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.
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."
Quote of the Week
Editor's Note
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...
Hungry Anyone?
Quote of the Week
Good news Seniors! "For the fifth straight year, employers are reporting that they will increase their hiring of new college graduates. According to NACE's Job Outlook 2008 Fall Preview Survey, a first look at the college job market for 2007-08, employers predict that they will hire 16 percent more new graduates than they did in 2006-07."
–NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers)
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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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Career News
by: Emily Tamosauskas, Graduate Assistant
University Testing Center/Career Development Center
Career Development Center Fall 2007 Workshops
Making a Career Fair Work for You___________________
Presenter: Ms. Sara Barnett
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. Tuesday, October 9, 6:00 pm, 305 Pratt Hall
Interviewing Skills and Etiquette______________________
Presenter: Ms. Faina Bukher
Nervous about an upcoming interview? Don’t know what to do in a business dinner interview? Come to this workshop and learn more about the secret to success in an interview. Also, we will prepare you with proper dining etiquette and interviewing techniques that will help you land your dream job. Tuesday, October 1, 6:00 pm, 305 Pratt Hall
Preparing for Graduate School_______________________
Presenter: Ms. Carleen Pallante
Planning to attend graduate school? Application materials got you down? Can’t think about how to market yourself on paper? At this workshop, learn how to increase your chances of being accepted at a graduate school of your choice by improving your professional writing skills. Tuesday, November 6, 6:00 pm, 305 Pratt Hall
Job Searching_____________________________________
Presenter: Ms. Faina Bukher
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. Tuesday, November 13, 6:00 pm, 305 Pratt Hall
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Uncertain About Choosing A Career?...Or, Maybe You Have Chosen A Career But You Want To Learn A Little More About it?
Quickly find answers to these questions by visiting a website that's mission is committed to helping college students and recent grads in their job search. Visit CollegeGrad.com to quickly and easily obtain this information. Click on "Explore Careers" and conduct a keyword search on any career. Obtain information such as: nature of the work, working conditions, training, employment, job outlook, earnings, and related occupations.
A search similar to the above may be conducted by visiting the Career Development Center's website at www.iup.edu/career and clicking on Students and then Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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Making Volunteering WORK for you…
From a career development view, volunteering has a lot to offer. Not only does volunteering give you that fuzzy feeling in your heart, but it can also give you the edge in the ever changing job market. College is the place where you begin to build your résumé with relevant work experiences and the skills that you will need to be successful in the career world. Volunteering is the perfect opportunity to begin this journey.
While volunteering not only are you providing a needed service to the community but you are developing skills that will be useful in all workplaces including punctuality, dependability, team work, decision making, problem solving, leadership, and handling pressure. You are also gaining valuable work experience that will help you develop your resume or portfolio.
Volunteering also gives you the opportunity to sample many different career environments giving you practical knowledge about the workings of these organizations and agencies. Volunteering helps you to test the waters before you jump into the world of work. Giving you the opportunity to work with professionals that will be able to give you valuable advice and answer any questions you may have about the career.
Another helpful byproduct of volunteering is networking. Network with your supervisor, client, committee member, or other volunteers. In other words, network every chance you get. These relationships will increase your chances of finding your “dream” job. Also, find a mentor that can help you learn the keys to success in the world of employment.
The Good News, we are here to help. The office of Service Learning acts as a liaison between many non-profit agencies in the community and IUP students. We also have volunteer opportunities and programs of our own including Into the Streets and a day of Community Service, which will be held on October 27. If you are interested in participating in the program or any of our other services, please take a look at our website: http://old.www.iup.edu/servicelearning/.
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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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Disney is Coming to Campus! - Paid Internship Experience
October 29-30, 2007
6:30 P.M. - Monongahala Room, Hadley Union Building (HUB)
For additional information, visit the website at www.iup.edu/career/disney
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IUP Featured Alumnus
Meet: Adisa Tinorgah
Bachelor of Science in International Business (2006)
Share your undergraduate experience and/or graduate experience:
IUP served as my introduction to the U.S. I found several of my classes rewarding and I’m generally pleased with the education I received. Leverage the resources you are paying for, IUP has a lot to offer!
Given a chance to do it again, I would spend less time at home in front of my T.V. and more time out meeting people. Networking is KEY.
Did you work while you were a student?
Yes, I worked as a Health AWAREness peer educator for my four years at IUP. I also pulled a short-lived stint at Foster dining hall and an even shorter one at phonathon. I did an internship at Credit Suisse First Boston (now Credit Suisse) in the summer preceding my Senior year.
What are you doing now?
I am an Investment banker working with Credit Suisse in the New York office. I am an analyst in the Retail & Consumer Products group of the investment banking division. In my 13 months here, I have had the opportunity to work on numerous projects including an IPO, M&A (both sell-side and buy-side), several financings, an equity follow-on offering, leveraged buyouts and joint ventures.
How did your experiences (both academic and/or work related) assist you in deciding what to do post graduation?
I dragged my “tired” self (after a long day of class & work) to a Finance Association meeting and heard the then President (Felipe Ucros) talk about his experience on Wall Street. I was intrigued and with some help from Felipe got an internship with Credit Suisse in 2005. I enjoyed the experience and accepted the offer to return fulltime. I have also always had an affinity for finance and enjoyed most of my finance classes.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Very successful at whatever it is I choose to do from here. Investment banking opens a wealth of avenues and the opportunities are boundless.
What would be one piece of advice?
The majority of people with whom I work have never heard of IUP; but that didn’t stop me from getting here. We are not a Wall Street target school but if you really want to get here and are willing to work for it you can. In my opinion, the rewards are well worth the sacrifices. Recruiting season is coming up again so send me a resume or questions (adisa.tinorgah@credit-suisse.com) and I will be more than happy to help in any way I can.
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FR/SO/JR/SR Tip
by: Mallory Bower, Graduate Assistant, Career Development Center
Freshman Tip:
Keep your door open! If you find yourself at a school where you don’t know anyone, this will help you out a great deal. Use the residence halls as a social networking tool. Adapting to a new environment requires the support of your peers. By keeping your door open, it shows that you are an approachable person and that you’re looking to meet new people.
Sophomore Tip:
Make a list of priorities. You may use a planner to keep track of your assignments. Sometimes it is also helpful to make a list of the week’s tasks, ordering them from the highest to lowest priority. This will help you to appropriately distribute your time—and it will sure feel great crossing each task off of your list!
Junior Tip:
Speak up! Class participation is a very important part of college life. Your professors appreciate your input and feedback. It shows them that you are interested in and that you understand the material that they are teaching you. Also, class participation is a great way to prepare for the real world. Life is interactive… class should be too!
Senior Tip:
Reward yourself. After four long years at college, most people think that things will wind down. However, this is when real life creeps in and starts to take over! Your last year of school will be filled with networking opportunities, job fairs, job searches, graduate school searches and résumé writing. After spending time on your career goals, it is important to take the time to reward yourself. Relax, have fun, and enjoy your last few months at school!
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Let's Hear What Your Colleagues Are Doing!
Undergraduate Student: Nicole Carney
International Business, Spanish, and a minor in Applied Statistics - December 2008
How would you describe yourself?
I am a hard worker. I have an on-campus job and I have a full class schedule. I know how to manage my time so that I get everything done, but also have time to relax.
At what point did you choose your career and why did you choose this career?
I knew I wanted to do something with business and Spanish since high school. International business seemed to be the perfect major for me because it combines the learning of foreign cultures with the business aspect.
What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
I want to graduate with a high GPA, so I make sure I do all my work to the best of my ability and pay attention in class in order to accomplish this.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
Dr. Willis of the Technology Support and Training department is my favorite professor. She makes class interesting because she is very enthusiastic about teaching, and she motivates her students. She is very approachable and open to her students’ opinions.
What are your standards of success in school?
I consider a successful class one in which I learn about the topic and also appreciate why it is important and how it will help me in the future.
What have you done to meet these standards?
I try my hardest to understand the material in each class as the professor teaches it rather than trying to memorize everything at once later on. I also try to apply what I learn in class to my life.
In addition to your academic course load, what activities, memberships, jobs, etc. do you maintain?
I am involved in the International Business Association (IBA). It is helpful in getting to know and appreciate diverse groups of people from different cultures. I learn about many different country’s unique customs. It is very helpful to learn about as many different cultures as possible because in my future, I will be doing business with people from various countries. I am also in several honors clubs and fraternities. One that I will be actively involved in this year is Mortar Board. Being involved in Mortar Board will allow me to network and participate in volunteer activities in the community. Volunteering with a variety of people will enhance my ability to work as a team member. I am currently working in the dean’s office in the Eberly College of Business and Information Technology. As a result of this, my office and organizational skills have improved.
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...
Throughout each semester, I organize group study sessions with a few members of my classes. It is helpful for all of us to talk about what we learn to reinforce the information.
What are your plans after graduation?
I want to work for a global company and travel as much as possible.
What advice would you give to an IUP student in order to have a successful experience at IUP?
Attend every class and take good notes. Also, I would advise all students to get involved with a club or extracurricular activity of some sort and meet new people.
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Did You Ever Consider a Career In...
. . . International Business?
A fundamental transition is occurring in the world economy. The world economy is moving away from a state in which national economies were relatively self-contained and distanced from each other by cultural, administrative, geographic, and economic factors towards a world in which barriers to cross-border trade and investment are declining. Perceived distance is shrinking, and national economies are merging into an interdependent integrated global economic system. In light of such change and transition, a growing number of firms are becoming multinational and global in scope. Moving away from a domestic towards global business environment, managers are being increasingly challenged to analyze, develop and implement strategies with a global perspective.
The Department of Management at IUP delivers a top-notch program in International Business to prepare students to manage in a global and cross-cultural setting. Our program is designed to provide students with global knowledge, skills, and experiences that are becoming vital considerations in hiring by both domestic and overseas organizations. The International Business major offers a unique mix of tools to prepare students for positions in business organizations and governmental agencies in the fields of international trade and global business.
The International Business program offers many positive features. 1) In addition to gaining the ability to manage in a global setting, International Business students will obtain a concentration in a functional area—finance, marketing or human resources. 2.) As part of the required curriculum of the International Business program, students will have the opportunity to learn a foreign language that fits their future career plans [Spanish, French, Chinese, etc.] 3) Another mandatory requirement of the program is the highly popular study-abroad feature. IUP has established strong partnerships with universities in practically every part of the world including Mexico, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, England, China, India, Malaysia, etc. Students get the opportunity to study for a semester or a summer typically in the country of their choice and most courses in these countries are taught in English. 4) The International Business student association is very active and periodically features speakers, exhibits and cuisine from different countries. 5) Our alumni are placed in a variety of places including major global consulting firms around the world, government organizations, multinational corporations, etc. 6) Finally, the Department of Management has a highly qualified, diverse, and multicultural faculty with professional experience in various parts of the world. Our faculty members edit several international business journals and are active in publishing, consulting and presenting papers at international conferences. But, above all, we are always eager to assist our students in meeting their academic and professional goals. Come and explore the International Business major by meeting our faculty and current students in the Eberly Building!
For more information on this program, please contact:
Dr. Prashanth Nagendra Bharadwaj, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairperson
724-357-4880
pnb@iup.edu
Dr. Hussam Al-Shammari
Professor
724-357-5765
hussam@iup.edu
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Hungry Anyone?
by: Malaika Turner, Assistant Director for Employer Relations and Development
Career Development Center
The American Dietetic Association says breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Despite the healthful benefits, breakfast may be the meal that is most often neglected or skipped. Eating breakfast not only aids in weight management, it fuels the body to help provide energy, better concentration and problem-solving ability throughout the day, according to the food and nutrition experts at the American Dietetic Association.
The same is true for the Career Development Center here at IUP. If you desire to be a successful professional, visiting the Career Development Center has healthful benefits. Most college students neglect or skip visiting the Career Development Center. They fail to see it as an important “profession seeking” meal. We hope that changes today! We want to see students succeed. And like breakfast, the Career Development Center will assist students with the concentration on their career path and problem-solving of their future career endeavors, through individual counseling with very capable professionals who are ready to serve students.
Breakfast is also very important for weight loss and weight management. “You ‘break the fast’ of not eating for the past eight to 12 hours. Breakfast helps curb your hunger and prevent binge eating later in the day. Breakfast is important to manage your weight and potentially lose weight by eating fewer calories throughout the day.”
Looking back on my college career, here at IUP, I can remember feeling very hungry with worry about my experience at IUP and my future. How do I rate in interviews? Am I marketable? Is my resume ready? Should I do an internship? I wanted to feed my hunger in a bad way. One of the ways that helped me satisfy those hunger pangs was visiting the Career Development Center. Believe it or not, the Career Development Center is in the business of nutrition. We are here to help students satisfy their hunger in a nutritious way by providing guidance with assistance in resume writing, the work-study experience, finding part-time student employment opportunities, finding full-time employment opportunities, seeking national student exchange opportunities, registering for university testing (GRE, PRAXIS, LSAT, MAT, FLCT, & CLEP), seeking internships, viewing employer databases, developing interviewing skills, advertising and hosting job fairs, arranging on-campus interviewing, and so much more.
So, for those of you who have not been eating breakfast…now is the time to start. It is vital to the human body. The same goes for the Career Development Center. If you want to walk down the road to success, then a bowl of the IUP Career Development Center is the best place to start!
Excerpts from BellyBytes.com “The Importance of Breakfast”
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