#PHN

Tag: #PHN

A Current Lawrentian’s Experience Interviewing

Through Big Interview, I had the opportunity to “interview” my fellow Career Peer Educators at the Career Center. We all recorder ourselves answering the sample interview questions, and then we were tasked to each write an article about our experience.

Throughout all the interviews I looked at, the strongest answers were always concise. That’s a huge challenge, especially on the fly in the middle of a conversation. Rambling is way easier than trying to slow down and think. However, slowing down is probably the best thing you can do. When you are more conscious of what you’re saying, you can make sure what you’re saying is relevant.

As well, being able to tie your ideas together is great. If the question is “what is your greatest strength?”, and your answer is “kindness”, you should consistently be relating your kindness to the workplace and how it is used as a strength. That sounds redundant, but it is really easy to just go on a tangent about how nice you are. Then, the employer doesn’t get the chance to see how your strength is actually applicable to what you would be doing.

Confidence is also a huge thing! And honestly if you aren’t feeling the most confident, faking it until you make it is a real thing. Interviewers judge your everything. Your clothes, attitude, tone of voice, and even how you sit matters. You want to exude confidence from the second you enter the building. There are some small ways one can implement this into practice. Smiling is a big one! Smile at the interviewer, the person who hands you your coffee, everyone. The way you walk matters as well, and walking with a smile automatically shifts people’s perception of you in a positive way. Some other quick ones would be walking straight, use a strong handshake, and don’t be afraid of eye contact. In my experience, one of the biggest things that exude confidence is being yourself. No one has fun in an interview where the interviewee is robotic and too curated. Find ways to show them your personality, while maintaining professionalism. It isn’t as hard as you’d think!

Nowadays, many interviews are online. In that case,obviously some things change. You have to keep the interviewer engaged! The easiest way to do that is with your words. Avoid rambling as previously mentioned and focus, really focus, on what you are saying. Not so much so that you’re speaking in chunks, but so that you are concise. Don’t be afraid to use your hands when you talk, as it can help the interviewer stay engaged, but monitor it. You don’t want to be flailing your arms or using hand motions where it doesn’t make the most sense. It takes thought and practice with intentionality to understand it, but this is also not as difficult as it seems.

If the thought of recording yourself and watching it back makes you not the happiest, don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Big Interview is a great tool for interviewing, and getting comfortable with feedback. All of my coworkers that I interviewed through this platform are people I see everyday. It really wasn’t weird watching their responses. If you keep a professional mindset, you really can get a lot out of it. I highly encourage you to give Big Interview a try!

Good luck Lawrentians!

Trying Marketing with Forage

I wanted to get a real feel for what marketing work is like, so I tried the Marketing Explorer simulation by Forage. It’s a short, self-paced program that lets you step into different marketing roles through realistic, hands-on scenarios. In just 30–40 minutes, I got to try tasks that professionals actually do, from creative strategy to data analysis and customer research, giving me a clear sense of what a marketing career could be like.

The simulation gave me a taste of how creative, analytical, and customer-focused skills all come together in marketing. It’s a great way to explore different roles, practice real-world skills, and see which parts of marketing might suit you best, all without the pressure of grades.

My experience: As a Film Studies student, I’ve always been curious about marketing and how creative ideas reach the right audience. This simulation let me apply storytelling and problem-solving skills in a marketing context. It helped me understand how different roles connect, explore what I enjoy, and gain confidence about exploring a career in marketing.

Try it for yourself: https://www.theforage.com/simulations/pearson/marketing-oxce

Grad School Tips from Isabel Dorn ’25

Thinking about grad school? Isabel Dorn ’25, now at Seattle University School of Law, has some practical advice for Lawrence students who want to take the leap. Here’s how she did it:

Start early and plan ahead
 Isabel started thinking about law school in sophomore year. She didn’t take a gap year or work first because she wanted stability and knew this was her top choice. Preparing early made a huge difference in handling the process without panic.

Do your research

  • Look for schools that offer full rides or at least cover most of tuition
  • Check GPA and LSAT stats for the schools you apply to; being above both medians increases your chances of receiving scholarships, but some students below the median still get offers
  • Read school websites carefully, they often share transparency about scholarships and admissions chances

Visit if you can
 Isabel says online research is helpful, but visiting a campus is even better. You get a feel for:

  • The campus vibe
  • How easy it is to get around
  • What living there might actually feel like

Applications take time

  • LSAT was tough and time-consuming.
  • Personal statements and supplemental essays were the hardest part, she made sure they were perfect and aligned with each school’s values.
  • Starting early helped, she began researching and studying summer before junior year and submitted applications on a rolling basis by December.

Her advice to students:

  • Know yourself and what works for you.
  • Look at how others do it, but adapt it to your style.
  • Don’t stress about being “behind”, just make a schedule that works and give it your best shot.

Takeaway:
 Grad school can feel overwhelming, but Isabel’s story shows that if you plan early, do good research, and stay organized, it’s totally doable.

What HR Is Really Thinking During Your Interview

As a Career Peer Educator at Lawrence, I wanted to understand what actually goes on in an employer’s mind during interviews, especially for students who are just starting out. So, I spoke with Catiel Galindo, a Lawrence alum currently working in Human Resources at Medline Industries. Talking to her gave me a much clearer (and honestly reassuring) perspective on what matters most when applying for jobs and internships.

One of the biggest takeaways from my conversation with Catiel was that employers are not expecting you to know everything.

What they actually look for:

  • A willingness to learn
  • Curiosity
  • Openness to feedback
  • Taking initiative

Mindset Matters

She emphasized that especially for students mindset matters more than experience. In her words, it’s about showing that you’re someone who is ready to grow, not someone who already has all the answers. I asked her something I think a lot of students wonder: Can employers tell when we’re just applying everywhere vs. actually interested? Her answer: Yes, almost always.

She said genuine interest shows through:

  • Doing basic research about the company
  • Understanding the role
  • Asking thoughtful questions
  • Connecting the job to your own goals

On the other hand, generic answers make it obvious when someone didn’t prepare. A simple tip she shared: when answering “Why this role?”, focus on how your skills connect to the position, not just what you want from it.

LinkedIn Profile Matters:

Another thing she stressed was keeping your LinkedIn updated. She described LinkedIn as a “digital resume” and often, it’s one of the first things employers check.

Make sure your profile includes:

  • Your major and education
  • Any internships, jobs, or campus involvement
  • Relevant skills

Even if you don’t have a ton of experience yet, showing what you have done clearly makes a big difference. I also asked what stands out on student resumes, and her answer was interesting, it’s not about having the most experience.

Instead, she looks for:

  • Clear and simple formatting
  • Relevant experiences (even part-time jobs, clubs, volunteer work)
  • Bullet points that explain what you actually did or learned

Basically, it’s about how you present your experience, not just what you’ve done.

Her advice honestly made interviews feel a lot less intimidating:

  • Prepare, but don’t try to be perfect
  • Be yourself
  • Be honest about what you’re still learning
  • Show curiosity and willingness to grow

She reminded me that employers already know this might be your first interview, they’re more focused on your attitude and communication than perfection.

Where to start from?

Here are a few easy things you can do:

  • Update your LinkedIn
  • Practice answering “Why this role?”
  • Look up the company before applying
  • Visit the Career Center help

So next time you walk into an interview, remember that you’re not there to be perfect, you’re there to be interesting. Be curious, be real, and let them see who you actually are.

Brief Introduction for Career Center Podcast With Hari

What does it look like to go from a Lawrence classroom to shaping the future of medicine and even space research? In this career center podcast episode, we feature Harsimran Kalsi (Hari), a Lawrence Class of 2020 graduate who is now an M.D. student at the Medical College of Wisconsin, while also serving as a fellow with the International Space Station National Laboratory and founding his own biotech company, Otto Sciences.

Hari shares how he built his path through research, student organizations, and mentorship at Lawrence, and reflects on what it really takes to pursue big ideas, from curing diseases to advancing healthcare innovation in a rapidly changing world. If you’ve ever wondered how to make the most of your college experience or explore ambitious, interdisciplinary careers, this is a conversation worth listening to.

Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5LC3ybYpBdlnKAw5VBXrtw

Employer Spotlight: Promega Corporation

For students at Lawrence University who are interested in biotechnology, research, or industry careers, Promega is a company that may feel closer than expected. While many biotech companies can seem distant or difficult to access, Promega stands out because of its direct connections to Lawrence and its visible investment in student learning and development.

One of the clearest examples of this connection is a D-term laboratory course developed in collaboration with Promega (DECM 301). In this course, students were not only learning techniques in a classroom setting but were also gaining insight into how biotechnology operates in an industry environment. Experiences like this bridge a gap that many students often feel when moving from academic lab work to understanding how research translates into real-world applications. It also signals something important: Promega is not just hiring talent, but actively helping to shape it early on.

Beyond its connection to Lawrence, Promega is known for its role in supporting scientific research globally. The company develops tools and technologies used in areas such as molecular biology, genomics, and diagnostics. This means that even entry-level roles are often tied to meaningful scientific work, whether that involves supporting product development, quality control, or applied research. For students considering careers outside of academia, this provides a clear example of how a background in biology, chemistry, or neuroscience can translate into impactful industry work.

Promega also offers a range of opportunities for students and recent graduates, including research-based roles and entry-level positions that allow individuals to build technical skills while gaining exposure to the biotech industry. These positions can be especially valuable for students who are exploring paths such as industry research, laboratory management, or even preparing for future graduate or professional programs. Being located in Madison, Wisconsin, Promega is also geographically accessible, making it a realistic and tangible option for Lawrence students.

What makes Promega particularly appealing is not just the work it does, but how it connects education, research, and industry. For students who have taken part in collaborative courses or are looking to transition into biotech careers, Promega represents an opportunity that is both high-impact and close to home.

Dennis Boakye ’26 is a senior with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Mathematics. Dennis is the current career peer educator for the Health and Medicinal Professions (HMP) and the Physical and Natural Sciences (PHN) career communities at Lawrence University. Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn.