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.
Have a safe and happy holiday! The newsletter will commence on January 23, 2007.
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...
Investing In Our Students
Note from the Director
Editor's Note
Quote of the Week
Many people polish their verbal skills for an interview, but few give much consideration to their body language, and that's a mistake." When you walk into a job interview, the first impression is made in three to seven seconds," says Mary Dawne Arden, an executive coach and president of Arden Associates in New York. "One study found that a first impression is based on 7% spoken words, 38% tone of voice and 55% body language." A bad first impression is difficult to overcome, no matter how solid your credentials. But with a little work and practice, you can buff up your body language skills to boost your chances of nailing the interview and taking the next big step in your career. - Forbes.com
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Career News
by: Emily Tamosauskas, Graduate Assistant
University Testing Center/Career Development Center
Top Entry Level Employers for 2007
Looking for employment? You may want to look at these top 10 companies who have been ranked by collegegrad.com as the “top entry level employers for 2007.” Visit www.collegegrad.com for additional information about each employer.
Employer Name
Projected 2007 Entry Level Hires
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
8000
Walgreen Company
4600
Lockheed Martin
4500
PricewaterhouseCoopers
4200
Peace Corps
4000
Ernst & Young
3525
Deloitte & Touche USA LLP
3500
Target
3035
KPMG
3000
Schlumberger
3000
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College Central Network - Provides web-access to job listings received by IUP and other institutions within the PASSHE; includes a resume referral service, on campus recruiting, and job fair listings; includes a mentoring module which allows the student opportunities to contact IUP alumni and others for career advice. Register at www.collegecentral.com/iup to use this system (at no charge).
Reference USA and Vault.com - These are databases identifying potential employers in a given field by industry category and geographic area. Reference USA can also be used for graduate schools searches. Reference USA is available only at the Career Development Center. Vault.com can be used 24/7 from the comfort of your home.
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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!
A flyer containing spring semester activities-at-a-glance for the office will be available in the January issue.
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Professional Week! (January 28 - February 1, 2008)
A complete schedule of the week's activities is coming soon!
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IUP Featured Alumnus
Meet: ‘Kris’ Kristine (Zaragoza) Anderson
Indiana University of PA
BS Communications Media ‘00
MA Adult Education & Communications Technology ‘01
Doctor Curriculum and Instruction ‘08
Share your undergraduate experience and/or graduate experience:
My experience at IUP was terrific. I had the typical student experiences with my roommate and friends attending sporting events, joining clubs and organizations, and enjoying social get-togethers around campus. I was also in the army reserves and always held a job to help pay for gas, books, and supplies. Academically, I was a serious student. We would often form study groups and collaborate with faculty and more experienced upperclassmen to comprehend materials.
Did you work while you were a student?
As a freshman I was a starter on our soccer team and joined the university radio station as a disc jockey and eventually became the station’s chief engineer. The position was rewarding with several achievements and launched my professional career.
During my sophomore year at IUP, I entered into my broadcasting career at Fox 8 WWCP and abc 23 WATM in Johnstown, PA. I was a master control operator and production technician for both stations during the evenings and weekends. The position provided on-the-job training and a paid internship (I also met my husband) while I was learning about the field in my studies. I mastered advanced technical skills and theories in the position that I wanted to apply in the academic classroom.
As I went on to pursue a masters degree, I became a work study student at IUP. The enriching experiences were an opportunity to apply and learn from new classroom/textual knowledge. Later in my graduate studies I was hired out of my internship at the Adult Education Center at ARIN-IU 28 in Indiana, PA to be their workplace skills instructor. Upon graduation, I moved away to begin my career full-time and start my family.
I later returned to schooling for my doctoral studies while in my current position. It was the hardest time to combine work and school due to my frequent traveling and demanding duties for both tasks. However, it was a rewarding experience to be able to directly apply what I was learning in the classroom.
What are you doing now?
Currently I am the Distributed Learning Technology Manager and Principal Investigator of research studies in the Distance Learning Department at Saint Francis University’s Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas (CERMUSA).
CERMUSA has become an internationally recognized applied research center dedicated to the improvement of education and healthcare in rural and under-served areas. CERMUSA is under the direction of the United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC).
In my position we provide direct service to the Department of Defense, perform research analysis of current trends in computing and communications as it applies to education and medicine, and investigate military-specific hardware and software requirements.
I am also a SCUBA and karate instructor in the local community. I am a deacon of our local United Methodist Church, Rails-to-Trails volunteer, member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, and wife of a Freemason.
How did your experiences (both academic and/or work related) assist you in deciding what to do post graduation?
They guided me along my career path and introduced me to my academic and professional mentors. I was not sure “what I wanted to be when I grow-up.” In fact, I began my studies majoring in anthropology/archeology. While that continues to be a personal passion of mine, I found that I excel in my current profession. My experiences assisted me in discovering my talents and taught me much about the trade.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I center now more on family and servicing my community. My goals are to continue instruction as a professor and focus again as an educational services specialist in the military.
What would be one piece of advice?
Join professional clubs and organizations and network with fellow students and faculty. These contacts can later help in your career and you may be able to assist others. Also, keep in contact and support your alma mater.
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FR/SO/JR/SR Tip
by: Mallory Bower, Graduate Assistant, Career Development Center
Freshman Tip:
Get the most out of your freshman seminar course. These courses are designed to transition you from high school to college. The information you will learn in these courses will be valuable in familiarizing you with your campus and the services that are offered to you.
Sophomore Tip:
Consider a part-time job. Valuable experience and skills can be obtained by working part-time during college. This hands-on experience will offer you more than just classroom-type knowledge. Visit the Student Employment Center website for a list of on- and off-campus job postings. http://old.www.iup.edu/sec
Junior Tip:
Consider a student exchange program. Many students opt to study abroad or to transfer to another school for a semester. The National Student Exchange provides the opportunity for students to study at another university in the United States. This is a great way to meet new people and to study in a different environment.
Senior Tip:
Thank your mentors. Before you graduate, make sure you think about the people that made a difference in your life. Stop to thank your professors and advisors. Strong relationships and appreciation can lead to positive recommendations and job opportunities in the future. It is also nice to know if you can continue a professional relationship with these mentors after graduation.
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Let's Hear What Your Colleagues Are Doing!
Current Student: Wade Million
Indiana University of PA
Communications Media
August 2008 (after my 6 credit internship)
How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as a very friendly, outgoing individual. I like to meet new people. I am very goal oriented. I try to balance work, studying and social life. I think it is important to have all 3 equal in one’s life.
At what point did you choose your career and why did you choose this career?
When I originally graduated high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I actually ended up taking a year off to work and figure everything out. My parents encouraged me to do this since they knew I was not ready for college at that point in time. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. After working 2 jobs for 60 hours a week, I knew I did not want to do that for the rest of my life. When the year was over, I was more ready for college than I had been for anything in my life. I visited several different schools and IUP’s Communications Media program just seemed right for me. I talked with a professor about all of the different courses they offered and knew immediately this was where I wanted to be. I have never been happier with my chosen major and cannot wait to get out into the work field. My emphasis is in Advertising/Marketing and Corporate Communications. I have taken a mixture of Business (Intro to Business, Economics, Marketing, Advertising) and Communications Media production courses (Photography, Electronic Imaging, Television Production, Flash Animation, Promotions, Electronic Communications Management) that have helped me focus my credentials in this area.
What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
I really enjoy the major I have chosen, so it is easy for me to put forth effort into something I like doing. I have worked very hard to build a portfolio that will hopefully land me a good job. More than anything I want to be able to wake up and go to a job that not only provides financial stability but I look forward to as well.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
Considering I work for the guy, I would definitely have to say Dr. Richard Lamberski. He has provided me with mentorship and guidance throughout my career at IUP. Not every student is so lucky to work as closely with a Professor as I do. I get to see all the behind the scenes in the life of a Professor, and let me tell you, there is a lot more going on than students know about. A lot of students think that all Professors have to do is teach class and grade tests. But there are all kinds of grant projects, board meetings, new course development and writing for publications that these people do in the spare time they aren’t teaching. I have come to greatly appreciate all the work that Professors do here at IUP.
What are your standards of success in school and what have you done to meet these standards?
I think if I have been successful here at IUP, I will come away with a skill set that will allow me to adapt and excel in my job wherever I end up after graduation. Employers want graduates that are well rounded and can do a number of different things, especially in the Communications Media field. This is why I have made it a point to learn how to do as many different things as possible in my major. I want to be able to land a good job and the more I know how to do, the better my chances are of getting it.
In addition to your academic course load, what activities, memberships, jobs, etc. do you maintain?
As stated above, I work as an Office Manager and Research Assistant for Dr. Richard Lamberski. I have learned so much from this job I cannot even begin to describe. Probably the main thing I will come away with is how to network, act, and look and write professionally. I have to correspond with a lot of Dr. Lamberski’s clients on grants and special research projects. Since I represent him, it is important to maintain a professional attitude. I also assist him in helping students and advisees in the department and this has greatly improved my ability to interact with people on a professional level.
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 worked for WIUP-TV since my Freshman year at IUP. Originally I started out as an anchor on NewsCenter 20, but eventually got involved with WIUP-TV Sports. I am now the Director and Student Producer for all of IUP’s Football and Basketball games that are broadcast on channel 20. This is really what I love to do. My crew goes to all of the home and away games and we broadcast live on location. I coordinate all the camera work, commercials, graphics, audio and instant replays from our production truck. There is no better feeling than completing a game and knowing it looked great on TV. All the guys on the crew did a really great job this year.
What are your plans after graduation?
I hope to go on to Graduate School. I have applied to several schools, but my top picks are either USC’s Annenberg School of Communication or Emerson College up in Boston.
What advice would you give to an IUP student in order to have a successful experience at IUP?
I think the most important thing for a student to do is get involved. Find out what kind of groups and organizations are associated with your major. This will allow you to add valuable experience to your resume as well as meet people and make new friends who have the same interests as you. Also, get to know your professors. See if you can work on a project with them. When you graduate they can become a great reference and resource for you when you enter the work field.
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Did You Ever Consider a Career In...
. . . Communications Media?
Have you ever dreamed of a career in broadcasting, audio, photography, corporate training, advertising, games or promotions? With a degree in Communications Media, those dreams can be within your reach.
Since its beginnings in the 1950s, the Communications Media department has evolved to the many changes and innovations of our technological world.
As a professional and theoretical emphasis area of higher learning, the department of Communications Media of IUP is committed to the creation, preservation, expansion and transmission of knowledge.
The department is committed to preparing students for communications professions. In doing so, it offers quality undergraduate programs, in which students learn to design, produce and evaluate media messages. Students may select from a number of elective courses, depending on their career interests.
The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Communications Media and two minors, one in Communications Media and one in Educational Technology. The minor in Communications Media is an 18-credit program designed to complement any major. The minor in Educational Technology is a 24-credit program designed for students who are completing a teaching degree. The department also serves pre-service teachers and other students who are required to complete COMM 103.
The curriculum for a Communications Media degree is comprised of a minimum of 42 credits. The credits are broken into four areas: core courses, at least one writing intensive course in the major, at least two production courses, and a selection of communication electives unique to the student’s desired career goal. The design of the program also allows for at least 24 credits of out of department electives or free electives in related disciplines. Many of our majors are therefore able to require a related minor. In recent years, with the emergence of the web, animation software and expansion of the multimedia and gaming industries, new career directions have emerged.
The department of Communications Media prides itself on giving students access to as much technology and technology skill development as possible. Over the years, the facilities have changed and evolved into some of the highest quality media facilities in the state. These department facilities include a graphics multimedia lab, an audio recording studio, an applied media and simulation games center, a radio station and a television station.
Students in the Communications Media can also become involved in several extra-curricular activities such as the Student Photography Association (SPA), the National Broadcasting Society (NBS), WIUP-FM and WIUP-TV. All students are required to develop a professional portfolio before graduation from both exemplary course work and special projects done in cooperation with sponsoring faculty members.
For more information, contact the department office in Stouffer Hall, Room 121, call 724-357-2492 or visit the website www.coe.iup.edu/cm/.
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Investing In Our Students
by: Malaika Turner, Interim Assistant Director for Employer Relations and Development
Career Development Center
A significant number of African American students have a difficult time adjusting to the transition from high school to college. Back in the late 80s, when Bill Cosby’s Huxtables were the first family of primetime television, their daughter Denise left for a fictitious Historically Black college on her own spin-off, aptly called A Different World. As Denise soon found out, the differences she experienced stretched far beyond replacing Mom’s home cooking with cafeteria food. She had to learn about trust, standing on her own two feet, self discipline and more to survive that “Different World” called college.
Statistics show that after six years of college, only 46% of African American students earn their degrees[1]. Only 17% of African American adults have a college degree.[2] It is quite alarming to know that African American students fail to complete college due to poor grades, financial struggles, personal hardships, or other circumstances. Others take time off or labor through five or more years of school, often due to the lack of focus, advising and support.
Today I had the privilege of meeting with a young African American male student, who was looking for advice on how to successfully complete his Basic Computer final, which is 90% multiple choice. I use the word privilege because I truly believe that when you’re in a position to help encourage, motivate or even inspire a student – it’s a privilege. It felt good to, not only give this young man advice, but to encourage him to do his best and assure him that he has the support of someone who believes in him and is invested in his success. So many of our African American students need this support and someone to invest in there success in college and after college.
I had many administrators here who invested in me and my success as a student. They helped me with the transition from high school to college and when I didn’t think I could do it, they gave me a shot of reassurance, which helped to keep me motivated. I want to pour into African American students what has been poured into me, for it has molded and shaped me to who I am today!
[1] The Education Trust, “Empty Caps and Gowns.”
[2] The Census Bureau, “Black Population in the United States: March 2002”
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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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