Networking is Job One!

As my grandchildren who are recent college graduates are seeking their first permanent jobs, I am reminded again that the best strategy to use in finding a job is networking!  One of my granddaughters went to work this week at a job she earned through an internship.  Her uncle assisted her in landing the position as a summer intern after her junior year at the University of Kansas.

So I did some reminiscing about my own experiences.  My first job after my US Army tour was with Collins Radio Company.  My fraternity buddy who was working at Collins recommended me and got me an interview.  My second job was with IBM where a close friend worked; he got me an appointment with his boss.  After 15 years at IBM, a fellow IBMer who had left the company got me an interview with his boss.  After being on that job for a short time, another friend called me set up an interview with the president of a small company.

Perhaps you see a pattern in my career path.  However, I must add that I got my university teaching jobs from ads in The Dallas Morning News.

I am not sure if my experiences are similar to the majority of job holders; nevertheless, I am convinced that “networking is job one” for job seekers!  I suggest that you go to Google or another search engine and enter the search argument “job networking tips”.  You will find the list of resulting Internet sites provides helpful ideas for your own job search.

Please share your experience in finding a job using networking by commenting in this blog or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

Thanks, Glyn!

A New Classroom

I spent several days this week in online school learning to use the University of Phoenix’s new classroom system that is being implemented for graduate and undergraduate classes both for online and on-ground modalities.

My question was what is wrong with the system that we have used successfully for several years.  I heard several of my fellow faculty members expressing their displeasure having to spend many hours dealing with a new method of teaching.  However, in this class I learned to use new teaching tools and strategies that well be beneficial to both students and faculty.

This exercise got me thinking about all working people.  Are our jobs changing?  Do we need to go back to school to learn new ways for doing these jobs?

I think that the answer is yes!  Our lives continue to change.  Innovations in systems and methods continue to evolve and so do the related jobs.  For individuals that continue to resist change, I ask them where they tie-up their horses when they report to work.

What is the message in this blog?  Return to school and learn how to use your New Classroom.  Embrace these new ways of work and never look back.  History is the past the future is on its way.     

Please comment in this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com if you are learning to use your New Classroom.

Thanks, Glyn!

For Many Jobs, High School’s All It Takes

An article in The Dallas Morning News June 12, 2013, edition on page 2D from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution , “For many jobs, high school’s all it takes” provides the following list of jobs that only require a high school education:

1.   Web developer                                                       $75,660

2.   Communication  equipment management          $54,710

3.   Electrician                                                              $ 48,250

4.   Paralegal assistant                                               $ 46,680

5.   Plumber                                                                  $ 46,660

6.   Industrial machine repairer                                  $ 44.160

7.   Administrative/executive assistant                     $ 34,660

8.   Auto body repairer                                                $ 34,660

9.   Glazier                                                                    $ 36,640

10.         Bookkeeper                                                        $ 34,040

11.         Pest control worker                                           $ 30,340

12.         Skin care specialist                                           $ 28,920

13.         Receptionist                                                      $ 25,240

14.         Hairstylist                                                          $ 22,500

Do you find this information surprising?  I personally think that college degree holders that are incumbents in the above jobs would also have increased earning power and possible promotions than high school graduates.  What do you think?

Please comment on this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

Thanks, Glyn!

What is a STEM Job?

 

An article in The Dallas Morning News June 10, 2013, edition on page 1D by Sheryl Jean and Troy Oxford provides a list of the top ten STEM occupations in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area in 2011.

STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. According to the article, the Brookings Institute states that U.S. jobs requiring STEM knowledge rose from 5 percent of all jobs to 20 percent as of 2011.  Probably the percentage is higher in mid-2013.

Here is a list of the top 10 STEM jobs in the D/FW area:

1.   Computer occupations

2.   Health diagnosing and treating practitioners

3.   Financial specialists

4.   Engineers

5.   Construction trade workers

6.   Health technologists and technicians

7.   Operations specialists

8.   Business operations specialists

9.   Metal and plastic workers

10. Drafters and engineering and mapping technicians

The article also depicts in a U.S. map the metropolitan areas with the largest concentration of STEM jobs.  San Jose is ranked number 1, followed by Washington D.C. and Palm Bay, Florida.

What is the take-away from this blog?  STEM jobs do not always required a college degree.  Knowledge of computers and enabling technologies is a must.

Please let me know if you have or seeking a STEM job by commenting on this blog or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

Thanks, Glyn!

Where Should 2013 College Grads Go for Jobs?

Aubree Ritter emailed me this link which contains a US map depicting the best locations for new college graduates to find jobs:

 http://www.superscholar.org/graduates/

Please let me know where you have landed a job by commenting on this blog or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

Thanks, Glyn