With the Class of 2013 graduating in a matter of days, I thought it would be an appropriate time to look at some iconic graduation speeches in recent history. By the time graduation day comes along, the graduating class is seeking that one last piece of inspirational in their undergraduate career. Conan O’Brien at Dartmouth College gave one of my favorite commencement addresses in 2011. With his great sense of humor and profound advice, he gave a truly inspiring speech.  Read more...

"Attitude is everything!"  This commonly heard phrase can take on new meaning when applied to a person's employment. Attitude or the way in which a person approaches and views their work can vary greatly from person to person.  There are three labels that can be used to distinguish what an employee’s attitude is towards their work, based on their level of engagement; a job, a career, and a calling.  Read more...

Elevator speeches. For many college students, this has no meaning, and often sounds silly. But all job seekers know that a good elevator speech, or a 30 second or less introduction of yourself as a professional, is crucial to networking and meeting new people.  Read more...

Ask any professional, and they will say networking is the key to success in any career. But few know how to successfully network, and even fewer actually enjoy it. With these tips, networking can become more than a sales pitch, and you can succeed and also enjoy your networking experiences.  Read more...

Entering the work force can be an intimidating time but one thing that can ease this transition is the support of a mentor. A mentor is someone who is considered a trustworthy guide and who offers advice as well as encouragement. The process of seeking a career mentor is an important one that could potentially benefit you greatly in the future.  Read more...

In a world where smart phones mean everyone expects instant replies, an unanswered professional email can be seen as "no news is bad news". But in reality, no reply does not mean rejection. Read on to learn more about how to deal with this, and other email issues.  Read more...

Though a newer addition to the list of majors at Luther College, courses related to International Studies have spanned across a variety of disciplines for many years. The International Studies program focuses on providing students with the "knowledge to function optimally in this interconnected world". In addition to understanding what this major is, it is also important to explore what opportunities are available to those who study in this field.  Read more...

In this day in age, we share everything on the internet. With social media becoming a major source of career networking, there is a site that we should all be spending a little more time on; LinkedIn. When it comes to marketing yourself, skimping information on your personal profile will quickly reduce your value on the site.  Here’s a basic overview of what you should be including on your LinkedIn profile.  Read more...

Maybe you have just started looking for a job...Or maybe you have been looking for a job for quite a while now. However long you have been looking, and for whatever type of position you have been looking for, it may be a good idea to take a different perspective on your job hunt. Most people will seek out a specific type of job and see what companies show up offering that position. Yet maybe it’s time to start seeking out the ideal company first.  Read more...

No matter what your current employment status, LinkedIn is now crucial for a successful professional career. Think you don't need to be on LinkedIn? Read on for some great things LinkedIn can do for you, even if you are currently a student or already have a job!

http://www.careerealism.com/linkedin-non-job-seekers/  Read more...