Careers

From College News - The job hunt is similar to a three-course meal. Your resume cover letter is the appetizer—great on its own, but designed to make a potential employer's mouth water in anticipation of the main course. Your resume is the main dish—full of meaty, satiating information. And the dessert—the sweet part—is getting the job.

In this case, the appetizer might be the most important part of the meal. Paired with a solid resume, a strong resume cover letter can make you stand out in a pool of job applicants, whereas a weak resume cover letter can land you in an employer’s discard pile.

What is a Resume Cover Letter?
A resume cover letter is your opportunity to explain to the employer why you would be a good fit for the job opening. A resume cover letter is usually no more than three to four paragraphs long, and it fleshes out the skills and experiences displayed on your resume.

Structure of a Resume Cover Letter
Here is a basic outline for a good resume cover letter:

• Your Name
• Your Address
• Employer’s Name
• Employer’s Address
• Date

Dear (Employer’s Name),

Paragraph One: The Intro
The first sentence is the most important in the whole resume cover letter because it is your hook. Write something that will make the potential employer want to read further, and try to connect the sentence to the position for which you are applying. For example, if you’re applying to a teaching position, say something about how you’re passionate about working with kids, as demonstrated by your three years of teaching experience and volunteer work. Then use the rest of the paragraph to summarize; your employer should be able to read your first paragraph and get all the important points you want to include in your cover letter.

Paragraph Two/Three: The Nitty Gritty
This is the place to expand on the skills and experiences listed in your resume. (Even if you worked in the lowest position on the totem pole, you still gained valuable experiences that you can apply to other jobs!) But be sure not to simply parrot what’s on your resume; tell the employer how the skills and experiences you’ve developed will make you successful in this position. For example, if your resume says you “interacted with customers and answered inquiries,” then your cover letter should say that your “daily interaction with customers has developed excellent customer service and communication skills.” Three skills that all employers look for in a potential employee: organizational skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills.

These paragraphs are also a good spot to explain any gaps in your resume or things you didn’t have room for. If you’ve been unemployed, you can point out how you've been productive in the meantime. If you didn’t have room for certain activities or experience that you feel are relevant to the job description, then use this space to address them.

Paragraph Four: Wrap it up with some action
By now you should be done with the substance of your letter and it should fill about three-quarters of the page. Paragraph four simply exists to thank the employer for his/her time and inform them that you will be in touch. Unless the job posting says not to contact the company, tell the potential employer that you will follow up with them in 1-2 weeks. Be sure to include your contact information in case they want to get in touch with you sooner.

Sincerely,
(Your Name)

What Sets Your Cover Letter Apart?
Employers can get hundreds of resumes and cover letters for a single job posting, so what will make yours stand out? One way is to show that you’ve done your research on the company. Recruiters can see right away if your cover letter is cookie-cutter. You’ll have an advantage if you show that you’re aware of the company’s presence in current news and that your hopes and dreams align with their mission and goals.

Another advantage is if your cover letter is well-written and uses impeccable grammar. Employers judge your communication skills and professionalism by your cover letter, and no one wants to hire an employee who will send out sloppy communications to their clients. Even if someone is well-qualified for a position, his cover letter might go straight into the dustbin if his writing is garbage. So save yourself the hour or so that it took you to write the cover letter by taking 15 minutes to proof-read it.

When Do/Don’t I Send a Cover Letter?
According to an article on msn.com, a recent OfficeTeam survey reported that “86 percent of executives thought cover letters were a valuable resource in the hiring process.” Therefore, unless the job description specifically requests you not to send a cover letter, you should send one. However, there are a few industries that don’t require cover letters, like IT positions or part-time jobs. But it never hurts to include a cover letter; in fact, if the letter is good, your potential employer should be impressed with your effort.

How Do I Send a Cover Letter?
These days, applying to jobs has moved to almost 100% online, whether through online job forms or through e-mail. Many online job applications ask you to cut and paste your cover letter or to upload your cover letter as a .doc or .pdf file. Just make sure that the formatting of your cover letter is basic (think 12pt Times New Roman font in a Word document), so that things don’t go awry when your potential employer tries to open your file.

When applying to a job through e-mail, you have two choices as to how to present your cover letter. On the one hand, you can make the cover letter the body of your e-mail, and you can mention in Paragraph Four that you’ve attached your resume to the e-mail. On the other hand, you can write a quick blurb to the employer summarizing your cover letter (not more than 3-4 sentences), reiterate your contact information, and point out that you’ve included your cover letter and e-mail as an attachment. When saving your cover letter file for later uploading/attaching, make sure you give it an easily recognizable file name, like “Cover Letter for John Doe.” That way your potential employer will remember who that wonderful person was that they were going to call for an interview.

Bon Appetit
As with preparing any scrumptious appetizer, writing a good cover letter will require lots of hard work and time. But the more cover letters you write, the more concise, articulate, and efficient you will become. And, after a few days or weeks, all that hard work will pay off and you will finally be able to dig into the delicious feeling of landing a job. If you're looking for a good cover letter writing service, you can also go to Amazing Cover Letters and have your cover letter professionally written.

By Tegan Neustatter

From College News - Careers in sports medicine.

Sports medicine offers a challenging field of work varying from injury prevention to treatment and recovery. In addition to the many medical career choices, there are several developing fields of alternative sports therapy.

When a player suddenly faints and falls while playing, there are a few people who try to revive him or put him in a stretcher and take him off the field. This job is little known by spectators. Among the group could be a doctor, a fitness instructor or an orthopaedist. All are branches of the same stream of medicine, known as sports mediicne. In the world of sports, an athlete's fitness and physicial wellbing play a major role in his or her sports career. It is not only diet and fitness, but also medical capabilities to overcome stress that are winning factors. Diagnosing the right ailment and taking care of the performance of the athlete is the basic job of the sports medical professional. Let's take a look at this career in a broader perspective.

ELIGIBILITY
Preferably an individual with science background with additional knowledge of sports -- High school diploma (with science subject) -- four years bachelor's degree in science of science subject in the curriculum -- MDs are surgeons have additional requirements based on their specialty.

SPECIALIZATION IN SPORTS MEDICINE
There are different specializations in the filed of sports medicine; for example, exercise physiology, physical therapy, orthopaedics, sports nutrition, biomechanics, etc. These specializations have different education requirements. For example, in orthopaedics a master's degree is required.

MAJOR AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION INCLUDE
Coaching -- science of exercise -- physical, as well as athletic, training -- health and physical fitness promotion
The name of the course and its curriculum varies among colleges and universities.

JOBS
Some of the prominent jobs in the field of sports medicine or exercise science are as follows:
Dietician - The job of a dietician is to plan the diet for an athlete and decide on his intake of essential nutrients. The dietician should have an American Diabetics Association (ADA) approved internship and a certification.
Fitness instructor - A fitness instructor can work either in the gym or for a sports team. He or she works along with the fitness team, which includes the physical therapists, coaches, exercise physiologists, etc.
Exercise physiologist - They are the individuals who monitor the effect of exercise on the athlete's body. The exertion good and bad effects of the same are responsible for the athlete's health.
Medical physician - A medical physician is qualified to diagnose and treat an athlete in case of an emergency. Depending on their qualifications, medical physicians are hired. They mostly work in the medical team or are practicing doctors in hospitals.
Bio-mechanist, occupational physiologist, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation specialist are some of the other jobs available.

SALARY
Salary varies depending on the profession and the experience on has in the field. Generally, professionals make more money when they specialize in specific areas of practice.

TIPS ON A CAREER IN SPORTS MEDICINE
Be sure to include science subjects like biology, physics and anatomy as part of your school/college curriculum.Do background research on the available colleges and their costs.Decide on the college according to your area of specialization.Develop contacts with sports teams and instructors; it is easier to know about the various streams of sports medicine through them. It is also good for networking purposes, which will be helpful while getting an internship/trainee job with a sports club or team.If you enjoyed playing the sport, you will also enjoy attending to the players.Like any other career, sports medicine requires education, experience and dedication to excellence. The field of sports medicine is growing, and although it is a part of the discipline of medicine, it is different and offers a lively work environment. If you enjoy sports, you should consider a career in sports medicine.

From College News - Law is not just a career -- one judge's perspective.

I've wanted to be a lawyer all my life. As the son of immigrants, I never considered it possoble for me to be a judge. Now I sit in the very courthouse that is across the street from where I was an office boy. I can hardly believe it!

My law school career as a night student at DePaul University began in the aftermath of the chaotic 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, and culminated with the Watergate Hearings that led to Nixon's impeachment. This was during the highly unpopular Vietnam War whiel the country was still reeling from the recent assassinations of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Bobby Kennedy. The nation was experiencing riots and demonstrations in the cities and on college campuses, which sometimes led to highly publicized shootings and bombings.

My night school classmates were a pretty conservative crowd of policemenm, firemen, CPAs and government auditors. Although none of us had the luxury of time to be distracted from law by the issues of the day, these events helped shape (or confirm) my personal view that the law can be used as a tool for change.

After seven years as a prosecutor, I opened a litigation practice that continued until the day the Illinois Supreme Court appointed me to the bench in 2003. During those years in private practice, the law led me to some high profile cases and some nice business ventures. So, I gave back.

I founded the Arab-American Bar Association in 1990. In 1997, as president of the West Suburban Bar Association, I founded the Suburban Bar Coalitionof Cook County. Wearing my business hat, I chaired the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce's crime Prevention Awards Committee for a dozen years while sharing ownership in a national security corporation and a bank. Through my family, I worked with St. Jude's Children Research Hospital in Memphis. After 9/11, I wrote, lectured, presented, talked, interviewed and just about did all I could to stop the hate crimes and hate-spreech against Arabs and Muslims (see articles at Arabbar.org).

I often wonder, "How in the world did this happen to me?" My family emigrated from Lebanon with little education. I had no so-called "connections." I believe the answer lies in the fact that in the United States, althoguh not without exception, our courts offer a level playing field for those who choose to use law as a tool for change, as well as a means for making a good living.

I present here 10 of my own "professional maxims" -- if you will -- that I'm pleased to share:

1. Law is a profession, not a cash register. If you're looking for a fast buck, try car sales or money management.
2. Even though law is a profession, it's also a great living. Be honest with your clients and the court, use your common sense and listen for the knock on the door of opportunity.
3. Law is a tool -- use it! Whether you are a patent  lawyer, a civil rights activist or the president of a corporation, law is the tool of choice.
4. Law is a language, learn it. That's what law school is all about. But it doesn't stop there. Every day, I pick up new ideas and expand upon the language of my profession. 
5. Be creative. Law is the ultimate art form. New ideas and approaches to solving problems are the benchmark of good lawyering. This sort of thing can account for a desegregation case like Brown vs. The Board of Education, or simply finding a good tax loophole.
6. "Be true to thyself." In other words, always be prepared. Lots of us have the "will to win," says Bobby Knight, but how many of us have "the will to prepare to win.
7. "Join up! Those lawyers who "make the time" to join professional organizations and local community groups are on the top of the heap. That's exactly why they can afford the time to volunteer. Although this is a long-term investment, it will eventually pay back big dividends.
8. "What goes around comes around." Law is still based upon professional relationships -- camaraderie. Lawyers who do not make good on their word are quickly identified and distrusted. this begins in law school.
9. Advocacy is no excuse for bad manners. Real professionals know when to fight and when not to. That does not mean to "turn the other cheek," but a good lawyer must never lose composure, regardless of the bait.
10. Work hard, play hard. Focus on the law, but have some balance outside the legal community that will keep you close to the ground.

By Hon. William J. Haddad

From College News - A look at the job options available in the restaurant industry.

The next time your go out for dinner to a fancy restaurant, take a look at the staff there. Well-groomed, polite and giving timely service, they may seem less in number, but every person has a distinctive job of his or her own. From the chef to manager, the restaurant industry would be nothing without these people.

With at least one-third of adults having worked in a restaurant during some part of their life, the restaurant business is said to be the industry's largest private-sector employer. According to some studies, the food and restaurant services sector is said to grow nearlty 12 percent each year, with 1.9 million estimated jobs, out of which approximately 47,000 are management positions.

FORMAL EDUCATION
With most people becoming masters in the restaurant industry through sheer experience, having a valid certificate from a good school is an added advantage. Skilled staff is sought after in the restaurant industry, and the compensation is considerably better for those with formal training. Not only must you have a love of food, you much also have a background in management. One could opt for any job, in marketing, human resources, food technology, customer relations or even business and finance management. There are courses offered by various hospitality management institutions in each of  the given fields, but a person from the business are could also fit in with management skills. The duration of courses vary from two to four years, including the area of specialization. Some colleges also offer hands-on experience, as well as an internship. Besides this, some restaurants have their own training services. In this way, employees learn around the clock and excel as time passes.

MAJOR JOB OPTIONS IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY
The food service and restaurant sector covers such areas as catering, fine dining, chef-owned bistros, resorts and casinos, hotels, country clubds, fast food chains, hospitals and many more. There are several job options in the restaurant industry, from a preofessional chef to a food buyer. This also is a great time to consider becoming a restaurant manager. The U.S. Department of Labor says restaurant management is an emerging industry and predicts it will continue to grow. Restaurant managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the restaurant. Besides the administration and human-resource functions, a manager's job also includes recruiting new employees and monitoring the performance of the current. An individual could be promoted from a front office trainee to a manager and further to a general manager in a matter of months, depending on the quality of the work. And coming to the most important part of the restaurant, which is the kitchen, one could work as a chef, managing and overlooking the subordinate cooks or be a food manager, monitoring the food and beverage stocks of the restaurant. Almost three-fourths of all food service managers were previously restaurant managers, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most restaurants management professionals hold a two- or four-year degree in restaurant or food service management. For those individuals there are many profitable career options.

Like any other job, working in the restaurant industry requires dedication and motivation. In modern times, the thinking of a customer has also changed. They demand good service and will go elsewhere if they do not receive it. For that reason, it is important for all employees to be well groomed and practice good etiquette. Employees should keep themselves updated with the market trends and always explore new ways to enhance the business by offering better service. To conclude, if a career in the restaurant industry appeals to you, enroll in courses for food service or restaurant management -- and get ready for an exciting and potentially well-paid future.

By Tony Jacowski

From College News - Use networking to your advantage in the career world.

There was a time when college graduates were recruited for jobs post-graduation months before they had finished their degree. Today the onus is on students to create their own career opportunities, and this is where networking comes in. In addition to finishing coursework and preparing for graduation, it's important for students to spend time establishing a network of potential career contacts.

WHY NETWORK?
In college you may have networked with the goal of finding new friends. Career networking isn't really about making friends, though you may establish close relationships along the way. It's more about finding resources in your chosen field. Networking will help you learn about jobs and career options. As you network, the contacts you make have the potential of turning into job referrals. Networking can also help you can gain interview experience and increase your professional confidence.

HOW TO GET STARTED?
One of the biggest challenges for students who are getting started with networking is making the mental switch from college student to career professional. In order to market yourself, you need to have a strong sense of your skills and strengths – your "brand." Create a pitch: a simple short description of your skills and your career goals. Be prepared to pitch yourself every time you meet a new contact. Have a personal business card printed with your phone number and email address to present with your pitch. Your card will help people remember you after an initial meeting.

WHERE SHOULD YOU NETWORK?
A good place to network is anywhere that puts you in contact with professionals in your field. Internships and part-time jobs are great ways to meet and observe professionals while gaining hands-on experience. Join professional organizations, attend meetings and conferences, and read journals and other publications related to your field. You can also network at school by getting to know your professors. In addition to serving as mentors, they typically have professional contacts who are interested in hearing about promising graduates. Finally, don't overlook fellow students as good sources for career information both now and in the future.

WHAT ABOUT ONLINE NETWORKING?
Use Internet searches to find out more about companies that could be potential employers. If social media plays a role in your field, get involved in online discussion groups and web-based networking. Be prepared to listen and enter into the online conversation. You can also use social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn to let friends and family members know that you’re in search of job leads.

POLISH YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
To project a positive professional image you need a spotless online presence. Many employers do Internet searches to find out more about potential employees. Avoid posting pictures or comments that depict you as anything less than serious and dependable.

MAKE NETWORKING ONE OF YOUR JOB-SEARCH TOOLS
Networking should one of the tools in your job-search toolbox rather than the focus of all your efforts. Think of it as a supplement to traditional job-search activities, like visiting your campus career center, sending out resumes and following up with job postings. Also, there's no reason to wait until senior year to network. Once you've targeting a major and field of interest, you can begin making network contacts.

TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Networking is more than just shaking hands and passing out business cards. Take it to the next level by building mutually-beneficial relationships. Show just as much interest in what you can do for your contacts as in what they can do for you. Think of networking as a life-long activity. You may be looking for a job today, but in a few months or a few years, you may be in a position to help someone else in their job search.

Sarah Fudin currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California's Master of Arts in Teaching program, which provides aspiring teachers the opportunity to earn a Masters in Education online and teacher certification. Outside of work Sarah enjoys running, reading and Pinkberry frozen yogurt.

From College News - An examination of a day in the life of a 24-year-old working in a big city.

After attending college in big mid-Atlantic city, I fell in love with it. I find the city just big enough, incredibly manageable, and lots of fun. After persevering for six months post-college trying to find a job or an internship, I landed a position at a newspaper in the city and have enjoyed every experience here for the past year and a half and am looking forward to many more. But what’s life like on a day-to-day basis? Here is an examination of a day in the life of a typical 24-year-old working in a big city:

8:30 a.m. – Get on the bus to head into work, since I’m avoiding public transportation because of delays from a then-recent crash. Pleased it’s nearly empty, crank up Jackson 5, and start reading the a commuter edition of a widely read newspaper.

9:15 a.m. – Arrive at work, give coworker I look up to whom has been in the journalism business for years a birthday card since we are born two days apart. Check Gmail, Facebook, chat with cubicle mate about the weekend.

9:45 a.m. – Send out e-mail reminders to press secretaries about upcoming special section, Many will need second reminder by mid-afternoon. Special sections are inserts in the paper where we invite leaders to write opinion-editorials on various issues. I typically call or e-mail press secretaries to ask if the leaders they represent would be interested in writing. Once a month, I write my own stories for a different type of section, with themes such as “dining” or “arts and entertainment.”

10:45 a.m. – Leonardo DiCaprio’s publicist e-mails me back about energy section. Unfortunately, DiCaprio is filming abroad and unable to write, but publicist wants to meet for a drink if I’m ever in NYC. I jump up and down with excitement in my cubicle. Took an e-mail break and g-chatted with my best friend and dad about my birthday tomorrow.

11:30 a.m. – Started making calls for more Democratic representation in my upcoming energy special section. Most are very receptive, as energy is a big issue these days. Usually I try to call leaders who are in the news for their legislation involving the particular issue.

12 noon – Called press secretaries for added section next week. This is harder to get people to write with a shorter notice, but everything usually works out. Still, it’s a considerable frustration. Much less frustrating: Making lemon bars as an attempt to learn to cook this summer. I brought them into work and they were a success! Most of the interns ate them, and I ate two myself. De-lish.

12:30 p.m. – Usually eat lunch at desk, had leftover chicken fajitas on a salad and some Diet Pepsi because I need caffeine. Read perezhilton.com and people.com, which are my lunchtime rituals.

1 p.m. – Began researching more politicians and celebrities to call for energy section. Most are Senators and Congressmen who have been lobbying for various energy-related issues. I try leaders from Michigan to talk about the cash for clunkers program.  Reading lots of news Web sites like CNN.com

2 p.m. – Called FCC Press secretary again to try to get them to write for an upcoming section on technology. Perseverance and patience are virtues in this business, to be sure. But on a lighter note: Laughed with some members of advertising about a coworker’s husband’s surprise party. Back to business, I IM my boss about special reports.

3:30 p.m. – Contemplated taking a walk because it’s so pretty outside. Decided best to stay in and work. Spending time outside tomorrow in honor of my birthday will suffice. I then e-mail staffers for dates for my Wednesday announcement page. My announcements include birthdays, engagements, weddings and new babies. Might seem mundane, but someone’s got to do it. Broke down and went for a walk anyway.

4 p.m. – Sent out afternoon e-mails to the people who didn’t get back to me in the morning. Chatted with a press secretary about how unusually busy this summer is. The press secretary and I became friends last year after we both found out we were from Pittsburgh. It’s a small world, etc.

4:30 p.m. – Reviewed special reports for July, figured out how many more Democrats and Republicans we need for each, as every section needs a balanced amount of each party.

5 p.m. – Began wrapping things up and responding to e-mails I haven’t responded to yet today. There are always a few that get put aside because of newsroom busy-ness.

5:15 p.m. – Headed home to do laundry after a day’s worth of work

As you can see, I am learning many different experiences working at the paper, including being tenacious in communication, and using technology to interact with co-workers. I read different news outlets every day and have become better acquainted with what makes a great story. It’s important to remember that if you want something badly enough, keep working at it. As cliché as it sounds, you’ll eventually end up exactly where you’re supposed to be. I know I did.

By Anono-Intern

From College News - College students are building business relationships to give them an edge in the job market.

Like many students, Matt Bojanic is introducing himself to campus alumni, collecting business cards and sending out his resumes.

The UCLA student is networking, the act of meeting and forming relationships with people in your field to gain an advantage in the job market. Last year, he attended an entertainment networking night sponsored by the campus’ student alumni association. He talked to panelists in the industry, exchanging contact information and asking them for tips on interviewing.

In the current economy, jobs are becoming harder than ever to come by for college graduates. Which makes networking all the more important.

“Success revolves around building the who-you-know network, because the job market has and always will be about who you know,” said Michael “Dr. Woody” Woodward, PhD, executive coach and author of The You Plan.

According to the Wall Street Journal, one in ten jobs come from a personal referral, whereas one in 219 comes from a job board, like Monster.com.
Woodward advised students to target their network based on the field or business they want to explore. Students should then get to know them by attending professional associations, community events and local chapters of a professional group.

Social media has also enabled students to make more connections than ever, with websites like LinkedIn and career networking apps on Facebook. Woodward recommends students use social media to whittle down to the key players and form targeted relationships. He also said students need to book “face time,” this is, picking up the phone to arrange a local meet up with the people their network. From there, members of their network will get to know the student personally and give them a better understanding of their job.

After finding their network, students should find an internship to test drive their career and develop an inside track, he said. Furthermore, many companies hire their interns and use the internship as an audition. Students will also be able to form a connection with the employer or colleagues, who can then link the student up with a job, he added.

Woodward said that students should not expect their network to do the work for them. Tell them what you’re interested in and know the questions you ask and what you want to get out of it, he said. He advises students to think of networking as a long term strategy, where a relationship can be beneficial down the road. With many workers in the company network getting laid off, it’s better to keep the network in the loop and update them with short and simple messages. An email once every three months could be reasonable. For instance, an aspiring writer can send their network links to the work they’ve done and ask for input on an article. One can even put up a schedule on when to keep in touch with the network and go through old emails to see who they may want to contact.

Once students meet up with a member of their network, they have to know their brand package and deliver that in a simple yet impactful sound bite, Woodward said. The three key elements are credibility, value and what makes the person stand out. For instance, someone can say what school they’re attending and what honor programs they’re in to establish legitimacy. To show value, they should research what their network is looking for and tell them how their past work relates to it. And third, they say something about themselves that separate them from most people.

It is never too late to start networking, said Katharine Hansen, associate publisher and creative director at Quintessential Careers.

Her favorite technique is informational interviewing, where students “interview” a professional about their job.

She said these interviews provide a way to develop a deeper personal connection with someone inside an organization and give them inside information that can later be used in the job search. Some of those interviews can also lead to contacts, jobs, or internship offers.

Hansen added there’s a misconception that networking is about “using people.” But people enjoy giving advice to people. And there are also plenty of people that students can network with, such as peer students, parents, parents of friends, professors, advisers and coaches.

For Bojanic, his connections with UCLA’s Alumni Association came in handy when an alumnus offered him an interview for a marketing internship for traveling stage shows.
Although he felt intimidated by networking at first, Bojanic said that ultimately the panelists at networking events want to talk to students and help them find jobs.

“The worst they can say is they’re busy, and rarely are you going to find someone who is rude,” he said.

By Cristina Chang

From College News - Minimum wage hikes expected in Colorado, Montana, Ohio.

Hourly workers in Washington will be seeing a bit more money in their pockets. The Huffington Post reports that the minimum wage in Washington will be raised to $9.04 an hour, towering above the federal minimum wage of $7.25. This would make Washington the first state to raise minimum wage above $9 an hour.

Workers in Ohio, Colorado and Montana will also see a wage hike of between 28 and 30 cents. Oregon announced a similar move in September. Arizona, Florida and Vermont are expected to announce similar hikes next month.

Proponents for low-wage workers contend that higher minimum wages not only help workers provide for themselves and their families, but they also help put money back into local economies.

In 1998, Washington passed a proposal that tied minimum wage to the national consumer price index, thus assuring that minimum wage would rise according to inflation. Some states have followed in Washington’s footsteps with similar initiatives.

By Janelle Vreeland

Most prospective college graduates today will find themselves in the unenviable position of having no career prospects and no entry-level professional job. Even though they have paid $200,000 for four years, they will find that the task of career implementation rests solely with them. The college placement office is, in most instances, useless.

You must begin to prepare for your career now. And, as a general rule, work in your field as soon as possible after you graduate. The next class of graduates will be right on your heals. I hate to put it so bluntly but no one wants to hire the unemployed. Most supervisors in most fields want bragging rights to the best people.

OK, so lets begin. There are three main points that you must agree to if this is to work:

First, forget all thoughts of taking it easy after graduation. Forget the trip to Europe and time you will spend with Auntie Em in New Zealand. You need to get to work now!

Second, you will need to become self-taught in the practicalities of your field. You need an immediate understanding that you probably did not receive in college. Most full-time professors who have their PhD cannot teach the practicalities and technical requirements of a "real" job. Most are strictly academics and have spent little time working in their field.

Third, you must create a career process that works similar to the environment in top-tier schools. Ivy league graduates help other Ivy league graduates get jobs. Networking among friends and former graduates of their school is key for them. You must begin to think like they do.
Step One-Make friends in your major field.

Forget about social fraternities and sororities. While in college make friends with other students in your major field who have similar values and career aspirations. Choose them wisely. They should have excellent work habits and be high achievers. You may have three, five or a dozen people in your association. The number is not important. But each associate must have a clear understanding that all of you must work together to achieve the professional career goals of all members.

Step Two-Get your friends in a think-tank group.
You must first draw up a game plan that works to help all members of your group attain employment. Consult the internet and learn the methods of experienced employees in your field. Tap into corporate websites and review report writing, strategies and concepts that corporations apply every day. (I do not suggest using textbooks as a resource since many of these authors also are full-time professors who have no experience in their field.)

Step Three-Incorporate
You can do this yourself or with a couple of members of your group. You are going to begin to think and act like a consulting company with one major difference: you will be providing your services for free. Your company will build a portfolio of reports, presentations, plans and strategies.

For example, risk management is becoming an important by-product of the corporate world. In fact almost every corporate initiative and plan can have a risk-management strategy. Think of it and plan it. These reports will become part of a portfolio that you will present to prospective employers as an example of work you have done for other organizations.

Step Four-Submit your reports and presentations.
If one of the associates in your group lands a job he or she should help the others by accepting reports and presentations. That person will become a key referral for you in your job search. And don't be afraid to network to professionals outside of your group (within your chosen profession) by offering your services free of charge.

Remember, to get a job today you need experience and referrals. You may also need to accept lower level entry employment as long as you can advance later. This process (or variations of it) helps keep you in the game. You train yourself and give yourself experience. It shows you are a self-starter.

Never forget this: one year of non-activity and you could be out of the game.

This article was created by J Roberts also known as Professor Roberts. He is a noted counselor to parents and students alike and is the author of the book "Colleges Behind Closed Doors: What You Need to Know (Long) Before You Go." He is an authority on the inner-workings of colleges, college preparation, selection, and finances. Visit him at http://www.ProfessorRoberts.com.

From College News - These five tips will help put you ahead of the crowd.

Whether you have just begun your college journey, are about to begin your senior year or are in search of your first full-time job (or your second, but who’s counting anyway?), you’ve probably thought about tweaking your resume and drafting a cover letter to land you that awesome internship or job. Both your resume and cover letter are undoubtedly very important, but they are not the only things that can set you apart.

In today’s day and age, you not only need to focus on your initial outreach to an employer, but also your Internet image—also known as your personal brand.
If you haven’t thought about your personal brand, don’t fret! Here are five tips to help you get started as you create your brand:

1. Buy your name as a website domain - Domain names can be equated to real estate on the Internet – once you buy them, they’re yours!  Think about the endless opportunities when purchasing your name: You can post your resume, create a blog and distribute important information, all of which you can share with potential employers, family and friends. If your name isn’t available, see if you can get some variation of it. For example: JohnSmith.com may not be available, but perhaps JSmith1987.com is. Be creative and be conscious of your domain name as well as the content you share.

2. Create an About.me profile - About.me is a site created to help you share all of your Internet assets in one place. It’s a simple page that allows you to share your name, picture, a short bio and links with prospective employers. Like buying your domain name, it gives you a space to share what’s important to you, but in a succinct way. Once you create your profile, there is no heavy duty maintenance; just remember to update your About.me to reflect your most current information.

3.  Start a blog - Many employers are interested in your writing background. Are you a good writer? A simple way to demonstrate your writing abilities and impress your potential boss is by sharing writing samples. Think about creating a blog where you share your work. It shouldn’t be a chore, so make it interesting to you! To show that you’re well read and up to date in your field, you can also post other people’s interesting articles on your blog—just make sure to give them credit! The best part about your blog is that it can live on your domain name or a variety of other free blog hosting websites, like wordpress.org, tumblr.com or blog.com. If you’re not ready to start a blog, think about guest posting on other blogs; like I said, everyone’s looking for good writers!

4.  Do some spring cleaning on your Facebook page - You’ve heard those wretched stories from your friends, or friends of friends: “So-and-so didn’t get the job because the company that wanted to hire them found some incriminating photos on Facebook.” The truth is, most of us have Facebook and it’s a great way to stay in touch with your friends, family and the rest of the world. Facebook also provides a platform for us to connect and share with great people, businesses and brands. So go through your profile and make it professional. Sift through your photos and make sure they’re appropriate. Lastly, check out your privacy settings. Remember: You don’t have to share everything with everyone!

5.  Explore other social media options: Google+, Twitter and Linkedin Take a look at other options to help your potential employer find you when googling you. Create a Google+ profile and test it out: You’ll have the chance to create separate groups of people with whom you share different information. Try out Twitter: It’s perfect to share quick, live news updates about your interests. And lastly, create a LinkedIn account: You’ll be able to create a professional profile that will surely be seen as an asset to any future employer.

You get it: Employers are online and they can find out a lot of information about you—but this doesn’t mean you have to remove yourself from the Internet, move to the North Pole and live in digital darkness for the rest of your life. Embrace the social technology that is sweeping the world today and use it to your advantage. Good luck and happy self-branding!

Sarah Fudin currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California’s Master of Arts in Teaching program, which provides aspiring teachers with the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree and teaching certificate online. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys running, reading and Pinkberry frozen yogurt. Follow her on Twitter @sarahfudin.