Nursing Panel - Wednesday November 10, 2010

Hello all you future nurses of America!!

Earlier this month we had a Nursing Panel which many of you attended. We had a great variety of speakers participate in the panel from professional recruiters to a recent alumna of USF. It was a huge success and the students left with a lot of helpful information regarding a future career in nursing.

Here are a few helpful and interesting notes I was able to jot down after having attended the event myself:

Child Family Health International

Representative: Rebecca Lubitz, Senior Program Coordinator

• Non-profit organization
• Time: 4 to 8 weeks commitment
• Work under the supervision of a preceptor
• Cost: approx. $2,000 for 4 week program (scholarships available)
• Hands-on experience based on preceptor and clinical level
• Application: Online (comes with a fee)
• Looking for flexible, open minded people
• Provide references
• Must be 21+
• For more information contact Rebecca Lubitz at rlubitz@cfhi.org

Kaiser Permanente and St. Mary’s Medical Center

Representatives: Roy Hernandez, Expert Recruiter and Consultant, Nursing, Kaiser-SF

   Robert Andersen, Senior Recruiter, St. Mary’s

• Kaiser focuses on transitions within hospital
• On resume/interview: elaborate on clinical rotations (ie. size of facility, kind of patients)
• 2-page resume for nurses is ok and sometimes necessary
• Interviews: asked behavioral type questions and about clinical rotations
• Volunteer at medical centers à this will help networking and you learn the system of the hospital/clinic
• Preceptor work is important
• Customer service skills related to nursing
• Network, Robert Andersen often eats at Market Cafe

USF RN Transition Program in Ambulatory Care

Representative: USF Instructor, Jessie Jones-Bell RN, MS, PHN

University of San Francisco, School of Nursing

• For students who have passed NCLEX but cannot find jobs
• Had 50% success rate in the last class
• For more information contact Jessie Jones-Bell
• ljjonesbell@usfca.edu, Office (415) 422-2018

MSN over BSN?

• “All applicants are treated the same as long as they meet minimum requirements.”
• Essentially, both are new grads at entry level.
• MSN gives more room for career growth in future

From Student to Nurse Tips

Speaker: Kelly Glynn, Registered Nurse and USF alum at CPMC

• “Making decision for own patients is most drastic change.”
• Keep in contact with preceptor
• Be aware of who you are talking to at all times

WellCall (A Nationwide Health and Wellness Service)

Representative: Melissa Showalter, RN and Director of On-Site Events

• Looking for personality and to represent the company well
• Seeking recent Nurse graduates year round to conduct health screenings for Employer Groups, like USF
• For more information contact Melissa Showalter, mshowalter@wellcall.com

Other Helpful Tips:

• Look on craigslist for job postings
• Be flexible with schedule and learning and settings
• Get ER 2 year experience
• Write thank you notes after interview
• Do research and pay attention to detail when addressing letters

Hope this was helpful! 

Nonprofit Panel in Review

Hey all,


So I had the opportunity to sit in on the nonprofit panel last evening and learned a lot of really insightful tips. For those of you who couldn't attend the event, I've outline below some of what I think were the most important points made by the nonprofit panelists. Hopefully this information will benefit you as much as it did me! 

• It's all about networking. The best way to break into the nonprofit world is by using the time you have now, while in school, to volunteer or intern, gain experience, and most importantly build connections. Nonprofit organizations (as do most any organization in general) usually pull from their pool of interns/volunteers first when a job opens up before turning to the general public. As one panelist said: 
• When you volunteer you get to network. I can’t stress enough how important that is. You’re volunteering for a cause that you’re passionate about, and also making a connection that could lead into something bigger in the future. Relationships are very important in the nonprofit world. 
• Nonprofits can use people from every field of study and with any major, it's just a matter of finding the organization that fits your unique talents.  
• Nonprofits can, if you desire, become a career. Don't shy away from them based on the false assumption that you won't be able to make it financially or grow over time as a skilled worker. There's usually always room for growth, for moving up, and for living comfortable financially through a nonprofit organization. Also it's always important to look at the whole package nonprofits provide for you (better work/life balance, more control, more vacations, better benefits, etc.)
•  Nonprofit Organizations should pay you – they need to pay people a livable wage because they need you to stick around and do the work to keep the organization afloat. They will make it happen.
• The biggest needs in every nonprofit organization are with fundraising. Grant writing abilities, organizational skills, event planning, administration, management knowledge, financial planning and data collection, program operation knowledge, people skills, technical skills: all crucial and highly desirable in this field. 

Basically, don't let the stereotypes fool you! Nonprofits are an amazing venue to use the skills you have to perform crucial services needed in the world. If you find yourself in the right place, you'll be able to do things you're good at, work towards something you're passionate about, and make a living for yourself in the process. 

So don't wait. Get out there and volunteer now, build up your connections, test out the waters with different organizations to see where you fit, and in no time you too could find yourself doing something you love (and getting paid for it!) What's better than that? 

-Sarah

Careers in Nonprofits Workshop

I must be honest - when asked what I plan to do after graduation my go-to response has become "Nonprofit work". What does that mean exactly? I don't know. Which organization am I thinking about? No idea. But the thought of being in the Nonprofit sector has always thrilled me.

Which is why I'm definitely looking forward to our Careers in Nonprofits Workshop, coming up October 21, 2010 from 5:00PM - 6:30PM in the UC 4th Floor Main Student Lounge.


Whether Nonprofits have been something you've always thought about, or you've never even considered them before, this workshop will be a great place to get more information on this dynamic field, and potentially open you up to a whole new world of career opportunities.

It's an interactive panel discussion featuring a variety of professionals from the Nonprofit world, here to discuss career options, practical strategies, and tips for succeeding in preparing and searching for careers in this field.  With a generous question-and-answer period, this workshop promises to be both informative and a good networking event.

Anyway, I'll definitely be there. Hopefully I'll see you too!

-Sarah

Internship Opportunity

Attention all you people out there looking for an internship, we've got plenty of them! 


Just to prove it, here's a sample of what we've got on our Internship Exchange Website (which if you haven't registered for yet, what are you waiting for? It's our online Internship database, shared with universities all over the country like Pepperdine and Princeton, where we put up every internship that's sent to us, and where you can view every internship that's sent to those schools too.) 


Art Gallery Intern Position:


We are currently looking for a student to fill an intern position at our gallery in SOMA, 12 Gallagher Lane — A Hunt Slonem Gallery.12 Gallagher Lane is a permanent exhibition of the prolific and iconic American artist Hunt Slonem, and has just introduced a Visiting Artists Program. Interning with us would include researching new Visiting Artists to join the program, and to provide support with the current visiting artist. Other duties include assisting with administrative tasks, updating inventory, installation of works, sales support for consultants, event assistance, and research. The intern would work between 10-20 hours per week, unpaid (must be for academic credit), for the rest of the fall semester.


For more info and to apply, get on Internship Exchange! 


-Sarah

Graduate School & Career Fair, 10/4/2010

Hey Everyone,

I hope you're planning on attending the Graduate School & Career Fair next Monday on October 4 from 11am-3pm.  Seriously guys, you need to see who's coming to this event- there are going to be some uh-MAZING grad schools and recruiters coming to our campus.  Don't miss out!  Come prepared with some resumes and dressed professionally.  You can review who's coming by going to our website at usfca.edu/csc.  If you have any other questions, feel free to give us a call or come to our office during Drop-In Hours.  And check out this video I made to know what to expect!

 

Hope to see you there!

Seghel

Research is the Name of the Game

You guys have heard it all before- oh the economy! It’s busted up, broken down, and has left people empty-handed and hopeless. This blog is for those of you on the job hunt- and it’s about doing your homework.

Of course, every industry is different. You can only do so much research on a cafe were you’re applying for a part-time job on the weekends (although you should still try). However, if you’re trying to get any kind of job (especially entry-level) within any kind of industry, you should know that everyone appreciates an applicant who has gone out of their way to google the company/organization/person they want to work for, has read up on history, and can tell their potenial employer in a cover leter or interview why the mission statement or goal of a company clicks with them. It makes you a much better candidate for whateever job you’re applying for if you just take the time to look up a company’s website and browse through it. Keep in mind- a little bit of research goes a long way.

Best of luck on your job hunt,
Seghel

Resume and Cover Letter Worskhop!

Hey there all you blog readers. Have you been thinking about updating your resume lately? Need to write a cover letter for that job you're trying to apply for? (Hint: you ALWAYS have to write a cover letter for that job you're applying for!)

Well you're in luck. On Tuesday, September 28 we're having our resume and cover letter workshop, just for you guys! It's going from 5:00-6:30pm in the Fromm Maier Hall. Come to learn all the best tips and tricks on how to spice up your resume and write a cover letter to get that employer wanting to talk to you.

Any questions? E-mail us! Careerplanningpeer@usfca.edu. Or call us: (415) 422-6216.

Be there or be square!

-Sarah

12th Annual Nonprofit Expo

Hey Everybody!

Make sure you attend the 12th Annual Nonprofit Expo this coming Wednesday, September 8, 2010 between 11:30-2pm.  You'll have the opportunity to meet with recruiters from various not-for-profit organizations in the city.  You can also check out a list of the organizations coming on our website at usfca.edu/csc.  If you have more questions, you can give us a call at (415) 422-6216 or come by for Drop-Ins.  In the meantime, you can check out this video I made.  It'll give you a perspective on the set-up of the event- Enjoy!

Hope to see you there!
Seghel

Juggling Work and School

Hey Everybody- I hope this post finds you well.

The other day, I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine about whether or not it was a good idea to work at the same time you're in school.  It made me think about what the benefits were versus the cons of juggling a job, and internship, and a full course load.

After three years of juggling two jobs and a full courseload, I'm still kinda uncertain about how I can do all that.  I mean, obviously, I've been doing it already, but every semester is different.  I'm taking the very last classes I need to graduate, and I want to do really well in them.  But at the same time, I need some moolah. 

Plus, I know that it'd be virtually impossible to get a job in my field of study I can actually support myself with.  That means, I need to pick up an internship at the same time.  So for me, all signs point toward the juggling game. 

But, if I had the option to not work, I think I would choose very carefully.  I would probably try to reserve my fall semester for straight-up course work that I know I wouldn't be able to do at the same time as a job.  Then, I would probably reserve my spring semester for coursework that I still need, but maybe isn't as challenging, and try to get a semester-long internship that's related to my major. 

The results of the juggling game can be extremely beneficial.  For starters, you'll be able to multi-task effortlessly after a while, and that's a skill that can help you get almost any kind of job.  Also, after graduation, you'll be more likely to be able to get a real job within your industry if you've already got some legitimate training from an internship experience.

In the end, I think juggling is worth it because- do you really want to graduate with no job experience and have to start from scratch?

Have a good weekend, and good luck with the first week of classes!
Seghel

Budget Woes

Hi Everyone, I hope this blog post finds you well.  I just wanted to give  you all some advice about budgeting.

I'm estimating that a lot of you guys reading this blog are on an all-out job hunt.  While you're job hunting, you may or may not be broke.  Even if you aren't, I would definitely suggest learning how to make a budget.  A simple way to start is by writing down everything you purchase every day and how much you spend.  I guarantee that you will automatically start spending less almost immediately because you'll be super aware of where your dinero is going.  The next thing you can do is to start lumping together the stuff you spend money on into various categories: rent, groceries, entertainment, bills, etc.  This way, you might be able to start pinpointing in which categories you could probably be spending less money in, like entertainment.  You don't have to use this written budgeting system forever- but at least do it for a couple of months until you figure out how to manage your money better by spending less on stuff you don't need. 

Now, once you actually get a job, don't think you can kibash the budget.  A budget exists not only for the reason of keeping you alive with enough money for food and rent, but also so that you can start to save a little.  You might think you don't need to start saving until later, but think again.  Graduation isn't that far away, and unsubsidized loans start accumulating interest faster than you can say "Whoo hooo, I'm finished!"  Plus, if you have ANY loans, you're going to be obligated to begin paying them off within 6 months of your graduation.  (Lucky for you, the Career Services Center offers a one year grace period of free services after you graduate.)  So just because you have money in your pocket, try your best to avoid spending it like you won the jackpot.

But...even though you're on a budget, don't forget to splurge once in a while.  Treating yourself to a massage or a fancy dinner once in a while won't ruin your budget (if you splurge in moderation). 

And just fyi- I got a lot of this budgeting information from Suze Orman's Young, Fabulous, and Broke.  It's a great book and well worth the 20 bucks.  Plus, Bank of America online has a free budgeting sheet, which I think is available to anyone, even if you don't have an account with them.

Good luck!
Seghel

The Job Hunt in San Francisco

If you’ve recently graduated and are looking for a job in San Francisco, here are some tips to aid your job hunt. In writing this blog, I referred a lot to resources presented by WetFeet, both on their website and the books and information we have in the office. The resources I used online were all free and any students/almuni are welcome to browse our book selection.

When searching for a job in a major city like San Francisco, a couple of questions you should be asking yourself are:

• What are the major industries located in San Francisco?
•  According to WetFeet in 2006, the major industries in SF were advertising and public relations, Biotechnology, Consulting, Education, Financial Services and Insurance, Healthcare, Information Technology, Law, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Retail Trade, Tourism and Hospitality, and Venture Capital. Of course, when looking to break into any industry, especially in a new city, research is key to getting a foot in the door. Knowing who the big dogs are, their mission statements, their goals, is vital to writing your resume and cover letter if you’re thinking of applying for a job there. This information is free and flowing, so start researching.

•  What level/areas of education are needed to obtain well-paying jobs?
•  For most well-paying jobs, higher education is key. That means a masters-level education is highly valued, but extensive relevant experience is sometimes comparable as well. That means that while you’re in school getting your undergrad degree, slaving away at all those unpaid internships really does pay-off. 

•  Do your application materials a true reflection of how good a candidate you are?
•  An up-to-date, clean resume is often times the first point of contact between an applicant and a hiring manager. The first impression you make is crucial, so make sure that your resume is as stellar as possible. Also, even if the job posting doesn’t ask for a cover letter, write one anyway. For more information about how to write an awesome resume and cover letter, visit our office, check out our website, or call us. See- we make it easy for you!

Best of luck,
Seghel

Helpful Literature

Hey guys! Are you feeling like you lack direction? Here at the Career Services Center, we offer some great literature to students/graduates who are trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Feel free to come in any time between 9am-5pm Monday through Friday to look at them. The only downside is that you can't take them home with you. Here's a list of some of my favorites:

50 Ways to Get Hired
The Overnight Job Change Strategy
I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This
How to Get Your First Job and Keep It
Job Hunting in San Francisco
150 Best Companies for Liberal Arts Grads
Vault College Career Bible

Good luck, and have a great weekend!
-Seghel

This Could Be You

Hey everyone, I hope this post finds you well. I just posted a video introducing Ankit Chovatia. He's a awesome guy who graduated in May 2010 and is set up with a schweet job because he used our services. See for yourself!

Have a good day!

Work-Study Debunked

Work-study is a bit of a mystery, I know.  In fact, a large percentage of freshmen who come through our office ask about it, thinking that work-study is controlled through our office.  Work-study is actually a federal grant that’s handed out based on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results, which means that you gotta talk to the One Stop Office in Lone Mountain (415-422-2020).  All financial aid inquires are handled by One Stop. 

Most departments on campus prefer to hire students who have been granted work-study packages.  (You can also see which departments on campus only hire students with work-study when you search for on-campus jobs on the Student Employment website.)  Unfortunately, not every student who submits a FAFSA gets a grant.  However, if you have been granted work-study, make sure you start hunting for an on-campus job STAT.  There is a cut-off date sometime in October in the Fall semester (and probably sometime in February or March in the Spring semester) by when you must get a job or forfeit your work-study grant.

Getting a job on campus is highly competitive, so you need to be prepared with a stellar resume and cover letter, not to mention some great interviewing skills.  We can help you develop your job application materials and interviewing skills at the Career Services Center.  Just come on by!   

See you then!
Seghel  

We're Still Open!

Ahoy there!  Hope you’re all having a good summer.

I just wanted to remind you guys that the Career Services Center IS open during the summer!  We are open from 9am-5pm Monday- Friday.  You can make appointments with counselors, or just come in during Drop-In Hours from 11am-1pm if you just have a quick question.



Hope to see you soon!
Seghel

Say Bye-Bye to Mommy and Daddy

Hi everyone,

I'm not one to squander any opportunities that come my way.  As my December 2010 graduation approaches, you can be sure that I won't be refusing to shake hands and network.  But however fearful I am of failure and rejection, I know I can't lean on my parents.  They've helped me get this far- now it's my job to...get a job!  That means I'm going to be networking till my wrist is sore from shaking so many hands, my fingers bruised from typing up cover letters, and my throat raw from interviewing until I get that job.

However, if my parents were to ask me one day if I wanted to meet so-and-so because their company needs interns, I'm definitely going to jump at that chance.  Even if their company is a part of an industry I'm not majoring in, I'm not gonna be closing any doors until I've explored all my options.  That doesn't mean that I'm going to wait for my parents to hook me up with a job through their connections, but I'd be open to it.

The point I'm trying to make here is this: you've got the skills and the tools after years of post-secondary education to get a job.  Just because the economy isn't doing so hot doesn't mean you have a free pass to let your parents take care of getting a job for you.

Best of luck,
Seghel

How to Succeed in a Phone Interview

While it's hard to imagine that a phone interview is just like any other interview, it essentially is.  There isn't much of a difference, except that interviewers and interviewees can't view each other.  Here are a couple things to remember to help ensure that you'll ace that phone interview, along with any other interview for that matter.

• Personality: A couple of attributes that make any interviewee a joy to interview is being personable.  That means smiling- and yes, people can hear you smile over the phone.  It's not about slapping a smile on your face just so that your voice sounds different over the phone.  Just try to relax, be yourself, be calm, and be honest (but not self-deprecating) and don't make too many jokes.
• Promptness: It is just as important to be on-time and ready to go during a phone interview as it is for an in-person interview.  That being said, if you have a phone interview in the morning, wake up plenty of time before the phone interview, because just like people can see sleep-crust in your eyes, they can hear morning-grog in your voice when you just wake up (which is just as unpleasant to encounter).
• Clarity: In any interview, it's imperative to be clear, but brief, when answering any questions, while making sure to give some interesting detail.  However, when interviewing over the phone, the importance of being clear doubles because 1) it's usually easier for people to understand what you're saying when they can also see your facial expressions and 2) it's more difficult for the interviewer to gain clarity from asking you follow-up questions because they can't see you pause or stop talking (aka, they don't want to interrupt!).  The best thing for you to do is, at the end of answering a question, to ask, "Did that answer your question?"  Also, it's okay to pause, but don't be quiet for an eternity.  You can say something like, "Hmm, let me think about that for a second" if you need to gather your thoughts before answering a question.  It's totally okay to take a minute to answer a question thoughtfully and clearly.  If you're nervous, that's okay, it's normal.  If you start stuttering or rambling, just try to laugh it off while literally apologizing and acknowledging that you're nervous.  Stop, take a breath, and think before you say anything! 

I hope that helped!  Best of luck with your interviews!
-Seghel

The Throwaway Game

Hi Everyone!

I hope your summers have gotten off to a good start.  I've noticed that a lot of students have been coming in to the Career Services Center trying hard to get summer jobs.  I think you've all been doing a good job of trying to get employment, especially if you're seeking out our services.  However, I think there are some startling facts the rest of you need to know if you haven't been giving your all in applying for jobs.  In this economy, employers are obviously hiring a lot less, but that doesn't mean that tons of people aren't applying for jobs.  To sort through all those applicants, employers will resort to some unsettling tactics:

• Deadlines: When it comes to deadlines, earlier is ALWAYS better, especially if you're applying by email.  Employers will often check out just the first few resumes that they receive because they're bombarded with so many resumes.  So don't wait longer than it takes to get your resume polished to send it in- try your best to send it in the same day the job was posted!
• Cover letters:  A seasoned professional can tell whether or not you spent 5 minutes copying-and-pasting what you wrote for a past cover letter, as opposed to taking the time to address the specific position at the specific company you're applying for.  Make sure that in your cover letter, you write down at least one reason why you want to work for that company you're applying to (e.g. do you like it's mission statement and/or values?) and how you feel you can contribute to that company.  Be specific and concise.  And ALWAYS include a cover letter with your resume, even if no one asks for one.
• Resume length: If you think it's not that big a deal if your resume is slightly longer than one page, think again.  Employers spend about 15-20 seconds glancing through your resume, which is why resumes need to be organized so specifically: employers want to find specific information super fast, such as whether or not you're a student (e.g. that's why an "Education" section is first for all current students).  Remember to consider that when an employer is sorting through hundreds of applicants, a one-page resume versus a resume that's more than one page will be most likely to avoid being thrown into a shredder.

I hope this helps!  Best of luck!
Seghel

How to Be Top Dog- Even as an Intern

The other day, I started my summer internship at an awesome, not-for-profit organization in the city.  I stuffed envelopes for five hours.  I'm not joking.  It was five, straight hours.

There were a couple of moments when I sat there wondering what exactly I'd gotten myself into.  But then I realized- hey, wait a second, I'm working at a grass-roots, non-profit organization that actually cares for people and provides incredible resources for people in need.  If stuffing envelopes for five hours straight is what it takes to make it happen, then I'm happy to do it.

Yesterday also made me start thinking about companies as a whole and how teamwork is integral to actually getting anything done.  If you've ever worked in an office or a restaurant or anything like that, you get what I'm saying: upon a customer's entry through the door, they need to be greeted, directed to point A, further assisted, directed to point B, and thanked on their way out.  That's at least four steps, and this is a simplified version of what actually happens in an office, restaurant, or other business.  That means that whether or not anyone is acknowledging your existence or telling you what an excellent job you're doing, know for yourself that you're contributing something valuable- even when you're fetching coffee or scrubbing out the office fridge.

What I urge you to remember is that, as an intern, you need to be a sponge.  Not only are you responsible for learning the tasks that are taught to you as quickly as possible, but you also need to pay attention to everything around you.  Observe how the place works: is it a fast-paced environment?  Are people usually pretty stressed out?  Make yourself indispensable!  Offer an extra hand, even when both of yours are buried underneath 1400 letters that need to be signed and stamped.  Try not to feed into the frenzy either- just because others may appear busy and stressed out doesn't mean that you automatically have to mimic that sentiment.

Good luck with everything!
Seghel

It’s STILL Not Too Late to Get a Summer Internship

Hey everyone-

I know it’s scary to face the music. You may be thinking that since summer vacation has already started, you’re never going to get that internship you were hoping you’d be working this summer. And maybe it’s a result of the luck of the draw, and maybe it’s a result of bad timing on your part. All that doesn’t matter now; what matters now is gearing up to give it another shot- your best shot. What does that mean? Let me give you a play-by-play of how to get a summer internship:

1. The best way to start is by registering with Internship Exchange, an amazing online database with hundred of available internships. This database is great because it’s only accessible by about 20 schools in the United States- that means that your chances of getting an internship are boosted way up! Plus, you can see internships all over the States: San Francisco, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, etc. Easy instructions for how to register can be found on our website at www.usfca.edu/career.

2. Bring us your resume. There’s no way around it. If you thought getting an internship was competitive before the summer started, think of how many other people are scrambling for internships. That means that you need to be in tip-top shape to even be a competitor. Employers look at a resume for an average of 15-20 seconds- and those are the good ones! If your resume is a mess, those employers are bound to take one glance at it before tossing it in the shredder. We are offering Drop-In Hours Monday-Friday from 11am-1pm. You don’t even have to make an appointment to see us if you come during those hours.

3. Fine-tune for the position. This means that for EACH position you want to apply to, you need a stellar cover letter. We can also help you edit it during Drop-In Hours, but get a head start on writing one by again visiting our website and accessing the Job & Internship Resource Guide under the “Quick Links” on the right-hand side. Fine-tuning also means practicing your interviewing skills. We help students do this by setting up mock interviews with our professional staff members and videotaping you so that you can see what the employer sees during an interview. Sounds scary, right? It can be, but it’s ridiculously helpful.

We look forward to seeing you!

-Seghel

signing out...

Dear whoever's out there...

This is my final blog for the Career Services Center, and I want to take a minute to reflect on my year here, and offer up any words of encouragement and/or advice that I can think of...

My time at CSC has been an incredible experience. I have learned SO much from the professional staff members, student staff, and from all of you. I hope you all understand what a valuable resource the counselors and student staff are and are able to use them throughout your time at USF. They all have so much knowledge and experience to share to help guide you along your path, whether you're a freshman looking to draft your first resume, or an alumni who is ready for a career change, and everyone in between.

I also want to give you all a heads up about the changes with CSC and all of University Life in general. We are now officially located on the 5th floor. It's going to take us awhile to get used to being with so many other offices and to work out the kinks, so bear with us!

Our drop in hours are now officially on summer hours, 11am-1pm, Monday through Friday, and to make appointments with the professional staff, you'll still call the same number 415-422-6216, and let the person on the other end know that you'd like to make an appointment with a career counselor!

Again, I just want to say what an amazing and knowledgeable group of people work at the Career Services Center, and that I hope you are able to utilize them in your job preparation and search along the way!

It has been a complete pleasure working with each and every one of them and you! Have a fantastic summer, and enjoy the rest of your time at USF!

-Allison

A Response to J.'s Comment

Dear J.,

That's definitely a rough boat to be in.  Like I said in a previous post, rejection is difficult to deal with.  There are multiple factors involved in not being selected to fill a job position though.  It may just be that the economy is creating an extremely intense level of competition for jobs, simply because companies can't afford to hire as many people as before.  It could also be that you need to brush up on some interviewing skills and strategies with our professional staff members here at the Career Services Center.  However, from your comment, it seems that you prepared yourself very well for the last interview you had.

All I can say is to not be discouraged.  I know it stinks, but letting it affect you intensely may also come across in your demeanor with the next interview you land.  It sounds like you're trying your best though, and that's great- keep it up!  Lastly, as soon as you have enrolled at USF, come by our office.  We're moving to the 5th floor of the University Center (the UC) after May 17th.  We have drop-in hours everyday, where you can come without an appointment during the allotted time of the day (usually between 11am to 2pm) and talk to a career counselor about the job rut you're in.  We look forward to seeing you!

Take care,
Career Planning Peers

J. said: 


I feel like T______T about this summer.

I applied to over 70 paid and unpaid summer internships and jobs ever since December 2009 and received either rejection letter or no replies at all. It's all disappointing because in the past, I usually received a couple of interviews and managed to get a job during school years and summers.

Then a top company, whose products I always admired since childhood, offered me an exclusive interview. AND the position was paid, which would greatly help me pay off some of my college tuition, since my family's economically burdened. But what I cared most was gaining new skills and insight about one of my favorite industries -- and possibly have a future job there. I had the experience and requirements of this position, so I felt extremely determined about getting this.

I spent 3 days researching this company -- their promotions, background, products, tasks of the department I applied for ... everything. I also studied what to say/not to say during an interview and rehearsed my answers a few times.

At the end, I tried my best ... but I guess my best wasn't good enough. Last week, I received information that I wasn't picked. Being overly sensitive, I agonized for days. "Was it because a student from a better, more famous and prestigious university got the job?" "Did my answer stray off from what they asked?" "Maybe it's also because I don't have the major that's related to their department, even though I stated my interest and related job skills..." All my flaws and mistakes I believed I made still haunts me.

I pretty much gave up, but I'll still apply for more jobs. I might have to fork over some cash for summer classes this year, since my current college won't offer them. I'm transferring to USF this fall, but since I'm not an official student yet, I won't get financial aid for this summer. T______T 

Attention Everyone: Things are Looking Up!

Really good news for all you job seekers out there. According to NACE’s Job Outlook 2010 review (if you didn’t know, NACElink is the company that manages DonsCareers, our school's online job database, which if you haven't checked out yet you totally should here) hiring is up in nearly all reporting industries.

Let me repeat that: hiring is up in nearly all reporting industries! Good news? You bet.

To get more specific:

• Employers plan to hire 5.3% more new college graduates in 2009-10 than they did in 2008-09. This is a stark contrast to the bleak 22% DROP in hiring that happened in 2009.
• Nearly 80 percent of responding employers say their spring recruiting plans call for them to hire for full-time and/or internship positions.

Not only has NACE reported changes, but we've seen them in our office as well. Alex Hochman, our Assistant Director and Internship coordinator, has reported seeing a noticeable increase in internships sent to our office, internships which employers themselves told him they could have never sent us last year. Not to mention students who come to our office have been reporting more options and in many cases more success stories.

So what what does this mean for you? For one, let's stop the doom and gloom last year's economic situation has left in our heads, because things are most definitely looking up. Stay calm, be positive, and get yourself out there. All signs are pointing in your favor.

Good luck, and stay positive,
Sarah

Don't Feel Desperate: Come Talk to Us Instead

It's a bummer getting rejected. I know, you don't have to tell me, because I've experienced it. I'm currently a psychology major on a pre-med track, which I started only recently. I've been busy all my life, working two jobs, volunteering, getting pretty decent grades, the whole sha-bang. I've been applying to internship opportunities for this coming summer since the middle of March. Granted, I haven't heard back from everyone yet, but it's looking a little grim. I'm not sure anymore if I'll be able to land a paid internship for this summer. So what am I supposed to do now?

Well, I definitely can do something. Even if I'm not getting a paid position, I'm going to apply like crazy to unpaid volunteer/internship positions as well- stuff that I find not only on Internship Exchange, but also through the Career Services' website and on DonsCareers, where we post links to the organizations that come to USF in the fall for the Non-Profit Expo. San Francisco has so many incredible not-for-profit organizations, I'm confident that I'll work with amazing people at the organizations I'm applying to volunteer with (if I get accepted, knock on wood). But I do understand that that means I'm going to be working as much as I can at my part-time jobs to make ends meet, in addition to working at the non-profit organization. It's a little bit of a bummer, to be honest, thinking that I'm not going to be a lazy body over the summer.  But in the end, I know I'm going to get to work with amazing people, do amazing work, and be way happier than I ever would if I was just chillin' at home doing nothing.

Competition is fierce nowadays, not only for jobs, but for internships too. And it's not like we've been sitting on our butts all along, right? We've been getting good grades, working our part-time jobs, and keeping up with applying for job/internship/volunteer opportunities like crazy. But if you haven't been hearing replies back, or if you've gotten a couple of rejections too, don't fret. An opportunity will open up, just keep working and staying busy (and keep your eyes peeled!).

Have a wonderful weekend,
Seghel

Video Recap of "Careers in Social Justice" Panel

Careers for Social Justice

Calling all students looking to work in social justice!! Last week, CSC’s intern, Geneva, put on a stunningly successful workshop called, “Careers for Social Justice”. With five knowledgeable panelists who work in all different parts of the social justice world, attendees of the workshop were able to walk away with a wealth of knowledge about many aspects of the social justice/ non-profit work field.

I’ll try to summarize, so that those of you who weren’t able to make it can benefit as well!

1. Networking- This is SO important, BUT it’s not as scary as it sounds! Basically, networking is a fancy word for talking to people. It’s making connections with people, talking to friends of friends, finding out what people do, and asking around. It’s asking people, “who would I talk to for…”? Which brings me to my next point….
2. Informational interviews- One fantastic way to put yourself on the radar AND to learn about a potential career path, is to set up an informational interview with someone. People like being asked about themselves, and feeling like an expert. Ask things like, “what do you do?” You want to understand what the day to day of a job entails before you pursue it… (Hopefully sometime soon, we’ll be able to give you more details about how exactly to conduct these interviews, including a video example.)
3. Breaking into the biz- The panelists stressed that it is important to understand that most everyone starts at the bottom and works their way up. A great way to get your foot in the door is to volunteer at the type of place you could see yourself working for. Be helpful, work hard, and treat it like any professional job you might have. Many volunteers get hired after they put in their time, and the more valuable of an asset you become, the more likely your volunteer time could turn into a paid position. Another suggestion made was to keep your eyes open to any and all opportunities. Put yourself on tons of mailing lists, and filter what comes through. You never know where your break is going to come from, so make yourself available!
4. Money, money, money- Many people shy away from the non-profit sector because it has a reputation of being a low paying field. The truth? Panelists claim that they have little problem making the money work, and that the benefits are usually great (healthcare, etc.). Also, the more experience you have (practical and educational), the more specific your work can be, and the more you will be paid. Most of the panelists recognized that although the money isn’t as high as it would be in other fields, the importance of having a vocation, a calling, rather than just a job, was just as important, if not more, than making the big bucks. Another thing to keep in mind that working for social justice does not necessarily equal working in a non-profit. Salaries are generally going to be higher in for profit businesses. (Pick up a handout at CSC on career options you might have thought of that work towards social justice. For example: lawyer, policy maker, teacher, etc.)

Finally, as satisfying as this kind of work can be, it is hard! All of the panelist agreed on how important it is to balance out your life with activities that you enjoy, to offset the potential stress, as well as to have a strong support system! 

Stay tuned for a video recap... tomorrow!

Go out and do good!
-Allison

Internship Frustration

Many of us know by now that internships are practically essential if we’re going to break into most fields after graduation. If you weren’t aware, allow me to elaborate: While ten years ago internships looked exceptional on a resume, in this day and age you need at least two or three to even attempt to look competitive. With more and more employers requiring experience for entry level jobs, internships have become standard in the college experience.

But therein lays one of the more pressing issues about internships: how can one afford the time to do them? So many seem to be unpaid (or at least that’s what we assume), and students who need to work to pay for rent/groceries/bills/tuition understandably find themselves in quite a bind when trying to build up their resume.

However, here’s an unfortunately little known fact: in the state of California it is illegal for a for-profit company to hire an unpaid intern that is not receiving any other compensation, such as class credit. Also, internships are by law supposed to be a space where you are getting some sort of educational benefit (i.e. learning skills other than what the best ratio of coffee to cream is). Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop most companies from violating those rules, in some cases even just putting the title “intern” on what is essentially a menial job so they can get labor for free. Totally illegal.

How can you can you protect yourself from this?

• The number one thing to know is that, if you are working for a for-profit company, you should expect some type of compensation for your work.
• Your Career Services Center (that’s us!) should be watching out for you, and only posting jobs on our DonsCareers and Internship Exchange databases that are either paid (if they are a for-profit company), unpaid (if they are a non-profit company), or meet other special requirements.
• Let someone know (like us) if you feel you’ve been exploited. While most students don’t report companies hiring unpaid interns for fear of negative consequences, taking a step up and calling people out should move the internship industry further along in the right direction.
• Keep in mind that, while they technically should be paying, certain industries (especially in the entertainment field like movies and record labels) have a long history of hiring unpaid interns. This practice is seen as part of the process of working in those fields and therefore unlikely to be changed anytime soon. 
• Attend our "Last Chance for Internships Workshop" next Wednesday, April 14th, from 5:30-6:30pm in McLaren 250. Speak with a career counselor in much more depth about what your options are, learn how to be smarter about your internship search, and even hear details about a few brand new internships that haven't been posted anywhere else.

Unfortunately the move towards regulating and enforcing paid interns for for-profit companies is moving at a snails pace. But this does not mean you should give up or get discouraged. The most important thing to do is be informed, know your rights, speak out if you feel something is wrong, know that there are plenty of paid internships out there, and seek those positions that are legitimate and right for you.

 Best of luck,
-Sarah

Hey seniors!

Hey seniors! Graduation is coming, and it's coming FAST. It feels like yesterday was the first day of the semester, and I'm afraid to blink, because then it will already be May. This can be such an intimidating, possibly overwhelming time of life, but don't worry I'm right there with you! The opportunities feel endless and minuscule at the same time, huh? So where are we supposed to start?

My general advice, from one confused senior to another?

We all have to start somewhere, and no matter where that is, we can always change our paths down the road, so take a deep breath of relief!

I'd also say that wherever you start, stick with it for a couple of months. If it feels too difficult, it might be an opportunity for you to really push yourself, and you don't want to abandon it before you find out why it's making you try so hard.

So how do you know what the first step is?

Use us! Use our resources. You don't even need to come into the office to do this. Use our website. Click through some of the options under the student tab, such as, well, all of them…. Under quick links- check out the major handouts. Figure out what you can do with what you've been studying, and take the first step. That's the scariest part; the rest will fall into place. You never know when the opportunity you never even thought of is going to come knocking on your door and change all your plans. Be flexible. This is a time of trial and error.

Be proactive and don’t forget to breathe!

Good luck, and come talk to the peers! (M-F, 11-2, T&W 4-7 too!)

-Allison

P.S. Stay tuned for feedback (written and video!) from the Careers for Social Justice panel!

Nursing Speed Mock Interviews

Attention Nursing Students:

It is still not too late to sign up for the Nursing Speed Mock Interviews on Monday, April 5th. You can either sign up for 5:30-6:30pm or the 6:30-7:30pm time frame. This is a good opportunity to practice your interview skills in a fun and fast-paced environment! Based on the “speed dating” concept, you will potentially have the opportunity to practice 6 interviews within an hour. Although this is not a recruiting event, Nurse recruiters from CPMC, Kaiser, SF General, Alameda County Medical Center and more.. are volunteering their time and expertise to help you prepare for your job search.

The event will take place in Fromm Hall, Mair Room.

To sign up please call Career Services at (415)-422-6216

Hope to see some of you there.
-Renee Burrell, Career Counselor

TODAY Careers for Social Justice workshop

Don't forget that our Careers for Social Justice workshop is TODAY!!!

Careers for Social Justice
TODAY Tuesday, March 30th
5:30-7:00pm
McLaren 252

Passion, purpose, paycheck! Come learn about exciting and rewarding social justice careers from a panel of change agents and professionals from education, non-profit, community health, and more! Learn about career options, practical strategies, and tips for succeeding in preparing and searching for careers for social justice.

Here are the professional biographies of the panelists:

Tina Duong has been the Director of Development at Habitat for Humanity SF for almost a year and a half. With Habitat for humanity, she works to end poverty housing in the US and abroad by creating equal access to safe and affordable homes while fundraising. Her bachelor’s is in Business and International Marketing from USF, and this degree helped prepare her for positions with the Youth Leadership Institute and Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California, both in a development capacity. Before entering the non-profit sector, Tina held various sales and marketing positions at high-tech services firms for 7 years.

Melanie Raygoza is an Employment Specialist for the Positive Resource Center. In this position for almost 2 years, she provides employment counseling and advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS and people with mental health disabilities. This is Melanie’s first professional position after earning her bachelor’s in Sociology and International Studies from USF. As a USF student, she worked as an Advocate for Community Engagement for USF's Office of Service-Learning and Community Action and served as a liaison between service-learning students, professors, and community partners to coordinate projects. Melanie also interned for a year with the St. Anthony Foundation, where she assisted the staff to provide computer training and employment preparation assistance to homeless and low-income individuals. She hopes to pursue a Masters degree in social work beginning in fall 2010 or spring 2011.

Thom Lynch has served as the Interim Executive Director for the New Leaf Services for Our Community for less than a year, but has extensive experience in working with non-profit and community health organizations on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in San Francisco and in Spain. Before coming to New Leaf, Thom served as the CEO and President of the SF LGBT Community Center for nearly 5 years and the Deputy Executive Director at Project Open Hand for 8 years, among other positions. Currently, he serves on the LGBT Advisory Committee for Human Rights Watch and served six years as the San Francisco County Chair of the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Thom has an academic background in Theology, with a both bachelor’s and 2 years of graduate coursework in Theology.

Mary Grace Almandrez is the Assistant Dean for the USF Multicultural Student Services, where she addresses issues related to equity and inclusion in higher education with particular attention to racism and heterosexism. As a professional in higher education student affairs, Mary Grace has been at USF for almost 6 years and has also worked as the Director for the Office of Mission and Diversity at Notre Dame de Namur University and the Director of Multicultural Services at McDaniel College. She prepared for these positions with a bachelor’s in Sociology, a master’s in Human Resources Development. Mary Grace is currently working toward her EdD in Organization & Leadership here at USF.

Megan Martin is the Operations Manager for Abraham’s Vision of Peace, a non-profit organization that works on issues of conflict transformation, particularly working with students connected to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. With a bachelor’s in History with an Anthropology minor and a Masters in Politics with a concentration in International Relations, Megan has been working with Abraham’s Vision of Peace for less than a year. Previous to this, she worked as the Deputy Finance Director for a political campaign in New York.

For more information, please contact Geneva Sarcedo at the Career Services Center, (415) 422-6216.

Hope to see you there!

Geneva

Major Blues

We’ve been getting a ton of students coming in who want to change their majors. They say stuff along the lines of, “Well my parents think I should do this, but I don’t know what I want to do…” Or, “I want to be an artist, but how will I make any money?”

Here’s the skinny guys- not only do you need to talk to us, but you can utilize all of the awesome resources we offer. Did you know we have a website? It’s chock full of amazing information, like a handout for EVERY major on campus, detailing what you can do with you, what industries you can go into, what additional skills they require, etc. And not that we advocate choosing a career path solely based on salary, but we suggest that you also check out our resources on salary information.

One general thing you can be doing is actively keeping your eyes and ears open too. What does that mean? It means taking some classes that don’t have anything to do with your major that peak your interest- if you’re a bio major and have always been interested in policy advocacy, consider taking a politics class for instance. Talk to professors from your and other various departments about the things that interest you and form a rapport with them. If they know you and your interests, they’re that much more likely to look out for you if they see something of interest. You also don’t need to limit your networking with professors or people you know on campus. You can set up informational interviews with companies or organizations that you think are awesome, and that might help you narrow down what majors your interested in.

Have a great weekend,
Seghel

Careers for Social Justice workshop 3/30

The Priscilla A. Scotlan Career Services Center is pleased to invite you to the Careers for Social Justice workshop:

Careers for Social Justice
Tuesday, March 30th
5:30-7:00pm
McLaren 252

Passion, purpose, paycheck! Come learn about exciting and rewarding social justice careers from a panel of change agents and professionals from education, non-profit, community health, and more! Learn about career options, practical strategies, and tips for succeeding in preparing and searching for careers for social justice.

For more information, please contact Geneva Sarcedo at the Career Services Center, (415) 422-6216.

Hope to see you there!

Geneva

Career Fair Flashbacks

Hey guys, if you didn't get a chance to attend the 22nd Annual Career & Internship Fair, here are some tips and feedback from students who did.

 

Seghel

2010 Career and Internship Fair in Review

 Students speaking with employers at the 2010 Career and Internship Fair

The Spring 2010 Career Fair came to a close in what both employers and Career Center staff felt to be a resounding success. A total of 41 employers represented themselves at the fair this year, and a little over 350 students attended. Although the fair was smaller than in previous years, the vibe was undoubtedly better. In their reviews, employers went out of their way to comment not only on how impressed they were with student's preparation for the fair, but also the attendee's dress and conversation. It seems the students who attended this year not only wanted to be there but prepared appropriately by doing their research, and from the Employer's end it certainly showed.

So, to everyone who attended the fair this year, please give yourself a big ole' pat on the back. Now just don't forget to follow up with all those employers you met with - networking is everything!

Have a great spring break,
Sarah

p.s. Don't forget our office is open during Spring Break for regular business hours (9-5) from Monday to Friday. Drop in hours will only be from 11am-2pm each day (no evening drop-ins over break). I'll be here, so drop by to say and keep me busy.

TONIGHT! CAREER FAIR PREP WORKSHOP AT 5:30!

TONIGHT, March 3rd
CAREER FAIR PREP WORKSHOP
5:30-7:00pm, McLaren Complex, Room 252
Students, meet with actual Recruiters and get tips on how to make a great personal impression at the March 5th Career Fair.

Career Fair Week

This week is a BIG week for career development! Don't forget to check out as many career services event as possible this week!! Check it out...

Tuesday (3/2), Wednesday (3/3), Thursdsay (3/4)
RESUME REVIEWS
12:00-1:30pm, In front of Market Cafe (3/2 & 3/3)
12:00-1:30pm, In front of Crossroads Cafe (3/4)
Students, get your resume reviewed by a professional Recruiter before the Career Fair. Make sure you have a resume that's ready to impress at the Fair!

Wednesday, 3/3/10
CAREER FAIR PREP WORKSHOP
5:30-7:00pm, McLaren Complex, Room 252
Students, meet with actual Recruiters and get tips on how to make a great personal impression at the Career Fair.

FRIDAY, 3/5/10
22ND CAREER & INTERNSHIP FAIR
11:00am to 3:00pm, McLaren Complex
Dress professionally and bring plenty of resumes.
40 companies will be here with jobs and internships, and they want to meet you!
For a complete list of companies, go to www.usfca.edu/career and click on the Career Fair Banner for Students to see who's coming.

See you ALL!!
-Allison

De-Crowd Your Resume, Increase Your Chances of Getting a Job

For those of you who have the not-so-terrible “problem” of too much information on your resume, this blog is for you.  A lot of people think, hey, how can this be a problem?  A lot of work experience should work in my favor, right?  The short answer is sometimes yes, and sometimes no.

If you’re an undergraduate student, then yes, having a lot of work experience definitely works in your favor.  But it’s not likely that all of your work experience is relevant to the kinds of jobs and internships you’re applying for to build your career.  We can definitely show you how to shape your resume based on the position you’re applying to, and it’s something you can learn to do easily as well.  Essentially, the kind of jobs you’ll be applying to are going to be entry-level positions that require a one-page resume, so start editing.

The only way you can get away with a resume that’s more than one page long is if you’re applying for a non-entry-level position and if your resume is AT LEAST one and a half pages long.  A page and a quarter just won’t do.  

Have a great weekend,

Seghel

CPP's Are Coming to Your Dorms!

Hey everybody, the Career Planning Peers are going to be visiting freshmen dorms during the next two weeks.  We're gonna be giving away insider information about what you need to know as a freshmen to make your college career a cinch.  We will be visiting during these times:

3/2, Tuesday: Fromm Hall 6-7pm
3/8, Monday: Gillson Hall 5:30-6:30pm
3/9, Tuesday: Hayes Healy 5-6pm

Any and all are welcome to come!

Have a good one,
Seghel

What ARE objective statements anyway?

While I look at a variety of resumes on a daily basis, all with their own unique flavor and design, the one thing I find myself catching over and over again are issues with objective statements. So let's take a more in-depth look at what they're all about.

What are objective statements?
Simply put, objective statements are a one sentence declaration of what you’re looking for and why you’re sending your resume in to the employer. It should be short, clear, and focused. The main purpose is to make it simpler for the hiring manager to know exactly what you are looking for. Therefore, just like with a cover letter, object statements need to be tailored to a specific position, so make a new one each time!

Really? I have to make a new one each time?
Unfortunately yes. But lucky for you, changing them is incredibly simple as they really are only one sentence long. But they must be changed because they must be specific, and catered to each job you’re seeking.

What if I’m attending a Career Fair?
In a situation like this I’ve usually recommended students just take their objective statement off completely. It’s important to note here that objective statements are not mandatory, and most every employer will not have an issue if you chose to omit this section.

What do they have to include?
Objective statements are very basic, but very specific. Having a general statement like: “I’m a driven young professional looking for a career with a great company” is, in all honesty, just fluff. It doesn’t add much to your resume, and really just winds up being a space waster in the end. Instead, you need to include at least two, and ideally three basic components.

• Who you’re applying to (Kaiser, Project Open Hand, Ernst & Young…)
• What position you’re applying for (Intern, Marketing Assistant, Accountant…)
• What you can bring to them (communication skills, leadership ability…)
• This point is not necessary, but may add to the overall feel

Or to put this all together more clearly, here is the basic template we show to all resume writers:

To obtain a position with ________ company as a _________ utilizing my _______, __________, and ___________ skills.

Of course this is a stock example, and is certainly not your only option in terms of objective statement structure. What we want you to take away from this template, though, is the necessity of being specific with what you’re applying for, and where to include your personal skills if you chose to do so.

Some other clear, focused examples to consider:

• An internship position with Wright and Young inc. with a focus on counseling issues related to older adults, their adult children, and their families.
• To obtain a position in a Registered Nurse New Grad Training Program in Pediatrics.

To sum it all up

• Objectives can be helpful, but are not a mandatory part of your resume writing process. If you’re struggling with space on the resume, or if you’re attending a career fair or similar event, it might be in your best interest to remove the objective statement entirely.
• If you are going to include an object statement, make sure it’s specific, make sure it gives a basic overview of what you’re applying for, and make sure it has one to two examples of what you can bring to the organization.

Hope this cleared some things up!

-Sarah

Transform yourself into the best candidate for the job!

I was looking around to see what different people and organizations are saying about what is important regarding finding and landing a job. A common theme seemed to pop up everywhere; and it’s a theme that we can’t stop talking about here at CSC. Any guesses?

Personalization, personalization, personalization.

Besides the obvious problems with misspelling a company’s name (or including the wrong company’s name!), a hiring manager can tell when you haven’t tailored your cover letter and/or resume to fit their wants and needs.

So how do you make yourself look like the very best person for the job?

Take the time to research each company individually. Read the job description carefully, and identify the skills or requirements they are looking for.

Once you know what they’re looking for, think about the experiences you have that show how you acquired each of those skills. It won’t do you much good to go into detail about your incredible painting skills when they are clearly asking for someone with public speaking skills. Now, this doesn’t mean you should make up a story about “that time you spoke to an auditorium full of hundreds of people,” when it was really only a few friends. It does mean that you should brainstorm examples that show your speaking abilities, i.e. class presentations or giving reports to your club.

If the company doesn’t have a job description (or even if they do…), find out any and all information you can about them. Read their mission statement, their impact on the community, etc. Even if you don’t use this information for your resume or cover letter, it will certainly benefit you in an interview. Or, it may even show you that this isn’t a company you want to apply to.

The point is: know what you’re applying for, understand what they are looking for, and use your creativity (truthfully) to show why you’re the best candidate for the job!

Good luck!
-Allison

You CAN Still Apply for Summer Internships

Hey Everyone!

Hope your semester is going well so far and you’re not too stressed about classes (I know I am).  Here’s something you don’t have to stress out about: it’s not too late to apply for summer internships.  There are a ton of internships that are still available and have deadlines that extend to mid-April.  But don’t wait that long to apply!  You know as well as I do that time flies.  And trust me- the earlier you apply, the better.  You have a much better chance of landing an internship if you submit your resume right around when they’re starting to be accepted.  Just make sure to come by our office during Drop-In hours to have us check out your resume and cover letter before submitting them.

Another thing to keep in mind is that our internship database is separate from our job bank.  You can find internships at Internship Exchange, which you can register for on our website at www.usfca.edu/career (Click on the “Student” link in the left-hand navigation menu).  It only takes a few minutes to register, so do it as soon as possible! 

Have a great weekend,

Seghel

Resume and Cover Letter Workshop

Are you finding that your Resume or your Cover Letters are lacking a little… color? Do you want to find a way to make them stand out? Well don’t fret, because the Resume and Cover Letter workshop is going on next Wednesday, February 3^rd, from 5:30-7:00pm in McLaren 252.

Make sure to bring those monochrome Resumes and Cover Letters and we’ll help you brighten them up!

See you there,

Sarah

Ciao ragazzi! (“Hey guys!” In Italiano)

It has been a long, challenging, and incredibly amazing five months since I’ve last written to you all. In that time I’ve been studying abroad in Rome, traveling to different parts of Europe, and yes, even sky diving (and there are pictures… awful, hilarious pictures). To sum it up: the lessons that I’ve learned from my study abroad experience will last me a lifetime.

However, I am also incredibly excited to be back in one of my favorite cities in the world, San Francisco, not to mention very happy to be back in my home away from home, the Career Services Center.

Anyway, the main purpose of this post is to extend a warm welcome-back to all of you just coming out of hibernation from the winter break (or just back from your seasonal job, or intersession, or your own study
abroad experience, or grandma’s house, or your hometown, or awkward family gatherings… you get the idea) and a big hearty good luck for the semester to come.

Hope to see you all soon in the CSC!
-Sarah

New Expanded Drop In Hours at CSC!!!

Welcome to the beginning of the Spring 2010 semester!  We at CSC hope everyone had a nice, relaxing, and rejuvenating break.

To better serve our students, we have expanded our Drop-In hours, adding 7 additional hours per week!

Here is the new schedule:
Mondays:  11 - 2
Tuesdays:  11 -2 & 4 - 7
Wednesdays:  11 -2 & 4 - 7
Thursdays:   11 - 2
Fridays:  11 - 2

Please stop by UC 403 and see us!

Ellen and the CSC gang

Top 5 Career Resolutions for 2010

New Year, New You! It’s 2010, and it’s time to set new goals to transform your year and your career.  If you’re looking to land a promotion, a new job, or make a career change this year, consider these five career resolutions:

Resolution #1: Get Your Resume in Shape
Is it time to wipe the dust off your resume and give it a fresh new look?  99% of resumes aren’t as strong as they could be!  Write a resume that focuses on accomplishments rather than descriptions.  Focus on numbers, data, and achievements, and highlight what makes you an accomplished candidate.

Resolution #2: Quit the Bad Interviewing Habits
How do you kick those bad interviewing habits that drive recruiting directors crazy?  Arrive 10 minutes early, give a firm handshake, dress professionally, and smile to gain a positive first impression.  Do a couple of mock interviews before the real thing, so you can polish and hone your answers.  Think about your strengths and weaknesses, and don’t try to trick the interviewer.  Being a perfectionist or “working too hard” are not valid weaknesses!

Resolution #3: Learn a New Professional Skill
By learning a new skill you make yourself more marketable, beef up your resume, and gain great talking points.  Take a computer class or get up-to-speed on the latest in social media.  Attend industry conferences, learn another language, or become the expert in a niche topic.  Learning a new skill is an effective and impressive way to position yourself for success.

Resolution #4: Spend More Time with Family and Friends to Beef Up Your Network
How can you use your network to land a great job?  Most job openings aren’t posted, and more than 60% of candidates get a job through networking.  Spend time with your friends and family, and let them know what you’re looking for.  Ask if they have friends or colleagues in your industry of interest who would be willing to set up an informational interview with you.  You may be surprised with how many connections your Uncle Phil has!

Resolution #5: Stay Positive about the Job Search
The job search can be long and frustrating, and it’s easy to come down with a serious case of the job search blues.  The first thing you need to remember is that you’re not alone.  Millions have been affected by the shaky economy, and few people consider a gap on your resume a red flag these days.  Set small goals each day to work towards, and celebrate small achievements to keep you moving forward.
Best of luck in 2010!
(Excerpted from JobBound.com)
 
Cheers,
Ellen