Notes From The Edge - Military Times Edge

If you’re preparing to graduate from college and embark on your civilian job search, the time to start looking for employment is now.

According to a 2007 Graduating Student Survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, students who began their job search early were rewarded for their efforts with job offers firmly in hand in advance of graduation.

Getting an early start is all the more important when you consider this sobering fact: Another recent NACE survey “the Job Outlook 2009 Spring Update” found that, as the economy has continued to suffer its downturn, employers expect to hire 22 percent fewer new graduates from the Class of 2009 than they hired from the Class of 2008.

Fortunately, your time in uniform continues to be a draw for would-be employers, who are looking to hire people with the leadership skills and strong work ethic that has become synonymous with military experience.

Last year, I wrote an article about the job-search process for service members leaving uniform and entering the civilian work force, but the advice offered by military hiring experts has relevance for service-members-turned-students as well.

James Madison University also has a very comprehensive job and internship search process section on its site. Chances are, your own school has a pretty cool job search section on its Web site as well.

During our nation’s ongoing economic crisis, much emphasis has been placed on finding or pursuing “recession-proof jobs.” But what if you’re not yet at the job-search stage?

It seems reasonable to assume that recession-proof jobs are most successfully pursued by those with corresponding recession-proof college majors.

If you are considering a college degree or have recently embarked on your higher-education journey, it makes sense to evaluate whether careers in your intended field are going to continue to survive–and even thrive–or go the way of the dinosaurs.

My colleague, Adam Stone, recently wrote an excellent story that profiles seven bulletproof careers. Reader’s Digest magazine did its own profile of nine recession-proof fields. The jobs highlighted in both stories span a range of college majors and training programs, offering a little something for every type of thinker.

It’s always good thinking to select a major that will allow you to work in a field you love. Another really smart move? Making sure that major will allow you the greatest chance of employability in uncertain economic times.

The International Franchise Expo must rank among Washington, D.C.’s tastiest trade shows thanks to “restaurant row,” where franchise restaurants entice potential new owners with samples of sandwiches, smoothies, tacos and pizza.

This year’s expo is coming up March 20-22 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and it’s free for veterans who can produce proof of their service.

Attending the annual expo really is a great way to learn more about the concept, to find out what new franchises are out there — it’s not just a food-service industry by a long shot — and to learn which companies offer discounts to vets through the International Franchise Association’s VetFran program.

If you’re new to the idea of franchising, you won’t want to miss the “Franchising 101 for Veterans” seminar scheduled for 3:30-5 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Our good friend Ed Totanes — Navy veteran and Virginia Barbeque franchisee — is a panelist at this year’s seminar.

You can read more about Ed’s entrepreneurial endeavors in the premier edition of EDGE the magazine, which will be included in Feb. 2 subscriber editions of the Military Times newspapers.

In the meantime, here’s more information about the show.