CESblogs

Did you know that CES can still help you, even after graduation? If you didn’t get a chance to take advantage of our resources before final exams, come on in and check out what we can do to help you with your job search! Heading back home? We can do phone appointments just as easily. Here’s a few of the ways we can help:

Regional Job Search Strategy

The first question I usually ask a student who comes in with job search questions is “Where do you want to be?” Location is often the first concrete thing students have settled when they start their job search, and it’s a perfectly valid way to begin. If you’re drawing a blank on the next step—deciding things like industry and role—an advisor can help you identify some target organizations based on your interests and skills.

We also have resources available to find opportunities all across the country (even the world). The annual Book of Lists, published by area Business Journals, is a fantastic resource to find potential employers. We have a subscription to several popular areas beyond the Puget Sound: Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Portland, Washington D.C., and San Francisco.

In addition, Going Global has city guides for more than 40 metropolitan areas across the country (and 32 different countries) where you can find top employers as well as helpful local job search resources.

All of the tools on the CES Cascade menu are available to you for one year following graduation, so take advantage!

Interview Technique and Practice

Are you a nervous wreck when you interview? We can help you anticipate interview questions and prepare to explain your skills and experience effectively. Schedule a practice interview and we’ll give you constructive feedback on what you say, how you say it, and how you look when you say it. It’s always helpful to know you have a habit of sticking “kinda” into your sentences before you go into an interview. Not sure what to wear? We’ll even provide advice and feedback on appropriate attire.

Social Media Profile Reviews

Do you have a LinkedIn profile? A Twitter Account? A blog that’s related to your career goals? We think it’s great when students make use of all the various platforms available to showcase who they are and what they can do, and we can provide guidance to use the various tools effectively.

Not sure how you could use social media in your professional life? We can help you figure out what to use, too.

Assessing Job Offers

One sure sign that the economy is turning around is when students start having choices between employers, something we have seen more of this year. As an objective party with no personal involvement in the outcome (we’re not going to feel abandoned if you choose a job 3000 miles away), we can help you pick apart offers to determine what’s on the table and weigh the different options.

Pep Talks and Freak-Out Management

Are you hitting a wall in your job or internship search, or still wondering what you want to do with your life? Whether you feel mildly anxious or fully “freaked out,” CES can help you put it all in perspective. Whether you need help developing strategies to maintain your motivation, or just a reality check, CES is here for you.

Of course, all the more well-known services are available as well: career assessments, job and internship search strategies, and resume critiques. CES will be open for appointments all summer long—just call 253.879.3161 or drop by the office in Howarth 101.

© 2012 Career and Employment Services, University of Puget Sound
Photos: Shutterstock and Ed Yourdon

The reality is…most people don’t get to their dream job in a straight line.

When I graduated from college, I somehow skipped over the fact that my parents once graduated from college and started out living with hand-me-down thrift store furniture, struggling to find their first job. Instead, I always pictured them sitting comfortably in the living room after dinner, drinking coffee after a day at the office in jobs they both enjoyed and found challenging. I wanted that. And I wanted it now.

But, I needed to remember, my parents meandered their way to the comfortable existence I witnessed growing up.

A conversation with members of the Alumni Council Career and Employment Services Committee highlighted this reality…that most people don’t get to their dream job in a straight line.

The conversation with the CES Committee members reminded me that not every successful professional starts out in their ideal job—or even one that provides them with great fulfillment. But, the committee also reminded me that every step along the way has benefits, and that it’s important to take advantage of what each job has to offer.

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In a competitive job market, part-time employment during college can give you an edge over other candidates. Why? Because employers are more inclined to hire graduates who have experience in the workforce. Even if the jobs are unrelated to the field for which you’re applying, you’ve developed relevant competencies and skills that are valuable to the next employer.

And sometimes it’s the intangible benefits of early work that can be the most profound—like having the opportunity to adapt to the culture of a work environment. It may not seem like much, but it can help you build the necessary confidence to take the next step along your career path.

We invited alumni from the CES student staff team to share how work experience during college affected their career paths, or helped them transition to the world of work. They all happen to be Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) Network volunteers, too, so sharing advice with Puget Sound students comes naturally to them! Here’s what they have to say:

Miriam Hathaway ’05

“Working during college was such a great starting point for my career, especially since I worked in an office on campus and work in an office now. I got to be exposed to office life and relationships so that it wasn’t a foreign concept to me in my first job out of college.”

“I wasn’t as intimidated by ‘being a professional’ since I had already practiced in a safe and comfortable environment on campus.”

Beth Graves ’09

“Work experience during college helped round out my very conceptual course work in the IPE program with concrete skill development. Through work-study positions and summer employment at Puget Sound I unearthed many of my personal strengths that were not always visible during class but have positively guided my career path since graduation.

For instance, I worked two summers as a Conference Services Assistant and two school years as a CES office assistant. Both positions required tremendous interpersonal skills with a high number of clients, coworkers, and partners. As an introvert that is just plain exhausting after a while! However, I really loved it and found myself being really successful with my one-on-one personal interactions in those two positions.

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With less than a month of school remaining, anxieties are on the rise.
Enrique Vargas, CES Career Advisor, is on the verge of graduating.
How is he dealing with the strain?

“I have essays to write, portfolios to compile, homework to do, and I’m hard-pressed to find time for job searching and preparing for life after graduation. But I need to find time or else I might end up back home on my parents’ couch—yikes!

Lately I’ve found that a mantra has manifested itself in my life—one with very real motivations—“I could be getting a job!” This constant thought prompts me to think about a few things I need to do:

Get professional
Because my current wardrobe is that of a college boy, I’ve been saving money for a business wardrobe.

Not only might it make or break an interview, I want to represent myself professionally so I feel confident and know that I’m worth the job offer. Not to mention, once I get a good job, I’ll need to dress professionally—I’ll have to look the part.

Get motivated
Getting motivated can be hard, but things seem less daunting when you break them up across many weeks.

Set aside an hour or so every other day to work on your job search. And don’t forget to make a check list of employers you’re interested in, job opportunities, and any important dates. Having a list to prompt you can help make sure you keep refining your resumes, cover letters, and any other application materials.

Get in the mindset
It’s all about a positive attitude. The way I see it, these are small investments that I know will have a very real payoff in the end. By setting aside a small bit of money every month and a little bit of time every week, I’ll be able to save myself from the hassle and headache (not to mention panic!) of finding a job for after graduation.

Get Rolling
There are lots of handy little ways to break up your job-search and preparation so that you can stay on top of things between work, study, and sleep, while still staying sane.

I’ve set up a dry-erase board on my shelf at home with important timelines and check lists—that way I know when I should be hearing back from a potential employer, or even just to remind me to send a thank-you note.

Carve out that time in a way that works for you, and most importantly, get rolling! The tricky part is remembering to enjoy the last month of senior year, and the wonderful remaining days as a Puget Sound undergrad.”

Want help getting your job or internship rolling? CES can help! (We’re open throughout the summer, too!)

Photo: Sue Dahlin
© 2012 Career and Employment Services, University of Puget Sound

Graduation is coming…do you know what you’ll be doing next?

Here are some of the comments we hear from students:

• “I plan to apply to grad school in a year or two.”
• “I want to try a few options before I settle on a career.”
• “My schoolwork was my priority for the last four years, and I need to get some experience before I look for something long-term.”

Are you looking for a meaningful position with a 1-year commitment? AmeriCorps may be for you.

The benefits to AmeriCorps participants are numerous: a living stipend, health coverage, student loan deferment, and a $5000 education award that could be applied to graduate school or used to pay off current school loans.

You won’t get rich, but you will gain experiential and financial rewards that can help you in the future.

There are three different programs within AmeriCorps, each with a different focus:
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It’s a bird…It’s a plane…It’s a Super Logger!

Phil Gardner of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute has surveyed employers for more than 20 years and publishes an annual Recruiting Trends report which highlights hiring trends across the country. In a recent update, Phil addressed the importance of alumni in the hiring of recent college graduates. In fact, he called them Super Agents.

At Puget Sound, these Super Loggers have been working for you for decades. The Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) Network, designed to connect students with alumni who are interested in sharing career information, has been around for more than 25 years and is nearly 2700 alumni strong.
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Tonight at the Tacoma Dome…an internship!

One of the world’s largest wood-domed structures, the Tacoma Dome is a venue with the flexibility to host a diverse range of speakers, concerts, and events.

From Archbishop Desmond Tutu, to Walking with the Dinosaurs, to Monster Truck Jams, to Lady Gaga, the Dome has done it all.

What does it take to produce programs and events like these?

As a Marketing Intern for the Tacoma Dome, Kevin Nuss ’12 has the perfect opportunity to find out!

During a recent visit to CES to ask about pursuing his internship for academic credit, Kevin offered to share a bit about what he’s learned working “backstage” at the Dome.

CES: What does your internship at the Tacoma Dome entail?

Kevin: I assist the Marketing Department with planning and executing marketing functions for all of the events taking place at the Tacoma Dome. This can mean many different things, and there have never been two days that I’ve worked on the same projects.

Some recurring tasks include taking and booking group ticket orders; working on mass-email blasts, social media sites, and the Tacoma Dome website; helping coordinate various aspects of the venue’s VIP club; and working nights of major concerts and events to help out wherever I’m needed.

CES: How did you find this internship?

Kevin: A couple of my friends had done this internship in the past, and I always heard about how much they loved it. So I got the contact info for the right person to talk with at the Dome from one of these friends, went in for an interview, and the rest is history.
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April is Student Employment Month, when we recognize and celebrate student staff members for their important contributions to the Puget Sound community.

It’s also a time to both thank supervisors for their support of the student employment program, and highlight the importance of their role in students’ career/professional development.

We asked several campus supervisors and partners to reflect on ways in which their department helps student staff members achieve their best work for the university, and how they support students’ career development.

Creating meaning through context

Student work is vitally important to institutional success. How can supervisors communicate to students that their work is meaningful?

Sarah Comstock, assistant director of student activities
for the Wheelock Student Center, hires and supervises students who run the Information Center. “From the beginning of their interview with me, student staff are given information on why their job is so important. ‘You are the front line to this campus’ is my typical starting line.”

Melissa Flood, assistant director of Dining and Conference Services:
“We explain the ways in which their work supports the overall goals of the department (and therefore the university), providing financial opportunities—and, quite honestly, often emotional support.”

Mike Rottersman, associate director of admission:
“The Campus Visit and Campus Tour programs have a significant impact on the likelihood for a prospective student to apply and enroll at Puget Sound. The work they do has a direct impact on the future of this institution.”

Jane Carlin, director of Collins Memorial Library:
“We’ve started a quality service training program for all of our student employees, which has been a great way to receive input and ideas from students, and also to bring students together from our many diverse departments.”
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In recent weeks, a number of alumni and other speakers have been on campus talking about their career path and advice they would offer students. The concept of “leaving a trail” emerged as a common theme.

We often think of a resume as the go-to resource for applying for positions. However, it’s important to think more broadly. Yes, absolutely, you need to have a great resume. But it’s also important to think about other ways that you can demonstrate to an employer the skills and competencies you bring to the table. Many of you (if not all) are already leaving a trail; the next step is to showcase relevant items to a prospective employer.

“Show, don’t tell” that you can do the work, says Lloyd Tabb, Tech Industry Titan. “If [an employer] is interviewing two candidates, and one has a portfolio demonstrating what he has produced or made, and the other does not, which of the two do you think will get hired?”

Jim Sharp ’75 of Comedy Central talked about the ways some of the talent got their Comedy Central gigs—some started on YouTube including the popular Workaholics. In fact, Jim said that there are staff members at Comedy Central who look at YouTube to discover budding directors, writers, and actors.

Cindy Hammel ’02 who has worked in advertising across the globe talked about how many companies are now turning to consumers to create their advertising like in the Doritos Crash the Superbowl Ad contest.

You don’t have to win a contest or be discovered on YouTube to leave a trail. There are many ways to do so; in fact, you may already be doing some of these:
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Despite his associations with Netscape and Mozilla, Lloyd Tabb—Puget Sound parent, and technology entrepreneur from Silicon Valley—insists that his career is based on doing unglamorous work. He avoids trendy, overly-saturated areas and hones in on projects that need to be done, but which others may not find attractive.

Using this approach, Lloyd has successfully launched numerous start-ups (and invested in even more), including one that led to his appointment as principal architect at Netscape, and becoming a co-founder of Mozilla.org.

Career and Employment Services (CES) hosted Lloyd for a day of presentations and conversations. What other insight did this tech titan have to offer?
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