Job search: how to find a job with your WGSS degree
1. Start with UW-L CAREER SERVICES.
2. Understand what your major/minor have helped you develop:
Michigan State's website has a very good summary here https://www.msu.edu/~wmstdy/wsmjr1.htm See which of these apply to you.
3. Investigate These Resources on the Web:
The World Wide Web offers many career and job resources. Here is a sampling of sites that may help your job search. Before you use any of these resources, though, be sure to read the caveats below.
- WGSS is a partner of AAUW! See what help AAUW can be to you!
- Resources for Feminist Jobs!: MORE HELP HERE than you can shake a stick at! http://womenstudies.wisc.edu/careers.htm
- Feminist Majority Foundation's Career Center lists both current jobs and internships and job banks
- Wisconsin Women Equals Prosperity! lists job opportunities as well as internships and scholarships
- Interesting public advocacy jobs: The state PIRGS(Public Interest Research Groups) http://pirg.org/jobs/ And here's a new one: http://www.grassrootscampaigns.com/index.php Check them out!
- Monster.com: http://www.occ.com/
- Campus monster.com: http://campus.monster.com/
- Career Builder: http://www.CareerBuilder.com
- USF's Career Info: http://www.usfca.edu/usf/career/
- Jobstar: http://jobstar.org/
- Government Employment Listings from the U.S.Office of Personnel Management: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ Most states have a similar website for state jobs.
- The National Assembly of Health and Human Services Organizations http://www.nassembly.org
4. Be aware of these caveats & tips for WEB-based searching:
- Most of these sites do not involve a cost to you to post your resume or search for positions. Employers bear the cost of the service.
- There is considerable variation in the format requirements for resumes across the various sites. However, it will be helpful for you to start or convert your resume to a web-friendly format for easy posting.
- These sites offer the ability to search for jobs by title and region, the ability to post your resume and often a service that automatically sends your resume to jobs where there appears to be a “match.”
- IMPORTANT – many of the sites are still best for industry-based jobs. Often human service and non-profit jobs are still listed primarily in newspapers. Depending on your plans, you might want to search the sites that have the links to the job listings of major newspapers, like JobTrak and CareerPath listed above. Currently, research suggests that businesses use the Internet in about 30% of their recruiting activities. We recommend posting your resume on several sites.
- There are a few drawbacks to the web sites. In the more corporate sites, it make take several layers of clicking to get to the actual job postings. Additionally, sometimes employers can get pesky by too aggressively pursuing you for a position.
5. Find Salary Information:
- Occupational Outlook Handbook website http://www.bls.gov/oco/
- Several commercial sites offer similar types of information (e.g., http://www.salarysource.com/)
- Check out our own Career Services site for UW-L salary information by college and major.
Shamelessly swiped and adapted from UWL's Psychology Advising website. Thanks to Dr. Morgan for permission.