Frustrated About Your Job/Internship Search

Some days you just don’t feel like thinking about your future. It happened to me last week. First you are just staring at your own cover letter, resume, or maybe even a blank screen and then you can’t for the life of you think of anything to say that would make you get chosen over the millions of other people applying for a job. And suddenly you have yourself convinced that it’s true. The fear slips into your mind, settling there, poisoning your creativity, squelching your motivation, destroying your productivity. Doubt. Doubt that we will ever be able to make it in the big bad world of the future. Doubt that you have perhaps chosen the wrong major, the wrong career path, the wrong college. The overwhelming desire is to leave it all alone, go lay down in your bed, and wish you were just a kid again, without the toils and troubles of adult hood. The facts are that the future is scary. The economy’s scary. Trying and failing is scary. But the fact is we have all worked too hard the last 3 or 4 years to let a little fear get in our way. So get your act together, work harder than the millions of other people applying for the job, and succeed.

1. If you are feeling extremely discouraged at the possibility of working on your materials, step away from it for awhile. Take a week off. Seven days cannot make that much of a difference. Then come back to it refreshed and ready. But while on the break, occasionally think through what you are doing each day, and make a mental note to add these things to your materials.

2. Start with your resume. If you haven’t done anything yet, the key is to begin slowly. Start small, focusing on the jobs, extracurricular activities, and experiences that you have. After you write those out, try to provide a few bullet points under each of them. Next, come in and visit one of the CDC’s wonderful Career Assistants for some feedback.

3. Start talking. Be asking around with people in your major about what sort of internships they had in the past. This way you will be able to get real feedback about what you need to doing at what time. Talking to someone who has had experience will also inspire you because their excitement is generally contagious.

Everyone gets frustrated, confused, and overwhelmed when it comes to the job/internship process. We here at the CDC are happy to help. Come on in and talk to a Career Specialists to help alleviate some of the stress. But hopefully those tips will be of some assistance. Stick with me.

Graduate School

As I checked my email before turning in after another night of working on my senior thesis, I skim down the unread messages deciding which ones I really want to mess with tonight when my eye catches it. The familiar thrill begins to stir of seeing an unread message from a graduate school. Am I accepted? Did I forget to send them something? Did my transcripts get lost in the mail? Why isn’t my computer loading faster? The process to applying to graduate school is exciting but also very exhausting, because it’s different for every school you will apply to. I might not know much, but my experience with the graduate school application process can be summed up in two words: start early, even though that contradicts every college student’s mantra.

The GRE

Take the test early even if you aren’t sure you want to go to graduate school. The GRE is not required by all programs, but taking it will increase the amount of schools you will be eligible to apply to. Furthermore, some schools do not even require a specific score on your GRE; they just require that you take it. If you don’t decide to do graduate school immediately after college, your GRE scores are valid for about 5 years after the test, saving you time, money and stress in the future.

Regardless, your GRE will not be an enthralling experience, because after all it is still a test. You will be tested in three basic ways—quantitative, verbal, and analytical reasoning. It’s a good idea to prepare you for the test beforehand. If you are not a Math major, there are probably some concepts from your Algebra 1 class that you haven’t seen in the past 6-8 years. Likewise, even if you are an English major, there will be some words in the verbal reasoning section that you have never seen and probably will never see ever again, but they felt it necessary to determine your acceptance into grad school. Prepare, but don’t study word lists too closely. Who cares if you never use the word recrudescence again? (I know what you're thinking, I looked it up too.) The CDC has a lot of information about the GRE, and other Graduate school tests at http://www.ashland.edu/career/links.html#GraduateTesting.

Applying to Grad School

Make lists of all application materials and post them on your wall. Each grad school you apply to may require the following items: letter of intent/statement of goals in their specific format, GRE scores (which we covered above), resume, application for admission, application for a graduate assistantship possession, an interview, transcripts (either two copies sent to the graduate school office or one sent to the graduate school office and one sent to the graduate program office), letters of recommendation attached to their recommendation form, etc. Before you know it you will not be able to remember what materials for you sent to which school, or worse confuse the Ashland University registrar with a million transcript request forms.

Since there is no way you can do them one application at a time without severely angering your reference writers, START EARLY and learn to multitask. If lists work for you, use them. If you must lock yourself in the library until your specially tailored letters of intent is finished, do it! Then visit the CDC to get it critiqued before you send it. Set your goal to have all the information into your schools at least 3 weeks early. This includes your reference writers; they’re busy people too. Give them plenty of time and make it easier for them by providing them with your statement of intent and resume.

The wait

Some graduate schools have rolling admission, and you will hear back from them relatively quickly. Others you will have to drive an hour for a ten minute interview, and then have to wait some more. Still others won’t even look at your application until they received all other applications. There’s not much you can do but just wait and perhaps pick up a new hobby now that you have so much free time on your hands since your grad school applications are done. Eventually, you will get that email or letter saying you’ve been accepted. The money you spent in application fees and on transcripts and the time you spend perfecting personal statements and resumes will seem somehow justified because you are now a graduate student.

There's No Reason to Say No to the AU Career Fair

Winter break is over, classes have resumed, and suddenly job/internship hunting season has commenced. College students all over the nation have started to fine-tune their resumes, draft up cover letters, and research their favorite companies in sight of finding their next job or internship. Chances are you are one of those students. While the search process is exciting at first, we all know how frustrating and exhausting it can become. You have written so many cover letters that you could recite them by memory, and you lay awake at night wondering when that phone call offering you a position will ever come.

The good news is the Career Development Center is here to help make that job or internship search a lot easier! In addition to our resume/cover letter critiques, mock interviews, and eRecruiting services, the CDC is also hosting an AU Career Fair. That’s right! We’re bringing the employers to you! On Wednesday, February 25, employers from a variety of companies and organizations will be on campus specifically looking to hire AU students. Booths will be set up in Upper Convo from 12:00-4:00 p.m., so you can come at the time that fits best with your schedule. It is open to all majors and no registration is required. Just print off some resumes, put on your best suit, and show up!

Attending a career fair is one of the most effective and efficient ways to find your next job or internship, and the best part is you have nothing to lose and plenty to gain if you go! Not convinced? Then check out these top 10 reasons for attending the AU Career Fair.

10. It’s free!
9. You can learn more about all of your career options.
8. It’s a good way to practice marketing yourself to employers. Practice makes perfect!
7. You can make tons of new contacts. Remember: network, network, network!
6. You do not need to bring a single cover letter; some resumes, a firm handshake, and a smile is all you'll need!
5. All of the employers have jobs and/or internships to offer.
4. It’s a great way to boost your confidence!
3. Meeting employers face to face increases your chances of having an actual interview.
2. There will be dozens of employers in the same place at the same time!
1. There’s a good chance that you’ll find your next job or internship!

Now that you see this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss, start updating that resume and practicing your opening lines so that you find your next job or internship at the AU Career Fair. Also, for some career fair tips, keep a look out for my next blog: Making the Most of Your Career Fair Experience.

Ashland University students can also attend these additional career fairs:

OFIC CareerFest, Columbus, OH – February 6
AU Summer Job/Camp Fair, Ashland University – February 25
NOTED Education Job Fair, Akron, OH – April 2
Education Expo, University of Findlay – April 22

To receive more information on any of the career fairs, please contact the Career Development Center at 419.289.5064.

Suits

Tis the season of post winter sales. Which makes it the perfect time to start looking for suits. Gentlemen, I'll have you know that JCPenny is currently holding a sale on these particular items. I will even include a link:
http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X5.aspx?DeptID=53006&CatID=53047&cmCatLevel=4&CmCatId=53006530123006&CatID=53047&cmCatLevel=4&CmCatId=5300653012

Macy's too is having a sale online for there suits. Check it out:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/index.ognc?CategoryID=24156&AdID=503040&LinkType=SiteAd&LinkLoc=1&PageID=103753382687454&cm_re=52.1.41-_-MENMAINAD-_-IMAGEMAP%20--%20503040%20--%2024156%3ASuits%20%26%20Suit%20Separates


Now, it is important to know a few things when buying a nice cloths for an interview or a presentation. From my own experiences and the people of the CDC, these are important faux pas that we see that are easy to fix.

1. Do not buy seperates and make them into a suit! This is more common fashion statement among females than males. Ladies, I know Express makes pieces that are meant to be suits that may have a jacket, skirt, and pant option. This is alright, as long as they are the same style. But wearing a pinstripe blazer with a solid skirt is not interview appropriate. Likewise men, there is a difference between a sport coat and pants and a suit. Buy the pants and jacket as a collective unit for interviews and presentations.

2. Get it tailored! In most stores when you buy a suit, they will have a seamstress that will alter it for you. If not, there are places that will do it. It may cost a little extra, but it is worth it in the long run. If the sleeves are too long, they can give the appearance of sloppyness. If your pants are dragging under your shoes, it will ruin the material. This may not be a concern with your jeans, but with an investment such as this, it is important to buy a suit that fits well and lasts.

3. Spring extra money for the shoes! Shoes are important to completing the look of a nice outfit. Ladies make sure you are not wearing super high stilletos that come across looking like you wore them to the bar the night before. A heel should be about 2 inches, and you should be able to walk or stand comfortably in them. I would suggest a little bit of a heel instead of flats, but that is personal preference. Heels generally make you walk with better posture and with more confidence. Boys, invest in some nice dress up shoes. Shiny is not bad as long as it isn't over the top. Squared toe is nice. Some nice leather oxfords will get the job done. Nothing too clunky or overwhemling. Subtle and stylish is the key.

There is the first step to suit buying in order to make your wardrobe more adult appropriate. You will be ready for the stressful streets of interviewing in no time. Stick with me.

Better Get Started

Hello and welcome to the newest edition to the Career Development Center's website. This blog will give you career tips, fashion finds, and answers to any questions you have in regards to your search for the perfect Career. If you didn't know, the Career Development Center is located on the second floor of the Student Center. This blog will be updated weekly, maybe even twice weekly, and will be available to you at anytime. I hope you use it as a helpful resource during your search for your future occupation.