While we could only fit just a few pieces of great advice from Kira E. Young, Kaylee Hawkins and Case Ernsting into our blog post on February 19, we thought all of their responses were full of great advice and worth sharing on our blog. With their permission, we’ve printed the full text of their interviews and a few related links when applicable.

If you’d like to communicate with them on Twitter: here are their respective Twitter handles: @MetaCase (Case), @kayleehawkins (Kaylee) and @key4387 (Kira).

Case Ernsting

What college or university did you attend?

The University of Michigan

What was your major(s)?

Sports Management & Communication (Business of Sports)

Do you currently hold a job? If so, what is it and whom do you work for?

I work for MetaSpring, LLC in Ann Arbor, MI. We are a “Digital Consultancy” which basically means we design websites and web-based applications (like iPhone apps). If companies want digital marketing done for their websites, I take over.   We have 8 full-time employees. More info: www.MetaSpring.com

How did you go about your job search?

The job search was a tough and grueling process which I started in October of my senior year.  I ended up getting this job in September 2009 (4 months after graduation), so the process was 10 months long.

In October of 2008, I started thinking about my future career and how I could best align myself for job opportunities come graduation.  After a few weeks of soul-searching and talking to relatives, I decided on PR…not really sure which part of the industry or where in the world, but I had my goal.  Once I knew where I wanted to end up, I had to decide how to get there.  I started to talking to my cousin in Chicago who works for a big PR firm and she was my guide. She set me up with “Informational Interviews” during Christmas Break.

These interviews were great for determining if this industry was actually going to work out. I was more passionate about PR then ever after these and I walked away with some great connections in big firms. I kept in touch with each person I interviewed in case a position opened up or if they had more advice.

In the winter of 2009, I knew my Major wasn’t completely aligned with PR so I decided to find an internship in the field to prepare myself for interviews and jobs that would come after graduation.  That internship turned out to be a huge factor in my job search and eventual employment — highly recommended.

The job search itself was pretty tough.  I had applied for numerous internships in Chicago to begin right after graduation, and got many interviews, but was ultimately denied for one reason or another.  I kept my head up and kept plugging away at any opportunity that came my way.  I started applying to openings all over the country with people in my network.

Websites I checked:

- Craigslist

- Indeed.com

- Mediabistro

- Google searches for types of companies I wanted to work for in specific cities  and then find their career openings

There were more that I forget. There are plenty of job searching sites, but I forget them all.  The more niche, the better.

What did you do in college to make yourself a desirable job candidate (internships, specific classes, networking, etc.)?

Near the end of college, I started testing my passions with classes in those fields.  I tried to remember what I loved about each class and see if these factors applied to a career.

Networking: I kept in touch with EVERYONE, I could. I participated in 3 internships in my 4 undergrad years and I kept in touch with my bosses and peers from each experience. I looked at each internship as a gauge: Could I do this for the rest of my life? Are there any parts of this internship that I want to pursue in my next internship?  In this way, you’re always building on past experiences while looking forward.

What job-search advice do you have for current college students who will be looking for jobs in a year or two?

My advice? The sooner you can figure out which industry you want to be in, the better. That’s the gear that makes the wheel turn. You can start networking and building relationships from there.  This shouldn’t freak you out though. There’s always time to switch from track to track (hint: I’m not doing anything with sports).

Each interview you go through in your life is a learning experience. Even if you don’t get the job or internship you are interviewing for, run home and write down the questions that tripped you up. You’ll be that more prepared for your next interview.

Also, get on social media and web 2.0.  I recently wrote a blog post about how colleges aren’t preparing students for the jobs that are out there. Jobs are becoming increasingly dependent on Web 2.0 skills, and many college students don’t know how to use them for business purposes.  Here’s the post: http://www.metaspring.com/blog/ann-arbor/career-development-101-teaching-web-20-tools-in-the-classroom/

What, if any, effects did the current economic climate have on your job search?

There were plenty of effects on my job search. The PR industry as a whole was tightening their budgets last year, so many were undergoing hiring freezes or unwilling to create new positions. For that reason, I focused my attention at small companies that were looking for good writers. I figured I could create my own PR department in a small company if they just gave me a chance. And that’s kind of what happened. When some obstacles come up in a job search, you have to keep moving forward with some creativity. You have to be like a running back that keeps breaking tackles as you run towards the endzone.

Kaylee Hawkins

What college or university did you attend?

Oakland University in Rochester, Mich.

What was your major?

BA in journalism, minors in communication and English

Do you currently hold a job? If so, what is it and whom do you work for?

Yes – Account Coordinator for Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications (tannerfriedman.com)

How did you go about your job search?

I got lucky, but have tons of ideas and tips I shared with my friends who scored jobs with my help. My luck was I was an intern at Tanner Friedman for the full school year leading up to graduation… and now I work here.

What I recommend students do to stay on top during the search:

- Embrace your professors, guest lecturers, internship partners and any other networking connections you’re able to make. These people are at the heart of the industry and have a way better idea of the job market and the “who’s who”  than a student would.

- Overdose in industry events and networking opportunities provided by the university, area associations and groups. I’ve met some of our best interns at PR mixers.

- Connect online. I’d say our best summer intern candidate is somebody who has fun conversations with me on Twitter. Show your personality and value by showcasing your industry knowledge and participating in related conversations (through organized chats like #journchat). Using these types of tools essentially make social media a supplementary job searching tool.

What did you do in college to make yourself a desirable job candidate (internships, specific classes, networking, etc.)?

- I created relationships with all my professors in the program, guest lecturers and anybody else who crossed my path who I felt I could have a mutually beneficial relationship. The director of my program was the one who connected me with my now-boss. I was the first recommendation provided to my boss in the 20-ish years they’ve known each other.
- I took class seriously… students who don’t are really only hurting themselves. Excel in everything you do in class and it will make you a stronger candidate for internships, jobs, etc. It can make or break a portfolio (if you can’t get into an internship because of your class and related work examples, it’s tough to start from square one to get it right again.)  Something to especially take seriously – AP style. Can’t stress that enough.
- I always wrote, even when I wasn’t in class or interning. Students need to keep their skills sharp, so I always composed copy for a few nonprofits when I was not in class or on the job.

What job search advice do you have for current college students who will be looking for jobs in a year or two?

- Speak out in class. Challenge your professors. Critical thinking and challenging what is explained as fact is the core of journalism and makes you a noticeably stronger student.

Kira E. Young

• I attend Rowan University… But I’ve taken a nontraditional collegiate path. I graduated from high school in 2004 and attended Boston University for a year as an International Relations major. While I was there, I enjoyed Boston much more than I enjoyed the university and discovered I’m not cut out for politics. I came back to South Jersey, moved out of my parents house and worked my way through Atlantic Cape Community College for three years and got my associates (associate’s?? I can never remember proper AP style for that) in communication. Then I transferred to Rowan in Fall 08 to finish up the bachelor’s degree.
• I am a Public Relations and Advertising double major. I’m also a commuter, which gives me a completely different experience not being on campus most of the time.
• Currently, I am a Night Auditor/Guest Service Associate at the Residence Inn by Marriott Atlantic City Airport Egg Harbor Township (yes that is the full 10-word name and I have to say that every time I pick up the phone). I work 32-36 hours a week on the graveyard shift. Due to stubbornness and similar personalities, my mother and I cannot live under the same roof. So after I returned to South Jersey, I moved out at 19. My parents are kind enough to pay my tuition & my half of the rent (my boyfriend moved in with me almost 2 years ago), but I pay for everything else: car, car insurance, rent, utilities, gas, food, books, etc. etc. So I have to work. And when I graduate, I also then have to pay for my half of the rent. And because of that, I have had less time to put into campus activities. I’m a member of Rowan PRSSA, Lambda Phi Eta, Student University Programmers and this semester I’m working with our student run agency PRaction. However, a lot of what I do is on my own and I’m not what one would call an “active member.” I have no opportunity for e-board positions and find group work insanely difficult living almost an hour away. In addition, my work/commuting/double major schedule created an issue with internships. I found one over the summer but it wasn’t the experience that I was hoping for. But I just don’t have time in my schedule to take on another one. And I’m incredibly worried about how my resume is going to stack up against other graduates who have had the time for leadership roles and extra internships with well-known companies.
• At the moment I haven’t started seriously searching for jobs. I’ve done a few Monster and Craigs List searches to see what companies are asking applicants for. A lot of companies want a solid understanding of a lot of computer programs (Excel, Access, Adobe Creative Suite) so I’m working on learning those. Also, quite a few companies ask for a social media resume so I’m bulking that up. Essentially, I’m still putting together my resume and trying to figure out what a PR portfolio is supposed to look like. I’ve also looked at the Philadelphia Inquirer jobs section since I know that is my ideal area. But I made my boyfriend promise me that he would move anywhere I could get a salary and have prepared both our families for the idea of a couple hundred miles.
• In terms of resume boosting, that’s probably always in the back of my mind. As I said, my resume just doesn’t stack up compared to my fellow graduates and I have more bills than most college students do. The one thing that I have done is to double major. Considering the industry is moving towards an overall IMC feel, I felt that having a background in PR and Advertising would benefit me in the long term… even if it’s pretty rough right now. I’m also planning on getting my MBA with a specialization in marketing in a few years so I’ve devised a plan to take the basic business courses after graduation. And I’m looking into the program PRSA is starting to have graduates take the theoretical part of the APR test right after graduation. In addition, tonight actually I start a 5-week continuing education class at my community college on Excel. Having taken Media Planning last semester, I discovered how little I know about the program and during my preliminary job search found a lot of companies asking for a solid background in Excel. Also, I’m trying to be more present in the social media world. Within the past year, I’ve joined Twitter and LinkedIn and did a serious overhaul of my Facebook page. I try to keep all posts as clean and “grandma friendly” as possible. I also just started a blog (http://preppie.wordpress.com).
• I’d say the best job search advice would be to get as many internships and as much networking as possible. It’s who you know rather than what you know… especially in such a down economy. Use your professors as mentors and see if their contacts can help you as well. Also, don’t be afraid to take classes that interest you – passion counts for a lot and professionals in any industry are expected to be well-rounded.
• The current economy has added a lot of pressure (and terror) to my job search. I’m barely making ends meet now and I get paid decent for what I do. Once I graduate, if I don’t find a salary position (and possibly even if I do), I’m going to have to get a second job and not be able to devote my energies to a career. There’s no live with the parents for a few years for me. I was fortunate enough to find a great guy that I plan on spending the rest of my life with so moving in with the parents is not an option. This has created an enormous weight on my shoulders because I have no idea what I’m going to do if I don’t get a salary and start my career. Also, the economy has taken away some of my aspirations. People are always asking what type of PR I want to work in and because of the scarcity of jobs – I honestly don’t care. I just need a job.