1. 1 Guide to a Successful College Career How to be the kind of college graduate employers fight over! These recommendations are based off…  Surveys of employers  Interviews of employers  Our experience as teachers and advisors The Department of Agricultural Economics wants you to have a successful college career, obtain a good job in a career you enjoy, and most importantly, to be happy in life. Here are our suggestions on achieving these goals.

2. 2 What are employers looking for in college graduates? In order of importance to employers 1. High degree of personal character 2. Passion and dedication to one’s career 3. Communication skills 4. Problem solving skills 5. Ability to work well with others

3. 3 Steps to becoming a successful college graduate… …a graduate that employers want to hire. 1. Find a major and career that you love and best fits your personality. 2. Study hard. Try your best to keep your GPA above 3.0. Some employers will not interview students with a GPA less than 3.0. 3. Unless you will apply to medical school, vet school, or similar, do not become obsessed with making straight A’s. The optimal GPA, from employers’ point-of-view, is between 3.5 and 3.75. For many jobs, a GPA above 3.0 is sufficient. 4. Join 1-3 academic organizations (including fraternities and sororities), and obtain at least one leadership position. 5. Obtain a good internship and work your heart out for your employer to ensure good recommendation letters.

4. 4 6. Spend hours practicing your interviewing skills. Employers place a high importance on the personal interview. 7. Avoid anything that would cast doubt on your character, like an F! on your transcript or questionable content on your social networking site. 8. Make sure your résumé and cover letters are polished. Steps to becoming a successful college graduate… …a graduate that employers want to hire. 9. Make sure some of your school or personal activities involve community service. 11. Keep good samples of your writing, Power Point presentations, or even videos of a public speech to illustrate your communication skills. 10. Learn and use good professional manners.

5. 5 Student Success Center The student success center contains excellent professional staff and Career Liaisons to help you …find an internship or job …polish your cover letters and résumés Student Resources Education does not occur only in classroom! …practice your interviewing skills …answer any questions you may have about evaluating career options, researching job qualifications, seeking out job opportunities, preparing for or obtaining job interviews, and career-related questions. …learn about different careers

6. 6 Your Advisor Agricultural students are fortunate in that each student has a faculty advisor. Advisors are there to… …help you decide what courses to take …help you discover what degree best suits your personality and career aspirations …help you graduate on time …be your friend and mentor …answer any questions you may have Student Resources Teaching does not occur only in classroom!

7. 7 AGEC 3323 AGEC 3323 is a course called Agricultural Marketing and Sales, and is taught by Kim Anderson. In surveys, employers state they place more emphasis on a job candidate’s performance in the job interview than anything else. In Agricultural Marketing and Sales, in addition to learning how to sell agricultural products, you learn how to sell yourself, which is exactly what you do in a personal interview. Your informal communication skills (e.g., writing emails, introducing yourself, casual conversations, mannerisms) are more important than formal communication skills (e.g., writing reports). Dr. Anderson spends a considerable amount of time on these informal communication skills. Student Resources Every person who applies for a job is a salesperson!

8. 8 AG 1111 AG 1111 is a course called Career Exploration in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and is taught by Amy Gazaway. Employers seek graduates who are dedicated to and passionate about their careers. Furthermore, people who enjoy their job tend to be more successful and happier in life. Since you will spend a majority of your life at your job, nothing is more important than finding the career best suited for you. AGEC 1111 is a course designed to help students understand their personalities, understand their career possibilities, and discover what career is best suited for them. The course is only a one hour course, so it does not take much of your time, and Amy Gazaway is the most knowledgeable person in the college about agricultural careers. Student Resources College is also about learning what career best suites you!

9. 9 AGEC 3101 AGEC 3101 is a course called Professional Career Development, and is taught by Joe Schatzer. Dr. Schatzer helps the student develop the written and oral communication skills, professional mannerisms, and other skills necessary for obtaining job interviews, nailing the interview, and exhibiting high job performance. Furthermore, the class spends a considerable amount of time exploring the various career opportunities for agricultural economics and agribusiness students. This is another opportunity for you to discover what career path is best for you! This is a one hour course, and is mandatory for all agricultural economics and agribusiness students. Student Resources Within agricultural economics and agribusiness are hundreds of careers!

10. 10 Career Fairs The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources holds one career fair each semester. A diverse set of employers from various locations across the country come to the OSU campus to meet you, the student. The goal of the career fair is to provide a networking opportunity – an opportunity for the employer to learn about you and for you to learn about the employer. Career Fairs are a tremendous opportunity for you to learn more about career and internship opportunities and to meet employers in person. Often, students can arrange interviews with employers the day after the career fair. Student Resources Get to know college graduate employers!

11. 11 Employers want happy people, because they are more enthusiastic, productive, and get along well with employees. Happy people tend to share the following characteristics… 1. Happy people have good interpersonal relationships with others; with friends, family, boyfriends/girlfriends, etc. College is a great place to develop such relationships. 2. Happy people immerse themselves in organizations and activities that they feel are important and give them a sense of importance. Use college to find out what careers and organizations provide you with a sense of accomplishment and importance. A successful person is a happy person Life is not just about work and school! 3. Happy people do not constantly compare themselves to others. Just do the best you can in school, career, and life. Do not obsess over how your accomplishments compare to others. Employers want a team player, not a self-promoter. 4. Happy people are healthy, active, and enjoy learning. Develop healthy habits, and cultivate a love for some subject while in college.