iFuture

HIRE ME!

2012-02-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to the Spring Semester everyone! Hope you had a relaxing break. It’s now time to get back to work.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a network of people to reach out to when you are looking for employment? Don’t be on the outside looking in! Get an internship, get EXPERIENCE, get to know real people in the industries you see yourself working in.
No experience making a resume? No problem! Check out our resource guide online at our website to see examples and start creating your resume! Next, stop by DROP-IN hours (11am-2pm, M-F) to get your resume and cover letter looked over.

*There is still time to get an internship for Spring (if you hurry!)
*If you want to get a Summer Internship, start looking NOW and this semester!

See you at drop-ins!

--Victoria

University of San Francisco
Career Services UC 5th floor
FB: USF Career Services
Twitter: @USFcareer

2011-11-14T12:32:00.000-08:00

You might have heard of MOCK INTERVIEWS being offered at the Career Center, but have you actually thought of going in for one yourself? USF's student Jared is in a Communications Studies class that was required to do a mock interview with the CSC. He had an interesting enough time to share his assignment with us!
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"Going into this mock interview, I was scared out of my mind. Of course, it wasn't for an actual job, so that was a bit of a relief, however, being interviewed for anything, whether it be a job, internship, college admission, etc. is just plain scary! Days before my scheduled appointment, I received a call from the Career Services Center, reminding me of my appointment, (awesome customer service!) and asking if I would like to be video taped. I quickly said "absolutely not" to that question, hoping to avoid even further humiliation. I felt bad enough that someone at CSC was going to have to suffer through my interview, there was no way I wanted to relive it! (Not this time around, anyways.)

When I arrived at the CSC, to my surprise, I was met by extremely friendly students and staff who were eager to talk to me. When the woman came out and called my name, I instantly got even more nervous, however, my nerves were calmed by her kindness and friendliness. Before we got started with the interview, Ellen (that was her name), offered to look over my resume and cover letter again, as she had previously helped me with it for the last assignment. She picked out a few remaining errors, and offered great advice on how to tweak it to make it perfect. I now feel really confident about my resume.

So, on to the interview. This is where the fun began. I didn't go in with a job description, but rather told her about my current position at DNA and what I do, and she based the interview off that. At this point, I was shaking, sweating, and just plain freaking out! I'm not one for interviews (is anyone?), so this was not fun for me. As my voice started to get shaky and the questions started coming my way, I tried my best to answer them using my pre-thought out answers, even if the questions weren't exactly what I had expected.

So the interview continued, and at the end, Ellen had a full page of notes scribbled down, front and back, on things she wanted to talk to me about. This made me question how horrible it actually was, but to my surprise, she had a lot of good things to say. She took me back to a few instances in my answers that she really liked...

1) My eye contact was very good. I didn't notice, I think I blacked out during the interview, so for all I know, I could have been looking at the gum under the table. But, apparently not!

2) I mentioned that fashion was what I am the most passionate about, and she asked "Then why not FIDM?" It took me a second to ponder this question, but she liked my answer. I explained how I wanted the University experience, a solid liberal arts education, and that pleased her.

3) While talking about the wonderful liberal arts education we receive at USF, I had mentioned core classes, and she asked about them. I took a minute to talk a little about a few classes that I really liked, and when Existentialism came up, rather than bombarding her with a story, I asked her if she would like me to expand on why I loved this class. She said that this was great because I first gave a quick overview, and rather than throwing a story at her that she might not want to hear, I asked her if she wanted to know more about it, which intrigued her. I told a story about the class, and at the end, mentioned that "my mind doesn't work like an Existentialist's." She liked this because it showed her that even though Existentialism isn't something that I love, I do value my liberal arts education that I'm receiving.

Anyways, you know what they say...when it rains, it pours, so let's move onto the bad...and by bad, I mean, I pretty much blew it!

The last question of the interview had finally arrived, the most important question, the one that I had prepared myself SO much for...

"Why should we hire YOU?"

My answer: "Uhhh, well, I want experience and I'm eager to learn and uhhhh..."

MY MIND WENT COMPLETELY BLANK. I had a five minute answer prepared for this question, and after 20 minutes or so of being interviewed, I lost it. I couldn't get a single word out of my mouth. So, the interview awkwardly ended, but to my delight, Ellen had tons of good things to say, which I already mentioned. She gave me her sheet of notes, and pinpointed what I nailed, and what I (obviously) blew. We spent another 15 minutes talking about ways to improve, and she gave me some awesome constructive criticism that I definitely appreciated and will use to improve my skills in the future.

Moral of the story: the interview was extremely helpful and I think that I learned a lot about myself by doing it. I fully plan on utilizing CSC again, probably even before a real job interview comes about, just to practice my interviewing skills. I really enjoyed talking with Ellen, sharing stories with her about my experience and my current job (sometimes, it's nice to just talk to someone about what you love!), and getting her feedback on the whole process.

And, it's over!"
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University of San Francisco
Career Services UC 5th floor
FB: USF Career Services
Twitter: @USFcareer

CAREERS IN FINANCE

2011-11-07T14:59:00.001-08:00

Are you interested in Finance or even the business world?

Come to the Careers in Finance Panel

A panel of business professionals discuss their career paths and success strategies.

When: Wednesday, November 09, 2011 @ 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Where Fromm: Berman Room

Topics will include:

What does it take to make it in investment banking?

What's life really like in the world of finance?

What are the current financial career trends?

What are different career options in investment banking?

How important is an MBA or a CFA?

What does it take to make it in investment banking?
What is essential daily reading for your career?

They SAY we're too young.

2011-10-31T09:57:00.000-07:00

Some use the excuse, “I’m too young, they’ll never hire me!”, so much that they actually believe it. University of San Francisco’s Davina Adjani, has encountered ageism and challenged it every time. Miss Adjani began interning in high school with her start at Autodesk Inc. back in 2006. Since then, she has managed to intern at (to name just a few) CBS Radio, Energy 92.7, and Ryan Seacrest Productions in her years here at USF.

These days, Davina is not interning because she landed a job this past year (with an actual office and door with her name on it, might I add) as the Online Content Coordinator at Clear Channel Radio in San Francisco, California. Luckily, this full time student and employee was able to clear some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for me.
***

Name: Davina Adjani
Age: 21
Major: English
Minor: Media Studies Date of Graduation: May 2012 Position at Company: Online Content Coordinator

Favorite dessert: Vanilla ice cream with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt- sounds peculiar I know, but it’s actually QUITE amazing!

How does your age affect your work environment? I wish I could lie and say that I’ve never encountered people in the industry, who haven’t based my experience off my age but I have- it is inevitable. However I’ve learned that I am the one who is in charge of how much my age will affect me at work- no one else. My advice is to never say “I am only (insert number) years old”, at work as an excuse or reason for anything- you are not your age- you are your experience and you are your intentions.

What is Clear Channel Radio? Clear Channel Communications, Inc, is an American media company that serves 150 cities through their 850 radio stations. We recently just launched iHeartRadio which is a social media networking application in which people can listen to some of their favorite local and world renowned artists. We also had the iHeartRadio Music Festival back in September hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Elvis Duran, which included many artists such as Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj.

How has interning influenced your career path? I have dealt with many different types of environments, bosses, and have encountered different types of situations. Some of these situations have been fun and yes I admit it, some have been very uncomfortable! However each internship has helped me figure out what I truly want career-wise and as corny as it sounds, in life. I also have met some of the most amazing and life changing people during each of my internships and for that, I am forever grateful.

Future Goals? I wish I could tell you, but I have no idea! What I truly believe is that you are your intentions as long as you work hard and show commitment, fate will bring you the opportunity your experience has prepared you for, at the right time. What I have learned is despite what I plan; fate seems to always upstage me! So I’m just enjoying the ride.

Advice? My boss at Ryan Seacrest Productions, Tony Novia who is Ryan’s right hand man and who really looked out for me while I was in LA always used to say to me, “You know what Big Dee, persistence wears down resistance,” and I have found that to be very true! However if there is one thing I can really emphasize is don’t waste too much time knocking at a locked door, for you may be missing the 10 other doors that are opening right behind you. *

It’s never too late to update that resume and get experience in the field you want to enter or simply want to explore! Snag an internship, get a job, and let us help!

--Victoria

Keep Up With the CSC!

Twitter: @USFcareer

FB: USF Career Services

http://www.usfca.edu/csc/

BEST FRESHMAN RESUME

2011-10-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Freshman – do you want prizes, everlasting fame in the Career Services Center, and the glory of being a winner? Of course you do. But how?!

The answer is easy: participate in our 2nd annual Freshmen Resume Writing Contest. The top three entries get prizes listed below and the first place winner will also get their resume proudly displayed in our updated Resource Guide utilized by students past and present.

When: The competition takes place from October 20th – November 20th; Winners will be announced December 1st.

How: Submit your best resume to careerplanningpeer@usfca.edu by midnight on the deadline day (11/20/11) to enter.

Requirements: You must be a current Freshman. A minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2 drop-ins with our office are allowed to work on your resume formatting and content. Drop-ins happen every weekday from 11am-2pm. You must mention in the drop-in you are submitting to the contest to be eligible.

Prizes: 1st - Amazon Kindle e-book reader and resume featured in our new Resource Guide

2nd - iHome speaker system with built-in subwoofer

3rd - USF leather portfolio

Easy, right? Right. So what are you waiting for?

CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY & GRADUATE SCHOOL ESSAY WORKSHOP

2011-10-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY-WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 5-6:30 pm, FROMM HALL, MAIER ROOM

A panel of 4 Psychology professionals discuss their educations and careers.

Questions include: What type of degree did you pursue and why? What's the difference between a PhD and PsyD? What are the pros and cons of having a private practice vs. working at a non-profit or educational institution?

GRADUATE SCHOOL ESSAY WORKSHOP, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20th, 5-6:00 pm, FROMM HALL, MAIER ROOM

Want to write a winning personal statement but are unsure of where to begin? Not sure how to tell your story of why you are applying to grad school? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, then come to this workshop to gets tips and tricks on how to write a personal statement that will get noticed and remembered!

Your Major!

2011-10-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys

I just noticed that Spring 2012 classes are up and ready to view. So do you know what classes you're going to take?

Picking classes is normally a difficult and long process by itself, but if you are having trouble and start asking yourself questions like, "Is this major right for me?" it makes it about a thousand times harder. There can be a lot of different questions that make it difficult when picking classes. For example, questions like, is this something I see myself doing after I graduate? Is my major worth the investment? Is this going to make me happy or rich? Is this what I want to do or is this what my parents want me to do? or even a question like, will I like the job opportunities that are related to my major and what are my options? These questions not only make it a thousand times harder but you probably want them answered sooner than later.

If you are in the same or similar situation do not worry, a lot of other college students are unsure and in similar situations. But you're going to have to do something about it if you want these questions to be answered. The first thing would be to do some research, go on to our website USF CAREER SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE . If you still need more help come into our office on the UC 5th floor to get some guidance and answers. You can call us to set up an appointment with a counselor at 415-422-6216. We also offer assessments that could help you better understand yourself making it easier to figure out your next steps in the journey of life.

Here is also an interesting article about majors, what you can do with them after you graduate and 5 degrees worth your investment. Take a look!
YAHOO ARTICLE

Don't be shy, come visit us, we would love to be part of your journey!

Aloha- Nate

GRADUATE SCHOOL AND CAREER FAIR

2011-10-11T10:01:00.000-07:00

Do you know your career plans after you graduate? Perhaps you are thinking of going to Graduate School or looking for a job? Attend the Graduate School and Career Fair and get connected to Graduate School Programs across the nation and meet Employers looking to hire USF grads! There will be over 80 Graduate School programs in attendance including UC Hastings Law School, Columbia University School of Journalism, UCSF School of Pharmacy, Boston College and many more. Apple Retail, Target, and Oracle are just a few of the 30+ Employers that will be present. The fair will take place on Tuesday, October 18th from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Gleeson Plaza. In case of rain, please proceed to the McLaren Complex. Bring your questions, and if you are looking for a job, don't forget your clean and polished resumes!

Graduate School & Career Fair

2011-10-11T09:24:00.001-07:00

Attention Students:

The Graduate School & Career Fair will be taking place next week! If you are thinking of going to Graduate School or looking for a job, attend the Graduate School and Career Fair and get connected to Graduate School Programs across the nation and meet Employers looking to hire USF grads! There will be over 80 Graduate School programs in attendance including UC Hastings Law School, Columbia University School of Journalism, UCSF School of Pharmacy, Boston College and many more. Apple Retail, Target, and Oracle are just a few of the 30+ Employers that will be present. Bring your questions, and if you are looking for a job, don't forget your clean and polished resumes!

Stop by the Career Services Center to get your resume checked BEFORE the Fair! Stop by UC 5th Floor 11am-2pm for Drop-In Counseling or call 415-422-6216 to make an appointment.

Details for the Graduate School & Career Fair:
Date: Tuesday, 10/18/11
Time: 11:00AM-2:00PM
Location: Gleeson Plaza (in case of rain proceed to McLaren)

University of San Francisco
Career Services Center
2130 Fulton Street, UC 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94117
www.usfca.edu/career
415-422-6216

Interviewing Questions

2011-10-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys,

I know "On Campus Interviews" have begun and everyone is trying to prepare but I wanted to share an article I just read on Yahoo YAHOO ARTICLE . This article could possibly help you out and give you insight on some questions you might be asked during an interview. The article title is "10 Companies with the Toughest Interview Questions" and it talks about what companies are known for their extremely hard questions.

For example at Red Ventures they ask their interviewees questions like "If you were an animal, what animal would you be?" or even "Tell me a joke." There are also companies like Bain that ask questions like "What is the revenue of an inner city Sydney gym?" for an associate consultant position. Its a really interesting article that takes interviewing to a new level so take a look! If you need any help with interview preparation or just want to talk about interviewing, you know where to come the CAREER SERVICE CENTER on the UC 5th floor for drop in hours 11am - 2pm Monday through Friday. Also check out the new tab on your USF Connect account called “My Career Plan” for some interesting internships and hot jobs!!

Aloha,

Nate

Success!

2011-10-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Happy October!

Have you met USF Alumna, Sarah Hirsch? Well, you should know her. Ms. Hirsch is an alumn very near and dear to our hearts here at the Career Services Center (CSC). She worked all of her four years at the CSC (2007-2011) and even helped to start and oversee the CPP (Career Planning Peer) program until she graduated last May. So, if you ever stopped by drop-in hours, you may have had the honor of getting your resume/cover letter checked or received sage interview advice from her.
Although I knew Sarah for only a semester, it was clear that she was going to use all of her acquired CSC skills to land a job after graduation. Today, she works at a rising tech company, Square. The company was co-founded by the co-creator of Twitter (Jack Dorsey), and has the former Executive Vice President of Paypal (Keith Rabois) as their COO; not to mention Larry Summers and other advisors on their Board of Directors. A few months ago Square received another million dollars in funding, and have been mentioned in numerous news outlets (The New York Times, Forbes, The Washington Post to name a few). To check out more about Square take a look at the press page on their website.

Apparently, this company is a pretty big deal. Sarah was oh so kind enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few lingering questions I had about what she's been up to, post-grad:

_______________________

Name: Sarah A. Hirsch

Age: 21

Degree: B.A. Communication Studies, Emphasis on Interpersonal Communication, Minors: Gender and Sexuality Studies; Child and Youth Studies

Super Power of Choice: flying or mind control

What is Square? Square is an incredible startup company in San Francisco that, in essence, allows anyone to be able to take a credit card payment on their mobile iOS or Android device. The application and card reader are free (just download the app from the app store, create an account and a reader is sent to you) and the only fees involved are a 2.75% transaction fee per swipe. Refreshingly simple. What this means is that those who historically could not accept credit cards due to the complication and cost (babysitters, farmers market vendors, caterers, food trucks, small business owners) are now given a platform to compete with the big guys. The goal of our company is to put people in business. Personally? I've used it when out to dinner with friends – a large bill comes and someone "didn't bring cash"? That's fine, just pay me with your credit card instead!

Will you please tell me a little bit about what you do? I'm an office admin at Square, Inc., which honestly means I do a little bit of everything. I coordinate office supplies, I help plan and execute office events. I communicate with caterers and food vendors, I create mailing slips and field questions on packages, I communicate with the building manager on facilities issues, I write fun office-wide emails about security and policy, I setup for our weekly all-hands meetings, I help manage our reception desk... I'm even working on creating a twice-weekly in-house smoothie bar (which means sourcing fruit, researching and buying the best blenders, creating a menu, etc.) I'm a project organizer/event coordinator/facilities manager/copy writer/help desk. The fun part about being an office admin in a tech start-up is that we've got an incredible amount of freedom – tech start-ups in particular strive to make their offices fun and exciting places to be, and we're the people who are tasked with making that happen.

Greatest thing you've learned while being out in the "real world"?
What you majored in during college means surprisingly little – in fact, it's fascinating how just a few months out your entire college experience just becomes a small "blip" in your overall history and life story. The things you've done and the people you know become far more important.

How did you get end up getting a job at Square?
Networking! Several people in my friend circles were employees at Square, and the timing for my need of a job and Square's need of a new admin assistant synced up perfectly.

What’s the best way to network? Be truly interested in other people and their stories; never stop asking questions. Be positive and engaging. Don't underestimate your social circle or your family circle – there's often possibilities there you would never expect. Maintain your connections via LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Don't ever be afraid to ask for help and put your job search out there. Informational interviews x10.

What do you wish you would have known while studying at USF? With the exception of a few professions, don't get so caught up in having the perfect grades and picking the "right" major. Choose classes that fascinate you, join clubs and really participate in other campus activities, volunteer A TON, and try having a part time job or two. Really experiment more with jobs and internships. Start a project that's interesting to you – photography, writing, programming, guitar, whatever. Have fun. Cook more. Read (for pleasure) more. Be nice to others, and maintain friendships you have.

Lastly, where would you like to work for the rest of your life (or industry, basically where do you want to end up?) I used to know the answer to this. Two months out of school, everything has changed. Check back with me a few months down the road and see.

_______________________

You never know what's ahead of you! See what’s out there, and let us help.
--Victoria

::: Keep up with the CSC! ::: Follow us on Twitter, @USFcareer ::: Friend us on Facebook, USF Career Services :::

Summer!!!

2011-09-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

Aloha Everyone,

Welcome back to school! I hope everyone is looking forward to the new school year! Time to seems to be flying, I can't believe I am a junior already. So how was everyone's summer? Well I just wanted to give you all a heads up on how my summer went.
This summer I went to New York/New Jersey and interned at Northeast Private Client Group in May and June. They are a smaller private advising company, with higher end clients compared to bigger companies like Fidelity and Northwestern Mutual. It was a great learning experience and I gained so much from the people there. I attended appointments and meetings with the president and a few of the directors. I also put together financial portfolios and serviced the clients needs. During my last days at the company I was offered a job with the company upon graduation. They stated that I would work in New York for a few months to a year than move to Hawaii to create a new client base.
Many internships turn into jobs so I would suggest putting your best foot forward at all times, because you never know what could happen. I also would recommend if you're ever given the opportunity to take a job in New York, to take it. It is an extrodinary experience and a world on its own. So break out of your comfort zone and try something new, something different and grow. Not to mention it would be something great to put on your resume.
After interning with Northeast Private Client Group I came back home to Hawaii in June and interned at the Hawaii Visitor and Convention Bureau(HVCB), under the Hawaii Tourism Authority for the rest of the summer. It was also another great experience meeting people in Tourism and working in Waikiki. At HVCB I got to work on a few projects dealing with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) that is coming in November and a new project that I created which was a green meeting planners guide for Hawaii coming out next quarter.
On weekends or when I had free time I would spend time with family and friends eating at all the local spots or going to the beach. It was an amazing summer and I gained so much experience and a better perspective of the world. So get out there and look for those internships and if you need any help come into our office in the UC building 5th floor for some advising.

I hope everyone had a great, fun filled summer!

Aloha,

Nate

Getting Back in the Game

2011-08-30T11:57:00.001-07:00

Welcome back to the land of papers, deadlines, and responsibility! I hope you enjoyed your Summer vacation to the fullest. Now that we are back for the Fall semester, it might seem daunting to think of going through classes AND working AND getting an internship. No worries, it is completely possible to get all of these things done and still have time to grab a coffee with your roommate! Just a quick warning, completing these tasks may require some work.

TIP #3 “All work and no play...”
...might just add to your stress levels. Just as important as it is to get your work done, it is important not to burn out. Don’t forget about yourself! Schedule a time during the week that is “me time”. Whether it is taking a 30 minute break to watch an episode of your favorite show or catching a yoga (or boxing) class at Koret, it’s healthy to take a step back from everyone and everything. Be careful to set an alarm on your cell phone or something, so that you don’t make a 30 minute break turn into a 3 hour break.

TIP #2 Note to self: Eating and Sleeping are NOT optional
Do not forget to eat, and when you eat, eat well (i.e. go for the water, not the sugar-filled soda). Remember, what you put into your body will be the energy that will get you through the day.
As crazy as it may sound, set a bed time and a wake time for yourself. Easy enough, right? Sometimes. It will take some work to keep to your schedule. Things come up and things fall apart, thank goodness you had a schedule. Getting a consistent amount of sleep every night will help keep you more alert for the next day!

TIP #1 Time Management:
“You will never "find" time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.”--Charles Bruxton
Unfortunately, not everything will simply fall into place this semester without a little grunt work. If you do not own a planner, get one, or some sort of organizing device (i.e. iCal, Notebook for planning...). It is essential to know what will be going on in your day or days to come. This will come in handy when you are scheduling those many interviews and appointments. By the way, if you need help with your resume/cover letter to apply to jobs/internships or are just looking for some career tips, stop by the Career Services Center! Regular drop-in hours are from 11am-2pm. (UC 5th floor)
“Ordinary people think merely of spending time. Great people think of using it.”--Author Unknown
There is a time to watch movies and a time to buckle down and get to business. Use your time wisely, so that you can actually enjoy your free time...granted that you scheduled in free time. Set aside times to research about your future job to make sure that you are on the right track, or to apply to internships in your field of interest. Think of the many ways you could brighten up your resume with more experience! You can explore your Dons Career for different jobs/internships you could apply for this semester.

There is so much more advice out there, but those are the few nuggets that have stuck with me throughout my college experience.
Carpe diem! It’s going to be a great year.
--Victoria

EXTRA TIP:
Use social networking sites to your advantage!
Be sure to check us out on TWITTER & Facebook for career tips and more information!
Tweet: @USFcareer
FB: USF Career Services

What do you want to talk about every day?

2011-05-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

Hello!

The semester is coming to an end and summer is near. Did you truly enjoy your classes to the fullest this last year? Is your chosen major what YOU want? A simple way to find out is by asking yourself, "is this what I really want to talk about every day for the rest of my life?" If your answer is yes, you're on a great path to your future and kudos to you! If the answer is no, you are not alone!

It is hard enough to decide what you will do for the rest of your life before you even get a chance to explore and it's even harder to pick when you're only 18 years old fresh out of high school. An important thing to remember as well is that 'nothing is forever'. Even if you did declare a major on admission but you are realizing it is not what you expected for whatever reasons, it is ok to change. Don't be afraid of change and know that you have support every step of the way!

If you find yourself pondering the idea more and more, I suggest to give yourself some time to do some reflecting and soul searching. There are many resources out there that can help you in your journey of discerning your future and the Career Services Center is definitely one of them. Our career counselors would be more than happy to have a conversation with you and aide you in your process.

Be curious with your options!

Rosie

Should I? Should I not?

2011-04-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

People always ask, when do you send in a cover letter? or Do you need to send a cover letter in even if they didn't ask for one? The answer is yes, yes, yes. Always send a cover letter no matter what, unless the job description says "please do not send in cover letter" or if the company’s website doesn't allow you to post a cover letter. It is always better to send a cover letter even if not stated because most employers think it is expected and it looks really good, showing your research and knowledge. It also looks bad when you do not send one in and another applicant sends their cover letter in.

A cover letter is also a great way to introduce yourself and show how you can contribute to the company you're applying to and why you're not only the best candidate but you have the experience and knowledge they are looking for. So the best thing to do is try your best and get a cover letter done and send both the resume and cover letter, but do not forget to stop by the USF Career Services Center located on the UC 5th floor, so we can take a look at it and help you. Our drop in hours are Monday through Friday 11am- 2pm.

-Aloha Nate

Fight Senioritis! There's still a lot of work to do!

2011-04-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

Seniors, you're almost there!! As you get ready to graduate and begin reflecting on where you are going/what you are going to do after graduation, use the following as a basic checklist for things you should get done before you leave USF:

Meet with a career counselor and plan a strategy to maximize your senior year/summer.
Sign up for On-Campus Interviews on DonsCareers.
Decide on your best option after graduation, and come up with one or two backup plans just in case.
If you are considering graduate school pick up the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, CBEST, PRAXIS, or MCAT test bulletins.
Attend Resume Writing and Interviewing Workshops.
Learn market trends and salary expectations for your industry and career of interest.
Gather relevant job application materials. (Resume, Cover Letter, References, Examples of Previous Work)
Attend the Career Fair to network and discuss opportunities with Bay Area Employers
Identify top skills/interests from past work experience to prepare for interviews.
Set up a videotaped mock interview session to practice your skills.
Use DonsCareers to identify job opportunities.

Congratulations Seniors! You've worked hard your years here and deserve the best!!

Inquiries and Internships

2011-04-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

As the Summertime approaches, I myself have been on the hunt for a good internship that would help me gain experience...not to mention, something nice to add to my resume! I went on DonsCareers and Internship Exchange, and got an idea of what kind of internship I was really interested in. From there, I started Googling away companies that I would like to intern at. I looked over my resume, wrote out a few cover letters (because they should be specific for each company you apply for), and sent out my inquiry emails! I expected to receive, “Thanks, but no thanks” emails back from the companies, but it was quite the opposite. I got a response! In fact, I have been scheduled for a face to face interview later this week. There is no harm in sending out emails saying you’re interested! One of the company managers actually said “Thanks for reaching out and showing interest!” Don’t lose hope, there’s still time! Just get a move on! Show you’re interested and get that internship! Lastly, if you would like to do a Summer internship, but cannot this year, you can still get a jump start on researching internships for the Fall semester!

Good Luck!

--Victoria

GRAD SCHOOL???

2011-04-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

Are you thinking about going to grad school? Do you think it’s right for you? Is it needed for you to reach your ultimate goal? Need a game plan? Come into the Career Services Center on the UC 5th Floor if you answered yes or even hesitated to answer one of these questions. We have things that will help you in the tough process of grad school from exploring, to planning, to the application and more. Grad school is both important and expensive, not to mention a huge decision. If you are having trouble laying out your options or making a life changing decision come to meet with a counselor that will help you determine what might best fit you as an individual. Our office also provides handouts and online resources about the test process and different grad schools. You can also check out the Career Service Center Graduate School Link for addition information or to start your grad school process. Don't hesitate, were only an appointment away! So Drop in and ask for some help. We welcome every student with open arms!

-Aloha Nate

1 Year Left Juniors...

2011-04-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

Ok juniors, time to get crackin' if you haven't been already. This is a very crucial time in your college career and you need to make sure you have a plan to make senior year a lot less stressful. Here are some tips:

Explore current occupational information in our online resources
Identify internships in DonsCareers and Internship Exchange
Take the Strong, or CISS and the MBTI assesment tests to help you explore your career options
Research possible graduate schools at the Annual Graduate & Professional School Fair.
Understand admission requirements, timelines, and procedures for Grad Schools.
Attend the Career Fair and find out what employers will be looking for.
Talk to a career counselor about career options or graduate school.
Create a LinkedIn Profile, the online professional networking community, and join USF LinkedIn group.
Prepare or update your resume and get counselor feedback.
Get a summer job or internship related to your major or career interests.

You can always stop by during our drop in hours to discuss these plans in more detail with a career counselor.

Best of Luck,
Rosie

Second Year Career Plans

2011-04-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

How are those yearly action plans coming along? As promised, here is the next set of steps targeted to second year students. Essentially though, it is all about creating your individual action plan based on your individual needs.

Second Year:

Find a part-time job, off-campus or on-campus, to build your work experience
If you are undecided about your major, meet with a career counselor
Work with a career counselor to clarify values, and identify preliminary career interest
Read about careers in CSC Resource Library
Attend the Study Abroad Fair in the Fall and Spring Semesters
Ask a counselor to help you prepare or update a resume
Go on an informational interview or job shadow someone in careers of interest.
Learn how to network to get a job.
Apply for an internship to begin fall semester of your junior year
Take a leadership role in a student club or organization to build new skills and gain valuable experience.

Remember to stop by our office to review your plans!

Rosie

Confused?

2011-04-11T10:46:00.001-07:00

Hello, all!

As the end of the semester nears, common thoughts are “Wow, this is going by a lot faster then I thought it would...” or “What am I going to DO?” Believe me, you are not the only one thinking this! If you are confused about what you want to do, or what you want to do with your major, there ARE resources available to you!
    -What Can I Do With This Major??
    -Career Planning Handouts
    -Curious about those "career tests" you've heard about?
Last, but not least, you are more than welcome to come by drop in hours (11am-2pm, Monday through Friday) to just talk it out, then we can schedule you an appointment with one of Career Counselors to delve deeper into career possibilities.

No time like the present!

--Victoria

THANK YOU LETTERS!!!

2011-04-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you letters! How important do you think they are? To be honest, they are extremely important and believe it or not most people never think of writing a thank you letter after an interview. There are a couple of reasons why they are so important. First, it is a great way to show gratitude and thank the employer/recruiter for taking the time out of his or her day to meet with you. Second, which is the most important reason, is a thank you letter puts your name and face back into their minds when they are trying to make a decision on who to choose for the vacant position. Third, it shows you want the job while giving you a last chance to say a few things that you might not have mentioned in the interview. Lastly, if the position comes down to two people that have the same qualifications and one wrote a thank you letter and the other did not, most times than none the applicant with the thank you letter will receive the job.

When writing a thank you letter you want to write it as soon as possible after your interview. It might also be smart to send them a thank you email as well the day after the interview just in case your letter gets lost. In the thank you letter you want to include when your interview was, what you talked about, something you never mentioned, and that you are still interested in the position.

After thinking about what you need in your thank you letter, the question now becomes should I hand write it or type it. This is a very controversial issue. It honestly depends on the employer and what they like. I personally will always send hand written thank you cards because it is more personal and that’s who I want them to remember me by. For me the hand written thank you letter has helped me numerous of times in getting jobs and internships because the employer liked how personal I made them. But on the other hand some people like the professional thank you letter, typed and printed on resume paper. So when it comes down to it, it is ultimately up to you unless you are in KO's Hospitality class where it is required to type your professional thank you letters for the class. So ultimately decide depending on the situation you are in and no matter what you choose your thoughts and considerations in writing the thank you letter is more than enough! If you need some help writing them or want us to look over your thank you letters bring them in to drop in hours Monday-Friday 11am-2pm located on the 5th floor!

Aloha- Nate

ELEVATOR PITCH!!!

2011-04-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to approach someone and talk to them at a career fair, group networking event, or even at a random venue like an elevator but did not know what to say? Or even what to do? Do not worry you're not the only one; this is one of the toughest things to do. Everyone has some kind of problem when they are trying to pull words out of thin air, while feeling comfortable when introducing and talking to their ideal employer or business partner. The perfect way to solve this problem is to create an elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is normally a 15 to 30 second speech or pitch of who you are, what you do, why you're the best, and your call to action. This short summary speech of who you are will help break the ice and start communication in the lines of a possible job opportunity or future business endeavors.

The elevator pitch got its name because individuals who were seeking a job or future business endeavors would try and get into an elevator with a executive. In doing so they had a opportunity to talk to the executive from the first floor to the ideal top floor with no interruptions and no possible way for the executive to get out of the conversation. The elevator pitch can be used whenever you are meeting anyone but was ideally to get your foot in the door and land yourself a job. It is a great way to introduce yourself and give a summary of who you are. So if want to create one but do not know where to begin, this website will help. It is a basic template where you answer questions and it formats your elevator pitch for you. Website: http://www.15secondpitch.com/new/index.asp But it is essential to be prepared before attending an event and you should practice your elevator pitch now because you never know when it might become useful. So if you need any help creating your specialized elevator pitch, come into our office on the UC 5th floor during drop in hours which are 11am to 2pm Monday through Friday. Your elevator pitch could possibly land you a job that you could never imagine!

Aloha- Nate

The Arts!

2011-04-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

Three years into my college career and I have seen peers drastically change their majors countless times because of the inner fight between their interest and what they think they should do for the rest of their life. Sure, we’ve heard all of the sayings about the need to love our careers, but at the end of the month the rent still needs to be paid. So, why not have both? Are you looking for a career in the fine arts but don’t really know what goes into getting started? The Career Services Center is hosting an event that you might be interested in attending!

This Wednesday, April 6th, from 5pm-6:30pm, in McLaren 252, there will be a photographer, videographer, actor, and writer speaking about how they broke into their fields and grew their careers. Here’s the opportunity to get real answers and see if a career in the arts is something you see yourself doing. Bring questions or just come to listen! Who knows? Maybe this night will inspire your inner artist!

Be informed! Click here to see the calendar for all CSC events

Career Planning Plans

2011-03-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

Hello! And the countdown begins! Only 7 more weeks of school left! I have a feeling these weeks will go by extremely fast...

Recently, our office has been working really hard to modify and update our 4-year plan that is intended to guide our students to creating an organized approach to a career path in their 4 years of college. This is a great tool because it encourages time management within a wide spectrum of time and relieves common stressful factors that surface towards the end of your college career.

Over the next couple days I will go into each year with detail. Let's start out with the newly admitted Dons, the Freshman. As your second semester of your first year comes to an end I hope you have built relationships that have made you feel at home here at USF. Before the stress of finals comes around I also encourage you to go down the checklist below and make sure you've completed the following:

Visit the Career Services Center and find out what services are available for you. We are located in University Center 5th Floor.
Meet with a career counselor during our drop-in hours to begin to explore career options.
Discuss career interests with a faculty advisor to plan relevant course work.
Take a Career Assessment.
Read "What can you do with this major?" Handout.
Strengthen personal development by volunteering for community service.
See DonsCareers for part-time jobs off-campus
Get involved with student groups related to your major and/or career interests.
Login to DonsCareers and sign up to receive announcements about career events
Keep informed about CSC programs and career ideas through our events calendar.

Don't worry if you haven't been keeping up Freshman, the Summer may be a great time to catch up on your career planning.

The above pointers are simple suggestions targeted for first year student but I highly encourage ALL of you to check out the steps for your corresponding year at our home page - www.usfca.edu/career and (I will cover each year later on...)

1. Create your own yearly action plan specific to your major and include what classes you are planning to take each semester along with your career planning strategies, and

2. Stop by our office to talk to a counselor about your yearly action plan to receive more pointers on how to obtain your DREAM JOB!

Best of Luck!
Rosie

Its A Plan!

2011-03-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

I have officially been working here at the CSC for almost 2 months this April. Woohoo! I honestly never thought I could have learned so much in so little time. I have been working during Drop-in hours (which are Monday-Friday, 11-2), helping people perfect their resumes for Summer internships and for the “real world”. These Drop-in hours have inspired me to look at internships myself and think about my own future. A year from this May, I will be graduating (hopefully) from USF. That is a scary and exciting thought, all at once.

So, for the heck of it, I went looked up internships and jobs in DonsCareers. I looked through the amazing opportunities I could possibly apply for and it made me optimistic. I could teach in another country, at a “real” company, or in another state. The more and more I looked at these listings, the more I thought, “what if?”. These thoughts were lingering in my mind for a few days making me truly think about what I wanted to DO after graduation. I am very goal-oriented. At times, like all students, I get lazy and forget what I’m working towards here at USF. It’s important to take a step back every once in a while and look at the bigger picture. Maybe I need to start saving more money so that I can teach in Africa for a year? Or perhaps I need to do more internships in [insert field here] to get this certain job. Whatever it is, you’re going to need a plan at some point.

All it takes is one idea to get you going, and checking out DonsCareers might be just the site to inspire you.

:] Victoria

INTERNSHIP EXCHANGE

2011-03-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a summer internship but want to go home or see a new city like Boston or Los Angeles? Well we have something that could possible help you find a summer internship in those different regions. It is called Internship Exchange. Internship Exchange is a internship data base that is shared with many different colleges from different regions including Harvard University, University of Miami, Brown University, Boston College, Princeton University, Pepperdine University, and etc... Due to being a shared internship data base, Internship Exchange has two major benefits. The first benefit is that you will be able to see internships not only in the area of your current school but within the area of the schools you share data base with. Giving you the opportunity to travel for a summer internship or possibly go home for the summer and find an internship. Another great benefit is that some employers are specifically looking for interns from a specific school but must post on internship exchange and when doing so, it gives our students from the University of San Francisco a chance to apply to internship that are meant for students attending Harvard. So go on to our websiteusfca.edu/career and sign up for Internship Exchange and start searching for those internships in other cities. You're also welcome to stop by our office located on the UC 5th floor if you need any help with resume, cover letters, or interviewing help.

- Aloha Nate

BSN or MSN ??

2011-03-21T16:02:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I think we can all agree that spring break came and went too fast!! Can you believe there are only a few weeks left until the end of the school year?! Many of you will be graduating this May with a Bachelor's degree in your major while some of you are still considering continuing your education for a Masters degree or even Doctorate. Power to you! As a nursing student, I have a few friends who are 100% determined to earn their Masters in the Science of Nursing (MSN), and I have also encountered those who ask me what the advantages of an MSN are and the difference between a BSN and MSN. There are a few main points to consider when making the decision of what degree to pursue. First and foremost, recruiters have stated that having an MSN does not give you any advantage in a hiring pool of RNs with only a BSN. The only thing recruiters do say is that an MSN gives you more room for career advancement once you are hired to work in a hospital, but does not necessarily mean you will be hired in a higher position right off the bat. As far as pay rate goes, there is also not much more significance for someone who has their MSN over someone who has their BSN since they are all considered equally in the same pool.

Ultimately, the decision to pursue a higher degree should come from the desire to pursue a higher education and be more knowledgeable in your field of study. Doing more research on your own before making the final decision is always helpful as well. Also remember that you are highly encouraged to discuss your plans with a career counselor in our office. Good luck to you all in whatever you decide to pursue in life!

Rosie Ceja

Reflection from Career Fairs Past.

2011-03-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

       I’ve always walked through the Career Fair, but have never seen the actual work that goes behind it. I never gave it much thought and just assumed that tables were set up and different companies would come and allowed to show up at their leisure to give away goodies to the students. Turns out, there is a LOT of work that goes into planning such an event. First of all, companies have to be interested in visiting our campus in the first place, I forget that they are looking for future interns or employees. Since I was working behind the scenes, I actually overheard two employers discussing the resumes in their hands with much enthusiasm.
       One of my posts at the career fair was to encourage students to fill out the evaluation sheet before they exited the fair. Evaluations are necessary because the Career Fair is essentially put on for the students. Naturally, we should want to make sure our input is taken into account, right? Where else will you find employers being brought to you, the student? All one has to do is dress up, bring a resume, and the opportunity to get an internship or job is right their in front of you, located conveniently on campus. Moral of the story: Evaluation sheets are an opportunity to voice your opinion.
        Lastly but not least, I did see some students walk into the fair who wished that they had brought a resume or had a resume to give to employers. It’s not too late to start building your resume! The Career Fair might have passed, but you could always come into career services to discuss some options and/or make your resume shine. Whatever type of internship or job you are looking to add to your resume, you can always start here Career Services Center.

Cheers!

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS!!!

2011-03-09T20:15:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

I know its midterm week and everyone has test, papers, and projects due before spring breaks hits. But it is also a great time to prepare and set up some INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS with people to gain information about something you're interested in or even expand your networking for future endeavors. I will be going back to Hawaii for spring break and have set up a few informational interviews with professionals in financial based occupations. Its quite easy to set one up and can be done with any free time you have, not just only over breaks. All you need to do is search for members of professional associations in the industries your interested in or network and contact a family friend that is in interest field of work. You can basically contact everyone and anyone that might interest you.

So you might ask why set up a informational interview? There are a lot of reasons, including learning firsthand what it is like to do a particular kind of work at a particular organization, or to develop contacts in key positions with people who hire or who make recommendations, or to even find out about jobs and career paths you did not know exist.

Once you have found a possible informational interview contact them and tell your contact that you are in the process of making some decisions about your career, and you want to learn more about his or her field. In particular, you want to learn whether, and how, someone with your background might enter and succeed in that field. But always remember you are not yet in a job search! After giving your contact some background information and a brief summary of what you want to know. Ask the professional to meet either in their office or over Starbucks or Jamba Juice.

Once you have set the informational interview, prepare questions but remember that you are NOT asking this person for a job. An example question would be: In the position you now hold, what do you do in a typical day? But for more information come into CSC to check out some handouts for possible questions on Informational interviews on the UC 5th Floor or check out the PDF on our website: http://usfca.edu/uploadedFiles/Destinations/Offices_and_Services/CSC/docs/Informational%20Interviews.pdf. Also don't forget to offer to pay for Starbucks or Jamba Juice because your contact did take time out of his or her day to meet with you and don't forget thank you card, thank you card, send a hand written thank you card, thanking them for taking time out of their day to talk to you. Let them know you want to keep in touch.

So set those INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS UP!

Aloha- Nate

NETWORKING DOES WORK!!!

2011-03-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

Hey All,

Are you guys looking for a job or an internship? Have you heard of those ridiculous stories of how a friend of a friend got an internship by networking and didn't believe it? Tell me about it, I heard about them all the time. But guess what? Most of the time they are true, NETWORKING DOES WORK!

For me personally I have received 2 great internships by networking. Statistically about 80% of people that receive a job/internship receive them because they have networked or know someone that knows someone, essentially networking. I received my first internship by letting people know that I was looking for in internship, which is a great way to start networking. After a few emails and a few calls around, my dad's friend contacted me back with a family friend of his who was looking for an intern over the summer. It turned out perfectly. I received great experience and my network grew to a pretty large group in Hawaii.

My second internship is based on the idea you never know who you might meet and what a thank you card could do for you, ANYTHING COULD TURN INTO AN OPPORTUNITY. It started off when my uncle visited me in San Francisco and took me with him to a conference in Napa Valley. My thought was to hangout at the pool and have a good time in Napa while my uncle attended meetings. As I started to relax a man approached me and asked if the waiter had messed my order up and we both realized that I had his burger and he had mine. WE started talking about all kinds of stuff from sports to career options to school, after a while he told me that he was a partner in a finical advising firm. We hit it off and before I left I got his card. So a few days later I come back into the city and send him a hand written thank you card, thanking him for talking. A few weeks later I get a call from him and he offers me an internship. He stated that this internship would include spending the day by his side working with him on hedge funds, multi-million dollar accounts, and customer relationships in New York City. Which turned into a great opportunity and experience.

You honestly will never know who you might meet or what they might have to offer, so be ready for anything that might come your way. If you want to learn more about networking come to our office located at UC 5th floor. We have some handouts or check our website for events on mentorships or networking. NETWORKING DOES WORK!!! and hand written thank you cards do work.

Aloha,

Nate

Career and Internship Fair Prep

2011-03-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

The Career Fair is fast approaching. Are you ready for it?

If not, don't fret! Here's four easy steps to get yourself prepared:

Step 1: See who's coming
Do you research. Check out the full list of all employers who will be attending the 23rd annual Career and Internship Fair. Decide who you want to talk to, and check out their websites for more detailed information and the positions they might be hiring for.

Step 2: Get your resume reviewed
This week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will have real recruiters down in Parina Lounge to review your resumes from 12 - 1:30pm. If they're packed, you're always welcome to come in for drop-ins every day (except for Career Fair day of course!) from 11am-2pm. Don't miss this opportunity.

Step 3: Attend our Career Fair Prep Workshop
Tomorrow night (March 2nd), from 5:30-7pm in the Fromm Maier Room, we will have a panel of real recruiters there to answer your questions about what they want to see at the career fair. Not sure what types of questions you should ask at the fair? Don't know how to dress? What better way to find out than from the recruiters themselves.

Step 4: Attend the fair
Come dressed to impress, bring several copies of your resume on nice resume quality paper (can be found in the bookstore or any office supply place), and have questions prepared. Know who you're going to talk to, introduce yourself, ask about the positions available, show that you did your research on the company, and most of all be enthusiastic.

Simple enough? Great. I'll be seeing you there!

-Sarah

Resume Writing Time!

2011-02-25T11:42:00.000-08:00

Hello, All!
My name is Victoria! I am in training to be a Career Planning Peer (CPP)! Just a little bit about myself... I am a Psychology major, and I am minoring in Music and Biology. Basically, what that means is, I want to be a superhero, rock star, and a dentist. I’m rooting for all three! I came upon working for the Career Service Center by applying as a Psychology Practicum volunteer. I’ve had my fair share of experiences working with younger children and with adults, it had been a while since I worked with my own peers. I really like to help people feel like they have something less to worry about, and this job seems like just the ticket!
So far, I have shadowed drop-in hours in action and have learned just a couple of small details that can make all the difference in writing a resume. I am excited to have this new perspective on resume writing!
The number one thing that I have witnessed: Students have not heard of the Resource Guide on the CSC website. For those of you reading this, you can find a resource guide (click the link to the right-->) Career Services Site, under Quick Links. It’s a pretty great tool to use if you are writing up a resume or cover letter! Hey! It beats Googling “how to write a resume/cover letter” over and over only to find thousands of varied results. Check it out and enjoy!
--Victoria

The 23rd Annual Career and Internship Fair

2011-02-22T13:52:00.000-08:00

Can you feel it in the air? It's my favorite time of year again. What, you ask? Why, the career and internship season of course. The time of year when students finishing their degrees begin to seriously question "what's next", and when all the underclassmen start contemplating how and when to get the best experience for their resume. It's daunting, yes, but it's also quite exciting. A world of possibilities is open at your feet.

We here at career services want to help make this time as easy and straight-forward as possible. This is where our annual Career and Internship Fair comes into play. What easier way to network and find out about internship or job opportunities than by having all the employee-seeking companies here for you, under one roof? No easier way, that's what. So make sure you take advantage of this opportunity!

When: Friday, March 4th, 11am - 3pm
Where: McLaren Complex
What: 50+ employers in the health, financial, tech, hospitality, public, nonprofit, education, fashion, and marketing industries. Find the full of employers list here.

Important Info: Make sure you bring several copies of your resume, do your research on interesting companies before attending the fair, and dress to impress.

I'll be writing another post in a few days with more details on how to best prepare, so keep an eye out. Until then, keep this fast approaching event on your radar - there's nothing but possibility awaiting you.

-Sarah

Prepare for your future!

2011-02-14T11:27:00.001-08:00

Good morning all!

I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Nathan (call me Nate) and I am currently a Career Planning Peer in training. I am from Honolulu, Hawaii and currently a sophomore majoring in Finance and minoring in Legal Studies. I have been working with the Career Service Center (CSC) as a student assistant for about a year and a half now and love the family/Ohana atmosphere. The CSC has become my home away from home. As a Career Planning Peer, I will be reaching out to students, staff, and alumni on this blog a couple times a week to give you updates on the CSC events, interesting things that happen on campus that could affect you, answer questions related to CSC, and bring up hot topics in the world today regarding the University/CSC.

So today I want to talk to you guys about a current topic on the minds of most job-searching individuals which is China and how China is the future of the United States economic growth. China offers many business expansion possibilities as well as a thriving visitor’s market for the US. Which essentially mean jobs and economic stability, considering most jobs in the United States have turned into service based jobs (not manufacturing). But there are a few problems that come with China: the main problem is the difficulty for the Chinese to obtain visas due to strict regulations by both the US and Chinese governments. These problems affect business opportunities and the visitors market, which could result in the loss of millions of jobs for graduating college students, further affecting the future economy of the United States. With the increase cost of tuition and the loss of job opportunities, our future is in question. As students and recent alumni you might want to think about taking Chinese as a language and looking into doing business with China in the future or working for a Chinese based company. You might also want to encourage globalization and connections with China through the government to secure a safe bright future. So look head and plan your future by coming into the Career Service Center for anything you need including direction, resume/cover letter help, interview help, and even job search help! Your future is now so plan plan plan! Aloha- Nate

Resume and LinkedIn workshop TONIGHT

2011-02-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,

As we all know in our technological age the job hunt and networking process are inevitably becoming more and more digital. This is why we're combining two crucial concepts - resume writing and online networking - into one jam-packed information rich workshop. Don't know what LinkedIn is? Never had your resume critiqued by anyone else? This workshop is for you!

Don't forget: Tonight, 2/10/11, at 5pm in Fromm Hall, Maier Room.

Learn how to write and properly format your own winning resume, and then learn how to best used LinkedIn to your career advantage (including information on the new 6,000+ member USF LinkedIn group - helloo networking!)

Be LinkedIN or LeftOUT.

See you there,
Sarah

Be a S-T-A-R Resume Writer

2011-02-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

Hello All!

My name is Rosie Ceja and I am a Sophomore Nursing major. I have been working at the Career Services Center as a student assistant for the past 3 semesters. Towards the end of last semester I was presented with the opportunity to become a Career Planning Peer (CPP) and I am super excited to be in training this semester for this awesome position!!

As part of my training process I have been shadowing a few drop ins and counseling appointments. The most common reason for drop ins is to have a resume looked over and reviewed. In the sessions I have shadowed, I have noticed a few reoccurring topics when it comes to resumes that I would like to address in hopes of making the resume writing process a little easier.

One of the most important (if not THE most important) components of a resume are the accomplishment statements. These are meant to be a detailed explanation of what you accomplished for the company or how you made a difference in your position. There are a few things to remember about writing a strong accomplishment statement. You may want to keep the S-T-A-R format in mind:

S - Situation: define the general context

T - Task: identify the key objective

A - Action: describe the action you took or initiated and emphasize the skills you incorporated.

R - Result: Summarize the outcome; QUANTIFY as much, and whenever possible.

- With every accomplishment statement you should start with an ACTION VERB and avoid starting with "responsible for" or "duties included"'

- Recall and incorporate specific and unique examples

- Write your accomplishments as concise bullet points (not paragraphs)

- You should write about 2-3 statements per position

- Quantify whenever possible and use numerical digits

Once you have your accomplishments set, the rest should be easy! Focus on format and consistency with every aspect of your resume.

Hope these tips helped and good luck to you all this semester!

Rosie

Back in the 5-o-o

2011-02-02T13:45:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

Let me be the first to apologize that we haven’t made a post since… um… November?! Holy cow, it HAS been a while. We’ve had a lot of changes going on in the Career Services Center and the Career Planning Peer program in general, which definitely accounts for some of that. Let me get everyone up to speed:

In December we said goodbye to CPP Seghel (whose posts you’ve seen quite frequently on this site), as she graduated a semester early with a degree in Psychology. She continued working with us throughout the winter break, however, as she and I were furiously compiling our first complete and official CPP training manual. January 20^th was her last day at the CSC, and while we were all sad to see her go (she and I had been working together for over three years on this program, since we were Freshman!) she’s going off to do some pretty neat things in the world, so I guess it evens out a bit.

Seghel’s departure, however, ushered in a new era of the CPP program. Right now we are currently training three, that’s right three, brand new CPPs. Can you say exciting? If you show up to drop-ins any time in the next few months chances are you’ll see them shadowing and get a chance to say hi. As I’ll be graduating in May, this can only mean good things and more growth for the program as a whole.

I won’t write too much about the new CPPs yet (I’m going to give each of them a chance to introduce themselves on this blog instead), but I will say we are fully back in the swing of things. So, make sure to keep an eye out for a bunch of new and interesting blog posts from a bunch of new and interesting voices. And me too, of course (I mean, I’m certainly not new but I am still interesting. Or at least that’s what my mom tells me. See? I made a funny).

I can’t wait.

-Sarah

Nursing Panel - Wednesday November 10, 2010

2010-11-30T13:07:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-22T13:07:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-09-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-07T13:20:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-07-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-24T11:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-16T12:33:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-05-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-07T15:04:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-04-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

Careers for Social Justice

2010-04-15T10:56:00.001-07:00

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!

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….
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.)
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!
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

2010-04-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-04-01T10:58:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-31T14:54:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-30T08:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-26T15:58:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-12T14:08:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-03-03T15:44:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-02T10:54:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-25T15:43:00.001-08:00

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!

2010-02-25T15:09:00.000-08:00

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?

2010-02-19T14:55:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-02-10T12:51:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-04T15:29:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-27T16:11:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-01-27T15:32:00.001-08:00

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!!!

2010-01-21T11:41:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-08T10:01:00.000-08:00

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

Don't Freeze Over This Winter: Check Out Resume Collect

2009-12-04T11:55:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! I bet a few of you have heard rumblings of something called Resume Collect. So what is it exactly?

Resume Collect is a great opportunity for seniors to send out their resume en masse to many employers at once. This process is super easy! It just requires that you log into DonsCareers and click on the link "Jobs I Qualify for." A list of jobs will come up with that you can apply to. However, you have to have your resume already uploaded so you can just send it over to the employers. If the employers dig your resume, they'll contact you.

Make sure you swing by the Career Services Center during our Drop-In hours so that we can take a look at your resume before you upload it.

Resume Collect will start December 14 and will close January 31.

Holiday Hours

2009-11-30T13:42:00.000-08:00

A few dates/tips to keep in mind as winter break approaches:

- The office will be close on December 24th and will re-open on January 4th.
- December 9th will be the final evening drop in session and will resume on January 26th.
- Other than 12/24-1/3, 12-2pm drop in hours are as usual!
- Phone appointments are welcome!

This is a really great time to take advantage of our services and counselors, as there is more time for personal attention!

Keep pushing, the semester's almost over!!

Insider's View on College Success

2009-11-30T12:06:00.001-08:00

more on internships!

2009-11-23T13:29:00.001-08:00

Hey all-

The semester is coming to an end over the next few weeks and I know we're all putting everything we have into this final push before we can enjoy our holidays and winter break! Your schoolwork should absolutely be your number one priority right now, but if you have any spare time, it's a good idea to be thinking about and looking out for a possible internship over winter vacation. (That's a potential 5 week internship!)

If you've been to the Career Services Center or attended one of our workshops, then you've heard us harp on the goal of having 3 internships before graduation. If you're closer to graduation, then you really want to utilize your remaining time as best as possible! Talk to your advisers, professors and academic departments about any opportunities. Search on DonsCareers and Intership Exchange. Browse through the listings, or create a saved search of what you're looking for and make the databases work for you!

If you need help registering for DonsCareers or Internship Exchange, or have any other questions about internships (or anything else career-related), feel free to stop in during drop-in hours. (M-F 12-2, T/W 5-7).

Have a fantastic Thanksgiving and eat lots of turkey!

-Allison

REVIEW YOUR RESUME WITH A PROFESSIONAL RECRUITER ON 12/1, 12/2 & 12/3

2009-11-12T15:14:00.000-08:00

Bring your resume and let a real-world recruiter review it BEFORE graduation and the upcoming Resume Collect program. Be ready to impress employers with an effective resume that will get results!

Tuesday, 12/1
12:00-1:30pm
Across from Crossroads Café, 1st floor of University Center
Representatives: Northwestern Mutual Financial Network (Financial Services) and PSI Industries (Environmental/Engineering Firm)

Wednesday, 12/2
12:00-1:30pm
In front of Market Café, 2nd floor of University Center
Representatives: KGO-TV/ABC 7 (Media) and Influx Partners (Technology Executive Recruiter)

Thursday, 12/3
12:00-1:30pm
Across from Crossroads Café, 1st floor of University Center
Representatives: MassMutual (Financial Services) and Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker (Law Firm)

Questions? Call USF Career Services at 415-422-6216, careerservices@usfca.edu, or stop by UC 403.

What I Wish I Had Known

2009-11-12T14:26:00.001-08:00

Juniors and Seniors!!

As the semester winds down, we are trying to finish our "What I Wish I Had Known" campaign strong. We want to know what you wish someone had told you when you were a freshman or a sophomore about jobs, internships, campus resources, or anything else career related that would make your life so much easier now, on the verge of graduation!

We're still accepting emails at careerplanningpeer@usfca.edu, but to make it easier for you, we will be at a table outside of Market Cafe next Wednesday, 11/18 from 11am-noon to collect your answers! Please stop by and say hello!

Have a fabulous weekend!
-Allison

Starting a New Job

2009-11-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

So we focus a lot on how you get a job. Where to apply, what steps to take, how to interview, etc. Well, what about once you do get the job? How do you keep it? How do you gain the respect of your employers and co-workers? Here’s an article to give you a couple of tips in make a great impression at your new job!

“Landing a job takes plenty of time and energy, but being a success in the workplace doesn’t stop once you’ve been hired. It is important to make a good impression- especially in the first critical weeks of employment- in order to connect with your coworkers, learn job responsibilities, and fit into your company’s culture. Here are some tips for job success from CareerBuilder.com, LLC:

· Get a good night’s rest.

· Learn the names of your coworkers as soon as possible.

· Do your research. Visit your company’s website, read its publications, and otherwise familiarize yourself with its products/services to get a handle on its mission.

· Be positive. Smile and speak in an upbeat voice.

· Be a work warrior. Arrive ahead of time to work each day, take only the allotted time for lunch and breaks, and leave when or after your fellow employees finish work for the day.

· Take the initiative. Always be willing to tackle tasks that make your boss’s life easier.

· Take notes. Write down assignments, procedures, contact information, and names of people you frequently deal with.

· Appearance counts. Dress appropriately for your position and be well groomed.

· Be flexible. Be ready to handle unexpected challenges.

· Be appreciative of the attention and help of others.

· Be a good listener and learner.

· Connect with your boss. Learn his or her personality and work style.

· Ensure that you meet your employer’s expectations. Check in with your boss to see if expectations are being met.

· Get to know your colleagues.

· Observe and learn from your coworkers. Find out who the rising stars are and emulate their work habits.

· Identify and avoid office politics.

· Respect the established order.

· There is no “I” in team. Teamwork is the key to success in today’s corporate world.”

-CAM Report (September 2009)

(Career Advancement Management College & Career Press, LLC)

I hope this is helpful for you all!

-Allison

Tips from the Careers in Finance Panel

2009-11-05T14:50:00.000-08:00

Thanks everyone for a great turnout last night at the Careers in Finance Panel. If you weren't able to attend or jut want a neatly typed recap, here is a brief summary of tips/discussion points:

Read. Read as much as you can, as often as possible about all things going on in finance. All panelists mentioned reading the entire Wall St. Journal and the Financial Times every day. They read The Economist and Barrons cover-to-cover every week. It's easy to spot in an interview who is well read and who isn't.
Communication and writing skills are essential. One panelist told of recently firing a UCLA, 3.9 GPA Economics major because he didn't handle himself professionally on the phone with clients.
Hours in finance are insanely long, even after you've been in the business for a long time. 3 of the panelists, all age 45 or older, wake up at 4AM or earlier every workday and typically work until around 6. Lynda Sullivan, who worked for many years in corporate finance for both Goldman Sachs and Montgomery Securities, reported working 80-100 hour work weeks (you do the math) for the first 10 years of her career.
The panelists mostly agreed that New York is a great place to start a career in finance. "If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere!" Also, panelist noted that in New York, while the hours are just as exhausting, the social life is much better for people in their 20's. In San Francisco, everyone is too tired to go out at night because they all wake up at 4AM!
Just like many careers, passion is key to a successful career. If you don't love this, don't do it. Joe Morford, a Research Analyst, said "I get paid to keep up with my hobbies. How cool is that!?"
"Who you know" is most important as far as getting a job. All 4 panelists said that they rarely go through a pile of resumes but instead hire people who they know or who come recommended by friends or colleagues, even for entry level positions.

That's it for now. There was so much more discussed last night and I'll post more thoughts later if I have them.

-Alex

CAREERS IN FINANCE PANEL-WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 5:30 PM, FROMM HALL, BERMAN ROOM

2009-11-03T10:32:00.000-08:00

CAREERS IN FINANCE
A panel of successful business professionals discuss their career paths and success strategies.
Wednesday, November 4th
5:30-7:00 PM, Fromm Hall, Berman Room

What does it take to make it in investment banking?
What's life really like in the world of finance?
What are the current financial career trends?
What are different career options in investment banking?
How important is it to have an MBA?

CAREERS IN FINANCE, PANELIST BIOGRAPHIES

UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO, NOVEMBER 4, 2009

5:30 PM, FROMM HALL, BERMAN ROOM

Lynda Sullivan is the director of Public Equities and Fixed Income at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation where she is responsible for an approximately $2 billion portfolio of public equity and fixed income investments invested by 25 external managers globally. Linda began her career as an Analyst in the Corporate Finance department at Goldman Sachs in New York. After business school, she returned to investment banking, spending six years at Montgomery Securities executing public and private equity financings for consumer companies (largely retailers). From Montgomery, she moved to the corporate office of Gap Inc. where she held management positions in both the Treasury and Corporate Planning and Analysis departments. Lynda graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with undergraduate degrees in Engineering and Business and received a M.B.A. from Stanford University.

Joe Morford is a Managing Director and Senior Analyst in the Research Department at RBC Capital Markets covering the Financial Services sector. He joined RBCCM in August 1999 from First Security Van Kasper, and before that he held analyst positions at both B.T. Alex. Brown and Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods. He has been recognized both as an All-Star Analyst by the Wall Street Journal and as a Wall Street Sharpshooter by the American Banker, and he holds a Masters degree in Philosophy from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Jeff Oster is a Managing Director in the Private Wealth Management division of UBS Financial Services. He concentrates on fixed income, alternative investments block trading and cash management for family offices and wealthy families and individuals. Jeff has 17 years of experience in the client advisory business and previously was a Managing Director at both Lehman Brothers and Montgomery Securities. Jeff received his B.A. in International Relations from California State University at Chico and his M.B.A. from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Jeff Spears is the CEO of Sanctuary Wealth Services LLC . Jeff has over 24 years experience in wealth management as a wealth advisor and a national manager of the wealth management businesses at Montgomery Securities, Bank of America Private Bank, and Presidio Financial Partners LLC. Jeff received his Bachelors in Business Administration from Baylor University.

-Alex

what are my skills?

2009-11-02T13:06:00.001-08:00

There is always a bit of confusion when it comes to the skills section of a resume. Should you include one? What should you list if you do? Your resume is pretty much all about showing off the skills that you've acquired through your experiences, so how do you know what goes where?

Generally, it is a good idea to include a skills sections. It rounds out the resume and gives it a nice conclusion. BUT it is important to make sure you're including the right types of skills...

One common mistake is to list everything that you're good at under the skills section, including things like multi-tasking, listening, problem-solving, etc. While those are important skills to have and demonstrate, if your resume is done correctly, those skills, which we call soft skills will be demonstrated throughout your accomplishment statements (see page 6 of "Job and Internship Resource Guide").

What you want to include in your skills section is what we call transferable skills or hard skills. These are specific skill sets that you have learned and can apply elsewhere. These include, computer software programs (examples: Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint), language abilities, any licenses you have (CPR, First Aid training, lifeguard, etc.), other program abilities (restaurant POS systems). Basically, distinct skills that you have acquired through your experiences.

It is also important to include your level of proficiency in each of your skills. The language that we typically use is proficient, intermediate or basic, but this can vary for specific skills. For example, with languages you would use terms like bilingual, fluent, conversational, or basic written and/or spoken level.

I hope this clears things up a bit, but if you still have questions, brainstorm what you think might be appropriate skills and bring in your resume to get checked out during drop in hours!

-Allison

Never Fear, Spring is Near!

2009-10-30T14:34:00.001-07:00

Hey everybody,

As many of you already know, we’ve had a couple of rounds of on-campus interviews this past semester. If you didn’t do so hot this round, there’s still some time to gear up for the second round in the spring.

If you have had some interviews already and haven’t gotten any call backs, we usually offer feedback. The feedback is centered on students’ strong and weak points. We call students to let them know about the feedback, but it becomes the students’ responsibilities to call us back to hear the feedback. Feedback is so VALUABLE. When else in your adult life are you gonna get a chance to hear about exactly what you’re doing that’s not quite cutting it and then use that information to improve your chances of getting a job?

Once you get the feedback, which can range from anything like unrefined interviewing skills to lack of internship experience, take it and USE IT to land the next interview. For example, you can come to our office and schedule a mock interview with a career counselor and they’ll give you some feedback that will help you perfect your interviewing skills. Or, if the feedback is more about lack of experience, get an internship over the spring semester. You can search for one on Internship Exchange (accessible from our homepage at www.usfca.edu/career). They start getting posted around mid-January, so you can start searching for one from the comfort of your own home.

All that being said, on-campus interviews are not your only hope of getting a job. You can check out DonsCareers (also accessible from our homepage) to start searching for jobs.

If you have more questions about these tips or anything else, feel free to visit us during Drop-Ins!

Have a great weekend and a safe Halloween!

Seghel

what next??

2009-10-23T15:11:00.001-07:00

Graduation is coming soon (whether that means 3 years or 2 months) and the big question is coming, "What next?" You're probably hearing it from all angles, friends, aunts, uncles, grandparents, professors, advisers, etc. Everyone wants to know what you're going to do in the "real world". It can be a pretty difficult question to answer, especially when you're not really sure what your answer is. So, how do you figure it out?

There are a couple of things you can do on your own to narrow your options:

If you have a couple of careers in mind, but aren't sure what type of education you might need, or what the job really entails, you can check out theOccupation Outlook Handbook or the ONET Resource Center, both located on at usfca.edu/career under "resources". Both of these resources will really help you get a better idea of different careers and how to get to them.
If you know your desired field requires more school, research programs. Along the same lines, if you know your desired field does not require more school,then you don't need it! Graduate school is a big commitment, both monetarily and time-wise. It is not beneficial to continue your education just for something to do because, chances are, once you complete your graduate program, you'll be right back here asking, "What next?" all over again.
Internships, internships, internships. I can't stress enough how beneficial internships can be. Not only do they help you build skills that you will use in the workplace, they also are a great way for you to get your feet wet in a career. Whether you love, hate or feel so-so about your internship, that information gives you a pretty good idea about whether or not you'd enjoy doing that type of work full time.

For the more in depth, personalized answer, come in to our drop in hours (M-F 12-2, T/W 5-7), or make an appointment with one of our career counselors at the Career Services Center by stopping by UC 403 or by calling (415) 422- 6216.

-Allison

Upcoming Events!

2009-10-23T11:31:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

Hope midterms and everything are going well. Here are a couple of upcoming workshops that you should check out:

Tuesday November 3: Exploring Careers and Majors, 12:20-1:20, UC 222

Hear a panel of students talk about their own personal experiences searching for their ideal careers and majors

Wednesday November 4: Careers in Finance, 5:30-7pm, Fromm Hall -Berman Room

A panel of successful business professionals discuss success strategies

Monday November 9: Nursing Career Panel, 5:30-7pm, McLaren 250

A panel of nursing professionals and recruiters will discuss career opportunities in nursing and tools to succeed

Make sure to check out some panels before Turkey Day!
-Seghel