How to Start a Wood Engraving Business After College

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College teaches you a wide range of skills, but you still have a lot to learn if you want to start a business. If you have a particular talent for design and the arts, you might decide to use those skills to start a wood engraving business. It takes more than an art and design degree to make it work, though. For a higher chance of success, read on to learn how to start a wood engraving business after college.

Choose a Niche

The truth is that there are already a lot of wood engraving businesses out there. Don’t let that have you lose hope, though. As long as you can find a niche, then you have a chance of your business flourishing. You could target weddings, holidays, pets, and much more – just be sure to choose a niche that you are interested in.

Purchase High-Quality Supplies

No matter how passionate you are, there is no point in putting in the effort if you’re going to purchase shabby equipment – you need the quality to match up to your enthusiasm and efforts. You want to buy a high-quality laser wood cutting machine alongside quality wood that won’t disappoint your customers.

Do Your Research

Research is the backbone of any good business. As mentioned, wood engraving already has a large number of businesses, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a market out there. Do plenty of market research, including looking at the competition and seeing what type of marketing strategies work best. On top of that, keep researching wood engraving techniques – the better your skills are, the more your business is worth.

Set Business Goals

If you want to be successful, you need to have a mission, so set yourself some goals with ideal target dates in mind. That could mean making a certain amount of profit, or it could mean finding an investor.

Decide Where to Sell

One of the most important decisions you’ll make as a new business owner is where you will sell your wood-engraved products. There are plenty of online marketplaces – like Etsy – that’ll make selling a little easier, or you could build your own website and sell from there. You even have the option of opening up a physical store, although that will require more funding at the start.

Market Your New Wood Engraving Business

In order to attain your first customers (and the ones that’ll come after), you need to use marketing strategies. If you have a website, your goal is to drive as much traffic there as possible, so consider writing a blog about wood engraving and using SEO. You should also make the most of social media. By posting quality content regularly on the right platforms, you can create a loyal following. Plus, social media allows you to connect with other businesses.

Starting a wood engraving business out of college will be hard work, but if you have the commitment levels and unique design ideas, you might have what it takes to pull it off.

How to Find Employment Opportunities After College

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As you near the end of your final college term, looking for employment opportunities is likely high on your list of priorities. Most students choose their majors with a specific career path in mind. However, having acquired a diploma, you’re probably unsure about the right positions and industries where you can use your qualifications. Further, considering that the pandemic has altered the way businesses operate significantly, you might need a new approach to finding the right job that also matches your skills, talents, and interests.

Step One? Connect with an Expert Counselor for Help

Career counselors like Seth Jared Hymes typically have updated information about the career options available for students who have completed various degree programs. Having gone down the path of searching for jobs that were most suitable for his aptitudes, Seth created The Digital Marketing Career Blueprint to help people identify their personality types. You could be an extrovert who thrives in a bustling office environment where ideas are thrown around constantly. But, if you would prefer to do the brainstorming in the privacy of your office without an entire team around you, you should look for the best jobs for introverts.

Research for the Relevant Information Before Applying for Jobs

Seth recommends that you start researching around the different job sites for work descriptions and positions that match your skills. Do keep in mind that changing work environments may have opened up possibilities in industries and spheres that you may not have considered before. Job search platforms like Indeed, Monster, Glassdoor, Snagajob, Getwork, and even, LinkedIn list companies with complete details about the posting. You’ll read up about the hiring company, job delievrables, the accreditation needed, and salary offered. Adding keywords will help narrow down the search until you find options that you would want to apply for. Many companies send out to recruiters to universities to hire fresh talent, so keep a lookout for such opportunities.

Don’t Forget to Include Digital Marketing Opportunities in Your Search

Digital marketing is an industry that has been growing at breakneck speed with new disciplines emerging to keep pace with rapid technological developments. Whatever may be the skills you learnt in college, you might just be able to apply them in the world of eCommerce, online advertising, social media marketing, web designing, and countless others. Not only will these opportunities earn you great salaries, but they allow you to work in an environment where you’re most productive, at home or maybe in a coworking space. Your job counselor can help you identify the best options available that align with your needs. The most exciting factor about digital marketing is that you can start work with the minimum qualifications and learn on the job as part of the team.

 

Finding employment opportunities after college is no longer a challenging task when you have an expert counselor guiding you along the way. Rely on their expertise to build a career that is sure to make a success of your life.

 

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The Top 10 Jobs for College Graduates in 2020

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It’s that time in your college career: looking for a new job. It’s a daunting task ahead of you, but with a little preparation and hard work, you can be successful. Work on making connections in your career field as early as possible, and line up internships during the year or when you’re on breaks. Intern at a law office or take a job as a receptionist in a doctor’s office to help prepare you for job opportunities.

While college graduates often earn more than people who don’t go to college, that isn’t always the case. One of the key factors is experience. Having a well-rounded resume is a great way to shine when applying for different job positions. Working or having an internship within your career field are great ways to stand out from the crowd. Even volunteering and leadership opportunities on campus, such as taking part in your major’s school organization, are ways that you can add experiences to your resume.

1. Teacher

While teachers are often featured as overworked and underpaid, high school teachers are one of the higher paying jobs for college graduates directly out of school. Salaries range for teachers in their first year, but they can be as high as $50,000 in some areas. Keep in mind that this will vary based on your location and what you teach, but there are other advantages to teaching, including summers off, in some cases.

2. Web Designer

If you’re adept with technology, working as a web designer might be a good fit for you. Salaries vary widely, often ranging between $40,000 and $90,000. You may find a range of different job opportunities within the field, from working in-house for big companies to freelancing and never having to leave your house.

3. Nurse

Nursing is a hard job, but it can be very rewarding, allowing you to help and care for people during their darkest hours. Students who graduate from college will often find that nurses are in demand just about everywhere. The starting salary will depend on numerous factors including location, your area of specialization, and your education.

4. Internet Marketer

If you have a background in business or technology, look into internet marketing. This career field offers a range of options, from developing blogs to promote a product to utilizing search engine optimization. As new products or services come to the market, there are plenty of opportunities for you.

5. Pharmaceutical Representative

Pharmaceutical representatives are a great job if you like to travel and meet with people. The job may also offer perks in addition to a nice salary, including a company car. This high-paying sales job requires that you have good communication skills, and you might hear “no” a lot during your day as you travel to different doctors’ offices.

6. Financial Analyst

If you have an affinity for numbers, working as a financial analyst may be for you. While the field has taken a hit in recent years, there’s always a demand for people qualified in the field. Start by taking internships, so you have an “in” with companies.

7. Engineer

Engineering is a great STEM career opportunity for those who do well in science and math. As you research this career field, you’ll see that there are a range of different branches, such as nuclear and chemical engineering. To take advantage of the best opportunities, you’ll want to have had internships and make connections in this field.

8. Software Developer

Software developers or engineers tend to make great salaries, and their companies may offer perks like telecommuting all or part of the week. This job tends to be in high demand, although you might need to move to a major technology area to take advantage of the best opportunities.

artificial intelligence brain graphic

9. Account Manager

A account manager can wear a number of different hats, so this is a great job opportunity if you like doing different things and facing challenges. With this job, you act as a liaison between clients and an agency that is responsible for things such as sales and marketing.

10. Administrative Assistant

Administrative assistants are necessary in just about every field, and they can be a great stepping stone for future work. As an example, working as a medical assistant can give you the experience you need to round out your resume for medical school. This job may necessitate different tasks, from scheduling to bookkeeping.

In Summary

There are many different opportunities for graduates in 2020, and some of them are quite lucrative. Get started now by developing your experiences and making connections that can help you land the job you’re looking for.

Resources

https://www.careercast.com/career-news/11-top-paying-jobs-straight-out-college
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9952-jobs-for-college-graduates.html

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The Best College Jobs 2020

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When you’re in college, you have to balance a lot of things including going to class and spending time with friends. Some students sleep in really late after a night of partying, while others go without sleep to finish projects. One thing that rarely gets mentioned when you’re enrolling in school is what kind of job you should have. Even many scholarship students need to work in order to pay for housing, food, and textbooks, while the vast majority of students need to work to balance the amount of loans they take out.

There are numerous factors that make for a great college job.

  1. The first thing to look at when finding the best job for you is the schedule. You’ll want to find a job that is flexible for your school schedule and doesn’t require a time commitment that you just can’t commit to.
  2. The pay is important, but so is the relevance to your future career field and experiences necessary.
  3. While working in a call center might provide great money for the time invested, finding a job in a medical office would be more relevant if you’re looking at applying for medical school.
  4. The location is also important: you want something that’s easy to get to, and many students elect picking a job on campus purely for its convenience.

Let’s look at some of the job opportunities available to you when you’re in college.

1. Freelancing

Freelancing is the new way for people to work. Large numbers of the workforce have moved from holding traditional jobs to freelancing. This means you’re not tied down to a 9 to 5 job, and it can offer a variety of experiences in your future career field, especially when you do something like writing. Depending on what you do, there could be great money in it. Some people write blog posts for $100 for something that might only take a couple of hours to write.

2. Working in the Library

The library is often a central location at school and working there provides some great opportunities. You’ll learn where everything is and can make pretty decent money, depending on your school. There’s also the fact that you can get in good with the other library staff members, which can make finding resources or ordering materials go in your favor when you have a big project due.

3. Front Desk Staffer

This can be anywhere from working in the dorms to working at the front desk of a fitness center. These jobs often come with downtime, and you may find yourself having a little extra time to study while you’re earning a paycheck. Especially when you’re working on campus, you can meet new people and potentially learn new things while you’re working here.

worried woman behind books

4. Tutor

There are endless options for working as a tutor, so if you’re an expert in a subject, get ready to make some money. You can tutor in a variety of places, from teaching students in grade school off-campus to working with other college students that need help in a course you’ve already excelled in or even teaching the English language to new learners. Like other forms of freelancing, there’s also the gig economy. You can sign up to tutor through online sites, such as Chegg Tutors, and work solely online through an online learning platform. You’ll often make good money, and you can usually set up tutoring times around your busy schedule.

In Summary, keep this in mind while looking for a job while in college

There are lots of different job opportunities for college students. Make sure you check on campus, and you can even ask around in your school department to see if there are any job openings. Oftentimes, professors need research assistants or lab assistants, and there’s no reason why it couldn’t be you if you’re qualified for the job.

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How Social Media Can Affect Your Ability to Get a Job

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When you’re joining the so-called real world and getting a job, one of the things many companies and employers look at is your social media. This can be hard to imagine, especially after four years of school, where many people post pictures of themselves with their friends doing all sorts of crazy things: zip-lining on vacation, heading to concerts, drinking… Did you know that your potential employer can look through all of those pictures you have posted, and it might even make an impact on whether or not they hire you?

Some managers will send job seekers friend or follow requests on social media. They may also Google you and see what comes up. Many times, these managers are interested in learning a bit more about you, from your likes and interests to what you do in your free time. They may also look for key things that could make them not want to hire you.

Complaining about Your Job, Boss, or Customers

This should go without saying, but you never want to put your complaints out there in writing where others can read it. Future employers may see that you have badmouthed your current or previous employers and not want to hire you. There’s also the fact that if you’re complaining about your job, you might not like it, and employers want to hire people who are going to stick around.

Complaining about customers is another big no-no. Even if the customer was in the wrong, you don’t want to showcase yourself as possibly immature or bring bad light to the company you’re working for.

Posting Photos Partying and with Alcohol

While many people understand that drinking is common as you age, some companies don’t want to be associated with alcohol. School systems are another big group that don’t want their teachers sharing pictures of wine or beer on their social media in case parents or students see them and think the behavior is acceptable. If you like to party with your sorority or friends, make your photos private even while in college. You never know when someone might be looking at them.

co-workers cheers a drink

Never Post Slurs or Tasteless Comments

Offensive comments are another major no-go. Anything from racial slurs to inflammatory comments can be used against you at work. If you’ve already gotten a job, it could even cost you the career you have in front of you. It’s good practice to keep inflammatory opinions to yourself, and it’s especially important to keep those comments from being posted online, where they can be seen by millions, including your future boss.

Practicing Proper Grammar

Did you know that using texting language could be used against you when you’re up for a new job or promotion? Employers look at poor grammar and spelling in a negative light, even when it is online. There’s no telling if you don’t actually know how to spell properly or if you’re just messing around because you can only use a certain number of characters on Twitter.

In Summary, Keep this in mind on how social media can affect your job

Social media can be a benefit to people when used appropriately, allowing your future boss to see that you share common interests, for instance. But all too frequently it can be used against you, if you use it to complain about people or post inappropriate pictures. Practice good judgment anytime you post something online, so it can’t be used against you.

student looking at laptop chewing pencil

How to Get a Job After College

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You’ve worked for it for at least four years, through midterms, final exams, and research projects that took up hours of your time. The perfect job after college. How do you achieve this goal that might seem so impossible, especially when you realize how many other people are competing for that particular job, as well. There are some key tips you can utilize to be successful in getting your dream job after college.

Start Planning Now

According to Forbes, too many college students are waiting until the spring of their senior year to start looking at career options and dream jobs, and that might be too late. Starting in the fall of their senior year, or even earlier, is one of the main keys to being successful. It gives you time to research companies, prepare portfolio pieces, build a strong graduate CV and acquire internships that may lead to career opportunities.

Develop an Online Presence

No, your Facebook page is not what we’re talking about here, although all of your social media should reflect a version of you that is looking to get a job: no drinking or partying photos up on Instagram. What this means is that you set yourself up with a webpage that can showcase your talents. If you’re looking to go into finance, why not start a blog and catalogue the ways you’ve saved money through college and your goals for paying off student debt? You should also start a LinkedIn page and make connections with people in the field you’re looking at entering. This is a great way to network before you’ve ever left college.

Find Internships

Internships are a great way to prepare you for future job prospects. It’s even better when you can get internships with major companies, particularly within your field. This brand recognition can be the key to opening lots of doors for you post-graduation. If you do a good job during your internship, you might even qualify for a job with the company. Working hard at an internship or multiple internships is a major key to landing a job after college. It doesn’t matter if you’re fetching coffee or helping develop reports.

Stay in touch with the contacts you make during your internships; they might come in handy down the road. One of your contacts may become your mentor, and you should keep your eyes open and make connections that will lead you to finding a successful mentor in your field. Too often students rely on parents or family friends, but if they’re not in your career field, their mentorship is going to be limited.

 

workplace group meeting

Take Advantage of the Career Services Office

Most colleges and universities have a Career Services Office, but too often students don’t use it. Depending on your school, they may offer help in developing your cover letters and resumes. Another major advantage is many schools have an alumni database that they can connect you with. You may find someone who attended your school who is willing to be a mentor.

The Career Services Office may also offer job and internship leads. This can be a great resource for students to look into, and all too often it is under-utilized. When preparing for your job interview, check and see what the office offers in the way of interview prep. You may find someone who can help you through mock interviews, so you can put your best foot forward.

In Summary

Finding a job is challenging for everyone, especially new grads looking to enter the workforce. The sooner you get started on preparing for job prospects, the better your chances are of landing your dream job. Start making connections early and line up internships at companies in your career field.

Resources

https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2012/11/12/6-things-you-must-do-to-get-your-first-job-after-college/#5b42b5297f74

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Is it Time for Your Wardrobe to Grow Up?

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Transforming your look from college to career

After spending semester after semester in shorts and a hoodie, it seems like a daunting task to even think about putting on a dress and heels or a suit and tie. But there are ways to blend comfort and your own unique sense of style into your new adult wardrobe. This transformation becomes especially important when you enter the world of job interviews and internships. You certainly can’t sit in front of your future boss in what you’ve been wearing to class. Here are some helpful tips on how to dress like a grown-up and still ‘keep your cool’ and some money in your pocket.

Dress Appropriately For the Environment

Whether you’ve been invited to a fun networking event or you’re headed to your first job interview, it’s important to dress the part. You don’t want to wear a black cocktail dress to a job fair or a stuffy business suit to an after-work event. The key to successful dressing is to know where you’re going and what is expected of you. If the venue is upscale, you will definitely want to pull out your finest attire while still keeping in mind that you are representing the ‘adult professional’ version of yourself. Nightclub party dresses are usually never a good idea at any event where you are mingling with potential employers or colleagues. Stay true to your personal style, so you feel confident in what you are wearing.  Don’t just run outside and ruin your nice new clothes, pack a rain jacket like an adult. If you are the casual comfortable type, you can find natural fabrics like cotton and linen to give you that mature but relaxed look. If form fitting attire is your usual style, try wearing a structured blazer or an elegantly tailored wrap dress that flatters the figure in a more professional and conservative way.

Spend Money Wisely

Needless to say, college is expensive. This is probably not the wealthiest time period in your life. And if you are just graduating, it can be even more economically challenging, because usually that means you’re jobless at least until you find one. Rarely is there a lot of money for buying a new wardrobe. The best thing to do is to first look at what you have that can be transformed into work attire, such as blouses, sweaters, the forever versatile black dress, and any neutral colored items like khakis or a white shirt. After you have salvaged any decent clothing items from your existing wardrobe, it’s good to spend whatever money you do have or borrow from the parents, on a couple well-made blazers, a nice pair of pants, a tailored skirt, a few nicely made blouses or shirts. Try to choose a color palette and stay within that, it’s cheaper and easier because everything matches and your wardrobe appears larger for less money.

Forget the Fads

Leaving college behind and entering a whole new world where you are judged by completely different rules can be very difficult. The hardest transition can be the process of taking your style from trendy to classic. Forget about always trying to keep up with the latest style fads that come and go. Save that for your nightlife. Once you decide on a career, take a look around at what successful people in that type of industry are wearing and follow suit. Find classic timeless pieces of clothing that won’t look weird or outdated when the next fashion season rolls in. You can also save money by leaving the fads behind and buying clothing that doesn’t go out of style. You will need to make more careful purchasing decisions but in the end you will spend much less money not having to keep up with every passing style trend.

Confidence is a Key Accessory

No matter what you wear or what career path you choose, confidence in yourself and your decisions is always the best accessory. Now is the time to follow your dreams and passions and get to know who you really are. Tailor your fashion decisions to match the career path of your choice and you will walk into any interview feeling as if you already belong there and your potential employer will be more inclined to see you as a part of the company and the environment. Whatever you wear, wear with confidence and you will appear ready for any job you choose.

College life can be challenging, so reward yourself by looking the part of the professional adult you have been working so hard to develop over the last few years. Following some simple guidance can make the transition from college to career, fun, easy, and economical.