Back in high school, many of us faced stress over which sport to play, which musical to audition for,  and which club meeting to attend. Now that a few years have passed, the college-aged versions of those  decisions seem more aligned with internships and courses than extracurricular activities. While these opportunities often fall by the wayside for college students, they can actually play a key role in guiding your career path.

At many large universities, students feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of classes and majors at their disposal, which can cause already-intimidated freshman to shy away from any non-obligatory activities. This week, we’re looking at the multiple ways by which extracurricular groups can help narrow students’ aspirations with a degree of realism a classroom can’t always provide.

First off, it’s important to remember that joining a club isn’t an iron-clad commitment. Simply attending introductory meetings at the beginning of the semester can help you shop around and figure out which groups fit with your schedule and ideology. By entering each initial meeting with an open mind, you’ll be able to test the waters and hopefully find an extracurricular that’s perfect for you.

Another important aspect of extracurriculars is their connection to real-world benefits. In groups such as pre-law and pre-med societies, members have the opportunity to network with professionals whose careers may closely mirror their collegiate goals. It’s always beneficial to talk with someone in a field that interests you, but when you’re part of a group that’s intent on doing so, it makes the process more accessible overall.

In general, extracurriculars are a great way to meet people who share your interests, speak with professionals and ultimately, figure out what you want to do with your life. Have you ever been part of a club in college? How did it help you confirm or expand your career goals?

This week, we’re discussing the importance of charisma in the workplace. While it may seem superficial to some, being generally well liked is a key component to advancing your career and maintaining office relations. Combined with a solid work ethic and valuable contributions, a keen sense of networking can be the key to fulfilling your career aspirations.

Though it may seem simple, the art of schmoozing far exceeds traditional brown-nosing, elbow-rubbing, or any other euphemism you’d prefer. We’re here to give you the inside scoop on charisma, how to get in good with your coworkers and superiors, and most importantly, how to feel natural doing it. Here’s the run down on some networking basics:

1. Confidence: When you’re sure of yourself, your peers will begin to notice and feel more comfortable around you as a result. A strong sense of purpose behind your words and actions will persuade others into the mindset that you’re a competent leader, which will help you gain both trust and respect. When you’re having a conversation with a coworker, it’s important
2. Humility: Maintaining a balance between confidence and deference is the most difficult part of networking, but you can easily achieve it by reminding yourself of your inter-office status. AS far as most hierarchies go, twenty somethings are near the bottom of the workplace totem pole, with upper-level professionals usually in their 30s and 40s. Respecting your authority figures will get you a long way, and reminding yourself of your place in the office will keep your ego under control. Confident deference is the key: know your place, and know it well.
3. Don’t take yourself too seriously: Knowing when to poke fun at yourself is a key aspect of the schmoozing game. While you should normally maintain a strong sense of self, you should also be aware that you’re still human. Say you make 50 copies of the wrong memo for a meeting that’s scheduled later that day. You’ll look much better taking the mistake in stride and casually laughing about it than a) beating yourself up, b) pretending you did nothing wrong, or c) overcompensating with excessive apologizing.

What other aspects of schmoozing do you think are integral to career advancement? Do you think networking is a useful tool in giving yourself a competitive edge?

With internship opportunities increasing the need for a competitive edge, recent grads are quickly learning how to set themselves apart. Our current job market, while definitely improving, has set the tone for young professionals to take interviews, job opportunities, and office relations more seriously. While it may seem daunting at first glance, this new workplace climate has set the stage for an age-old business tactic that’s sure to succeed: charisma.

Whether you call it schmoozing or networking, the art of charisma is one thing for certain: fool-proof. For twenty-somethings, learning to network like a pro can be the deciding factor between the job you have and the career you’ve always dreamed about. So this week, we’ll be discussing some key aspects of the schmoozing game, how to master the basics, and when to pull out the stops. With any hope, we’ll use a bit of charisma ourselves to show you it’s not so difficult to invoke some personal appeal into the workplace.

What tips do you have about charisma in the office? Do you think networking is an effective way to advance your career?

While moving to a new place after college requires a number of lifestyle changes, finding a welcoming social environment can be just as crucial. Whether you’re settling in a Manhattan-esque metropolis or somewhere rural, developing new friendships can provide you with people to talk to, places to go and exciting opportunities you may have missed otherwise. Here are a few simple ways to connect with friends, old and new:

1. Exploring the work scene – One of the most convenient ways to make new friends is by connecting with co-workers. If you’ve landed a full-time job, chances are you’ll take multiple breaks throughout the day. Lunch and coffee breaks, as well as after-work happy hours, are prime social periods for young professionals, and finding a group of people to grab a bite with could help you build a solid group of in-office pals.

2. Make new friends, but keep the old – This one applies especially to those recent grads moving to a big city. If you’re somewhere like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, you’re likely to know a few people from high school or college who live nearby. Whether you prefer social networking sites like Facebook, or a simple phone call, getting back in touch with old friends is easier now than ever.

3. Checking out the nightlife – Nearly all cities, large and small, have some sort of nightlife geared toward young people. Once you make a few friends (or reconnect with some old ones), going out to restaurants, bars and other evening hotspots should be no problem at all. If you enjoyed going out during college, chances are you’ll love it afterwards as well. And if you’re more of a homebody, don’t worry! Most cities have tons of classes, groups and activities for people who prefer a low-key atmosphere.

Now that we’ve covered budgets, transportation and socializing, we’re nearly finished discussing the big post-graduation move. Let us know which aspects of big-city or small-town life you’re still curious about, and we’ll definitely include them in our final installment this Wednesday!

While Gen Y is associated with some positive qualities like our adaptability, we still need to prove ourselves. The reigning generations see us as feeling entitled. Here’s a story that reflects exactly what NOT to do if we want to turn this perception around.

Gawker.com recently posted a real email sent to a New York company by an applicant for an internship. The potential candidate was following up, as we advise all applicants to do in their career search. So what went wrong? Well the post is titled, “The (Potential) Intern From Hell.” After not hearing from the company for “an entire day” the applicant went on a rant about the unprofessionalism of the office. He or she closed the email, “I’m sorry you have gotten us off on the wrong foot.” To read the rest of the post, click here.

When seeking an answer to an email question at a busy company, you may not hear back for well over a week. You need to recognize the influx of emails they’re sifting through everyday. It’s fine to check back after a week has gone by, but only in an extremely polite manner. This candidate showed no respect for the company and disregarded the many other eager-to-please candidates who were no doubt giving off a positive impression. It’s this attitude that’s contributing to negative feelings about our generation’s work ethic. Let’s prove them wrong!

How do you feel being part of the Entitled Generation?

Some people find a job after only a few weeks of searching. How do they do it? Well there are many different explanations depending on the individual, but in this difficult job climate, some career-seekers are turning to unconventional strategies. You might even call them guerrilla tactics.

A man in Arizona named Mark Thomas found his new job in only six weeks by using a few unique strategies. His objective was to circumvent the HR department and the typical route of applying for highly competitive positions. Thomas’s strategies ended up presenting a networking opportunity that turned into his new career.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune listed his three primary tactics as:

1. The Job Shopping List

2. The Guerrilla Resume

3. The Coffee Cup Caper

Intrigued? Click here to find out more about Thomas’s guerrilla strategies in the Star Tribune.

Sometimes you can’t predict when a networking opportunity will arise. You may find yourself seated on a plane next to an executive from a company in your area. Or perhaps you end up in line at the grocery store with the human resources manager for a prominent organization. You can benefit from these chance meetings even more if you have something tangible to hand them.

Obviously you’ve been talking to this person for a minute to find out their occupation. If the conversation’s going well and you want to show your sincere interest, hand them a personalized business card. Don’t be forceful about it. Just tell them, casually, that you’d love to know if any entry-level opportunities open up. On one hand, this may cause the executive to give you his or her own business card. Regardless, someone on the inside now has a permanent reminder of you and it may help you get your foot in the door the next time they’re hiring.

If your design skills are lacking, try using a business card template or check out websites like Moo.com. Take your pick from elegant, edgy and classic styles. The information should include your name, email, phone number, and a brief description of your skill set. For this you can also give a self-described title, like Freelance Writer or Software Tinkerer. You may also choose to include aspects like your school and major if you’re still a student, your Twitter account if it’s professional and updated frequently, or your personal blog. Start by printing only 10-20 because you may need to update your cards in the future. Once you have them, always keep a few on hand. You never know the next time you’ll need to impress someone.

Social networking sites targeted at professionals are emerging everywhere, from LinkedIn to BrazenCareerist to YoungEntrepreneur. If you want to utilize these sites, take advantage of them thoroughly. They offer lots of features you can benefit from in your career search.

Many profiles include an area where you can write a summary of yourself. Write a concise description of your background and aspirations, but make sure to include key words that employers may search for when looking for new talent. Join a few groups relevant to your industry or career choice and feel free to post articles or comment on other postings. You never know when a professional might take notice of your insights.

Some sites provide a recommendation function, so if you have a good relationship with a previous boss or supervisor, consider asking him or her to recommend you. Also, take the opportunity to connect with former co-workers or students you worked with in the past. They may hear of career opportunities at their workplace one day and think of you. Stay on their radar by updating your status bi-weekly.

Social networking is becoming omnipresent, but traditional networking is still an incredibly effective way to boost your career hunt. Why? Because people are more apt to remember you or want to help you if you’ve actually met and spoken. For those wishing to create a network from scratch, consider Informational Interviews. They’re a great way to learn about the ins and outs of the industry you’d like to work in, get face time with professionals, and make contacts who may remember you the next time they’re hiring.

To begin the process, start researching companies in your area you’d be interested in working for. If you aspire to a more lofty position, like anchoring the NBC news, reach out to companies more likely to hire at entry level, like your local news station. Next, find the contact information of someone with a position you see yourself in. Contact them either by phone or email with a very succinct description of your background, your aspirations and what you want from them. Stress that you are only seeking information about the industry (i.e. not a job) and ask if they’d be willing to grant you a 20-minute informational interview, in person or over the phone, at their convenience. Arrive at the interview promptly, dressed professionally, with a list of questions. Keep track of time to make sure you don’t go over twenty minutes. The interview should flow like a conversation, so feel free to respond to their answers and demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and company.

When the interview is over, thank them, and ask if it would be ok for you to keep in touch by email two or three times throughout the year in case they hear of any interesting opportunities. Also, inquire if they could recommend anyone else for you to speak with at another company or in another department so you can continue to learn and make connections. After you leave, send them a hand-written thank you note, addressing some of the points you considered most helpful so they know you found it a valuable experience. Finally, if they said it was ok to keep in touch—follow up!

To all of the history, sociology, philosophy and literature majors out there, stop being apprehensive about putting your Liberal Arts degree on your resume. Humanities majors often present the question, “Well, what can you do with that?” Once you’re in the midst of your career search though, it shouldn’t hold you back—as long as you do the following.

Speak of your degree proudly, not defensively. Don’t give a potential employer a reason to doubt your choice. Part of their interview process involves seeing the personality of the potential employees, so show them a unique facet of yourself by conveying your passion for your major. If they’re worried about your skill set, stress that you’ve been educated in a well-rounded manner and you’re a fast learner, so you can learn any specialized skills on the job. Your liberal arts education probably also added some more general, but highly valued talents to your repertoire. Your classes most likely developed your written or verbal communication skills, your analytical thought process or your creative problem solving abilities. Draw the employers’ attention to the aspects of your education that can be applied to their position.

If you’re still in college, working towards a liberal arts degree, you may also consider getting a minor in a more conventional field like business or communications. Internships are another way to bump up your resume to show real world experience that can translate to where you may apply after graduation.

To learn more about this, read Ten Ways to Market Your Liberal Arts Degree.