New Grads: Now What?

This morning, Carolyn provided some savvy insight on NBC’s The Today Show, for their segment “Advice for College Grads.” She was one of five guests who spoke about different important aspects for grads now entering the workforce.

Carolyn’s focus was on nailing the interview. Appropos, as she knows this stuff cold.

Are you a grad? Know a grad? This is something worth watching, sharing. Good stuff. Also, watch for Carolyn’s New York Daily News column next week, which will tackle the same topic in more depth.

Since we’re on the subject… two of our beloved interns here at fwm, Kleona and Aubelia, have just graduated. Congratulations!

Ironically, both are thinking about taking a break to travel over the summer before gearing up for full-time work. But they're also nervous about how that time will look to potential employers.

I am thinking about going to Grad school. However, what I really want to do is just take a step back and have some time for myself to figure out what my next step is. I would love to go traveling to Europe and visit some friends and relatives. But what will employers think once I start applying for jobs in the fall? --Kleona

Even though I have figured out what I DON'T want to do in the future, I haven't quite figured out what I DO want to do. I have plans to travel in Europe for three weeks in June, but I am torn between starting something right away and putting it all off until the fall. Will I be harming myself by doing that? --Aubelia

The gals point out that the potential benefits of travel are many: networking and meeting new people; having more time to explore what kind of jobs are out there, getting a better world view; finding their passion. But do those positives outweigh the potential negatives: looking "lazy" to employers; losing jobs to other grads who started right away; having to gear back up after three-month vacation mode; paying for their travels without working?

What do you think? Please share!

(And to Kleona and Aubelia – our best to you both, in whatever you decide!)

Carolyn Gives Startup Tips on The Today Show

We took a break from writing, researching, doing the laundry, collaborating, refereeing the kids, brainstorming and testing—(Yes, we've got a lot to juggle these days!)—to catch our very own Carolyn on The Today Show this morning, where she and Hoda Kotb chatted about our partnership with Yahoo!'s Seeds for Success contest, plus her thoughts on the fundamentals of bringing your business ideas from seed to fruition.

Her number one recommendation? Be passionate! "Being an entrepreneur means living, breathing and talking your idea," she says. "You have to be able to sell your concept to anyone, and that means selling with passion. Your audience needs to feel your enthusiasm and your conviction that you have the right idea at the right time. Make your passion and enthusiasm visible to everyone — how well you do this can make or break a deal."

So, what are you passionate about? Leave us a comment and tell fwm.

Then, watch (or re-watch) the video of Carolyn's appearance this morning on The Today Show:

More Recommended Reading:
Carolyn's 10 Tips on Starting a Business [The Today Show]