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Students in the inaugural class UN2990 Career Development Foundations were asked: "If you could ask the employers that recruit at Michigan Tech one question, what would you ask?"

Below you will see the questions that were developed. The questions were sent to employers, and they were gracious enough to offer much wisdom and advice. Click on any or all questions that you find interesting and you will see answers from representatives of these companies.

• If you could do one thing differently from your first year after college, what would it be?
• What is the view on earning a Masters degree from the same school as your undergraduate degree?
• How do you advance in your job and sustain job satisfaction while maintaining a 40-50 hour work week?
• What are the expectations for students coming out of school? Is proficiency in an area or the competence to learn more valuable?
• How did you get into your career field?
• Do you have any tips for setting yourself apart when applying for jobs and attending career fairs?
• What things make a potential job candidate stand out in the crowd?
• What are the top qualities you look for when you are looking to hire somebody?
• What is the number one thing you look for in recruiting employees?
• What do you focus on most in a potential job candidate? Should I focus on being well-rounded, getting a 4.0 GPA, being involved in organizations, being personable and teachable or something else entirely?
• Were you insecure going into you new career or confident about your ability to jump right in?
• Does it matter how long it takes me to graduate from college?

If you could do one thing differently from your first year after college, what would it be?

• I would have asked to be exposed to more of the organizations within the company to give me a broader view of operations and the interdependencies of those. If that meant "loaning me out" for a few months at a time, or even shorter times it would have allowed me to understand the more of the "whys" things need to happen in prescribed manners, or would allow me to have asked "why not this way?"
• "Take a few weeks off between school and starting a job. You tend to forget how important vacation and family is!"
• "Travel more. Be bold and adventurous in taking available assignments in remote locations as these jobs offer the most to learn from and it is more difficult to manage a major environment change in later years."
• "I would not take the first job offer I got, but I would take my time and look around. Also, I would not necessarily take the HIGHEST-PAYING job offer, but would make sure the job was what I really wanted to do."
• "I would have taken off a month and traveled before I started working! When am I going to be able to do that again?"
• "Be more involved in activities in addition to my classes to meet more people."
• "I would have tried to walk on at a pro football camp. I could have gotten an invite if I had pursued it. I would have never have made it but it was something that I wish I would have tried if only for a day or two."
• "I always say I would have taken even more time off between school and work. After you secure a job offer - I encourage you to take a few weeks off before you join the working world."
• "Take some time off before jumping in (for example, travel to Europe)."

What is the view on earning a Masters degree from the same school as your undergraduate degree?

• "I feel very ambiguous on the school of choice. While an MS would be attractive, I would look more to experience in things like Co Ops and also, the willingness to continue learning such that a Masters would be obtained after taking a job. The advantage that I have seen here, and that we use is that, thesis work or project work can be directly related to the job and therefore will be very meaningful."
• "It is not an issue for us-we do encourage students to get some experience under their belt before starting their MBA so that they are more marketable, or at the very least, intern and co-op when possible."
• "If you do not complete your Masters degree immediately following your undergraduate program, it is not important where you complete your studies as long as it's through a reputable institution."
• "A Masters degree from the same school is good, as long as there is relevant work experience to go along with it. For most of our jobs, a Masters degree without relevant work experience to go with it will not get you a higher starting salary."
• "In some professions, it is apparently frowned upon. For instance, my wife is a college nursing instructor. and she said if you plan on teaching at the college level it is a good idea to get your master's degree from a different university than where you received your bachelor's degree. The perception (if you get both degrees from the same place) is that you couldn't find a job after getting your bachelor's degree so you just stayed in school to get your master's."
• "It's always a good idea to have a diverse resume, and getting your degree from two different schools helps with that. There are always exceptions, though, and the strength of a program is a part of that. Overall, this is kind of the opinion of the recruiter and the hiring manager, and people have different opinions on it."
• "I do not have an answer for this. I don't see it as being a problem as I have a Masters and Bachelors from the same school."
• "I would recommend attending a second university for the Master's degree. Different ideas, different people, more opportunities for networking. "
• "I think graduate education at a different university offers a valuable different perspective on things. I also think that getting some work experience prior to continuing on with post-grad education can be extremely valuable as well. Many companies will help pay for grad school - especially MBAs and especially if you go part time while you work!!"
• "Not an issue getting a Masters from a different/same school than undergrad, with one exception. If you are getting another degree in a program that your undergrad school is not so strong in may want to reconsider that choice."
• "As long as there is work experience (2-4 years) between or getting your Master's from the same university while working full time in your field it is ok."
• "From the same school is not necessarily a negative - it all depends on the area of study and the strength and industry reputation of the school in that discipline"
• "I think this really is a non-issue. When pursuing a technical master's, the biggest consideration should be your chosen field of interest, and which professor you would like to work for. If the professor who is studying the cutting-edge research you are interested in happens to be at your university, then by all means stay! However, I would definitely advocate looking around and making sure that you go to the best school for you, not just the one you are familiar with."

How do you advance in your job and sustain job satisfaction while maintaining a 40-50 hour work week?

• "Obviously there is no crisp recipe but here are some things that I really look for:
  1. Technical competence is a must
  2. Demonstrate the ability to solve a problem - almost regardless of what the problem is, technical, organizational, business related, etc., there is methodology that good problem solvers use
  3. There must be demonstrated strong interpersonal skills - you have to be able to get along with others.
  4. Besides just getting along a real differentiating factor is the ability to lead - not just declare yourself a leader, but able to demonstrate the attribute by looking back and seeing that people are following you as you lead."
• "The time goes by so fast, you don't even realize how much you have put in. If you really love what you are doing, advancement is easy because everyone notices how well you are doing. There are "peaks and valleys" so you must take advantage of those quiet times to sustain and be happy in your role."
• "If you choose a career path that you enjoy and a job that stimulates you, your accomplishments will be rewarded both financially and through career advancement, providing job satisfaction. A 50 hour work week will not seem long if you truly enjoy what you're doing. Combining quality of life activities outside of work also provides motivation to excel at work enabling you to do more both on and off the job."
• "Advancement here is available to anyone who performs their job well, and is willing to take on additional projects. These projects can provide not only a great learning opportunity and recognition, but also can provide the satisfaction of working with other departments you may not get to in your regular duties."
• "The best thing for you to do to advance in your career is to KNOW what it is you want to eventually do. How will you know you're successful if you haven't defined what success is? Build a network of colleagues at your place of work and outside. This is not a group of people that you want to schmooze, but a group of people who share common interests and that you can learn from (and who can learn from you). These network are the primary way people get noticed and promoted. Finally, find a senior manager who can serve as a mentor. Once again, this is not about being a suck-up but about learning the ropes. If you have trouble finding a mentor, at least be sure your direct supervisor knows about your career plans and interests. Also, if you have a good Human Resources department, talk to your HR representative about your goals and see if they have any types of programs to help you. If they don't, offer to help them develop one."
• "There are companies out there that expect their employees, especially entry level, put in a lot of hours. If this kind of schedule is important to you, you should make sure you're joining a company that feels the same way. Otherwise, you'll feel overworked and you won't be happy. Finding a company you truly fit into is key to job satisfaction. If you find a company like this, the most important thing you can do is give it your all while you're at work. Most people don't care if you get in a little before eight and leave at a little after five if you are a hard worker while you're there. And most people aren't impressed if you get in at six and leave at seven if you spend 2 hours at the coffee machine in the morning and the afternoon in the break room."
• "Continual training, stepping out of your comfort zone, networking, getting involved in projects that may not be directly associated with your specific job duties."
• "The key is to take a job you will enjoy. If the job is viewed solely as a means to earn a living there will be no job satisfaction. My suggestion is to learn as much as you can about the company you work for; especially what yard sticks does senior management use to measure success. With this information develop a strategy with your manager for ways for you to have a role in helping to make the company successful."
• "Two things. First, become excellent at whatever job you are doing. Secondly, always focus on your strengths. (Assuming you have identified them.) "
• "Through regular performance reviews and regular increases in my accountabilities I am able to continue to demonstrate increased capabilities and continue to advance within the company. You'll get regular feedback on your performance and you'll find at various times throughout your career you'll need to go ask for more challenging assignments. Work/life balance is always a challenge. You need to make the personal commitment to ensure you get "involved" in you life outside of work (whether that's family, friends, sports, etc). "
• "Those items are not necessarily dependent upon each other. While a 50 hour work week is becoming more and more common, hardworkers that can show their results clearly have an advantage in working up the ladder."
• "Continually taking on new challenges and delivering work on time to the satisfaction of your employer. The focus should not be on "how do I advance", but rather, "what new challenges can I do today to the best of my ability".
• "I think the key here is all about being effective. Using your time wisely instead of wasting time at work will help you keep your hours reasonable. Also, realize that there will be different time requirements at different points in your career. Certain months of the year or days of the month are "busy" times compared to others. You may need to put in extra time approaching a deadline, but then may have several months of 40-50 hr weeks following. Also, through your career there are may be jobs which are more demanding than others. "
• "In the engineering world a 48 hour work week is about considered standard. There is much effort needed by each person to maintain a good work/life balance. How to achieve that differs from person to person. I schedule my 'life' time into my week, and review every month or so. Sometimes work requires long days, just need to do a regular check to re-prioritize. "In a way, life at Tech prepares the students for that somewhat. The curriculum is not easy, there's team projects that require lots of time outside the classroom. But, ask any Tech student and they find time for fun too - cram all the studying in Sunday through Thursday and enjoy the weekend. That's work/life balance."

What are the expectations for students coming out of school? Is proficiency in an area or the competence to learn more valuable?

• I have to say that we expect both. I definitely look at grade points, (below 3.0 in our company raises suspicions unless there is obvious circumstances that explain it), but along with that, during interviews I always attempt to establish the level of initiative for continuing to learn. I also differentiate that from an initiative to "be taught" or to attend classes. I like to see evidence that the candidate has "learned on their own".
• "Reasonable GPA. After all, you did not pay all this money to get Cs. Proficiency is more important, as most companies do nto have the time to train someone on a skill (ie. Software). The desire to learn is also important, but we want to hear what you have done, not what you can do."
• "Having the essential skills and knowledge to apply your self in an environment that provides additional learning is important. Employers are not looking to teach basics as much as they are looking to advance existing knowledge and build experience that can be applied to enhance company profitability."
• "The competence to learn is most valuable. We expect someone coming out of school to learn how our business operates quickly, and to understand that there's a lot to learn."
• Most places of work know that the college degree is just the ticket in the door, and the "real" learning will take place on the job (we've all been there). That being said, if you have applicable real-world work experiences (from meaningful student projects or internships), it makes you that much more valuable right out of school.
• "A recent college graduate has a lot of book knowledge - which is something our more established engineer can learn from. They also have a lot to learn, so those students who understand both what they bring to the table and what they can learn are more desirable candidates. Overall, I look for students who have a desire to keep learning and the ability to do so. Any college student looking for a job should also have experience working on teams (clubs and outside activities are a good way to get experience in this)."
• "It is expected that they are ready to be serious and start their careers. They need to maintain good attendance at work, professionalism. Proficiency really depends on the area they are entering and their specific requirements for that position."
• "When hiring a graduate engineer most companies are looking for some who they believe has the ability to learn the job. In addition, to learning the technical side of the job it is very important that the person "fits" into the organization. Will the person interact well with customers, peers, subordinates, etc.? "
• "Leadership. Leadership. Leadership. Technical proficiency."
• "Most companies are looking for eager, versatile, minds. While companies do look to hire the skill sets that we need to round out an organization, largely companies are looking for individuals with a solid base that will be able to come on board and contribute right away. This also allows the organization the ability to adjust resources around as time goes on (for your own career development or to meet the demands of various projects)."
• "Some level of work experience mixed with school related work experience (IE. Enterprise, senior design projects, professional organizations....etc). Dependent on the career opportunity but as a general rule with a bachelor's degree competency is more important and with a Master's or PHD proficiency is more important."
• "The ability to learn, to build on your educational foundation."
• "For the most part, we're looking for ability to learn. Most of your job requirements will be on-the-job training. We're expecting some basic knowledge from your college courses, and the willingness and ability to learn on the job. However, if you list a specific skill on your resume (C++ Programming, Microsoft Access, etc.) we expect some specific proficiency in that area."
• "It is no longer good enough for new graduates to have good grades. Especially from a school with a reputation such as Tech's, the student needs to be able to hit the ground running on some of the basic skills - working in groups, project management, and communication (written and oral). Be prepared to be working in cross-functional teams, perhaps even lead a subteam. Good leadership skills include basic project management, but also communication both to the team but also up the ladder for management reviews."

How did you get into your career field?

• "I had several options coming out of school, and chose the one that best matched my experience and education. However, I also looked for a level of comfort with the people managing the organization."
• "Drive and passion. It took me 4 years to get my job. I did not start at the top and would never expect that. Also, getting good grades and taking risks."
• "A personal desire and like for my field of study and an entry level job position that was matched to my field of study."
• "I took advantage of the opportunities available. When the company needed help in a department, I raised my hand and offered. Not every job was satisfying, but they were all recognized as growth in my professional experience. "
• "I went into the "family business" (the American Auto Industry). This is one of the worst reasons for going into any line of work. Be your own person."
• "I made good connections through an internship! I'm a big believer in internships and making the most of them. You never know what you can get out of them. My career took a different path than I thought it would because I was able to try a few things out before I had to start my career."
• "I was working in another department after I graduated high school while attending community college and the Human Resources Manager asked if I wanted to try Human Resources. The rest is history."
• "Current career seemed to play to my strengths i.e. it was what I was good at."
• "I did a co-op with my current company. I enjoyed the work and decided that is where I wanted to begin my career. In today's hiring environment, Co-Ops are almost a MUST! Too many candidates have the advantage of relevant work experience that you put yourself in a serious disadvantage (and at our company, largely out of the race) without it!"
• "Worked hard in college and wasn't afraid to take a few chances"
• "Discovered I had a passion for helping people."
• "Internships! Internships & co-ops are the BEST way to explore your interest in a field, and your interest in a company or industry."
• "Via a very convoluted path. I began in a different field, then through experience, working in different areas within the company, and getting my MBA through night school I've arrived at where I am today. "

Do you have any tips for setting yourself apart when applying for jobs and attending career fairs?

• "Technical competence is a must, next you have to be able to communicate well, have some evidence of leadership (from anyplace ), definitely demonstrate initiative from past performances, and being able to demonstrate those things through related experiences such as internships and Co Ops is the most discriminating."
• "COVER LETTER and/or OBJECTIVE. These are really the only 2 areas that can put you above the rest-and of course...grades. At career fairs, look and be professional. Know something about the companies booths that you are going to."
• "Do your homework on the company you are applying to and let the recruiter know what you have learned about the company (company yearly revenue, number of employees, types of business lines, key customers, signature projects, work locations, company status - private or public, partner companies, etc). Be confident but not overbearing. Let the recruiter know you are serious about wanting a job and not just seeing what's available."
• "As hard as it may be, it's time to brag. Tell me about your greatest accomplishments in school. Another thing that some people forget is to wear their smile! Most jobs require interaction with others, even if it's just with co-workers. It's important to let your personality show through."
• "Dress professionally, approach recruiters with confidence (not cockiness), give a big smile and a firm handshake, and introduce yourself. If you come up to our table at the career fair and know about our company and have an idea what kind of work you would like to do for us, I will be extremely impressed. If you come up to our table and don't have a clue what we do, and tell us that you're "looking for a summer internship" or "a full-time job", your resume will end up in the shredder 99.9% of the time."
• "Research the company before the career fair. You will stand out a lot more if you know what the company does and have questions on specific areas already prepared. We will have our standard description of what the company does but it is better to come to our booth knowing what we do. If you are not interested in our products, how do we know you are interested in us."
• "There really is not much advice for setting yourself apart applying for jobs. Most jobs are electronic submittal processes now so unfortunately it is just luck a lot of the times or if you have networked, knowing someone at the company."
• "Preparation. Succinctness. Professionalism. Honesty. Patience. Persistence. Humor."
• "Be prepared - and be prepared to talk about what you can bring to the company. If you wait for the interviewer to drag things out of you - it's too late. You need to be confident - and you need to want to tell people about yourself! Positive energy and an outgoing personality exude confidence and help you stand out from your classmates - even if it's in a 5 min conversation or a 1/2 hour interview".
• "Be bold, well-spoken but not obnoxious. Clearly articulate your interests and desires. Be 'presentable'."
• "Impress the recruiters at the fair. Dress professionally and know some facts about the company, not just what is on the displays."
• "One-page, neat resume with no errors. Outfit (along with hair, jewelry) is not distracting. Smiling, confident approach and introduction. Interest and knowledge in the work done by the company you're approaching. Sincere interest in their product/service"
• "Be confident, introduce yourself and hand your resume over right away. Point out on your resume where you've had leadership experience and opportunity to work with others. Don't disregard the importance of team sports - that can be very applicable to the real world - training hard, following orders from the coach, being a team player, etc."

What things make a potential job candidate stand out in the crowd?

• "See the response right above this." (First response to question 6)
• "Interview skills, personality, showing passion, desire and enthusiasm."
• "Confidence, well organized, direct approach, neat and clean appearance (suit and tie not necessary), speaks clear and loud, asks meaningful questions and takes notes on answers."
• "Again, it's important to let your personality show through. I'm much more likely to remember someone who I had an interesting and fun conversation with."
• "See the previous answer. Do your homework before coming to the interview. I know it's hard not to be nervous, but do your best to stay calm. The vast majority of interviewers really want you to be comfortable and to be yourself - that's the best way for us to find out who you really are and whether you'll be a fit for the job. Just because we want you to be comfortable doesn't mean that we won't ask tough questions. "Situational" questions are almost standard now in job interviews. For example, we may ask a question like, "Tell me about a work or school assignment where you were part of a team, and one of the team members wasn't pulling his or her weight. What did you do?". These questions don't necessarily have a right or wrong answer - we want to see how you respond to pressure and think on your feet. Take a deep breath, briefly compose your thoughts, and answer the question the best you can."
• "Someone who seems genuinely interested in my company and lets me know what he can offer is going to stand out. Obviously, an impressive resume is another important factor as well. Make sure you spend time on it so that the recruiter can see you are serious about looking for a job and will be a good asset to the organization."
• "Knowing about the company."
• "Be prepared!! Learn as much as you can about the company before you meet with a company representative. Develop some brief "elevator speeches" that highlight your understanding of the company's business and how you can help the company be successful. Don't try to be something you are not! Honesty and sincerity go a long way in making a very favorable impression on company representatives."
• "Candidates can stand out for good reasons or for bad reasons. You want to make a positive impression. Professional attire, grooming, politeness, preparation, research on the employer."
• "Be ready to share times and experience when you went "above and beyond." Many of your the other candidates are in similar technical classes that you are going into an interview. It is the ability to draw upon "other" experiences, or those same experiences but in a slightly different way, that will make you memorable. Even more importantly - get comfortable talking about yourself. Companies want to know what YOU contributed. It is good to talk about "the team", but you need to highlight what your specific contributions were. If you wait for the interviewer to drag that out of you - it's too late. You need to be confident - and you need to want to tell people about what you bring to the table. That energy and outgoing personality exudes confidence and helps you stand out from your classmates"
• "Height, taller candidates are easier to see. Enthusiatic people, excited people, confidence...."
• "Co-op's and Internships"
• "Major, GPA, Internships, on-campus involvement/leadership."
• "Work experience, and the ability to discuss your strengths and areas that need improvement."

What are the top qualities you look for when you are looking to hire somebody?

• "See the response under 'What are the expectations for students...."
• "The same as the above, passion, desire, willingness to learn and work as a team, enthusiasm."
• "Good GPA (3.5 - 3.8) combined with other activities of responsibility that demonstrate qualities of commitment and leadership. Ambition to work in your field of study during summer breaks."
• "Ability and eagerness to learn along with a good work ethic."
• "The top quality I look for is that the person genuinely has an interest in doing the particular job. I've interviewed a lot of people who were obviously just looking for anything (many of them even said so!). These people, when hired, will almost inevitably not be happy with the job, and many will leave soon after hiring in. "I look for self-confidence without being cocky. I look for people who are realistic about their career opportunities with us. For instance, it is not realistic to move into upper management in a big company within 5 years."
• "I look for people who show the ability to apply what they've learned in the classroom, that have the ability to work independently as well as on a team, that are enthusiastic, and that have proven themselves while at school."
• "GPA, team involvements (to know they can work in a team), professionalism."
• "My comments from the above question also apply. I believe most companies want to hire someone who meets a specific need. In other words, based on the position(s) to be filled which candidate(s) have the best chance of being successful and have the potential for a long-term relationship with the company. The amount of money and time spent training a new engineer/employee is quite substantial. As a result, the employer would like to be confident that this significant investment will result in a loyal and dedicated employee."
• "Fit. Does the candidate really have some interest and knowledge in the company and the position? Would he/she be happy there? Are his/her expectations appropriate? Leadership. Co-ops, internships, work-related projects."
• "We look for someone who is personable and easy going. They need to be able to demonstrate that they will be able to handle the technical work, but more importantly they need to be able to get along with a team and seek out ways to get things done. Strong communication skills are a must!!"
• "Solid work ethic, leadership skills, confidence in yourself and your abilities."
• "GPA 3.0 or greater, co-op and internships. The Enterprise Program does not replace co-op or internship."
• "Major, GPA, Internships, on-campus involvement/leadership."
• "Technically competent, yet possessing people skills and communication skills"

What is the number one thing you look for in recruiting employees?

• "Given that technical competence is a must to get in the door, demonstrated initiative is the number one thing."
• "A Smile and professional handshake-eye contact"
• "Retention. Given that the candidate is qualified for the position, have you made the decision that the company you are seeking is your employer of choice or are you just looking for a job? If you have done your homework and made your decision about the company based on what you have learned, than it is more likely you will be happy at work and not leave after a few years."
• "If I had to narrow it down to one thing it would probably be the ability to apply knowledge. A high GPA isn't going to impress me if I don't think you'll ever be able to use that knowledge in the real world."
• "See the answer to the previous question." (Fifth response to question 8)
• "Leadership, followed by technical competence"
• " Strong communication skills! The biggest concern of most recruiters is how this new employee will be able to come in and contribute to the company. They need to have strong communication skills to enable them to integrate quickly into the company and work as part of "the team". Recruiters are looking for someone who is confident (not cocky) in their abilities and has the passion and energy level to come in and get things done."
• "Impossible to answer, if there was only one thing everyone would try to be the same boring person (nice try though)."
• "A good GPA w/co-op's and internships."
• "If I'm recruiting at Tech, technical competency is a given. There are simple things such as 3.0 minimum GPA, but beyond that I'm looking for someone with a good work ethic, can be versatile in work assignments and wants to be a long term employee. "

What do you focus on most in a potential job candidate? Should I focus on being well-rounded, getting a 4.0 GPA, being involved in organizations, being personable and teachable or something else entirely?

• "I have to say that as much as possible, "all of the above". I will add that being involved with org's is one thing, but being able to show meaningful leadership in an org is more important because that covers other aspects of the personality. Demonstrating teaming, and actually the ability to be a supporting team member as well as a team leader is important."
• "I think it depends on each candidate and where their strengths. If the grades aren't so hot, we may look over them if they were really involved. If they are really personable and have the desire, but did not get involved much, we may then look at grades. They are all really combined into one package and there is some give and take. Getting involved though is a MUST."
• "Unless the job is R&D, being well rounded with a GPA of 3.5 - 3.8 in addition to some experience in the field and involvement in other activities that demonstrate commitment, leadership, and social skills are more appealing than a GPA of 4.0 with no other experience or activity involvement. Students that are well rounded and capable of maintaining several commitments at the same time that involve a wide range of people tend to make better leaders, supervisors and managers."
• "The most important things to me are being personable and teachable, and experience. Working through school shows so much, and the job doesn't have to be in your career field. Of course an internship in your field is important also."
• "Every situation is different. I typically focus on well-rounded individuals - good grades, some activities, some evidence of leadership, and personable. While I am impressed with people who can get a 4.0 GPA, did it come at the expense of other valuable experiences? We rarely interview 4.0 candidates who did not have other activities on campus. I would rather talk to a 3.25 GPA student who was actively involved in other campus activities, and hopefully had some kind of real-world work experience (sorry, but being a GA doesn't count)."
• "All of those things! It's going to vary by organization, but I look for someone who is well-rounded. So, keep your grades as high as you can but make sure you get involved outside of the classroom as well."
• "With entry level candidates, GPA is a factor but we don't discriminate if they do not have a 4.0. Being involved in organizations to gain more exposure and work in a team environment. How much do you know about the industry that you are entering? How much do you know about the company you are applying to?"
• "Actual work, colleges project experiences, co-ops or internships."
• "Well rounded. Coming from someone who had a 4.0 GPA - it was the "other" things that got me hired. If you work in the dorms, play sports, are part of a student organization, etc....those are the things a company really wants to see (along with your "decent" GPA). Companies are worried about how you are going to integrate into their company. Will you be able to catch on? Will you be able to work as part of a team? Etc. You just need to be able to show them a couple different environments in which you've been able to successfully work/contribute."
• "Well rounded, some level of experience in field (what did you get out of your co-op/intern job that wasn't related to engineering or the product)."
• "We look for a well-rounded individual, who has some outside activities other than just focusing on 4.0 GPA. My managers will not interview someone who has a 4.0 GPA with no outside activities, co-op or internships. Also, take leadership roles in both project teams and volunteer activities"
• "4.0 GPA doesn't mean diddly-squat if you have no experience outside the academic realm. Have good experience in the workplace and in organizations. Show you can work with others and be a leader."

Were you insecure going into you new career or confident about your ability to jump right in?

• "Probably more insecure than secure because with I went into the professional workplace, I had not had any exposure to that environment, i.e. no internships etc. I really didn't know what to expect and therefore that strengthens my recommendation to students to get that experience so they can go with more confidence as well as be more informed when actually choosing the job they do."
• "I was very confident because I knew this is what I wanted to do and knew I would be successful. It's all about taking risks, but not being afraid to ask questions or admit when you are wrong."
• "Confident that I could apply knowledge and experience and give 120% but worried if it would be enough. The worried part goes away very quickly if you are confident and apply yourself."
• "I went into my new career with several years of experience with my current company, and I was still unsure of my qualification. The trick is, no one was aware of my lack of confidence. It's ok to be insecure, but don't let that hold you back from doing a great job."
• "I was fairly confident about my ability to jump right in because I had co-oped throughout college with this employer. I had spent the last two years of my co-op working in the same group that I hired into."
• "The transition from college to the real world is a hard one, and most people probably feel a little apprehensive about it. Just remind yourself you spent about 4 years getting ready for it and you were hired for a reason! Probably the most successful people make a conscious decision to be confident. When you stop second guessing yourself and start doing the best job you can, nine times out of ten you'll discover you're doing a pretty good job!"
• "Yes but anytime that you changed jobs or companies you will probably have that feeling. You need to just have confidence in yourself and your abilities and it will work out."
• "Insecure."
• "Most new hires are intimidated when they start their new career. I was. That's ok!! Find a mentor (someone you can learn from and ask advice from) and focus on figuring out how to fit into the company culture. The hardest thing in any organization is figuring out who who's and how to get things done...and that takes time! The technical background MTU has provided is equivalent to that of anyone's. Companies understand that there is a learning curve when you join the company - you just need to come in eager to learn!"
• "Everyone will have some level of insecurity entering a new job, it's how you deal with the insecurity that will helps determine your success."
• "I believe everyone is nervous going into their career field, even experience people when they change jobs."
• "I was confident about my work ethic, but felt that I had lots to learn in the details of the job. My education at MTU gave me the confidence that I have the ability to learn and learn quickly."

Does it matter how long it takes me to graduate from college?

• "Yes, I would look hard at WHY someone is taking longer than the norm. If it was for sake of doing Co Ops, I would applaud that. If it was indeterminate, suspicions of weak self discipline would arise. If it could be explained that some one was raising a family, working to fund their education, etc, it could turn out to be a real positive because it would show discipline and determination."
• "No, as long as you graduate. If it takes you 8 years and you are working thoroughout that time, it is pretty clear as to why. If it is due to poor grades, that's a whole other issue."
• "Unless there are substantial circumstances noted on your resume, you should complete your program on schedule."
• "Only if you take lots of time off without doing anything during that time. Again, for me, work experience is very helpful, so if you take a few semesters off of school to work, there's nothing wrong with that."
• "Not to me. You're the one who has to pay the bills. :o)"
• "Seriously, going to college today has changed drastically than when I went in the early 1980's. Students are much more likely to spend their first year or two at a community college. They are also more likely to stretch college out a few years so they can work while attending college (because that tuition ain't getting cheaper). I think most recruiters understand the realities of getting a college education today."
• "Yes, it does, but it also matters what else you were doing and what your reason may have been. If it took you five years to graduate, but you worked part time to finance your education, that is different than if you took five years and only attended class. Also, how involved were you at campus? Make sure to include your activities on your resume so a recruiter can look at this. Don't be afraid to bring it up during an interview if you feel it's an issue that needs to be addressed."
• "No, there are a lot of people that do not attend college full time so it takes them longer. I have never known that to be a hindrance to a person getting a position."
• "The simple answer is yes and not really. The reasons why carries the most weight. If it took 6 years to get an undergraduate degree, but you worked full time to support a family then the extra time is a positive. However, if the reason you took so long was that you partied your way through school you will likely be viewed as unreliable and lack commitment."
• "Obviously, circumstances here are the key element but in most cases I would probably prefer someone who had to earn some amount of their college expenses through co-ops, internships or other work/life experiences that may have slowed the march to graduation."
• "No. The longer you are in school, the more time you have to be involved and contribute! Play up that side of things and you'll be fine. Companies would rather see co-ops, work experience, and/or involvement in extracurricular activities vs. someone focusing to get "out" in a set number of years."
• "In general no, but will be looked at by employees on a case-by-case basis. If you can show circumstances that support 6 years so be it. The 5 year program is completely acceptable (especially at Tech)."
• "No. If you are doing internships and co-op's that shows "real world work" experience."
• "No. Focusing on graduating with a good GPA and getting meaningful co-ops and internships are much more important than graduating in a specified period of time."
• "Within reason - no. A reasonable amount of time to achieve your degree is 5-6 years. Unless you're working toward a 2-year technology degree. :)"