I was thinking today about how I had no idea what positions to look for when I searching for jobs and internships. I just remember that my thought process in college was, "Oh, I'm good with databases. I will be a database administrator because it is a position that was listed on so-and-so's website and it has to do with databases".
I think it is important to identify what you enjoy and what you think you would like to do after college. It's the best first step that you can take. Let's be honest, none of us really know what we want to be, but we have a pretty good idea and that's all that matters.
Once that is identified it is time to search and you search for what you like to do. Well, I like to study music and new artists, so I will be a.....hmmm. I don't really know what that is called. A new music study-er and listener of artists that play instruments? So, this person starts to search online for positions and finds a few that sound like they fit and start applying.
This is the equivalent of treading water while having a couple of bricks chained to your ankles. That's right - you will drown, or in our case not find a job. You need to think about finding a job in a different way. Start by researching the companies that you enjoy. You don't enjoy any companies? Sure you do, you just don't realize it.
When you're listening to music, the album is produced by a studio, distributed by a record label, and sold through many music distributors. Look on the back of an album or your favorite band's website for companies that they are involved with. Look at the stores where you buy the music. Look at the websites and blogs and magazines where you study and learn about new artists. Now, look for the career pages on these websites for these companies, and see what kind of entry-level positions they have. They may not have the position of your dreams listed, but they will probably have a position listed that will allow you to get your foot in the door and a few years from now have that position of your dreams.
You will find realistic opportunities this way, rather then searching for positions blindly (while treading water with cement - you get the point). Graduating from college does not guarantee you Awesome Position 2007. You still have to fight and claw your way into a position among hundreds of thousands of other graduates.
Who knows? After a few years working entry-level and learning the ropes you could be [insert dreamy position here] (in case you were getting sick of the music listener and study-er position).
