Career In-Sight Dinner Gives Students an Inside Look at the Job Search

Written by Brittany Naas

Many students left November 10th, 2010 with more knowledge of the work world then they came with. The Career In-Sight Dinner was a night full of the facts and how-tos of career building intended for the students of Western to gain knowledge of how to get a head start on finding their career paths. Three speakers presented and gave insightful information students could use in their futures. Our speakers included Marsha Trotter, Vice President of Operations at the Personnel Department who spoke about interviewing skills; John Jolliff, Regional Vice President of COUNTRY Financial who informed students about job search approach; and Laurie Roe, Assistant Vice President of Organizational Development at OSU Federal, who spoke on the topic of social networking. During the presentations, attendees enjoyed a pasta bar, salad, and garlic bread for the evening’s dinner and took notes as Marsha Trotter gave pertinent information about researching the company before the interview, John Jolliff informed the students in the areas of “cold networking” vs. “warm network- ing”, and Laurie Roe encouraged students to check out networking websites that could be useful in their careers, such as LinkedIn and CVS. Overall, the night was a fun-filled experience and students were able to gather information to use that will lead them down the career paths they aspire to be on.

Fall Class Presentations Reach Record Number

Every year, SLCD presents to a variety of classes on career and service topics such as interviewing, resumes, networking, marketing your experience, service learning, and the job search. So far this year, we have been invited to 24 Fall term classes, including College of Ed, SEP, Art, Academic Advising, German Language, IEP and FYE courses. The majority of the presentations have been with FYE, in which we give freshmen an overview of how they can take a proactive approach to developing their career paths throughout their studies here at WOU. Students learn about social media etiquette, informational interviewing, skills, workplace readiness. In addition, this year Assistant Director Donna led a workshop to help students focus on finding strengths and relating them to activities and career possibilities. Thank you to everyone who has invited us to present, we love being a part of your students’ development!

If you would like to discuss a career or service presentation idea for your course, please contact us.

Upcoming Service

LEARNING EVENTS:

Winter Alternative Breaks: Sunshine Sanctuary: Dec.13-19

YouthCare: Dec. 12-18

Next Service Day: February 19, 2011

Details to come!

November 13, 2010

The majority of Alternative Break and some of our Students in Service participants went to the Boys &Girls Club in Salem for a service project.

At the Club, the students helped prepare for the annual upcoming auction. The auction raises close to $400,000 for the Club.

Students also cleaned the Teen center and recreation center, along with painting a room. Overall, they did numerous projects, all which were greatly appreciated by the Boys and Girls Club.