When should I start looking for a job?
For students seeking employment with large companies and government agencies that recruit on-campus, fall quarter is the best time to begin your search by participating in the Campus Interview Program. Keep in mind less than 25% of our students get jobs through this program. Many smaller firms or high demand industries will advertise through the Internet or through their professional networks closer to when they need to fill the position. For this reason, spring quarter is the time to start seriously looking at options and applying.

How long does it take to find a job?
The average job search ranges between three to six months. Many experts consider looking for a job a full-time job in and of itself. For this reason, many students choose to focus their job search efforts after graduation while finishing summer school and choose continue in their part-time position or simply take a “survival job”through a temp agency until they are clearer on what they want.

What salaries do recent graduates make?
The next UCSB Career Salary Survey is due to come out in 2005. The range will vary according to discipline, geographic location, and the years of related job experience a UCSB graduate has to offer. Check out the salary survey information and cost of living index for the career field and location you seek by going to this section of our web page.

What if I don't know what I want to do?
Career Services specializes in helping you if you are not sure what to do. We have great career resources and counselors who can help you to tap in to your interests and passions. We will help also you make a game plan for your career. We strongly recommend internships, information interviews, and our career assessment program until then.

What are the advantages between a large versus small company?
In general, a larger firm will offer a more structured training program with a more specific assignment. A smaller firm often allows for you to wear several hats very quickly, but may expect you to learn as you go. Some of us prefer the more structured, formal, hierarchical work place of the larger organization versus those that like the informality and flexibility of a smaller one. See our web section on “Corporate Culture”.

What are the best places to look for a job?
The highest success rate is the place closest to your heart and home—friends and family are the very best sources of valuable job leads. After that, GauchoLink is good, because it is the official job-hunting site for our fine university as well as several others mentioned under our “Job Links”section.

What types of jobs can I expect as a Liberal Arts graduate?
One of the many wonderful things about a liberal arts degree is that there are only a few careers that are NOT available. Engineering is probably out of the question. But nearly everything else is possible. If a UCSB philosophy undergraduate has been, in addition to his or her studies, developing computer and business skills, they can land a career position in real estate, banking, and even computer programming. Employers are very interested in what our students have been doing outside of class.

How long do I need to stay at an employer before going onto graduate school?
Most employers expect at least a two to three year commitment. If you know for sure you will be leaving within the year, you may wish to seek a more temporary position or consider other options for that year before graduate school.

Can I still do internships after I graduate?
In most cases, you are no longer eligible to do internship after graduation. The only exceptions will be in the public sector with government or non-government organizations typically located in Washington D.C. or New York City. See our Post-BA Internship web section located under “INTERNSHIPS”. On a positive note, Career Services can still sponsor you for one quarter after graduation through its “Internship Certificate Program”as long as you apply the last quarter you are still in school.

What are my options if I want to take a year off?
Some students apply to Americorps (one year) or Teach America (two years) to not only get experience for later, but receive a living wage and the $4,725 educational award advantage. Another popular option is to consider short-term or seasonal work abroad to offset travel expenses. Low cost options include Bunac or CIEE. Other students teach English overseas without a credential or with an in-country TEFL Certificate. Go to our “Internships” section under “Internships for further details and options, or simply log onto TeachAbroad, Volunteer, or WorkAbroad.com

How do I accept, or reject a job offer?
The critical thing is to confirm in writing either way you go. This can be done by mail or email. It is important to ask for time to evaluate and discuss your offer with those you trust before automatically accepting. Once you accept, it is unethical to decline if a better offer comes along unless there are compelling reasons. The employer is also expected to live up to it’s written offer was made. See rileyguide.com for further details.