Graduation and Growing Up Isn't Easy

By Christina Ripley

Am I the only one that feels like the end of the semester can be very anticlimactic? The last day of class comes and goes, followed by an intense week of stress. Then in a flash everyone is gone. Campus is empty. Maybe I’m just feeling extra nostalgic this year because when I pack up my room and drive home, I won’t be moving back. I’ll graduating and joining the ranks of annoying alumni who crowd Harry’s during football weekends and have terrible breakfast club costumes.

Senior year is definitely a weird time: weirder than senior year of high school in my opinion. No one knows where they will be in a year or what they will be doing. It’s pretty intimidating! Here are my tips for surviving the awkward time known as senior year:

1)      Stay busy. I know a number of seniors who take easy classes and just party all semester. It sounds fun, but these are also the same people who seem to be in a state of arrested development after graduation. So get involved with an on campus internship, an organization or a job. Staying busy helps keep your priorities in line and can help you deal with moving on from Purdue.

2)      Spend time with your friends. My last tip might have sounded like I’m anti-fun, but that is completely off the mark. Go to the bars and hang out with friends. Enjoy the time you have left on campus and develop lasting relationships. You never know when you might see someone again!

3)      Look for a job. Don’t put it off until the end of the semester! I know it’s scary to think about moving on, but avoiding looking for permanent employment ensures that the only place you will be moving is back to your parent’s house. The economy is still making job searches tough, so give yourself extra time to find opportunities. They will come along. Have faith!

4)      Order Insomnia cookies whenever possible.

Most importantly, just try and keep a positive attitude. You aren’t the only person who has to transition. Things will work out! And remember, the staff at LACD is here to help.

What is Networking?

By Christina Ripley

Let me just say this: my mom is absolutely amazing. She has managed to find me two different internships, one which may lead to permanent employment. How does she find all of these internships? Simple; she is an amazing networker.

Networking is basically getting to know new people. It's a fancy term, but that is basically what it boils down to. In the same way that knowing a wide range of people can get you into fun parties during Grand Prix as a student, knowing a wide range of professionals can help you land an amazing job. Developing strong professional relationships can result in many new opportunities and exciting career paths.

But remember, networking is a two way street. If you want help, you must be willing to help others in return.

Tonight from 6:30-8 join LACD in the Beering lobby and network with some outstanding local business representatives. Who knows what opportunities may present themselves? It's all about talking to the right person at the right time. So don't miss out! Attend LACD's Networking Happy Hour tonight. Learn more about the companies/reps attending by visiting the LACD website http://www.cla.purdue.edu/careers/.

What is Audience Analysis and how can it help you land a job?

By Christina Ripley

Interested in hearing the most important concept I learned in my Professional Writing classes? I credit learning this concept with helping me land 4 different internships and graduate with a 3.8 cumulative GPA. No, this has nothing to do with memorizing a truckload of grammar rules. It is about a concept called “audience analysis.”

Audience analysis involves understanding exactly who you are writing for, and shaping your language and arguments to fit the audience to make your writing relatable. It’s a really important skill to learn. Up until now, most students are used to writing for a specific type of audience: namely a teacher. After graduation, that audience is going to become completely different, so you need to be prepared.

How can audience analysis be used to land a job? Well, consider this: when creating a cover letter for a job, first research the company. Take note of the way the company employees write on the website. Do they use formal language? Informal? What are the goals of the company? If you had to guess, what type of person would be their ideal employee? An IBM employee would communicate in a completely different way than an Apple employee. And the style of communication may change based on a department within the company. So do your research!

Now, when writing your cover letter, write with this audience in mind. Use the same type of language and focus on the same skills that the company prides itself on.

A piece of writing that doesn’t consider the audience is not persuasive, memorable or effective. Worst of all, the reader won’t care about what you writing about. So next time you create a blog post, article or even a tweet, think about who you are communicating with and shape your writing to fit their needs.

The Worst Career Advice

Seniors,

By Christina Ripley

Graduation is quickly approaching. Can you believe it? I ordered my cap and gown last weekend: a bittersweet moment. Now more than ever I am taking to heart career advice, because I feel that the transition between student and young professional is beginning. Interestingly enough, I stumbled on an article this morning titled "The Worst Career Advice." Any guesses to what the author thought was the worst advice to give young professionals? Here it is:

"Do what you love."

Huh? How can that be the worst piece of career advice? Isn't that what we've been hearing since career day in elementary school?

Obviously, becoming involved in a career you are passionate about is important. If you are involved in a career path that your find interesting and rewarding, you will be more enthusiastic and motivated at work. That's not why this advice is bad.

"Do what you love" can imply to young professionals that pursuing a career path you love will lead to a complete and successful life. This notion is entirely false. No "dream job" will make your life complete. There will always be frustrating situations present at any job: obnoxious co-workers, demanding clients, you name it. Believing that one particular career path is perfect for you is both naive and harmful. Depression rates for men and women in their twenties is on the rise, mainly because they end up feeling dissatisfied with their life if they are not involved if they feel that their career path is not perfect. 

Do you want to know the real secret to happiness and success? Creating close relationships with people is key! My dad once told me that his greatest memories were not ones that happened at a successful day of work, but the memories he made with his friends and family. It's cheesy but true!

Read the full article here