Millennials and Adversity--A Huge Plus

There is a great article at ComputerWorld.com about how millennials can make the most out of the recession. First, a quote from it:

"Still, we do think the recession could be the proverbial blessing in disguise for this generation.

Facing and overcoming adversity has a way of bringing out extraordinary qualities and abilities in people that would've otherwise lain dormant. Millennials are already highly skilled, well educated and very creative. They're technologically proficient and perfectly at ease living in a world "flattened" by the forces of globalization.

With this kind of capability already in place, think of the potential for growth if this generation befriends adversity and uses it as a springboard to greater success."



Read the whole article by Jamie Eckle at ComputerWorld.com.

Does every new grad need a portfolio?

I can always count on Allie Osmar to have something valuable to say. She recently posted about portfolios and how useful they can be--especially to recent grads.

Whether you have a thin binder of your work or you create an online portfolio, grads from many industries can utilize these portfolios to help them stand out. My whole business is built around a portfolio of my work -- www.kristenfischer.com/clips.htm -- which continuously helps to show clients what I do and what I'm capable of. Even though I use my online portfolio to help land clients, I still have a print binder because I think many people like to see and feel some of the collateral I've produced when I'm meeting a client.

So have you used a portfolio to help get a job or propel your career? What has your experience been like with portfolios? Do you think they're necessary for all grads or more useful for certain fields?

In the meantime check out Ali's list of places where you can create portfolios. Let me also add mediabistro.com and creativehotlist.com to the mix if you decide to do an online portfolio but not get an entire domain for it.

Road Map to the Real World

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jim and Beth Hood,founders of www.WheresTheMap.com as well as the Gap Year Scholarship Program, which offers scholarships to young adults who wish to take a gap year before, during or after college. Beth also writes a monthly advice column as “The GPS Gal” on Girlzone.com.

They have a site called www.roadmaptotherealworld.com and the site is packed with wonderful information for college graduates. Check out my interview and review past episodes of their show. I loved this interview because the questions were down to earth--as were they.

Definitely something to put on your iPod!!

Internships or First Jobs: Where's the Bottom?

Some of the content on this blog is syndicated over at BrazenCareerist, which I love. It exposes my book and my blog to a new audience, and I get some great comments and interest in what I write.

I loved that my last post about paying for unpaid internships drew such commentary and lots of the people that responded on Brazen had valuable things to say. Especially one comment about internships from one great reader. She said everyone has to start at the bottom somewhere. True, true.

It got me to thinking, is the internship the starting point, or isn't that the first job? After all, internships are great at helping you get that first job, but even at a first job, isn't that the place that propels you? Is the official start of your career the internship or that first job?

Just more to think about to get your brain cranking...

Paying for an Unpaid Internship

It sounds crazy, but check out this NY Times article about parents that are spending big bucks to help their kids get unpaid internships.

What's so interesting to me is the part where they discuss whether buying your way in gives you an advantage--which, clearly it does.

But do you need the big bucks just to sift through junk mail and fetch coffee?

Do you know anyone who has done this? I'm interested in hearing from you!