For decades, a college degree has been the most reliable indicator of a potential hire\u2019s job worthiness for employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, employers question whether a typical college degree equips students with the soft skills needed in the workplace\u2014problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We asked graduating students within the University of Guam, to share their opinions on the struggles of seeking employment opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many undergraduates are beginning their transition from youth dependence to adult independence\u2014and for the vast majority, this involves finding work to help them stay afloat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Has the university equipped them well enough to comfortably seek and secure employment?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith both the junior and senior internship courses I have taken, I have been able to network with many different people from various fields of work. Therefore, I definitely think UOG has prepared me for the next chapter of my life in finding a career,\u201d said Brandon Phillippe Cruz, a communication major at the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not the case for everyone. Mikaylla Nicole M. Alcairo, a psychology and communication major at the University of Guam, shares her perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo find a job, I would say that UOG has equipped me well enough, but I feel that if I apply for a job I would not be the best candidate,\u201d said Alcairo. \u201cI think that a lot of times employers rely on experience and I feel like I am somewhat lacking,\u201d said Alcairo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Competitiveness in a student\u2019s major can hinder a potential undergraduate\u2019s opportunity to attain a position once they graduate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe my major is competitive to a degree when looking at essential roles in society,\u201d said Breanah Francisco, a communication Major at the University of Guam.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are many employers and organizations that rely heavily on communication which affects every aspect of our lives,\u201d continued Francisco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nathaniel Dulla, a communication major, under the public relations track, shares how he feels about competition within a major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI feel like because of these different routes students could take in their career in the future, there is competition. But I would say that there is always going to be competition in any field of work you want to get into,\u201d said Dulla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get a head start in seeking employment opportunities, these students shared tools and resources that they use for networking and job searching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI use job websites like USAjobs.com and indeed.com to look for jobs. They have great features that can help individuals create a resume and offer assessments that they can put on their resume. I also have a LinkedIn account so that helps me to network as well,\u201d recommended Alcairo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While most recommend the use of social media applications, Cruz shares a different approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe skills of public speaking and human interaction are just a few things I have developed over time throughout the courses I have taken within my program,\u201d mentioned Cruz. \u201cI find myself more comfortable speaking to and in front of people in a much more confident approach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fighting through the last few weeks of the semester, these undergraduates share the same tenacity to finish the semester strong and look forward to graduating in May 2023. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For decades, a college degree has been the most reliable indicator of a potential hire\u2019s job worthiness for employers. Today, employers question whether a typical college degree equips students with the soft skills needed in the workplace\u2014problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. We asked graduating students within the University of Guam, to share their opinions … <\/p>\n

Read more “Ain\u2019t It Fun? Living In The Real World: The Struggle Of Communication Undergraduates Seeking Employment Opportunities”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":152,"featured_media":8339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[403],"tags":[384,469,29,94],"ppma_author":[246],"yoast_head":"\n