Will -
Q: Job prospects - How are they? Where are the main metropolitan areas where Freeman graduates tend to go to ? Did you need to do most of the legwork for your internship or did the Career Services Center play an integral role?
A:This is the toughest question I get regularly. Yes, New Orleans is a small town, but we’re unique and well-known for entrepreneurship and community. I got multiple internship offers here locally. You can network like a madman and because we don’t have 700 new students every year and school connections are generally glad to talk to you. I worked in a job throughout the first year as a full-time day student.
I think it mostly has to do with hustle. I didn’t look outside New Orleans, so I can’t testify about how it was. I can connect you with someone who did though. I think it’s obvious that if you’re going outside the city, it’s more difficult to get your foot in the door, but if you have a resume that shows some specialization in something… then you’ll have a leg up. I know several people who have had a lot of luck outside New Orleans. We are particularly strong in the Houston area. We also do New York well, as far as I know. We have “Freeman Days” in both areas, which you are encouraged to attend. Ooooo… Gotcha… there isn’t a real link for it as far as I know, but feel free to call the CMC at 504.865.5410 and ask about it.
As for the career services center, they aren’t going to find you an internship, but they are a resource. It depends on how you use them. I write Donn Barclay (Our advisor) every week with a name of someone I want to find a connection to. He sends out emails and generally gets me in. Again, I am only looking locally, so it might be easier for him, but they are there to help you with specific tasks and they are pretty good at it.
They don’t bring as many organizations on campus as do other schools, but my luck with that has never been good anyways. Those companies are paying for the right to be overly selective and I like a more personal connection. I think it has worked for some folks though and I can put you in touch with them.
Hope this helps. Leave a comment with a question, or email me at will.donaldson@gmail.com
will
1 response so far ↓
Eric // Apr 30, 2008 at 10:40 am
Thanks for the posts. I really enjoy reading these as I look forward to my move to New Orleans. Any word on how job placement is faring for the group graduating this year?
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