Comments on: Maximizing Crunch Time: Five Tips for those about to Graduate http://www.mscareergirl.com/2010/02/23/maximizing-crunch-time-five-tips-for-those-about-to-graduate/ the blog for ambitions young professional women. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:08:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Matt Cheuvront http://www.mscareergirl.com/2010/02/23/maximizing-crunch-time-five-tips-for-those-about-to-graduate/#comment-6246 Matt Cheuvront Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:25:22 +0000 http://www.mscareergirl.com/?p=2156#comment-6246 I have to get myself overseas. At least to visit, and I'd love to live there for a bit. I feel like experiencing another culture and really immersing yourself in it does wonders for perspective (as I'm sure you can attest to). You have a great attitude and it sounds like you have a solid plan ahead of you. Good luck to you! I have to get myself overseas. At least to visit, and I’d love to live there for a bit. I feel like experiencing another culture and really immersing yourself in it does wonders for perspective (as I’m sure you can attest to).

You have a great attitude and it sounds like you have a solid plan ahead of you. Good luck to you!

]]> By: Matt Cheuvront http://www.mscareergirl.com/2010/02/23/maximizing-crunch-time-five-tips-for-those-about-to-graduate/#comment-6245 Matt Cheuvront Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:23:34 +0000 http://www.mscareergirl.com/?p=2156#comment-6245 I hear you man. Settling is an ugly word - I wish we could get rid of it altogether. My point is that it's OK to take something less than ideal in pursuit of your dreams - just make sure, instead of sitting around and complaining about it, you're actually trying to better your situation. It seems like around the web so many people will tell you that settling is for suckers. That you should do everything you want today. I love the attitude, but there are still bills to pay, still obligations to support. I'm an idealist, but also a realist, and know that everything isn't going to happen overnight, but that I'm doing everything I can to live out my passions and work toward them. I hear you man. Settling is an ugly word – I wish we could get rid of it altogether. My point is that it’s OK to take something less than ideal in pursuit of your dreams – just make sure, instead of sitting around and complaining about it, you’re actually trying to better your situation.

It seems like around the web so many people will tell you that settling is for suckers. That you should do everything you want today. I love the attitude, but there are still bills to pay, still obligations to support. I’m an idealist, but also a realist, and know that everything isn’t going to happen overnight, but that I’m doing everything I can to live out my passions and work toward them.

]]> By: Matt Cheuvront http://www.mscareergirl.com/2010/02/23/maximizing-crunch-time-five-tips-for-those-about-to-graduate/#comment-6244 Matt Cheuvront Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:19:29 +0000 http://www.mscareergirl.com/?p=2156#comment-6244 Not at all what I mean Rob. You have to be smart about this. I'm not suggesting applying for everything and everything (been there - huge waste of time - but a learning experience nonetheless). If you technically cannot do what the job is asking - it's pointless to apply. But if you have minimal experience, while a job posting asks for 3-5 years, and you know you CAN do the job (and do it well) - you should (of course) send in a resume. My point was that you shouldn't be intimidated by a job "requirement". Know your worth and own it. Hope that clarifies... Not at all what I mean Rob. You have to be smart about this. I’m not suggesting applying for everything and everything (been there – huge waste of time – but a learning experience nonetheless). If you technically cannot do what the job is asking – it’s pointless to apply. But if you have minimal experience, while a job posting asks for 3-5 years, and you know you CAN do the job (and do it well) – you should (of course) send in a resume. My point was that you shouldn’t be intimidated by a job “requirement”. Know your worth and own it. Hope that clarifies…

]]> By: Matt Cheuvront http://www.mscareergirl.com/2010/02/23/maximizing-crunch-time-five-tips-for-those-about-to-graduate/#comment-6243 Matt Cheuvront Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:16:29 +0000 http://www.mscareergirl.com/?p=2156#comment-6243 Thanks for your comment - I'd take the time to tell you how absolutely insane/awesome/crazy the past 12 months have been, but I'll spare you the details. Just know that there are going to be many MANY ups and many downs. But you have the right attitude. Focus on YOU and what YOU'RE doing instead of comparing yourself to everyone around you. Cheers! Thanks for your comment – I’d take the time to tell you how absolutely insane/awesome/crazy the past 12 months have been, but I’ll spare you the details. Just know that there are going to be many MANY ups and many downs. But you have the right attitude. Focus on YOU and what YOU’RE doing instead of comparing yourself to everyone around you. Cheers!

]]> By: Matt Cheuvront http://www.mscareergirl.com/2010/02/23/maximizing-crunch-time-five-tips-for-those-about-to-graduate/#comment-6242 Matt Cheuvront Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:14:26 +0000 http://www.mscareergirl.com/?p=2156#comment-6242 Great points guys. The people doing the hiring are REAL LIVE people with personalities and feelings - simply being a good fit with a companies culture CAN trump a lack of experience. Don't let "required experience" scare you off from pursuing something you know you can do. Great points guys. The people doing the hiring are REAL LIVE people with personalities and feelings – simply being a good fit with a companies culture CAN trump a lack of experience. Don’t let “required experience” scare you off from pursuing something you know you can do.

]]> By: Matt Cheuvront http://www.mscareergirl.com/2010/02/23/maximizing-crunch-time-five-tips-for-those-about-to-graduate/#comment-6241 Matt Cheuvront Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:09:20 +0000 http://www.mscareergirl.com/?p=2156#comment-6241 Mass-applying does suck but Tyler ol buddy, I've been there myself. 8 months ago I moved to Chicago with nothing lined up here - and applied for EVERYTHING you could think of - even a Management position at Noodles & Company (hey, free noodles!) So I've seen varied ends of the spectrum where as now, being recently laid off, I couldn't be happier, and I've positioned myself so (hopefully) I never have to scour Craiglist again. Great to hear your story and thanks for the comment! Mass-applying does suck but Tyler ol buddy, I’ve been there myself. 8 months ago I moved to Chicago with nothing lined up here – and applied for EVERYTHING you could think of – even a Management position at Noodles & Company (hey, free noodles!) So I’ve seen varied ends of the spectrum where as now, being recently laid off, I couldn’t be happier, and I’ve positioned myself so (hopefully) I never have to scour Craiglist again. Great to hear your story and thanks for the comment!

]]> By: Matt Cheuvront http://www.mscareergirl.com/2010/02/23/maximizing-crunch-time-five-tips-for-those-about-to-graduate/#comment-6240 Matt Cheuvront Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:06:44 +0000 http://www.mscareergirl.com/?p=2156#comment-6240 All of those things you mentioned help define who you are. Nothing at all to be ashamed up. As long as you keep an open mind and are willing to learn from every experience, "settling" can be the perfect step in the right direction. All of those things you mentioned help define who you are. Nothing at all to be ashamed up. As long as you keep an open mind and are willing to learn from every experience, “settling” can be the perfect step in the right direction.

]]> By: Heather http://www.mscareergirl.com/2010/02/23/maximizing-crunch-time-five-tips-for-those-about-to-graduate/#comment-6233 Heather Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:27:23 +0000 http://www.mscareergirl.com/?p=2156#comment-6233 Hey Matt (and Nicole), Though I agree that people shouldn't jump right in to graduate school, it CAN work. It worked for me! Maybe the difference is that I did it in China. There's nothing like being away from North America, and submerged in another culture, to get all the noise out of your head. You know, things like what kind of job you "should" have, and how much money you "should" make. Of course, I guess I am taking your advice after all...I'm heading back to Toronto in a few months without finishing the degree (International Relations just doesn't do it for me.) The great thing about it, though, is that I had the time and space to think about what I really want for myself...and I'm heading home early to start making it happen! All the best, Heather Hey Matt (and Nicole),

Though I agree that people shouldn’t jump right in to graduate school, it CAN work. It worked for me! Maybe the difference is that I did it in China. There’s nothing like being away from North America, and submerged in another culture, to get all the noise out of your head. You know, things like what kind of job you “should” have, and how much money you “should” make.

Of course, I guess I am taking your advice after all…I’m heading back to Toronto in a few months without finishing the degree (International Relations just doesn’t do it for me.) The great thing about it, though, is that I had the time and space to think about what I really want for myself…and I’m heading home early to start making it happen!

All the best,

Heather

]]> By: Srinivas Rao http://www.mscareergirl.com/2010/02/23/maximizing-crunch-time-five-tips-for-those-about-to-graduate/#comment-6232 Srinivas Rao Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:25:17 +0000 http://www.mscareergirl.com/?p=2156#comment-6232 Matt, I'm about 10 years out of college, but looking back I didn't do most of what have said here. Fortunately, times have changed and almost everything here is so easy to do. If there's any one piece of advice I would give to college seniors, it's the same advice I gave to MBA students "NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK." The part about settling is one that I have a hard time getting my head around. I took a paycheck and I quit my job in two weeks. Granted, I'm out of grad school and not undergrad so settling is not something I'm as willing to do. Out of undergrad it's likely you will have to settle. But, that doesn't mean you can't set yourself up to get out of a situation you hate and a blog is a perfect way to get started on that path. Matt,

I’m about 10 years out of college, but looking back I didn’t do most of what have said here. Fortunately, times have changed and almost everything here is so easy to do. If there’s any one piece of advice I would give to college seniors, it’s the same advice I gave to MBA students “NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK.”

The part about settling is one that I have a hard time getting my head around. I took a paycheck and I quit my job in two weeks. Granted, I’m out of grad school and not undergrad so settling is not something I’m as willing to do. Out of undergrad it’s likely you will have to settle. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t set yourself up to get out of a situation you hate and a blog is a perfect way to get started on that path.

]]> By: Rob http://www.mscareergirl.com/2010/02/23/maximizing-crunch-time-five-tips-for-those-about-to-graduate/#comment-6229 Rob Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:24:24 +0000 http://www.mscareergirl.com/?p=2156#comment-6229 Matt, I'm not clear on your point about applying for jobs for which I'm not qualified. There are a lot of people out there writing that the "shotgun approach" of applying to anything and everything that shows up on a job board is a poor strategy. It sounds like you're suggesting going ahead and doing just that, even for jobs in which I technically don't meet the minimum requirements? Matt, I’m not clear on your point about applying for jobs for which I’m not qualified. There are a lot of people out there writing that the “shotgun approach” of applying to anything and everything that shows up on a job board is a poor strategy. It sounds like you’re suggesting going ahead and doing just that, even for jobs in which I technically don’t meet the minimum requirements?

]]>