Fall Career Guide
THE DAILY ILLINI TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013
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The Career Center on Wright Street is a resource for students at the University. It offers services such as career advising, mock interviews, career fairs and an online recruiting system called I-Link.
The Career Center recommends I-Link Students looking for jobs and internships should look online BY ALICE SMELYANSKY STAFF WRITER
As students begin the job search, they can turn to The Career Center to help them in the process. This year, one of the resources students can take advantage is the online recruiting system I-Link. Brian Neighbors, senior assistant director of The Career Center, said they are now taking an active role in getting employers to post onto I-Link. In the past, employers were directed to a college’s specific career office or to students in a particular major. I-Link is campus-wide and available to all Uni-
versity students. Thousands of internships and jobs are posted to the I-Link website, yet only half of students on campus are using it, Neighbors said. “My position is completely newly created, and the focus is to do employer-development,” said Neighbors, whose main focus is to bring more potential employers to the University. “We’ve been targeting more employers, and we’ve been doing more research.” Emily Wickstrom, assistant director for marketing and event planning for The Career Center, also emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of I-Link in
This is a message that Loren order to see the skills employers are looking for in an applicant. Leeberg, Allstate’s universi“We’re working on bringing ty relations manager, said she in employers who aren’t looking notices is becoming increasingfor a specific major, but instead ly important in the workplace. “I feel cerare looking for tain ‘soft skills’ more of a skillset, like great are extremely leadership t ra nsfer rable skills, great and will assist communication a ny student skills, writing, looking for a customer sercareer today,” vice, those kind Leeberg said. of things,” she “Some of the said. “We’re LOREN LEEBERG top ‘soft’ skills ALLSTATE UNIVERSITY just trying to we look for in RELATIONS MANAGER give the mescandidates are sage that it’s effective comreally not about munication and your major, it’s about your skills vision, strong motivation and iniand experiences. We’re working tiative to learn, as well as adaptwith employers who also believe ability and flexibility.” that.” With an aging population of
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where you have to go through certain steps. But most professions aren’t like that.” Students should apply for multiple internships and learn about their own likes and dislikes when it comes to a certain career, Leeberg advised. She also said that it’s normal for students to be unsure about their future prospects, but an internship could help them explore different types of environments and people. “My greatest piece of advice for students is to expand your defi nition of career success,” Leeberg said. “Growth will happen both vertically and laterally, and it is important to always embrace change.”
Alice can be reached at smelyan2@dailyillini.com.
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baby boomers, Leeberg said she sees change in employment trends. “Now more than ever, companies are focused on hiring innovators and future leaders,” Leeberg said. “I am excited to see the changes in the job market.” Another employment trend, according to Leeberg, is that companies are staying connected to students through social media outlets such as LinkedIn. “Colleges teach it every single day but it is, in fact, true – jobs are obtained through networking,” he said. However, Wickstrom also said there is no one path a student who is unsure of what to do with their major needs to take. “The career path isn’t linear,” she said. “There’s certain professions, like being a doctor,
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013
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Engineering Expo complements career fair Expo gives students edge over online applicants BY SAHER KHAN STAFF WRITER
Engineering students can break out their fi nest suits, best shoes and polished resumes for the Engineering Employment Expo, which will take place at the Illini Union from Monday, Sept. 23 to Wednesday, Sept. 25. Over 200 companies will fi ll the Illini Union rooms A, B and C from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the three-day fair, recruiting engineering student for various internships and employment positions. “There are so many companies that want to come to this university to recruit the fantastic students here,� said Ronald Meyer, co-director of the Expo and senior in Engineering. Meyer chairs the entirely student-run committee in charge of putting together both the fall and spring Engineering Employment Expos. “The Expo is a part of Engineering Council, which is kind of an umbrella organization for all engineering societies,� Meyer said. Meyer explained that the Engineering Career Fair is a separate event run by the College of Engineering, but the Expo is essentially the same thing as the fair. It is just larger; the career fair is two days long. The career fair typically attracts more companies than they can accommodate, so the Expo is meant to accommodate the overflow. “We essentially serve the same purpose as the Engineer-
ing Career Fair and work along with them as a co-op, but we just offer another opportunity for companies to come recruit,� Meyer said. Meyer encourages all students, underclassmen included, to attend the Expo. “Freshmen are definitely going to want to go so they can get exposure and practice. Almost all the companies are hiring for internships as well as full-time, so this is a prime opportunity for underclassmen to get internships,� Meyer said. “If you’re lucky, the companies may remember you in the future because they often come back year after year.� These career fairs are also beneficial in that they break the applying-online barrier. Rachel Gross, co-director of the Engineering Employment Expo committee and senior in Engineering, said she strongly believes that the majority of people in engineering get jobs through the Expo and career fair events. “Companies will get hundreds, if not thousands, of online applications from students looking for jobs and internships, but the Expo allows you to meet company representatives in person, so you can really stand out,� she said. To be best prepared for the Expo, Meyer said students should dress well, research companies beforehand so they know what they’re interested in, and have a strong resume. According to Meyer, students can have their resumes reviewed by Engineering Career Services by setting
PHOTO COURTESY OF RONALD MEYER AND RACHEL GROSS
up an appointment. Gross recalled how the Expo can be an intimidating experience. “I remember I was very nervous and a lot of other people were as well,� she said. “But after talking to representatives for a while because of my position on this committee, I realized that these representatives
are just regular people like anyone else and you can talk to them about a lot of things, you don’t have to worry about just impressing them all the time.� Meyer said that despite the intense and crowded atmosphere, there really is no need to be nervous. “The representatives are there looking for students and the stu-
dents are looking for companies so there is kind of mutual benefit of this. Nobody is really gaining something that the other person isn’t also gaining,� Meyer said. Meyers and Gross said that on Monday, Sept. 23, the Expo will host a Corporate Social event at The Clybourne from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The relaxed, businesscasual gathering will kick off
the Expo and include free food and drink. “I think a lot of companies like to see students in a kind of relaxed environment rather than a full on suit, so I would defi nitely recommend students to go,� Meyer said.
Saher can be reached at smkhan3@dailyillini.com.
Navigating a career fair like a professional
From freshmen to seniors, career fairs provide opportunities to prepare for future JOLIE HUANG Staff writer
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hether you’re looking for an internship or full-time job, attending a career fair is often the best fi rst step toward achieving your goal. But with swarms of qualified people, loud conversations and professionalism flowing from every corner of the room, walking into one can be truly intimidating. It’s a wonder that some people don’t run out overwhelmed. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the career fair experience:
Know your elevator speech For those who don’t know, an elevator speech is a 30-second pitch about your strongest qualities and experiences you want to highlight. This gives recruiters a better impression of what you’re looking for and is short enough to keep their attention. If you don’t want to memorize your speech, write down some key points to discuss. Make sure you practice before you actually speak with someone from a company.
“In my business class, we were taught the importance of always knowing our elevator speech,� said Cory Nelson, freshman in Business. “Our professor mentioned that any of us could bump into an executive from our dream company, whether in an elevator or at the career fair. It’s benefi cial to know what to say if that ever happens.�
Be confident It doesn’t matter if you have job experience or your grades aren’t perfect. If you believe in yourself and act like you know what you’re doing, others will believe in you, too. Approach a recruiter with a smile on your face, shake their hand and give them your resume. If you act with confidence, the environment will feel much more relaxing, and the conversation should run smoother. Being confident shows employers that you are capable and trust your own abilities. “Sometimes I’ll see a student who doesn’t have the best resume, but will just blow me away with their confidence,� said Amy Jorgenson, recruiter for Michelin. “They’ll say they know they’re not the best
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at school, but they’ll prove they can be phenomenal at work. I like hearing that. It’s refreshing.�
Underclassmen should attend as well When the words “I’m a freshman� come out of your mouth, some recruiters might give you the cold shoulder. As unfortunate as that is, that’s just the way it goes for some companies. Freshmen typically do not have the knowledge or skills to work for a company just yet. However, that doesn’t mean that these companies do not value you. Many companies offer job shadows or leadership programs for underclassmen wanting to someday work for them. Starting off a conversation by asking about these opportunities can show recruiters that you are interested in the company and have done some research. They are more likely to speak to you if they see that initiative.
Adopt a professional demeanor This is a must. A professional demeanor consists of dressing in appropriate business
DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO
professional attire and looking presentable. There’s nothing a recruiter dislikes more than a student who walks up to them in cutoffs and a T-shirt, popping gum and looking disheveled. If you’re serious about fi nding a job or internship, dress the part. Show that you care. Show that you are willing to make the effort for them, and they will be willing to do the same. “How you look makes a huge difference,� said Jonathan Goldberg, recruiter for 3M. “I defi nitely won’t take a student seriously if they’re not dressed appropriately.� If you don’t have any business attire, stop by Express or Banana Republic at Champaign’s Market Place Mall. These stores often have busi-
ness attire discounts for students at certain times of the year.
Bring business cards Although these aren’t necessary, you can always make a good impression with some simple business cards. The University offers students opportunities to make custom business cards at a discounted price at printing. illinois.edu with the Illinois logo. But you’ll want to avoid putting a business card in every recruiter’s hand. The trick is to time out the conversation so that at the end, the recruiter will offer you his or her business card first, and then you can do the same. Feel free to email recruiters after speaking to them.
Come prepared Make sure you get a good night’s sleep and eat before you go on your job search. This also means editing your resume weeks beforehand. Try to schedule a resume critique with the Career Services Center. They will give you pointers on how to structure your resume and tips to work on improving it. “The Career Center helped me rip apart my resume,� said Lisa Jonas, sophomore in DGS. “They helped change the formatting, the wording, everything. It’s defi nitely worth your time to ask for their help.�
Jolie is a sophomore in Business. She can be reached at jhuang51@ dailyillini.com.
Looking for a job or internship? I-LINK to opportunities! Use I-Link, the Illinois career platform, for: - job and internship postings - on-campus recruiting - list of companies at career fairs - career events calendar
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013
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Sometimes the unconventional way is the best way to go
Try out a different career path through a summer internship
Professional contacts can be your most important resource upon graduating ANNA HECHT Staff writer
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sk my friends and family about me, and it’s likely you would hear a slew of responses that are not far from the truth. My two older brothers would probably tell you that I’m a total control freak. My childhood best friend, Emily, would tell you that I am a little wild, crazy and quirky. To my parents, I’m a go-getter, hardheaded and a dreamer. Collectively, the people in my life would agree on one thing: I am anything but conventional. You see, this fall I am working as an editorial intern at InStyle magazine in New York City and taking a semester off from school. It’s my dream job, located in my favorite city in the world. What could be better? But, almost immediately, I was bombarded with endless questions about how I will finish school on time. To be honest, I am confident that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. Regardless of whether I graduate on time or a semester late, having the opportunity to do what I love, gain experience and meet professional contacts in the magazine industry is worth the tradeoff. As you can see, I’m a firm believer that “life is about the journey, not the destination.� My willingness to take risks and live spontaneously is what makes me unconventional – so
much so, that I’ve nearly driven my parents crazy. To begin, I spent my junior year of high school abroad in Sweden, studying music, art and photography. At the time, this seemed like a totally normal thing to do. But, looking back, I was a 16-yearold who said “Hej dĂĽâ€? (Swedish for “goodbyeâ€?) to high school and went to live in Europe for a year. Is that really normal? Then, to top it off, this past summer I lived in New York City, working as an editorial intern for People StyleWatch magazine. There, I made a connection that allowed me to land my InStyle job for the fall. Once again, I threw my family and friends for a loop. Now that I’m at InStyle, I could not be happier. Each day in the office is another day that I get to live out my dream of working at a magazine in New York City; I’m doing what I love and all of my crazy, lastminute decisions have paid off, thankfully. In addition to doing what I love every day, I’m also gaining vital and practical on-thejob experience — the kind you can’t learn in a classroom. Now I know what to expect in a work environment, whether it’s dealing with difficult co-workers, knowing the basic rules of office conduct or getting thrown into projects with ridiculous deadlines (That’s right — worse-than-college deadlines, the kind that don’t allow spontaneous, regretful visits to KAM’s). Upon graduating, I will have a strong resume, a better idea about the kind of work I’d
Internships outside of your major offer students a new perspective PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA HECHT
like to do and a realistic view of the magazine industry. After being in the “real world� for several months, it may seem as though returning to school would be torturous. But I find it to be the exact opposite. Since starting at People StyleWatch in June and then at InStyle in September, I have a renewed sense of excitement and motivation for the future; I can’t wait to hit the books in the spring and learn all that I can about my major. These past few months in NYC have served as the perfect test run for my future life. My hope is to revisit whatever I was unsure of as an intern when I attend classes, now that I know what needs improvement. So, what’s my advice for “gogetters� wanting to follow a similar path? I’ve found that developing professional contacts has been the single most important part of the internship experience. It’s important to make a good first impression and to bond with co-workers because you don’t want to end up being “that one intern from two years ago� that nobody remembers. After my internship at People StyleWatch, I still have a positive relationship with a team of talented media professionals, many of whom I
plan to keep in touch with and hopefully work with one day. While it’s smart to network on campus, it’s not likely that I would have gotten this InStyle job without having bonded with one of my editors at People StyleWatch. The professional contacts that I have made and am still making will be my most important resource upon graduating. To get where you want in life, you have to be willing to take risks and be a little unconventional. For me, taking a semester off is a choice that I would make a thousand times over. While it may not be the most convenient choice in regard to my original “four-year plan,� I’m learning more from firsthand experience than I ever could from a textbook. In the end, we are all in college to pursue our professional goals, gain experience and meet people who will teach, influence and help us along the way. Be passionate about whatever you pursue. Dedicate 100 percent of yourself, your energy and your time to it, and great things will happen for you in unexpected ways.
Anna is a junior in Media. She can be reached at hecht2@ dailyillini.com.
Apply to internships now and you won’t regret it later OLIVIA CATUARA Staff writer
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ith summer seeming like a distant dot on your fall-focused schedule, it’s easy to put off summer job applications. But given that many employers start looking for summer internship applicants early in the school year, procrastination and a missed deadline might be the main reasons you don’t get the internship of your dreams. Since many career fairs take place during fall semester, employers are already thinking about what type of intern they want. That’s why I recommend that as soon as you come across an opening that interests you, apply for it. In order to avoid working the same minimum-wage summer job as you do every year, take the initiative to score an useful internship to aid your developing career. Here are just a few of the many incentives to apply to internships early:
Applying early will force you to look over your resume and cover letter early Last year around this time, I spent way too much time trying to perfect my resume and cover letter on my own. One way to improve your resume and cover is to have it reviewed by Career Services on campus. The Career Center on Wright Street offers counseling and advising, job search preparation, workshops and special events that are geared towards students ready to start applying for summer internships. Students can make appointments or drop in with general questions. Even if you don’t end up getting those earlier internships, your resume and cover letter will already be polished and good to go when you apply for later internships. By maintaining an updated resume, you will be ready when you come across an opening that interests you.
Applying early will avoid the stress that applying late often brings Because I’m studying abroad this spring, I need to take extra initiative to find an internship before I need to leave. If I am
able to secure an internship before I go abroad, I won’t have to stress about finding something when I should be focusing on enjoying my time in another country. By applying early, you can plan for your internship early as well. If your internship is out-of-state, you can figure out housing for your internship months in advance. Depending on what your internship role you will have, you can improve those skills during the rest of the school year that got you the internship in the first place.
The earlier you apply, the better chance you have of getting the position It’s time to fine-tune your resume and master the art of your cover letter, because when an employer posts a position online, they usually want to fill the position as soon as possible. If you wait until the end of the school year to begin applying for a summer internship, most positions will be already filled. From my own experience, I know that applying right when a position is posted gives you a higher chance of getting the internship. I heard back from significantly
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REEMA ABI-AKAR Staff writer
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his summer, I found an internship that was a great fit for me. It suited my skill set, my previous experiences and even the location that I was looking for. The one thing that was out of place was the field — I’m an urban planning major, and this was a reporting internship at a magazine. So what did I do? I took it, of course. I wasn’t going to turn it down just because it was outside of my major. In fact, I didn’t even give it much thought until other people brought it up. Then it made me think, does it matter if I stray outside my major? Will it have an effect on my future career path? I asked Keri Carter Pipkins, associate director of career and pre-professional development at the Career Center, for her advice.
Skills gained at internships unrelated to majors are still valuable and transferable Pipkins said that she believes any professional experience is beneficial. Even if the internship is not directly related to one’s career, student’s can still gain valuable, transferable skills out of the experience. While the internship’s content may be different than the student’s major, they’ll still using and sharpening their critical thinking skills. “Students should think about how they can contribute at the internship as well as what they might get out of it — what types of skills they might be able to build and expand on,� she said. At my internship, I was able to hone in on some of my existing skills. I actually got to do much of what I’ve done for The Daily Illini: research topics, interview local professionals and write a variety of articles. Many of these skills are transferable across different fields, like communication, researching and writing. And given that many majors do not have a specific field, Pipkin believes it’s very common for students to branch outside of their major. “An English major, communications major, they
cross so many different industries that there isn’t really an English-oriented internship,� she said.
Students can figure out what they need to improve upon at internships outside of their major Any kind of internship can be helpful because it allows students to consider “what skills they want to develop and environments they want to be in,� which will enhance their career development overall, Pipkins said. My internship definitely caused me to consider where geographically I’d like work in the future, whether it’s a job in my major or not. My internship was especially convenient because it was in my hometown, so housing was not an issue. My familiarity with the city also gave me a competitive edge over other applicants for the job. Since I already knew so much about the town, I could use that to my advantage. My internship allowed me to consider the benefits of working in an area more familiar to me.
Internships outside of major allow students to explore their other interests and different career paths When I was younger, I would constantly change my dream career. I had a change of heart every few months based on whatever interested me at that point. While I’m not quite as impulsive today, I still feel like I can’t choose one particular area. All I know is that I like what I’m doing now, so we’ll see where that takes me. For those who are interested in a variety of careers, some outside of their major, internships in a different field than what they are studying can be a great opportunity for them to try a different career path. “(At the Career Center,) we say all the time, ‘Major doesn’t equal career,’ so what you major in doesn’t have to be the field that you ultimately end up in,� Pipkins said. “Even the career counselors here, we have a variety of backgrounds represented, from computer science to biology to K-12 education.�
Reema is a junior in Fine and Applied Arts. She can be reached at abiakar2 @dailyillini.com.
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013
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Dressing for the job you want
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRENTON TSE AND HASAN KHALID
BY STEPHANIE KIM STAFF WRITER
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ccording to Laura Ralph, the mock interview coordinator at The Career Center, the first 60 seconds of your interview can make or break you. Take note of these do’s and don’ts to make a good first impression when interviewing for your dream job.
DO’S
DON’TS
Dress for the part that you want, not the part that you have.
Avoid clothes you’d wear to class, or anything you wouldn’t wear to a family gathering or Sunday service.
Business-professional clothing communicates preparation and readiness. For men, this attire includes a button-up shirt, a good belt, slacks, dress shoes and the option of adding a tie or suit jacket. For women, there is greater versatility. Although it is recommended to wear a button-up shirt with black slacks, a dress or a blouse with a skirt is appropriate, too, as long as the dress or skirt is below the knee. For shoes, women can choose from sandals, dress shoes or heels. Word of advice from Ralph: “If you can’t walk a mile in your shoes, do not wear them to an interview.�
Sit still and sit up as much as you can. It’s tempting to move around in a swivel chair or fall into nervous tics, but this behavior will distract the interviewer, and it can take away from your responses. Use small hand movements and the shoulder-hip box. It’ll make you not seem like a robot, but will also let your interviewer know that you’re not a puppet either.
Eye contact shows that you’re their peer, you’re ready for this job and that you can potentially work with them in the future. Maintain eye contact to let your interviewer know you’re engaged. But when they look away, feel free to look away too. Don’t keep looking down or up because it will leave your interviewer wondering what is more interesting than them.
This includes jeans, pajamas, T-shirts, gym shoes and flip-flops. Steer clear from any clothing that is too tight or revealing. It is also best to avoid dramatic makeup or distracting jewelry or accessories. Use a modest amount of cologne and perfume; excessive amounts may be distracting.
Use your discretion when it comes to piercings and tattoos. Depending on the potential job’s office environment or culture, gauge whether piercings and tattoos would be appropriate. But for the most part, keep piercings modest (the simple nose stud being the most acceptable) and try to cover tattoos up when you can.
Take out the “ums, likes and you knows.� These words take away from your professionalism, confidence and credibility. Practice specific stories that hone in on leadership, teamwork, communication and analytical skills. The “tell me about yourself� question is normally asked within the first 60 seconds of the interview.
Don’t slouch. Use the back of your seat as support to keep your posture straight. It’s not detrimental to your interview, but it will help you appear more professional.
Avoid distracting behavior. Try not to play with anything that is within your reach — hands, hair, jewelry, phone or pens. Distracting behavior will let your interviewer know that you’re nervous. Stephanie is a senior in Media. She can be reached at skim108@ dailyillini.com.
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You’re suiting up for CAREER FAIR so make the most of it.
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013
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Benefits, drawbacks of working while in school BY AMANDA TUGADE STAFF WRITER
Whether it’s at working at her job, going to classes or participating in student organizations, Vienet Romero is always on the move. A typical week for the senior in Applied Health Sciences looks like this: Monday and Tuesday consists of volunteering at Carle Auditory Oral School and attending class. On Wednesday, Romero works at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, where she is a cashier at the ticket office, and then heads to class afterward. When class fi nishes, she volunteers at Garden Hills Elementary School and later attends to her secretarial duties for the Bilingual Organization for Speech and Hearing Science Students. On Thursdays, Romero observes in the audiology clinic, attends class, and heads straight to work at Krannert. While Romero has no classes on Friday, she works from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and each weekend she has to work an additional weekend shift. Romero isn’t the only student on campus who has to balance a heavy course load and work
schedule. An NBC News article states that “four out of five college students are now working while going to school, typically 19 hours a week while classes are in session, according to the 2013 College Student Pulse survey conducted by YouGov for Citi and Seventeen Magazine.” The survey also found that “77 percent said money played an important role in where they applied, and one-third said that money was the single most important deciding factor in enrollment.” The online July survey included more than 1,000 college students and high school seniors. A recent SallieMae study also found that there has been reduction in parent contributions toward college tuition. “Parents now fund from income and savings 27 percent of college expenses, down from 2010’s peak funding of 36 percent,” the study stated. Romero said she works while in school to lift some of the fi nancial burden off her parents and save money for graduate school for audiology. “I save 30 percent of what I make, and the rest goes to groceries and applications for grad
director at The Career Center, schools,” Romero said. Whether one’s fi nances is the said that jobs teach students how reason students choose to work to be professional, makes them while in school, juggling a job more employable and helps them with class has many intrinsic build a network and have referadvantages. ences. Additionally, having a job Jessica Leach, director of shows future employers that a Media Career Services, said that student can manage both work just getting experience in the and school, she said. professional world is important, Yet, while there are many benwhether it’s a efits of workpart-time job, ing while in internship or school, stusenior position dents must in a student learn how to organization. balance school R o m e r o and their job. Students said that she should know has improved her skills and t hei r limabilities from its and not her jobs, such take on more as her commuthan they can JESSICA LEACH nication skills handle. DIRECTOR OF MEDIA CAREER and attention “If you don’t SERVICES to detail. have the time, “ I ’ v e it’s OK to say ‘no’ to things become way more comfortable speaking over that aren’t necessary,” Leach the phone to strangers,” Rome- said. ro said. “My mom noticed this Leach said students can stay right away because when I used on top of their schedules by stayto call my bank to dispute a fee, ing organized. One way is by I’d usually end up passing the simply making Post-It notes or phone to her.” noting important dates on their Emily Wickstrom, assistant phones’ calendars, she said.
“If you don’t have the time, it’s OK to say ‘no’ to things that aren’t necessary.”
To balance work and school, a University of Illinois at Chicago article recommends that students fi nd jobs on campus, be transparent with employers about schedules, fi nd out about tuition assistance, have an outlet for stress and more. Having a job on campus can be benefi cial because campus employers understand students’ needs for flexibility. A Forbes article also recommends that students should make sure they don’t “forget themselves.” The article advises that students remember to eat property, get enough sleep and fit in time for exercise. If students take on too much, they will end up getting sick, tired and burnt out, preventing them from doing well in either work or school. Leach stressed that students’ No. 1 priority is their academics. Leach said that it is “great to be involved,” but students should “take a look at what they are involved in” and weigh their options. Romero is able to balance her time between work and school by telling her supervisors how many hours she would like to work a week. By planning how
many hours she’ll be working, she is able to avoid burnout. Romero said she gets a majority of her homework done during her weekend shifts or “during the down time,” when people are not walking in or calling for tickets. Whether students are searching for jobs during the academic year or after graduation, they should search the “right” way, Wickstrom said. The right way, according to Wickstrom, is to “know what you’re looking for: location, major, skills and experiences.” Wickstrom advised that students searching for jobs during the school year should ask themselves these questions: What do you want to do? Are you just trying to make money, and what kind of experience do you want to gain? Although her job is unrelated to her major, Remero said she loves her job and has been able to gain many invaluable skills. “I would go to very few Krannert shows if I didn’t work there,” she said. “I love that I can see so many world renowned performers and get to bring my friends along, too.”
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more companies that I applied to first semester than second semester last year. The Career Center’s “4-year Career Prep Checklist� mentions the importance of beginning the job search early and reinforces that the Career Center can help with all questions that come up during the process.
Many times, when you apply to a position early, it means that you are not at the point of desperation quite yet. Applying early is a good way to show employers that the position you’re applying for is your dream job. When you find something that really excites you, naturally you should want to dive right in to applying for the position. Being among the first applicants will show employers that you are excited to take on the position.
Just like going first in a class presentation, applying early most likely means that when employers receive your application, they do not have many others to compare it with. Being among the first to apply to a given position shows employers that you’re excited to be able to take on this position, and they should look no further. Now it’s time to hit the career fair, polish your resume and send out some applications. Don’t be set on one type of internship or job. Have an open mind, and you can end up finding something that really interests you more than you thought that it would. This upcoming summer can be the time to gain real-world experience and explore your professional interests.
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even be their friend’s parents.�
STAFF WRITER
One minute you are coasting along in your orange and blue spirit wear, enjoying unforgettable nights out with friends, running campus organizations and conquering stressful exams — and the next, that paralyzing question that has been lurking in the corner of your mind smacks you in the forehead: What the heck am I going to do after graduation? As it turns out, the people you have built relationships with might just be as instrumental in that decision as the information you have mastered in the classroom. Whether they write letters of recommendation, introduce you to a professional in your area of interest or know of a job opening, those connections can be game changers in the job search. Yet, like anything worth your while, networking is not always easy. Here are a few key tips from University faculty to keep in mind when approaching networking opportunities:
Start building relationships early One way many important connections begin is through early involvement in a Registered Student Organization. “Students really need to get involved in student organizations because they will meet upperclassmen who already have those relationships,� said professor James Dahl, associate director of undergraduate affairs in Business. “A lot of student organizations bring professionals or speakers to their event, so now all of a sudden you’re getting to know the business or organization.� The main thing to remember is that a student’s experiential education does not necessarily have to align thematically with his or her eventual career goal, according to Tom Costello, teaching associate in Communication. “Maybe even (join) things you’re just trying to discover, because there are so many things that are available to us that we may not even know exist,� Costello said. “So be involved. By joining an organization, I can help that organization, but by helping, I may in fact be helping myself.� Although extracurricular involvement certainly adds value to a resume, your academic relationships deserve equal attention, said Amanda Cox, associate director of academic and campus outreach at The Career Center. “Go to office hours,� Cox said. “I don’t think very many students take advantage of the office hours that are always listed on the syllabus ... that’s a very underutilized resource.�
Self-reflect Before approaching someone for help in a job or internship search, students should consider what their long-term goals are and what they are passionate about. Especially when contacting a professional for a letter of recommendation, it is essential that students are clear about what their goals are, Dahl said. Those referring students for a job or writing recommendations also need to feel confident that they are investing their time and utilizing their own connections for someone who will live up to a positive referral. “Really it’s a sales job — just the thing you’re selling is yourself,� Costello said. The idea of selling yourself can prove to be intimidating, especially if senior year rolls around and a student is not even sure that he or she has any relationships or involvement that could result in a job. To these seniors, Dahl recommended that they “do an inventory.� “They might be surprised about who they know second degree who has a connection,� he said. “It might
Do not rely on technology alone Although technology has taken on an increasingly powerful role in the business world and networking overall, the value of face-to-face contact and people skills has not diminished. Although social media “allows a larger net to be cast across individuals,� Dahl said, technology has not replaced the person-to-person contact that is often more memorable It is more difficult to base a connection off of a simple online shared interest, he said. A face-to-face meeting increases the likelihood that the relationship can develop into a possible job opportunity. “People want to help people, but also if they don’t know you very well, an employer doesn’t necessarily want to hire you just because you asked,� he said.
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It’s the people you know who can help you land that job later BY MAGGIE O’CONNOR
Thursday, October 3, 2013, 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM Activities and Recreation Center (ARC)
List of participating companies on I-Link
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Olivia is a junior in Media. She can be reached at catuara2@ dailyillini.com.
Tips, tricks on how to network, advance yourself professionally
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Be tactful and thoughtful about your approach A potential network connection will be more likely to respond positively if you approach them looking for information rather than just outright asking for a job, Dahl said. For example, informational interviews or shadowing opportunities, Cox said, are helpful ways to put your name out there and find out whether the particular area is something you want to pursue. Before even approaching an individual, consider how you might perceive that person if he or she reached out to you. “If you’re going to ask something from someone, ask yourself, is it something that you would be willing to provide?� Dahl said.
Put your pride aside: What’s the worst that could happen? Although it can initially be unnerving to contact individuals in high positions or people you do not know very well, students should not be hesitant to put that pride aside and take risks. “You may contact 10 different people and hear back from one, so you have to be OK with putting in time and energy and not getting a return from it,� Cox said. “So you can’t be easily discouraged because you’re going to put yourself out there, and sometimes it’s going to work out and sometimes it’s not.� For example, an effective way for students to think about networking is to compare it to calling that guy or girl you are interested in. “What’s the worst that can happen? Quite frankly, if you call someone and you want to go out with them, the worst thing that can happen is they say no,� Costello said. “You never how it’s going to work (for) you until it does.� When it comes to how a professor or professional in any given field will respond to such a request, Costello insisted that students should not be worried. “People have to realize that most people want to pay it forward; they want to help people,� Costello said. “I would be happy to have someone I know become accomplished as a result of some direction I sent them.� Specifically at the University, where a student’s education is the ultimate goal for students and faculty alike, requesting assistance is generally embraced. “We’re all here for students’ education and so because of that, there’s a genuine interest in wanting to be helpful to a student and help them accomplish what they want to accomplish,� Dahl said.
Maggie can be reached oconno36@dailyillini.com.
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Applying early shows you want the specific position
Employers don’t have many applications to compare
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Top 5 reasons to visit the Technoliner: 1. Discover career opportunities 2. Meet our CDW coworkers 3. Play Xbox 360 on a 60� display 4. Enjoy food, drinks and live music 5. Be an Illini WHO GETS IT! To learn more about the full list of benefits and to apply, visit careers.CDW.com For more information call us at (312) 705-6221 or email us at ur@cdw.com
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