tedious, even irritating, but it is the only way to get through to the next big and critical step in your burgeoning work career, the interview.

Your interview may be causal or formal, it may involve one person or a small committee but the one main component it definitely involves is you. From the posts above you have determined it is important for you to provide accurate information during the various stages leading to the interview.

Now you are representing yourself, in person, and this is the part where You really are Your Resume. The person or people who are interviewing may have questions about you, your attitude, your background and your experience. You should be prepared to present yourself clearly and concisely. Typically the questioning will involve information you have provided which is why it is extremely important that you have supplied accurate information. Don't fib, exaggerate (much) or lie. Those who hire understand you are anxious. But even a hint of dishonesty seriously clouds your desirability as an employee. When the interview has concluded, thank him, her or them and leave.

Here is the super secret, inside scoop, now-it-can-be-told, Planet College exclusive about your interview. What this committee was looking for and will be discussing after you leave is this; "Of the otherwise eligible candidates we have interviewed who, which one, could we actually stand to work with all day?"

That's it. Seriously. You are inexperienced. They know it. You have a lot to offer. They know it. You have a lot to learn. They know it. They could hire any one of dozens of applicants. They know this, too. So. What they really, really consider, all other things being equal, is whether or not your potential co-workers could get through an average work day with you without any further problems than their job already has.

That is it. Finally. As far as you are your resume. Be the person other people could stand to spend an average workday with.

You Are Your Resume. Part One

If you are new to the serious job market you may be some confusion about basics. Basics like resumes, applications and interviews , what they mean and how they apply.
Whether or not you've heard the term or even think you know what it means. A resume is a brief summary of your work or experience as it applies to the position you are seeking. A prevailing standard now in the big workplace called Planet Earth says keep it brief. There are two reasons for this. First the person who is reading it is busy. Second, if you have yet to reach the quarter century mark on Planet Earth you don't have that much experience. At least not the kind that directly applies to any position you may be seeking. So including every paying situation you've had since you started at the drive-up window of WackyTaco may not be necessary.
Keep it simple. Not too artsy. Not too flashy. Simple, plain and clear.
But.
There is one bit of information which is absolutely critical. Your current contact information.
This means that resumes which you are now submitting must contain your current phone number, probably your cell phone.
Whether your resume is electronic or paper, posted on your WebFace page or hand delivered by a uniformed courier, lack of reliable current contact information is one sure way to early elimination from the hiring process.
So, go check right now. Do the resumes you are distributing right now contain the number of the cell phone you are using right now?
If not make that change promptly.

Always ask- even if she's cute.

Jacob was home from school and back working nights at a small convenience store near the beach. Jacob has worked there summers and holiday breaks since high school stocking, pricing and ringing up purchases. It's a few extra bucks in addtion to his daytime job as a lifeguard.

On typical summer weekends the store is crowded with partiers stocking up. Ice, chips, wine and beer, lots and lots of beer are typical purchases. The law in Jacob's home state requires identification to purchase alcohol for anyone who looks under thirty. By now Jacob is pretty experienced in spotting underage buyers and always asks for ID. Well, almost always. On a recent busy Friday of a holiday weekend the store was packed and Jacob was busily ringing up for the beach bound revelers and occasionally asking for ID just in case. In the midst of all this busyness a girl approached Jacob's register with a Fourty. She looked "kinda young" as Jacob recalls but she was also "pretty cute" and had a friendly smile. For the sake of expediency and possibly for the sake of making a friend Jacob skipped the part about asking for proper identification. He rang up the purchase and the girl left.

A few minutes a police detective entered the store accompanied by some local uniformed officers and the girl who had purchased the Fourty. "Did you sell this girl alcohol?" the officer demanded. Jacob was practically dumb struck. "Yes." he replied. "Did you see her identification?" Jacob said he didn't remember.

It was a sting.

The local police in association with that state's Alcohol Licensing Board had a program of sending minors into retail stores to attempt to purchase alcohol. These operations were usually during busy holiday weekend evenings. If the minor was successful the seller was cited. The detective filled out a citation while the officers took Jacob's picture with the girl holding the Fourty. Jacob signed the ticket which was an order to appear in court.

Since that night Jacob has appeared in court. The district attorney has offered him a deal in which if Jacob completes an educational course held over a weekend the charges will be dismissed. The course costs several hundred dollars, just about what Jacob makes in a month at that job.

Expensive lesson. Note it carefully. No matter where you are but especially where money is involved always follow the rules, regulations and guidelines. In retail, if part of your job is selling alcohol always, always, always ask for ID- even if she's cute.

Back To Earth Part Two: What does this company do?

In a hurried swelter of interviews which often accompanies graduation some students get a little lost as to exactly who they are talking to and what they are interviewing for. Sometimes even which company and what it does is unclear.

It is a safe bet that unless your uncle owns the company, you are interviewing for what amounts to an entry level position. Customer Service, Executive Assistant, Marketing Associate these are some of the titles which are available to what the companies call "new hires."

When you are being interviewed it is probably by someone from a department called Human Resources or HR. There often are other individuals at the interview but you will probably be dealing largely with the HR person.

Now, what does this company do?

Beyond the obvious, well known national and even regional or local companies, it is sometimes unclear what a company does. Usually for example with a company called Solid Waste Management Incorporated it isn't too tough to figure that their business has something to do with managing solid waste. If you are in the offices of Airport Car Rental then it wouldn't be unlikely that this company rents cars from offices at the airport.

If, however you find yourself in the offices of National Allied or The Amalgamated Group you might be wondering what exactly this company does.

Here is a Planet College tip for interview success. Ask. Ask the receptionist. You may have to arrive a few minutes early but you've been doing that anyway, right? When you do arrive usually you find the reception area for the company. When you do introduce your self, tell the receptionist you are there for an interview. Check out the walls for posters, advertising or plaques with the company name on it. This is to make sure you are in the right place. If it seems to you that it isn't clear exactly what business this company is in, ask the receptionist.

"Excuse me, I just want to make sure I'm in the right place. What does this company do?"

Ask politely. Be really careful not to sound like your making a joke. (College students have a reputation as fun-loving pranksters. But you are here for an interview for a real job.) Listen carefully to what the receptionist says. And politely repeat it back to her.

This should help cut through the confusion often generated by interviewing at many companies in the same week. It will also save you from the embarrassment some have experienced during interviews when it became apparent that the interviewee did not know what business the company was in.

Good luck!

About that interview or Just exactly what does this company.

Right about now, especially if you are graduating, a big part of Back to Earth from Planet College is jobs. A big part of jobs is just simply getting one. You've probably had several but if you are getting your degree this term then this time the job is a little different. It is the next step and maybe even the first step in your career.

If you are now involved in interviews there are a few basic points to bear in mind. The simple ones may seem obvious but as the TA said at your last class meeting, "Let's review." For any given interview first of all show up on time. In the world of business on time means a few minutes early.

But my boss is an idiot.

Work can be tough sometimes and having an unreasonable boss doesn't help. Most experienced Planet College students have had several jobs while financing their college careers. Along the way most have also had a difficult boss, supervisor or owner. No matter what the position there always seems to be at least one difficult person who has authority or is in control. The forms of unreliability or difficulty are many; clearly favoring one worker over another, issuing conflicting instructions, unreasonable expectations, even perfectionism, for the time available. You've probably seen it and can expand this list.

This can only be frustrating. Especially when you really need this job. And who doesn't?
What to do? Well, first of all quitting, is rarely an option. It is tempting when you are doing your best and it just doesn't seem good enough, at least according to your supervisor.

A little perspective often helps. Recognize it for what it is. A job you need - well OK- a pay check you need now. This job, at least this company, is a lot more important to your supervisor than it is to you. She probably has a great deal invested in her position. This means that being right is real important to her.

So. The solution? Agree. That is it. Just go along and be agreeable. For now realize that this is not the last stop of your career. (And for your cranky bos? It probably is the last stop of her career.)Your opportunities are expanding as you work toward your degree. Keep this in mind for the time you are at work.

Meanwhile complaining about work is a time honored tradition among hardworking, stressed-out students. So go ahead. You are permitted. You will find that almost everyone has or has had a difficult, unreasonable or even impossible boss. Go out with friends after work for pizza and soda or even a beer. Make sure you are a safe distance from your work place and complain away. Enjoy getting all that nasty boss work stuff out. And when you leave work. Leave it there. Things change. They always do. And you will be able to call this just another experience. An experience which will equip you to better deal with some future nasty boss down the road. And believe it, they're waiting for you back on Planet Earth.

Internships

When seeking work, especially meaningful work of the kind which could lead to a career, the subject of internships often arises among students on Planet College.

So it might be time for an intern "orientation".

First internships are rarely paid positions. What is offered is usually a position in an industry in which the intern might want to work, sometimes meals and transportation costs are included. This can add up to a modest sum often in the form of a payment. This payment is sometimes called a stipend. It is not a wage or a salary.

An intern may be asked to do a variety of tasks like getting coffee or taking out the trash or picking up supplies. These are usually under the heading of "gofer" and most internships are really gofer jobs. Still the opportunity to work with professionals who are in the business is helpful.

Interns are notoriously cheerful and upbeat. Which is why many business like them. Interns often provide fresh energy and a new perspective to their daily work .

If you are interested in an internship but might not know how to get started looking, ask at your department office. College departments often receive requests for students who may be interested in an internship.

If you do locate a potential position regard it as seriously as you would any job interview.

Be prepared to talk about what you feel you can contribute to the business for which you are a potential intern. Some students have found that a brief thank you note addressed to the interviewer is not only courteous it also helps keep your name in front of the interviewer.

As with any position for which you may be interviewing a call back within a week to the interviewer is standard practice. This call should be brief and to the point. "If the position is still open I am still interested."

What do you do when you got no class?

A great deal about negotiating Planet College is about all of the small things that add up to a student's day. When you are in class it is pretty easy to be a student. You know the drill. Sit there and look like your taking notes. Occasionally glance at the instructor in order to appear interested. By now you may even have perfected sleeping with your eyes open. If you feel particularly ambitious you may actually be taking notes.
That's class, by now you know how you do it.
What about when you are not in an actual class session. what do you do then? Most of your real student life is outside of the classroom.

What you do with your time and your life outside of the actual classroom will eventually add up to how much time you will spend on Planet College.

Well? Isn't it time you decided when you will get back to Earth? You can greatly help your own cause by focusing your out of class time on completing your degree.

It is up to you.

Are you a student who works or a worker who goes to school?

Most students work at least one job. Many workers attend school. At some point the question becomes are you a student who works or a worker who goes to school? The reply to this question is a matter of emphasis. And emphasis can be quantified by time. Simply put, what do you spend more time on, work or school? During summer the answer is simple. For the most part you spend time at work. You are a worker.

During the rest of the year what do you spend most of your time on? The time you spend will tell the tale. One handy reference is if you spend more time on work than school you are a worker who goes to school. There is a simple but subtle difference here. And it is this difference which may explain your frustration with your college progress so far. Specifically, if you look over your schedule for the past three semesters you might see how much time you are actually spending on work. With this simple formula you may realize that your resources have been allocated to working. Had you put this same emphasis on school you might be progressing faster. But you can't because you need the dollars that work generates. To restate, your time resources are being traded for the money it takes to survive and hopefully finish school.

With this awareness you can make informed decisions. For example you may revise your projected graduation date more realistically. You are going to make it, but it will take longer than you thought. So, press on realizing that you are trading your time for your education. Somewhat indirectly but eventually your efforts will pay off with the degree you seek. Press on.

College Student Available.

Of course you are looking for work because you are always looking for more money. More money means more work and this usually means employment of some kind.

Well, if some employers are asking for college students doesn't it make sense to make as many people as possible aware that you are a college student?

Whatever means you are using to get additional work be sure every application, every notecard on the church bulletin board or local laundromat, every on-line posting includes the phrase College Student available.

As often pointed out on Planet College the term College Student carries some significance beyond the typical Partyer-Gone-Wild connotation. Most of the population has respect for individuals who are attempting to better themselves especially through education. You can use this general impression to your advantage. So remember, what ever the media, remind them " I'm a college student."

The Paycheck Loan Wheel Really Continues.

After having used and paid the paycheck service a few times some students realize they are consistenly coming up short. One solution often employed is to get another loan from another service. This short term but convenient solution soon compunds the initial problem, a funds shortage. At times some students have applied for and recieved several "payday" loans simultaneously. At Planet College the record we've heard of is eight. Maybe you've heard of more. Maybe you've had more.
There is one primary tactic to this costly downward spiral. Stop. Stop getting those expensive short term loans. Especially if you are using one to pay another.
This may seem far far easier said than done. Especialy if the lenders can call you at work or at home reminding you your payment is past due.

If you are in this frustrating position you probably need some help. Help beyond just don't do it.

Loan Management

On Sunday, July First, 2007 in a finance column a student asked about a loan to finish school. The student explained that he (or she) had already taken a small loan for their eduction. They were currently working full time as they had been for most of their college life. This student said that at this point they were finding it difficult to concentrate on school. This was mostly due to their work hours. Thus they were considering a small loan to lighten the load and free up some time to concentrate on graduation. Yet they felt anxious about any more loans which would come due after college. The advisor in the column advised them to take the loan. This exchange brings up a few points about Planet College that are worth noting. First, it was wise of this student to even ask someone about this loan possibility. Often an outside source can cast a light on your situation. This applies to many things but money is so critical that it is almost always a good idea to talk to someone about what is on your mind. Second, this student is following a basic rule of successfully completing your time on Planet College. Keep your loans low. You don't want to return to Planet Earth with too much debt. But in this case this student is aware of the toll that stress working full time is taking. The columnist advised the student to strongly consider the loan. I agree. In this student's situation the loan will help. It will also not add considerably to the students eventual debt.

Something to consider while your on Planet College.