Check out the February 2013 Career Development News & Notes for students, alumni, faculty, staff, employers and parents. Let us know if you’d like to get involved or if you have any questions or comments.
Be safe and enjoy Spring Break!
- Todd Reale, Assistant Dean for Career Development
Have you ever wondered how Career Services can help you? I know many students may walk away from the Career Center with more questions than answers. This does not mean that their visit was for naught, but quite the contrary. If the Career Center simply found the internship and did all the work for the students that visit, these students would not learn any valuable skills. Todd and Ann both have a vast wealth of knowledge regarding local, state, and national internships and career opportunities, but they don’t know everything.
The best way to utilize Career Services is to know a little about you. What are you looking for? Do you want a paid internship (don’t we all)? Are you willing to shell-out quite a bit for travel to and from, or does it have to be a local organization? Can you work for free or is a stipend necessary for you to hold the position? Do you want to just sample a new field or is this the career path you want to try and pursue? Have you ever interned before?
All of these questions are very important, but not all of them have to have answers. When you walk down the hall to visit with Ann or Todd, you don’t have to know you want to travel to Montana to intern with the National Park Service, but you may need to know that you would much rather be outside than at a desk doing research. Another important tip is to have your resume ready. It doesn’t have to be perfect—after all, that’s why we have a Career Center! Ann or Todd (or any of the Career Peer Advisors) can look over your resume and give you pointers on ways to look the best on paper! This also shows your strengths and weaknesses. Ann or Todd can quickly pick up on the skills you already have and help you focus on the skills you need to develop to secure that job or internship!
While these services are great (just like the CPAs), they are not the end. The Career Center offers wide variety of “courses” to help increase your marketability in this crowded job market. Resumania and similar programs bring in actual organizations and their Human Resources departments and put you through a mock application process. The only way to improve in these situations is through practice—and it’s much better to practice when there isn’t a job on the line!
By utilizing the wide range of activities the Career Center offers, as a student, you can truly improve your marketability, resulting in improved chances of future internships and job positions! However, the Career Center can’t do this alone! It requires that students look inward and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, take some time to put together a resume, and really be willing to put their neck on the line and be prepared to be rejected by businesses, internships, and other positions: all in the pursuit of finding that “perfect” (3-5 year) fit!
So, what are you waiting for? Clean up that resume, think about what interests you as a career field, and shoot Todd, Ann, or anyone of the CPAs an email to set up an appointment now!
-Wes Scott
For many students, coming into college means they have four years of worry-free education and fun. After all, college is all about discovering who you are, isn’t it?
Well, yes, it is, but there is far more to your bachelor’s degree than just “discovering you” and “having fun.” In fact, college is meant to prepare you for the real world—that place we decided to skip when we came to Bellarmine.
As you progress through your education, there comes a point when you must decide what to do after graduation. When asked “When the best time to start thinking about your career or graduation,” I would have to say, yesterday.
Yes, yesterday. I do not mean that to scare, but to encourage. Graduation only gives you four years until the next phase. That does not mean you have to decide your entire life, but it does mean you are laying a very—hopefully—solid foundation for the next step. When it comes to graduation, I would encourage you to look at the plan that Dr. Aaron Hoffman summarizes for all of his Political Science Advisees.
1) Freshman year—explore. Get to know your major and take your gen eds. Is this what you want to do? Can you picture yourself in a career related to this field of study?
2) Sophomore year—begin to get to know your major. Dive into some upper level classes and begin to finalize if this is right. It’s not too late to change majors if you aren’t comfortable in this field.
3) Junior Year—real world application. Begin applying for (and getting accepted to, with the help of the Career Center and Career Peer Advisors [CPAs]) internships. This is the time to get the “real world” application part of your career. Begin looking into grad schools, law school, med school, or entering the work force.
4) Senior Year—the transition. You should be finishing up your degree, applying to grad schools or jobs, and looking forward to graduation. If this scares you or frightens you, know that you are not alone, just don’t be stagnant. Decide something. This does not have to be the “be all, end all” job choice. Remember, individuals change careers 5-7 times on average. (Reminder, you apply for Graduation the Spring Semester before your graduation year).
Just to drive home a point, you can never begin preparing for your career or graduation too early. The more experience you have, the more diverse your resume is, the more attractive you are to employers. We no longer live in an age where one job and one skill will keep you financially sound and happy for the rest of your life.
Another quick note: the vast majority of hirings take place from with-in an organization. That means you need an inside scoop. (Code for network!). With greater involvement comes a greater network. The more people you know, the better your chances of being recommended for a position or an internship. It is never too early to start networking (and feel free to contact the Career Center or your friendly CPAs for more advice!). You never know when that job opportunity may just pop up!
In summary, the best time to start preparing for the future is NOW. Do not wait until tomorrow to work on you resume, to apply for that internship, or to talk to the Career Center or your professor. Take the initiative NOW. It is never too early to be thinking about the next step. Yes, be sure to enjoy the present, but keep in mind, the future is coming. Utilize the present to make the most of the future!
Career Peer Advisors are the newest entity of Bellarmine University’s Career Development program. CPA’s are students helping their peers with career development techniques. We are available to jumpstart processes which will ultimately make a student’s career choice in closer reach.
Whether it is getting your resume started, finding out what you can do with your major, practicing for an interview, or learning the different online resources Bellarmine’s students have access to, CPA’s are available to help you out! By creating Career Peer Advisors, our goal is to make career development more accessible and convenient for all students. As students ourselves, we have been there, and still are doing what we can to make our career choices possible.
It is never too early to start thinking about what you will need to do in order to gain a position after graduation. Internships, workshops, and practice can offer you an advantage above others. Just putting in that effort early will put you a leg above the competition. We have experience and have been trained in career development techniques, and hope to hear from you soon with what we can do for you!
-Sarah Perry
Your resume will often be the first and only thing hiring personnel will see before making a decision of whom to interview. You must essentially sell yourself to a complete stranger and make yourself stand out from all of the other job candidates in a single page! Don’t fret! There are several things you can do in order to set your resume above the rest.
First, make your name standout. Your name, phone number, physical address, and email address should be placed in a header at the top of the page. This should be the most accessible information on the page. Don’t make anyone search for how to contact you. Organization is key. You want the reader’s eyes to flow down the page, recognizing your key points. After searching through resume after resume, a person will not read every word, so make sure they notice what is important. Use bold fonts, bullets, and white space to give your resume a clean, organized appearance.
A common misconception about resumes is you will only have one. Contrary to this belief, your resume should be tailored to the position to which you are applying. This can show your true interest in the company, because you can show off the fact you did your research. A great place to do this is in the objective. For instance, when I applied to Kosair Children’s Hospital, I said my objective was “To gain employment in the area’s only Magnet Children’s Hospital, where I can improve my respiratory skills at a facility recognized for its excellence in pulmonary care by U.S. News and World Report.” This would stand out compared to something like, “To gain a position as a Respiratory Therapist.” It is clear which statement stands out more.
In a section in which your achievements are highlighted, include positive feedback, i.e. quotes from former managers, you have received during past employment. To cater to the position even more, your descriptions of previous employment and skills should mesh with the job you are trying to get. If the hiring company would put emphasis on efficiency, you could say how many patients you have taken care of on a single shift or a project you completed in a small amount of time. If you will be working with particular computer programs, make sure the hiring company knows if you have experience. That is less time they will have to spend teaching!
Believe me, I know it seems like a lot to include in a small space, but it can be done, and interviewers will love it. Take advantage of the resources on campus, the Career Development Center, and your Career Peer Advisors when working on your resume. We can help you when getting started all the way through editing your final product.
-Sarah Perry, CPA
Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos<http://www.nph.org/> is an international non-profit organization that operates children’s homes throughout Latin America. They offer year-long career-specific service positions to college graduates from around the world. Bellarmine University Admissions Counselor Carrie Draught will discuss her year of service in Guatemala. She worked in a communications position, while other volunteers were teachers, clinic assistants, therapists, caretakers, tutors, nurses, etc. Volunteers receive small stipends and are provided with housing, food, vacation time, and on-site medical care. Volunteer positions are available in nine different countries.
Location: 104 Horrigan Hall
Date: Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Etiquette Dinner
Not sure which fork to use or which bread plate is yours? Don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of your future boss or colleagues? Enjoy a multi-course meal while learning from expert Terri Thompson of Etiquette in Action. Number of participants is limited and pre-registration is required by November 6 (Ann Zeman, 502.272.8154 or azeman@bellarmine.edu<mailto:azeman@bellarmine.edu>). A small fee may be charged to help offset the cost of the meal.
Location: Frazier Hall (George G. Brown Center)
Date: Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
National Career Development Day
“Inspiring Careers: Honoring History” is the theme for this year’s 100th anniversary of the National Career Development Association. Visit with Career Development staff to learn how we can help you achieve your career goals. In addition to our own on-campus activities, NCDA sponsors an annual poetry and poster contest related to the theme. Learn more by clicking here<http://associationdatabase.com/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/ncdmonth>.
Location: Cafe Ogle (Horrigan Hall, First Floor)
Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Time: 10:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
GRE Practice Test
Kaplan Learning will be on campus offering a FREE sample test of the newly revised GRE . If you are planning to apply to graduate school this year or next, take the practice test to see where you stand and to learn how you can improve your scores and chances of admission. Contact Career Development for more information (Ann Zeman, 502.272.8154 or azeman@bellarmine.edu<mailto:azeman@bellarmine.edu>).
Location: 104 Horrigan Hall
Date: Saturday, November 17, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
You probably have heard multiple processes on how to go through an interview cycle and the ins and outs of a good interview. Some are based on your career field, major or just helpful hints to make the process easy. I have heard lots of these and have applied them to many of my own interviews, but along the way I have come up with some of my own steps that have really helped me to achieve success. This step-by-step might not be exactly your style, but any tips are good tips!
Step #1: Dress to Impress: When going through an interview process, the one important thing right off the bat is what you are wearing. As much as most don’t like to hear it, most people’s first impressions come in the first minute or so and a lot of that is based on your dress attire. Men should almost always wear a shirt and tie to an interview and could occupancy that with a suit jacket. Women have it a little tougher, but should consider an appropriate blouse, skirt or pants, and a cardigan or blazer. Both men and women should stay away from wearing strong perfume, because strong perfume can cause employers to focus on your smell rather than you as a person.
Step #2: Put a Smile on it: In my experience, people love it when you smile. I had an employer tell me one time that my smile alone was one of the best parts of my first impression. Most people believe that smiling makes someone more appealing and open to others. Most employers are looking for someone who can interact well with others and smiling is one of the first things that will show them that.
Step #3: Pay Attention: I know this might seem like a no brainer, but you would not believe how many people will almost “check out” during an interview. I know from past experience that even my own mind would float to what I was going to do the next day or what I was going to wear the next day. You should not do this. If your brain starts to wonder, check it back into place and focus on the person that is interviewing you and realize that this interview may put you ahead of everyone else.
Step #4: Be Personable: I know that most interview processes would never tell you this but I think this is one of the main reasons why I have gotten some of my jobs I have applied for. Interviews can be a boring process, and most employers have to go through stacks of people to fill one position. One of the main things that can set you are apart from others in that stack is to be personable. When I am in an interview, I most always will tell a personal story about my family, previous work experience, or my friends. Granted these stories shouldn’t be inappropriate, but if you can relate a question to a relative personal story most people will respond positively towards that. In my interview for my internship at Kindred Healthcare, I remember I related a question back to my brother and something we had done together for my parents. When you bring these relevant stories out in an interview, most employers will respond positively to it. Work places are not supposed to just be stiff boxes where you go in at 8 and come out at 5, but places where coworkers can communicate and interact with others for the betterment of the company.
Step #5: Always Say Thank You: I know you have probably heard this over and over again, but writing hand written thank you notes is one of the best things you can do. Employers believe that this shows you took time out of your day to write them and thank them for that they did for you. It is one of the sure fire ways to set you apart.
All these steps combine will help to ensure a successful interview. If you need more help with interview tips feel free to email Ann Zeman or Todd Reale for any questions. Good luck!
The Career Development is back in full gear for the start of the 2012-2013 school year! We would like to take the time to say we hope you all had a great summer and are enjoying your classes thus far. Bellarmine students represented our great school this summer through internships, job opportunities and studying abroad and you too can have those opportunities if you come visit the Career Development located on the second floor of Horrigan hall.
This year the Career Development would like to welcome a brand new pilot program starting this fall called. Ann, Todd and myself have interviewed and selected 7 wonderful candidates that will be at the students disposal regarding Resume critique, cover letter revisions, networking, Career Development workshop promotions, Internship and job opportunities and so much more. We would like to welcome Ann Marie Doran, Tyler Wobbrock, Wes Scott, Katie Dorminey, Sarah Perry, and Sara Williams. These career peers will be located through out the campus on a weekly basis available for students to talk to and ask questions regarding Resume’s, etc. Training starts soon and we will have their bright and shiny faces out and about as soon as possible! We plan on publicizing their locations and times in the Daily Knight to allow students to know their hours. We feel that this will be a great way to get more students involved with the Career Development, as it is a necessary program for all students whether you are a freshman or a senior.
We have a lot of Workshops that are raring to go starting with Dress for Success tomorrow from 5pm-6pm in Hilary’s. Not sure what to wear to a company information session, employment interview or office visit? Look your professional best with advice from experienced fashion and image consultants from Brooks Brothers. Clothing, accessories and grooming for men and women will be discussed. Even if you already have your act together, you are sure to learn something new! Co-sponsored by Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity and the Bellarmine University Accounting Association.
Sept. 11(Tomorrow) - Dress for Success - 5-6, Hilarys
Sept. 13(Thursday) - Job Search - Free Period, Horrigan 104
Sept. 15(Saturday) - GRE Practice Test—-Contact Ann Zeman, 9-12, Horrigan 104
Sept. 18 - Resumania - EMAIL ANN ZEMAN BY TODAY to get your Resume critiqued by a Hiring Manager or Human Resources Recruiter!!!! - Hilarys, Free Period Next Tuesday!!
More info visit: http://www.bellarmine.edu/studentaffairs/careercenter/events.aspx
We could also like to congratulate the 5 winners we had from our Involvement Fair promotion!
Wesley Scott
Ann Marie Doran
Amanda Cape
Ben Turi
Eric Zipperle
Make sure to stay up to date with Career Development’s Facebook page and/or Follow us on Twitter in order to have your chance to win some fabulous prizes!! In the past we have given away $50 gift cards, movie tickets, Lula’s gift cards, school supply baskets, etc, so be sure to “Like” us!! http://www.facebook.com/BUCareerDev?ref=hl
Again, welcome back and be sure to stop in a say hi to myself, Lindsay Batts, the Career Development Director of Career Peer Mentor program, Todd Reale and Ann Zeman we would love to see you!
-Lindsay Batts
Hey readers! It is getting close to the end of the school year. Finals are quickly approaching and those last minute papers and presentations are being thrown together. I am sure most of you are not thinking about summer yet, oh wait… That is ALL we can think about! With summer comes freedom, social time, vacations and opportunities to further your professional development!
With the economy in the slums and companies not really looking for new employees poses a big problem for college students. Some of you may be lucky and already have a summer job. In that case, hold on to it! But for those of you who are in desperate need for a summer job or internship, I have some advice. Now you may ask “What kind of jobs are even available during the summer?”
The first place to start is Career Development right here on campus. We post job openings and internship opportunities on a daily basis. All you have to do is head to the top floor of Horrigan and ask to speak with Todd or Ann! They would love to help you! Also, an article from collegesuccess.com lists other options to finding a job… Click here to view the rest: http://collegesuccess.blog.com/2011/12/22/when-students-can%E2%80%99t-find-a-summer-job/
In a quick online search, you can find results for 11 Summer jobs for college students whether you are staying around Louisville or headed home for the summer. The first one on the list is Farms and Farmers Markets. Working outside would be a great way to get a tan while making money! Lots of farmers always need extra help around summer time and would love a college student ready to work.
If farming is not for you, no worries! Have you ever considered going to a local hotel or resort to get a “paid vacation”? According to freeshipping.org, several resorts and hotel operations offer programs specifically for people in their late teens and early twenties. There are multiple websites to browse for resort and overseas jobs, such as ResortJobs and JobMonkey. When searching similar sites, beware of bad offers. Some require payment upfront before allowing you access, those are phonies and are to be avoided. To see more job opportunities for college students visit: http://www.freeshipping.org/blog/11-summer-jobs-for-teens-and-college-students/
I hope this article has been of some help to you and good luck to everyone still hunting for a summer job! Thanks for reading this week’s post!
-Lindsay and Lauren
Welcome back readers! We hope you enjoyed our last blog about Bellarmine University Career Development! We are looking forward to keeping in touch with you about upcoming events going on around campus. Hopefully you took the time to go “Like” our page on Facebook, but if not… Go do that right now! (Cough, cough… www.facebook.com/careerdev) This past week we had a drawing on Valentine’s Day for a gift card to BoomBozz’s, Sweet CeCe’s, and two movie tickets to Baxter Theatre. The lucky winner of the giveaway was Tyler Wobbrock, a Sophomore Communication and FLIS double major. If you think that was good, keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming giveaway next month on St. Patty’s Day!
Are you graduating in May? Have you recently applied to an internship or summer job? In this week’s blog, we are going to be giving you some helpful tips on how to clean up your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites for potential employers. This is something that is very during the Spring semester when you may be interviewing for Summer internships or potential jobs after graduation. You may not think employers will look at your Facebook, but they do and it actually may be the deciding factor of whether or not you get the job! We did a little research and found some very helpful tips that are easy to do and will pretty much guarantee your employer won’t find those crazy pictures from Spring Break of freshman year.
The first tip every future employee should know is to go through your profile pictures and delete inappropriate pictures that may leave a bad impression. Let’s face it… If the very first thing an employer sees on your profile is you and your friends on top of a bar, there is a good chance you will not be receiving a call back for a second interview. Another important tip that is vital to know is to change your profile picture to a more professional and conservative one. One aspect of Facebook that is new to some are cover photos if your page has switched to Timeline. Don’t forget those are made public and can’t be hidden, so choose one that is appropriate. This brings us to our next helpful hint, do not be overly negative in status updates or personal information. Future employers do not want to see that you are bad-mouthing your last boss or telling everyone how much of a jerk your ex-boyfriend is. So simply delete these from your page in order to maintain a happy and upbeat impression for your interview! For more great tips you can visit… http://www.hercampus.com/career/how-clean-your-facebook-you-apply-job-or-internship
Also, here’s an article about Facebook Faux Pas that College Students Make… http://www.onlinecollege.org/2010/07/19/25-common-facebook-faux-pas-that-college-students-make/
If you use your social media for multiple purposes such as personal AND career driven, then you have endless possibilities. There is power in connections and networking has been seen as one of the best ways to further one’s career. Its all in who you know! Social media sites allow you to make lists, groups, circles, etc. and contact the people within these groups with little to no effort. The following article discusses 9 great ways that students can use social media to boost their career, take a look… http://mashable.com/2012/02/10/students-job-search-social-media/.
Well that concludes our blog today, I hope you enjoyed learning about social media and the positives it can have on a career and how to avoid the negatives. Next time we will be introducing and giving a tour of Bellarmine University Career Development and letting you know who to contact for potential internships and job opportunities. Thanks so much for reading!
-Lindsay
