Dear J.T. & Dale: I recently got an associate degree with a certificate as a medical office specialist, and yet I’ve been having problems finding a career. I have seen hundreds of advertisements looking for fresh-out-of-college students with 6-plus years’ experience, one even seeking 10! Now, assuming you graduated on time, that means they expect you to have started your career in the field at age 12. Am I missing something? - Dylan

J.T.: What they mean, Dylan, is that you should have a degree and THEN the years of experience after graduating. Although, there are occasions when someone gets experience first, and then goes back to get a degree to qualify for higher-level jobs. Either way, what they are telling you is that the job is NOT entry-level. Years ago, a college degree could serve as a substitute for years of experience. Nowadays, a college degree only gets you to the career starting line. You need to have the degree AND gain work experience. The solution is internships while you are still in college, followed by an entry-level job.

Dale: I can hear Dylan crying out, “Oh, great, NOW you tell me I shoulda done internships!” followed by, “OK, but what NOW?” This would be a good time to look to your college’s job-placement office and alumni association. If your college doesn’t have an active alumni group, don’t despair - merely create your own version. Go to your instructors and ask for advice and contacts. Specifically, try to get names of students from prior years, then seek out these individuals and ask them how they made the transition into a career. You’ll learn a lot about careers in general, and about your local job market specifically, all while creating a network of contacts. Staying in touch with these people can not only land you your first career job, but perhaps, later on, an even better second or third job.