CHAPTER 3

Don’t Believe These Common Misconceptions

Students often believe that they are inadequate or doomed for disappointment because of a series of misconceptions about what it takes to get an internship, research position, or job. Let’s look at eight of the most common myths, along with the reasons why they are incorrect when applied to students like you.

MISCONCEPTION #1: YOUR INTERNSHIP OR JOB NEEDS TO BE RELATED TO YOUR MAJOR

Many students believe that once they choose a major or program of study, they are locked in to a narrow set of career paths—if you study accounting, you must become an accountant; if you study psychology, you must work in counseling or human resources. However, your major or program of study does not have to determine your long-term career path—or even your first job after college. Research shows that only 27% of college graduates in the United States end up in a career related to their academic major.¹ Other studies have found that many graduates take jobs that didn’t even exist when they began college.

In addition, many students aren’t even aware of the full range of jobs that relate to their major. For example, studying sociology prepares students to ask the right questions, conduct research, and analyze data. Any job title that includes the words “analyst” or “researcher” likely requires these skills, regardless of the organization or industry, but the job posting probably won’t include the qualification “sociology majors preferred.” Many majors and programs teach critical thinking skills and/or communication skills that will help you regardless of your career path.

Also, many students realize they aren’t drawn to the typical career options available to graduates in their major. It is human nature to evolve and to have a change of interests from the time you choose a major or program of study to the time you finish school. Although this may make your job search more difficult, you can tell your story (during career conversations and interviews, as well as in your résumé and cover letter) to connect the dots between your interests, your studies, your skills, and your future ambitions.

One of my students, Gabriela, had dreamed for seven years of becoming a therapist. At the age of thirty, she immigrated to the United States and then earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. However, after shadowing a few therapists during her senior year, she realized that she wouldn’t enjoy the work. She felt like her whole career plan had come crashing down. After graduation, Gabriela signed up for a few community college classes, registered for a Career Launch program through her school, and implemented the Career Launch Method to learn about, and find, other career options. Gabriela’s career conversations led directly to her landing a research position she wanted.

Then, six months later, she decided to pivot once more and pursue a master’s in gerontology. She again utilized a proactive strategy to build relationships with professionals at the graduate schools to which she was applying. Her efforts resulted in her receiving a verbal admission prior to the application process being finished.

Gabriela’s success shows that you can change career paths and have success landing positions unrelated to what you study.

MISCONCEPTION #2: APPLYING TO JOBS ONLINE AND THROUGH CAREER FAIRS ARE THE ONLY/ BEST WAYS TO LAND INTERNSHIPS OR JOBS

Many students believe that positions advertised through their college’s programs and events, or through online job websites, are the only jobs available to them. Again, all students should utilize these resources. If an organization you are interested in working for is attending your school’s career fair, hosting a recruiting event, or interviewing on or through your campus, you should take full advantage of all these opportunities. And you should simultaneously be conducting career conversations with people in the specific departments of those organizations where you want to work, as a way to cultivate an internal advocate and separate yourself from all the other applicants applying online and/or who attend a career fair.

Remember, most internships and jobs are never advertised or posted online in the first place. By utilizing career conversations, you will have a twofold advantage over other students. First, utilizing career conversations in conjunction with submitting an online posting and attending career fairs will differentiate you. Second, utilizing career conversations with organizations that do not recruit at your school or have online openings can be your means to access the 80% of jobs in the hidden job market.

MISCONCEPTION #3: GPA IS EVERYTHING

It is true that a small number of graduate schools and companies require candidates to have a high GPA to be considered qualified for a position. Top law schools, medical schools, and some government agencies, along with the most selective accounting and consulting companies, often require applicants to have a GPA above 3.5 (or higher, like 3.8) to get noticed. However, these schools and companies represent a small fraction of all available opportunities.

Your GPA is just one indicator of your capabilities, though admittedly it is a quick way for organizations to sort through hundreds or thousands of applications. Most employers understand that your GPA doesn’t fully represent who you are, but it’s up to you to prove that to them. If you have a low GPA, you can still land an internship or job at a great organization—even at a competitive one.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has done research asking employers what attributes they look for in new graduates. The most important attribute was communication, with 82% of employers saying they highly value it. Close behind were problem solving, the ability to work in a team, and initiative.² These traits are all valued more highly than GPA by most employers. Don’t be discouraged if you have a low GPA.

MISCONCEPTION #4: YOUR FIRST JOB DETERMINES YOUR LONG-TERM CAREER SUCCESS

Don’t get me wrong; your first job can be an important stepping- stone to future opportunities. But it is not all or nothing—especially during a market downturn like the one that occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Too many students believe that they are a failure if they don’t get the perfect job right out of college.

In fact, it’s very rare for students to get exactly the job they want right away, but this doesn’t mean that their career ambitions are unattainable. Your first job doesn’t lock you in to one industry, and it shouldn’t determine your personal or professional identity. Treat your first job more as a learning experience than a prediction about your future. I have a friend, Zach, whose first job after finishing college was stocking shelves at a CVS pharmacy store; he now has a leadership position at Google.

Also, don’t put too much pressure on yourself by comparing your choices and progress with that of your peers. Everyone’s career path unfolds at a different pace. It’s very common for students to work several different jobs before finding what a great fit means for them. Don’t let your pace discourage you. The strategies in the Career Launch Method don’t stop working after you graduate, so even if you don’t like your first job, you can use career conversations to find new opportunities moving forward.

MISCONCEPTION #5: ASKING FOR HELP IS A SIGN OF WEAKNESS

Students are often told, by their families or others, that they should be able to accomplish everything all by themselves, and that independence is viewed as a sign of strength and intelligence. Many students (especially first-generation college students) have told me that they were raised in families where they were taught not to ask for help. But the reality, as the poet John Donne noted, is that no one is an island; we all need to rely on other people to thrive, collaborate, and find new opportunities. Other people have experiences and wisdom that you don’t have, and you should recognize your inexperience and appreciate that no one expects you to have everything completely figured out at this stage in your life.

Asking for help is one of the smartest things you can do for your career. You will find that many professionals who have never met you are extremely willing to be of assistance just because you are a student asking for help. Professionals understand that the years during and immediately after college are some of the most uncertain in a person’s career. Furthermore, the relationships that you build can be valuable for the rest of your life. Very seldom will opportunities come knocking at your door if you don’t ask for help.

MISCONCEPTION #6: YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE TO LAND AN INTERNSHIP OR JOB

For many students, the most challenging internship or job to land is their first. Even if you have never had an internship or job, however, you still have valuable experiences that you can discuss with potential recruiters and employers. In addition to your coursework, perhaps you volunteer at a local organization, play a leadership role in your family, perform in the arts, play sports, or participate in various projects, individually or in a group. Each of these experiences will show employers your skills and character. Students often mistakenly believe that employers are looking for more experience from students than they actually are.

Also, don’t be discouraged if you don’t meet every qualification on a job posting—this is especially true for internships. Research shows that the rate at which people are invited for interviews is no greater for candidates who meet all job description requirements than for those who meet more than half the requirements.³ Studies have found that women and first-generation college students, especially, don’t apply to jobs for which they don’t meet every requirement. If you meet around half of the job requirements, you should apply. And you should simultaneously be creating relationships with professionals to develop an internal advocate and increase your odds of landing the position.

MISCONCEPTION #7: YOU NEED TO PLAN YOUR FUTURE CAREER BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

Wrong. The truth is you don’t need to have a clear idea of what career you want to pursue for the rest of your life when you begin building relationships or searching for internships. One of the major advantages of career conversations and internships is that they can help you discern what types of jobs you might want in the future. Learning from others about what you don’t like is just as valuable as learning what you do like. If you have five different job types, industries, organizations, or graduate schools you’re interested in, you likely don’t have time to earn an internship in each area to help discern which you prefer. Though you can expedite your discernment process by learning vicariously through career conversations.

You should never wait until you’re certain to begin networking and applying, because you’ll never be fully certain. It’s also likely that through networking and completing internships, you’ll be surprised by what you gravitate toward. The bottom line is that you should never let your uncertainty prevent you from taking action.

MISCONCEPTION #8: YOU’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH, OR YOU’RE NOT WORTHY

Maybe you’ve been told by family, friends, or teachers that you can’t do something. Maybe no one in your family or community works in the industry in which you aspire to work. Maybe you have a DUI or similar infraction on your record. Maybe you have to work two or three minimum-wage jobs just to make ends meet. Maybe you’ve applied to more than one hundred jobs online and never even obtained an interview. All of these are challenging roadblocks, to be sure, but none of them make you unworthy of a career that you love.

Everyone faces different challenges in their career journey, but if you persevere with the right strategy, you can overcome the odds and get a job you’ll love. It may take time, courage, and persistence, but you can do it. If you have persevered through difficult circumstances in your life, you likely have unique skills and mindsets that organizations will definitely value. You will need to learn how to tell your story so that future employers recognize your skills and character.

REVIEW AND REFLECT