World of Work: What Employers Are Looking For...
If you feel lost in a world of over 25,000 job titles you are not alone. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average American will be involved in four (4) or more careers and average less than two years at a job. To even further complicate matters, higher education statistics indicate that the average student considers five (5) to seven (7) majors during his/her college experience. Attrition in the first year of college is unbelievably high — less than one-half (1/2) of the freshman who enter college return for their sophomore year.
80% to 85% of the job market is "hidden." This means that eight or nine out of ten jobs are never advertised. These are usually filled by personal and professional referrals or promoting employees from within. If you are interested in a particular field of study, take a job, any job, in that field. Perhaps it may lead no where, or it could help you determine that this is not the field for you, or better yet, you could be accepted into a trainee program that will give you an unique opportunity to "test the waters" before you make a two or four-year educational commitment.
Desired Skills:
- Interpersonal Skills
- Teamwork Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Oral Communication Skills
- Flexibility
- Computer Skills
- Written Communication Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Work Experience
- Internship Experience
- Co-op Experience
Personal Characteristics:
- Honesty/Integrity
- Motivation/Initiative
- Communication Skills
- Self-confidence
- Flexibility
- Interpersonal Skills
- Strong Work Ethic
- Teamwork Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Enthusiasm
(Source: Job Outlook '98, National Association of Colleges and Employers, Bethlehem, PA.)
