Today, with the job market tighter than ever, a high GPA and a great resume may not be enough to secure graduates their dream careers. In the tight economy, students may be surprised to find out which qualifications really matter to employers.
Danielle Chatman, an economics senior, said one of her friends graduated with a 3.7 in Information Systems and Decision Sciences and still cannot find a job, while another friend who graduated with a 2.5 had a job waiting for him after he graduated.
The difference between these two job applicants most likely was networking.
According to the LSU Career Services Web site, networking is a skill that is vital in a job world where the average employee will have eight to ten jobs during his or her working life.
Chatman said last semester she interned with a bank, and this internship gave her work experience, which she values more than mere grades.
She said GPA “may get you an interview, but it’s all about who you know.”
Lt. Col. Joseph Besselman, a 1983 LSU graduate, also values networking as one of the most important skills in the career world. He said all the jobs he has gotten in the Air Force have been based on direct or indirect personal relationships.
Besselman emphasized the importance of being a leader in a job, because fellow employees will remember a job well done and recommend promotions or new jobs.
“Most everybody gets their jobs through networking, whether they want to admit it or not,” Besselman said.
In the book “Majoring in the Rest of Your Life,” Carol Carter said networking is “more helpful than reading ten books on how to get the job of your dreams.”
Carter lists the two basic steps to networking: first, take inventory of any internships and part time jobs to find interests. Then, talk to people with these jobs and try to observe them.
Finding a mentor is key in networking success. Mentors can be professors, family friends, businessmen or anyone else with something to offer regarding a career track.
LSU offers many opportunities for students to make the most of their job search while at college.
Mary Belleau, associate director of Career Services, said students should “join the organization that relates to their major.”
Belleau said students should join organizations because “they will be networking with people in similar situations or in the same profession.”
Becoming a TigerTRAK member can be done over PAWS accounts. TigerTRAK helps students find out about jobs online and notifies them about any events sponsored by Career Services.
The LSU Tiger Network is another service offered by LSU. Belleau said more than 260 alumni volunteer to mentor students who sign up to be a part of the network.
All these opportunities can aid in the forming of contacts. Students can take advantage of LSU’s large size and many connections all over the state with the help of Career Services.
Once these steps are taken, people skills are the only thing necessary for networking success.