You Are Here

Last week I went to the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers (SoACE) Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. We stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. If you've been there, you can totally relate to these next few statements. If you can't, let me paint a picture for you: it's huge. Like, abnormally huge. There are 3 giant atriums with rivers, bridges, a whole lot of foliage, a waterfall, you get the gist.

On the second day that we were there, I got lost. Not a surprise from the people that know me. I thought I found my room but my key didn't work. I asked the housekeeper "Where is room D3097?" and she responded "No ma'am, no such room. " Awesome. As I googled "Gaylord Opryland" in my iPhone to find the front desk number, I was also starring at one of those mall maps they have scattered around the hotel. "You Are Here". Great, thanks. I know that. But how do I get there? Where is my room? I don't even know the correct number!

Amidst my frustration, I took off storming in the atrium. It hit me that I was in fact, lost. As I was crossing a bridge, I saw my co-worker John. "John!" I yelled. "Where the heck am I? Where is my room?!?" "Maria, what are you doing?" He replied. I went from the verge of tears to us both laughing hysterically. He walked me to my room as I explained this whole ordeal.

This got me thinking. How many amazing metaphors came out of this one simple experience. Lost, tyring to find my way, knowing where to go but still cannot execute it, crossing a bridge and finding someone to guide and help. This got me thinking of a book idea.

Therefore, one of the books that I want to write (ah...how many people say that line?) is called You Are Here: A College Student's Perspective About Career Exploration. Written for college students trying to find their way.

All we know is what we know. Even though where you know you want to be is mapped out for you, you can still get lost along the way. Sometimes our destination doesn't even exist. (cough cough room D3097!) But we need to trust the people we surround ourselves with. At the end of the day the Internet, my phone, and that stupidly confusing mall map didn't help me. John did. It's the relationships that we build are the ones that get us through. Think about these things when you plan the unpredictable future.

"Tell Your Friends" , A Throw Away Line or Brilliant Marketing Strategy?

Many recruiters that I come in contact with enjoy speaking to classes and holding informational sessions, where they can explain their company, the mission, a typical career path, interview advice, and what they are looking for in their employees. Many do end up posting any available positions on our online job board for students to view and apply. But what is more effective for a gen Y student? Finding it online, or hearing about it from a friend?

Most students I meet spend many hours searching and applying for jobs online. And, I must say, they are pretty good googlers. If there is a posting, they find it.

However, students talk. They talk about what they are doing this weekend, who's dating someone eles's ex girlfriend, and where they are going with their lives. So when a recruiter comes to talk to a class of 20 students, in the end, how many are they actually reaching? 25? 50? 173?

On college campuses, words travel fast. Even faster with facebook status updates displaying observational comments of the day. If the recruiter has an engaging, thought provoking, and well executed presentation, you know that you are not speaking to a class of 20...you may be in fact speaking to a class of 200.

"Tell your friends" should not be taken lightly. It may be the heaviest phrase you say all day.