Spring Career Guide 2020

THE DAILY ILLINI

CAREER GUIDE Monday, January 27, 2020

Monday, January 27, 2020

2

The Daily Illini

The Daily Illini

Monday, January 27, 2020

3

‘Rise and grind’ mentality can have negative impact

BY CLARE BUDIN ASSISTANT SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

It’s a phrase on phone alarms, stickered on expensive water bottles and laptops and stamped in countless Instagram bios: “rise and grind.” It’s a phrase that, at face value, seems like an innocent encouragement to spend every day working hard to achieve your goals and celebrate your passions. However, as the motto has been endlessly trademarked and hasgained popularity from cutthroat college students to wealthy celebrities, some have begun to view a more insidious side of the slogan that only puts a particularly stressed-out Generation Z at greater risk of burnout, selfloathing and endless comparison of others’ achievements to their own. There are many reasons why the popularity of “rise and grind” culture is so problematic and how you can enter your career without being a slave to its expectations.

In her Oscars acceptance speech after winning Best Song for “Shallow” from “A Star is Born,” Lady Gaga attracted both praise and criticism when she sent a message to those at home to keep working hard and “if (they) have a dream, fight for it.” Of course, this message was well-intentioned, but many saw this, and other messages from privileged celebrities and CEOs, as yet another contribution to building the mirage of the American Dream, which supposedly rewards hard work and passion consistently and equally.

Unfortunately, there is little to no evidence to support this American Dream existing, at least for the current generation entering into higher education and the workforce.

For example, in Lady Gaga’s original arena of music performance, according to Digital Music News, “80% of artists receive less than one new Facebook like per day,” and, “overall, over 90.7% of artists can be considered ‘undiscovered.’” Does this major discrepancy between the no-name artists and superstars exist because the superstars are inherently far better and harder working? Of course not.

And who could forget Donald Trump downplaying his support in business from his incredibly successful father as receiving “a small loan of a million dollars,” while other voraciously hard-working investors and business owners from modest backgrounds will never be able to lounge around all day.

The popularity of “rise and grind” is yet another way for those on top to push those at the bottom to feverishly deny the reality that the American system is not, and never was, created equal. It also causes them to believe that their failure isn’t due to a flaw in the system that must be changed, but a flaw in themselves. It must be they aren’t “grinding” hard enough and not because others working toward the same goal were handed unique privileges and benefits (or maybe just had better luck).

MARK CAPAPAS THE DAILY ILLINI

Students study during finals week at Grainger Engineering Library on May 6. Assistant special sections editor Clare proposes the “rise and grind” approach students may take on when adjusting to college life can lead to burnout, comparison to others and other negative effects.

Endless self-comparison has already flourished under social media apps like Instagram, where you can spend hours ogling influencer trips to Santorini you can’t take, parties you’ll never be invited to, celebrities you can’t meet and mansions you can’t afford. Now, with “rise and grind,” influencers with “entrepreneur” in their bio can claim their Bentley and house in the Hills were earned after years of grinding and hustling without affording any time to themselves. This leaves ambitious students and graduates feeling challenged to test how hard they’re willing to work, stress and sacrifice to achieve the same lifestyle.

This growing “work hard, play never” mentality has contributed to a young workforce that is more stressed, depressed and lonely than ever before.

According to the American Psychological Association, “more than nine in 10 Gen Z adults (91%) said they have experienced

at least one physical or emotional symptom because of stress, such as feeling depressed or sad or lacking interest, motivation or energy.” Additionally, “only half of all Gen Zs feel like they do enough to manage their stress,” which may include exercising, eating healthy and socializing that their non-stop lifestyles simply leave no time to include.

Contrary to what you may believe, reader, this article is not meant to discourage driven Generation Z-ers to give up on their dreams or stop working toward their goals. Rather, it is meant to encourage those trapped in the toxic “rise and grind” mindset to take a step back and begin to balance their goals with their health and happiness. While celebrities and influencers alike create an image of Nirvanalike bliss and personal achievement at the top, those who do reach their highest improbable goals at the expense of health, fun and relationships may be greeted with more loneliness

and personal dissatisfaction than ever before.

Instead of grinding or hustling, it’s time to push personal balance and happiness as a true measure of success, as well as teach new workers to know when they’re being overworked or taken advantage of by a boss or workplace rather than giving in to pressures of being the best at all cost. In time, I hope Gen Z will be able to confidently “rise and live life” for all it has to offer, even inside a competitive workplace.

The mantra of “follow your dreams” is something ingrained into the heads of most Americans from an early age. It gives us the hopeful message that no matter where you come from and what obstacles you may face, you will succeed if you work hard and are kind to others.

Clare is a sophomore in Media. claredb2@dailyillini.com

4

Dominate your next job hunt with these resources the next few months. All in all, Handshake is a useful and easy tool for students to utilize.

BY AVA TRAVERSO SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

In the world of careers and internships, the hunt for the right fit can seem intimidating at first glance. However, you are not alone in your search, and you don’t have to feel frightened by it. Along with the thousands of students who are going through the same trials and tribulations you are, it can be helpful to find resources to simplify the employment search. Here is a compilation of a few out of the multitude of campus resources for job searching students.

Go to The Career Center

The Career Center, located on 715 S. Wright St., offers tons of valuable resources for students to utilize. Some of these include career and major exploration guidance, tips for writing personal statements and cover letters, health profession-specific resources and interview tips. And these resources are just the ones they have on their website! Some of the other services The Career Center provides in their office include 30-minute career coaching sessions, 60-minute mock interview sessions and 30-minute health professions advising sessions to name a few. They also have the “career closet,” which is an excellent

Utilize college-specific resources

BRIAN BAUER THE DAILY ILLINI

The Career Center is located on 715 S. Wright St. The center offers students many professional resources free of charge.

resource that offers free, gently used, professional clothing for students in preparation for upcoming interviews and job fairs. No matter what your needs may be, The Career Center can be sure to help meet them.

Even though the University offers resources all students cantake advantage of, many colleges here offer different services for their specific students. Some of these include the Gies College of Business (which offers its own personal site called Gies Groups), the Grainger College of Engineering (they offer the service of being able to book rooms for interviews) and the Humanities Professional Resource Center (which offers a specific humanities network to communicate with alumni). If your college is not listed here, there are more than likely resources officed through your specific department as well.

Now that you have been armed with these tips and tricks for the job hunt, it can become a less dreadful prospect. Going into the unknown of job-searching can now be exciting and educational. Now go forth and seek the right career for you.

a free account through the service; they just have to claim the account. Handshake is great because it allows you to search through jobs and internships that have been vetted by the University so you know you are applying for a credible and legitimate position. Handshake also boasts a user-friendly interface with features such displaying “New Jobs RecommendHandshake is our University’s equivalent ed for You,” “Positions Popular in Your Major” of LinkedIn. Upon enrollment, every student and a tab on campus showing a calendar of Ava is a junior in ACES. at the University automatically gets access to the career fairs and applications due over avat2@dailyillini.com

Sign up for Handshake

Applying to law school just got a whole lot easier.

Housing Find your next home with

The Illinois College of Law does not require an LSAT or GRE score.*

The Daily Illini

Learn more about our program & apply. law.illinois.edu/apply

Start and end your housing hunt today!

housing.dailyillini.com *Only applicable for current University of Illinois undergraduate students

The Daily Illini

Monday, January 27, 2020

5

Follow your own path despite outside pressures

BY MEGHAN LYONS STAFF WRITER

Everyone seems to have their lives figured out. So many students have clear-cut visions of becoming surgeons, lawyers or pharmacists.

They all follow the same road: Get good grades, get a good test score, get admitted into a top graduate school and settle down into their designated trade.

It can be lonely when it seems you are the only one that has fallen behind the rest of the pack.

As far back as I can recall, I have been stuck in what feels like a state of stagnancy. I am a sophomore, nearly halfway through my college days. By this point, previously unsure students have begun to figure out their calling.

As for me, what I want to do for the rest of my life is Schrödinger’s paradox: I am completely uncertain whether the cat inside the box is dead or alive — the cat, of course, being my future career.

I came into college as an undeclared freshman, originally hoping to transfer into a major that would bring an abundance of job opportunities in the future. With this logic in mind, I looked into a variety of different majors, mostly within STEM. I ended up not attracted to any of them. As someone who is heavily right-brained,

I became distraught and discouraged at this.

I say I am uncertain, but at the same time, I knew exactly what kind of career I want. I picture my future workplace as one that is freeing and welcomes creativity and innovation. Unfortunately, the outlook on the future seems to be

is perceived to be the blow-off major favored by those who prefer not to recall their college days. Whenever I am questioned about my major, I usually get the same response: “What are you going to do with that?” Immediately I answer with a lie, saying I want to go into business. The truth is, I have no clue.

No — I don’t know what is inside the box, and that uncertainty is something I cannot instantly be rid of. But am I doing something about it to reduce my anxiety about the future? Yes. In the short time I’ve had in college, I have been busy recreating myself. And by recreating myself, I mean doing what I love. I have been writing, igniting change within my community, been politically active and working on multiple projects and campaigns. It may sound exhausting, but I genuinely believe the things I do will eventually bring me to where I want to be.

For other idealists, don’t fear. Continue to grab ahold of opportunities as they arise. EvenCASSIDY BRANDT THE DAILY ILLINI tually, the trees and overgrowth on your path will come to a clearing, and you will be exactly cold and hostile to those who aspire to work in in the right place. When that beautiful meadareas other than business or STEM. ow comes into view, it won’t matter if the cat At the end of my freshman year, I chose to is dead or not. declare a major in communication due to its flexibility and employability. From what I’ve Meghan is a sophomore in LAS. gathered here so far at college, communication mslyons2@dailyillini.com

“Want perks? We got them and more!”

STUDIOS 1 BEDROOM 2 BEDROOM & 3 BEDROOM

AVAILABILITY BURNHAM310.COM 310 E. Springfield Ave. Champaign, IL, 61820

217.239.2310

Amenities

• W/D in every apartment • Secure mail room & safe package pickup • Contemporary furnishings • Fitness on demand

• Bicycle/scooter storage • Secured building access • Pet-friendly • Less than a block from the nearest grocery store

Monday, January 27, 2020

6

The Daily Illini

DRESSING UP FOR CAREER FAIR? It’s the perfect time to get your

SENIOR PICTURE taken for the 2020 Illio Yearbook

FEBRUARY 17-29

Sign up at illioyearbook.com or call 217/337-8314 SENIOR PICTURES ARE BEING TAKEN AT: Illini Media at the University YMCA 1001 S Wright St, Champaign, IL 61820

illio yearbook

The Daily Illini

Monday, January 27, 2020

7

When it comes to career paths, choose ‘yes’

BY SHIVALI SHUKLA STAFF WRITER

I’ve completely lost track of the number of times someone has asked me what I want for dinner and I’ve responded with a conflicted “I don’t know.” Since I’m indecisive when confronted with even the smallest of decisions, you can imagine how much inner turmoil I dealt with when it came time to figure out what career path I wanted to go down. I had always had a lifelong passion for writing, but I also wanted to pursue STEM, so it was really hard for me to sit down and decide which subject I wanted to focus on. When I settled for one, I felt dissatisfied. Thinking that meant I wasn’t cut out for the choice I made, I picked the other option. Still, I felt incomplete.

It took me some time, but I eventually realized that my problem wasn’t in being unable to choose one path or the other. It was in having to make a choice in the first place when in reality, I didn’t have to. And you don’t either.

In thinking I had to narrow down my interests like “The Bachelor” has to narrow down his contestants, I was selling myself short and not thinking about the bigger picture: my future happiness. After working in a combined clinic and research lab one summer, I figured out ways in which I can mesh my interests in both writing and science to forge a career I would really love. That summer, I got firsthand experience working with patients while also having the opportunity to write about the research behind a clinical trial the lab was running. It was the best of both worlds for me. I ended up needing this experience to come to the conclusion that I can have it all because I had never even considered not having to choose one interest over the other. That’s why it’s important to get out there and play the field. Try out all your options, and speak to other professionals who may have more experience and can guide you in a direction that lets you keep all your passions close.

Similarly, my sister decided while she was in medical school that she really wanted to mesh a bit of computer science and engineering into her career. She is currently taking a year off to work in a lab allowing her to do them both, not pick between one or the other. If she can decide mid-career that she wants more, who’s to stop you from deciding the same for yourself right now?

While it may seem easier to combine certain interests over others, I think it all comes down to perspective. Coming from a family with an art background, I thought it was completely impossible to incorporate that knowledge into any profession I might choose. It was off the table, and I set it aside as a hobby. I was wrong, though. Even art and design are prominent necessities in every field, including STEM. Diagrams, graphics, cover art, etc., are all important parts of many professions.

There may be a little sacrifice involved if you

KAITLYN MIKRUT THE DAILY ILLINI

like designing trucks but end up in a field that works with flora and fauna, for example, as you may have to start drawing tulips instead of semis, but that sacrifice means you don’t have to give up what you love. If you get creative enough, there is always a need for diversity in every career. Being able to cater to a variety of interests sets you apart from someone who decided to give up the rest of what makes them

who they are to just focus on one small facet of their entire being.

Being able to offer a wider range of skill puts you at an advantage to make a bigger difference in a very demanding and competitive world. Not only that, but embracing more than just one of your passions is likely to result in a happier and more fulfilling career that doesn’t leave you feeling like you’re missing out on something. I

don’t think giving up one part of you over another is a recipe for success. No one should have to demote profound interests down to sideline hobbies. If you’re struggling to decide what you want to pursue like I was, maybe it’s a sign you don’t actually have to choose.

Shivali is a senior in AHS. sshukl5@dailyillini.com

8

BEN TSCHETTER THE DAILY ILLINI

Engineering students talk to company representatives at the Engineering Career Fair at the ARC on Sept. 11, 2018. Reaching out and asking questions to recruiters can be helpful in future job opportunities.

Turn rejection into a learning experience

BY CHRISTINE SHERIFF STAFF WRITER

The idea of being rejected can be a scary thought. To put it simply, rejection sucks no matter what the circumstances. However, in the professional world, rejection is often an unavoidable fact of life. Successful people do not learn to avoid being rejected but simply learn how to deal with it and use it as a learning opportunity for future experiences.

As students, the job hunt and internship selection process can be exhausting and frustrating. This can be especially tiring when it seems like all of your friends are posting their great job offers on LinkedIn. After submitting

what can seem like endless applications, not hearing back from an employer or seeing the dreaded “We have decided to continue our search…” in your inbox can be defeating, but it doesn’t have to be. One way to handle the situation is to use your rejection as a source of motivation for future endeavors. This means not dwelling on what you did wrong but looking at how you can improve yourself for the future, whether that means interviews or job fairs.

There are many factors that can come into play during the hiring process. With these factors comes a large number of other qualified

applicants waiting to hear back as well. Some of these factors are completely out of your control, but there are ones you can improve on personally. You can reach out to the recruiter/ interviewer and ask questions about how to improve yourself for future job opportunities.

Although you may not hear all the things you want to, this could be a good source to start as you prepare to submit future applications and go through interviews. As unlikely as it may sound, you can use rejection as a positive experience to reflect on for future situations and continue to grow and progress each time.

For me personally, one of the best ways to

handle it (even though it does not completely take away the disappointment if it is a job I really wanted) is to make sure I am not adding to the initial rejection by rejecting myself, too.

While it can be easy to take rejection personally, try to be nice to yourself in the aftermath.

Not getting that internship may hurt in the beginning, but it often means better things are coming. Take time out to give yourself a mental break and do something you love. You will be all the better for it.

Christine is a junior in LAS. sheriff3@dailyillini.com

The Daily Illini

9

Reap benefits from living at home

BY NOAH DAVIS STAFF WRITER

know if they can get a glass of water or relieve themselves without missing a scene.

In addition to doing the dishes and running tedious errands, other contributions my brother makes revolve around being the resident IT expert. Always being available at a moment’s notice to talk either of my parents through any technical difficulties they encounter has instilled them with a sense of gratitude and an inability to imagine a world without someone to remind them how useful restarting a computer can be.

If someone is in a position where they are looking for a job during this period, being at home is a great place to be able to utilize the offline networking resource those before us had relied upon, also known as nepotism. Part of the benefit of having your parents involved in the job hunt alongside you is if they come up unsuccessful, perhaps they might show sympathy (as opposed to resentment) toward you for free-loading. The flip side is if their efforts bear fruit, they very well could hold it over your head to guilt-trip you when they need something for years to come. This applies to most entry-level positions, so if you are just waiting for your DJ career to take off, there is less of a chance your family, other relatives or their friends are likely to be able to help you out.

According to the annual Illini Success Report from 2018, 91% of that year’s graduating class secured a first destination of employment, further education or a volunteer position within six months of graduation. Despite this, an article from Market Watch reported 28% of recent graduates are back living with mom and dad in the Chicago area.

Regardless of whether one has obtained gainful employment by the time they leave school, there is a decent chance they could be living at home at least for some transitional period. After taking notice of how my 24-year-old brother, who lives at home, has managed to stay on my parents’ good side for quite some time, I have picked up on contributions he has made around the house which has allowed him to stay in their good graces, and I thought I’d share a few of them.

One that stands out was his push for my parents to stop overpaying for cable and switch to YouTube TV. This cheaper alternative with just as much watchable content has them saving almost $90 a month even though they upgraded the bandwidth and kept multiple streaming subscriptions. Every time my parents sit on the couch to watch something, it is reinforced my brother is the one who made it happen. My Noah is a junior in Business. parents also like how the ads are timed, so they noahd3@dailyillini.com

MARK CAPAPAS THE DAILY ILLINI

A house sits on the corner of two streets in Urbana on Oct. 4. For recent graduates, living with their parents for a transitional period is often the most affordable option.

Monday, January 27, 2020

ALL NEW

DOWNLOAD FREE. LISTEN NOW. Apple and the Apple logo and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

Monday, January 27, 2020

The Daily Illini

10

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES Gain knowledge and skills for the future.

Gain knowledge and skills for the future.

Whether your professional goal is to transform lives through practice, research, service or leadership, the College of Health Sciences at Rush University can help you secure a rewarding future. We offer degree and certificate options that span the most in-demand health care specialties.

Audiology (AuD)

www.rushu.rush.edu/aud

Cardiovascular Perfusion (MS) www.rushu.rush.edu/perfusion

Clinical Nutrition (MS) and the Combined MS/Dietetic Internship www.rushu.rush.edu/nutrition www.rushu.rush.edu/cndi

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD) www.rushu.rush.edu/hs_phd

Health Sciences (BS) www.rushu.rush.edu/bshs

Health Systems Management (MS) www.rushu.rush.edu/hsm

Imaging Sciences (BS)

www.rushu.rush.edu/imagingsciences

Medical Laboratory Science (MS) www.rushu.rush.edu/mls

Occupational Therapy (OTD) www.rushu.rush.edu/occuth

Physician Assistant Studies (MS) www.rushu.rush.edu/pa-program

Respiratory Care (MS)

www.rushu.rush.edu/respiratorycare

Specialist in Blood Bank Certificate and Clinical Laboratory Management (MS) www.rushu.rush.edu/sbb www.rushu.rush.edu/clm

FOR MORE INFORMATION.

To learn about the admissions requirements and application process for your program of choice, or to register for an information session, visit www.rushu.rush.edu/health. For questions about admissions, contact the College of Health Sciences at CHS_Admissions@rush.edu.

Speech-Language Pathology (MS) www.rushu.rush.edu/slp

Vascular Ultrasound (BS) www.rushu.rush.edu/vastech

Monday, January 27, 2020

11

Pre-med student gives advice

At my appointment, I learned you are expected to have leadership roles, clinical experience, volunteer work and research involvement as well as a stellar GPA. But, all medical schools are different, and each one may want slight variations of that list. For example, one school might require a lot of research experience and another may want more volunteer hours. This makes it important that you research the requirements of the schools to which you are interested in applying.

Luckily, there is a website you can use for free at The Career Center that will show you exactly what different medical schools are interested in, and this resource can help you plan your college years accordingly.

Stay up-to-date by using online resources

Another great resource for pre-med students from The Career Center is their Compass page.

This page contains a ton of links about healthrelated RSOs, specific information about medicine and helpful tips about paying for school. Bella is a junior in LAS. Honestly, this page is amazing because it can pro- ikeys2@dailyillini.com

Gregory St. Loomis

Green St.

Green St.

LIVE CLOSE, SLEEP IN Illini Union

Lincoln Ave.

As you are looking into medical school, previous leadership roles are highly valued, and joining an RSO is a great start. So, medical schools are interested in students involved in groups tied to medicine or health. One way to quickly become involved in something medical is to join a premed or pre-health fraternity. These fraternities do involve a rush process, so there will be rounds where people will be cut, but joining is a great way to get involved. I know there will be different types of dress codes required during rush, so students who are interested should invest in some stylish business casual and business professional clothing.

Medical school is a very challenging goal, and a lot more work than getting good grades goes into it. So, it’s important to note the options outlined here are just suggestions, and getting denied from a medical fraternity is not going to break your career. Everyone takes a different route to get there, and there is no path better than another. If you’re interested in medical school, make sure to choose to major in something that interests you, volunteer doing things you are passionate about and find the research opportunities you want to be involved in. Don’t do things because you feel like you have a checklist that you need to mark things off of; do things that inspire you and make you want to be a better person.

Transportation Building

Illinois St.

Main Quad

• Fully furnished Goodwin Ave.

Know what is expected from you

Grainger

vide you with a ton of information, and it is always being updated. The medicine folder offers a lot of information about what medical schools are looking for and how you can help prepare yourself for the application process. In fact, there’s also a section dedicated to gaining experience, where it details volunteer opportunities, summer enrichment programs and ways to get involved with research.

Obtain leadership roles

Stoughton St.

Springfield Ave. Matthews Ave.

As a student who is just deciding to become pre-med late in my college career, I have been feeling the pressure to figure my life out and become as involved as possible. But, deciding to be pre-med and actually following through with it are two very different things.

To begin, the amount of requirements medical schools expect is a little overwhelming, especially when you listen to the stories of other students.

So, I decided to schedule an advising appointment at The Career Center to see what they had to say.

YOU COULD LIVE HERE

Siebel

Matthews Ave.

STAFF WRITER

North Quad

DCL

Wright St.

BY BELLA KEYS

Gregory St.

Goodwin Ave.

Wright St.

BRIGIDA DOCKUS THE DAILY ILLINI

The front doors of the College of Medicine stand on 506 S. Mathews Ave. Pre-med students face a lot of pressure to gain experience in their undergraduate years.

Lincoln Ave.

University Ave.

University Ave.

• Affordable • Minutes to Engineering Campus

Lincoln Ave.

The Daily Illini

• Newly remodeled units available

REMODLED UNITS INCLUDE: ☑ Stainless steel appliances ☑ New carpeting and flooring ☑ Replaced interior doors ☑ Brand new balconies ☑ and more...

www.baileyapartments.com

Monday, January 27, 2020

The Daily Illini

12

What am I supposed to do with my life?

BY CASSIE REICHERT STAFF WRITER

Your future career will affect almost all aspects of your life. Most people spend the majority of their lifetime in the workforce, so planning your career path is incredibly important. A job will take up your time, determine where and how you will live and affect your impact on the world. These are big things to think about, and even though we’re technically adults, a lot of the times we still feel like kids and don’t want to think about making these big decisions just yet. Here’s a starting framework to help you tackle the overwhelming question of “what am I supposed to do with my life?”

Think about what you enjoy doing

Because you will be working for a large chunk of your life, you probably want to be doing something that you like. Take the time to reflect on all of your hobbies, interests and

any jobs you’ve always had an interest in. That expensive vacations is important to you, you being said, we can’t all start at our dream job . have to factor that desire into your career search. Many jobs would be a great fit for you, but unless they pay a certain amount of money, you won’t be able to afford that type of lifestyle. How much you make is not the most important thing, but at the least you Maybe you’ve always wanted to be a bal- need to be able to make a living. lerina but can’t dance to save your life. Or maybe you dream of being a doctor, but you hate science classes with all of your heart. It’s a harsh reality, but you have to come to terms Research careers and majors you would with the fact that sometimes we just aren’t enjoy, be good at and that would fit your good at things, and they probably wouldn’t desired lifestyle. This is your best bet in findmake a good career for us. Another way to ing something that will check all of the boxfigure out if you would be good in a specific es. Most career or “what should my major field is to job shadow for internships. This is be?” quizzes can guide you toward fields that a surefire way to reveal if you think you could would best fit your standards. handle a similar job.

Discover what you’re actually good at

Look at the overlap

Consider your ideal lifestyle

If living a comfortable lifestyle or going on

What to do if my major/ job doesn’t fit these categories?

Your profession doesn’t have to be something you love. In fact, if you really love doing something it’s generally best not to turn it into a job. Many times people who have made a career out of something they do for pure enjoyment eventually lose passion for it because the work made them resent it. Additionally, if your career isn’t something you initially enjoy, you can still find purpose in it.

Finding meaning in your job, whether it be the help you provide to your clients, the value your work brings to society or the reason you need to be working, like family, can bring excitement to your workday, even if it’s not your original passion project.

These decisions are really serious, so it’s OK if you don’t have all the answers right now. You can always change your major, and you don’t have to stay at the same job for the rest of your life. Keep these things in mind and meet with your adviser if you need more guidance. Good luck!

Cassie is a sophomore in Business. crr5@dailyillini.com

CASSIDY BRANDT THE DAILY ILLINI

The Daily Illini

Monday, January 27, 2020

13

WRITE. DESIGN. BROADCAST. SELL. CREATE. MANAGE. INSPIRE.

Are you interested in getting valuable experience in a fun and professional setting?

Come to one of Illini Media’s

SPRING 2020 RECRUITMENT NIGHTS January 29th & 30th • 7pm • Greg Hall, Rm 3 (basement) Daily Illini Independent student newspaper

Buzz

Online entertainment magazine

Illio Yearbook at the University of Illinois

Technograph Quarterly engineering magazine

WPGU-FM 107.1 Commercial radio station

14

Build useful connections by learning to network

BY SONAL SINGH STAFF WRITER

Networking is the act of interacting with people, exchanging information and developing professional and social contacts. Regardless of the field you’re in, networking is an important skill. However, how many of you had to put yourselves out there and create connections before you entered college? Probably not too many. Below are a few quick tips that can help you get started with the process of creating a strong network.

Attend as many events as you possibly can

Yes, even the ones you don’t want to go to. If there is an event you think will be valuable but you’d rather skip, force yourself to go out and network. Don’t wait until you need something specific from people. It’s always good to build connections.

Whether the event has other students or recruiters present, you never know when you might be able to help someone or if someone might be able to help you in return.

Create meaningful relationships

touch with new contacts or maintaining correspondence with people you’re already familiar with, LinkedIn can be your best friend. Create an account and ensure it has your picture and your basic information, at the minimum.

This way, you can find your connections on LinkedIn and they can easily recognize you. The best way to break the ice is to reach out with a personal message addressing something you discussed during your initial conversation or letting them know how much you enjoyed getting to know them. It is best if you reach out to someone within 24 hours, but as long as you reach out in three to four days, you should be okay!

Your objective is not to come back home with hundreds of business cards from people you don’t recognize. Your goal should be to walk into an event and walk out with a handful of new contacts and the opportunity to reach out and learn more about them.

One way to ensure you’re engaging in meaningful conversation is to practice active listening.

When someone is talking to you, pay attention and withhold judgment. Additionally, reflect on what they say and ask clarifying questions.

Finally, summarize what they said in quick sentences, and don’t forget to share things about yourself.

And finally, the most important step is to remember their name! The best way to avoid forgetting it is to repeat it a few times during Finally, one important but often overlooked the initial conversation. aspect of networking: the impression you give off to the other person.

Dress to impress and exude confidence while at the same time remaining polite and friendly.

Networking at events can be useless if you Depending on the event you will be attending, forget about the conversation or the person make sure you’re either carrying business cards as soon as you walk out the door. The point or some other form of contact so people can get of meeting new people is to hopefully interact in touch with you in the future. with them at a later date. When trying to get in By using these tips, you don’t need to feel

How you come across and being prepared

Stay in touch

BEN TSCHETTER THE DAILY ILLINI

Engineering students talk to company representatives at the Engineering career fair at the ARC on Sept. 11, 2018. Attending as many events as possible strengthens the likelihood of leaving a lasting impression on companies.

scared to jump into the world of networking.

It might seem like a daunting task at first, but as with most things, practice makes perfect.

Sonal is a sophomore in Business. tssingh2@dailyillini.com

THE DAILY ILLINI PRESENTS

Spring 2020

SPRING HOUSING FAIR Wednesday, February 19th 11am to 2pm Illini Union South Lounge & Rooms B, C DON’T ROLL THE DICE WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING

The Daily Illini

Monday, January 27, 2020

15

Be advised: College planning assists in achieving goals and come in with a set of talking points. If you have an extensive laundry list of things to go over, Looking through the long list of stressors make sure to book two windows back-to-back college students face, making sure to gradu- to have adequate time. ate on time can be one of the biggest, with another close one being securing a job post- Make a four-year plan so graduation. While it can feel overwhelming with the pressure to make sure you are doing you can have guideline everything right during school, you do not have Making a four-year plan (or a plan for your to feel alone in your progress. One of the most remaining time at the University) is a beneficial valuable resources our University has to offer decision because it helps keep you on track and is that of our advisers. An academic adviser allows you to make quick adjustments if anything serves as a guide in aiding students to access changes or goes awry. This is especially smart if important University resources, set academic your major has a lot of classes that are semester goals and, in whole, make sure you are head- -or-year-specific, like if a course is only offered ing toward your desired outcome after college. during even or odd years.

It may seem intimidating to meet with your adviser if you have never spoken with them, If you are planning on but they truly are here to assist you. Here is a guide offering tips on what to ask your adviser studying abroad, your during your appointment.

BY AVA TRAVERSO

SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

and planning. Whether this is to get your financial situation in order or to make sure your schedule can accommodate a study abroad, planning ahead can benefit you greatly.

If you have doubts about your major, they are there to help

If you are considering changing your major, know you are far from alone. According to a report from the US Department of Education, about 30% of undergraduate students who had gone into higher education with a declared major had changed it at least once. By discussing a change of heart with your adviser, you can make sure to get the right resources and contacts to ensure that you still graduate in the quickest time frame.

No matter your major, consulting your adviser advisor can be a great can be a great step to take to achieve your goals.

Go into your appointment After you take the first step in meeting with them, resource your adviser can become a great ally throughout with a game plan This is another reason why creating a four-year your undergraduate career.

Most of the time, advisors only have appoint- plan can be great in making sure you achieve your ment windows of about 15-30 minutes at a time. future goals. Studying abroad, whether it’s for a Ava is a junior in ACES. This means you have to make your time count break or a semester, can take a lot of foresight Avat2@dailyillini.com

RYAN CHOW THE DAILY ILLINI

The Career Center employee and doctoral student in Education, Shoptorshi Rahman, walks through a sample resume with Alexis Young on Jan. 24. Academic advisers are available to assist with student problems.

CHAMPAIGN’S ALTERNATIVE

LIVE STREAM AT WPGU.COM

FOLLOW US!

wpgu1071

wpguillini

wpgu107.1FM

wpgu1071

Monday, January 27, 2020

16

The Daily Illini