Graduation Issue

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College graduates and the art of the job hunt 4

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By Jacob Hoag E D I T O R

SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

I N

C H I E F

Hope and relief typically surround graduate as they prepare to walk across the stage into the great unknown.

But fear tends to find itself in the back of their heads as some of the biggest decisions of their lives are staring them in the face.

One of graduates’ biggest fears is a job.

In a market where few things are guarantees, honing the skills needed to land either a dream job or a steppingstone is necessity for nearly all graduates.

It’s one aspect of college that Russ Coughenour, assistant vice president of USF Career Services, is well versed in.

“I think a lot of times, college students want a guarantee,” Coughenour said. “But you need practice.”

The art of job hunting comes

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in multiple phases.

For most students, it starts with a well-crafted resume that will catch eye of a future employer.

“There’s a science to writing a resume,” Coughenour said.

“There’s an art to it as well and a lot of it has to do with language and metrics and how you say what you did.”

An example he gives to students is instead of saying, “I answered phones,” add metrics to show more detail of what the job entailed.

A better line, to him, would read, “I answered a multi-line phone system.”

It’s a simple tweak that most students may overlook.

To take it a step further, he suggests you add numbers to show volume of what was done at the job.

“I’m not just going to cut and paste my job description into

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Top five places to take graduation photos ●

Jackie Benitez Multimedia Editor

USF seal on the floor of the MSC You’ve probably walked past the big USF emblem on the middle of the MSC floor at least once in your USF career, so getting a picture right next to it is only proper. Pro tip: get the photographer to go to the top level of the MSC and take a picture of you from there.

Your major’s building Yes, you might be over classes and sick of seeing the same old building everyday, but posing in front of your major’s building would be a good way to remember all the blood, sweat and tears that went into your degree. Finding a place in the building you studied in frequently or loved the most might also be another great picture. .

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The Bull statue in front of the Marshall Student Center As USF graduation pictures go this is by far the most iconic place to take one. From day one of orientation students learn to throw up the bull sign and how to pledge allegiance to USF’s mascot, Rocky the Bull. Getting a picture in front, or on top of the bull will solidify your graduation photo album. However, don’t wait until graduation day or you might have to wait in line just to get this coveted picture.

MLK Plaza Reflection Pond Who doesn’t love a good fountain in the background of a picture? The reflection pond has pristine water and a spouting fountain that will sure to be aesthetically pleasing. If your feeling crazy you could even get in it to strike a pose. Pro tip: wait until golden hour to get a nice golden haze on your picture.

Flower aisle This is probably one of the most un-USF, USF picture places you could get. People who have never wandered onto the USF campus will fall in love with the grecian columns and the flowers wrapping around them. USF students will remember the times they ran through them to get to class or had a run in with the squirrel hiding among the vines. Either way the background will prove a nice picture for relatives and friends alike.

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JOB HUNT

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the resume. Quantify whenever possible to give an example of the volume that you’ve dealt with at your job, if it makes you look good.

“Metrics add additional pictures in the mind of the reader. From what you’ve written, the reader is trying to envision seeing you already working in their workplace. The more congruency between what they have ion mind and what you’ve put on paper, the higher likelihood they will call you.”

The resume should focus on skills and job experience, but some students who may lack the experience can still craft persuasive resumes.

This means primarily focusing on academics.

In some cases, students don’t work during college and take the time to focus on their studies.

In this case, provide employers with what you’ve accomplished in school.

“A counselor like what we have (at Career Services) can take a capstone course and make it appear job-like,” Coughenour said. “We’re not fudging anything, but there was probably some kind of project that mimicked a real work experience.”

But this only works if the grades put the applicant in a better light.

“If you’re making the argument that you had focus on your studies and that’s why you didn’t get experience, and you’re clipping along at a 3.0 or higher, you’re still going to look good to an employer,” Coughenour said.

The next step in the process is research.

From the field as a whole to specific companies, researching is key to any job hunt.

This not only gives students information that will help them decide if this is a field or company they would want to pursue, but also gives you a leg up in interviews.

“I can’t stress the research on the companies enough,” Coughenour said. “A company can smell it on you. They know from the questions you ask and how you answer theirs, they know how much research you’ve done on them.

“The more you can show you know things about them, the more they will assume that you are interested in them.”

It also will give perspective to know what type of company a student prefers. Some like to side with the underdog, others will only settle for the top powerhouses. But with these choices come different responsibilities with much different expectations.

When researching a company, Coughenour suggests looking at things such as market reach, size of the company, how much interaction you have with your supervisor and knowing what the first six weeks will be like.

The more information gathered, the better fit a student will find with their values.

If all goes well to this point, an interview may be in the near future. This is something many students may have little experience in.

Aside from odd jobs with notso-grueling interview processes, interviewing for a career can be a different animal.

Resumes, research, skillset and social skills all come into play at this stage, with all the makings of a perfect storm if not prepared.

But the biggest deterrent for interviewers, according to Coughenour, is attitude.

“You can make up for a lot of marginal academic performance and lack of work experience with an excellent attitude and the seeming want to go to work for an employer,” he said.

In an interview, an applicant is asked a wealth of questions to try and get a feel for who the person is and how they fit in the prospective company.

To master this art, it takes practice.

This can be mock interviews or even just standing in front of a mirror.

“When you watch yourself in the mirror, you immediately become aware of your facial expressions, your body posture, tone of voice, whether your nonverbal communication is working for you or against you,” Coughenour said. “You have to show some life in the interview.”

It’s a stressful yet hopeful time for many college graduates.

The best thing to do to create an edge over other applicants is to prepare and leave no room for doubt.

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A bond between brothers The Borders duo’ competive spirit will continue far beyond USF Luke (left) and Levi Borders (right) have been staples on the USF baseball team for the past four years before an infection took Levi off the field. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

By Vinnie Portell S P O R T S

E D I T O R

Growing up as part of an 11-member family in Winter Haven, Luke Borders followed the lead of his older brother Levi throughout their childhood.

The Borders family, headed by parents Pat and Kathy, is comprised of nine children whose names are nearly as close as the bond they share.

Though Luke was constantly surrounded by his eight siblings — Levi, Lance, Lindsay, LauraBeth, Leah, Lily, Livia and Landry Kate — it was Levi who he connected with the most.

The two are just 14 months apart and have spent countless hours together playing and competing. When Levi came to

play for USF baseball in 2013, it didn’t take much convincing for Luke to commit soon after.

Now, as one of just two seniors who have played all four years at USF, Luke finds himself in a new position.

“Being the younger brother, I’ve never really had to be a leader, so it’s new,” he said.

“It’s very new to me, I’ve had to learn how to become a leader and a role model. I’m sure all the younger guys look up to me.

“I’m more of a lead by example guy, I’m not really vocal in terms of leading. It’s different now that my brother isn’t here, I have to do what he did and I’ve learned from him in a few ways.”

Though Levi’s career ended

in the spring of 2016 when he was sidelined with a bacterial infection, he still lives with Luke and starting shortstop Kevin Merrell in their offcampus apartment.

With underclassmen comprising well over half of the roster, Luke didn’t have much of a choice in becoming a role model for the younger players.

But according to teammates, it’s a transition he’s embraced well.

“He’s always working hard,” Merrell said. “In the weight room, on the field, wherever it is, he’s always working hard.

Leaders, they don’t always have to be vocal. Sometimes with vocal leaders, (teammates) don’t really listen to you because you don’t do it, you

just talk about it.

“He doesn’t need to talk about it because he gets it done and the team follows his lead.”

Guided by a father who spent 17 seasons at the MLB level and won two World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays, Luke and Levi were raised with the advantage of having an experienced professional as their everyday coach.

Pat Borders won a World Series MVP and an Olympic Gold Medal during his playing days, but has since devoted his time to coaching.

Aside from instructing his sons in the backyard, he also coached some of their teams — even taking over as the head coach at Winter Haven High School for Luke’s senior

season.

“He has a passion for the sport, obviously,” Luke said.

“I think I saw that in his eyes and how much he wanted me to play. I think seeing that gave me a little fire to want to play too.”

As the two brothers grew up, they lived for competition with each other. Whether it was who could get the most hits or who could eat the most servings of dinner, their friendly feuds fueled them to eventually become key players for USF. And even though much time has passed since their days of playing around in the backyard, it’s still not often that one can be found without the other.

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“It’s just nice to be around him and be able to joke around,” Luke said. “There’s no way to explain it, but it’s just nice to have him around and still be able to play and joke around.

Me and him sometimes will sit on the porch in rocking chairs and drink coffee and talk.

“Sometimes we’ll go out and shoot guns and stuff, but most of the time we’re out fishing.

Me and him love fishing, we’ll go out in a little johnboat and just relax.”

In the time since Levi has been away from the team, Luke has become a silent leader for the Bulls. Hitting third in the order and the only senior offensive player on the team, Luke has become someone the underclassmen look to for leadership.

“Everyone loves him,” Merrell said. “He’s one of those guys who you love to be around. He’s always smiling, he’s never in a bad mood or anything. Just being around him brightens your day. As far

as the team, he’s carrying us on offense, he’s kind of been the spark for us on offense lately.”

Playing primarily as the

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he will conclude his final regular season as a Bull and join his brother as an alumnus of USF. USF coach Mark Kingston

There were a few clutch moments I had, but those aren’t the memories you really have, you have the memories of being with the team and having fun with them.

That’s what sticks out to me.

Luke Borders, USF baseball

team’s designated hitter, Luke has started all 41 of USF’s games, hitting .356 with six homers and 39 RBIs. In a matter of three weeks,

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said what he’ll miss most about Luke is the work ethic and positivity he brings to the locker room, and of course his bat in the middle of the lineup.

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As for the next level, Kingston said the designated hitter deserves a shot.

“I’m hoping that someone wants to give him a chance,” he said. “It’ll be a little harder since he doesn’t play defense, but he’s such a great lefthanded hitter and he has professional size that we’re all hoping he gets his chance.”

With playing professionally in the back of his mind, Luke will still have a chance to make some lasting memories down the stretch of the season as USF looks to play in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.

As the conclusion of a career full of clutch moments and memorable wins begins counting down, Luke said that’s not what he’ll remember when he looks back at his time at USF. “I’ll more so miss being with the team,” Luke said. “There were a few clutch moments I had, but those aren’t the memories you really have, you have the memories of being with the team and having fun with them. That’s what sticks out to me.”

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By Breanne Williams C O L U M N I S T

Upon graduation, students are faced with the biggest challenge of their lives: Entering the workforce.

For many, degrees in nursing, engineering and business will help ease the stress of landing that first job, though it won’t be entirely abated.

Others, who are non-STEM majors, are feeling the ball of anxiety in their gut grow as they check their inboxes to once again find no reply to the many resumes they’ve sent out over the past month.

But there is hope for every graduate, whether they majored in biomedical sciences or dance.

Employers were estimated to hire approximately 5 percent more graduates from the class of 2016 than the year prior, according to a report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

The unemployment rate is dropping, though it may seem at a glacial pace, and graduates have an actual shot of landing a job in their career field.

That’s not to say the economy should be viewed

through rose colored glasses.

The market has not yet fully recovered from the Great Recession and those who are hiring seem to be placing degree carrying employees in lower level positions.

According to a report by the New York Federal Reserve Bank, 30 to 40 percent of college graduates are underemployed. But this statistic is unreliable because it includes every job that a graduate is working in that is deemed as a position not requiring a degree, regardless of if employers demand one or not.

And regardless of semantics, graduates are working. Even if it’s not in the job of their dreams.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics January 2017 report, which contains numbers for December 2016, found the unemployment rate for college graduates was a relieving 2.5 percent. Thus only one out of every 40 college graduates is unemployed.

It’s not a fantastic statistic, but it’s manageable.

No one expects to walk

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of the stage, tassels freshly turned and into the middle of a dream career. If they’re offered any job, even one that pays minimum wage, they’ll consider it a success.

Recent graduates grew up in the Great Recession, they watched a spiraling economy pummel their parents and consider any job in their field to be a success. And many will keep a second job upon graduation to help pay bills.

And if the economy continues to grow as it has over the last few years, graduates have a chance of not only landing a job in their field, but being promoted at a

reasonable pace.

There inarguably will be financial struggles — on average students at USF graduate with $19,500 in debt, according to collegescorecard. ed.gov — but at least there is a chance they can start the careers they’ve been working their entire lives for.

Keep sending out resumes, network with all the people you’ve spent the last four years getting to know and remember you have skills that can change the world in which we live.

The future may seem terrifying but at least there is a chance that with enough hard work graduates can start making waves in the career field they’ve fought so hard to be a part of.

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