A Millennial’s Guide to Landing a Post-Grad Job

As a Millennial currently on the job hunt, I feel like I’ve become an expert on all things related to getting hired post-graduation. I know things may be looking bleak, but fear not fellow seniors, you aren’t alone in this (which actually may be the problem, there are too many of us looking for jobs!).

For your benefit, I’ve compiled all the tips and tricks I’ve gathered from my internships and from attending almost every networking or alumni event at school. Hopefully it will help you land your dream job! Or really any job at all, we can’t be picky at this point.

1. Sign up for job alerts

Sign up for job alerts on sites such as Indeed and Career Builder. You will receive daily emails from these sites with alerts for open jobs in the field and location you choose. Also, check out AngelList, which is basically the Indeed for start-ups.

2. Make an online portfolio of your work

One of my professors who runs his own PR firm suggests this because a portfolio gives him a better feel for who you are and your personality. It also makes it easier for him to come up with questions to ask you in the interview based on your previous work.

3. Use your network

Hit up your professors for advice and guidance on getting jobs. They’ve been around the block and are sure to have some tips for you. Additionally, most of them worked in their field before becoming a professor, so they will likely have some connections for you in the industry. Have them connect you (via LinkedIn or email) with any past students who have jobs that you are interested in learning more about.

4. Complete your LinkedIn profile

Connect with everyone! I spent three hours one day connecting with everyone I knew to get my number to 500+. After I had connected with so many people, more people kept connecting with me! To get you started on your LinkedIn journey, connect with me here. Special shout out to any companies who are reading this and looking to hire an enthusiastic, passionate, team player… your search is over, I am available!

5. Perfect your elevator pitch

You want to let someone know that you’re an asset they should invest in. Showcase why a company would benefit from hiring you.

6. Clean up your Facebook

Use the “View As” tool to see what is public. It’s not worth missing out on your dream job because the company recruiter saw that photo of you on spring break and thinks your behavior speaks more to your character than the “dedicated, hard-working, motivated, go-getter” you describe in your cover letter.

7. Keep cover letters short

Keep cover letters short and to the point. Do not restate things that are on your resume. Instead, describe specific projects or tasks from past experience and how they transfer to this job. Focus on quantitative facts! Your goals are to highlight your interest in the company and position and to describe your background and how it pertains to the job itself.

8. Don’t be afraid of start-ups!

Yes, you will probably work longer hours and be paid less for it, but startups have a bunch of sweet perks too. Additionally, at a startup, you’re typically wearing a bunch of different hats and helping out wherever needed. This gives you far more experience than you would in a larger company where your job is more defined.

9. STALK. STALK. STALK.

We are Millennials, we know how to get the dirt on people. Don’t waste these stalking skills on that girl from your 8 AM lecture who you swore you saw at that party the other night talking to your boyfriend… use your stalking skills to get a sweet job! For any job or company you want to work for, check out their LinkedIn and see if you have any connections with other employees (especially your school’s alumni). Before an interview, research the person you’ll be interviewing with and see what you can learn about them. Check out their past experience and what their interests are. Anything you can bring up that you have in common is a bonus.

10. Set up informational interviews

At one of my past internships, my mentor talked about the importance and usefulness of informational interviews. To score an informational interview, find a junior level employee. Bonus points if they have something in common with you or a mutual friend/connection. Send them a message with something along the lines of, “Hey, I know you are busy, but can I take 15 minutes of your time to speak with you and learn more about your company and the work you do there?” As someone in a lower level position, they will usually be more willing to speak with you and flattered that you want to pick their brain and hear about their experience. After speaking, thank them and keep in touch. If a position opens up at their company, they may think of you first!

11. Don’t give up!

Look for ways to get in the back door of a company. Network. Be a little sneaky and stalk people. Suck up, but be genuine about it. Don’t be shy about promoting yourself.

And above all, don’t stress. Trust in yourself and your abilities. If you work hard, you will succeed. And if you don’t succeed, go live at home for a while with free food and free laundry and your dog and a working dishwasher and now that I think of it, that isn’t sounding so bad at all…

Introducing the 2017-18 Aerie Real Student Brand Ambassador Team

We’re so excited to be working with Aerie this year to spread body positivity on campuses across the country. Throughout the program, our team of 35 amazing student brand ambassadors will be tasked with the mission of helping girls feel good about their REAL selves; both inside and out. From on-campus events to weekly digital content creation, these girls will be joining the movement and spreading the love on behalf of Aerie.

Wondering what it’s like to be a student brand ambassador? Follow along with the girls by searching #AerieAmbassador on Instagram and Twitter, and join the mission yourself by using #AerieREAL!

Aerie brand ambassador team hashtag

“What makes me #AerieREAL is my motivation to empower women to feel good about themselves no matter what they do or what they look like. A simple compliment or word of encouragement can go a long way.” – Ama Appiah, University of Connecticut [@amaappiah]

“To me being #AerieREAL means being authentic and true to yourself and who you want to be regardless of others. I’d rather be true to myself then pretend to be something or someone that I’m not.” – Ella Vanderbilt-Fried, Ohio State University [@ellahazel328]

“I am #AerieREAL because I embrace my flaws and I am not afraid to be completely (and happily) myself.” – Cassidy Wilshire, Rutgers University [@cassidywiltshire]

“I’m #AerieREAL because I choose to love myself in whatever condition I’m in. I never try to be anything but myself and I’m perfectly happy being just myself.” – Annabelle Schmitt, Pennsylvania State University [@a_nnabae]

“I am #AerieREAL because I love myself and every flaw that comes with that. I really want to use this platform as a way to encourage girls to think more positively about themselves and feel like they are perfect just the way they are!” – Anna Grady Wilson, Clemson University [@annagrady]

“I pride myself in being a feminist that is so down for empowering women. Everyone has a different body type and that should be embraced! I am confident in myself and the power women have.” – Brenna DeSalvo, Boston University [@brennaclairex]

“Sometimes it’s tough to accept your flaws while growing up seeing the idealistic way a woman “should” look everywhere. Being #AerieReal means accepting and loving all my flaws because they truly make me who I am.” – Morgan Baker, University of Wisconsin – Madison [@morgiibaker]

“My journey to find my self-love and getting to the point where I love who I am inside and out with my flaws included is what makes me #AerieREAL.” – Emily Chertow, Pennsylvania State University [@echertow]

“I am #AerieREAL because I make it my mission to promote body positivity in all girls. I am so excited to encourage all types of women on and off campus to accept their “flaws” and flaunt the amazing aspects of who they are as powerful and real individuals!” – Kate McKeaney, University of Pittsburgh [@katemckeaney]

“I am #AerieREAL because I have a fit and healthy body! All bodies are beautiful, so keeping it healthy is what really matters. Strong is beautiful!” – Candice Ho, University of Maryland [@candicaramel]

“I am #AerieREAL because I am excited when girls know and embrace their self-worth! :)” – Alexandra Valanzola, University of Connecticut [@lexivalanzola]

“I think what makes me #AerieREAL is my ability to see through my biggest flaws and handle them with confidence. Especially in our social media-influenced society, I believe in taking every notion to be as real as possible, and attempt to portray myself in this manner at all times.” – Mara Nasui, University of Wisconsin – Madison [@maranasui]

“I am empowered and confident in the skin I have. I know I am beautiful and capable regardless of whatever flaws I have.” – Emily Wells, North Carolina State University [@dociaandmimosas]

“I’m #AerieREAL because I’ve learned to put myself first. I disregard the images magazines put on their pages because the girls in those photos are not the definition of perfect. Beauty is only skin deep and I have so much to offer to the world!” – Tinah Ogalo, Clemson University [@tinah.ogalo]

“I am #AerieREAL because although I am not perfect, I know that everything about me, good and bad, adds up to something great. My worth is held not in how others view me, but how well I view myself, because those flaws and imperfections make something beautiful and worth getting to know!” – Nikki Paige, North Carolina State University [@nikkipaige1396]

“I am #AerieREAL because I truly believe that every women is beautiful, full of strength, and uniquely inspirational and I wish that every woman could see that in themselves. No matter your size, skin color, sexuality, religion, etc., every woman deserves to feel like a goddess in all aspects of their lives. ” – Meghan O’Neil, University of Connecticut [@moneilll]

“I think what makes me #AerieREAL is my confidence in myself and my dreams. I always try to focus on what I want to do with my life and how to get there rather than allowing others to persuade me otherwise.” – Carson Abernathy, Boston University [@carsonab]

“I have struggled with self-acceptance for a long time. Day-by-day I am becoming stronger and happier, and learning to love myself despite my faults. I am not perfect; I am real.” – Danielle LaPerche, North Carolina State University [@daniellelaperche]

“I’m #AerieREAL because no one else is like me, and that should be celebrated.” – Olivia Dubro, Clemson University [@dubroskiii]

“I’m #AerieREAL because it brings me so much joy to help other girls to be able to love their body the way I love mine.” – Rachael Balent, University of Pittsburgh [@rachaelbalent]

“What makes me #AerieREAL is my ability to not only recognize my imperfections, but more importantly to embrace them.” – Emily Godfrey, Pennsylvania State University [@emmilygodfrey]

“Now that I am in my twenties, what I once thought of as flaws, I now view as attributes that marks me as an individual and this is why I believe I am #AerieREAL.” – Katie Mueller, Ohio State University [@katie_mueller5]

“I am #AerieREAL because I love the body that I have. I throw the haters aside, dress how I want and flaunt the body my momma gave me.” – Michelle Pelowski, University of Wisconsin – Madison [@itsyogurl_ilymily2.0]

“I believe that everyone is beautiful on the outside. What really matters is the beauty on the inside and if you are honest.” – Marissa Paolella, Clemson University [@marissa_paolella]

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The Perfect Beer for the Best Internship Ever

I’m Taylor Pinson and I’m a student at the University of South Carolina. I already drink Bud Light like it’s my job, so when I received an invitation from YMC to ACTUALLY work for them and their #UpForWhatever campaign as a Bud Light Brand Ambassador, I jumped out of my seat at the opportunity.

As I eased into the role and my responsibilities, it became clear that this was going to be a semester full of professional experiences, good times, and plenty of #UpForWhatever moments. Over the course of the semester, I planned, promoted, and executed events including an Anti-Valentine’s Day party, a Sunday morning Kegs n’ Eggs, a #ThrowbackThursday party, and an #UpForWhatever Cruise on Lake Murray near Columbia, South Carolina. After the cruise, I was sure that my job couldn’t get any better. I had just experienced the best Sunday of my college career and was able to put smiles on the faces, and Bud Lights in the hands, of some of my best friends at South Carolina.

Then I got the call. The call came from my Program Strategist at YMC, Mike, informing me that I had been chosen as one of the top #UpForWhatever ambassadors and was therefore invited to Bud Light’s Whatever, USA! The semester that I thought couldn’t get any better was about to end with a bang.

The Weekend

Bud Light had the entire weekend planned out perfectly. All I had to do was show up and have fun? Done and done.

After a flight to Los Angeles and a ferry ride to Catalina Island, I had finally arrived. I stepped off the ferry and saw the giant Whatever, USA arches. I had found my happy place.

The weekend started off with a giant parade, a performance from T-Pain, and an epic rave on the beach featuring Diplo to end the night. I didn’t think Saturday could possibly top the night before, but it did. We hiked for Bigfoot, got schooled on the beer industry by Bud Light’s master brewers, and played Beach Bingo. I began pinching myself making sure it wasn’t all a dream when Kip Moore showed up on stage and sang about “a beer sittin’ on ice” while Snoop Dogg passed out hot dogs. For our last night, we dined in style on the pier and hit the island casino for a party all while dressed in 1920’s attire that would have made Gatsby jealous. Sunday morning came too quickly, and I began my last day at Whatever, USA.

I began to grow sad and disappointed about leaving until Lil’ Jon showed up and ended the weekend with some words to live by. “Go forth, do great things, & keep drinking your Bud Light,” the great modern philosopher said, and with that we went on our way.

I remember my Bud Light #UpForWhatever ambassador interview with YMC shortly after Christmas and answering what I thought was my “most #UpForWhatever moment” so far in college. After a weekend at Whatever, USA, this question will no longer require much thought.

I can’t thank YMC enough for an amazing experience and the opportunity to go on the journey of a lifetime as an #UpForWhatever Bud Light Brand Ambassador.