We asked W. P. Carey Alumni: What advice would you give to an ASU student searching for a full-time job?

Here is what they shared:

• Be Persistent and Accept Rejection
• Practice Patience
• Be Open, Positive, and Confident
• Get Creative With Your College Degree
• Focus on Clarity
• Don’t Underestimate the Value of a Great Manager
• Stay Consistent in Your Job Search
• Take Your Time to Make the Right Decision

Be Persistent and Accept Rejection

Based on my personal experience, I have discovered that job hunting can pose a significant challenge for international students. 

It is important to note that rejection is not a sign of inadequate skills or academic performance, but is instead a necessary part of the job market process. 

To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to remain persistent and explore alternative avenues. Remember, unexpected opportunities often arise in life.

Yuwei Ku, MS Business Analytics ‘19, Data Analyst, KeyBank

Practice Patience

Searching and finding the right career fit can feel daunting—something I found helpful to remedy this is to remain patient. Patience affords the ability to explore various opportunities and evaluate your options with a clear lens. 

It also enables you to keep the long game in mind and avoid discouragement if the search process doesn’t go according to plan (which is almost inevitable). 

In short, a wise approach to help you land in a helpful position is to be patient. “Patience is the companion of wisdom.” 

Anthony Broglia, BS Marketing ‘15, Manager, Digital Voice of the Customer, PetSmart

Be Open, Positive, and Confident

Having an open mind is one key to finding a job. There are many opportunities out there. Give it a shot and believe in yourself, and find the value of the position. 

I know the process can be very frustrating. Ninety percent of the time, you might get rejections. But that is not what you need. You only need and should keep your eyes on the ones that you get chances to talk with and have interviews. 

Finally, always believe. 

Tianyang Li,  BS Supply Chain Management and BS Business Data Analytics ‘22, Supply Chain Consultant, Microsoft

Get Creative With Your College Degree

My advice to college students looking to secure a full-time job after graduation is to be creative in how they apply their degree to the jobs they are interested in. It’s important to recognize that many industries value diverse perspectives and skill sets, so it’s worth considering how their degree can be leveraged in unconventional ways. 

For instance, one of my former colleagues positioned his history degree as “the study of change over time” to differentiate himself in our industry of organizational change and transformation. Remember to remain patient throughout the job search process, as finding the right opportunity can take time and effort.

Dallin Whitfield, BS Business Law ‘18, Senior Consultant, Business Advisory Service, Slalom

Focus on Clarity

Get clear on what you actually want out of a full-time job before you begin the job search process. I would encourage you to ask yourself questions such as: 

• What do I value in a career? 
• What kind of work do I enjoy doing? 
• What are my natural strengths? 
• What industries interest me and why? 

Make a master list of your reflections and review it to see where there are recurring patterns. Get clear on who you are, what you value, and what you want out of a career and you will be so much more likely to find a job that actually aligns with the person you are and the type of life you would like to live. The better you know yourself, the better decisions you will make. 

Megan Busch, BS Finance ‘17, Life and Career Coach, Megan Busch Coaching

Don’t Underestimate the Value of a Great Manager

Your first boss is arguably the most important in your career. Find a direct manager who will support you in defining your career goals, seek opportunities for you to learn and grow, and who will help you create healthy and sustainable habits.

You learn so much in your first job that lays the foundation for a successful career, and having a boss or close mentor who can be your advocate, help you learn, and challenge you is invaluable. 

As you move through the interview process, don’t be afraid to ask questions about how an organization supports professional development, employee wellbeing, or opportunities for growth—and make sure you have quality time to speak with the person who will be your direct manager. 

Jacqueline Sherry, BS Marketing ‘16, Customer Strategy Consultant, Slalom

Stay Consistent in Your Job Search

It’s easy to think you’re the perfect candidate for a specific job, and you very well might be. Sometimes, I remember putting all of my eggs in one basket where I stopped applying for other opportunities because I believed there was no way that I was not getting the job(s) I was currently interviewing for. 

However, I learned the hard way that in a job search, sometimes things just don’t work out the way you want them to. Keep your opportunities wide open and continue to apply and interview for jobs until you find the right match. Even if you’re in the last round of interviews and are almost promised a position, continue the search until a job offer is signed! 

Emily Hinckley, BS Marketing ‘21, Influencer Coordinator, Bad Birdie

Take Your Time to Make the Right Decision

I graduated from ASU in 2019, and though it may seem like a while ago to me, it feels like it was just yesterday. I can still feel the nervous stress and constantly worrying about the future and what comes next. 

We can often get caught up in the overwhelming opportunities and pressures that come with graduation. When I graduated, I jumped right into a corporate job because I thought that’s what “you’re supposed to do.” I ended up hating it, wanting to quit, and feeling like a failure. 

In hindsight, there are many reasons it didn’t work out. But ‌I ended up finding a career that not only I enjoyed but also excelled at. It’s so easy to take the path right in front of you, but I challenge you to make sure it’s the right path for YOU. 

Life is crazy and nobody has the answers, so try to grasp the fact that these problems aren’t going anywhere, and take the time to make the right decision rather than the easy one.

Ethan Lee, BS Marketing ‘19, Market Sales Manager, UnitedHealthcare

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