NACE- A Great Resource for All Professionals in the Field of Campus Recruitment and Career Services

Recently I was elected to the Board of Directors for the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE). I have just completed a year of service as the Chair of NACE's Diversity Advancement Committee and initiatives, and have been involved with the organization the last 4 years in other efforts including magazine interviews, the 2006 conference planning committee, and several years of service in the Diversity Advancement Committee. As Chair of the DAC we had great success this past year which included a successful virtual seminar on diversity recruitment on college campuses, a best practices panel on HBCU recruitment at the national conference, an HBCU recruitment discussion forum in Atlanta, and overall excellent success in inspiring a national dialogue around issues of diversity recruitment on college and university campuses.

I look forward to serving on the NACE Board and hope to provide a new voice that will assist in the development of career opportunities for all students, development of diversity recruitment practices, technologies, and resources that will assist employers and campus career professionals. I am also very interested in being an advocate to promote and inspire more diversity in the ranks of campus career centers, diversity amongst vendors within the career development industry, and increased diversity among employer recruitment teams and management.

I suggest that all students and college professionals who are interested in learning more about the issues and strategies that drive the national and global campus recruitment industry take a moment and check out the NACE website (listed below). Quite frankly, some of you at HBCU career centers and smaller colleges should definitely consider being more involved to have access to the networks, resources and other tools NACE can provide you to give you and your center a professional edge! NACE networks and information have played a vital role for us at Howard in elevating the effectiveness, quality of service, and overall branding of our career services to a whole new level of national leadership and prominence. It could help your center and personal career as well!

Check out NACE's website at www.naceweb.org/

Kim R. Wells

Please write me through this blog or at kwells@howard.edu if you have any ideas or comments about NACE or other subjects you may have in mind.

Strategies for Internal Career Advancement

Recently a reader wrote the Black Collegian and requested that Kim R Wells provide some advice regarding the following situation.

Reader Message:

Hi,I have a question, if you would be kind to answer for me. I would really appreciate it. I am working in a company, and like my work, but it is not exactly in my preferred line of work. I would need to do some academic upgrading before I can really get the job I want there. I recently went for a job interview which is in the same department as the the job I really want. However, I realized in the interview that I might not be happy with the corporate culture for this job, and with the expectations to work overtime and on weekends (occasionally). If I am offered this job, how can I politely refuse without causing any hard feelings among the people in that department, with HR, and with my present co-workers. ---Salary? Present co-workers? I still want to move on eventually but I thought this would be a good step forward. They caught on to that fact during the interview, and asked me if this is a stepping stone in my path to a better job. I said it would probably be several years before I completed enough academic upgrading, but eventually I would like to move on.

KRW Response:

Dear Reader,

I like the fact that you are looking to the future and seem willing to take the next steps in your career through education and exploring job opportunities with your current company. Too many professionals totally overlook opportunities with current employer, and don't consider the excellent "in-house" opportunities for training, tuition assistance programs and other programs such as mentoring that can assist in achieving their career goals.

Also remember while you are pursuing your career goals there will always be seasons when you may need to strategically accept opportunities that are not exactly what you want at the time, but could assist you in the long run in moving forward with your career goals. Most successful professionals will tell you that they had to be flexible at various times in their career and take opportunities that would assist them in achieving their goals, but maybe were not exactly want they wanted at the time. If you are flexible, you can build certain professional competencies you need to develop, get in the "right" department, or find jobs that enable you to visibly "show your stuff" to the right people in the organization. Being flexible and taking strategic "side-steps" in your career can also assist you in receiving great mentors, training, and gain valuable experience that you can leverage to achieve your long term career goals.

Don’t worry about the extra hours and occasional weekends unless you have childcare needs or have other personal issues that may be of concern (and if so speak confidentially to a human resources professional that may be able to assist you by identifying programs or flexibility within the opportunity that will enable you to take the position). I suspect that when you move to the top of your profession, overtime, and weekends will still be a part of your professional life. Sometimes we need to determine what we are willing to sacrifice in order to achieve our greatest goals. Very few people "stumble to the top" most get there through being competent and willing to work hard for what they want.

Also remember that most quality employers recruit employees with the intention of developing the new hires skills and overall value to the organization. If an employer is not excited about your development and career advancement, be careful that there may be other more serious problems at play in the organization that may warrant your keeping your eyes open to other opportunities outside of the company.

If you have already informed this group that you will not be taking the position, don’t worry about it as long as you did it in a timely and professional manner. I suggest a great letter outlining the areas that were of some concern as a follow-up, but be sure to express that you still have a long-term interest in working in that area. Consider also keeping contact with them in case another more desirable situation should open up in the future. Keep moving forward in developing your skills and talents, I wish you all the best in pursuing your goals. Keep me posted at kwells@howard.edu or write back through the blog.


Kim R. Wells

Salary Discrepencies for Blacks

It is very disturbing what I hear consistently from my alumni and many African American students around the country about salary disparities that they are facing in the job market. I personally have seen first hand organizations that have offered Black candidates much lower salaries than White with similar backgrounds for the same positions.

What's going on? In a post civil rights era, some people still seem to believe it is ok to offer African American professionals only 80% of what they are offering non-African Americans according to the most recent census information.

Some of the Hurdles:

• Lower entry level salaries for African Americans- Solution, greater time needs to be invested in salary research and developing negotiation skills.


• Lower scores/ Less Recognition in Performance Evaluations Process- Solution, Improved awareness and active management of the performance evaluation process. Report inconsistencies or irregularities to proper organizational officials.


• Lack of Salary Awareness- Solution- Research industry reports and websites on salaries, keep abreast of current salary information reported by organizations for positions in your area of interest and current position. Talk with HR representatives in your organization for current salary ranges in your position and positions you are targeting in the future.

• Visibility and Opportunity- Solution- Seek mentoring and coaching from successful professionals including non-African Americans. Developing a career advancement strategy to assist in identifying formal and informal training and opportunities to achieve your goals.


• Lack of Recognition of Your Own Value-Too many Black professionals are "just happy to be there,"and feel they need to accept lower salaries to secure the opportunity. Solution- Understand you are there because you add value to the organization. Again research of industry and organizational salary trends, discuss with supervisor salary ranges of your peers and research similarly positions across your organization. Ask your supervisor for feedback on strategies to position yourself for higher salary ranges.


• Vote with your feet-If they aren't willing to pay you the reported market value of your talent within your industry, step on... an organization that doesn't reward talent and high performing contributors is probably riddled with other problems that will slow down or even derail your career.

For recent salary information check out the NACE Salary Survey information @

http://www.jobweb.com/SalaryInfo/default.htm

---KRW

What To Do If Your GPA is Low?

Some of you have had to sacrifice and press on in spite of "non-traditional" and even harsh circumstances to pursue your college education. Some of you have worked full time jobs, had to raise children, or have been very actively engaged in student activities or leadership roles on your campus. This is all good, but sometimes for some the GPA (Grade Point Average) can take a hit.

If you haven't graduated my advise is--GET THAT GPA UP, even if it means focusing down on some of your activities and work hours. Keep in mind your long-term priorities. A low GPA can cost you thousands of dollars in entering the job market and less access to top career opportunities that can fast track your career.

But if it is too late...

1. Don't cry over spilt milk - Move forward with dignity and grace, and celebrate the fact that you have reached the privileged status of being a Black college graduate!

2. Consider we all have different learning styles, some are more conducive toward school, some are more hands on in working with people and within "real life" situations that we are more confident in engaging. Some of you that received "Cs" in school will get "As" in "real life" and in your careers.

3. Think about all the great leaders that were "C" students, including business owners and even our current President (ok well maybe not the best example-but he did get in) that were "C" students. Some people just don't begin excelling until after their formal academic careers are over.

4. Examine and design a plan to leverage your unique value to the job market. Consider developing a plan to market the leadership roles you held in campus organizations, part-time work, or internship opportunities--employers love people that can make things happen. Employers are looking for people who have shown prior performance, and GPA is only one indicator of future performance and leadership. How many high GPA students couldn't lead their way out of a wet paper bag?

5. Take the time to develop a strong and targeted resume, mistakes are a killer if you have a low GPA --so none are allowed at all! Showcase your leadership, outcomes of organizations and work activities you lead.

4. Leverage your fan club. Call on campus administrators who know your work, faculty, part-time and intern employers who can vouch for your leadership outside of the classroom. This could also include regional and national fraternity and sorority leaders who are aware of your work, or other local or national professional organization leaders that are aware of your work.

5. Get your hustle on!! What I have found over the years is that "C" students are often great hustlers, and can often talk their way into anything...thet just aren't as focused at times. I recommend that you get your hustle on, hit the pavement hard, and demonstrate your value to top employers who are always looking for great talent potential that they know is sometimes found as diamonds in the rough.

6. Get a good coach or mentor to work with you. You will need someone to help you decode scenarios, people, and circumstances. With experience and time on their side they can help you to avoid some pitfalls, or delays in getting plugged in with the right people and organizations.

7. Remember you have talent. Some people just take longer to demonstrate it due to circumstances, mistakes, or lack of focus. Its time to lay aside childish things, make yourself and your future a priority, and move forward.

Check out this great article at http://www.coba.unr.edu/faculty/parker/Grades.html written by John H. Williams of Pepperdine University about the Behavior Dimensions on Grades.

Take some time to write me and the many who have told me that they are following this blog. We would all love to hear from you on this or the other topics we have covered.
---KRW

We Have A Lot to Remember This Memorial Day

In recognition of this past Memorial Day weekend I want to take a moment to thank all of the brave men and women who fought for and died for our great country.

I want to give a special thanks to those men and women of color who endured the challenges of racism and discrimination in the earlier times of the military. These great men and women set into motion a movement that eventually shattered old stereotypes of Blacks that called into question the competence, intelligence, bravery, patriotism and leadership potential. These courageous men and women who fought in every major American conflict dating back to the revolutionary war, showed all in the United States and the rest of the world that African Americans were not only great patriots, but capable of doing great things in leadership and in life when given an opportunity. God Bless all of you and thank you for your service to our country.

Mastering Your Time Like a Top Executive

One of the most consistent problems I have seen with young black professionals is the lack of time management or poor time execution. Let's keep it real, this problem is often at the heart of the career and professional development challenges for many of us.

Over the years as a consultant and now as a director and executive at Howard, I believe poor time management is often the core issue that has kept many African Americans from gaining business opportunities, receiving promotions, gaining the respect of their peers, and importantly the respect of leaders in their organizations that struggle in considering them as key "go-to people."

Remember there are 3 basic time masters:

• Sloppy-always late or inconsistent - They always drain others in getting your part done!


• Mediocre-time management that most think is OK. - You are just another face in the crowd, most will see your contributions as just doing your required job, nothing special.


• Executive- You are always a cut above, prepared-in advance, early to meetings, excellent quality is your trademark. Top executives love working with people like this.

Be known for getting the job done! Look at a few of these tips:

Always know the complete scope of a project or task before starting out--Some people have made a career in college and now professionally in waiting until the last minute to even begin reviewing the scope and key components of time sensitive tasks. Slow starters always create drama for everyone when they need assistance from others to get their sloppy and poorly executed part done. Also poor quality is usually the trademark of people who never appropriately scope out their time sensitive tasks and projects. People who start off late, drain others in getting the job done, and turn in sub par work eventually are labeled in top organizations as a "liability" ---being shown the door is always close at hand.

Set realistic timelines of tasks. Don't promise things you can not deliver. It is better to establish reasonable and mutually agreed timelines when planning to deliver tasks, than trying to be "a star" and over promise and under deliver.

Use your PDA, Blackberry, Trio etc., to document , review, and give alerts for due components, tasks and deliverables. Share and facilitate buy-in with others that are involved.

Develop a timeline for effective teaming, identifying, defining, and completing of tasks. Share timeline with all, and check in with others in advance to ensure all team members are "on task." Always build in flexiblity for potential delays.

Start doing your part on time. Stop blaming others for not getting started, because you were waiting on them to return your call, or to provide some data etc. Always find a way to communicate with others for materials or information needed, while moving forward in anyway possible to complete the task at hand.

Build in flexible time to your timeline. Stuff happens...lets face it. For me it is always the copier demon, or the printer demon--for some of you it is your server demon, or a traffic demon--we all have a few demons that always seem to wage personal wars on us, prepare for them, plan for them don't let them win! Plan to have documents and task done in time so that unplanned delays can be effectively managed without hurting the quality and timeless of your work.

Manage interruptions. Whether they are time consuming emails that are not a priority, unscheduled phone calls from people (ask them to schedule a follow-up time), needy friends and family, or just chatty people who are notorious for draining your time--- you must learn to say no--in a professional manner of course, schedule more appropriate times, and deal with first things first.

Always build in time to review documents for quality and lack of mistakes. When people make it a happen to start late or finish late mistakes are usually a problem.

Take extra steps if necessary to get the job done! This may require coming in early and staying a few minutes late to ensure the job gets done and to maintain a solid standard of excellence in your work. Trust me you will feel much better in getting a job done on time and receiving the rewards and praise; than being late, turning in work with mistakes and receiving criticism... and maybe the door.

Sometimes your career comes down to a few key opportunities. make the most of them, manage your time so you can always deliver tasks with excellence and on time. We will definitely revisit this topic in the future.

See some additional excellent advice and quotes on time management at http://www.alice.org/Randy/timetalk.htm a website developed by Randy Pausch at Carnegie Mellon University.

Kim R. Wells

Remember Education and Wisdom Are Not the Same Thing

If you are a member of the graduating Class of 2007 I want to share an important piece of advice, NEVER CONFUSE EDUCATION and WISDOM...They are not the same thing!

A formal college education, is a privilege and luxury that many may never have the opportunity to achieve--thank God you have come this far. Many of you have been prepared since you were children to achieve a college education, and your ability to cross that stage is a testament not only to your hard work and dedication, but to the dedication and support of the many that have poured into your life ---Never forget that you did not get where you by yourself. In the end education and the elite learning process you have completed (and will continue throughout your life) is only a part of the equation of success, the rest of the equation is called wisdom.

Developing wisdom is a lifelong process of knowing who you are, your God given purpose, and delivering what you know to inspire the lives, development, and success of those around you. How many educated "barber shop scholars," "lazy intellects," "plastic activist," "mediocre managers," do you know that never really graduate from telling you all that they know, and the prestigious places they learned it? How many educated people do you know that never really acquired any real wisdom, or the character and integrity that comes with it? Don't let that be your story, step up, step out of the shadows, and move into your calling, the world is waiting for you to take your place.

We are all proud and excited about your new degree --and celebrate your great accomplishment with you, but if you really want to impress us...show us your wisdom!