My College Days

GUEST POST: Graduated and without a Job? Navigating your Job Search after College

2012-04-10T15:34:53Z

This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, who writes on the topics of online universities advice. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: katherynrivas87@gmail.com.

There’s often nothing scarier than graduating from college and having no idea what you’re going to do with your life. After all, you may have been told that this is precisely what college is for—to prepare you for a future rewarding career. While this can be true, the real purpose of college, in my mind at least, is to develop the ability to think critically about any given topic. This will prepare you for the work that you eventually do, no doubt, but that doesn’t mean you’ll know your exact career path once you get your diploma. If you find yourself jobless upon graduation, here are a few tips for discovering your career path, based on my experiences being unemployed when I first graduated.

Search your alumni database for potential job leads.

This, in my experience, has historically been the greatest untapped resource in terms of securing future employment. Of course, contacting alumni won’t directly get you a job, but it can help you figure out what you want to do with the help of people who were once in your position at the same school and now have succeeded. Find alumni in your area who are pursuing careers you are considering, and ask to meet with them for lunch.

Don’t necessarily take the first job you get, but don’t be too picky either.

When you’re looking for your first job, there will be long periods of time with no response from any applications, and then you may hit a spell when you’re getting interview after interview. It’s best to seek a middle ground between holding out for that dream job (which, for most people, doesn’t happen until years later) and taking the very first thing that’s offered to you. Accept a job that you feel you can conceivably excel at and a company whose culture you mesh well with.

Consider seeing a career counselor.

Many recent graduates will finish schooling having absolutely no idea what they want to do with their lives. If this is the case for you, it may be beneficial to visit a career counselor, who can help you access your strengths, weaknesses, and personality traits to determine which type of career you would do well in and would enjoy. For more information about what a career counselor does, check out this page on the Princeton Review website.

Network, network, network.

Most good entry-level jobs you will not find on job boards or classifieds sections of newspapers. You’ll have to get more creative with your job search. The most important aspect of finding a good job is getting one through someone you know. As such, widening the scope of “people you know”—also known by its cruder name, networking—is absolutely essential. You can do this by joining different young professionals groups in your area, attending conferences in your target industry, or merely doing something you enjoy—like participating in informal adult sports leagues—that requires group participation with strangers.

Finding a job in this economy, of course, is no easy task. But if you keep being persistent, you’ll an excellent first job eventually. Good luck!

Filed under: Graduation, Guest Post Tagged: College, Graduation, Guest Post

GRADUATION

2012-02-06T15:58:48Z

It came, we concurred and it STUCK! 16^th January 2012 was a day of reckoning for me and all those that celebrated with me my Graduation from College. It was the best culmination of 3 years of hard work and dedication.

It all started at 6am when i woke up to prepare for the unexpectedly great day. We drove to the University freedom square with my parents where the function was to take place. Like all other graduation days, the trip to freedom square was slow but enjoyable despite the traffic.

By 9am, i was already seated in the Graduates tent at freedom square just in time for the function as the Chancellor and his procession had just got in. The function started with award of PhD’s for the several candidates followed by Master Degree awards and finally Bachelors and Diploma’s.

I waited patiently in our tent for my name to be read and when it was finally read, it was all smiles and joy for me and all my fellow graduates as we raised our Graduant Hats up high for every one to see.

After my name was read, i left freedom square with my classmates and took our final class picture that would seal our journey together for last 3yrs in our memories forever. We were all jolly and looking good on this memorable day whose journey started on the same grounds during our fresher orientation 3 years ago.

My Classmates

At home everyone was waiting congratulate me. Aunts, Uncles, cousins, Grand parents, Parents, Brothers, Sisters and Friends all made it to my big day and shared a very special luncheon with me to celebrate this big day.

Besides the celebrations, I also got to meet relatives I had no met in years. Uncles, Aunts and Cousins i last saw when i was a child all showed up on my day. It was emotional for me and I am so glad they came to celebrate with me.

16^th January 2012 is day never to be forgotten for me.

Let me take this opportunity to thank my parents for facilitating my education and ensuring that they educate me to this stage and “I won’t disappoint them“. I also thank my siblings for all the support they gave me. Great thanks go out to all my relatives and friends that supported me and to those who came to witness my graduation. Finally, I would like to thank YOU the readers of this blog for all the loyalty, reading and various kinds of support you gave me.

It’s been an HONOUR for me to reach this great mile storm and I AM GOING TO ACHIEVE MORE.

At the time of posting, i am working as a Volunteer Biologist in aWildlifePark as you can read some of the previous posts. So i guess my career as a Biologist is just getting stated.

My future plans are to advance my career as a Biologist through getting hands on field experience and later going for further education for MSc and PhD. THE JOURNEY JUST GOT STARTED.

This is my final post on this blog so let me close off by saying, THE QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE IS AN ONGOING PROCESS AND WILL GO ON NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF QUALIFICATION YOU ACHIEVE. SO TO ALL OF YOU, KEEP READING AND EDUCATING YOURSELF and like Steve Jobs (RIP) put it, “STAY HUNGRY, STAY FOOLISH”…. And always “FOLLOW YOUR HEART”!

Before i sign off i would like to share somethings with you…..

This is my Transcript (I had to black out lots of sections in order to protect myself and for privacy concerns).

Your the Judge.

Finally, i would like to share the following songs with these special people…

Going out to all my Classmates and Fellow Graduants ……

Friends for Forever (Graduation Song) – Vitamin C

Going out to all the Mysterious Girls……..

Mysterious Girls – Peter Andre

Going out to all you all of you Guys and everyone that played a part in my achievement,,

Thank you -DIDO

THANK YOU ALL

Joash Mabs (BSc Biochemistry & Zoology)

Filed under: girls, Graduation, Volunteering Tagged: College, girls, Graduation, Volunteering

D-DAY

2012-01-15T10:23:44Z

It’s just a few away from Graduation Day and all is now set for the big day. In the 3 days since i returned from the park, i have been running up and down making sure all is all set and no mikstakes to be made.

So far i have already processed my invitation cards, gown, booklet and most importantly my transcript. I was surprised when i got my transcript since it takes a long time for most people to get theirs but i guess it was my lucky day.

Now armed with my Transcript i can fairly compete for jobs since it’s one of the requirements. I’ll take it with me to the park and try landing a job there.

All i am left with regarding graduatiuon is attending the Ceremony on Monday, 16th January 2012 then i get a Certificate after. I am planning on taking lots of pictures so expect quite a number of them by the end of the week.

For now i have to go and finish with preparations………. XOXO

Follow all the Graduation Updates on my Twitter Page

Filed under: Graduation, Volunteering, year 3 Tagged: College, Graduation, Volunteering, year 3

COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION DAY

2012-01-11T12:53:14Z

It’s 5 days to the big day. The day i’ve been looking forward to since i was admitted into college over 3 years ago. The Day of my Graduation.

It’s not been easy to get to this day, as you can read in the previous posts here, College has been very tiring for me. But i gladly finished it without repeating a course so i am proud of myself.

I am now doing Volunteer work in at a Wildlife Park in a field that i love a lot (Conservation) and it’s not the boring office work that everyone yarns for, i am doing loads and loads of field work.

I have come this far and i know i can achieve more through my commitment and patience. I hope Graduation Day will not mark the start of of dark future but a start of life of opportunities and loads of decision making. Whatever happens, i am going to succeed no matter what.

D Day is Monday 16^th January 2012. I will post as many pictures as i can. Till that day, Stay Safe…

Filed under: Graduation, Volunteering, year 3 Tagged: College, Graduation, Volunteering, year 3

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE PARK

2012-02-06T16:22:32Z

Happy New Year people and hope your enjoying 2012.

I am now half way through my volunteer work at the park and the experiences I’ve had so far have been so many. The past 3 months have been so informative as I’ve learnt a lot and i am looking forward to more experiences in the next 3 months.

When i started working at the park, i was attached to the Monitoring and Research department (MR) and it’s one of the most interesting units of the park. Other departments include Administration and Finance, Law Enforcement, Tourism and Community Conservation. Considering my educational background, the MR department was my best fit.

The MR unit does several activities such as Controlled Burning of the park, Fire Fighting, Animal rescue (where we treat sick and wire snared animals like elephants), Collecting samples from sick and dead animals, Supervise research activities in the park, Mapping burnt areas, Maintain the GIS database, Prepare Monthly and Quarterly reports, among others.

I have also met a lot of new people and now that i am living alone I’ve got a feel on how living like a bachelor feels like. So far, the experiences I’ve had have been the best.

Right now i am hoping to stay longer than the six months i was given so towards the end of my program i will talk to the Park Manager and see how he can help me stay longer.

They say pictures Here are some pictures from my several adventures at the park. I hope you enjoy them .

Click to view slideshow.
Filed under: Volunteering Tagged: College, Volunteering

Volunteer Work at a Wildlife Park

2011-12-10T07:39:49Z

In an earlier post, i hinted about my plans to do Volunteer work in order to build on my working experience so i could compete fairly for jobs with other graduates in future.

Well, i have just confirmed that i will be heading to a Wildlife Park on Friday, 7^th October 2011 to do Volunteer work in Wildlife Conservation and Tourism. I’ve been quite busy during the past month to secure this placement and i am glad i finally go it. The placement will last 6 months (till April 2012) and i am more than ready to take it up.

My expectations: I hope to gain loads of experience especially in wildlife conservation and this will hopefully give me certain advantages when i decide to go for further studies. 6 months is good experience but i will need more. I also hope to have a good time.

The area where I will be working is very remote (it’s along the equator and a rift valley) but that is a good thing because i was becoming fed up of the city and what i need right now is a place that is calm where i will be able to relax and reminisce about my time at college.

I don’t really know if this will be a relaxing task since wildlife work involves lots of hard work and dedication but what i am certain about is that this is going to be a different experience from those i have had before. I have only been to a wildlife park once (in April during field course) and it wasn’t that bad. However, this particular park where i am going to work is very different and much bigger (764 sq miles). I am also there on a different role so i must expect a different experience.

This park has has many mammal species (95 species) such as Hippopotamuses, Elephants, Leopards, Lions, Chimpanzees, Buffaloes (and so many more). It also has lots of birds (500 spp) and reptiles. So it’s going to be a completely new experience, new opportunities and challenges but i am ready for everything.

Hippopotamuses

The Kob

Since the area where i will be working is very remote, I don’t know if I will have Internet access, but in case do, I will be posting regularly or whenever i can here. I will also be posting daily updates to my Twitter page so make sure you catch me then.

Filed under: trips, vacation, Volunteering Tagged: College, trips, vacation, Volunteering

WHAT NEXT?

2011-08-10T16:17:28Z

Credit: photos.thefirstpost.co.uk

It’s been long since my last post, but i wasn’t just as idle as the blog. I am currently battling with thoughts of what i am going to do next after graduation in January 2012.

Ideally i would be expected to get a job and start working. But it’s not as easy as it sounds. Getting a job is a tough thing, if your not lucky to scoop up opportunities in some private pharmaceutical companies that don’t require working experience, you must have connections to “big guys” mostly in government that can get you onto some job offers.

Unfortunately i have none of the above so far so i have to do it the hard way. I have to do couple of internship and lots of volunteering (working for free) in order to get at least 1 years experience or more that most employers require. That means for next 1 or 2 years i have to work for free before i can get a chance of being employed. Kinda sucks!!

Lucky for me is that i have a pending MSc fellowship (thanks to my undergraduate Zoology supervisor) but i need to have my undergraduate degree transcripts before i can take it up. The transcripts will be due in November this year so till then i have to wait. I have sent in a couple of applications for internships so i am expecting calls from some of them by the end of the month.

The next year or so is going to be crucial in what i do in the years to come. For now it looks like i am headed for further studies (MSc) and before that i will be doing internship to build up my work experience.

That’s what next for me. Till my next post, stay safe and do good.

If you like my posts, you can follow me on Twitter for more.

Filed under: Graduation, Internship, vacation, year 3 Tagged: College, Graduation, Internship, vacation, year 3

Genomics and Bioinformatics Workshop Materials

2011-07-09T16:04:31Z

The BLAST page: http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi

It’s been a couple of weeks since the end of the Bioinformatics workshop. As usual, i learnt a lot in this workshop.

The workshop lasted 9 days. Each day was made up of 3 sessions. The first session was a short lecture about Genomics followed by a tea break then a Tutorial in session 2 where we did hands-on work on how to use several Bioinformatics online tools such as BLAST, ORF Finder, Gene Alignment among others. We also used several genomics software such as MEGA and Crystal in the tutorials. On some days we had discussions of several papers on Genomics research. At the end of each day, we filled out a short survey about our experience in the sessions of that day.

On the last day (Day 9) we filled out a final survey and we were awarded certificates of attendence and flash drives. I have compiled some of the materials we used during the workshop. It includes Tutorial guides, Papers and genome files. You can find them here

Each day is represented by a folder. Enjoy!

Bioinformatics and Genomics Workshop Materials

Filed under: vacation, workshop, year 3 Tagged: College, vacation, workshop, year 3

BIOINFORMATICS AND GENOMICS WORKSHOP

2011-06-06T12:51:25Z

It’s that time of the year again when Workshops and Internship are the order of the Day.

This time, i am attending a Bioinformatics and Genomics workshop sponsored by Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Lewis Clark College.

The workshop is going to last 9 days and will take place betweeen June 6th to June 9th and June 13th to June 17th 2011.

During the event, we will learn how to use various Genomics software and databases such as BLAST, Galaxy, GenBank, ClustalW, MEGA among others.

Here is the schedule of the workshop.

Week 1 (June 6th to June 9th 2011)

6th June – Bioinformatics and Genomics Introduction and DNA/RNA/Protein Overview: Using NCBI and Navigating Genbank Record
7th June – Sequencing, Sequence Searching, and Pairwise Alignments: Using BLAST
8th June – Protein Alignment and Structure: Using ClustalW and Cn3D
9th June – Sequence Analysis and Phylogenetic Trees: Using MEGA5

Week 2 (June 13th to June 17th 2011)

13th June – WGS and High Throughput Sequencing: Using Genome Browsers
14th June – Gene prediction: Using GENSCAN and ORF Finder
15th June – Non-coding and Repetitive DNA and RNA: Using mirEval
16th June – Genome-wide studies: Using Galaxy
17th June – Workshop post-assessment and reception

Looking forward learning new things.

Filed under: workshop, year 3 Tagged: College, workshop, year 3

EXAM TIMETABLE

2011-05-09T07:56:46Z

It’s Exam period again and these are going to be my last undergraduate exams. For this reason, i have to work so hard so that i get to graduate in January 2012.

Here is the timetable of the exams;

Tuesday, 10th May 2011 – Animal Behavior
Thursday, 12th May 2011 – Genetics
Monday, 16th May 2011 – Pharmacology and Toxicology
Tuesday, 24th May 2011 – Industrial Biochemistry
Thursday, 26th May 2011 – Clinical Biochemistry and Disease Processes

I like this timetable because it’s well spaced out so i will have enough study time.

Can’t wait to graduate.

Check out updates on Twitter

Filed under: Exams, timetable, year 3 Tagged: College, Exams, timetable, year 3