en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/342919 Comments by TalentEgg http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/whyisaidnotogradschoolfornow/#IDComment20098089 I think you made the right decision (and it seems that you're aware of that as well). So many students go to grad school because they don't know what else to do. Especially in this economy, many students are turning to grad schools because of how scary the job market seems. In reality, real life experience is irreplaceable, and it is exceptionally clear in your article that you've massively benefitted from it, even if you are still deciding to ultimately go back to grad school. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:27:13 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/whyisaidnotogradschoolfornow/#IDComment20098089 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/why-i-transferred-programs-and-schools-to-find-my-true-calling/#IDComment19668071 Hi Natalie! First - welcome to the Incubator. Second- great, honest post. While 6 years is longer than average to finish university, once you're done, you'll be in a career you love, which in turn will save you LOTS of years of job hopping and CAREER hopping. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:43:12 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/why-i-transferred-programs-and-schools-to-find-my-true-calling/#IDComment19668071 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/dont-let-your-job-define-you-define-your-career/#IDComment19575809 Hi Brian, The fact that you have your own podcast basically shows that you've created your own 'next generation' radio show. The only difference between you and mainstream media is the number of listeners...and the advertising (i.e. revenue). Maybe one day, you'll be able to monetize your project and THAT will be your career. From your posts, and from having met you, it seems like you're an entrepreneurial go getter and running your own business may end up being the right career path for you... That's enough ranting for now :) Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:51:55 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/dont-let-your-job-define-you-define-your-career/#IDComment19575809 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/recruiting-20-social-communities-for-resume-building/#IDComment19574770 Wow, you've just given me homework to last the whole week! I didn't know about those resume services and they sound fantastic. Crowd sourcing your resume is a great idea... The wealth of expertise on the internet, not only across your community and your country, but across the world, is insane and if you can it's definitely smart to take advantage! Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:28:21 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/recruiting-20-social-communities-for-resume-building/#IDComment19574770 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/turn-this-summer%e2%80%99s-tough-job-market-into-a-useful-learning-experience/#IDComment19493616 I'm loving this recent trend in articles promoting experience as valuable regardless of what the exact experience is. While I would argue that students and new grads are in a relatively GOOD spot for finding work compared to the average job seeker, I would also agree that 'job searching outside the lines' like you've advocated is a fantastic idea. It's not always about having direct work experience, but rather experience that shows your potential in the workplace, whether it be in relation to perseverance, dedication, work ethic, etc. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:37:12 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/turn-this-summer%e2%80%99s-tough-job-market-into-a-useful-learning-experience/#IDComment19493616 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/four-job-search-basics/#IDComment19489929 LinkedIn is quite possibly the most underused recruitment platform by students and recent grads in Canada. In fact, I recently attended a career fair and had the change to speak with a bunch of 2nd year students. Not one of them was using (or had even heard of!) LinkedIn. It basically gives you the flexibility to create a fanastic resume online that includes a key thing that doesn't usually fit in a paper-based resume: References!! (aka recommendations). Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:21:30 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/four-job-search-basics/#IDComment19489929 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/how-showing-a-little-personality-in-the-interview-can-help-you-get-the-job/#IDComment19438414 Hi Shannon, You're SO right - especially at the entry level, it is very important to compete on more than your skills and qualifications. If you're genuinly interested in the position and the company you are interviewing with, letting that come through in your interview can be the difference between standing out or just being one of the other 100s of applicants that walked through the door. As well, sharing life experiences that help employers remember you is always a great idea too (as long they're appropriate!!) Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:14:48 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/how-showing-a-little-personality-in-the-interview-can-help-you-get-the-job/#IDComment19438414 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/dos-and-donts-of-post-grad-internships/#IDComment18877404 Hi Brian, Great article. I think the key in an unpaid internship is to make sure that there is value for both the intern and the employer. Some great postings for unpaid interns highlight the networking opportunities and skills the intern will gain. Ie, a great way to meet people in your industry or build your confidence/skills/RESUME! The reason I point to it having to be valuable for the employer is because while the work may be unpaid, there is still a definite cost to employers of hosting interns...For example, computers, workspace, and most importantly, training (i.e. time). Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:53:35 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/dos-and-donts-of-post-grad-internships/#IDComment18877404 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/4-ways-to-define-yourself-with-more-than-just-a-degree/#IDComment18792401 Hi Amanda, Love this: "Well, you have a degree, congrats! So do thousands of other applicants across Canada." It's so important to know that you're not special. But not only in the negative sense of that phrase...in the sense that there are hundreds of thousands of other Canadian new grads also making the transition and facing similar good and bad times. Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:56:01 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/4-ways-to-define-yourself-with-more-than-just-a-degree/#IDComment18792401 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/would-you-like-fries-with-that/#IDComment18789090 The end of your article made me laugh out loud! The rest - fantastic. Part time jobs are a great way to earn money while also keeping busy/engaged, and even networking. You never know who you'll meet. On top of that, in my experience, Serving is really fun and social :) Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:38:53 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/04/would-you-like-fries-with-that/#IDComment18789090 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/serendipity-pipe-dreams-and-other-good-reasons-to-volunteer/#IDComment18105088 I love all these pro-volunteering posts. As you and the 'TalentEgg' tips confirm, volunteering is a great way to build your experience, gain confidence, and most importantly (in my opinion) figure out what it is you actually like to do/are good at! Fri, 3 Apr 2009 19:38:32 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/serendipity-pipe-dreams-and-other-good-reasons-to-volunteer/#IDComment18105088 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/students-don%e2%80%99t-let-their-feathers-get-ruffled-by-the-recession/#IDComment18104941 I think it's great that these 2009 grads have decided to move on to post-grad degrees. My opinion on masters programs is that you should only go into them if you have a defined vision for what you want to do. It sounds like the people you profiled all do, so that's great :) Great article! Fri, 3 Apr 2009 19:35:36 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/students-don%e2%80%99t-let-their-feathers-get-ruffled-by-the-recession/#IDComment18104941 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/diary-of-a-mcmaster-call-girl-finding-meaning-in-a-student-job/#IDComment18103592 I agree with Daniel. We constantly talk about the importance of sales skills at TalentEgg- and we're usually talking about it in relation to something that ISNT selling TalentEgg. The ability to pursuasively communicate is important when writing a resume, in an interview, on the job, and even in your personal life. I really enjoyed this article :) Fri, 3 Apr 2009 19:24:55 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/diary-of-a-mcmaster-call-girl-finding-meaning-in-a-student-job/#IDComment18103592 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/hop-across-the-pond-internships-and-job-placements-overseas/#IDComment18103176 I completely agree with Nadia - seeing the economic situation as an OPPORTUNITY is a great strategy. There are so many opportunities for students to gain experience, and in many cases make money at the same time. It seems like AIESEC offers opportunities like this, and the links you've provided are fanatastic as well. I think that most students don't actually know that the government actually facilitates this type of thing. For example, I worked in London, England for a year on a 'Working Holiday Visa'. Fri, 3 Apr 2009 19:22:05 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/hop-across-the-pond-internships-and-job-placements-overseas/#IDComment18103176 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/how-volunteering-now-will-put-money-in-your-pocket-later/#IDComment17523000 I'm a huge fan of this attitude. Volunteering/unpaid internships are a great INVESTMENT in your career. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:47:33 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/how-volunteering-now-will-put-money-in-your-pocket-later/#IDComment17523000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/what-to-do-when-your-career-is-sidelining-your-education/#IDComment17515351 Hi Kavi! This is such a cool story and a great 'problem' to have. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:05:34 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/what-to-do-when-your-career-is-sidelining-your-education/#IDComment17515351 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/if-you-put-in-the-effort-someone-will-notice/#IDComment17115793 That picture of the Incubator is priceless and hopefully one day will be a hilarious reminder of our beginnings :) And P.S. I love this article for obvious reasons. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:09:21 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/if-you-put-in-the-effort-someone-will-notice/#IDComment17115793 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/?p=690#IDComment17115761 Hi Brian! I love this post because, on a daily basis, I find myself speaking with students who are graduating with Arts degrees and not sure how their History majors will translate into workplace success. Your story shows that even in more traditionally 'employable' areas of study, the university/college experience is valuable not only for what is taught, but for all the things that go on around your studies. Work, volunteer activities, internships, social activities, and the way you balance it all...It all contributes to both your core skills as well as helping students figure out exactly what it is they DO want to do. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:08:00 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/?p=690#IDComment17115761 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/the-emotional-impact-of-entry-level-layoffs/#IDComment17115685 Hi Simren! Thanks for being so honest in your post. I've also been let go from a job. Ironically, it was from a coffee shop almost in the same spot that the Egg Carton (our TalentEgg office) is currently located. Even though it was a part time job, I was really hurt and definitely shed some tears, so I can only imagine how you must have felt. From your other post, it sounds as though you've come along way and your next, awesome experience is likely just around the corner. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:04:56 +0000 http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/03/the-emotional-impact-of-entry-level-layoffs/#IDComment17115685