Even Mattel Knows, Careers Start Early

Last week I had the pleasure of presenting a workshop to a group of Hofstra first-years.  Discussions centered on the importance of planning early when constructing a resume in preparation for future career goals.  One student passed the comment, “I’m only a first-year student, and I have a couple years to figure out what I’m going to do with my life.”  This comment, one we hear quite often in The Career Center, is what I like to call a MYTH!  Career development and the preparation that goes into making sure you are the ideal candidate by the time you graduate does not happen overnight and must be worked on.

You are probably thinking, “What does this have to do with Mattel?”  For those who don’t know, Mattel is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of toys, most famously Barbie.  In my mail box, (yes I still get snail mail), was an article from The Chronicle of Higher Education about who else… Barbie.  There in all of her glory was a picture of “Architect Barbie” from the new “I can be…” series of the famous doll.  This doll is aimed to inspire children ages 3 to 11 years old about the possibility of a life as an architect.  Mattel and the researchers working on this doll know the importance of inspiring children to investigate their career options early.

Let’s take a page from Mattel and follow in Barbie’s footsteps.  It’s important to start thinking about your career development as soon as you can.  I’m not saying that if you don’t figure it out by the age 3 then you’re doomed, but you should begin thinking about what you want to be post graduation as soon as you step in the door.  You should push through the steps and work on your resume now, land that internship, and show the world you are a proud Hofstra graduate!

~Joseph Gebbie, Assistant Director