6 months later...

A year ago, I can honestly say I had no idea where I would be today. I graduated from St. Norbert College in May 2010 and the months leading up to graduation were extremely stressful for me as I’m sure it is for every college student. I almost wish I would have gone on to graduate school. Not that that would have been the easy way out, but at least I could have had a little bit more time before I decided what I wanted to be when I grew up! Granted my student loans would have been even more harrowing than they are now, but at least I could have postponed my career decisions a little longer.

Getting into the HR field after college is next to impossible. I’m not knocking on HR professionals; I understand that you need to have the experience before you have your first meeting with a disgruntled employee. But how can a recent graduate get that experience if they’re not given the chance in the field? I had to start being creative and doing anything and everything I could to find the magical door into HR.

The only advice I can offer to a college student looking to enter the workforce is take whatever kind of experience is available to you, network until you’re blue in the face, and be as involved as you possibly can.

I was very fortunate to try my skills in a paid HR internship my senior year of college. I learned much more than I ever thought I would. I was on the Benefits Advisory Committee that discussed employee benefits. I was able to sit in on employee relations meetings. I had the chance to interview candidates for a number of job opportunities within the organization. I even had the ability to expand the department within the organization by creating innovative training opportunities for employees, new informative ways to educate employees on benefits, and rearrange employee information to ensure efficiency.

I was also heavily involved in our school’s HR group, SNC SHRM. I got involved in my second year at St. Norbert and ran for the position of President in my third year. I served in the President role my junior and senior year and cannot even begin to explain the knowledge I gained. I traveled all over the Midwest to conferences at the State, Local and National levels. I met many professionals who were more than happy to answer any questions I could think of or offer helpful tips. I only wish I would have been less shy and asked anything and everything that popped into my mind. (I feel a namedrop is necessary...so thanks akabruno/Stollak!!)

I am privileged to say that six months after graduating from St. Norbert, I am using my degree as a Staffing Consultant in the Appleton, WI area. I accepted the position I am currently serving in two weeks prior to my graduation ceremony. I don’t want to say that it was luck, but that’s definitely what it felt like and continues to feel like. I am interviewing candidates, talking with clients and customers, making hiring decisions, learning all about Unemployment and labor laws, trying to spring the company into the social media sector, and learning the importance of proper recruiting.

Will all college graduates be as fortunate as me to be working six months out of school? Absolutely not. I have friends who graduated from St. Norbert the same time as me and are either still unemployed or are working but not using their degree. I guess what I’m trying to say with this long-winded blog post is, please keep your head up and don’t get discouraged. The right opportunity will come along. Continue to network and meet professionals who can help. It really will make all the difference.