Pollack advises students to take action in career search
Loren McFalls
Issue date: 5/29/09 Section: News
Then there is the follow-up. Pollak said most students assume they are bothering the person they're trying to network with and end up missing out on opportunities. Professionals were in the student's position at one point and time and generally do not mind being sought out later.
Experience is another thing that really helps in the search for a job.
"Co-op programs are fantastic because they give students real world experience," Pollack said. "Experience is crucial for two reasons: it gives you a major advantage when you're job hunting after graduation over students who don't have real professional experience, and it helps you realize early on if you don't like a certain career. It's better to learn this in college before you begin a career."
Pollak began her career at Yale University by interning at a non-profit organization called the American Woman's Economic Development Corporation, where her mother had taken some classes on entrepreneurship. It was there that she became interested in career development and entrepreneurship.
"In college, I was a resident adviser in my dorm and loved helping younger students plan their academics, careers, etc.," Pollak said.
After graduate school, Pollak worked at a Web site called WorkingWoman.com. When the Web site went bankrupt in 2001, she began started working on her own developments. In 2002, Pollak launched her own business as a writer and speaker specializing in career advice for college students and recent graduates.
Students have to show they are engaged and want to be a hard worker in order to be successful in their careers, Pollak said.
Experience is another thing that really helps in the search for a job.
"Co-op programs are fantastic because they give students real world experience," Pollack said. "Experience is crucial for two reasons: it gives you a major advantage when you're job hunting after graduation over students who don't have real professional experience, and it helps you realize early on if you don't like a certain career. It's better to learn this in college before you begin a career."
Pollak began her career at Yale University by interning at a non-profit organization called the American Woman's Economic Development Corporation, where her mother had taken some classes on entrepreneurship. It was there that she became interested in career development and entrepreneurship.
"In college, I was a resident adviser in my dorm and loved helping younger students plan their academics, careers, etc.," Pollak said.
After graduate school, Pollak worked at a Web site called WorkingWoman.com. When the Web site went bankrupt in 2001, she began started working on her own developments. In 2002, Pollak launched her own business as a writer and speaker specializing in career advice for college students and recent graduates.
Students have to show they are engaged and want to be a hard worker in order to be successful in their careers, Pollak said.
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