Career Corner with Kira Murphy ’20: Entering the Workforce Post-Graduation and Amid a Pandemic

1.       What are some of the best strategies students can use to find a job during a pandemic?

I would say to use any and all resources you have access to! Once you have worked with the Center for Career Excellence to explore careers and build a strong resume, don’t limit yourself to where you look for job openings. One of my favorite websites that I used during my job search was Built In. While it’s specific to tech companies, they have a bunch of awesome resources across the board for various positions. Once you find a job opening, apply directly on the company’s website, rather than where you found the job. You’ll likely find more information about the job, the company culture, and the company mission; these are all important when writing your cover letter and preparing for interviews. 

2.       How important is networking to the job search, especially right now? 

It is even more important now to (virtually) connect with friends, family, and alumni in your industry and ask as many questions as you can. You never know who you may meet and what you may learn. And if you can find someone to give you a referral, all the better! 

3.       While everyone hopes to land their “ideal” job, what advice do you have for today’s college graduates regarding the importance of balancing expectations and gaining relevant work experience?

Ride the wave and take any opportunities that come your way! While it may not be your dream job, you’ll still make important networking connections and gain experience along the way. However, remember to make decisions that will bring you joy. If you don’t think a position, location, or company is right for you then don’t ignore those feelings. I promise you that another opportunity will come along. Stay positive and remember that every experience is a learning experience.

Additional Advice

Job searching, especially while in a pandemic, can be overwhelming. Remember to be kind to yourself and celebrate small victories. One of my favorite strategies to manage this was creating an excel sheet where I tracked my progress. I used this to save job openings that I found and their respective company name and location, the date I applied, the email address that I used, and any response I received. Even if you don’t apply right away, save the link to the job opening! Not only did this help me to keep track of potential opportunities, but it allowed me to stay organized and see the progress that I made. It also helped me to stay accountable – even if you only submit one application in a week, it’s better than none at all! 

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about what my personal job search was like or my experience working in tech! I’m currently a Software Engineer at Payfactors. The best way to reach me is via email at kiranoelmurphy@gmail.com or via LinkedIn.

– Kira Murphy ’20, Software Engineer, Payfactors

Bachelor of Science, Math & Computer Science