Students Attribute Social Media to Finding Jobs After Graduation
By Alexandra Puffer
Comment Staff
In Junior High School not many students put much thought into the impact their social media profiles and presence online would have on their future careers.
Years later employers are researching job candidates online, investigating future employees based on their Google searches, and scrambling to find recent graduates who can build websites, manage these social media accounts, and code.
Ashley Lomas, an accounting major from the class of 2014, recently applied to four jobs online through her LinkedIn profile. Within two days she had heard from all four job opportunities and had four interviews over the phone.
She is currently in the process of selecting which full time position she will take this summer straight out of college. However, Lomas is not stopping here.
“I am applying for grad schools because in the field, a bachelor’s can only go so far,” Lomas said. “This title is a large pay grade boost in the field, and has made the bachelor’s basically obsolete.”
Although LinkedIn can be an opportunity for connecting with employers and companies, making and posting a profile is not enough. Employers will be turned off by a résumé that has not been updated.
Camille Serrecchia, class of 2012 who majored in corporate communication was immediately employed after graduating through her part-time job at TJ Maxx. She was accepted into a program to train her for a full time management position. However, before accepting a job she used social media to get ahead of the competition.
“Tweeting a recruiter is an easy but, bold way to ask for a job or internship,” said Serrecchia. “Don’t forget about Linkedin either, sometimes knowing what someone looks like can ease interview jitters.”
Despite the luck these students are having, others are still hesitant about the site. The professional setting on LinkedIn is intimidating and different than platforms such as Facebook or Twitter and no one wants to be judged solely on a digital profile.
Lilly Devine, a communication major from the class of 2015 is one of these students.
“I probably won’t use LinkedIn until I start looking for a job,” said Devine. “I don’t have enough experience or connections right now.”
Lomas said she’s entering the job market ready for anything.
“I am willing to take any opportunity from an internship to an entry level position in an accounting firm,” said Lomas.” It is a catch 22. Companies want to hire employees with experience, yet the only way to gain experience is to work.”
Alexandra Puffer is a Comment staff writer. Follow her on Twitter at @alexandrapuffer or email her at apuffer@student.bridgew.edu
