<p>I currently have a 3.4 at Rutgers in Econ (probably finishing around 3.5). I just have no idea where to be looking. I've applied to some places (PwC, IRS) but even these seem out of my league. I talked to a recruiter from PwC yesterday and she more or less told me don't count on hearing anything back. I'm just wondering where those who have an average resume apply? It seems that most on these boards are geniuses, so if I'm just wondering what the average college student does? I CANNOT end up like some of my friends who are sitting home jobless.</p>
<p>What I am about to tell you is easier said than done, but remain positive and give it a try.</p>
<p>First, accept the economy is not good, but that over 90% of people wanting work, have a job. </p>
<p>Second, Remember that every commerical enterprise is a possible job opening. As an Econ major, skills and knowledge are transferable to many situations, but be crative… some ideas later</p>
<p>Third, It is going to be about networking. Try and ask forinformational interviews, ask older adults where they work, what they do, etc … I woudl say most improtantly try and get some work, to get some experience.</p>
<p>To me some obvious places are Banks (I know abt the financicial crisis) </p>
<p>As an idea, I googele trenton,nj jobs, ended up on hoovers.com for a list of companies, then went to church and dwight (make arm and hammer and other consuemr goods) went to website …found this job , I look at this and go, well as an econ major, you know data, you shoudl know how to look at micro-economic data, ‘convert data to information’ etc… I know you dont have the experience, but offer that you would liek to be considered for a similar entry level job… use this to make a contact in the company… rinse and repeat … I will offer more as time permits</p>
<p>Requisition #: 164<br>
Position Title: Consumer Data Analyst<br>
Department: A&H Consumer Relations</p>
<p>Location: Princeton
Country: U.S.
State: New Jersey
City: Princeton</p>
<p>Area of Interest: Consumer Insights
Position Type: Full Time
Shift: First Shift</p>
<p>Position Description: Description:
Responsible for reviewing, compiling and analyzing consumer response and consumer satisfaction data and creating and distributing meaningful, actionable reports that meet the needs of management.</p>
<p>Responsibilities:
• Review, compile, and analyze data from various systems and create reports to alert Management to the early development of issues and to detect trends in consumer comments
• Coordinate with Consumer Relations department members and other departments to improve effectiveness of consumer data collection and design of reports
• Develop a comprehensive knowledge of company products, including uses, ingredients, packaging, directions, promotions, and changes to formulas and packaging
• Support department special projects as needed/assigned
• Alert and keep department management apprised of consumer issues</p>
<p>Education and Experience:
Education: Bachelor degree </p>
<p>Experience: 2-3 years experience with data analysis, preferably related to consumer packaged goods in a call center or Consumer Relations environment. Experience with Microsoft Excel is a must.</p>
<p>Skills and Competencies:
• Team oriented, detail minded, highly systematic, and very organized
• Ability to convert data into information
• Aptitude for analytical thinking
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel is required
• Experience with Wilke-Thornton CRS is a plus</p>
<p>this one has some qualifications, that may be out of your range, but just giving you ideas… I find people on C . only think of ‘consulting and investment banking’ …Benjamin Moor Paint Corp</p>
<p>Tracking Code
291776-570
Job Description
Econometric modeling Build statistical models with large volumes of panel and/or time series data. Micro-economic analysis and financial analysis (EVA, NPV, ROI). Ability to synthesize data on technical results and prepare and deliver presentations to diverse teams across all disciplines of the organization.
Required Experience
BA/BS required, preferably in business, finance, economics, or operations research. MA/MBA preferred. Undergraduate honor-level courses or graduate courses in statistics and econometrics. Knowledge of one or more of the following software packages: SAS, SPSS and EVIEWS. Excellent Excel/Access skills. The following skills – though not required – would be valuable assets: * VB *Business Objects. *Prior experience with consumer product manufacturing and/or retail. Self directed, highly driven, with a strong business sense and professional presence. Proven ability to meet deadlines and work on short turn-around schedules. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Job Location
Montvale, NJ, US.
Position Type
Full-Time/Regular</p>
<p>Become best friends with folks in the career office at your school. Companies that show up there are targeting kids from your college and plan to hire some.</p>
<p>you are screwed Mcdonalds is still hiring though</p>
<p>overused joke, but I am in the same boat as you…I have been to some recruiting fairs and I feel so ordinary, I am considering graduate school though</p>
<p>Wow, 3.4 and PwC said you have no chance? o_o. It’s probably because you have no accounting classes, right?</p>
<p>I am sure they didnt tell the OP that. He or she probably got bad vibes from the PWC representative</p>
<p>Probably not, though it is possible. One of my friend’s was totally rejected by Moss Adams and told straight up that it would be near impossible.</p>
<p>You’re right. She didn’t outright refuse me, so I guess here’s hoping for the best? lol</p>
<p>rty456, thank you that was an extremely helpful post</p>
<p>You have a higher GPA than me. If your work experience and you have the accounting bg (if you are applying for audit/tax), you should be a good candidate for PwC.</p>
<p>Pokey, All the best. As someone in school, the career center is a great resource and use it extensively. I didnt mention because I was focused on external events. I have helped my brother in law land a job here in Houston. He was in newpapers making about $30,000 per year, with a six month job search he landed a job at an energy service company as a ‘marketing communications specialist’ at $65,000. i didnt know such a job exisited till we reseached and brainstormed.</p>
<p>One thing I might say is that by applying and intervieiwng it shows initiative, when you talk to others. for example. You run into Mr. Smith, your parents neighbor at the store he says “what are you doing pokey”, you say “I am graduating this May from Rutgers with an Economics degree, I have done pretty well with grades and I am intervieiwng now, I especially was interested in a position I saw at XYZ, as a Data Analyst, but I didnt get that, if you know of anything I would appreciate you letting me know.” … By giving an example you are doing two things, one showing a proactive approach and givng an example of something you might want to do, so that they can connect to something they may know about. </p>
<p>Just a little thought for you and any others who might read…these are my thoughts IMHO</p>
<p>Thank you for the help everyone. As far as using the career center goes, they’ve been very little help, and at times, even rude. I’ve been trying to network like crazy! Alumni, friends, neighbors, anyone! So far it hasn’t been successful, but I’m not going to stop now. I’m going to stay positive and keep trying every possible outlet, hoping to at least earn a call back (which as of right now, I haven’t even received).</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>What i’m about to say is something you should never forget.</p>
<p>“don’t ever give up.”</p>
<p>I was sitting in a hotel bar while in nyc last summer when a guy was with two girls and he said, ‘i never ever ever had a shot for a career in banking. my gpa was crap and i’m not even half as smart as most of the people i work with. but i sent out hundreds of e-mails and just happened to get a response from a banker who took me under his wing and showed me the ropes.’</p>
<p>3.4 for undergrad in college should usually be top third of your college graduating class. One thing I learned is you don’t always have to shoot for the top companies. Yes you get the name and the stuff, but bigger doesn’t always mean better. I came out of college with no job and it took me 4 months to find a job and I interviewed and got rejected by plenty of Fortune 500 companies. However, in the end I ended up with a two offers, one with a Fortune 500 company and one with a private company I never heard of. I took the private company offer because the total compensation package was much better than the Fortune 500 company. And the funny thing is I got the private company job on Craigslist. I highly recommend Craigslist…I applied to 10 companies and got calls from 7 of them. I applied to 200 company websites and got calls from 8 of them. Go figure…best of luck though.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I’ve really been finding all of it helpful. </p>
<p>I’m not going to give up, but I’ll be honest, it is disheartening to not even be getting rejection letters! I’m still searching and keeping an eye open for jobs, but I’m going to focus on my studies and networking for now. Both will prove more beneficial when graduation comes around than keeping my eyes glued to indeed.com for hours a day, lol. </p>
<p>msl2008, I haven’t even looked at craigslist, but that is a great idea. I’ll check there every once in a while. I’ve just been hesitant at looking for smaller companies mainly because I simply was not finding job postings for the smaller companies. The idea of not finding a job for 4 months out of school scares me, but I’m fully aware that this is a huge possibility in today’s market. </p>
<p>As far a career in banking like JPNguyen briefly mentioned, I’m not really interested in it anymore. I have no problem working hard at about 60 hours a week or so, but I do not want work to be my life. My health and free time are more valuable to me than a huge paycheck. I will definitely be working hard, but I have no desire for 100 hour work weeks. I just hope I didn’t screw myself with pursuing an Econ degree and no longer wanting to work in IBanking. I regret not joining the B-School when I could have, but I do enjoy Econ!</p>
<p>Sorry I just woke up minutes ago, so this post may seem somewhat incoherent, but I just wanted to shed some light on what’s going on and thank you all for the help.</p>
<p>This job search is killing me…</p>