College graduates may feel like they're standing on a ledge after graduating. The inevitable post-college job search can often leave students feeling hopeless.
Drew Kerr will be holding his third "Don't Jump! Improving your Job Hunting & Networking Odds" career session in 306 Clemens on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Kerr, a member of the UB graduating class of 1979, received his degree in English. He wrote for The Spectrum for over two years while also freelancing for The Buffalo News. While "Don't Jump!" is described as a career session, Kerr's 20 years of experience make it much more than that.
"This is not a resume writing workshop," Kerr said. "This is a put-your-head-in-the-right-place kind of session."
Kerr is the CEO of Four Corners Communications, a public relations consultancy based in New York City. Some notable clients that Kerr has worked with include Maxim, Cosmopolitan, Bloomberg News, Cramster, Bleacher Report and Sporting News.
In Kerr's opinion, UB offers students great job skills but not the skills required to find those jobs.
"Over the years, I've gotten so many resumes from UB students… and I would say 98 percent of them are useless," Kerr said.
Kerr believes that many college students are unable to obtain careers in today's job market because they are relying on old-school strategies in a modern world. "Don't Jump!" is designed to inform students how to overcome the issues that arise in searching for a job.
"Most students, I feel, have no idea how to really look for a job the smart way and how to network. A lot of students think that networking is getting on Facebook and friending and posting pictures," Kerr said. "But if you want a job, it's a whole different story."
After the session, Kerr will answer any questions that students may have for him. Kerr prides himself on providing answers for students and hopes that he sheds some light on an overwhelming subject.
"Don't freak out, don't pick up any sharp objects, don't do anything drastic," Kerr said. "You're actually in terrific shape and I'm going to share with you the secrets of really improving your odds and getting your act together and beating out the vast mediocrity that is out there that have no idea how to get jobs."
E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Ms Jones | Wikimedia Commons
