Lawrence University Career Center

Alum Interview: Brianne Mueller, '07

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:02:40 -0600

Brianne Mueller, '07 will be a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Listen online: Download interview

Urban Legends of the Career Center - Truth or Spoof

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:36:27 -0600

OK, so we've all heard urban legends about college campuses, right? Like the one about the female college student who was out late one night and when she returns to her dorm room decides not to turn on the lights so as not to bother her sleeping roommate. The next morning, she discovers her roommate has been slain and then finds a note written on the mirror that says, "Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?" Freaky, right? But this story, like many others, has never been proven to be true. I suppose there's not too much harm in believing this story - maybe it makes you a bit more cautious; maybe you check in on your friends more frequently. There are a few career center legends, however, that are proving to be a bit more harmful than their spookier counterparts. Legend #1: Career centers are just for seniors. Truth or Spoof? SPOOF! The Career Center works with first year students, alums, and everyone in between! Why is it potentially harmful to believe this legend? First year students, sophomores and juniors risk missing out on a wide range of services, programs and experiences if they wait until senior year to utilize the Career Center. Choosing a major, discovering your skills and interests, connecting with alums, finding internships and participating in a job shadow can all be done well before senior year. While it's never really too late to go to the Career Center, students that go early generally find themselves at an advantage. Legend #2: There are no internships in the arts or humanities. Truth or Spoof? SPOOF! There are actually amazing opportunities to intern in performing and fine art and in the humanities. Why is it potentially harmful to believe this legend? Increasing numbers of employers are recognizing the value of internship experience. Some employers are even looking for new graduates with multiple internships listed on their resumes. Students in the arts and humanities, as well as those in other fields, who gain internship experience(s) as undergrads will typically be more competitive in the job market than those who have not interned. There are a few other legends left to be busted, but I think I'll leave those for another posting. Stay tuned! Related links: Internship Links - Arts Online job listings in Arts and Humanities (sites include internship listings, password may be required) Four Year Plan What can I do with this major?

Career Center's blog gets some high praise!

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:14:53 -0600

The Lawrence University Career Center's blog has been ranked 6th on the Top 10 College Career Service Blogs list by One Day, One Job, a site that highlights unique and exciting entry-level job and career opportunities for recent college graduates. While the article points out that there were few college career service blogs to be ranked in the first place, we're still proud of our ranking! The Career Center's blog is described as having "some of the best content [they've] seen on a career services blog." ODOJ goes on to say that "the quality of the writing and the topics covered make it worthwhile for any college job seeker to read." Thanks One Day, One Job! And thank you to our readers! You can continue to expect high quality, informative articles as we head into the 2008-09 academic year! Outside links: Checkout One Day, One Job on Facebook

Alum Interview: Ross Daniels, '82

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:26:36 -0600

Ross Daniels, '82 is a Director of Project Management for AT&T Worldwide Customer Service in Chicago. Listen online: Download interview

Know Your Benefits

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:19:49 -0600

The New York Times has a great article about understanding benefits when accepting or starting a new job. It's an informative introduction for new grads who are about to start, or are looking for, their first professional position. Check it out here.

Hiring Trends for Upcoming College Graduates

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:44:48 -0600

As you prepare to make your transition from Lawrence to the world beyond, it is important to look at current employment trends and the condition of the job market. The following information was compiled by a research team at Michigan State University in order to reveal what exactly current employers are looking for: It's all about the skills! While technology-related majors will always be in high-demand, there is still hope for liberal arts majors mainly because of the skills you acquire. According to surveys, the current twelve most coveted skills by employers are: oral communication, analytical thinking, evaluating alternatives, finding creative solutions, teamwork, leadership, utilization of technology, the ability to grasp reality, and initiative (ranked the #1 most important skill). After four years at a liberal arts institution, every student should leave with the majority of these skills. The trick is learning how to sell these skills to an employer. If you're not confident in your ability to do this, stop by the Career Center for interviewing information and a practice interview. They want "real world" experience: Internships, study abroad experiences, and gap years are great ways to build the "real world" skills employers want to see, but at the same time, these experiences are becoming more and more common among college graduates. Being able to vividly describe how your experiences have benefitted you as an individual and professional will help to distinguish you from an increasingly competitive pool of applicants. Again, coming to the Career Center for interviewing information and practice interviews is a great place to start honing this skill. Now, more than ever, be proactive! Recent surveys have shown the longer into the spring and summer you wait to find a job; the harder it will be to get one. For current juniors this means the sooner you get started the better. If you're a senior, about to graduate, who does not know where the Career Center is, it's not too late; but you will need to make up for it by being extra creative, prepared, and motivated during your job search. For information on the job search process and alternative job search methods, make an appointment at the Career Center by calling 920-832-6561 or sending an e-mail to . The generational gap is real: A very common challenge in the work force is narrowing the generational gap between the employer and employee. Whether your boss is a hard working "Boomer" or a tough, independent "Gen Xer," there will always be room for conflict. A "Boomer" boss may see your desire to separate work and private life as a lack of motivation, while a "Gen-X" boss may see a want for collaboration and feedback as a need to be babied. If you find yourself stuck in one of these conflicts, it is important to remember that there is just as much room for compromise as conflict. By taking a step back and looking at what you and your boss may actually have in common, you may find it easier to understand their point of view. It is important to learn how to get along with the people you work with, and focusing on what you have in common as opposed to your differences is one of the best places to start. Sources: College Hiring for 2007-2008 Phil Gardner, Ph.D Collegiate Employment Research Institute Michigan State University Howe, Neil and William Strauss. Millennials Go to College. 2nd ed. Life Course Associates, 2007. Related Links: Interviewing: Job Search:

Sex and the City career lessons

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:01:16 -0600

Whether you are a SATC fan or not, there are career lessons to be learned from that well-dressed foursome and their tumultuous relationships. (Warning: Spoiler alert.) 1. Get to the point. At over two hours, the Sex and the City movie goes on. And on and on. If you're a big fan of the show, this may be a good thing. But your average movie-goer wonders, when is this thing going to end? Same thing applies at work. Make your communication simple, clear and to the point. No one has time or patience to read your long email. This concept is especially important when interviewing. Be conscious of the tendency to ramble when nervous. Observe your interviewer. If you start to see wandering eyes or stifled yawns, you're talking too much. 2. Pursuing your passion might not always be an option. By engaging in self-assessment and exploring careers, one is more likely to find a career about which they are truly passionate. There comes a time, however, when you have to stop thinking (or in some cases, obsessing) about finding your "perfect" career and just get to work. Take, for example, Carrie's string of personal assistant interviewees. Among them, a Wall Street type. From the looks of the hot pink heels poking out beneath his suit it appears this guy's passion is not finance, as his wardrobe might suggest. But maybe working in finance was a means to an end. Perhaps it meant a salary large enough to afford living in New York. Maybe it allowed him to make enough money to invest in lots of designer shoes. Maybe he worked in finance thinking that was his passion, and then realized fashion and designer shoes were really his true calling. The bottom line? Sometimes you can only do so much assessment while sitting on your couch. You have to get out there and try things out in order to see what fits. Once you experiment, you'll have real-world experience from which you can continue to assess your interests, passions and goals. 3. Face your fears. In the film, Charlotte excitedly reveals to Carrie she is finally pregnant. Her dreams have come true, but now she's so happy, she's afraid she'll jeoprodize it all. Charlotte gives up jogging because she fears she will hurt the baby. Yet, running is a part of who she is. After Carrie points this out, Charlotte eventually faces her fear and begins to run again, pregnant belly and all. The same applies to careers. Should you take that promotion that requires relocation? Can you afford to change careers? Should you leave a job in which you are truly unhappy, even if it means unemployment? These are not easy decisions to make. In order to be successful, one must understand that fear is a normal part of career development. Sometimes you need to take calculated risks or face your fears in order to be who you truly are, to be happy or to be healthy. 4. The greatest job in the world won't be great if the rest of your life is a mess. At the start of the film, we see Samantha has made the move to Hollywood, where her PR business has taken off, along with Smith's career. But Sam misses New York and she is tired of her life revolving around her boyfriend. It takes an accidental sighting of her naked neighbor for her to realize she isn't getting what she needs from her work, relationship or Hollywood life. While moving across the country was probably a terrific move for her business, Samantha's personal life suffers as a result. The take-away? Be sure to consider external factors, such as personal relationships, geography and community during a job search or relocation. Learn from the choices you've made, even if the results were less than ideal. 5. Dress (or accessorize) for the job you want. When complemented on her handbag, Louise, Carrie's new assistant, reveals it is rented. Louise can't afford to buy the handbag, but she finds another way to look the part for the job she wants. While a designer handbag isn't necessarily the key to getting hired, dressing for the job you want, not the job you have, can help you score that gig or earn that promotion. Never underestimate the power of appearance. 6. Be a better public speaker. During Carrie and Big's rehearsal dinner, Samantha delivers a speech. What makes it great? She uses personal stories to highlight her points. She doesn't sound rehearsed, but she clearly thought ahead of time about the message she wants to deliver. She is confident. And, when some jerk makes ridiculously inappropriate comments, she puts him in his place. In doing so, she builds rapport with the other audience members who were secretly cringing while listening to Mr. Inappropriate. The ability to speak in public is an essential career skill and Samantha has it mastered. 7. Come clean when you mess up. When you make a mistake at work, there is no point in hiding it. When Steve cheats on Miranda, he can't help but tell her the truth. Most managers and supervisors will respect you more if you admit to your mistakes. Let your boss know as soon as possible what went wrong so he or she can be better prepared for the potential fallout. Explain to your boss what happened, without making excuses, what you are doing to fix the problem and how you will prevent it from happening again. How would Miranda and Steve be able to move forward had Steve tried to hide his slip up? Chances are their trust would have been even more broken had Miranda accidentally discovered Steve's affair or found out years later. Plus, how long would their misery have continued if Steve's mistake had not forced them to examine the challenges in their relationship? 8. Pay attention to what people are saying. Or not saying. Carrie and Big's wedding plans start out small and low-key but quickly become more and more extravagant. There are signs Big is not comfortable with the wedding hoopla, but Carrie misses them or downplays their seriousness. Meanwhile, Big fails to clearly identify and communicate his reservations. Neither wants to have the difficult conversation, even when the opportunity presents itself. Just as you need to listen to your partner, you need to listen at work. Studies show that people who listen more than they talk are better communicators. Watch, listen and learn from your supervisors' and colleagues' cues in order to work better as a team.

Are You Ready? Survival Skills Fair for the Class of 2008

Tue, 20 May 2008 20:46:12 -0600

Each spring, Student Affairs, Alumni Relations and the Senior Class Officers sponsor the "Are You Ready" program, a fair-style event designed to help seniors make a successful transition out of Lawrence University. This year's Are You Ready event was held on Tuesday, May 20 in Science Hall Atrium. The over 80 seniors in attendance were also met with an opportunity to win one of six raffle prizes. Prizes included 3 toilet bowl plungers (we're told that no one remembers to buy one of these until you actually need one), a George Foreman Grill, a microwave, and a 10 piece set of cookware. Congratulations to raffle winners!!

The Career Center's Resource Room - an untapped treasure

Tue, 20 May 2008 19:51:09 -0600

The Resource Room in the Career Center houses nearly 800 individual titles. Now you can search those titles with just a few clicks of your mouse. Use your LU network username and password to login to LUCCID and discover the hundreds of resources waiting for you at the Career Center! LUCCID Login Page

InterviewStream.com, the future of practice interviewing

Tue, 20 May 2008 19:18:15 -0600

Through the Career Center's partnership with Honor Roll Online you have access to InterviewStream.com, a web-based practice interviewing service that allows you to see and hear yourself online through an interview system managed by the Career Center. Registration is free with your Honor Roll Online account. (Contact the Career Center at x6561 for registration assistance.) Once registered, you can use the Career Center's webcam, or your own, to begin preparing for your interviews. Related Videos: InterviewStream.com Demonstration Video Related Career Center Links: Interviewing Techniques

Be More Self-Involved

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:40:12 -0600

According to a Pew Internet study, 47% of internet users have searched for their own name online. It may sound a little narcissistic to do so, but "ego-surfing" is a smart idea. The majority of us don't know what's floating around about us in cyberspace. All of us should be aware of our online image. Job and internship seekers or graduate school applicants should be especially concerned. Do you know what an employer or faculty member will find if they search for your name? A recent study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers indicates that 37% of employers report using search engines or social networking sites to find additional information about job candidates. Google yourself right now. Search public records. Double check your blog, personal website, Facebook profile and MySpace page. Be sure to remove any inappropriate content. For tips on doing so, check out this blog post. Even better, be careful what you post in the first place. Consider using the internet to your job or internship searching advantage by utilizing online networking tools. By being more self-involved online, you'll save yourself from potential career missteps.

Sell Your Skills in 30 Seconds

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:35:11 -0600

An "elevator speech" or "30-second pitch" is a networking tool used to introduce yourself. It is usually a 30-60 second overview of who you are and what you do (or want to do). Although it may seem simple, the elevator speech is one of the most practiced and perfected networking techniques. Why? Imagine you are in an elevator and someone who may have the power to hire or help you jumps in before the doors close. Now you have his or her undivided attention. But, the elevator ride is short. What you say and how you say it is crucial. For this reason, it is important to put together your elevator speech in advance. You don't want to memorize your introduction, but you should know the main points you'd like to make. Practice your delivery. Your elevator speech can be used at career fairs, networking events, when calling potential employers or during an interview. Use it any time you are meeting new people and might only have a few moments to capture their attention. A basic elevator speech for a soon-to-be Lawrence grad might sound like this: "Hi. My name is Jane Smith. I will be graduating from Lawrence University this June with a degree in English. During my time at Lawrence I wrote a weekly column for our student newspaper. I'm looking to use my writing and communication skills to pursue an entry-level editing position." While effective, this pitch lacks a "hook". Once you establish your basic elevator speech, look for creative ways to describe what you want to do in order to stand out. Instead of "I'm looking to go into teaching" you could say, "I'd like to be responsible for shaping the future of this country." Instead of, "I'd like to be an editor" you could say "I enjoy agonizing over grammar rules and style guidelines." A creative hook may make you feel corny, but now your listener is interested in knowing more. You've just become more memorable. At some social events, your elevator speech may need to be longer or more conversational. Start with the basics, and add additional information about your skills, experiences, goals, etc. Don't be afraid to make a request for action at the end of your pitch: What advice do you have for me? Can you suggest some employers I should be contacting? May I send you my resume to review? Once you've developed an elevator speech, be sure to fine tune it as your interests and audience change.

Unethical interview questions: What are they and how can I handle them?

Thu, 01 May 2008 15:35:55 -0600

What are unethical interview questions? Interviews are stressful enough already without worrying about whether or not the interviewer is doing something he or she is not supposed to be doing. However, there are certain interview questions that are considered unethical, because they are designed to gain information about an applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender, birthplace, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected class. Any question asked for the purpose of discriminating against an applicant is considered unethical. How can I recognize if a question is unethical? The best way to recognize an unethical interview question is to ask yourself, "Is this information relevant to the job or position?" If it is not, then be careful. It may help to make a list, ahead of time, of the possible unethical questions that might come up, so you will be prepared to recognize them and deal with them in the way you best see fit. What are some examples of unethical interview questions? 1. How old are you? 2. What is your maiden name? 3. Are you a U.S. citizen? 4. Do you have any children? Do you plan to have children? 5. Do you have any physical disabilities or handicaps? 6. Does your religion prevent you from working during certain times of the year? How do I handle an unethical interview question? When confronted with an unethical interview questions, you have some options: 1. You can refuse to answer the question. This may or may not affect the interviewer's hiring decision, but you will have stood up for your rights 2. You can swallow your pride (and privacy) and answer the question. You might feel like your privacy has been violated, but at least you are still in the running 3. You could ask a response question. You might, if asked about your marital status, say, "I am not quite sure of the reason for that question. Is it because you are afraid that I might not be able to carry out all my duties?" This puts the responsibility back on the interviewer, at the same time informing him or her that you are aware of the unethical nature of the question. 4. You can address the real concern of the interviewer. Most of the time, unethical interview questions are a result of a genuine concern on the part of the interviewer (e.g., how long you plan to continue working at the company). It is possible to address this legitimate concern while ignoring the exact, unethically phrased, question. For example, when asked about whether you plan to have children, you might say, "I plan to pursue a career, regardless of whether I decide to raise a family." How can I prepare for unethical interview questions? Deciding on what questions are unethical and how you should go about dealing with them can be tough, especially when you are in the middle of an interview. It helps to be aware of these issues beforehand and sort out for yourself exactly how you want to approach them. Here are some tips you can use in preparing for an interview: 1. Make a list of sensitive questions you may be asked 2. Decide how much information you are comfortable releasing and where your boundaries are 3. Determine which of the approaches listed above you feel most comfortable using 4. Practice, practice, practice! Remember, the Career Center is here to help with "practice" or "mock" interviews, which will help you become more comfortable with this sometimes stressful process. The Career Center, through our partnership with Honor Roll Online, is now using Interview Stream to help students with practice interviewing. Additionally, we have several books on interviewing available at the Career Center, most of which have chapters on illegal or unethical interview questions. Sources Career Center page on unethical interviewing Landy, Sylvia. Ditch the Flip Flops: Ace Your Job Interview Fresh Out of College. Winnettka, IL: Keystone Three LLC, 2007. Related Career Center links and resources Career Center page on unethical interviewing Landy, Sylvia. Ditch the Flip Flops: Ace Your Job Interview Fresh Out of College. Winnettka, IL: Keystone Three LLC, 2007. Medley, Anthony H. Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of Being Interviewed. New York: Warner Business Books, 2005. Yate, Martin. Knock 'Em Dead: The Ultimate Job Seekers' Handbook. Holbrook, MA: Adams Media Corporation, 1998.

The Art of the Thank You

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:07:15 -0600

Everyone likes to know that they are appreciated. In the world of post-graduate programs and job searches, there is an art to expressing your gratitude. Candidates who send a prompt and appropriate thank you demonstrate their poise and good manners to a graduate program or employer. There are three types of situations when you should write a thank you: 1. As a follow-up to an interview. You should express your thanks and reiterate a few of your desirable qualities. Candidates should send a thank you letter to all interviewers within 24 hours after the interview that will remind them who you are and when you met. Be concise and confident while exuding enthusiasm and sincerely expressing your gratitude for the interview opportunity. Don't forget to tell them that you still want the job! Check out the examples of thank you letters available on the Career Center website: http://www.lawrence.edu/dept/student_dean/career/coverletter/thankyou.shtml 2. To express gratitude for a recommendation letter or reference. Be sure to write sincere thank you notes to professors and supervisors who have served as a reference or write a recommendation letter. Write a note at the time they agree to help you out and also when you get accepted into a program or secure the job. 3. Whenever someone does you a favor. Get into the habit of sending thank you notes frequently. Make sure that they express genuine thanks. The Vault Guide to Schmoozing recommends keeping a box of blank cards and sticky notes on your desk. This will allow you to jot down messages reminding yourself who you should thank as soon as you remember a good deed done. Send the notes promptly. You may think that "it's the thought that counts," but the quality of the thank you note can make a big impression. Use high quality, professional stationery for a thank you letter. Any thank you cards should be conservative and professional. (Save the cute kitten cards or silly sayings for Aunt Ruth.) If you are handwriting the card, make sure that it is legible. Let the ink dry before closing the card - this will prevent sloppy-looking smudges. From the body of the letter to the stationery, a thank you note or letter can make or break your professional image.

The Peace Corps: Is it right for me?

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:09:43 -0600

What is the Peace Corps? The Peace Corps is an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship. The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals: 1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women 2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served 3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. The Peace Corps and the liberal arts student Many liberal arts students are worried that their specific major or field of study will not fit them for a Peace Corps program. However, the Peace Corps welcomes students with a liberal arts college education, from such diverse majors as history, political science, English, social studies, or psychology. Where do Peace Corps volunteers go? Peace Corps volunteers work in countries all around the world, including countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, The Pacific Islands, The Middle East, Africa, The Caribbean, South America, Central America and Mexico. For a detailed listing of countries, go to http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.wherepc&noflash=y. What do Peace Corps volunteers do? Peace Corps Volunteers work in the diverse range of fields, covering a number of academic majors, including education, youth outreach, and community development; health and HIV/AIDS; agriculture and environment; business development; and information technology. What are the qualifications? To be eligible for the Peace Corps, you must be over 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. There is no upper age limit. Having a four-year degree, though it increases you chances of acceptance into the Peace Corps, is not essential. You do not need to be able to speak a foreign language, though it can certainly give you an advantage in the application process. You must be willing to commit to 27 months of service, during which you will earn vacation time. The Peace Corps does not offer shorter assignments. What are the advantages? Joining the Peace Corps can allow you to: 1. Develop skills for eventual entry into the workplace 2. Receive one year of non-competitive eligibility in federal employment: This means that that if you meet the minimum qualifications for a position, you can be hired without going through the standard competitive process, at the employing agency's discretion) 3. Receive educational benefits: Peace Corps has affiliations with dozens of colleges and universities across the country (you can incorporate your Peace Corps service into a Master's degree or receive scholarships or reduced tuition once you return). 4. Receive financial benefits: Pay and living expenses while serving in the Peace Corps, as well as possible deferment or cancellation of certain student loans. For more information about the Peace Corps, visit www.peacecorps.gov or read Dillon Bannerjee's book, So, You Want to Join the Peace Corps...What to Know Before You Go, available for reference at the Career Center. Or make an appointment with a Career Counselor to discuss other post-LU opportunities.

Alum Interview: Sylvia Zwissler, '01

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:55:31 -0600

Sylvia Zwissler, '01 is a Manager of Field Operations for the Dallas area Habitat for Humanity in Dallas, TX. Listen online: Download interview

The Gap Year: Taking some time off after college

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:47:38 -0600

More and more American college students are opting to take some time off between graduation and entering graduate school or the workforce. This increasingly popular trend, known as the "gap year," allows students to choose from a wide and exciting range of pursuits, including traveling abroad, interning, volunteering or working in a foreign country. A gap year does not literally have to last a year; some students only take a couple of months off, perhaps to travel, while others elect to take a couple of years off before entering the workforce or graduate school. There are several advantages to the gap year. It can give you valuable experience that builds your resume and sets you apart from other candidates when you are applying for a job or graduate school. If you are not sure about what career path you would like to pursue, the gap year gives you the time to set long-term career goals or select appropriate graduate programs. A paid opportunity during your gap year can allow you to save up for graduate school or work to pay off student loans. Finally, a gap year allows you unique opportunities to travel to new places, have fun and recover from the rigors of college! Naturally, there are some practical concerns to be considered before deciding whether the gap year is right for you. Traveling abroad, if you decide to do so, can be expensive and medical and insurance costs have to be covered. Remuneration, especially for volunteer programs, can be minimal and most of the expenses may have to be covered by you. Finally, once you have left campus, access to resources can be limited, especially if you are thinking about applying for a job or to graduate school. So plan ahead--prepare your resume, get recommendations from professors and take the necessary standardized tests before you leave for the gap year. Here are some things to think about when deciding on a gap year program: a. Do I want a program related to my major? b. What are my skills and interests? c. How much time do I have? d. How much money will I need to spend on living expenses, travel costs etc.? e. What are my long-term plans? f. Do I want a domestic or international position? g. Do I want a paid or unpaid position? It is very important to think clearly about these issues, because they can come up even after you have completed your gap year experience. Graduate school admission representatives and prospective employers will typically inquire about your gap year. Anticipate questions like, Why did you decide to take a year off? How has it improved or increased your skills? What were some of the challenges and how did you overcome them? What was the best part? Be prepared to defend, vocally and in writing, your gap year experience, using compelling and specific examples. There are several resources available to students who are trying to decide upon a gap year opportunity. The Career Center can help you indentify programs that suit your interests and goals. The Volunteer and Community Service Center (located in Raymond House) can also help you with possible volunteer programs.

Cleaning Out Your Closets

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:38:14 -0600

Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook are very useful for staying connected with friends both on and off campus, but they can also be a hindrance during the job search process. Believe it or not, organizations actually seek to find personal information of potential employees on the internet. Author Sylvia Landy, whose book Ditch the Flip-Flops: Ace Your Job Interview Fresh Out of College is available in the Career Center Resource Room, recommends cleaning out your closets before embarking on a job search. This means closely evaluating any personal information that may be floating out in cyberspace and eliminating those "skeletons" that may tarnish your professional image. Here are some tips for polishing your cyber-image: -Pictures in online photo albums can be incriminating. Remove photographs depicting anything illegal, anything even remotely sexual, or any images from an evening of drunken revelry. -Unfortunately, information about any serious relationships may affect your job search. Consider editing your "Relationship Status" and "Looking For" sections. Save any photos of you smooching your significant other for private albums. -Information about organizations that imply extreme lifestyles or political and religious affiliations should be removed from your internet profiles. You wouldn't put this information on your resume, so don't have it available online. -Your voicemail greeting is subject to scrutiny as well. Get rid of any music, rhyming, or quirky statements. Record a new greeting that is brief and professional. Be sure to state your first and last name clearly and ask the caller to leave their name and phone number. -Ego-surf. Enter your name into any common search engines (google.com, yahoo.com, dogpile.com, etc.) What sort of information appears? Is this information that you would want a potential employer to find? If something unfortunate does appear, try contacting the manager of the website and ask them to remove the information. If the negative item is a matter of public record, be prepared to do some damage control during the interview process. Search your name monthly to see if anything new appears. You may find some of these recommendations to be a bit strict. Maybe you really don't want to delete the hilarious video from that party last weekend or you want to keep those years of blog entries. It may be painful, but try to keep your online information as squeaky clean as possible. Professional standards can be a bit outdated so it is best to play it safe and project a positive, professional image in every facet of your life. Sources: http://www.startribune.com/jobs/career/11398441.html Landy, Sylvia. Ditch the Flip Flops: Ace Your Job Interview Fresh Out of College. Winnettka, IL: Keystone Three LLC, 2007.

The Benefits of Volunteering

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:03:18 -0600

Volunteering is a great way to help others while feeling good about yourself, but it can also be a great way of building skills that will advance you in the workforce. Many college students know that volunteering will look good on their graduate or medical school applications, but they less often think about the skills they are actually gaining. According to Evan Hochberg, who is the National Director of Community Involvement for Deloitte Services, volunteering provides an outlet for students to expand their leadership, communication, management, and teamwork skills in ways that are often only available to people in management positions. It is rare to find an entry level job with management opportunities equivalent to running a team of volunteers, or leadership roles that could be found by serving on a board for a volunteering committee. So remember to tap into your volunteering experiences when writing a resume or stepping into an interview. If you feel like you do not have enough volunteering experience, it is often a good idea to determine what volunteering activities you would like to pursue based on the skills you would like to gain. *For information about volunteering opportunities on campus and in the Appleton area, visit the Volunteer and Community Service Center located in Raymond House.

Graduate School Essays: How to Get Started

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:52:46 -0600

Writing an essay or personal statement can be a major stressor when applying to graduate school. Careful reflection upon your experiences, personality and goals before you begin to write can help ensure a well-written, unique and effective statement. When brainstorming, remember there are no wrong ideas and that you will be most successful if you are honest with yourself. Consider the following questions to help you brainstorm essay content: • What makes you unique, unusual or different? Think about all of your experiences, no matter how unrelated to your field of study they may seem. Remember, what you consider common about yourself may be unique or different to others. • Where were you and what were you doing when you first realized your passion for your field of study? How have your interests evolved since then? Can you identify specific turning points? • Who or what are your intellectual influences? What writers, researchers, professors or professionals have inspired you? What articles, books, plays, performances, films or lectures have influenced you? • Do you have volunteer, travel, internship or work experience that has contributed to your interest in your field of study? • What are some encouraging words other have said about you? • What are your career goals? What do you hope to gain from this career? What do you hope to contribute to this field? How will graduate school help you attain your professional goals? • How has your academic background prepared you to succeed in graduate school? What body of relevant knowledge will you take with you to graduate school? What particular attributes or characteristics make you likely to succeed in this field/career? • What are your biggest accomplishments or proudest moments? • Do you have research experience? Consider publications, working titles, faculty research with which you assisted. Can you spell out the purposes, goals, findings, implications of the research? What did you learn (techniques, concepts, other skills)? What professors at target schools have similar research interests? • What do you know about the city, state and/or region of your target schools? Do you have a connection to the area? Is the geographic area important to your research interests or field of study? • How does this graduate program fit your personality and goals? Why are you attracted to this program over others? • What classes or projects will you complete between the time of your application and graduate school? What are your plans for the months or year(s) before you enroll? Once you have spent some time writing responses to these questions, evaluate your answers and notes. Do any of them fit together? Some individuals will find their answers naturally flow together in essay format while others will pick one or a few topics to highlight. After examining your thoughts, you can begin drafting your essay or personal statement and demonstrate clearly your interests, goals, academic preparation and personality.

Tips for new employees

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:15:37 -0600

I've been interviewing a number of alums over the past few weeks for the Career Center's podcast, LUCareerTalk. One of the questions I've been asking is "what is a mistake that new professionals make and what suggestions do you have for avoiding that mistake?" I have been hearing similar responses from various alums and I tend to agree with the suggestions given. Young professionals and interns alike tend to have great zeal and excitement for their new jobs - this is a good thing! Their fresh perspectives and ideas are often highly sought-after by organizations. The challenge for the new employee, be they young professional or intern, is how to present those perspectives and ideas without coming across as arrogant. If you're a new employee at an organization and have a ton of brilliant ideas for how the organization can be improved, consider the following few tips: * take a few weeks or even months to observe the work environment carefully. You may find yourself revising that great idea you had on your first day of work after a few more weeks of experience under your belt. * do your research. There may be a very good reason your employer uses a particular process or is not pursuing a particular strategy. Find out if your ideas have been attempted in the past and what the results of those attempts had been. * when you do share your ideas, do so tactfully. For example, don't say, "This is the most backward system I've ever seen. I would do it this way..." Instead, ask a question, such as, "I was wondering, do you think _____ process would work?" * don't be a know-it-all. While you may think you know how to run the organization better than your supervisor, (and perhaps you're right), you will likely need to earn the respect of your supervisor and colleagues before they will trust your professional opinion - and it may take some time to earn that respect. * do the job that's been assigned to you to the best of your ability. Don't allow yourself to get caught up trying to fix the problems in another department when your own work piles up on your desk. Over time, as your supervisor and colleagues see you consistently completing your responsibilities in a timely, professional and high-quality manner, they will likely turn to you for your opinions on other matters. New employees are a valuable resource to any organization. If you are new to an organization, hopefully the above tips will help you to present your ideas in a careful, professional and tactful way so that your ideas can be properly valued rather than resented.

Networking 101

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:25:40 -0600

Featuring Mark Janning, IT Intern and Graduate Program Manager at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Learn about professional networking and Thrivent's IT Internship Program. All majors welcome! Date: Wednesday, November 28 Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Place: Career Center FREE PIZZA

Alum Interview: Suzanne Griffith, '97

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:21:34 -0600

Suzanne Griffith, '97, is Manager for Corporate Citizenship for Exelon Corporation in Chicago. Listen online: Download interview

Vector Marketing is recruiting!

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:28:21 -0600

Vector Marketing Corporation is a direct sales firm that markets Cutco Cutlery, a line of kitchen cutlery, accessories and sporting knives. Sales positions available! After completing the sales training program, sales representatives market Cutco products as independent contractors. Information Session: Date: Thursday, November 29 Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Place: Career Center

Tips on Kicking Yourself in the Butt

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:09:54 -0600

It was brought to my attention that most people know they need to learn to be self-motivated, but they just do not know how. As a continuation to the post "Work Ethic According to Bill Coplin", here are some ways to kick yourself in the butt: 1.) Figure out your goal. Think about what your ultimate goal is. This may be a career objective, finishing college with a certain GPA, doing well in a class, or getting a promotion. It is important to define your goal specifically so that you have an objective on which to focus. 2.) Help yourself stay focused on your ultimate goal by setting long and short term goals that will provide a step by step plan for obtaining your objective. First , make a general timeline of how you will reach your goal. Then begin making short term goals that will keep you on track. Sometimes it is necessary to have a day by day plan detailing how you are going to achieve your goal. 3.) When trying to maintain focus, be careful not to motivate yourself by fear. Concentrating on fears such as letting people down or looking incompetent will give you a negative mindset that can easily lower your confidence. It is hard to remain motivated when your confidence is low, and the little voice in your head is telling you that you will fail. To avoid this, make sure to reward yourself for accomplishing those short term goals and focus on your achievements, no matter how small. 4.) Continually raise the bar for yourself. After accomplishing a goal, set your standards higher for your next goal. When you succeed it will give you a confidence boost that will help maintain and even increase your motivation. 5.) Make sure to remind yourself why you want to achieve your objective. It helps maintain daily momentum if you give yourself a day to day game plan, but without a fundamental desire for the outcome, it will be hard to stay focused no matter how many short term goals you set. 6.) If you are still having problems maintaining motivation, link your success to other's success. If possible, join groups that share your interests. This is particularly valid for college students who are set on a certain career or major and have the opportunity to join a club dedicated to that area of study. Being around other people who are motivated towards a similar goal can help boost your own motivation. You might even discover new reasons for why you want to achieve your goal. As well, these types of clubs often provide external deadlines that help keep you on track, although it is important that you do not to create a negative environment in which you are motivating yourself with the fear of letting others down. 7.) Stay busy. While providing yourself with some down time is necessary, it is a fact that busy people stay busy. It is easier to go from one task to the next than to get up from the couch and do something productive. 8.) Plan for downtime. Scheduled down-time sounds like an oxymoron, yet it can help reduce stress. If you structure your day so that you can accomplish your goals and reserve some time to relax, that downtime will not be spent feeling guilty that you are not being productive. Sources: http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/21-proven-motivation-tactics/ http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/how-to-motivate-yourself/

Work Ethic According to Bill Coplin

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:04:16 -0600

College is a time of learning and development. Going to a liberal arts college such as Lawrence, academics are stressed, while real world application can sometimes take a back seat. I am happy to be attending a liberal arts institution, but I sometimes wonder if I am getting all the skills I will need for the real world. Working at the Career Center, I have found that employers want people with a good work ethic. I have also noticed that a good work ethic is not always a natural by-product of a college education. According to Bill Coplin, a professor from Syracuse University, there are some key ingredients to a good work ethic: 1. Learning how to kick yourself in the butt: Employers like to hire people that can manage themselves. Becoming self-motivated is one of the single most powerful tools you can learn in college. Self-motivation and self-discipline tend to go hand in hand, and acquiring self-discipline means practicing delaying instant gratification for long term goals. This is a life skill that will be useful in everything you do. "Fully 87 percent of persons losing their jobs or failing to be promoted were found to have improper work habits and attitudes rather than insufficient job skills or knowledge." - Bill Coplin 2. Time management skills: A good way to gain time-management skills is by taking on a leadership position in a student organization. Rather than just being a member, leadership positions often give you more incentive to follow through with your commitments, forcing you to manage your time well. An added benefit is that you will most likely deal with a level of responsibility that you might not receive at an internship or entry level job position, which you could use later on in a job interview. "'Procrastinators have higher rates of smoking, drinking, postponing seeing a doctor, digestive ailments, insomnia and cold and flu symptoms than the student population at large.'" - Bill Coplin 3. Honesty: This may sound obvious, but part of having a good work ethic is being an honest person. One of the most prevalent forms of dishonesty on the job is cutting corners. It is an easy habit to slip into, and it tends to be hard to kick. The problem with cutting corners is that you eventually get caught. Remember that in order to build a career, you need to build a respectful reputation. Dishonesty will quickly get in the way of that. Source: Coplin, Bill. 10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College. Berkeley/Toronto: Ten Speed Press, 2003.

Peace Corps is recruiting

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:27:42 -0600

Information Table Date: Tuesday, November 13 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Place: Union Lobby Information Session Date: Tuesday, November 13 Time: 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Place: Career Center Listen to a preview:

Internship Correspondence

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 19:51:42 -0600

Learn how to properly communicate with employers Date: Thursday, November 8 Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Place: Library 214 (ITC) Listen to a preview:

Careers with Non-Profit Organizations

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 19:28:36 -0600

Date: Tuesday, November 6 Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Place: Career Center Listen to a preview:

Alum Interview: Titus Seilheimer, '00

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:41:22 -0600

Titus Seilheimer, '00, is a Post Doctoral Fellow for the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit for Oklahoma State University. Listen online: Download interview

Student Interview: Liz Corey, '08

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:38:40 -0600

Liz Corey, '08, is a senior biology major focusing on pre-medical studies. Listen online: Download interview

Edward Jones is recruiting

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:04:23 -0600

A representative will be at Lawrence interviewing for the Financial Advisor Apprentice Program. Resume deadline: Date: Monday, October 29 Place: Career Center Interviews by appointment: Date: Tuesday, October 30 Place: Career Center

Intern Panel

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:59:51 -0600

Interact with a panel of interns to learn more about finding internships. Date: Monday, October 29 Time: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Place: Riverview Lounge

Deloitte Consulting is recruiting

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:47:39 -0600

You are invited to attend an information session at Deloitte's Milwaukee office. Date: Tuesday, October 30 Time: 5:00 p.m. (bus leaves at 3:00 p.m. from Career Center circle) Place: Milwaukee (transportation is provided) Sign up in the Career Center no later than Monday, Oct. 29. Job descriptions: Business Analyst (BA) - minimum GPA 3.5 Business Technical Analyst (BTA) - minimum GPA 3.2

Resume Writing for Music Majors

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:54:23 -0600

Resume Writing for Music Majors Date: Tuesday, October 23 Time: 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Place: Career Center

Finding Your Internship

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:34:54 -0600

Board the internSHIP, mate. Savvy? Learn over 10 strategies for finding the perfect internship. Date: Tuesday, October 23 Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Place: Career Center

From the Other Side of the Interview

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:26:16 -0600

My name is Jessica Bonsall, and I work in the Career Center as a Career Assistant. One of the most interesting parts of my job is the practice interview. After seeing first hand what works, and what doesn't, I have compiled some tips on how to impress an interviewer: 1. When researching a company before an interview, go beyond the typical internet search. It is important to look at all the information you can find online, but also try to seek out other places you can find information, such as in business journals or employer files at the Career Center. It is more likely that you will know information that other candidates do not if you venture away from the internet. 2. Prepare good questions to ask during the question and answer session at the end of the interview. Good questions reveal your interest in the organization. They let the employer know that you want to make sure you will fit with the company before making any commitments. Good questions are often specific to the company and may ask about employee training procedures, the existing employee dynamics within the company, policies they have for dealing with clients, how much input beginning employees have, or if the company provides any opportunities for furthering your education. Questions to avoid would be those dealing with salary or promotions. 3. Watch your body language. Avoiding eye contact, weak handshakes, and nervous gestures are easy to spot and make you look insecure. Presenting yourself as confident and prepared is especially important when you are interviewing for a job where you will need communication and interpersonal skills. Coming to the Career Center for a taped practice interview is a good way to spot problematic body language. It is also helpful to practice in front of a mirror before an interview so that you can see what you will look like to the employer.

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:06:20 -0600

Graduate opportunities at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Date: Thursday, October 18 Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Place: Career Center

Alum Interview: Jessica Seaberg, '00

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 19:56:51 -0600

Jessica Seaberg, '00, is a Senior Account Manager for Premier Retail Networks in Minneapolis. Listen online: Download interview

Student Interview: Madhuri Vijay, '09

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:05:26 -0600

Madhuri Vijay, '09, is a junior psychology major. Mads interned at Habor House in Appleton, WI during summer 2007. Listen online: Download interview

Resume and cover letter writing workshop

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:59:47 -0600

Transform your resume and cover letter Date: Monday, October 15 Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Place: ITC (Library 214)

Need Fast Answers?

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:59:38 -0600

Do you need someone to take a quick look at your resume? Would you like someone to scan your grad school essay one last time? Have an urgent career-related issue that just can't wait until your Career Center apppointment next week? Visit us during Express Lane hours! Express Lane hours are 20 minute appointments for quick questions or last minute career-related issues. You don't need to call ahead, just walk-in and sign up for a time slot. Express Lane Hours are: Monday and Wednesday 1:30 - 2:30 Tuesday and Thursday 2:30 - 3:30

Introduction to Internships

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:38:11 -0600

Begin your pursuit of happiness with an introduction to internships Date: Wednesday, October 10 Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Place: Career Center

Benedictine University

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:28:23 -0600

Graduate opportunities at BenU. Date: Wednesday, October 10 Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Place: Downer Lobby

Resume Writing Workshop

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:26:21 -0600

Looking for a job, but need a resume? Come to the resume writing workshop. Date: Monday, October 8 Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Place: Career Center

Practice Makes (Near) Perfect!

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:14:08 -0600

Many people worry about job interviews, feeling anxious about saying "the right thing" and impressing the employer. One of the best ways to overcome these feelings is to practice! Did you know that you can schedule a practice interview with a Career Center staff member? Practice interviews allow you to "test" answers to common interview questions. By rehearsing what you want to say during an interview and reviewing the main points you hope to get across, you will feel more calm and in control of your interview with a potential employer. Practice interviews at the Career Center can be videotaped, so you can see yourself the same way you will be viewed by an interviewer(s). You and a Career Center staff member will review your videotaped interview together, and you will receive feedback and suggstions on how to improve. Whether you are applying for a full-time position, an internship or part-time work, a videotaped practice interview can help you best present your skills and accomplishments. To schedule a practice interview, call the Career Center at x6561 (920-832-6561). For more information on interviewing, check out the Career Center's interview information online!

Teach for America is recruiting

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:38:28 -0600

Help end educational inequity. Information Table Date: Thursday, October 4 Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Place: Downer Lobby Information Session Date: Thursday, October 4 Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Place: Career Center

Getting into grad school workshop

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:32:26 -0600

Can't BEAR the thought of grad school? Make tracks to Getting Into Grad School! Date: Tuesday, Oct. 2 Time: 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Location: Career Center

Alum Interview: Leigh O'Donnell, '92

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 05:55:55 -0600

Leigh O'Donnell, '92, is a Manager of Sales Technology and Communications for Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company in Chicago. Listen online: Download interview

New Career Center homepage

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:10:58 -0600

The Career Center has had a facelift! Check out our new homepage featuring audio ads, podcasts, and rss feeds. We'll be making more changes in the coming weeks, so please stay tuned for more updates!

Your Career Starts Here

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:05:13 -0600

Welcome first year students!! Catch a glimpse of the Career Center through the eyes of students. Session 1: Friday, Sept. 21 at 3:30 p.m. Session 2: Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 10:00 a.m. Both sessions will be held in the Career Center. Students should attend one session.