The job market is limitless, bounded only by your preferences and goals.  However, in reality not all employers know about Maine Maritime Academy.  You and I are aware of MMA's "HANDS-ON Philosophy" and all the obvious reasons why an employer should hire you.  The alumni before you have created the positive reputation that we all enjoy today; but for our purposes, the job market is best defined in terms of the Exhibits in Section VI of this guide, which represent a sampling of where prior graduates have found employment.  More complete listings of employers for all of our degree programs are available in the Career Services Office.

JOBS OFFERED LISTS

 
    At the time of printing, one year of "Jobs Bulletins" are available in the Career Services Offices for you to look through.  These are lists of actual employers that were seeking graduates from all of our degree programs.  A few hours of research from these listings will yield a number of names, addresses and phone numbers from potential employers, which reflects the diversity of employment opportunities that are available to experienced alumni as well as recent graduates.

PROACTIVE MARKETING STRATEGY
 

    As important as the “Job Bull” and web site is for developing lists of potential employers, it is still considered a REACTIVE MARKETING STRATEGY.

    The most effective way to get information about the current job market is to be proactive.

BUSINESS CARDS can help!

    The hidden job market as well as the open market must know you are available. Have business cards made up in September of your senior year that have your full name, home and school address, current phone number where you can be reached, (no cute or funny messages), and your major and license, if applicable.  Your business card can be given to anyone you feel may need a qualified new hire in their organization. Give them to friends, relatives, neighbors, alumni etc.

    You should take full advantage of opportunities to obtain current information from job web sites, our Career Services Resource Room, which contains trade and union publications, magazines and periodicals and recruiters and guest lecturers visiting campus.

    Accurate information about a potential employer can also be obtained by calling alumni who have worked for or are presently working for an employer that you are interested in. This  PROACTIVE INFORMATIONAL TELEMARKETING  approach does not commit you to an employer, it is purely informational.

    Our alumni will know more about what is going on in their company than your roommate or friend down the hall. Over 6000 MMA alumni are working in many different work settings, many of which are listed in the “Alumni Directory” as well as the geographical area they are living in. The Maine Maritime Academy Alumni Directory is one of the best tools you may ever find to research companies.

    Once you have prioritized you list of 10 to 20 companies, written down the alumni’s work address, title and work number, you are ready to begin putting some time and energy for yourself, the soon to be graduate.

    Remember, you are not asking for a job, you are asking for information which may or may not lead to future employment. No alumni will go out on a limb just because you go to his/her alma mater. However, most are happy to give you information about the company, their future hiring needs and who you should send your resume to. YOU MUST HAVE A COMPLETED RESUME READY TO EMAIL OR FAX BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN TO CALL ALUMNI.

    A possible script may go like this: 

(DO NOT CALL ON MONDAY MORNING OR FRIDAY AFTERNOON)

    “I am Dick Smith, an Engineering Operations major at Maine Maritime Academy, and I am interested in getting some information about your company. I got your name and work number from our Alumni Directory and Mr. Dick Youcis, the Career Services Director, recommended I call you.”

    Have some questions ready that you have previously thought about Asking. This shows interest in the company and that you have done some research before calling. If the alumnus is busy, ask when it would be a good time to call again. Be proactive and don’t put the burden on having the alum call you back because they are often very busy. Make sure you write in your calendar the date and time you will call back.

    Remember to take notes on any instructions or specific information that has been given to you. It is always smart to jot down what you said to each other during your informational call. These notes will be useful when you send your thank you letter along with your resume.

    Some students have been flown out to visit companies as a result of an informational call, which turned into real rewarding jobs.

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