Business Profession Program Passport by Darci Guriel

The Business Profession

Passport WILLIAMS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

WILLIAMS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

The Business Profession

Passport

Student name_ _____________________________________

Have your passport STAMPED each time you attend a Business Profession event.

Present your passport each year (before the end of the academic year) to the undergraduate business office to receive credit for the Business Profession program. Log into the Blackboard Academic Suiteâ&#x201E;˘ online, at http://blackboard.xu.edu, for assignments and event dates.

Professional itinerary IN PREPARING FOR YOUR CAREER, TIMING CAN BE EVERYTHING.

Find the Time As a student, your life is full of conflicting demands. Finding the time outside the classroom to study and to have a life can be a challenge. The Business Profession Program, with its required sessions, helps you think about your future while allowing you the flexibility to take part in optional events and activities. Take the Time When you stop to think about where you’re headed, you’re able to make better informed choices. As you approach each activity of the Business Profession Program, remember that it’s here to help you define your own path. Use it to its fullest potential. At the Right Time Required sessions are offered each year to coincide with different stages of your professional development. Optional events are also provided to help you address your individual interests. Take advantage of one-onone meetings with Williams College of Business career counselors to make the most of your time at Xavier. Just in Time If you are proactive in taking advantage of the Business Profession Program and the career preparation opportunities offered by the Williams College of Business, you’ll feel ready to make career decisions and secure your first position after graduation. HERE’S YOUR PASSPORT TO SUCCESS. IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO BEGIN.

ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE BUSINESS PROFESSION PROGRAM Freshman Year Kick-off Freshman year is a time for finding inspiration. This kick-off event to the Business Profession Program helps you do just that. Learn about the nuts and bolts of the program, followed by an energizing presentation that will get you thinking about how you’ll spend your years at Xavier. Time Management When it comes to classes, extracurriculars and social events, all of us could use a time management tune-up. College presents time challenges that you may not have faced yet. This workshop offers a Xavier student panel who will give tips on how to make time for your classes, your work and your personal life. CareerLeader Assessment Used by more than 250 top business schools and leading corporations, CareerLeader software provides a report on your unique profile of interests, abilities and motivations. After taking the online assessment, attend the correlating workshop to assess your results. Executive-in-Residence Interview Consider yourself among the lucky people who have the chance to talk with a business executive about the college career that lies ahead of you. Make the most of this initial mentoring opportunity by preparing a list of questions. Don’t forget to dress professionally—somewhere between business-casual and business-dress is appropriate. Communication Etiquette E-mail has risen to the top of communication methods, but there is a right way and a wrong way to use it professionally. This workshop addresses today’s various communication outlets and the “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of using them.

Executive Mentor Program Gaining experience and developing a network are keys to success after college. This session tells you how to get started. Résumé Workshop Learn how to write a professional business résumé. It’s a skill that helps you stand out among the competition for your entire work life. eRecruiting

eRecruiting is software that gives you access to internships and jobs, allows you to upload a résumé for critique, helps you apply for jobs and more. Instructions are on Blackboard under your BUAD course.

Behavior-Based Interviewing Skills Williams College of Business students are known for being well-prepared for interviews. Learn what employers ask and why, and how best to prepare for your internship or job interviews with this workshop. Networking Effectively It may be cliché, but it’s true—sometimes it really is about who you know. This workshop tells you the ins and outs of networking, including how to develop a professional network when you don’t know anyone. Effective Job Search Strategies How do you find an internship or job? How can you find openings before they’re advertised? What are the most effective strategies that job seekers have used to find their positions? These questions and more are answered in this workshop. You’ll walk away with the know-how and the know-where to conduct a successful job search. Evaluating a Job Offer Before you’re faced with a job offer, this workshop gives you the tools necessary to evaluate each offer with confidence. Learn about all that a job offer may include—and why it’s not just about the salary.

becoming a Strategic Partner Learn how to be your company’s “Strategic Partner.” This workshop addresses leadership and other skills necessary to stand out in the corporate environment. Fall and/or Spring Career Fair Each Xavier career fair brings dozens of organizations to campus to talk with students about internship and job opportunities. Make the most of these events with the job search strategies and career fair prep workshops, where you’ll get tips on preparing for a career fair. You can also order business cards through the WCB undergraduate office. Transition to Career Life Once you have a job, how can you achieve and maintain success in your career? This dynamic panel tells you what you need to know about examining corporate culture, maximizing job performance, becoming a strategic partner in your organization and much more. Financial Planning 401K’s, IRAs, student loans. These financial basics and other planning strategies are explained to seniors who will encounter these issues once they graduate. Optional Events Enhance your professional presence, increase your professional network and expand your cultural horizons with these additional events that are offered throughout the year. You need to attend four optional events by the end of your senior year. The Jesuit Identity Xavier’s Jesuit identity is reflected through the Business Profession Program. The Business Profession Program enables the students to take their Jesuit ideals into the real world. Programs such as the Community Engagement Certificate, Study Abroad-Maastricht, Executive Mentor Program, Executive-in-Residence Interviews and Business Ethics events are tangible reflections of the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis (care for the entire person).

Required Events

FRESHMAN EXPLORE and BE INSPIRED

*FRESHMAN YEAR KICK-OFF

*TIME MANAGEMENT

CAREERLEADER ONLINE ASSESSMENT

CAREERLEADER WORKSHOP

SOPHOMORE DEVELOP SKILLS and FOCUS *EXECUTIVE MENTOR ORIENTATION

RÉSUMÉ WORKSHOP

eRECRUITING SOPHOMORE RÉSUMÉ BOOK

BEHAVIOR-BASED INTERVIEWING SKILLS

EXECUTIVE-IN-RESIDENCE INTERVIEW (SPRING ONLY)

NETWORKING EFFECTIVELY

COMMUNICATION ETIQUETTE

*BECOMING A STRATEGIC PARTNER

* Indicates an orientation session, offered ONE TIME only

Required Events

JUNIOR

SENIOR

GAIN EXPERIENCE

CONNECT with your future

*EFFECTIVE JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

*EVALUATING A JOB OFFER (SPRING ONLY)

*TRANSITION TO CAREER LIFE

FINANCIAL PLANNING

FALL OR SPRING CAREER FAIR (ATTEND AT LEAST ONE)

*SENIOR CELEBRATION

OPTIONAL EVENT

* Indicates an orientation session, offered ONE TIME only. Refer to the next few pages for additional information on OPTIONAL EVENTS.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? WHAT’S IN IT FOR POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS? Listing the Business Profession Program on your resume can help you to stand out in a sea of qualified entry-level candidates. However, listing it alone isn’t what impresses them. Employers are impressed with students who maximize opportunities, seek out leadership opportunities and can demonstrate accomplishments and results. Think about what you’ll say when an employer asks about your participation in the program—did you go to sessions just because they were required or did you seize opportunities to network and learn new skills? Did you trudge through because you were supposed to, or did you offer to create and plan an event that was of interest to your fellow students? What specific results can you point to that have come from your participation in the Business Profession Program?

OPTIONAL EVENTS Use optional events as a way to personalize your participation in the Business Profession Program—to develop, enhance and master skills and knowledge that employers and graduate programs seek in prospective employees or graduate students. We have listed some of the potential optional events by key competencies in career and professional development. Use this as your guide when you are selecting optional events that may benefit you. Successful mastery of a particular area will require more than just the minimum four optional events required over four years. Don’t limit yourself to just four. Take full advantage of what the Business Profession Program has to offer.

If you want to: Develop self-awareness and career focus: • Take the CareerLeader online assessment (Starting with the class of 2011, all business students have taken CareerLeader as freshmen). Class of 2010 may want to take CareerLeader to assess skills, interests and values. Students with CareerLeader accounts can take CareerLeader up to three times during your time at Xavier to watch how your interests and skill confidence levels change over the course of your college career. • Secure and complete an internship. • Secure and complete a second or third internship. • Maintain a career journal to track how your interests develop based on academic and co-curricular experiences. • Maintain a career portfolio (OptimalFolio, part of OptimalResume, can help.) • Successfully complete a practice “mock” interview with a WCB career coach, your executive mentor or using InterviewStream. • Successfully deliver an elevator pitch with a WCB career coach, your executive mentor or using InterviewStream.

Hone your written communication skills for the internship/job search and professional life: • Have your résumé critiqued by a WCB career coach and/or your executive mentor. • Have a cover letter critiqued by a WCB career coach and/or your executive mentor. • Have a thank you letter critiqued by a WCB career coach and/or your executive mentor.

If you want to: Hone your verbal communication skills for the internship/job search and professional life: • Complete a practice “mock” interview with your executive mentor or with a WCB career coach. • Use InterviewStream to practice your interview skills online. • Attend a workshop on Professional Presentations. • Attend a workshop on developing the perfect elevator speech.

Develop your industry knowledge: • Attend an industry speaker or “Meet the Firms” event. • Use Vault (an online resource) to research industries and companies. • Attend a “Careers in…” panel.

Develop your networking skills and your own professional network: • Attend a networking reception. • Attend a professional association meeting. • Join LinkedIn.com, complete your profile, connect with people you know and request recommendations from those who know your work.

Students Say... “It gave me a hands-on way to learn about how the business world operates and gave me the confidence I need to understand the processes of interviewing, networking and dealing with job offers that may come my way.”

“With this kind of program, it’s no wonder why Xavier has the kind of well-known and admired business school that it has.”

“It brought a lot of ideas and issues forward that I would not have thought of on my own.”

“It helped with job contacts in the field.”

“I think it puts Xavier graduates ahead of the game when it comes to getting jobs [after] college.”

CAREER PREPARATION TIMELINE Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

EXPLORE and BE INSPIRED

DEVELOP SKILLS and FOCUS

* Use effective time management for professional, personal and academic success.

* Learn about the executive mentor program.

* Assess skills, interests and values. Take a variety of courses.

* Complete CareerLeader-College online assessment. * Attend CareerLeader-College interpretation workshop. * Meet with executive-inresidence.

* Develop personal bio for mentor. * Meet with executive mentor. * Draft rĂŠsumĂŠ. * Use eRecruiting. Start a portfolio. Plan for career-related summer experience.

* Learn networking strategies.

Talk to professors/friends.

* Develop leadership skills.

Join clubs/activities of interest.

Select a major.

* Attend freshman year speaker event.

Learn about career options for your major.

* Learn behavior-based interviewing skills Plan ahead for study abroad, internship, etc. Learn internship search techniques and the process for earning academic credit.

* Corresponds to required Business Profession program/ Williams College of Business activity during this year.

CAREER PREPARATION TIMELINE Junior Year

Senior Year

GAIN EXPERIENCE

CONNECT

Complete internship experience.

Participate in eRecruiting

Study abroad. Create networking cards. Network, network, network. Complete a practice interview. Update résumé and portfolio.

résumé books and on-campus interviews (starting early fall semester). Prepare professional portfolio. Network, network, network. Brush up on interviewing skills.

Set realistic career goals.

Implement your job search strategy.

* Attend the fall and/or spring career fair.

Seek help as needed.

* Learn effective job search strategies. Learn about business ethics/ diversity. Prepare for senior year placement activities or for graduate school applications.

* Prepare to transition to career life. * Learn about financial planning. * Turn in senior survey. * Celebrate your excellent preparation for the future.

* Learn about evaluating job offers.

* Corresponds to required Business Profession program/ Williams College of Business activity during this year.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CERTIFICATE (CEC) PROGRAM FRESHMAN

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

SENIOR

Engage and Explore

Get Involved with Purpose

Apply Skills and Knowledge

Lead and Inspire

PLACEMENT WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION (SERVICE/ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT)

CEC ORIENTATION

CEC WORKSHOP / PRESENTATION

REFLECTION AND DEBRIEF

MID-PROGRAM REFLECTION PAPER AND EVALUATION

REFLECTION AND DEBRIEF

FINAL REFLECTION PAPER AND EVALUATION

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CERTIFICATE (CEC) PROGRAM FRESHMAN

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

SENIOR

Engage and Explore

Get Involved with Purpose

Apply Skills and Knowledge

Lead and Inspire

SERVICE/ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Org.

Hours

Signed by

SERVICE/ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Org.

Hours

Signed by

SERVICE/ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Org.

Hours

Signed by

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM Developing business leaders to lead social change The purpose of the WCB Community Engagement Certificate (CEC) program is to connect a student’s business education with community engagement in order to drive positive social change. Business students will engage in service to the community; attend workshops on ethical and social responsibility issues; work collaboratively to promote social practices and campus initiatives which promote social awareness; and develop critical thinking and business skills to benefit the community in which they live and work. Students will be encouraged to work collaboratively with organizations such as The United Way; participate in service learning; advance volunteerism and community collaboration on campus; and strengthen their sense of community and role in leading social change. Consistent with Xavier’s mission, this program embodies the Ignation values of becoming “men and women with others through lives of services and solidarity.” Students in this program will receive a WCB Community Engagement certificate at graduation and will be acknowledged by the college. Selected members will be asked to serve on the Dean’s Student Advisory Council.

Application Students must apply to the Williams College of Business CEC Program. Applications are available from the WCB Undergraduate Office or from a CEC Faculty Advisor.

Community Service and Engagement Students must complete 200 hours of service to complete the certificate program. Business students may select from a number of options including a service placement with United Way (two to four hours per week/40 hours per semester); Service Learning Semester (80 service hours), Alternative Break (30 service hours), Community Building Institute, Habitat for Humanity, or other approved service/ community engagement experiences. Hours will be based on service and project scope. Workshops Students in the CEC program must complete a minimum of (4) four CEC workshops plus the required Workshop on Social Justice and Business. Reflection Papers and Debrief Business students are required to attend yearly program debrief sessions and submit a mid-term and final reflection paper. These papers may also be used in their academic courses—with approval.

notes

My Executive Mentor Name Title Company

Address City

State

Zip

Phone

Cell phone

Fax E-mail address Company web site

Attach your mentorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business card here.