By Cathy Day
It all started with two tweets:
There’s a “hidden curriculum” to higher ed. So what are the “hidden rules” to thriving in a job? https://t.co/yYEXuSgKwu
— Cathy Day (@daycathy) December 15, 2018
And in response, I got so much good advice–much of it from #bsuenglish alums–that I decided to share it all here, with everyone.
So here you go, some of the unwritten rules of getting and keeping a job.
find out who can teach you the things you don’t know that you don’t know
— Happy Diningday (@ballstatedining) December 15, 2018
It’s hard to know that you don’t know something. That’s what we mean by “unwritten rules.”
Being able to ask for what you need (more time, more help, etc) while balancing (1) professionalism (don’t overshare, don’t beg), (2) humility (don’t act like you’re entitled to it), and (3) confidence. Also: being able to accept praise!!!!
— Silas Hansen (@silas_hansen) December 15, 2018
Did you see that article about the rural student being terrified of office hours? It’s made me think about the importance of interpersonal skills with people who are in a position to help. Maybe an assignment requiring a visit to all their profs’ office hours that semester?
— Patrick Maley (@PatrickJMaley) December 15, 2018
So, for example: I’m happy to help with post-college plans; I can’t help if the student doesn’t ask or at least talk to me; the student can’t ask if terrified of talking to professors. Even the students comfortable talking to profs could use an assignment about doing it well.
— Patrick Maley (@PatrickJMaley) December 15, 2018
This year as chair, I had to add an office hours policy to our handbook. But also, I think we have to tell students that just because the door isn’t wide open doesn’t mean you shouldn’t claim your right to time in that office!
— Cathy Day (@daycathy) December 15, 2018
How to ask for an informational interview and how to prepare and conduct one. Keep it short (30 minutes) and come with specific questions, not just “tell me how you got where you are…”
— Leah Nahmias (@lnahmias) December 15, 2018
Did you just freak out and think, “I don’t know how to do an informational interview!”
Well, how can you learn? Wait, Silas knows…
Another one: knowing where to look for answers before you ask for help (ie, just basic googling skills like typing “how do I _____” and seeing what pops up). So many students don’t know that they can do that.
— Silas Hansen (@silas_hansen) December 15, 2018
Knowing how to draft and respond professionally in emails is a huge one. I thought I knew how to write an email until I joined a corporate job and discovered a whole universe if email etiquette I wasn’t even aware of….
— A. T. (@ATweetsville) December 15, 2018
Maybe now you can Google “email etiquette.”
Speaking of etiquette, how do you (ugh) “network?”
Always be prepared to promote yourself (when appropriate)! I missed out on opportunities when I was younger because I usually played my work/skill set down, especially in non-work settings because I thought they were not important.
— traitor joe (@georgelhickman) December 15, 2018
What if it seems like the job is perfect for you, but it doesn’t say “English” is the preferred degree?
This so much. My students are sometimes lamenting that a job wants a communications or marketing degree. Guess what? An English major (and any liberal arts grad) has those skills. You just need to prove that. Skills and software can be learned.
— Sequoia Nagamatsu (@SequoiaN) December 15, 2018
Apply for every job (opportunity) you are interested in, even if you do not seem to fully meet each stated qualification.
— Mary Lou Vercellotti, PhD (@mlvercellotti) December 15, 2018
Having work samples is so important. Helps prove you can actually do stuff beyond the stereotypical belief of what English majors can do.
— Heike Young 👩🏼💻 (@YoungHeike) December 15, 2018
How do you get those work samples and experiences?
Getting involved in campus publications, seeking out internships in the PR and communications offices on your campus. I’d also look at careers where English intersects with the sciences and business.
— Dave Griffith (@poorerthandead) December 15, 2018
Internships. Student groups. Freelance work. Work samples. Experience while you can live cheaply. Alumni networks. Mentoring. Volunteering. More work samples. Associations. More volunteering. Enthusiasm. Supporting other people’s dreams so they support yours.
— Lori Rader-Day (@LoriRaderDay) December 15, 2018
We also got a lot of responses about finding mentors.
Actively seek out mentors in college, grad school, at work. Throughout your life. Great reminder, Ethan. I didn’t do that nearly enough–cultivate the relationships I needed. I didn’t want to bother anyone…. https://t.co/6mgBLeELR8
— Cathy Day (@daycathy) December 15, 2018
Remember: if you ask someone for help and they don’t respond, that’s okay!
Mentoring. Take people up on it when the offer to help. Not all people do or will follow up, but the people who did changed my career—helped me *make* my career.
— Gretchen Stelter (@editorStet) December 15, 2018
Along that line, accepting that people might not respond/will be rude was BIG for someone trained to always “be nice” and not overstep boundaries. Put yourself out there, and accept what happens next professionally-positive or negative-and move forward (2/3)
— Natali (@natty_cav) December 16, 2018
Along THAT line, know how to professionally “put yourself out there”- reaching out to people you don’t know personally in appropriate ways (professional email addresses NOT personal 😬), respecting the other person’s time and boundaries, etc (3/3)
— Natali (@natty_cav) December 16, 2018
For example, don’t be this guy.
Negotiating/Compromise — being able to sacrifice their ideal concept/idea for an end result that may be different but still derived from it.
— Becca Wolfley (@BeccaWolfley) December 15, 2018
a big thing for me was learning to recognize opportunities (any opportunities) and to start saying “yes” to them, even if they scared me
— 🌙 yulerin 🎄 (@NireOnerom) December 16, 2018
But remember, you don’t have to say yes to everything.
also, learn how to say no. it can help if you can provide alternative options for people when saying it, but most people seem to have a career turning point when realizing they don’t have to agree to do literally everything
— Happy Diningday (@ballstatedining) December 15, 2018
Hi. I'm an English major with a long career in business and tech. Biggest tip: your skills are meaningful to the economy. Just translate them to things the economy cares about: explication to analysis; writing to communication; clear language to clear thinking (and leadership).
— jason scherschligt (@searchlight5) December 23, 2018
Join and volunteer. Student societies. On campus organizations. Off-campus organizations. Become the president or vice-president of ‘something’. Be a leader. Develop and prove your skillset beyond your ability to ‘English’.
— Daphne (@DaphneSheaves) December 23, 2018
Think not just about what you’d like to “do”; think also about the broader landscape of the life you’d like to have. Industry cultures vary significantly (private versus public versus start-up, etc) and each have pros and cons.
— Annabel Adams (@AnnabelMAdams) December 23, 2018
Employers want to know how your skills can make an impact on their organization. For example: As English majors, you are able to translate complicated material into engaging and understandable prose. How could this impact the job you’re applying for?
— Annabel Adams (@AnnabelMAdams) December 23, 2018
Use your research skills to research the heck out of the organization and job you’re applying for. Come prepared with smart questions and bring a notepad to take notes during an interview. I am often surprised how even seasoned professionals forget this basic, necessary step
— Annabel Adams (@AnnabelMAdams) December 23, 2018
If you have any students interested in working in #communications or #marketing, I’d be happy to be a virtual mentor. As a former English major myself, I benefited early on from mentors and internships. I’m always looking to pay it forward
— Annabel Adams (@AnnabelMAdams) December 23, 2018
Which of these pieces of advice helped you the post? Go back and “heart” those tweets. And maybe follow (or thank!) the person who shared the advice!
Comments:
Great article with helpful tips.
As a BSU alumnus, I’m really glad to see this blog. I hadn’t heard of this, so I’m glad to see this.
I’d also add “accessibility” to the list of attributes. Now that I own a business and work as an editor, I’ve found that clear and frequent communication is essential for my work. Let’s say I work with a team, the ones who regularly stay in touch will come to mind, and I am more likely to work with them. One of my employees, for example, will touch base with me each week, and he’s often the first to come to mind when I have a project.
Especially in today’s work environment, where telecommuting and related skills are often necessary, I think communication is one of the top skills. It doesn’t end with applying for a job; to keep a job, communication remains an important skill.
Thank you, Joel! We’re so grateful for this advice.