Where can I find a job?

After spending four or more years at Portland State, most graduates have an idea of the resources available to them.

But what about leading up to graduation? Or after?

Last year, PSU merged the Career Center and the Undergraduate Advising and Support Center to create Advising and Career Services.

The school provides a job database called PSU CareerConnect, a web-based system for accessing many different types of jobs, including full-time career-related positions for upcoming graduates and alumni. Information about on-campus interviews with employers recruiting seniors and recent grads is also available.

ACS also provides many workshops designed to help create efficient job search strategies. These workshops help with preparing for interviews and writing resumes and cover letters. A schedule of these workshops can be found on the pdx.edu website.

Ann Mestrovich, employer relations coordinator at ACS, said that it’s very important for students to create a LinkedIn account. She said that LinkedIn is the electronic version of a resume and the professional version of Facebook.

“LinkedIn lets you start thinking about your own branding, and how you want potential employers and other people you might want to network with, to see you,” Mestrovich said.

LinkedIn gives you the ability to join different groups and like different organizations based on the field of work you are considering going into.

Mestrovich said that on the ACS website, there is a large list of different job search sites. Each link provides a description of what type of jobs can be found. These sites include Mac’s List, Oregon Employment Department, CampusPoint and other tips and resources.

To add to that list, Mestrovich suggested looking at the Portland Business Journal because it provides so much information about events going on around the city. The Journal requires a subscription online, which she suggests may be worth it, but the ACS office also has them in the office for students to look at.

Another important resource is your department’s advising office. Each major most likely has job opportunities posted, or at least different places to start looking.

In a Monster.com article, “10 Job Search Mistakes of New College Grads,” the main concerns are not being proactive, setting expectations too high and failing to follow up with prospective employers.

Finding a job can be easy or difficult, depending on many variables. Recent grads must to take advantage of the fact that they have many professors and college staff available to help them.

Setting realistic expectations is important to keep in mind. Students need to be willing to broaden their interests at the start, because the perfect job may not come along immediately.

Internships are always a possibility and can be beneficial if they end up leading to a permanent position.

A good thing to keep in mind is that, though summertime is approaching, these next few months are key to get a head start in the job search if you haven’t already. The internet is not the only way to go about searching. Make sure you look
professional and start bringing resumes and cover letters to anywhere that interests you. Being proactive and
persistent shows different companies that you really want to be a part of their community.

Mestrovich said it’s important to have an “elevator pitch” ready for whenever you go to any function where you could meet new people. An example would be to introduce yourself, your major, your main interest, and one of the attributes you could bring to the table in a professional setting.