Rich Milgram Gazette Minute Interview Part II

The GreenTree Gazette
September 2008

By Jeff Wendt

Interview Part II
Rich Milgram, Founder & CEO of Beyond.com, Inc.

Distinguish between career services and career readiness. 
To me, career readiness involves pro-actively engaging your student.  On the other hand, career services is reactive - an office that's used by students if they want to; ignored if they don't.  Career readiness is what's needed today.  A graduate's first job is maketing himself into his first job.  Who is preparing him to do it?
 
What role do internships play? 
An internship in a student's desired career space is of great value both to the student and the eventual employer.  Employers want to see that candidates have already put their academic training to practical use.  If the candidate interned with the interviewing employer, there's already an investment on the company's part in that candidate.  If he or she did a good job during the internship, the chances are good that a negotiable salary will come with an offer of employment. 
 
Where might a campus administrator go to get more information about internships?
Many internships are offered by employers directly to students, with no need for involvement by a campus office.  One place of interest is CollegeGrad.com.  It has valuable information for students, graduates and campus staff. 
 
Is there another benefit to a college that promotes internships?
Remember, internships usually involve local employers.  When they employ a graduate, they help that person remain and prosper locally.  The synergy is good for the community, and it can be put to good marketing use by the college or university. 
 
Describe some of the interesting logistics involved in job-seeking by undergraduates. 
If a graduating senior has no job offer by graduation day, there's pressure and likely some desire to return home.  His dorm lease expires on graduation day.   He can live with parents while seeking a career future.  What a shame the college didn't help him becme employed locally. 
  
Is today's economy good or bad for newly-minted college grads?
It's a bad economy, so it's bad for graduates.  There's a general downward pressure on salaries, even for new hires.  A senior may have interviewed for a job last year at a higher starting salary than that same job offers today.   
 
What work traits can be displayed at an interview?
An interviewee can demonstrate energy as well as his or her ability to listen, and then respond.  He or she can demonstrate the ability to show up prepared and on time.   

What should be displayed in a resume?
In addition to the usual ingredients, a resume should have an objective.  And the objective should be mutual, shared by both the candidate and the hiring company.  Highlight any resume item that makes you unique ... that will help you stand out among other candidates. 
 
Are hiring officials thinking retention?
They're not thinking about retention as much as they should.  Perhaps the person interviewing is focusing on filling a specific number of slots by a specific date.   
 
Sum up the role of an applicant's college degree in the hiring equation today. 
It's the foot in the door.  It means you have a credential and you meet a qualification to get an interview.  It doesn't get you the job.