Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday!

As we welcome our students back to campus next week, many for their last semester, the prospects of employment loom large for our soon-to-be graduates. Given the national news of late related to potential cooling of the labor market, it behooves us to get ready, get set and go early in our job search.

Fortunately, our graduates, like many in STEMM fields, are and will remain in demand for the foreseeable future as the job market fundamentals remain strong for engineers and scientists. Nonetheless, in any rapidly evolving employment landscape like the current one, we are well-advised to adopt and adhere to proven strategies for a successful job search. 

Clearly, the most important element of a successful job search is academic and experiential preparation during your college years. To our seniors, I say, you are prepared. To our freshmen, sophomores and juniors, I say, keep the end goal of a rewarding career in mind during your years here at S&T and prepare for that eventual desire. All your diligent classroom and laboratory work, teamwork, project planning and execution, internships and co-ops will make you a great catch for every company that is looking for talent. You are at the right university. After all, The Princeton Review ranks S&T third in the nation among public universities for career placement. And, last year, as in years before, S&T graduates fetched the highest starting salaries among all Missouri universities. This remarkable recognition resulted in top-10 ROI-based rankings highlighted by the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.  

Having said that, the new dynamic of employment necessitates an early start, broad networking and engaging all available services to ensure landing your first rewarding job, internship or co-op opportunity. Your first co-op will help you land your second and, along the way, to gain the desirable hands-on, industrial experience that is so valuable in your job search and career decisions. To help, our career opportunities and employer relations (COER) department provides a wealth of resources. In addition to workshops, career advising and resume reviews, you can get a professional portrait for your LinkedIn profile, acquire professional clothing through our Career Closet and learn from mentors via the Mentor Collective.

Did I mention networking? No matter how talented, hardworking and persuasive you might be, your ability to connect with others and establish your network is essential. We all need help if we are to achieve tasks bigger than ourselves, and searching for your ideal job – not just any job – might fall in that category. Your network of friends, colleagues and acquaintances can help you make key connections. As an S&T student, you have already established an excellent network of your college friends, professors, project teammates, Greek brothers and sisters, and more. Just as important is expanding your network to include our alumni and members of our academies, with whom you have years of common experiences. Your network will prove to be golden in identifying and landing your ideal job, internship or co-op. 

Oh, by the way, be mindful of AI-generated resumes, cover letters and social media profiles that might come across as generic. Mailing hundreds of resumes does not necessarily get you noticed. Connecting with someone in your network in your desired company who can provide a warm introduction does. AI can help amplify your digital presence, but it will not make the kind of connection that counts.

To all our students seeking employment, internships and co-ops, I say, take time to develop a realistic plan of attack and then follow it. In this new reality, you must try to be the firstest with the mostest, if you will. Be honest – but not modest – in properly representing yourself and what it is that you seek. Target your efforts in identifying companies and jobs that are not only a good starting position but also a great career first step.

And again, think about and connect with your network. Finding a job is not a singular endeavor; it’s a game of contacts where effort – organized effort – and connecting with others matters.

Warmly,

-Mo.
 
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Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116

206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu