Welcome to the Career Development Center's electronic newsletter: Working Beyond Expectations! We hope that you find this newsletter both informative and useful as you prepare for the next level of your life.
Quote of the Week
Career News
Coming Up! Join Us!
IUP Featured Alumnus
FR/SO/JR/SR Tip
Let's Hear What Your Colleagues Are Doing!
Did You Ever Consider a Career In...
Students Who Refuse to Ask for Help...
Note from the Director
Editor's Note
Quote of the Week
by: Jamie Guilford , Graduate Intern
Career Development Center
"The value of an education depends on how much effort you invest in it and the extent to which your learning extends beyond your experience."
--Stephen H. Holden, author of the 2003 article "Another View: What is a College Degree Worth, Anyhow?"
(Retrieved February 18, 2008, from http://www.gcn.com/print/22_21/22956-1.html)
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Career News
by: Jamie Guilford , Graduate Intern
Career Development Center
What is Your College Degree Worth?
Ask most people whether you need a college degree to succeed in today’s workplace and the unequivocal answer will be a resounding, "Yes!" However, in this day and age when the affordability of college is being questioned and challenged from various constituencies due to tuition increases and students having to take on dramatic amounts of loan debt, the question of what type of college degree may become more relevant.
According to Liz Pulliam Weston, personal finance writer and MSN.Money columnist, associate degrees are an absolute investment for high school graduates because of the relatively low cost to obtain these degrees and the return one receives as they enter and persist in the workforce. Bachelor degrees also are essential in obtaining long-term financial payoffs within a career as an average lifetime gain in earnings tends to be more than $308,000. While Weston cautions her readers to consider the area in which they may want to obtain a master’s degree because of the mixed results in terms of financial payoff, she calculates that master degrees in engineering and business would be worthwhile investments. While there is little data on professional degrees, the three most lucrative educational investments are the M.D. in medicine, the J.D. in law, and the Ph.D. in the sciences.
So will that college degree pay off in the long-run? If it is an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree, absolutely! But at least in this economic environment and with the skyrocketing costs of higher education, you may want to carefully consider the investment of both time and money in an advanced degree. There are many different factors to consider when it comes to investing in one’s career, so make sure you determine what type of investment is worthwhile in achieving your personal career goals.
Reference
Weston, L. P. (2007). Is your degree worth $1 million -- or worthless? Retrieved
February 18, 2008, from
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/SavingForCollege/
IsYourDegreeWorth1million.aspx?page=1
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Career Development Center Spring 2008
Workshop Series
Making a Career Fair Work for You
Presenter: Ms. Casey Vargo
Planning on going to an upcoming job fair? Network your way to success by learning how to market your skills to employers and to get the information you need for future decisions. Wednesday, March 26th, 6:00pm, 305 Pratt Hall
Job Searching
Presenter: Ms. Jamie Guilford
This workshop will provide you with knowledge on how to utilize job searching resources available in the Career Development Center and on any IUP campus computer. Learn how to obtain information on thousands of employment opportunities both in the US and abroad. Wednesday, April 9th, 6:00pm, 305 Pratt Hall
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Job Fairs
Criminology & Government Career Fair
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
12 – 5pm
HUB Ohio Room
See additional information below.
WestPACS Spring Job Fair
Thursday, April 3, 2008
10:00am - 3:00pm
Pittsburgh ExpoMart, Monroeville, PA
www.westpacs.org
The Technology Fair
Monday, April 7, 2008
3-6pm
Folger, Crimson Event Room
Link to website coming soon!
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IUP Criminology & Government Career Fair
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
12 -5pm
HUB Ohio Room
More than 35 government agencies, companies and nonprofit organizations are participating. The Career Fair is not only a great opportunity to talk with employers about full-time, internship and summer opportunities; it is also a chance to increase your exposure to multiple employers at one location. To view a complete listing of participating organizations, go to http://old.www.iup.edu/career/CrimGovtFair/agencylist08.shtm. There is no student pre-registration. You are encouraged to bring copies of your resume with you. All majors and levels of students are invited to participate -- from first-year students exploring career paths to juniors, seniors and graduate students seeking full-time and internships career opportunities. Your participation in this Career Fair is a valuable contribution to the success of your future.
Tips to remember when attending the fair: dress casual but neat; display confidence and enthusiasm, learn to sell your abilities.
This event is sponsored by the IUP Criminology Association and the IUP Career Development Center.
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A New Resource for College Job Seekers
A Senior at Cornell University, Amy Gordon, recently co-founded two websites: One Day, One Job and One Day, One Internship. Every day they highlight one company and discuss its entry-level/internship offerings. The posts are editorial in nature, and give students a starting point for researching a company. They also have a blog where job-search articles are posted periodically. Check it out!
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Let us "Link" you to our services:
Service Learning and Volunteer Opportunities
Internships
Part-time Student Employment Opportunities (On and Off Campus)
Choosing a Major
National Student Exchange
How to Write a Resume and Cover Letter
Job Fairs
University Testing Services (ACT, CLEP, GMAT, GRE, FLCT, LSAT,
MAT, PRAXIS, TOEFL)
Preparing for Full-Time Job Search
Preparing for Graduate School
Employer Directory - Lists 12 Million Potential Employers - ReferenceUSA
Post Your Resume and Gain Access to Job Listings (CCN)
Education Majors: PA-Educator.net and PAREAP.net
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Coming Up! Join Us!
Click here to view a flyer containing activities-at-a-glance for the office.
(no longer available)
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IUP Featured Alumnus
by: Kate Cook, Graduate Assistant
Career Development Center
Meet: Valerie Baroni
Indiana University of PA
MA Student Affairs in Higher Education '07
Share your undergraduate experience and/or graduate experience:
As an undergrad, I worked as a desk assistant at the conference center and then later as a Resident Assistant for the Residence Life office at that institution. During my graduate program at IUP, I was a Graduate Residence Director at IUP-Punxsutawney, and I was the Graduate Residence Director of Langham Hall. For me, time management was always a challenge and it took me a long time to learn the balance between “work” and “school."
Did you work while you were a student?
Yes. I had an assistantship while I was at IUP on both the Punxsutawney and Indiana campuses.
What are you doing now?
I am currently the Area Coordinator of Residence Life at Seton Hill University. I currently directly supervise two graduate assistants and more than 30 student workers on campus, so I am constantly assisting them in learning to balance work and their academic responsibilities. I definitely think that my past experiences as a student worker help me understand what they are going through.
How did your experiences (both academic and/or work related) assist you in deciding what to do post graduation?
I was able to receive an assistantship in the field in which I wanted to work. The assistantship provided me the practical experience necessary to help find a job. Overall, it helped that I was coming into to the position with some knowledge of what I was supposed to do.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Hopefully, in five years, I will be working as an associate/assistant director of Residence Life somewhere in the east, maybe beginning to think about a doctorial degree.
What would be one piece of advice?
Buy an enormous planner, write in it daily, and never forget to laugh.
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FR/SO/JR/SR Tip
by: Mallory Bower, Graduate Assistant, Career Development Center
Freshman Tip:
Take Freshman Seminar courses. In addition to new student orientation, these courses will help you to transition from high school to a college environment. The information and resources provided in these sessions will assist you in beginning to know more about the university that you are attending.
Sophomore Tip:
Seek help and ask questions. Do not be afraid to ask a professor, a supervisor, or advisor for help. A university is a learning environment, and help is available to you if you need it. Make sure you get the most out of the provided resources!
Junior Tip:
Attend a summer job and internship fair. This is a great way to learn about out-of-class experiences that are valuable to real-world careers. Summer jobs, internships, and volunteer experiences are great résumé builders and will help you to prepare for life after college.
Senior Tip:
Provide feedback and serve as mentors to incoming freshmen. Advisors, supervisors, and professors value your input; make sure you tell them which things you enjoyed and which things you think need improvement. This will help them adjust existing programs to future students. Also, be a valuable resource to incoming freshmen by referring worthwhile classes and activities on campus.
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Let's Hear What Your Colleagues Are Doing!
by: Kate Cook, Graduate Assistant
Career Development Center
Current Student: Kelli Murphy
Indiana University of PA
Elementary Education, M09
How would you describe yourself?
Outgoing, friendly, organized, a go-getter and a leader.
At what point did you choose your career and why did you choose this career?
Pretty much since I was little, I have always wanted to be a teacher. It was my third grade teacher who made learning so fun for us. I have never switched my major since I started at IUP and with every new experience I have in the classroom, I become even more excited to have my own classroom in the future. I think that teachers are amazing because they are the only profession that teaches all the other professions.
What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
I strive to do the very best in everything I do. I have a strong will to succeed in life and to make a difference in the lives of every student I teach. Therefore, I feel that I need to display my independence and my passion to teach in everything I do and accomplish.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
This is a really hard question for me. I think that every professor that I have had in the education department has influenced my future teaching style in many ways. If I had to pick, I would say Dr. Susan Fello is my favorite. She has instilled many great aspects of teaching in my mind. She made learning fun in every single class I have taken with her and she has influenced my love of children’s books by showing me how to integrate books into every curriculum.
What are your standards of success in school and what have you done to meet these standards?
My biggest standard of success is to do my very best at what I am trying to accomplish. I look at success as doing what makes you happy and to enjoy doing it. I want to be successful in everything I do, so I will have a very positive future in teaching.
To meet these standards, I work my hardest at whatever I have to do. I go beyond the guidelines and instill creativity in everything. I think when I put a little of my personality in the tasks I am working on, I achieve my goals.
In addition to your academic course load, what activities, memberships, jobs, etc. do you maintain?
My biggest activity is Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society for education majors. I am currently the co-president and co-educator as well as the co-initiation, co-bulletin board and membership chairs. This organization has helped me grow into the leader I am today. I have the opportunity to work with many different people in different situations. I have done community service and fundraising to promote different causes dealing with education and children.
Another activity I participate in is Student Government Association. Through this organization, I have had the opportunity to attend a Leadership Conference, which helped me gain the confidence to be a leader in the tasks I perform.
In addition to completing the academic courses required for my major, I participate in other outside-of-the-classroom activities that exemplify working beyond expectations. They are...
I have participated in KidsRead and the after school math tutoring program at Eisenhower Elementary School. I have also volunteered in the office at St. Bernard School and in a classroom at Eisenhower Elementary.
At home, I work at a local daycare with children of all ages up to fourth grade. I helped to decorate a preschool classroom for the start of the fall session.
I am also going to participate with Kappa Delta Pi in the upcoming Relay for Life, here at IUP.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I cannot wait to have my own classroom! I have always wanted to teach younger grades, but after recently being placed in a fourth grade classroom for my Pre-Student Teaching II Field Experience, I love the higher grades and would be ecstatic to work with children of that age.
What advice would you give to an IUP student in order to have a successful experience at IUP?
My advice to an IUP student would be to work hard, do your best, but have fun doing it. Remember that your education should come first and try not to become too stressed out!
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Did You Ever Consider a Career In...
by: Kate Cook, Graduate Assistant
Career Development Center
. . . Professional Studies in Education?
What to expect?
As an integral part of the College of Education and Educational Technology, the Professional Studies in Education Department is committed to high-quality scholarship for pre-service and in-service educators. The department offers programs for educators at all levels and is committed to the preparation of teachers and administrators who think creatively and critically, who have an in-depth knowledge of the world we live in, and who are skilled in the use of technology and sensitive to the technological needs of the future.
Careers Available
Through the many programs offered by the department, students may obtain Pennsylvania certification as public school teachers (elementary and early childhood), school principals (elementary and secondary), supervisors (curriculum and instruction K through 12), or the superintendent's letter of eligibility.
Programs of Study in the Department of Professional Studies in Education
Bachelor of Science in Education, Early Childhood Education
This program has been designed to assist students in becoming highly competent and effective teachers of children in preschool through grade six. The program has an emphasis on early childhood education and the teaching of reading. This unique cohort program, combining coursework, extensive field experiences, and community involvement, prepares students to be professional educators. Twenty hours of service learning are a requirement of this program and are incorporated into major courses.
Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education
The Elementary Education program is designed to provide learning experiences that will assist students in developing into highly competent and effective teachers of students in kindergarten through grade six. A 3.0 cumulative quality-point average is required to apply for teacher certification, to take major courses in the department, and to student teach.
Master’s in Education
The Master’s in Education program is designed to be user friendly and recruit a new population of educators and graduates of bachelor’s degree programs who hold a first teacher certification. Through this program, graduate students will have an opportunity to participate in various modes of teaching, learning, individualized and independent research, and evaluation throughout a two-year period.
Master of Education in Elementary Education
This program is intended for the person who has earned a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education but who desires to attain a certificate as an elementary school teacher. It may also appeal to those teachers who already hold a valid Instructional I Certificate in an educational field other than elementary education and seek to be certified in elementary education.
Master of Education in Literacy and Reading Specialist Certification
This degree is offered to educators certified in teaching who desire graduate studies in reading and literacy theories, research, and instructional practices. The M.Ed. in Literacy requires thirty-six credits. Students may also receive a Reading Specialist Certification by completion of twenty-seven credits within the master’s program.
Doctor of Education in Administrative and Leadership Studies
The doctoral program in Administration and Leadership is a three-year, part-time program designed to enhance administrative skills for school and college administrators. Students progress through this program as a cohort and remain together throughout the program. All classes meet on a Friday and Saturday for the entire day, approximately once each month. Public school administrators can obtain the Pennsylvania Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility after completing all program requirements.
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
The doctoral program in Curriculum and Instruction is a professional degree program that prepares future teacher educators for college and university settings. The program emphasizes four main components:
Educational theory
Teacher education
Curriculum evaluation
Research methods
The program is designed to accommodate students’ work schedules. All classes meet on Saturdays. Doctoral candidates remain together as a cohort and progress through all coursework as a group.
For more information regarding any of our programs, please contact the Professional Studies office at 724-357-2400 or consult our website at http://www.iup.edu/pse/
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Students Who Refuse to Ask for Help Will Likely Fail in Their Job Searches
by: Malaika Turner, Interim Assistant Director for Employer Relations and Development
Career Development Center
I found this article to be quite interesting, especially since I was one of those students who was afraid to ask questions. Call it insecurity, but I didn't learn until late in my college career that asking questions and forming positive relationships with faculty and counselors was a long term investment that would pay off in my professional career. If you were like I was in college, this article will be of great help to you.
--Malaika M. Turner
Each month, the Campus Career Counselor interviews an employer about a key success issue college students and career services professionals need to better understand…from the employers perspective.
The interview below is with Rick Nelles, who is author of Proof of Performance: How to Build a Career Portfolio to Land a Great New Job (Impact Publications, 2001)
The Employer: Rick Nelles, Director of College Recruiting for PrincetonOne and founder of Career Portfolio Systems
The Issue: It’s senseless and almost always fruitless for college students and recent grads to "go it alone" during the job search.
In your book the Career Performance Portfolio System you write: “Asking for help is so important that we can say flat out that those who do not learn the art of asking for help and advice during career transition will fail and fall short of their expectations to get the job they really want.”
This is a pretty strong/bold statement. What specifically makes you say this especially where college students and grads in particular are concerned?
How many times has it been said and written by all career counselors and employment experts that 60 to 65 percent of jobs are filled by people who actively network? In order to network, though, you have to be willing to seek out assistance and guidance. For example, you have to ask people to give you names of other people they know who could help you in your job search. And then, once you approach the people you’re referred to, you need to repeat the process and ask them if they know of any additional people you can approach. That’s how networking works: Ask, ask, and keep on asking. It applies to experienced professionals as well as to college students and recent graduates. A job is a job and must be found and asked for.
Asking for help when it comes to job/career issues seems so simple and straightforward, a borderline “nobrainer.” Yet so many college students and recent grads fail to do so. Why, specifically, do you think that is? Why do so many students/grads fail to seek out help which is typically so readily available to them, especially (though hardly exclusively) through the campus career center?
I guess it boils down to the same reason many salespeople fail: They’re uncomfortable with cold calling meeting and asking strangers for the order and/or for help. Another reason: Many students/grads don’t hear from their professors and teachers about how important and OK! – it is to ask for help. Think of it this way: When‘s the last time you ever had a class on networking and asking for help?
Bottom Line: I think that many students just plain don’t believe that networking really works.
What, specifically, can Campus Career Counselor readers do to address with their students/grads the issues you’ve raised here?
Somehow, we must convince students/grads that it’s OK for them to ask for help, especially during their job or internship searches. For instance, we could role-play networking scenarios with them. Or we could help them write out mini "scripts" they can use to approach new people. Motivating students (and experienced professionals, for that matter) to step out of their comfort zone will always be one of the biggest ongoing challenges that career counselors will face.
But it’s critical for you to keep at it with endurance and patience!
Campus Career Counselor/November 2007
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A Note From the Director
A Note from the Director, Mr. Mark Anthony: "You came to college to get a good education that leads to a good job or admission to graduate school. But, there are no guarantees. The Career Development Center can help you prepare by obtaining the skills, abilities, opportunities, experiences, and tools to achieve your goals. This newsletter will keep you informed of how we can help you."
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Editor's Note
Editor: Tracy VanHorn-Juart, Career Development Center
We hope you enjoy the bi-weekly publication of Working Beyond Expectations ! Its intent is to inform readers of the events and services that are available through the Career Development Center, as well as, to encourage the reader to explore the multiple opportunities that are available to them through employment, careers, and academic programs and services at IUP. The newsletter is designed specifically to enhance the educational experience and to prepare the student for their next level of achievement. Whether the next level be freshman to sophomore, classroom to internship, undergraduate studies to graduate studies, or student to full-time employee, the Career Development Center will assist in making smooth and prepared transitions.
If you have any questions , or, if you have recommendations for enhancing this resource, please contact me via email at tracyvan@iup.edu.
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