BU alumns share info on job market
Shannon Siders
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: News
By Shannon Siders
Doug Frederick, a 1993 Bellarmine graduate, and Lucinda Glover, a 2006 graduate, visited Bellarmine last week to talk to students about the job market and the company they work for, Mercer.
"A lot of our clients are cutting costs wherever they can," said Frederick. He said that there has been an increase in furloughs with businesses across the country. Instead of lay-offs, companies are now having employees participate in furloughs, where they take a week or so off unpaid.
Frederick said that employers are looking for workers who are well-rounded and resourceful, because they will usually be able to learn the necessary parts of the job as they go along. "It's not what you know but how you do it," said Frederick.
He also said that employers look for a high GPA along with a lot of involvement in campus and/or community programs and events. Students who coach, volunteer, or serve on committees can learn the different ways people act and how to work with them.
"People want to have to work with you or you're not going to get the work done...you have to be easy to work with," said Glover.
Transferable skills are very important, along with internships. It is important for students to have a strong background so that they can start in their job and only have to ask questions after they have done their own research on subjects.
Frederick also gave advice on how to get help with projects. "Empathy works best," said Frederick. He said it is important to get people involved so they feel connected with the project.
For information on opportunities available through Mercer, visit www.mercer.com
Doug Frederick, a 1993 Bellarmine graduate, and Lucinda Glover, a 2006 graduate, visited Bellarmine last week to talk to students about the job market and the company they work for, Mercer.
"A lot of our clients are cutting costs wherever they can," said Frederick. He said that there has been an increase in furloughs with businesses across the country. Instead of lay-offs, companies are now having employees participate in furloughs, where they take a week or so off unpaid.
Frederick said that employers are looking for workers who are well-rounded and resourceful, because they will usually be able to learn the necessary parts of the job as they go along. "It's not what you know but how you do it," said Frederick.
He also said that employers look for a high GPA along with a lot of involvement in campus and/or community programs and events. Students who coach, volunteer, or serve on committees can learn the different ways people act and how to work with them.
"People want to have to work with you or you're not going to get the work done...you have to be easy to work with," said Glover.
Transferable skills are very important, along with internships. It is important for students to have a strong background so that they can start in their job and only have to ask questions after they have done their own research on subjects.
Frederick also gave advice on how to get help with projects. "Empathy works best," said Frederick. He said it is important to get people involved so they feel connected with the project.
For information on opportunities available through Mercer, visit www.mercer.com
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