PROFESSIONAL ADVICE


ogy, field geophysics, field surveying, etc.) and other relevant coursework. Employers typically aren’t as inter- ested in high school accomplishments, one notable exception being if you were valedictorian of your high school gradu- ating class. That’s worth including on your resume.


For freshman and sophomore stu- dents, don’t worry about not having enough college coursework and expe- rience to fill the page. It’s OK to fall back on high school achievements and experience in this case. Chances are that underclass students will be looking for summer internships or research assis- tantships, which help build your resume. It’s important to realize that you aren’t expected to have a lot of experience for these kinds of positions, so don’t worry about it. Just show your enthusiasm, emphasize your work ethic and com- municate your eagerness to participate, learn and contribute.


Tailor your resume to fit different job opportunities. Have more than one ver- sion of your resume ready. This is often just a matter of changing the objective statement and possibly rearranging the order of relevant coursework and work experience. For example, you may want to have different versions for seek- ing positions in: consulting engineer- ing; environmental consulting; mining or oil and gas exploration; mining/oil and gas production; geophysics; aca- demia; government; or for an internship, work study program, co-op position or research assistantship.


Have someone review and proof your resume before you submit it. The peer review process is an integral component of a career as a professional. Others can see things in your writing that you may not see. This is part of the continuous improvement process that you’ll be hear- ing more about during your professional career.


Interviews and Career Fairs


Interviews can be uncomfortable and


difficult, especially at first. As you have more interviews, they become easier and your comfort level and self-confidence increase significantly. Employers look for people who are articulate, self-con- fident, polished and assertive. Those who have a naturally occurring soft voice should try to project a bit louder when they interact with a prospective employer during an interview or at a career fair.


www.aipg.org


Prepare for the interview by finding out what the employer does with regard to their business, their corporate culture and community service.


Phone interviews are OK. They’ve become common. A phone interview can lead to an in-person interview or even a job offer. It can also be a dead-end if you don’t make a good first impression.


As hard as it may seem sometimes during interviews, be comfortable, relax and be yourself. Emphasize what you have to offer and how you can contribute to what the employer does.


Attend career fairs. They’re free and offer a broad perspective on which indus- tries and companies are looking for tal- ented and capable young professionals, as well as the kinds of jobs available in the job market. Consider your brief encounter with the recruiters at the career fair to be a mini interview. Making a good first impression is key to getting an interview.


Don’t worry about not having enough experience when interviewing for an entry level professional position. Entry level people aren’t expected to have expe- rience. Although summer internship experience is a plus, it’s most important to convince the prospective employer that you’re the person they’re looking for, the person they should hire and invest in. Emphasize your enthusiasm, work ethic and eagerness to contribute to their success as you learn and grow and develop as a professional.


Employers may request examples of reports you’ve written. Be prepared to provide these as a follow up to an inter- view. Most employers don’t expect entry level people to have advanced written communication skills, so any examples of well written technical reports you can provide are a big plus in leading to a job offer. Good technical writing skills can help set you apart from other applicants.


Believe in yourself. Be self-confident. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. We all make them. Exercise due care and cau- tion in what you do, but don’t intimidate yourself by fear of making mistakes. I see students, young professionals and even seasoned veteran geologists and engineers who are so apprehensive about making mistakes that they can’t function at an optimum level. We learn from our mistakes and as a result become better at what we do.


Job Sector Preferences


The job market has various sectors. The different sectors have their own par- ticular advantages and disadvantages


with regard to location, salaries, stabil- ity, sustainability, and lifestyle. What one person perceives as an advantage may be perceived as a disadvantage by others.


Generally speaking, jobs in the con- sulting engineering, environmental consulting, academic and government sectors tend to be more abundant, have a wider geographic range, are more sus- tainable and more conducive to a stable lifestyle. These job market sectors tend to be more attractive to those seeking stability and sustainability, including those who wish to settle down and raise a family.


Jobs in the exploration and production sectors (oil, gas, mining) tend to offer more in the way of adventure, excitement and exhilaration. These job market sec- tors tend to offer more and better oppor- tunities for travel and adventure, as well as higher salaries. They can be very appealing to college graduates who are young, single, and who are comfortable with a more transient lifestyle. These are all things worth considering when chart- ing your career path. Different strokes for different folks.


Dream Job vs. Starter Job


Have a vision. Chart your course. Set your sights high. Set your standards high.


Be proud of who you are and where you’ve come from. For Michigan Tech students, know that your university has a strong reputation and holds a promi- nent place in the engineering and sci- ences world. Tech grads are well received and sought after by employers.


Your first job may not be your dream job. Chances are it won’t be.


Be patient. Sometimes the right opportunity takes time to develop.


Continued on p. 39 Jan.Feb.Mar 2019 • TPG 33


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