Backpacks to Briefcases:

Navigating the Waters from College to the Working World

Laura Ledgerwood GarciaSocial Media Coordinator & Career Consultant

The University of Georgia Career Center

College vs. WorkCollege Work

Flexible schedule Schedule depends; ranges from 8-5, holidays, weekends, flex time, etc.

Homework and readings to do weekly Little to no homework

Grades Performance reviews

Professors Bosses

Individual Teamwork

Same age range Various age groups

Student Involvement Community Involvement

Next steps clearly defined Your career is where you take it

Making your Move

You got a job/got into graduate school….

what’s next?what’s next?

1.Find housing

2.Create a budget

3.Get acclimated

4.Create a brand for yourself

Housing

• Apartment resourceswww.apartmentfinder.com

www.apartmentguide.com

• Local agents – Google it! • Check for crime rates• Ask for recommendations• Read online reviews• Renting a house vs. renting an apartment

Housing Considerations

• # of rooms• # of bathrooms• Roommates vs. living by yourself• Pet fee• Gym• Laundry• Furnished/non furnished• Budget for start up costs & deposits

Relocation

• Moving on your ownwww.uhaul.com

www.pensketruckrental.com/

• Move with help on site www.movinghelp.com/

www.emove.com

• Moving companywww.allied.com/ - 18 wheeler

http://www.twomenandatruck.com

Least expensive

Most expensive

Budgeting

Income Tax •On average, approximately 28% of annual income is lost to taxes– $42,000 salary = $3,500 a month– After taxes $42,000 salary = approximately $2,500

•Monthly spending on housing should roughly equal 1/3 of income - $825•Create a budget

http://financialplan.about.com/cs/budgeting/l/blbudget.htm

Budgeting

FYI: Average UGA starting salary is $45,000•Keep your receipts•Record your expenses•Think of ways to save

Retirement

• Serious doubts whether Social Security will last for this generation

• A study by T. Rowe Price looked at thousands of possible investment scenarios to determine the odds of having enough money saved to replace 50% of your income in retirement. The findings:If you start early, you'll need to save 15% of your pretax income every year.

• If you start later, 25% is a more realistic figure• Contact the company financial planner/HR to

discuss your options

Savings

• Create an emergency fund - $1,000 minimum• Automatically draft your account• Consider joining a credit union• Take a personal financial planning class– Dave Ramsey: Financial Peace University

• Coupon – www.restaurant.com– www.groupon.com– www.southernsavers.com

Healthcare

1.HSA/FSA – Health Savings Account

2.HMO – Health Maintenance Organization

3.PPO – Preferred Provider Organization

4.Others

Work/Life Balance

• Chamber of Commerce website for events/other attractions in the area

• Young professional groups• Alumni groups• Hobby or interest based groups—political,

running, athletic, place of worship• Take a class

• Keep track of your achievements for performance reviews & raises

• Ask for feedback• Be open to criticism• Volunteer

Find a life outside of work

Transitioning into the Work World

• Under promise, over deliver • Do more than your job description

Transitioning into the Work World

Transitioning into the Work World

• Avoid office gossip and stay positive• People in power don’t always have a title

Transitioning into the Work World

• Show up on time and do your job, even when it appears no one is watching

Transitioning into the Work World

• Be careful what you put in writing• Think about your tone and whether or not

you are using the best medium

Transitioning into the Work World

• Ask & listen before acting• Respect traditions• “When I was at ________, this is how we did

it…”

Transitioning into the Work World

• Networking is essential to– Find your next job– Make money– Find new friends and colleagues

• Professional Conferences• Local groups• Ask coworkers what they

are involved in

Common Mistakes New Grads Make

• Thinking that because you have your degree, you shouldn't have to do grunt work

• Not being thorough– You're expected to consider all the options

thoroughly and make a recommendation that includes pros and cons

• Thinking what you post on social networking sites doesn't matter

• Procrastinating

Common Mistakes New Grads Make Cont’d

• Not taking charge of your career

• Waiting on someone to tell you what to do

• Not putting effort into forming relationships with older colleagues

• Not saying "thank you”

• Developing contacts through professional associations

Social Media

Personal Branding

What is a brand?

Branding:

The perception of a brand in the minds of persons. The brand image is a mirror reflection (though perhaps inaccurate) of the brand

personality or product being. It is what people believe about a brand-their thoughts, feelings, expectations. ~ American Marketing Association

Personal Branding:

“How we market ourselves to others.” ~ Dan Schawbel, Personal Branding Expert

What qualities do you associate with these brands?

vs.

vs.

Why should you brand yourself ?

• Generate business and future opportunities• To be perceived as a leader in your field• Stay up-to-date in your field• To prevent false representations of you or

your organization • People Google you

- Facebook: #2

- Twitter: #9

- LinkedIn:#12

Discover Your Brand

• Assess your knowledge, skills & abilities

• Identify strengths you can leverage and weaknesses you would like to work on

• Think about your values, passions & future

career goals

• How do these tie together?

Establish Your Brand

• Generate buzz about your work and ideas• Surround yourself with people you admire

and aspire to be like – virtually or in person• Keep consistent & clearly communicate• There’s no time like the present• Benchmark yourself against your

competition

LinkedIn for Branding & Job Search

YOUR GOAL

1. Create a profile

2. Join Targeted Groups

3. Network with Professionals

4. Correspond appropriately

5. Maintain your network

Industry Groups

Alumni Groups

Is what you’re asking reasonable?

Groups

Company Pages

LinkedIn Branding

• Customize your header to state your field, industry, or what you are seeking

• Add a brief summary and focus on concrete specialties – this can be found in advanced searches

• Include solid bullet points – skills, achievements, things you learned, results

John Smith

LinkedIn Branding• Update your status often –

daily or weekly

• Seek out recommendations

• Customize your url

• Reorder your sections to highlight your most relevant experiences first

• Display groups you joined on your profile

• Include work examples

Monitor what you created

• Set up a Google alert• Check your online presence at regular

intervals• Ask colleagues for feedback• Boost your brand by using the most

trafficked websites

Don’t forget to Google!

Final Thoughts

• Adopt the “Year of Yes” philosophy• Step out of your comfort zone• Monitor your finances and adjust your

budget as needed• Find time for YOU• Get involved professionally and personally• Manage your brand, don’t let it manage you• Keep your LinkedIn profile and resume up

to date!

QUESTIONS??

Laura LedgerwoodCareer Consultant

The University of GeorgiaAppointments: 706-542-3375

Walk-in Hours: Wednesdays, 12-2pmSatellite Hours: Tuesdays, 2-4pm

lel@uga.edulinkedin.com/in/lauraledgerwood