During the summer months (June, July, and August), the newsletter will be distributed once a month.
Welcome to the Career Services 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, 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 Office of Career Services 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
IUP Featured Alumnus
FR/SO/JR/SR Tip
Let's Hear What Your Colleagues Are Doing!
Did You Ever Consider a Career In...?
Quote of the Week
“Two-thirds of recent grads say they first decide where they want to live and then where they want to work.” – Business Week
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Editor's Note
Editor: Tracy VanHorn-Juart, Office of Career Services
Working Beyond Expectations is a biweekly publication provided by the Office of Career Services. Its intent is to inform readers of the events that are available through the office. These events are 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 Services office offers to assist you in making a smooth and prepared transition.
If you have any questions , or, if you have recommendations for enhancing this resource, please contact me via e-mail at tracyvan@iup.edu.
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by: Emily Tamosauskas, Graduate Assistant
University Testing Center/Career Services
Seniors—
Graduation has arrived! Have you considered where you might look for a job? Do you know which cities in the U.S. have the best job markets? Where can you find the best employment opportunities? According to Career Opportunities News, the following "hot cities" might be worth looking into...
Las Vegas (35.5 percent)
Orlando (28.3 percent)
Riverside, Calif. (26.7 percent)
Austin (24.7 percent)
Phoenix (24.3 percent)
Jacksonville, Fla. (20.8 percent)
Tampa (19.7 percent)
Dallas-Fort Worth (19.4 percent)
Charlotte, N.C. (19.0 percent)
Atlanta (18.8 percent)
*Note: Percentages show estimated job growth from the years 2005–2015.
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Visit the Career Services Website to prepare for your future by:
- Registering with College Central Network to post your resume for employers to view and to have access to job listings and upcoming job fairs—free! And for Education Majors: PA-Educator.net. (Resume clearninghouse for PA school districts—free!)
- Utilizing ReferenceUSA, an employer directory that enables you to identify potential employers based on the industry and geographic area. A prime business database that lists 12 million potential employers. Accessible from any university computer by logging on to the Career Services website.
- Utilizing Vault.com, an electronic library of employer and occupational directories. Provides 24/7 access to data that will help students research potential employers or career fields.
- Scheduling an appointment with a career counselor to discuss your career opportunities and how to conduct the job search.
Mock Interviews
This program is designed to allow you to practice interviewing in a simulated setting, one-on-one with a trained mock interviewer. Immediate feedback is offered on your performance. Mock interview packets must be purchased in the Office of Career Services before interviews can be scheduled.
Students who choose to have a mock interview conducted on their own may purchase a packet as long as there are slots available to schedule a mock interview.
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IUP Featured Alumnus
Mike Tatarko, Jr.
Criminology/Pre-Law with a minor in Economics (IUP ’06)
Share your undergraduate experience and/or graduate experience:
I had a great four years at IUP where I met lifelong friends and took courses that helped me succeed in the graduate work that I do now. Because it was the first real experience on my own, I had to learn self-control and maintain discipline to go to every class and study for every test. A lot of students who first enter the college atmosphere take advantage of the freedom, which may hurt them in the end. It’s the responsibility of the student to prioritize what is important not only for that given day or night, but for the whole four years at IUP.
Did you work while you were a student?
No, I played baseball for four years at IUP.
What are you doing now?
I have just finished my first of three years at Duquesne University School of Law.
How did your experiences (both academic and/or work related) assist you in deciding what to do post-graduation?
Even though playing baseball and taking full courseloads in the spring was very difficult and sometimes impossible, this experience prepared me for the tough standards set for you in law school. This experience at IUP taught me how to manage my time to make sure I worked as efficiently as possible and forced me into the type of discipline that is needed to not only succeed at IUP, but in graduate school or the work force. IUP’s baseball coach, Coach Jeff Ditch, has set up a program within the baseball program called WinwithClass. This rewards the student athlete not only for being a key member of the team, but also rewards him for being a key member in the classroom. He has also orchestrated mandatory study halls for the baseball team and offered the other athletic coaches at IUP an open invitation to have their student athletes participate. This type of focus on academics sends the right message to all student athletes: You are here for an education first and to participate in athletics second. To see more: WinwithClass.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
After graduating in the spring of ’09, I hope to be practicing law in Western Pennsylvania, hopefully Pittsburgh.
What would be one piece of advice?
It's OK to come to IUP and not know exactly what you want to do with your life. You have time to take classes and decide what really interests you. Also, starting off on the wrong foot is not the end of the world. Many employers/graduate schools recognize the struggles of a nineteen-year-old leaving home for the first time and adjusting to the freedom that is all of a sudden given to them. On the same note, they are less forgiving when your grades slip toward the end of your junior and your senior semesters. From what I’ve been told, this shows the inability to focus on something that you have started and probably reflects how you would treat their program. In other words, finish what you have started.
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FR/SO/JR/SR Tip
By Kate Cook, Graduate Assistant, Office of Career Services
Freshman Tip
While in college, the best thing to do is make lists of things that need to be done and prioritize them. Making lists helps to become more organized and efficient. Creating lists really helps to keep on top of things and to avoid procrastination. Procrastination is the easiest thing to do and the hardest thing to get away from.
Sophomore Tip
Want to earn scholarships? The key is to start early and do things that set you apart from the rest. Everyone applying for scholarships has good grades and probably good SAT/ACT scores. What makes you special—have you made a contribution to your school or your community? Have you stepped forward as a leader? Make a conscious effort to show who you are and what makes you special.
Junior Tip
When you absolutely must be absent in class, get the lecture recorded and rely on someone to take clear and concise notes in class. That way you can follow the lecture, take your own notes, and reference what was actually recorded as significant by the other student. This saves a lot of confusion.
Senior Tip
If you are looking for a way to get involved on your campus, check into tutoring. Many colleges have a Learning Center. At IUP, you can apply to be a peer educator through the Center for Learning Enhancement—a central hub where people can come for help with school work. The Center for Learning Advancement is located in Pratt Hall, Room 202.
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Let's Hear What Your Colleagues Are Doing!
Featured Student: Charles (Chaz) Shipman, Music Education, May 2008
How would you describe yourself?
I’m a very dedicated student and worker, and look forward to completing my degree next year.
At what point did you choose your career and why did you choose this career?
I didn’t choose this career until my senior year of high school, when I asked myself what would make me most happy… IUP is where it got me.
What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
My love for music allows me to concentrate on everything and appreciate my time here at IUP.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
Dr. John Kuehn, the only man I know that has an honest understanding and who cares about his students more than anything else.
What are your standards of success in school?
Going to class every day no matter what, studying for tests well in-advance, keep in contact with professors if I feel I’m getting behind even in the slightest, and most importantly, never waste a minute of time when work could be done
What have you done to meet these standards?
I have made sure to schedule my job and social life around school activities, and have kept to my promise about keeping “ahead of the game.”
In addition to your academic course load, what activities, memberships, jobs, etc. do you maintain?
I am the percussion instructor for my former high school marching band. Also, I am a restaurant manager of a Taco Bell, where I work full-time after school and weekends. I commute about one-hour one-way daily, and still make sure to have enough time to get my work done and attend every class. My job has given me the discipline necessary to be academically successful at IUP.
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 involved myself in many clarinet quartets, where we go to area nursing homes as well as Academic Exploration Days for musical interludes. Also, my involvement with the high school marching band percussion has given me the real-life experience and a good grasp on what it takes to be a music educator today.
What are your plans after graduation?
I would like to find a teaching position somewhere around the Pittsburgh area.
What advice would you give to an IUP student in order to have a successful experience at IUP?
Concentrate, and think about the ultimate goal. . . “I will be a professional in my area one day, and I need to lay the ground work now for future success.” IUP helps students reach their goals, and I thank them for accepting me years ago.
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Did You Ever Consider a Career In...
. . . Music?
The Music Department at IUP recently increased its reputation within the higher education system. As an All-Steinway School, IUP joins an exclusive group of fewer than fifty of the schools of music in the world and is one of only seven Pennsylvania colleges and universities with the All-Steinway School designation. The Department of Music has a threefold mission: 1) professional preparation of music educators, performers, composers, conductors, and musicologists, 2) liberal studies for the university, and 3) programs, education, and resources of music for the community. Degrees offered are the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Science in Education. A brief overview of each follows.
Admission to the Music Department requires satisfactory completion of an audition in addition to the university general requirements. Detailed information will be sent to the applicant upon request.
The program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Music has been designed to give the student a general experience in music. The student seeking this degree has the choice of three tracks: Music/General Studies Track, Music History/Literature, or Music Theory/Composition.
The program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in Music Performance (equivalent to the Bachelor of Music Degree) is a special program with a major in one of twenty-one areas of performance. The student in this program prepares to pursue a career as a professional performing musician.
The program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a music major leads to certification to teach in the schools of Pennsylvania.
Bachelor of Arts in Music
The program leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Music is designed to provide the student an area of specialization for those who wish to pursue music as a profession in general performance practices, music history, or in Music Theory Composition. Students who elect this degree program should plan to continue their musical training in graduate programs, which will prepare them for professional careers in broad areas of musical performance or teaching at the college level.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Performance
The program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music is designed to provide specialization for students who wish to pursue music as a profession in performance or in higher education. Students who elect this degree program should plan to continue their musical training in graduate programs which will prepare them for professional careers in musical performance or teaching at the college level.
Bachelor of Science in Music Education
This program is designed for students who are preparing to teach instrumental and vocal music in the public schools of Pennsylvania and across the United States. In addition, this program provides the basis for Pennsylvania teacher certification.
Anyone interested in a career in music can contact the representative faculty from that department:
Dr. Lorraine Wilson, Chair, lpw@iup.edu
Dr. Jack Stamp, Assistant Chair, jestamp@iup.edu
Brass
Dr. Zach Collins, tuba
Dr. Christian Dickinson, trombone
Dr. Kevin Eisensmith, trumpet
Dr. David Ferguson, trumpet
Dr. Jack Scandrett, horn
Ensemble Directors
Mr. James Dearing, Choral Activities
Dr. Jack Stamp, Director of Bands
Dr. David Martynuik, IUP Marching Band
Keyboard
Dr. Christine Clewell, organ
Mr. Edwin Fry, piano
Dr. Judith Radell, piano
Mr. Nicolo Sartori, piano
Dr. James Staples, piano
Music Education
Dr. Laura Ferguson
Dr. Susan Wheatley
Music History
Dr. Matthew Baumer
Music Theory/Comp.
Mr. Daniel Perlongo
Percussion
Dr. Ronald Horner
Dr. Michael Kingan
Strings
Dr. Stanley Chepaitis, violin
Dr. Linda Jennings, cello
Mr. Irv Kauffman, guitar
Mr. Nathan Santos, bass
Ms. Lucy Scandrett, harp
Voice
Ms. Kristi Dearing
Dr. Mary Logan Hastings
Dr. Sarah Mantel
Dr. Robert Peavler
Mr. Nicolo Sartori, piano
Woodwinds
Dr. Stephanie Caulder, oboe
Dr. John Kuehn, clarinet
Dr. Therese Wacker, flute
Dr. Jason Worzbyt, bassoon
Dr. Keith Young, saxophone
Secretary
Ms. Teresa Spearman
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