8B - The Mikan Daily - Fall Outlook - ursday, October 24, 1996 * 0 IW r * The Michigan Daily -01 outlook - Thur Going to Work Entrepreneurs make it work Back to School Future professionals search for schi By Heather Miller Daily Staff Reporter As a University undergraduate, Patrick Sarkissian worked at Maude's Restaurant making salads. But while he was mak- ing $30 a night, the waitstaff could be pulling in $150. Sarkissian said he knew he was equally intelligent and had worked just as hard, but he was earning far less pay. So he quit. And he never worked for anyone again. Sarkissian now owns Web Elite, a web site design compa- ny, with fellow University alum Jacques Habra. "I developed a belief in myself, which is quintessential to everybody who wants to start their own business," Sarkissian said. The company, which is based in Ann Arbor, now has 15 employees and has a wide range of clients. Habra, who turned down a position to work as a program- mer analyst for Ford Motor Company, said the corporate world can be limiting, whereas "in an entrepreneurial endeav- or you don't have a ceiling or a floor." Tali Edut, a 1994 University graduate and one of the co- founders of HUES magazine in Ann Arbor, agreed. "It's not my dream (to work for other people)," she said. "There's always a ceiling over you." Owning your own business can offer more freedom, but also contains risks. "(You have) more control over what you're doing and where you're going," said 1968 University alum Tom Porter, who is a general partner for Enterprise Development Fund. However, owning a business does have a risky downside. "You never stop thinking about the business," Edut said. "It's like having a kid." Habra agreed. "The worst aspect is that there's no time off. It's a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week job." But Kirkland Teeple, owner of the Mainstreet Comedy Showcase, warned of the risks of starting a business. "Be afraid. Be very afraid," he said. "It's not what people make it out to be." Sarkissian said there is a myth that becoming an entrepre- neur means a successful career. "Success doesn't equal your own business and vice versa," he said. "It's your attitude and the way that you work that equals success." Debbie Taylor, assistant director for multicultural ser- vices for Career Planning & Placement, said a successful entrepreneur needs to possess a number of versatile skills, which can range from marketing to working with clients. "Small business owners have to wear many different hats," she said. By Heather Kamins Daily Staff Reporter Four years of work and play are over. Grab a cap and gown, and get ready to face the real world. After graduating, it may be time to enter the job market. But for many who aspire past a bach- elor's degree and see themselves as a doctor, lawyer or business executive, professional school is the next step. This path is competitive, very costly, and full of hard work - but skills learned may bring a more secure future. Each year, thousands of college grad- uates apply for entrance into the coun- try's best medical, business and law schools. They face stiff competition as they struggle to gain a spot at a top uni- versity, and when the responses arrive in the mail they witness the results of four years in college. MEDICAL SCHOOL "Applications are at an all-time high, but the number has seemed to plateau," said David Trabilsy, Johns Hopkins Medical School associate dean for admissions. Johns Hopkins placed sec- ond in this year's U.S. News and World Report rankings for medical schools. "There are basically three applica- tions for each position in medical school. All U.S. med schools are highly competitive at this period in time," Trabilsy said. "We are looking for stu- dents that have not only done well aca- demically, but that have experience in a number of areas, that did more than just being good students. A medical degree, which usually takes four years to earn, provides many opportunities during a time when the medical profession is being redefined. "There are lots of changes in medi- cine right now. But Medical the changes will result in opportuni- SchoOls ty," Trabilsy said. 1. Harvard Trabilsy spoke 2. Johns Hopkins of the short-term 3. Yale sacrifices and the 4. Washington U. long-term rewards 5. Duke that medicine has to offer. "Post-graduate education is a long period of time. One does have to make sacrifices in relation to time and money. There is a delayed gratification; medical school does take longer than business school or law school," Trabilsy said. "Most medical schools have very good financial aid programs, and the long-term income of a physician, even though it has not been going up as it did before, should enable most to comfort- ably pay off their loans," Trabilsy said. BUSINESS SCHOOL Many graduates choose to pursue a master's degree in business administra- tion in order to improve their chances in the job market. An program at most schools, offers many opportuni- ties and options of employment. "Since I don't have a business background, an MBA provides me with the skills that I will need," said M a r t h a Masterman, a MBA, a two-year already gained in the workplace." "Applications are at an all-time high ... - David Trabilsy Johns Hopkins assoc. dean for medical admissions Students at MBA pro- grams are heavily recruit- ed by corpora- tions across the country. "Getting a job is part of the program from day one. You have to consider it Business graduate student. "If you have a BBA (bachelor's in business adminis- tration), you probably could excel just JULLY PARK/Daily Ann Arbor Climbing Gym owner Cortland Coene plays with his dog. Coene started the business after graduating from the University in 1993 with an MBA. as well as you can with an MBA." The University's graduate business school was ranked second in the nation in this m o n t h' s Bus i ness Week rankings. "Many compa- Business Schools 1, Stanford 3. Penn- Wharton 4. Northwestemn 5. Harvard almost as another class. Opportunities for employment are really good. Just look at the number of recruiters who are already here," Masterman said. Many companies offer programs that allow their employees to get an MBA degree after working for a few years. "Microsoft looks for and recruits employees with a variety of back- grounds, including candidates who have completed an MBA degree or are currently working towards an MBA degree," said Microsoft recruiter Pamela Sprague. "Employees are encouraged to seek out opportunities which'will help them grow professionally. For those who want to pursue an MBA degree, Microsoft offers a tuition reimburse- ment program," Sprague said. La optio to po "I but ( to fal Law Ha ranke law s politi peop "I think other SC 1, V 2. ' 4. U 5. C guar abou recru Employment agencies can connect can 1 ate By Brian Campbell hire employes and said she has had pos- mediaries between employers and job But for those that don't, Patrick Daily Staff Reporter itive ex eriences with them seekers Sheetz director of the Collegiate In today's job market where opportu- nity can be scarce, many college gradu- ates are using employment agencies to match their skills to companies' needs. Kate Zawodni, a technical recruiter' for Manpower Services, once used employment agencies like her own to "I liked working with employment agencies because they did screening with the individuals for their education and references," Zawodni said. "I knew I was getting a qualified candidate in those respects." Employment agencies serve as inter- It can take only a few days or up to several years to find a match - usual- ly, higher salary positions take longer to fill. Agencies can connect students with temporary or permanent positions. Some employment agencies charge fees only to the employer. Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University, said it's a burden for graduates to pay for a job. "As a college student you usually don't have a lot of money to spend and you're not going to want to pay to get a job," he said. m I 8IscA0J (1/ U of M's School of Public Policy offers graduate training for careers in the public sector, non-profit organizations and business. S With jobs Sheetz said students should use many different methods in searching for jobs and recommended they seek employ- ment using the following resources in order: career placement offices, then Internet listings, followed by want ads, job fairs, networking, direct letters to employers and finally, employment agencies. But Sheetz said many students don't begin searching for jobs until after they graduate and find themselves taking whatever is left after those who apply early have entered the work force. "I've seen a lethargic attitude among many current graduates," he said. "They don't think they have to worry about it until after they graduate - prior planning isn't on their agenda." LSA senior Bret Danow said he used an temporary employment agency to find an excellent summer job. "I was working for a Fortune 500 company - I had my own office, phone and fax line:' he said. Job hunting is here and now, Sheetz said. "I encourage students to get active right now," he said. "I'd use whatever sources necessary to find a job." MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION in Mental Health Counseling &Marriage and Family Therapy Ph D in Counseling Psychology, APA Fully Accredited Call (305) 284-3001 for more information on our program nies want employees with a BBA because they are cheaper. Many MBAs come at a much higher cost," Masterman said. "But when companies hire MBAs they are hiring someone who is more mature. An MBA builds on the skills - U . I SPP offers a two year Masters in Public Policy as well as combined degrees with * BUSINESS " INFORMATION * LAW * PUBLIC HEALTH 0 SOCIAL WORK * URBAN PLANNING and the other area studies centers. A five year BA/MPP is also available. Stop by the 4th Floor of Lorch Hall or call 764-3490 for a catalogue. Grade A NoteTakers are Seniors and Grad Students. They attend class and take accurate and complete lecture notes. These notes can make great supplemental study quides. 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