Monday, January 28, 2019
CAREER GUIDE THE DAILY ILLINI
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Monday, January 28, 2019
Storytelling offers happy (job) endings BY SERINA TALUJA ASSISTANT SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
While time management, strong communication and organization are all fine skills to present on a resume, there’s an ability that is becoming more marketable than all the rest in today’s job market. It’s not one that goes on your resume, either. It’s one that comes into play once you are past the resume-review stage, and into the scary part: the interview. The skill I’m talking about here is storytelling. It sounds strange, I know, but right now, storytelling-based interviews are very in style for companies looking to hire new graduates. These interviews focus on what you have already accomplished as a person and how you handle things like working with others or facing difficult tasks, while simultaneously testing your ability to think and communicate effectively on the spot. This can sound daunting, but fear not. There are lots of tricks to rocking a storytelling-based interview. Once you have these down, you will be ready for any “tell me a story about a time when ...” question.
n o a p t u i m e c e n ... O
The big idea: Have your stories holstered The single most important part of going into one of these interviews is to have your story locked and loaded, so to speak. As soon as an interviewer asks you a question, it’s best to take a moment to think (avoid using fillers like “hm” or “um”), but then quickly be able to dive into the story you want to tell. The best way to do this is to have a couple stories prepared. Before the interview, make a list of experiences from your life that would be easy for you to talk about and will also hit one of the main types of stories interviewers look for. Group or teamwork experience There is usually at least one, if not many, questions that ask about a time you worked in a team. This might be a time you led a team, were simply part of a team, or even had difficulties working with a team. So before going into an interview, have at least two stories about teamwork in mind. Examples include athletic teams, groups projects or coworkers who you worked with closely. It’s also important to tell stories that include traits the interviewer is looking for. For instance, a question about a time you led a team will be implicitly asking about your management style, whether or not you can stay organized under pressure and if you’re a fair leader when in charge of a lot of people. Make sure that when you tell your story, you include details about the type of leader you are as well as what your team was able to achieve. SEE STORYTELLING | 4
CINDY OM THE DAILY ILLINI
Monday, January 28, 2019
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FROM 3
the end .
STORYTELLING Overachiever edition There is usually a question about a time you went above and beyond, where you did much more than what was asked of you at a job or in school. This type of question is generally pretty straightforward, so you usually only need one strong example for this particular question. In this story, the interviewer first wants to see if you can come up with a time where you overachieved. This is an important personality indicator, since someone who overachieves obviously cares about their work and is passionate, rather than someone who’s just doing work to get a paycheck. The interviewer also wants to see what your definition of overachieving is. If you tell a story about a time you made it to work a few minutes early, they might not call you back for a second interview. If you tell a story about a time that you invented a project for yourself and saw it through to the end, you will likely be considered more valuable by the interviewer. A story of adversity Lastly, stories of difficult times show an interviewer you will not stop working hard even when things get complicated. Try to have one story that is customer service-
CINDY OM THE DAILY ILLINI
based, one that is team-based and one that is personal. The personal story shows them you can sympathize with other people. The customer service-based allows them to see you
can maintain your composure. The teambased story shows them you can continue to work well in a group even when things get hard. It’s not a lot to prepare, but storytell-
ing can go a long way in getting you to your happy ending. Serina is a senior in LAS. taluja2@dailyillini.com
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Monday, January 28, 2019
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Prepare past your resume for career fairs BY AAYUSH AGGARWAL STAFF WRITER
Engineering students are heavily encouraged to attend the career fair to show off their skills and expertise to potential employers. However, we’re rarely told how to make ourselves stand out. The most common advice goes something along the lines of “Bring at least 10 copies of your resume with you,” or “Don’t include unnecessary information on your resume.” Fair, but is the resume the be-all end-all? Is there no other way to attract employers? These questions are often left unanswered, and some candidates go into career fairs with the impression that a meaty resume guarantees a job offer. That's not entirely the case. But do not stress, because this resume-less guide will help you boost your job chances for the upcoming Engineering Career Fair on Wednesday. Prepare your elevator pitch An elevator pitch is the most essential tool a job candidate can carry with them to a career fair. The most effective pitches are roughly a minute-long description of yourself that aims to persuade the employer to hire you. As an engineer, it is important you
Remember to avoid sounding boastful in your pitch, or an employer might think your ego could be detrimental in their workplace. That is another reason why it is best to elaborate on one activity.
Research employers beforehand A rookie mistake students often make when talking to employers is asking the question “So what is your company all about?” This question is an immediate red flag for recruiters since it showcases a lack of interBEN TSCHETTER THE DAILY ILLINI est in their organization. If you’re going to hold Engineering students talk to company representatives at the Engineering Career Fair at the a conversation with a recruiter, ensure you’ve Activities and Recreation Center on Sept. 11. done background research on the company beforehand so that you can ask them thoughtdescribe one activity in your field of study activity influenced your choice of major? provoking questions. that really stuck with you and has had a big This should sound something like, “JoinAnd remember engineers, Rolls-Royce impact on your professional career. Avoid list- ing the solar car team in high school was an does not manufacture cars anymore, only ing activities with the quantity over quality activity I felt changed my outlook on electriengines. Do not start your conversation with mindset. cal engineering. Collaboration and leader“I’ve always loved cars” or “I like working with For example, instead of saying, “In high ship were skills I thought I would not learn to cars.” That’s an automatic discussion killer, school, I was a part of the solar car team and nurture in the major, but after competing in and it’s unlikely that Rolls-Royce will contact the engineering society. I was also a part of numerous solar car races, I know what it takes you after the fair even if your elevator pitch the student council and helped the school to lead a project to completion.” and resume are exceptional. Be sure to preopen a new research lab," be more specifThe second example sounds much more pare by researching your potential employers. ic and concentrate on the journey of one of natural than the first, and it reflects on the those activities. What did you learn? What experiences gained in one activity rather Aayush is a freshman in Engineering. skills have you developed? Did you feel this than a dull description of numerous activities. aayush3@dailyillini.com
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More than 11,800 students used The Career Center last year. I feel much more confident in what I want to do now and feel that I can accomplish the goals I have set. I am definitely going to come back here because I feel welcomed and that any question I have will be answered with kindness and understanding.
The Career Center offers: - Personalized career coaching - Drop-in career advising - Pre-health advising - Workshops - Career fairs and events - Mock interviews - Resume, cover letter, and personal statement reviews - Career resource library and online resources
Find out what all the buzz is about. Schedule a 30-minute appointment with a career coach at go.illinois.edu/TCCappts Drop-in to our office at 715 South Wright Street Visit us online at careercenter.illinois.edu
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Internships?
BRIAN NGUYEN THE DAILY ILLINI
Find your perfect internship with these tips BY MOLLY NGUYEN STAFF WRITER
Searching for internships as a college student can be very stressful, and it is that time of the year again. It can be an overwhelming process, especially if some of your friends already have an internship ready to go. If you are struggling to get an internship, the following advice may be just what you need. From my own experiences, I feel confident saying the best way to succeed in the hunt for an internship is to create and follow a plan, do your research and know what you are looking for. Do the research Whether it be research, building things or working at a desk, be sure to know what you are looking for in your work. To efficiently search for an internship, it is important to know your passions and what type of fields you are most interested in. This will make your internship search a lot easier when you are lining up your interests with those of a potential employer. Also, make sure to know what areas or environments you would be most comfortable work-
ing in. If you are unsure about your career path, take the time to talk to a career counselor, your adviser or someone you look up to. Effective and thorough research is just as essential as your resume, so don’t wait until the last minute. The more you work on it, the more successful you will be and the more worry you will save.
the world. For example, try creating a LinkedIn or a Handshake account for more local opportunities.
Find and apply The internet is definitely the most useful tool when searching for internships. LinkedIn is a great place to search for internships and connect with professionals in areas you are Update and share your documents interested in. A more straightforward website Most internships will require some sort is internship.com. of resume, which is a concise document of A helpful feature in this site is the “who” your most prestigious accomplishments and button; it allows you to see which of your recent involvement. Some employers may ask Facebook friends have a connection with your for a curricula vitae, which is longer than a desired company. Another popular website resume because it is an overview of anything is glassdoor.com because it allows you to and everything relating to your life accominstantly find salaries, reviews of the compaplishments relevant toward your academic ny and its employers and gives a description career. of the potential job interview. A cover letter may also be required, which If you decide you want to go the nonprofit is a way you can introduce yourself more per- route, try out idealist.com because this websonally to the employer. The Career Censite itself runs as a nonprofit. ter is a great place to get these documents reviewed because it has professionals who Prepare for interviews are there to help. It is difficult to prepare for an interview, Online documentation is also a great way especially if you don’t know what questions to connect with professionals from all over they will exactly ask. Looking at the compa-
ny of interest’s mission statement or vision is always a great place to start because some employers want to know who is actually “committed." From personal experience, the Career Center is a helpful tool because it offers mock interviews, which really give you a feel for the real interview. Another tip is to always have a resume or CV prepared to bring to your interview because some employers may ask about your skills. Plan for after the search Once your applications are submitted and your interviews are completed, be sure to keep track of when you should get a response. If you have not heard back within the allotted time, follow up with an email asking about the position. Most importantly, thank the employer for giving his or her time to you. Remember: If you get stuck, there are plenty of resources on campus which can help steer you in the right direction. Molly is a junior in LAS. mxnguyen@dailyillini.com
Monday, January 28, 2019
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Master these sections before taking LSAT BY YOAV MARGALIT STAFF WRITER
Trying to figure out where you want to go after your bachelor’s degree is kind of like eyeing different pieces of cake in a bakery. Most of them look pretty good, all of them look overpriced and you’re pretty sure you’ll regret whichever one you end up choosing. That said, if you are considering law school as one of your options, the LSAT is a headache you’ll need to take on. As I am one who took that headache on already, here’s the need-to-know information about the LSAT. The LSAT is a standardized test that has 101 questions for you to answer. The number of questions you get right — your raw score — is translated into an official score ranging from 120 (where a literal chimpanzee has taken the test) and 180 (which is Harvard-salivatingly good). There are three different types of sections: reading comprehension, logical reasoning and logic games. Reading comprehension Reading comprehension sections are typically 27 questions long. They involve answering questions on four different passages. The questions here will generally involve questions of overarching ideas, nit-picking details and contrasts between the author’s tone and actual feelings on the subject. Read a passage, answer six to eight questions, rinse and repeat. There’s probably not much room for improvement in actual reading comprehension in the time you have to study. Because of that, there is relatively little advice for me to offer here. A tip which helped me get my score higher was writing down a brief summary of each paragraph once I was finished reading. It helps to marshal your thoughts and recall critical details. Logical reasoning These questions are the (un)happy medium between the other two section types. They involve reading a short paragraph or dialogue and answering a question about it; there are 25-26 of these questions. I absolutely cannot understate the importance of practice on this question type. Understanding the logical rules for this section means first learning, and then practicing, these questions. A lot. A general rule of thumb is if you still have the presence of mind to wonder how many questions are left, you aren’t done practicing that day. SEE LSAT | 9
COLLEEN ROMANO THE DAILY ILLINI
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LSAT But seriously, as a tip, let’s talk about the difference between sufficient and necessary conditions. Take a basic statement: All apples are fruits. An apple is definitely a fruit, but a fruit isn’t necessarily an apple. If this is true, to be an apple is sufficient to be a fruit, but to be a fruit isn’t sufficient to be an apple. Was that explanation confusing? Then study up! There’s a whole section of it on the LSAT. Logic games This 23-question section has most people wondering whether there was another circle of hell Dante forgot to pencil in for the final draft. It’s counter intuitive, annoying and, above all, confusing. There’s too much strange stuff to go over here; my recommendation is taking a class. Some classes can be expensive, but I found mine to be worth the money spent. There are some techniques I picked up there which seriously improved my ability on this section.
are the kind of person with the discipline to study as efficiently and effectively on your own as you would in a more controlled environment. I know that, from my own perspective, taking a class was very helpful. It’s your call to make. Studying with people is also a huge help. Finding people who are also studying for the LSAT is really motivating. Just be careful not to get complacent; it sounds callous, but your job is to do well, not to improve at the same rate as your buddies. It doesn’t matter if they’re fun to hang out with. If they don’t help you progress more than you would without them, ditch ‘em. You’re going to want to take a bare minimum of two months of study. You should stick to official LSAT materials, published by LSAC and available online for free. If you’re unsure, here’s how you can tell how much time you need: You should have worked through at least half of the published materials by the time you take the test, while reviewing your results after each section. If that takes four months, then that’s what you should do. There’s no advice anyone can give you better than this: Take your time, and do it right. From one hopeful law school applicant to another, good luck.
General tips There is plenty of material available online on how to ace the test. The real key is know- Yoav is a senior in LAS. ing yourself. You need to decide whether you yoavm2@dailyillini.com
Monday, January 28, 2019
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The Daily Illini
Strengthen your resume with these tricks
BY NATALIE STANOWSKI
though more competitive.
STAFF WRITER
Look for volunteer opportunities Choosing to volunteer isn’t just for the good of the community, but for your resume and peace of mind as well. If you didn’t have the time or opportunity to work or land an internship, volunteering is a great way to show you can balance academic commitments with other responsibilities. Like a job or internship, volunteering allows you to develop skills such as teamwork and time management, something you can emphasize on your resume. Apply for an internship Try to find volunteering opportunities relatWait, aren’t I preparing to get an internship ed to your major or career goals so the expeby going to the career fair? There are certainly rience can double as a chance to network RYAN CHOW THE DAILY ILLINI plenty of opportunities to land an internship with individuals and employers in your field. Shoptorshi Rahman (left) and Alexis Young (right) walk through a sample resume at the Career by attending career fairs this spring, but it Center on Thursday. isn’t the only way. Departments typically send Highlight your professional skills out internships, research and job opportuniNot all experiences you list need to be on- skills you’ve put to practical use outside the advice holds true if you aren’t certain about ties through their newsletters, so finding an campus activities. Do you have any hobbies classroom is a great way to impress poten- what you want to do just yet. opportunity related to your major could be as you work on seriously? Do you have skills tial employers. Avoid trying to juggle positions or involveeasy as keeping an eye on your inbox. you’ve been using to earn money? If you’re an ment in several clubs or organizations and just Students in LAS can apply to ATLAS, a amateur photographer and sell prints online Show commitment to your field focus on the ones most meaningful to you and University-sponsored program that con- or if you design websites in your spare time, The saying “quality over quantity” is true most applicable to your major or career path. nects students with tech-related intern- make sure to mention this work on your with extracurriculars as well as work experi- Be involved, but don't overdo it. ships around campus. Even if an internship resume. Experiences that are not affiliated ence. Instead of spreading yourself thin, it is is unpaid, you can use the experience to bulk with the University can be as valuable as better to demonstrate dedicated interest in Natalie is a sophomore in LAS. up your resume and apply for one that is paid, you make them. Being able to show you have the direction you plan to pursue. The same nms6@dailyillini.com As the time for career fairs and summer internship applications approaches, it’s common to worry about polishing your resume to perfection. While scheduling a meeting with the Career Center or your academic adviser can help organize and fine tune your resume, it can be difficult to figure out what to put on it in the first place. Here are some ways to get involved on campus that will boost the strength of your resume.
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Spring 2019 Career Fair schedule TUESDAY, JAN. 29
THURSDAY, APRIL 11
Gies Business Career Fair
Illini Career & Internship Fair
2-6 p.m. Activities and Recreation Center, Champaign Over 100 companies will be making an appearance at the career fair this spring. Making connections through this event is an ideal way to network and learn about both full-time and internship opportunities.
Noon-5 p.m. Activities and Recreation Center, Champaign Whether you’re looking to begin a career or get some interning experience under your belt, this fair is open to all majors and a great way to learn about the variety of opportunities out there for Illinois students.
WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, JAN. 30-31 Engineering Career Fair
1-6 p.m. Activities and Recreation Center, Champaign This career fair is one of the largest in the country, hosting over 400 companies looking to recruit Illini engineers to join their teams around the world. BEN TSCHETTER THE DAILY ILLINI
Students pack the ARC at the Engineering Career Fair on Sept. 11.
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College degree doesn’t reflect future BY ZACK FISHMAN STAFF WRITER
Census data analyzed by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows about 27 percent of all college graduates without a graduate degree hold a job related to their major. That is to say, nearly three-quarters of undergraduate students will spend enormous amounts of time learning a curriculum that won’t be immediately relevant to their actual career path. To some, the reality of most people studying the “wrong” subject in college may appear impractical and short-sighted. To those like me, it sounds strangely familiar. Despite preparing to receive my bachelor’s. in engineering physics in the spring, I am currently preparing for a career in journalism, much more inspired to write about scientific discoveries than to make them myself. I have largely abandoned physics clubs for student publications, Greek variables for English words. Suffice to say, I would not be counted in that 27 percent. Yet for some time, I was not comfortable with the juxtaposition between what I wanted to do and what my classes were teaching. Too close to graduation to change majors, I opted to sneak a few journalism classes into my degree requirements through a customized specialization. But it still didn’t seem like enough and made me question my unusual situation as a physics major. What’s the point of learning quantum mechanics anymore? Why am I abandoning a generous STEM paycheck? How can I even consider myself a “real” journalist? Imposter syndrome isn’t far away when most classes are on the wrong side of Green Street. But over the past year, my enjoyment of journalism has trumped my fear of having taken a wrong turn. I felt increasingly legitimate by progressing from taking intro classes to joining The Daily Illini and other publications. Furthermore, my physics background plays a core role in my reporting through the beats I choose to cover and my quantitative approach to telling stories. To top it off, on the day of writing this column, I was accepted into my first graduate program in journalism. Despite graduating with the “wrong” degree, I consider my college work successful and useful in the next step toward my career. I imagine many students, like myself, come into college with a flawed or naive understanding of which career best suits their interests and needs, and surveys show people are always changing their perception of a dream job. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 30 percent of American undergraduates change their major at least once within three years of enrolling, and
ALAYNA NULTY THE DAILY ILLINI
about one-third of those change multiple times. Dissatisfaction also occurs beyond education and into actual careers, with 58 percent of working adults who responded to an online survey by Harris Poll being at least somewhat interested in changing careers. These statistics support what is common knowledge to many: Finding a financially
sustainable, personally gratifying career is challenging, and that appears to hold true regardless of age. Fortunately, undergraduate students can safely deviate from the standard path by changing majors, adopting minors or taking electives, and that sort of flexibility allowed me to test journalism before fully commit-
ting. Unorthodox approaches to undergraduate education seem understated in the larger narrative of college, but to those who feel out of place in your current curriculum, don’t fret. You’re in good company. Zack is a junior in Engineering. zbf2@dailyillini.com
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RESEARCH PARK 2019 RESEARCH PARK CAREER FAIR | TUESDAY, MARCH 12 , 4-7 PM I HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER, 1900 S FIRST ST, CHAMPAIGN
JOBS & INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE IN A VARIETY OF AREAS Software Development Web Development Biotechnology
Data Analytics Graphic Design Project Management
Engineering UI/UX and many more!
View current job & internship listings online at: ResearchPark.illinois.edu/Careers RESEARCHPARK.ILLINOIS.EDU #UIRP
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Create basic resume with four easy steps BY SONAL SINGH STAFF WRITER
Whether you’re a freshman dipping your toes into the professional world for the first time at the spring career fair or a senior hoping to find your dream job, one of the most vital elements of your goals is your resume. When structuring your resume, it is necessary to effectively communicate your experiences and skills while also conveying your personality and maintaining a professional air. Below are some guidelines that may help you find a place to start with this daunting task, or even just help you enhance the quality of your resume. Length The first rule is to keep it short and sweet. Ideally, your resume should only be one page long. Whether you’re struggling to fit everything in a single page or struggling to fill that space, the best way to use your space would be to divide the page up into four parts: personal information, education, experience and other skills. Sections Personal information and education are two sections which take very minimal effort
and are straightforward. Under personal information, mention your name, email, phone number and address. While doing this, make sure to highlight your name by either putting it in bold or increasing the font size. Under education, list your high school and the University along with your current GPA and expected graduation date. Moving on to the experience section, ideally you should have between four and five experiences to list. In the event you have more than five experiences, try your best to include the ones you believe will add the most value to your profile. For example, if you’re focused on applying to marketing jobs and you have to choose between a marketing internship and a part-time job as a product tester, you would be better off including the marketing internship. If you feel like you have more than five experiences but all of them add value to your resume, then you need to make a decision between adding more experiences and adding a short section for other skills. Personally, I believe other skills is one section that makes you stand apart from other candidates because this is where you get to display your unique but relevant skills. Whether it be a popular software, a coding language or even a spoken lan-
CASSIDY BRANDT THE DAILY ILLINI
guage, anything you deem useful can go in this section. Format Formatting is one of the most important aspects of a professional document such as a resume. When you present a well-structured and properly edited document to your interviewer, it shows you’re detail-oriented and well organized. Ensure all section headings are in capital letters and all the dates and durations of the experiences are listed in italics along with the location in which it took place.
Wording It is very important that the job descriptions are explained concisely while using some, but not a lot, of related jargon to show a basic understanding in the field. Additionally, all bullet points must start with verbs and phrases such as gained experience or experienced operations, interacted with. Apart from that, it is also imperative proper punctuation is used when detailing the list of other skills. Sonal is a freshman in Business. tssingh2@dailyillini.com
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Impress future employers with your profile BY AVA TRAVERSO
Skills, skills, skills Another way many employers search for potential hires is through using the ‘skills’ filter on certain job websites. Including skills such as languages, programming fluency or social skills can help your profile show up on more searches that may have previously hidden you from companies. This also allows employers to take a quick glance to see if you fit their qualifications for the position you may be applying for. Additionally, make sure to include unique or unusual skills.
STAFF WRITER
Throughout life, one of the most necessary and intimidating aspects of entering the adult world is career hunting. An important factor in finding the perfect job involves the external image you put out to employers. Even though the prospect may seem daunting at first, it can be easier than you think. Due to the fact that the job world is largely online, it is more important than ever to use tools such as LinkedIn and Handshake. When employers search for profiles of potential hires, the main goal is to find someone who sticks out in their mind and makes an impact. I spoke with Jack Sexton, director of operations at Bloomington Consulting Group, and he provided me with some handy tips to help create that perfect profile. Keep an online presence up-to-date One of the most important aspects of a profile is also one of the easiest things to change. For job interviewers to get a proper read of who you are, they need to see the full picture of your ambitions and involvement. Things like your updated resume, GPA and RSO involvement can help show companies you are responsible and professional when it comes to the image you put forth.
CASSIDY BRANDT THE DAILY ILLINI
Stand out, but remain honest While it can be helpful to include cool clubs and activities you participated in, embellishment can only take you so far. Try to avoid including clubs or activities you have only been to a couple meetings. It will save you that awkward moment when a recruiter could catch you in a lie. Be sure to highlight your most remarkable academic and extracurricular qualities.
Have an eye-catching tag line To make sure you catch the attention of job recruiters, allow the first thing they read to be something interesting and fun that relates to you. Maybe it’s your favorite quote or a funny joke you like, just make sure it’s something that demonstrates personality. It helps recruiters see you are more than just a profile on their screen and that there is a person behind the computer.
Take initiative Reach out to potential employers. Having the confidence to personally reach out to a recruiter can add a more personal touch to the application process rather than just sending an application through a link. It also helps show you take their time seriously enough that you want to make a good first impression. Hopefully these tips help you make a good impression through future endeavors in the job-searching world. Ava is a sophomore in ACES. avat2@dailyillini.com
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