Career Advice

There are many elements that make up a good work experience. That includes a competitive salary that makes you feel like a valued member of the team, a supervisor that helps you to reach your career goals, and an inclusive culture that celebrates different perspectives and viewpoints. But there’s another factor you don’t want to overlook that can have a large impact on your overall happiness both in and outside the office — feeling a sense of belonging at work. And while some of that may depend on the opportunities your office provides, it also rides on your willingness to step outside your comfort zone.

McMaster-Carr is changing the game when it comes to customers’ buying experiences – embracing technology and leveraging machine-learning to make browsing for products simpler than ever. Customers around the globe select from over half a million products and enjoy lightning fast delivery.

Making the decision of where you want to start your career can be extremely intimidating. This is especially true if you haven’t yet declared your college major or your major doesn’t have a defined career path, and if you haven’t held a few internship roles in the same industry or have your heart set on working at one company. How do you begin to decide what you want to do without the experience of working in an industry? How do you know what your strengths are if you haven’t yet had a job? And how can you make yourself appear competitive in the labor market without having mastered any specific industry skills?

Your first job or internship can lay the foundation for the rest of your career. It’s where you learn how to work efficiently and what it takes to be successful in the workplace, where you develop healthy work habits, and where you begin to build out your professional network.

More than 200,000 Service members transition from the military back to civilian life every year, bringing with them a valuable skill set that includes a strong work ethic, leadership ability, resilience, and problem-solving skills. However, as the Under Secretary for Benefits, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., said in the 2018 “Military to Civilian Transition” report, “While the men and women of our armed forces are better trained, better educated, and better prepared for transition than ever before, they still face unique challenges in accessing health care, attaining education, and establishing careers that necessitate definitive action to help take care of their special needs.”

Starting a new job can be intimidating and stressful for any employee, but especially so for new grads making the transition out of college. Companies with onboarding processes that set their employees up for success from day one will find their new employees are happier and more likely to stay – which is especially important as entry-level employee turnover can cost somewhere between 30-50% of the employee’s annual salary.

Every year from September 15th to October 15th, the U.S. observes National Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino (increasingly referred to as Latinx) Americans. The start date of the month is significant as it recognizes the anniversaries of independence for the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, as well as Mexico’s independence on September 16th and Chile's independence on September 18th.

Despite the unfair reputation surrounding liberal arts degrees and their practical use, there are countless opportunities available to liberal arts graduates as they start their careers.

For many college students, a career in technology seems unattainable without a four-year degree in Computer Science or extensive internship experience. Students with a knack for problem-solving and a passion for learning, however, will find a unique opportunity to grow their career in tech at McMaster-Carr, a business-to-business e-commerce company. Their innovative approach to creating high-performing, technical teams involves seeking out problem solvers from many academic backgrounds and providing immersive training and a culture of development.