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2013-2014
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Table of Contents Graduation & Beyond Tough Love Tips for Getting Hired After College What to do if you don’t have a Job at Graduation Your First Year on the Job
3 9 11
Career Strategies Locating and Applying for Internships Learn to Work a Career Fair- Before, During and After Top 10 Career Strategies for Freshmen and Sophomores
6 13 16
Department of Career and Testing Services Hours
Galloway Business Building, Suite 102 409.880.8878 M-F 8am - 5pm
Lamar Labs T-Th 8am - 5pm Prometric Labs M-F 8am-5pm
Spring 2014 Seminars & Events Coffee, Cocoa & Critiques Thursday, January 23rd 9:00 am - 10:30 am Career Services Offices (GB 102) Texas Job Fair Thursday, February 6th 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Rice University Gibbs Wellness & Recreation Center
First Best Steps Wednesday, January 29th 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Landes Auditorium (GB 101)
STEM Career Fair Tuesday, February 11th 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm By Invitation Only
Resume Seminar Tuesday, February 4th 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Landes Auditorium (GB 101)
Internships 101 Wednesday, February 12th 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Landes Auditorium (GB 101)
Teambuilding Thursday, February 6th 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Landes Auditorium (GB 101)
Meet the Firms Thursday, February 20th 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm By Invitation Only
Ethics Seminar Monday, February 24th 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Landes Auditorium (GB 101)
LinkedIn Seminar Monday, March 3rd 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Landes Auditorium (GB 101)
Spring Career Fair Thursday, March 6th 10 :00 am - 12:00 pm McDonald Gym
How to Influence Tuesday, March 18th 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm Landes Auditorium (GB 101)
Speed Interviewing Tuesday, March 25th 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Setzer Center, Room 210
Finding Your Strengths Wednesday, March 26th 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Landes Auditorium (GB 101)
College of Business Alumni Panel Wednesday, April 2nd 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Landes Auditorium
Job Search Strategies Tuesday, April 8th 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Landes Auditorium (GB 101)
Beyond the Backpack Wednesday, April 9th 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Landes Auditorium (GB 101)
Credit Management Seminar Wednesday, April 16th 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Landes Auditorium (GB 101)
Educators’ Career Fair Thursday, April 17th 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm McDonald Gym
Construction Management Forum Thursday, April 24th 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Setzer Center Ballroom
For a list of our upcoming events, please visit careerservices.lamar.edu
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Tough-Love Tips for Getting Hired After College by Erin Palmer
Consider me a cautionary tale. I was one of many misguided college graduates who underestimated how difficult it would be to find a job after graduation. I didn’t expect to collect my diploma and walk into a sea of headhunters waiting to hire me, but I had no idea that it would take me a year after graduation to find a job in my field. I thought I was doing things right. I took my classes really seriously, got good grades and built relationships with my professors. I paid my own way through school, so I had to balance a full-time job with being a full-time student. Unfortunately, my crazy schedule left no time for internships (or sleep). Now my younger sister is in college, and I’m determined to make sure she doesn’t go through the same post-college struggles that I did. College students, please heed the following advice. Your wallet and your sanity will thank me later.
1. Don’t wait until graduation to start your job search It sounds obvious, but this is a common mistake. I told myself I was too busy, which was true. But I should have made the time. Job-hunting is a long process that takes patience. In fact, when I finally got an interview for my current job, it was after months of checking the company’s website for an appropriate opening. I knew I wanted to work here, so I kept checking until a position opened up that I was qualified for. Start making your post-college career plans as soon as possible.
2. Show off your skills A resume can only say so much, particularly when you don’t have a lot of experience yet. Consider starting a blog, creating a website or making a video to show off your specific talents. Listing “strong writing skills” on my resume isn’t nearly as effective as showcasing those skills with particular examples of my work. To really capture a company’s attention, try making your site or blog tailored specifically to your dream job. This will give you an opportunity to show how much you’ve researched the company and the requirements of your desired position. For example, if you want a technical writing position, put together a sample proposal as if you already had the job. This not only shows what you can do, but also gives the company examples of the ideas that you would bring to the position.
3. Be an active intern The “go get me some coffee” internship stereotype exists for a reason. Just because you’re assigned menial tasks doesn’t give you an excuse to be passive. Ask for more difficult tasks. Offer your ideas. Find out about what the company’s hiring process is like. Talk to your superiors and seek out a mentor. Get descriptions of entry-level positions within the company and work towards gaining the necessary skills to land them. One of my friends from college had a company create a position for her after graduation because they were so impressed with her as an intern. It isn’t enough to land an internship. Make yourself indispensable. The LINK| 3
6 Tough-Love Tips for Getting Hired After College
4. Apply high One of my favorite college professors advised me not be afraid to “apply high.” She said this after I complained that every job I wanted required years of experience that I did not yet have. She told me just because a job has specific requirements didn’t mean I shouldn’t try for it if I believed I was capable of performing. I admit, I thought my resume would get thrown away as soon as employers realized that I didn’t meet every requirement. Yet when I found out about the opening for my current position, I went for it despite my minimal experience. I wrote a strong cover letter that got my resume through the door. I came to the interview confident and wellprepared. And even though I didn’t meet each job requirement on paper, I still got the job. As a newbie to the workforce, you have to be ready to prove that you can do it — but it’s well worth the fight.
5. Network here, there and everywhere Though the job market isn’t ideal right now, new graduates have an incredible array of networking tools at their disposal. Use every single one of them. Maximize every possible resource. Streamline all of your social media pages to reflect your job search. Use your LinkedIn and Facebook contacts to connect to new people in your field or people that work at companies that you’re interested in. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that networking ends on the computer. Talk to any and everyone you can that might be able to help you. Use your internship, your job, your professors and friends of your mom. Job-hunting is not the time to be timid.
6. Be a realistic dreamer People always advise “do what you love,” and students often apply this philosophy when deciding what to study. The truth is, certain majors are more likely to lead to a job. I believe that people should chase their dreams, but I’m also a realist. If you major in esoteric knowledge, your job options will be far more limited than someone who majors in accounting. You have to figure out a way to make your dream job work in the real world. I majored in writing, so I’m no stranger to disdainful comments about my job prospects. If I had a dollar for every person who made a writing major joke to me, I wouldn’t even need a job; I could retire early and work on my novel. Though fiction is my one true love, I took every possible writing class while I was in college. By graduation I had experience in fiction, nonfiction, technical writing, journalism, publication editing and design, writing for advertising, writing for public relations and writing for broadcast. I wanted to be as well-rounded as possible to increase my job options. Though I now write in a corporate environment, I love my job. I might not be on the shelves of Barnes and Noble (yet), but I am getting paid to write. I am pursuing my dream and paying my bills at the same time. It might have taken a year after graduation to get here, but I’m here now. The lesson: Don’t wait for the perfect job to land in your lap. Work hard, network and don’t give up on your dreams — just be smart about them Courtesy of blog.Brezen Careerist.com The LINK| 4
Coffee, Cocoa & Critiques Thursday, January 23rd 9:00 am - 10:30 am GB 102
Grab a cup of coffee or cocoa, get your resume critiqued and meet our staff.
Locating and Applying for Internships by Amy Marie Charland and Mary Ann Lawson
An internship allows you to test your career objectives, helps you identify your talents, and directs you toward an appropriate career, while helping you acquire essential practical and professional skills you need in the business world. It also lets you see how well you fit into a specific company's culture. But finding an internship takes some preparation. Before setting out to find an internship, ask yourself these questions:
s Where do I want to do an internship? My hometown? Out-of-state? s What type of work would I like to do? In what field? s What type of organization would I like to do an internship for? s What do I want to gain from an internship? What specific skills or experiences do I want to acquire? Locating opportunities
After you've answered these questions, you're ready to start searching for internships. Here are some suggestions for locating employers and internship opportunities:
s Visit your career services office. Many offices have internship listings and may be able to help you locate other resources such as books, employer files and directories, and websites.
s Check with your academic adviser to see if your department maintains listings of internship opportunities in your field
of study. s Attend job fairs. Employers often use fairs to identify students for internships as well as for full-time employment. s Visit the websites of companies where you might want to do your internship so that you can tailor your resume and cover letter to the employer. s Contact the Chamber of Commerce of the city where you would like to work to obtain information about local s employers. Network. Talk with friends, family, co-workers, supervisors, instructors, administrators, and professionals in your field of s study, and let them know you are searching for an internship.
Applying for an internship
Each employer has its own application process. Does the company want you to apply online? What is the deadline? What will the employer need from you to make your application complete? Start the process early. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Keep your resume to one page.
s Place contact information at the top of your resume. Include your name, address, and phone number. s Use an objective near the top of your resume that is general enough to encompass all the opportunities you would consider but specific enough to let the reader know what type of position you seek.
s Your education section should include your degree, major and minor, anticipated graduation date, and name and location of the college you are attending. You may also want to include a list of related course work.
s Describe your related experience using action verbs. s Visit your career services office for sample resumes and have a career counselor review your resume. The LINK| 6
Locating and Applying for Internships
You will also need to write a cover letter to accompany your resume. Structure your letter along these lines: First paragraph—State your purpose for writing—your interest in the internship opportunity. Second paragraph—Highlight your education, experience, and personal qualities that you can bring to the position. Final paragraph—This is your "action" paragraph. Ask for an interview and let the employer know how you plan to follow up. Include information that will help the employer contact you for an interview. Close—Thank the employer for considering your application. Make your cover letter reflect your personality and unique qualities while also showing off your great writing skills. Proofread. Remember that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
Choosing an internship
Your final task is to select the internship opportunity that is the best match for you. Review your goals for doing an internship and choose the opportunity that best meets those goals. An internship offers many benefits, including: Valuable experience. Many employers want to hire people who have experience and can step into the job and be productive right from the start. Information. An internship will help you make contacts, get ideas, and learn about the field. Practical application. You will have the chance to apply theories learned in the classroom to a real-world setting. When you return to the classroom after your internship, you will better understand the many nuances of business operations that relate to the theories you study. In many cases, an internship can lead to a job offer. Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
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Career Fair Science
Technology
Engineering
Math
Tuesday, February 11th 3-5 pm McDonald Gym The Spring 2014 STEM Career Fair is sponsored by the Lamar University Department of Career and Testing Services in partnership with the College of Engineering and the Student Engineering Council. Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors with a GPA of 2.8 and higher within the following fields: Science - Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Forensic
Chemistry and Geology Technology - Computer Science and Computer Information Systems Engineering - Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Industrial Technology and Mechanical Engineering
Mathematics
This event is by invitation only. Students will receive an invitation via their Lamar University email accounts.
What to Do If You Don’t Have a Job at Graduation Keep going! Be persistent in your job search. Get up every day as if you’re going to work, and spend time identifying and researching employers. Contact employers and schedule appointments. Make your job search your job! Register. Sign up on job-search engines. Stay current and active on business networks like LinkedIn or social media sites like Facebook where you can find company profiles. Work your network. Contact alumni in your field. Remind your contacts that you’re still looking for a job. Make new contacts by joining professional groups in your area. Call on the career center. Even though you’ve graduated, your college’s career center is ready to help. Use all the online resources the career center offers. Take a temp job. Temporary work will give you a way to pay your bills, and will help build the skills and experience that employers want. Plus, temp work will give you more contacts for your network, and may lead to a full-time job. Some organizations use temp positions as a stepping stone into full-time employment. Get your foot in the door. Some employers offer internships to recent graduates. You may find part-time positions at a company for which you want to work. This could be effective, especially in an organization that hires from within. If you do a great job, you become an excellent candidate for a full-time position. Look for ways to build new skills. Volunteer opportunities, like temp work, will open your network to new people and new opportunities. It can also help you develop new skills that will make you a more appealing job candidate.
Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
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Want to spring into a new career? Looking for an off campus part-time or full-time non-degreed or full-time degreed job?
Ad
Bring copies of your resume! Dress to impress!
Spring Career Fair Thursday, March 6th 10 am-12 pm McDonald Gym
Your first year on the job is a great opportunity to learn more about yourself, assess your strengths and weaknesses, and start devising a long-term career path.
Your First Year on the Job
It seems like a lot to accomplish in 12 short months, but as any seasoned employee will tell you, the first year is one of the most crucial for both personal and professional growth, so it’s important to get as much as you can from it. Master the Basics As a new hire, it’s natural for you to want to dazzle your boss with your knowledge, revolutionary ideas, and unwavering team spirit. These are all important, but your first job is to demonstrate that you have mastered the basics: Show up on time every day, ready and willing to work, and dressed appropriately.
Sound simple? Many employers report an alarming shortage of qualified, enthusiastic job applicants who can be trusted to report to work each day. Your first job in your new job is to demonstrate your reliability, trustworthiness, and enthusiasm. Know What’s Expected It’s critical that you understand your job, your supervisor’s expectations, and how you fit into the larger picture of the company. Consequently, ask as many questions as you need to do your job well and learn about the organization and its culture. Don’t worry about looking foolish; it’s more foolish to pretend you know something (and risk getting it wrong) than to admit up front you don’t. It’s also important to find out about your organization’s performance review process and terminology—such as “meets expectations” and “exceeds expectations.” You can’t meet or exceed expectations if you don’t know what they are! Watch and Learn While it might be tempting to contribute ideas at every staff meeting or team-building session, it is generally better for you as a new hire to sit back and observe your co-workers before jumping into a discussion. You don’t want to come across as a “know-it-all,” or as dismissive of the knowledge and insight those senior to you have. Listen. Pay attention. Not only will you gain information that is relevant to your job, but also you will learn about your company’s culture and your co-workers’ distinctive personalities. You will also learn quickly that the working world is very different from the insular life on campus. During your first year (and beyond) it’s important to have a mentor. Long term, a mentor can help you reach your career goals, but initially, your mentor’s main role is to help you navigate the unwritten rules of your organization, coach and counsel you, give you feedback and insight, and help you get on—and stay on—the right path. Many organizations have formal mentor programs: If yours does, be sure to take advantage. If there is no formal program, seek out an informal mentor or mentors. Closing Out the Year New hires in virtually every industry can expect a yearly performance review, and some employers require them at the end of the 90-day probationary period, or after the new hire’s first six months of employment. Seek out constructive feedback periodically so there are no surprises at your review. This will also help you correct mistakes or improve your processes quickly. Use your performance review to your professional advantage. Build on your supervisor’s comments to assess your work style and improve your performance. Your review can help you get to the next step in your career. With the right combination of a strong work ethic, the willingness to learn and improve, and the ability to accept constructive feedback, this year can be an amazing learning opportunity, and can help you lay the foundation for later career success. Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
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Speed Interviewing Tuesday, March 25, 2013 Setzer Student Center, Room 210 10:00 am -12:00 pm Be sure to bring several copies of your resume and dress to impress!
Ad -Work on your interviewing skills to help you nail your next job interview! - Gain vital tips from area professionals and recruiters.
Learn to Work a Career Fair Before, During and After
By Peter Vogt, Monster Senior Contributing Writer
It isn't often that a bunch of employers will gather for several hours in a purposeful effort to meet you and other job seekers. So when a career fair is held in your area, it's smart for you to attend. But to get something from the experience beyond a few free key chains, you need to understand what you should do before, during and after the career fair -- and then follow through.
Before 1. Develop a Strong Resume: Highlight your skills and accomplishments. Your resume should be error-free, concise
and graphically pleasing. Don't forget to make several copies, since you'll probably visit with more than one employer.
2. Get or Make Business Cards: You can buy blank business cards at stores like Office Depot, and then use a computer and laser printer to create some personalized cards. List your name, contact information, and perhaps the career you'd like to pursue or your key skills. 3. Study the Organizations Attending the Fair: Nothing impresses an employer less than a prospective candidate
asking, "So what do you guys do?" Instead, be one of the few attendees who know something about each of the companies. The more informed you are, the more likely you will be positively remembered.
4. Develop a 30-Second Commercial: "Tell me a little about yourself." You're likely to get that invitation from many of
the employers at the fair. So spend a little time beforehand figuring out your response. Think of your reply as a 30-second, self-promotional commercial you'll deliver to each employer who asks. The LINK| 13
Learn to Work a Career Fair Before, During and After
During
1. Introduce Yourself and Shake Hands: In many ways, a career fair is a test of your social skills. While employers
are almost always friendly and outgoing, they'll expect the same of you. If you haven't done much ice breaking before, practice in advance with a career counselor or friend.
2. Dress Appropriately: In most cases, you'll want to dress professionally to attend a career fair. Sometimes business casual is fine, but don't go too casual. When in doubt, overdress. 3. Ask Intelligent Questions: If you've studied up on the organizations, you'll probably have some questions you'd like to ask. Not only will you get some answers, but you'll also show yourself to be someone who does his research.
4. Focus on What You Can Offer: You'll be a refreshing change to most company representatives if you tell them
what you can do for them and their organizations instead of asking what they can do for you.
5. Leave Your Resume and Card with Each Representative: Then be sure to grab each representative's card.
After 1. Take Notes: After the fair concludes, jot down notes about conversations you had with company representatives. If
you wait too long, the conversations will start running together in your head, and you'll forget what you said to whom.
2. Follow Up on Promises: If, for example, a company representative expressed interest in looking at your Web site, make sure to email the URL like you said you would.
3. Send Thank-You Notes: Write or email each of the people you met and thank them for their time. Reiterate your interest in the company and your relevant skills and experience. Most job seekers fail to take this simple step, often losing out in the end to those who did express their thanks.
There will be few other times in your life when employers will make such a concerted bid to get your attention. So when they participate in a nearby career fair, make the most of the opportunity to present yourself favorably, gather useful information and meet new contacts. Your small investment of time and effort -- before, during and after -- might very well turn into an opportunity you wouldn't have otherwise had.
Spring 2014 Career Fairs Texas Job Fair 2/6/14 | 10 am - 3 pm | Rice University Gibbs Wellness & Recreation Center STEM Career Fair 2/11/14 | By Invitation Only Spring Career Fair 3/6/14 | 10 am - 12 pm | Mc Donald Gym Educator’s Career Fair 4/17/14 | 1 pm - 3 pm | McDonald Gym The LINK| 14
Over 100 Employers offering Jobs & Internships View Employer List @ www.HACCC.org
February 6, 2014 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Rice University
Gibbs Wellness & Recreation Center JOB FAIR TIPS
Questions?
Professional Dress Recommended Bring Plenty of Resumes Practice your Introduction Research Employers Follow-up with Employers after Event
Lamar University Department of Career & Testing Services Galloway Business Building Suite 102 ph: 409-880-8878
Sponsored by the Houston Area Consortium of Career Centers
Top 10 Career Strategies for Freshmen and Sophomores By Bob Orndorff
You control your career destiny! Just going to class and picking up your diploma after four years doesn't cut it. You need to become active on and off campus. Becoming marketable to employers or graduate schools is a four-year job. Here are the top 10 things you can do during college to make yourself marketable at job-search time. In fact, if you do all 10 of these, you'll be unstoppable:
1. Keep your grades up Employers and graduate schools want candidates with good grades. That will probably never change. Doing well academically not only proves that you have a good knowledge base, but indicates a strong work ethic—a trait that employers value.
2. Identify your interests, skills, values, and personal characteristics The first step to clarifying your career goals is to go through a process of self-assessment. Visit your career center and take advantage of the self-assessment instruments it has to offer
3. Actively explore career options You owe it to yourself to find a career that enriches your life, not one that brings you down. Actively exploring careers means talking with professionals in occupations of interest and observing professionals on the job. Your career center probably has alumni and other volunteers who are willing to talk to you about their careers. Also, attend any career expos, career fairs, and career speaker panels that are offered.
4. Become active in extracurricular activities and clubs Active involvement in activities and clubs on campus is highly valued by employers and graduate schools. Joining a club is fine, but becoming active within that club is what matters most. Become a leader, hold an office, or coordinate an event. You will develop your skills in leadership and teamwork—skills that recruiters covet!
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Top 10 Career Strategies for Freshmen and Sophomores
5. Get involved in community service t's important that you begin to understand and appreciate the importance of giving back to your community, and that you live in a larger community than your college or hometown. Typically, students look at community service as a chore. After they've served, however, it's usually one of the most rewarding experiences they've had! Recruiters love to see that you've volunteered to help in your community.
6. Develop your computer skills Take advantage of the computer courses and workshops your college offers. You can also learn a lot by just experimenting with different software packages on your own. Finally, you should learn how to develop your own web page or web-based portfolio. There are many web-design software tools that make it real easy to develop your own web page! Contact your college's information technology office to see how to get started.
7. Develop your writing skills Over and over, company and graduate school recruiters complain about the lack of writing skills among college graduates. Don't avoid classes that are writing intensive. Work at developing your writing skills. If there is a writing center on campus, have them take a look at your papers from time to time. Remember, the first impression you give to recruiters is typically your cover letter or personal statement.
8. Complete at least one internship in your chosen career field More and more, internships are the springboards to employment and getting into graduate programs. Many recruiters say that when they need to fill entry-level jobs, they will only hire previous interns. In addition to making yourself more marketable, internships also are a great way to explore careers and determine whether or not certain careers are for you. When you work for a company as an intern for three to four months, you get a really good feel for whether the field (and company) is one in which you want to work day in and day out!
9. Gain an appreciation of diversity through study abroad, foreign languages and courses We are now, more than ever, working within a global work force. For you to be successful at work and in your life, you must stretch yourself, and learn about people and cultures different than yours. Take advantage of the wonderful study-abroad opportunities and the courses relating to diversity. This is your time to travel! Most people find it harder to take time to travel as they begin their careers and start families.
10. Use your career center all four years Your college career center can help you throughout your entire college career. Here is just a sampling of what your career center can help you do: -Choose your major and career direction, -Explore career options, -Obtain an internship, -Write a resume and cover letter, -Develop your interviewing skills, -Identify your skills, interests, and values, -Develop a job-search or graduate school plan, -Connect you with prospective employers (career fairs, on-campus recruiting, and more), and -Connect you with alumni mentors. Remember, you control your career destiny. Don't wait until your senior year to start realizing your goals. Your career train is on the move. Jump on board now so you can reach your destination! Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
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Thursday, April 17, 2014 1-3 pm McDonald Gym
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Local and State School Districts Looking for Qualified Candidates Line up your future! Dress to impress and bring copies of your resume
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LamarUnivCTC Lamar University Career and Testing Services LamarUnivCTC
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Lamar University Career Services | Galloway Business Building, Suite 102 | Phone: 409.880.8878 ||careerservices.lamar.edu