{"id":46000,"date":"2020-12-14T12:48:58","date_gmt":"2020-12-14T18:48:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/?post_type=advice&p=46000"},"modified":"2020-12-14T12:48:58","modified_gmt":"2020-12-14T18:48:58","slug":"how-to-avoid-an-entry-level-job-after-finishing-college","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/advice\/how-to-avoid-an-entry-level-job-after-finishing-college\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Avoid an Entry-Level Job After Finishing College"},"content":{"rendered":"

No matter what took you out of the classroom or how long you\u2019ve been away, <\/span>finishing college<\/span><\/a> is always a great idea. However, there are some challenges you should be ready to face: picking the right <\/span>program<\/span><\/a>, finding <\/span>financial aid<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>balancing<\/span><\/a> work and life and, of course, finding a job after graduation. Arguably, the biggest reason for going back to school is to advance your career, and if you\u2019re not moving up within your current company, then you\u2019ll likely be on the job hunt after you walk across the stage. You likely have years of work experience backing up your shiny, new degree, so it makes sense for you only to go up from here, even if your degree is in a new field! But that\u2019s not always the case; a new advanced degree doesn\u2019t always make you impervious to placement in an entry-level job. So to keep your forward momentum going, here are some steps you can take to make sure you\u2019re ready for the role you want:<\/span><\/p>\n

Get Even More Experience:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

You probably have years of experience in the workforce, which means you have an extensive repertoire of hard and soft skills. While you might think this makes you an ideal candidate, you would be wise to get a few internships or fellowships on your r\u00e9sum\u00e9. Employers are looking for specific experiences that demonstrate your ability in a particular field. So, if you\u2019re going back to school to break into a new industry, or even if you\u2019re moving laterally, an internship can set you apart as the ideal candidate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a non-traditional student, you likely have other obligations that make getting an internship a little more difficult. But that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s impossible! Work with the career services department at your institution to find an opportunity that fits your schedule and will help you gain new skills. Most internships last 3 to 6 months, some opportunities require less time. Internships also help build your network and get your foot in the door with potential employers. According to a <\/span>2019 survey<\/span><\/a> conducted by the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE), more than 70% of interns were offered a job from their company at the conclusion of their internship.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Network:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

One advantage that non-traditional students have is that they know how to network and have been doing it for some time. During your years of experience, you\u2019ve likely built a strong network of professionals who can vouch for your work ethic. Tap into this network and let them know you\u2019re looking for a position. A personal recommendation can go a long way with a recruiter. Carve out some time to keep growing your network while you\u2019re in school. Again, you probably don\u2019t have as much time or flexibility as a traditional undergraduate might have, but there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Institutions will typically host networking or career events to help students meet potential employers, requiring less time from you but otherwise making a big impact on your job search. Make an appointment with the career center beforehand to make sure your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is perfect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn How to Market Your Experience:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t yet guessed that the career services office at your school is your best weapon, here\u2019s more proof. The career services office has a dedicated team of professionals who have years of experience helping students market their education and experience. Many institutions offer lifetime services for alumni, so they have plenty of experience helping professionals at every career stage. Make an appointment with them as early as possible; it\u2019s never too early to start. They can help you write a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter that communicate your expertise and skills. They can also coach you on how to convey your work experience during a job interview. This extra support will ensure that you\u2019re prepared to prove why the position you want should be yours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If All Else Fails\u2026 Take the Job:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

You might not want to, but taking that entry-level job is not the end of the world. Don\u2019t be discouraged! You shouldn\u2019t look at this as settling for second best. An entry-level job can provide invaluable experience and prove to your employer that you\u2019re serious about learning and earning your way up the ladder. Once you have your degree and some extra experience, regardless of the level, you\u2019ll be exponentially more marketable and valuable to employers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finishing college can be a daunting task, and you\u2019re wise to make sure the money and the time will result in the job you want. While there are no guarantees in life, we are pretty confident that you can land your dream job if you utilize your tools and resources. Even if you don\u2019t, you will continue gaining valuable experience on your life-long journey of learning and meaningful work. <\/span>Abound: Finish College<\/span><\/a> is here to help you every step of the way. Check out the <\/span>schools<\/span><\/a> we trust to find your match for when you are ready to take that first step toward finishing your degree.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

No matter how much professional experience you have, finishing college is always a great idea! But once you do so, how do you avoid an entry-level position? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":46001,"template":"","class_list":["post-46000","advice","type-advice","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","abound_advice_topics-career-outlook","abound_advice_topics-student-success","abound_advice_topics-thinking-about-finishing-college"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Avoid an Entry-Level Job After Finishing College - Abound: Finish College<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"No matter how much professional experience you have, finishing college is always a great idea! 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