choosing between a high school job and a family vacation by Alison Green on October 10, 2016 A reader writes: In late August, I got hired part-time at a major cafe/restaurant. I’m a senior in high school so I’ve been working on weekends and one night during the business week since then. However, my parents have booked a 10-day vacation right during the Christmas holidays — which is of course a vacation […] Read the full article →
my university requires students to create terrible personal websites for job-searching by Alison Green on September 12, 2016 A reader writes: I’d love to get your take on something my university is requiring all of its undergrad business students to do. As part of a senior-level course, we each have to create our own website — our “Personal Online Profile,” or POP. It must include the following: • An “attractive home page with […] Read the full article →
a student tried to pay me to do his schoolwork by Alison Green on August 19, 2016 A reader writes: I’m a UK freelancer doing a relatively specialized job (I help businesses put together formal proposals and respond to tenders) so, aside from managing clients into giving me what I need (information to do my job), I don’t often need to address professional etiquette with others. However, this week I had a […] Read the full article →
no, group work in school is not “just like in the real work world” by Alison Green on July 25, 2016 A reader writes: I’m starting a business graduate program now and all of the administrators are practically giddy proclaiming, “There’s going to be a lot of group work! Just like the real business world!” I’ve always struggled with group work because I’m a (recovering) perfectionist and was the type of kid who dominated group projects […] Read the full article →
do job-seekers really need an elevator pitch? by Alison Green on October 14, 2015 A reader writes: I recently visited my grad school on behalf of my employer as part of their college recruiting team. My objective was to collect resumes and speak with students regarding our summer internship program. I’ve worked the career fairs before but have not done so in a couple of years, and at this […] Read the full article →
how to teach students that employers care about outcomes, not how much time they put in by Alison Green on September 24, 2015 A reader writes: I am a professor of practice in a graduate-level professional program. Though a fair few of our learners are career-changers, stay-at-home parents preparing for a return to the workplace, or others with significant work-world experience, many come to us straight from their undergraduate experience. This latter group sometimes brings work-inappropriate beliefs and […] Read the full article →
do hiring managers really care about your GPA? by Alison Green on September 7, 2015 A reader writes: How important is a college (or high school) GPA, graduating summa cum laude, etc. to hiring managers? I teach college students, and have a number who are convinced that anything other than a 4.0 is a death knell for all their future plans. While I know that my voice alone can’t counteract […] Read the full article →
how should students pick a college major? by Alison Green on July 24, 2014 I’m throwing this one out to readers to weigh in on. A reader writes: I work in higher education. I am changing from Admissions to Academic Advising. I really enjoy your advice and would love to know your opinion on something. How should a student go about choosing a college major? I was at a […] Read the full article →
it’s not just helicopter parents — it’s helicopter professors too by Alison Green on May 21, 2014 A reader writes: I’m fairly new to the workforce – just a couple years of experience. I’m the internship coordinator in my department at a cultural nonprofit, so I field a lot of questions from students (applicants and general interest) about how to make it in our industry. At least once a month, I get […] Read the full article →
should you go to graduate school? by Alison Green on May 19, 2014 Thinking about going to graduate school? Before get too far in your planning, it’s really important to make sure that grad school makes sense for you and your specific career aspirations – and that your investment of time and money will pay off in the ways you hope. Too many people turn to grad school because […] Read the full article →