Lauren Berger is CEO of http://www.internqueen.com. Berger tours the country speaking at colleges and really bringing the internship message to life. Lauren Berger is known as "The Intern Queen" after participating in 15 internships during her four years of college. She was named #5 on YouthMobile's list of Top Youth Marketing Minds for 2010 and also #5 on BusinessWeek's Top 25 Entrepreneurs 25 and Under this year.   Follow the Intern Queen on Twitter  at http://www.twitter.com/internqueen.

I spend the majority of my days chatting with internship coordinators and HR representa.......

Life has its share of both stormy and sunny moments. There are clouds (your car broke down) and then there are silver linings (but at least it's a nice day for a walk). While most of us would classify the recession as the mother of all clouds it, too, has a silver lining.  The current recession has sparked a big upswing in entrepreneurial pursuits, and small businesses are cropping up around the country.

According to a recent study by the Kauffman Foundation, "Rather than making history for its deep recession and record unemployment, 2009 might instead be remembered as the year business sta.......

When most of us think of post-secondary education, our first thoughts are about four-year degree programs where we can earn a bachelor's degree. We may even be thinking about a master's degree, which involves an even greater time investment.

Many people overlook associate degree programs -- which generally involve two years of classes -- when they consider their options. But there are a surprising number of options for graduates with associate degrees.

Success stories

Saideh Browne has explored these options. "I have an associate degree from Hudson County Community College, and I am now a published autho.......

The Boredom Epidemic
One of the most common complaints we hear from young professionals in entry-level positions is that they are bored out of their minds. They are generally assigned menial tasks which, thanks to the wonder of word processing, do not take up much time, and their supervisors are reluctant to assign any substantial work.

Compounding the problem of boredom is the ever popular "face time" requirement. Everyone feels pressured to hang around the office for eight hours or more, out-waiting the boss or each other, regardless of their workload. This essentially trains us to be less efficient, because we feel penalized for finishing our work too quickly.

In our 2004 survey of 391 twentysomethings on quarterlifecrisis.com, 61 percent said they were bored with their work (or lack thereof) -- almost 50 percent higher than the number of respondents who said they were stressed-out from a heavy workload.

Consequences of Boredom
Aft.......

Lauren Berger is CEO of http://www.internqueen.com. Berger tours the country speaking at colleges and really bringing the internship message to life. Lauren Berger is known as "The Intern Queen" after participating in 15 internships during her four years of college. She was named #5 on YouthMobile's list of Top Youth Marketing Minds for 2010 and also #5 on BusinessWeek's Top 25 Entrepreneurs 25 and Under this year.

You spend hours each day in front of the computer. Sometimes they stick you at a round table with absolutely nothing to do. You sit. You wait. You stare off into space. You stare at the screensaver. We've all been there .......

Landing a job when you're starting your career can be difficult, especially as hiring managers are still skeptical of Gen Y hires and their independent-mindedness when it comes to work. As a millennial it's important to understand that not all hiring managers share your values of independence explains, Rusty Rueff, a career expert who has worked in human resources. To convince them that you're a fit, "you are going to have to speak their language if you want them to hear you," Rueff says.

Here's how to diffuse common hiring manager concerns regarding millennial attitudes:

Lax work ethics
With different priorities, workers who were born from 1979 to 2000 can be percei.......

Lauren Berger is CEO of http://www.internqueen.com. Berger tours the country speaking at colleges and really bringing the internship message to life. Lauren Berger is known as "The Intern Queen" after participating in 15 internships during her four years of college. She was named #5 on YouthMobile's list of Top Youth Marketing Minds for 2010 and also #5 on BusinessWeek's Top 25 Entrepreneurs 25 and Under this year.

Summer internship season has officially started. Just last week, thousands of students across the nation set their alarm clocks and flocked to their brand new summer internships. Hopefully arriving at least fifteen minut.......

Not all of what retain from college involves late-night parties. Some of what you use to learn and survive for those four years can be extremely valuable to your first job.

Here are some skills that can be carried over from you textbook days to your first job:

Long-term thinking
While most classes have a daily component, some of your project-based classes can be extremely useful once you're at the job. Being able to balance short-term and long-term projects is key, and many employers are looking for candidates that understand how to structure these assignments. For example, the experience of keeping up with the readings during a project-based class (where you weren't required.......

You may be ready to take on the world, but is your degree? Advancements in communication, transportation and technology have literally opened up a world of opportunities, but they also demand that students improve their global savvy. Here are some tips that may help open doors in any country.

Your degree is your calling card

Want to announce to potential employers that you are prepared to work on the world stage? Pursue a degree that immediately tells them you are ready to tackle issues beyond U.S. borders.

"As an international company, we look for 'international' degrees -- international finance, international supply-chain management, international sustainability, international marketing -- particularly MBAs in one of these fields," says Julie Rulis, a senior recruiter for Western Union's talent acquisition team. "A degree from any program with a focus on international business will set you apart ... it gives candidates an appreciation for a global .......

Preparing your first résumé can be a daunting task: You've got little work history to share and you're unsure about what else you need to include. Ultimately, it's important to convey your skills and eagerness to land your first job to employers, say experts. Most employers won't expect you to be an expert and are just looking for a concisely written one-page sheet that accurately shows off your skills and potential.

Putting together a résumé can take longer than you think. Make sure to gather appropriate materials and take several weeks to think about the message you're trying to convey. "Résumé writing is so much more than just a listing of information," says Wendy Enelow, author of "College Grad Résumé.......