Coplin s Cure for College Confusion Professor Bill Coplin Author of 10 Things Employers Want you to Learn in College Ten Speed Press, 2003. Director Public Affairs Program, Maxwell School and College of Arts and Sciences, Syracuse University
Goal of Presentation Plan Your College Years So You are Ready for the Job Market When You Graduate Starting NOW
Good News About Undergraduate Education Lifetime Earnings: $1.2m for HS grad $2.1m for College Grad $4.4m for professional degree *Based on the Ten Things Employers Want You to Learn in College. {c} Bill Coplin 2003.
Bad News About Undergraduate Education 63% of students who begin at a four-year college do not finish in 4 years and 42% do not finish in 6 years. 67% of graduating seniors in 2007 borrowed a mean average of $22,700. 60% of college graduates plan to live with their parents after graduation. 20% of 450 employers say that students are not prepared for the work force. *Based on the Ten Things Employers Want You to Learn in College. {c} Bill Coplin 2003.
GPA is not as important as your Knowhow Score (KHS) 452 Employers Rank GPA as 17 on a list of 20 skills they are looking for.
Coplin s Cure for College Confusion #29 A college degree and a dollar will get you four quarters.
What s the X? A College Degree and a Dollar Will Get You Four Quarters A College Degree + X = Satisfying Career
Employers rate the importance of candidate qualities/skills 1. Communication skills (verbal and written) 11. Detail oriented 2. Honesty/integrity 12. Leadership skills 3. Teamwork skills (works well with others) 4. Interpersonal skills (relates well to others) 13. Self-confidence 14. Friendly/outgoing personality 5. Strong work ethic 15. Well mannered/polite 6. Motivation/initiative 16. Tactfulness 7. Flexibility/adaptability 17. GPA (3.0 or better) 8. Analytical skills 18. Creativity 9. Computer Skills 19. Sense of humor 10. Organizational Skills 20. Entrepreneurial skills/risk-taker
Ten Basic Know How Skills 1. Work Ethic 2. Physical Skills 3. Verbal Communications 4. Written Communications 5. Working Directly with People 6. Influencing People 7. Gathering Information 8. Using Quantitative Tools 9. Asking and Answering the Right Questions 10. Solving Problems *Based on the Ten Things Employers Want You to Learn in College. {c} Bill Coplin 2003.
1. Establishing a Work Ethic Kick Yourself in the Butt Be Honest Manage Your Time Manage Your Money
Establishing a Work Ethic Kick Yourself in the Butt
Establishing a Work Ethic Manage Your Time
2. Developing Physical Skills Stay Well Look Good Type 35 WPM Error Free Take Legible Notes
3. Communicating Verbally Converse One-on-One Present to Groups Use Visual Displays
4. Communicating in Writing Write Well Edit and Proof Use Word-Processing Tools Send Information Electronically
5. Working Directly with People Build Good Relationships Work in Teams Teach Others
6. Influencing People Manage Efficiently Sell Successfully Politick Wisely Lead Effectively
7. Gathering Information Use Library Holdings Use Commercial Databases Search the Web Conduct Interviews Use Surveys Keep and Use Records
8. Using Quantitative Tools Use Numbers Use Graphs and Tables Use Spreadsheet Programs
9. Asking & Answering the Right Questions Detect Nonsense Pay Attention to Detail Apply Knowledge Evaluate Actions and Policies
10. Solving Problems Identify Problems Develop Solutions Launch Solutions
Resume writing and Interview Skills Why are resume writing and good interview skills not as important as everyone thinks?
Coplin s Cure for College Confusion #15 A good resume must show what you can do, not say what you can do.
Coplin s Cure for College Confusion #31 Start making your resume irresistible long before your senior year.
How would you demonstrate skills to employers Kick yourself in the butt? Good writing skills? Capacity to work in teams?
Practice Makes Almost Perfect We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. Where can you practice these skills?
Places to Practice Coursework School Activities Jobs/internships Summer
Coplin s Cure for College Confusion #51 Even the most boring courses can develop important skills, like building relationships, paying attention to detail and paying dues.
Coplin s Cure for College Confusion #23 Community service gives you the opportunity to develop real-world skills, even if you don t have any.
Coplin s Cure for College Confusion #65 Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society. -Mark Twain
Coplin s Cure for College Confusion #45 Your summer job or internship will teach you more than a year of coursework.
Strategies Build Your Skills Agenda Explore Professional Fields Make Skills-Friendly College, Program and Course Choices Create Your Own Apprenticeship Program Off-Campus Semesters Doing Well By Doing Good During Your College Years Beyond College Graduate School is Not the Best Choice *Based on the Ten Things Employers Want You to Learn in College. {c} Bill Coplin 2003.
Coplin s Cure for College Confusion #56 The right job after college is cheaper and more educational than graduate school.
Coplin s Cure for College Confusion #72 Learn to play tennis or golf, preferably both, if you want to be rich.
Careers Today Require... Career Brand Management Brand Management What do people think about the product me?
Team Activities OPTIONAL Each team will be assigned one of the set of skills Prepare what you will put on the resume to demonstrate the skill Summarize it on one slide
Final Advice Read 10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College Believe in Yourself and Your Future QUESTIONS?