You've finally made it through the grueling exams, the caffeinated study sessions and the fatiguing all-nighters. Once you've earned the degree, suddenly your worry shifts from passing classes to finding a job. And for liberal arts majors, the market for opportunities often looks bleak.
To help allay job fears, Drew Kerr will be conducting his fourth consecutive career session – titled "Don't Jump! Improving Your Job Hunting and Networking Odds" – in 306 Clemens on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
A member of UB's graduating class of 1979, Kerr received a degree in English, was a writer for The Spectrum, and did freelance work for The Buffalo News.
In the last 20 years, he has run his own public-relations consultancy, through which he has received thousands of resumes and cover letters. He uses his experience to advise many UB students in his sessions.
"I want to show everyone that there is no reason to freak out," Kerr said. "I don't care if you are a sociology major and you have no idea what you're going to do with the degree, or if you feel you know what you want to do, but don't have a chance. I'm here to say you can improve your odds dramatically."
In their job searches, students are using a lot of outdated methods, some of which Kerr himself used in the early 1980s, that may be irrelevant today. In Kerr's opinion, students don't realize that there are a lot of things that they can do that will improve the likelihood of finding a job.
The session will not be a resume-building workshop; rather, it will spread information about how to overcome obstacles within the job market.
"It's never too early to think ahead and lay the ground work," Kerr said. "If you lay the ground work now it will help you tremendously when you graduate."
The whole process of searching and applying for a job has changed dramatically, according to Kerr, who will be answering students' questions during and after the presentation.
"I feel for students," Kerr said. "Last year was the most freaked out, numb group of students that have ever showed up for one of my sessions. Come in, be positive."
Kerr guarantees to provide eye-opening points and prompt many "ah-ha" moments.
"You're going to walk out thinking about things you never thought about before," Kerr said.
E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
