Beverly Hamilton-Chandler

In high school, many teenagers dream of the ultimate reward for their hard work: acceptance to the "perfect college." While Princeton, like all other schools, may not be "perfect," for most students here it is the realization of that adolescent dream. Yet once on campus, many of us begin to look beyond college to the next goal: the "perfect job." This quest can seem even more daunting than the first, and many students feel pressure to find that one amazing job that will instantly define them once they march out the gates of Old Nassau. For Beverly Hamilton-Chandler, the Director of Career Services for both undergrads and grad students, this attitude is one she fights to reverse.

To begin, "a student needs to define what the perfect job is," Hamilton-Chandler said. She recommends considering several factors, such as a position's potential for significantly broadening the student's knowledge, the quality and personalities of potential coworkers and the geographic location.

Beyond these fairly simple questions, Hamilton-Chandler said, students should examine themselves to find what makes them passionate. "What do you value?" Hamilton-Chandler likes to ask students. Recognizing that many students feel pressure from outside to snag the right kind of job, she encourages them to "give themselves permission to make the choice" to follow their interests. The reward of her job, Hamilton-Chandler said, comes from "helping someone ask the right questions," and then pointing them in the direction of the answers.

Hamilton-Chandler can speak from experience, as she herself did not follow a simple path to find her passion. Currently in her ninth year as the director of the University's career services, she said she had always gravitated toward helping people. At first, she tried teaching math and English. She quickly realized, however, that standing up in front of a classroom was not her strength and looked for other ways to instruct. She soon progressed toward career counseling, including positions at Wellesley College and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. "I fell in love with the opportunity to share a piece of someone's life," she said.

Many students, Hamilton-Chandler explained, face a decision between "what they really want to do and what is expected." No matter what the hype and hysteria that consume upperclassmen every fall might suggest, not everyone leaves Princeton with an investment banking or consulting gig. She points to some interesting trends over the last few years in post-graduation plans. More Princetonians, fresh diploma in hand, have been taking a year off to work for a nonprofit or take an internship. Increasingly, new alumni are looking for opportunities abroad, eager to explore other cultures of which they may have gotten just a taste while at Princeton. In addition, Hamilton-Chandler has found that, since September 11, there has been a greater interest in government jobs in Washington and elsewhere.

These diverse opportunities don't always fall in line with a student's undergraduate curriculum. Hamilton-Chandler strongly believes that "all majors give students tremendous skills and abilities." In fact, in a recent survey done by the Career Services office, employers ranked the quality and breadth of coursework more important than the specific major of the applicant. Abstract, general skills — such as critical reasoning and solid writing — along with students' life experiences, are most relevant in prospective employers' eyes.

Most of all, Hamilton-Chandler encourages students to explore new options and to imagine the possibilities. After all, those are the same strategies that often mean success in college, as we explore new activities and academic subjects.

"It is no waste to learn what you don't like," said Hamilton-Chandler. "No decision rules out a whole host of other choices ... every transition is important, but it's an opportunity to learn something new."

Career Services

Students can go to the office for any questions related to future employement or study.

Hours

8:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday to Friday, during the academic year

Location

201 Nassau St.

Phone

609-258-3325

On the Web

www.princeton.edu/career