Hannah Pacheco

Describe your job search process. What were some challenges you faced or things you learned from the experience?

I was currently working a part-time job, but it did not suit my schedule at all. I was applying for many jobs online and struggled to hear back from most places I had applied to. A big challenge I faced was being labeled "overqualified" for the jobs I was applying to. Little old me was in search of literally anything that would be a bit more flexible in scheduling and would pay more than my current job, and although I did not have an extensive job history, I was told by an interviewer that my experience and certifications were excellent. This specific interviewer also told me I was overqualified and that they didn't think I would last very long there because I would find something better. My biggest takeaway from applying for jobs and finding one is that there is such a thing as being overqualified and that sometimes you are just not what the company is looking for (and that is okay).

If you used any Career Center services, resources, or events to obtain your part-time job, what were they? How did they support your application process?

I visited the Career Center a few times to perfect my resume, as well as for advice on how to best fill out a job application. They were extremely helpful in all aspects of this, showing me which skills to highlight on my applications and in scheduling my interviews.

What are some takeaways from your part-time job? How will these help prepare you for the next step after graduation?

Working in customer service can sometimes be difficult, but it's important to keep your cool and be patient. As a psychology major, finding myself working with people is not surprising; it was finding myself applying what I had previously learned to my current opportunity. This will help me after graduation because I now know how "the real world" works, and I can know how to apply my knowledge to interpersonal relations and have gained experience in how to work with people. It will also help me in my job search, as I know a bit of what to expect and can begin applying to jobs a bit sooner.

What advice do you have for students currently launching a part-time job search?

It may be tough at first, but in the end, everything works out. Use any available resources at your disposal, even if you think you don't need them.

UPDATE: Hannah now works full-time with American Campus Communities as the Leasing Manager.