On March 27th, the Minnesota Private Colleges Career Consortium held its ninth annual Pathways to Careers event. Held every year, the event cycles through three different topics: Communications, Arts, and Bioscience. This year focused on Communication careers. Using only alumni from Minnesota private colleges, the professionals made up four different panels: Advertising/Marketing, Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations/Corporate Communications, and Publishing/Print and Electric Media.
Although focusing on communication careers, the advice given by the panels is good for any field. For example, Cassie Bonstrom, an assignment director at WCCO-TV, pointed out that it is very important to make as many connections as possible because it is often a matter of “who you know.” Many of the panelists also agreed that while additional education, such as graduate school, always looks good on resumes, it does not necessarily prepare one for the actual job.
Another thing that the panelists emphasized was internships. In fact, many panelists’ first steps were the internships they held while in college. Although finding an internship is difficult in some areas, it should be understood that obtaining one is only half the battle. Gustavus alum Michael Wobschall explains that internships are often a way to weed out people who do not actually fit the profession. He also mentions that it is important to be ambitious in any internship because interns are usually judged more critically than actual employees. Furthermore, the panelists stress that it is important to bring curiosity as well as passion and enthusiasm to any internship.
Overall, the Pathways to Careers event is extremely educational to those who are unsure about their next step after college. If you are interested in learning more about this event or have any questions about your next step, set up an appointment at the Center for Servant Leadership for help.
By E. W.