High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Is Grad School the Best Decision and More on Networking

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

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• 9 Networking Secrets from a Superconnector: "Always be thinking about the other person, not personal gain. Other people come first. Since most people are concerned with their own personal gain, you'll quickly stand out. Albert Einstein once said, 'Strive not to be a person of success, but a person of value'."

• Good Employees Make Mistakes. Great Leaders Allow Them To: "Great leaders allow their people the freedom to make mistakes. But good employees are those who when mistakes are made 1. Learn from them, 2. Own them, 3. Fix them, and 4. Put safeguards in place to ensure the same mistake will never be repeated again."


• Networking Tips to Land--Or Keep--a Job: "Don’t know where to meet people? Volunteer your time. Volunteer at your church, at charity events such as 5-kilometre runs, fundraisers, your child’s school or other events."


• How to Market Yourself on LinkedIn: "
  The résumé is not the only way to demonstrate what you've done. Today, there are many more options to publish content and create a robust, interactive representation of who you are.
  "


• Grad School May Not Be the Best Way to Spend $100,000: "If you're doing a graduate program just to get the degree on your wall, or if only a handful of classes excite you, it's far better (and cheaper) to take adult ed or extension school classes. Here are a few other reasons why you shouldn't go back." 

Found out you hate the job you went to school to get? How to move forward

There are a lot of articles out there about newly graduated bright-eyed twenty somethings not being able to find a job. What happens if you're lucky enough to find a job in your field shortly after you wear your cap and gown, but realize this field is not for you. You can sulk that you wasted four years of studying to wind up hating the type of job you chose or you can take action. Pick yourself up and move forward.

First of all, give it time. New jobs are rarely easy and you have to decide whether you dislike the company you're working for, the atmosphere, the work, etc. If you truly decide after time that you won't ever be happy working in the field you thought you'd love, it is time to look at your options.

Next decide whether you can find a job you'd be happy with in relation to your degree. For example, my degree in journalism allows me to do all sorts of writing and I'm not necessarily confined to the local newspaper desk. Be sure to research all of the jobs that apply to the degree you chose - perhaps you can find a job you love that you never thought you could get with your degree.

If you're out of options, it may be time to get some more schooling. Think about continuing your education by getting a Masters degree in a field you'll be more successful with. It is a great investment within yourself and can give you many more options when it comes time to find another career.

Lastly, take some classes or head to a trade school to learn different and new skills you've always considered, but never had the time to go for while in school. Taking classes and researching your options can help you figure out what degree and career you really want. Be sure to take internships that give you real world experience without confining you to a specific job or field.

Best of luck in finding the job of your dreams! It is never too late!

Pros And Cons Of Getting A Second Degree

College is all about decisions. Deciding on which college to attend, which major to choose, which classes to take, to live on campus or an apartment or commute, and which activities to invest your time into. After graduation, it is no different. One of the biggest decisions is whether or not to continue your education in grad school or to begin the job hunt. While I chose the job hunt, many students now choose to keep attending school because of the economy. Here are the pros and cons of choosing grad school over the job hunt.

Pros of grad school:

1. You'll have more education under your belt and another degree. More and more these days, employers are looking for more education and experience. You'll learn so much more about your chosen career and get a leg up on those who just got their Bachelors. Getting your masters or even PhD can give you an edge or make you a more attractive applicant.

2. You can prolong the job hunt for now. Finding a job in this economy is scary. Some students think it is safer to continue their education and to get another degree. Then keep their fingers crossed it will give them that extra time and push to find a job when they graduate again.

3. You can set your own schedule. Unlike the real world and the dreaded 9-5 job, you can set your classes to when you work best. Early bird? Have all your classes in the AM and have the afternoon off. Like to sleep in? Schedule all your classes for the afternoon or night and sleep in until noon.

4. Having second thoughts about the degree you chose to pursue when you were 18? Grad school gives you a great opportunity to dig into something new and get an entirely different degree. This will also show you have many interests and can excel in many different topics.

Cons of grad school:

1. The money aspect. I don't have the income to pay for more schooling and I wasn't ready to go into debt with loans to continue my education. You have to decide if you need the extra degree or if it is something that can wait until you save money.

2. Let's face it: school is hard and time-consuming. Graduation is a really exciting time when all your hard work pays off! Grad school might seem like that last thing you want to do. Some people feel ready to begin the job search and not go through any more years of school!

3. Going back to school could strain many relationships in your life. Grad school is even harder and more stressful. The money aspect alone is enough to start a fight with parents or a spouse. Make sure you have supportive loved ones before you dive in to more schooling.

4. Grad school can be highly competitive. You have to really work hard and want your spot. You need to be confident of your choice given the competitiveness of grad school.

So whether you decide to find a job with your newly acquired degree or continue your education, remember to do what is right for YOU. Both decisions require hard work and dedication towards your long-term goal of finding a job you love, so whichever you chose, keep that enthusiastic attitude.