UW-Eau Claire Career Advice

The Nation's Largest Employer is hiring!

2010-05-04T08:04:00.000-05:00

Have you ever considered working for the government? Why not?! There are many opportunities available for all types of majors. Not interested in working/moving to DC? No worries, many federal government jobs are all across the United States. Looking or wanting to work overseas? The federal government is great way to do so! And if you are still not interested in working for the federal government, why not try state or local government jobs?
There are misconceptions that pay is not that great with government jobs but this is not true. The pay is good and many times the benefits you receive outweigh the pay. Not to mention some federal government jobs will pay back some of your school loans or help pay for your continuing education. Want to get your foot in the door now? Start looking at government internships. They are a great way to network and find out if working for the government is right for you. Stop into Career Services today and find out about the great opportunities in working for the government!

Learn about:

-Job availability, location, pay and benefits

-How to apply to government jobs

-Actual graduates from UWEC working for the government on Ask an Alum

For more information, visit http://www.uwec.edu/career/Students/jobsearch/government/index.html or stop into Career Services today!

Is Graduate School Not in the Picture for You?

2010-04-29T09:39:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

I’m Kirsten Oppriecht, and I’m a junior here at UWEC majoring in psychology. This is my first semester working at Career Services, and I have learned so much already! Before working here I was unsure what to do with my Psychology major, because I have no desire to go to Graduate School. Career Services has opened so many doors and shown me what I can do with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Many people think they have to go to Graduate School to get a job with their major. That is absolutely not the case! Here at Career Services, we look beyond majors and minors and focus on transferable skills which make you stand out in the crowd. Come into Career Services and we will be happy to help you discover your transferable skills, and take the next step towards finding a job you’ll love!

Kirsten Oppriecht

LinkedIn Profiles

2010-04-05T11:04:00.006-05:00

LinkedIn can be a great resource for college students and recent graduates alike. Creating a profile on LinkedIn can give you access to knowledgeable professionals to informationally interview as well as current job openings in your field. Making an outstanding profile is important because your LinkedIn profile may create the first impression that potential employers have of you.

10 Steps to Making a Great LinkedIn Profile

1. Fill out all sections of your profile. Include unpaid experience such as volunteer work and extracurriculars. Be detailed and keep your purpose and your audience in mind.

2. Utilize white space and bullet points similarly to how you would on a resume. Incorporate keywords and verbs throughout. Proofread carefully.

3. Tailor your headline for your purpose. It will create a first impression by appearing below your name in profile searches.

4. Upload a photo of yourself that is professional, yet friendly looking. You should be the only person in the photo.

5. Use the “Summary” section to write a short blurb about who you are and what you do and/or hope to do. Note any professional interests or values that you have. Use the “Specialties” section to briefly state keywords that illustrate specific and relevant skills or experience that will make you stand out.

6. Add relevant website links to your profile, such as your online portfolio, current employer’s website or your professionally orientated blog or Twitter account. Do not add personal websites or blogs.

7. Earn great job references and ask them to “Recommend” you on your LinkedIn profile. Professors can also give recommendations based on your performance as a student. Your references must also have a LinkedIn profile to do this. Profiles with more recommendations will appear at the top of search results.

8. Update your status about once a week sharing any professionally relevant information. This may include what you are working on at your internship, a conference that you attended, or passing a certification exam. Occasional updates will help you stay on your network’s radar and can initiate communication.

9. Join LinkedIn groups and post good questions in the discussion forums. There are groups for university alumni, honor societies, organizations, industries, etc…

10. Arrange the sections of your profile so that the most relevant and impressive components are toward the top.

For more information on how college students can utilize LinkedIn visit http://grads.linkedin.com/

Renee Mallo
Career Specialist

Spring Into Resumes!

2010-03-16T15:43:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone! I'm Stephanie Wech, a Career Associate Coordinator at Career Services. One of my favorite things about working at Career Services are doing Resume Reviews. We have many handouts available for helping you with your resume. Whether you're just starting to build your resume and have no idea where to start, or if you just want to make a few changes, Career Services is the place to go! Besides handouts, we also have "Resume Review Binders" and our Online Resume Review Workshop; both will help guide you through the Resume Making Process. Feel free to stop by or call our office to set up a Resume Review Appointment or to speak with a Career Associate about getting started; we're more than willing to help! Those of us who take Resume Review Appointments go through a semester-long training session, so we can be very helpful when it's time for you to create a resume.

General Tips
* DON'T leave anything out just because you feel its "not relevant"--many jobs have 'Transferable Skills', meaning that your work ethics/skill sets can match up for other job positions (Ex: Leadership, Teamwork, Communication, Time Management, etc).
* DON'T use a template!! If we can tell you used a template, almost any HR or Recruiter will notice too!

* DO Start Early! Even as freshmen, you can start listing all the activities and experiences you have under your belt!
* DO use "ACTION VERBS"--it will be your best friend when trying to think of bullet points or changing up your word choice.
*DO make a Resume Review Appointment in Career Services! We're open M-F 8:00am-4:30pm.

Hopefully you won't be as intimidated by resumes any more! Feel free to call/email/stop by if you have any questions or want to make an appointment!
----Stephanie----

2010-03-08T11:13:00.002-06:00

Hello!!

I am Abby Konitzer. I am a freshman here at UWEC, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I am a new career associate here at Career Services, I started in January. I have loved every minute of it so far, this place is great! From working here, I have learned how much is offered here and how many resources there are to help a student in almost any area. A lot of people think Career Services is just for business majors—but do not fret!! Any major can come here and benefit from it—art majors, science majors, education majors or any other major! We can help you find job interviews, job shadowing positions, internships and so much more. Also—please do not think that you need an appointment to stop in here. If you are walking by, or you think to yourself that you are curious about a job, or major or how to do something, stop in! We have many career associates here who are just waiting for you students to come in so we can help you. We’re right here in Schofield 230!

New Career Specialist

2010-02-17T13:25:00.001-06:00

Hi Everyone!

I am Erin Shaw, the new career specialist at Career Services. I am in my second semester of the school counseling program at UW-Stout. While doing my undergraduate at UWEC I stopped in at Career Services to explore different majors and career paths. I also got an internship through attending Internship Mania and received my first job out of college through Blugold CareerLink. Career Services has a ton of resources and organizes events throughout the school year to help students find majors and career paths that they are passionate about.

I am enjoying my internship at Career Services and have already learned so much about writing resumes, performing job searches, and my own career interests and values. If you have any questions about resumes, majors, grad school, careers, ect… stop in sometime!

Erin Shaw

Career Exploration

2010-02-04T09:10:00.005-06:00

Every field of study has the potential to lead to multiple career options, some of which students may not be aware of yet or currently only have a vague understanding of. So, how can students learn more about jobs that sound interesting to them? Informational interviewing and job shadowing are great ways for students to obtain information that will help them make educated decisions about the focus of their career path while enhancing their professional network at the same time.

Informational Interviewing
Typically a casual, low-stress opportunity for a student to ask an expert questions about a particular occupation or industry. Students can find people to interview by either contacting someone they already know or by looking in the yellow pages. Professionals are usually delighted to discuss their careers with college students, so finding people to interview is easy. Students can obtain facts and advice regarding anything from educational preparation to challenges in the workplace. Suggestions for interview questions can be found on the Career Services website.

Job Shadowing
An opportunity to observe the daily routine associated with a specific position. These experiences vary greatly in how interactive or passive they may be for the student, depending on the position and company. Additionally, the length of time a shadowing opportunity may last (half an hour, a full day, a week-long project) will vary. Job shadowing provides a unique chance for a student to witness what an occupation is really like, as well as how positions with the same job title can be quite different between companies. Finding professionals to job shadow is much like finding professionals to conduct an informational interview with. Often, these career exploration experiences can be combined.

Renee Mallo
Career Specialist

New Career Specialist

2009-03-11T10:25:00.004-05:00

My name is Aria Snyder and I am a new Career Specialist at Career Services! I am currently a student at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in the School Counseling Graduate program. I have been working at Career Services for about 2 months now and I love it! I am learning all about the different resources we provide students while broadening my knowledge on cover letters, resumes, and much more!

From my experience with finding the right career I know it can be diffiuclt and frustrating. It took me until my junior year of undergrad to really know what I wanted to be when I "grew up". This journey took time, energy and many trips to Career Services and even a few talks with a Career Counselor. Once I realized that the path I was on was the right one pieces then fell into place and all that frustration and time was all worth it.

I love school and I really enjoy my internship here at UW-Eau Claire. I hope you all have a great semester and hope your career finding journeys end with a job you love!

New Career Associate

2008-10-24T11:45:00.003-05:00

Hello All-

My name is Coryn Davis and I am a new career associate at Career Services. I am currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Next semester I will be applying for admitance to the School of Education here on campus and one of the resources that has really helped me prepare is the 2009 Job Search Handbook for Teachers.

It provided me with great examples of what a teacher's resume should look like and includes a lot of helpful information to use when looking for a job in the education field. I look forward to meeting some of you. Have a great rest of your semester!

Coryn Davis

Hey Students!

2008-09-16T11:45:00.003-05:00

Hello Students! My name is Mark and I am one of the new Career Associates at Career Services. I am a freshman and my major is currently social work.

I am not completely certain about my major at this point, but the resources here at Career Services have already helped me to learn more things about my interests and abilities. Sigi 3 was very helpful in assessing my current skills. It gave me many different options in exploring career options with different majors.

Hope I will see all of you soon in the Career Services Office! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

-Mark Quamme

Summer is here..what should I do?

2008-05-12T10:50:00.001-05:00

So this will be my last post until next fall...so I thought that I would leave you with some tips on how to fill your homework less (is that a word? oh well!) days.

I would first recommend continuing to use all of the programs (Ask an Alum, Sigi 3, the Career Services Website, etc.) that I have listed in my previous posts.

Second, I would recommend volunteering or getting a job that pertains to one of your interests. Though you may be undeclared, it doesn't hurt to do an activity that you enjoy. You will be building your resume and gaining experience. Who knows, maybe you will discover what you want to major in!

Third, I would recommend making an effort to network and talk to others about their careers and college experiences. The summer months are filled picnics, grad parties, and family vacations-the perfect place to make yourself known. You will be surprised to find how many people want to share their career with you. It might even give you some ideas of your own. A future internship may even become available.

But, most of all, enjoy the summer!!!! Let the career searching begin!

Sigi 3!!!! Another answer to the major question

2008-05-05T15:13:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone!

So far I have recommended to you the handouts and Ask an Alum and Friends..but I have yet another recommendation. Sigi 3! This is another online system that enables you to look up specific majors and careers. It can be located on the UWEC Career Services homepage under the "Students" link.

Once logged in, there are a variety of options available for exploring your future including links titled: "Check out occupations," "See what I can do with my major," "Find a major," "Search for a school," and "Look for a job."

Since I am thinking that most of you who are reading this blog because you are undeclared or a unsure of your major, I would recommend starting with the "Find a major" link. Under this link, is subtitle called "Occupational Info" which allows you to search by title, major, skills, interests, and even personality type. I think it is best to search under "major."

If you are searching by major, it will ask for what College the major you are thinking of is under (Arts and Sciences, Business, etc.), which will be link you to a list of majors. Once you chose a major from the list, it will take you to a page that lists careers that "you would be well suited for," or that share interests/skills with the major.

Once you choose a career, links will be made available regarding work settings, required education, income, job outlook. It even lists that type of college classes that you will have to take if you chose this major.

I think that this resource is so helpful because it gives you a quick yet detailed guide to a job you might interested. Through using Sigi 3, I narrowed my major/career choices greatly because I would see something that didn't particularly appeal to me, such as extensive education or a poor job outlook.

Try it out! Explore your possibilities!

The next step: Ask an Alum and Friends

2008-04-23T14:08:00.001-05:00

The major fanatic here again.
So...you have narrowed down your major search to a couple of choices, now what do you do? While, Ask an Alum and Friends, of course! If you read the previous post, this program was mentioned, but I wanted to explain it to you in greater detail.

Ask an Alum and Friends is an online system in which students, like you, can connect with Alumni who have graduated from UWEC. There are wide range of Alumni in the system, from alumni that have just graduated in the past few years to twenty or thirty years ago. The system provides the student with a Alumni's biography, educational history, and current job information.

Why would connecting with Alumni matter?

Well, because they are true examples of what people are doing after they graduate. It is great resource to see what people are doing with the majors you are considering.

Here are the steps that I would recommend following.

1. Go to the Career Services website: www.uwec.edu/career and click on the link: Students followed by the link: Ask an Alum and Friends. Click on Student Login.

2. Click on "Search for Specific Alumni." A screen should pop up, that consists of drop down menus for a number of categories including: Major, Minor, Industry, and City. Enter a major and/or minor you are considering and press "search." Remember: The more specific you are the less Alumni that will appear, but they may be better tailored to what you are looking for.

3. Grad year, Job titles and employer and employment location will appear. If you are interesting in knowing more than the given information, click on "Show Detail."

4. More detail should then appear. If this Alumni interests you, click on "Request Match."

5. Once you request a match, UWEC Career Services will be contacted. They will then create a folder for you that contains the contact information. An email will then be sent to you to tell you to come to pick it up at our office, Schofield 230. Once you pick up the folder, you are free to contact the alumni. This is most often done by email or phone.

*Remember that you do not have to Request a match, it is only if you want to receive more information than is already given. However, you will not be allowed to view the Alumni's personal information such as phone number or email address unless you request the match*

I would highly suggest using this resource even if you don't plan on directly contacting Alumni. By viewing examples of what people are doing with their majors after they graduate, you could narrow down your own list of majors.

So..give it a try! It won't hurt! Good luck and enjoy this resource!

Job Search Struggles

2008-04-23T12:15:00.001-05:00

Help me I can't find a job!!!

As a Career Associate at Career Services, you would think that I would be on top of finding a job before I graduate...however, I'm struggling. I've gone through all the right motions and steps to get to this point where employers with Human Resources positions should want to hire me:

- Graduating in May 2008 with Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication
- Loyal employee to Career Services throughout my 4 years at UWEC
- Training and Development internship with Bush Brothers and Company (Bush's Baked Beans)
- Recruiting internship with Express Employment Professionals
- Executive board member of two student organizations and member of the professional
organization for my major (SHRM)

Sadly, I still can't find anything. What makes my search most difficult is that I'm relocating to another area so I can't "physically" go and meet with potential employers at the drop of a hat. So, with this blog I would like to describe the alternative methods that aren't as commonly used that I've been utilizing to find my perfect job 199 miles away.

1. Contacted all of the staffing agencies in the area I will be relocating to incase they have available positions or know of other companies with available positions (It never hurts to have someone else helping to find a job for you; however, be aware of scams. You should NEVER have to pay money for someone to find a job for you!!)

2. Checked all of the City of... and Chamber of Commerce websites in the area (Look for tools for job searching, lists of company names to check out, and events going on in the area)

3. Continuously checking newspapers, Careerbuilder, Monster, Indeed, Jobs in..., etc. You never know when you might find the right job just waiting for you on the internet.

4. Constantly networking-although it's hard from 200 miles away if people remember you're looking for a job in a specific area they will hopefully contact you or recommend you if they come across something. (TIP: because any communication is networking make sure you are always aware of the image you're portraying-it should be very professional at the least)

5. Utilized my school's job site and other UW system school's job sites. Also, Career Services has a program called Ask An Alum-this was useful to find contacts in the area that I could do informational interviews with (Remember: informational interviews do not equal jobs; You should never expect to get a job from an informational interview.)

6. Joined the area SHRM chapter (Professional organization relevant to my major). There are many of these available for every different field. It's an easy way to get involved in the community by attending meetings, events, and networking with other members.

7. Tap into previous employers to see what connections they may have for you, especially if they are in the area you're looking to move to

These are some of the things that I've been working on to try and find a job. As of right now, I have a phone interview next week and if that doesn't go well I'll be back on here brainstorming even more alternative ways to finding a job!

Have a good day and good luck in your own job searches!!

Major trouble?? -Career Services is a start!

2008-04-07T15:33:00.001-05:00

I am in my second semester here at Eau Claire and currently undeclared. In the past year, I have went through all the possibilities-from health care administration to communication sciences and disorders. As of right now, I am thinking of majoring in social work. I think that it would be awesome to work with families and birth mothers in arranging adoptions. I feel that it would be so rewarding!

Though I am not officially "declared," you may ask how I got to this point. Well through Career Services, of course! I started working here the second week of school and from my first day in the office I was amazed by all that it has to offer. CS has binders full of major descriptions, pamphlets and plenty of worksheets to keep your mind buzzing!!!

I began by looking at the list of majors that UWEC offers and putting a star next to any major or minor that I was possibly thinking of, even if it was very unlikely that would end up declaring it. From the majors that I put a star by, I grabbed the corresponding handouts. These handouts list the benefits to earning a degree from UWEC, what type of classes that you will take, the skills you will acquire and some of the interests and values that held by those in that major. The handout also lists organizations to get involved in as well as job titles that people with this major hold. Lastly, the worksheet gives ways in which you can learn more about the major both on campus and through other websites. All this from just one worksheet!!!

If you are exploring majors. start looking at these worksheets and stay tuned for further steps on how to make that major (hehe) decision!!

Do not Despise Small Beginning

2007-04-02T09:52:00.001-05:00

My dad always used to tell me that, and I'm fairly certain he wasn't the original author, so whoever first said that pearl of wisdom, my apologies for not giving you credit. Anyway, what do I mean by "Do not despise small beginnings?"

Everyone has to start somewhere and the job market is very competitive. Sometimes you can make the best possible impression and there just happens to be someone with better qualifications out there. That's just the way it is for many recent graduates, especially those of us non-computer nerds/accounting masterminds. What is one to do when the job search process feels fruitless?

Think about internships. *gasp* Especially if you've never yet had one. Yes, even if they're underpaid or even unpaid. Before getting all offended at the prospect of being a lowly intern after all your hard work to obtain a degree, think about how terribly incestuous some industries are. Everybody knows everybody in some job markets and it's not so much what you know, as who you know. Ever seen an entry level job description that requires X years of previous experience? Confused?

Employers, unfairly as it is, can find people who have that and would obviously prefer it. This means the first year out of college we might have to hold on to the grueling restaurant server shifts in our agonizing quest for those X years of previous experience! Of course, some are fortunate enough to land a job making bank right away (aka. MIS and Accounting folk), but not all.

Just don't think you're too good for an internship simply because you have a degree. Many employers use internship positions as trial stages to try you out and see if you're a good full-time, salary position fit so don't rule those out. Don't get discouraged. Make it a point to spend a certain amount of hours each week searching and applying. Don't throw out the ramen noodles just yet because you might have to start small. Good luck!

Professional Associations: Not Just for "Grown Ups"

2007-03-13T13:48:00.002-05:00

Hi, Moriah here again!

One often overlooked area of many resumes is professional associations. Maybe people assume that they aren't qualified to join them since they're not yet professionals. But having the connections that come along with professional association memberships can give you inside knowledge and direct your attention to important areas of your field. Here is a compilation of several other benefits.

Joining while still a student is a much better deal than waiting until after graduation. Some organizations have minimal $10-35 fees for a one -year student membership. (Full memberships for professionals can reach $100.)

Along with getting cheaper dues, you can begin to refocus your attention from classroom knowledge to the mainstream culture of your field. Discover who is the Brad Pitt of geology and the J-Lo of finance. Learn about the lesser-known or hot subfields of your discipline.

Staying informed about the ins and outs of your field is important to impressing interviewers. Like employer research, participation in a professional association will show increased dedication and commitment in your interviews. A candidate that demonstrates genuine interest in his/her field stands out head and shoulders above a candidate who merely went through school and got a degree.

Professional association memberships also tell a lot about your professional development. If you know enough to join an organization and follow the activities and information it puts out, employers will see that you are concerned with your professional development and are likely to be a more motivated worker.

These are only a few of the outside benefits of association membership. For a database of hundreds of associations, see Associations Unlimited. Don’t neglect this potential asset in your career development!

Overcoming the Balancing Act: Moving Stress Off Campus

2007-03-12T12:47:00.001-05:00

Hello~ My name is Lindsay and I am a double major in Organizational Communication & Sociology... I will be graduating this May! I am also currently planning my early June wedding, working part-time, & trying to finish up my end-of-college course requirements, etc., while also attempting to enjoy my last semester. As I was thinking about my weekly "to do" list, a few thoughts came to mind about how college students are (or are not) creating a healthy balance in their lives. Needless to say, the following advice is something I am working on myself!

How often have you heard about or been encouraged to maintain a work/life balance? I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I have noticed that students appear to be expanding the meaning of the word work. We have taken the idea of a work/life balance and turned it into a _____/life balance. You fill in the blank: school work, projects, part time jobs, significant others, friendships, extracurricular activities, job searches, and so much more. It is truly profound how students (for the most part) are managing so well, but what are we sacrificing to make it all happen?

I guess what I’m trying to say here is… take a break! Relax. Beat the balancing act and designate time for yourself and for things that make you happy. As college students, I think we are often in the position of being tempted to try and “do it all,” when, in reality, we are simply spreading ourselves too thin. While the responsibilities of college life will not disappear, try prioritizing them and be sure to set aside time for yourself; preferably doing something you enjoy. Watching TV, renting a new movie, exercising, catching up with friends, attending a sporting event, going to the mall, taking a nap, journaling… anything ring a bell?

Also, please be sure to designate some quality time with your pillow. Yes, your pillow. I can bet you will get more out of this as opposed to spending that same time with your textbook and a Mountain Dew (or whatever vice you may have) at 2:00 in the morning. And I am almost positive you will perform better on your exam or project as well.

With all of the pressures and responsibilities in life, take some time to figure out what really needs to get done and what can maybe wait until tomorrow. People usually prefer to feel happy and in control of their lives… doing all you can to move stress “off campus” may just make you one more person that others love to be around! Best wishes in your own little balancing act. :)

Common Myths about Resumes

2007-02-28T10:49:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone! As a college student, writing that first resume can be intimidating. Many students just don’t even know where to start. Then there’s the added pressure of actually using it to obtain an internship, or that full-time position. In the end, students should realize that your resume is often times the first representation of you to a potential employer.

Ok, so hopefully I haven’t just made you even more intimidated by the resume writing process, but gave you some motivation to start now! But before I give you some helpful tips and explain some myths associated with resumes, I should explain who I am.

My name is Tiana and I’m currently a junior Human Resource Management major at UWEC. I’ve worked on campus at Career Services for 3 years now, and I can genuinely say that Career Services has helped me immensely in preparing for college and beyond. It’s definitely a place that no student should be a stranger to.

With my experience in helping students with their resumes, I’ve heard many common myths that students have about resumes. I would like to clear up just a few of them:

Myth #1: You don’t need to start writing a resume until your Junior or Senior year of college.
FALSE! It’s never too early to put together a rough draft of your resume. Even as a freshman, you can gather relevant information, and create a format so it’s easy to add experiences as you get them. Plus, writing a resume when you don’t have application deadline pressures makes the process a lot less stressful.

Myth #2: The “templates” that programs like Microsoft Word offer are good to use when writing a resume.
Generally, that’s FALSE. Although many students think they’re taking a shortcut to complete their resume, they could be wrong. Templates make it hard to add any personal touches to your resume. And they are VERY recognizable to recruiters, who may think students weren’t interested in the position enough to create their own resume.

Myth #3: A 1-page resume is much better than one that is 2-pages long.
FALSE. You will get MANY different opinions on this one, but I think it’s becoming more and more acceptable to have a 2-page resume. Many students are gaining a lot of relevant experience through internships, campus organizations, and coursework, and some find it hard to fit all of it on 1-page. If this is the case for you, just make sure your second page is at least 2/3 long.

I should explain that although these are my opinions coming from my experiences with resumes and employer preferences, there will be some that argue with me. Ultimately, it is up to you. After all, you know yourself better than anyone when it comes to your experience and preferences.

Career Services offer FREE resume review service to all students. So… if this has inspired you to create or modify your resume, but you still have some questions, please take advantage of this free service! Trained Career Associates can give you suggestions on everything from formatting to content. So don’t feel intimidated by the whole topic of resume writing. In the end, it turns out to be a valuable learning experience that directly helps your future!

Time Management

2007-02-20T11:17:00.001-06:00

I know everyone tells you that you need to have great time management skills and I know that you usually just brush the thought right out of your mind. I am here to really tell you how important the skill of time management really is.

First of all, my name is Hannah and I am a sophomore here at Eau Claire. I am a Psychology major with a Women’s Studies minor and I am planning on attending grad school for high school guidance counseling.

Okay, now onto time management. First and foremost, having this skill could make or break your college career. With meetings, appointments, classes, exams, work, volunteering, and just plain fun, students like us can get severely overwhelmed. The number one goal of any student should be to not go crazy every semester. This will come through knowing yourself and your limits as well as trial and error. With that said, let’s move on to some suggestions.

In my experience, I have grown to have a very strong bond with my planner. Yes I said planner. A student and their planner should be as one. One planner with everything scheduled into it. If you are not a planner or a scheduling type of person…BECOME ONE!!!! Some people can effectively keep track of everything in their head, but that is just crazy. Writing down everything, even fun activities, will help to ease your mind when it comes time to schedule another activity.

The other bit of advice that I can give you is to follow the old saying to leave work at work. This should really be applied to all students. If you have a job, leave the work and worries that are involved with it at that job. No use worrying about something until the next time you work.

Also don’t try to do work outside of your scheduled work hours. I almost guarantee that it will come back to haunt you. We are too busy as students with meeting with groups, doing homework, and checking Facebook  to worry about work. This is one rule that I have come to live by through many bad experiences. My life is better, my mind is clearer, and I am a lot happier with leaving work at work.

I really hope that this helped and I didn’t sound like I was preaching. I know that you all have heard it a million times, but manage your time…write down everything!!! Also as a final thought, PLEASE never feel bad saying “no” to anyone or anything. Your sanity as a student is your number one priority.

Position Descriptions-- READ THEM!

2006-12-05T10:55:00.001-06:00

My name is Kate and I'm a senior who will need to apply soon for a full-time job for when I graduate in May! For those of you in the same boat as me, here is a little bit of advice that I have found to be helpful in the application process. I think it makes the whole thing a lot less intimidating!!

It may seem obvious to read the position descriptions of the jobs you are applying for BEFORE you submit your resume, but you might be surprised at how often they are overlooked. I am currently sitting on a search committee for a new position at Career Services, and just learned that many people are adequately qualified for the job but do not read the position description carefully and forget to include pertinent information on their resume and therefore get overlooked in the application process!! Yikes!

Not only should you read the position description to make sure you are qualified for the job and include the necessary qualifications in your resume, but the position description can be your "secret weapon" to get the job!!

Yes, I said "secret weapon". Read through the description and pick out key adjectives mentioned frequently, analyze the skills and requirements necessary, and look for the assets of the job you could bring to the company. Then, format your resume specifically based on this job description: include those key adjectives, show how you demonstrate the required qualifications in your past experiences, and emphasize how you stand out among the other candidates.

This will help you snag that dream job you've always wanted. Just remember never to lie on your resume but feel free to brag about yourself! By simply reading and thouroughly analyzing that position description-- your secret weapon-- you are that much closer to being the top candidate!!! Yay!

Graduation, Impostors, and Black Holes: My Job Search

2006-11-20T11:34:00.001-06:00

This is Moriah, a Marketing Associate at Career Services. I'm an English major graduating in May 2007, so my job search is almost in full swing. Many people probably figure that since I've worked here at Career Services since I was a freshman that this whole 'finding a job' thing is no biggie; Totally not true!

I find myself at times emulating all those panicky, wide-eyed graduating seniors I've seen come into CS who are absolutely freaked out about graduating and moving on to the next stage in life: Being a Grown-Up. Where do I even begin?! Never mind getting a job, what about figuring out where to live, what positions to look for, salary, living on my own, bills... There are so many important things that I "knew" about before but didn't really think about until now.

As you look ahead, realize that there are a lot of things to think about, but most of them do not warrant freaking. Rather than viewing the entire future from graduation to retirement as one big black hole that somehow has to be filled in before May, step back, breathe in deep, exhale, and take one step at a time:

Step 1: Realize you're not locked in to anything.
A job is just a job. Sure, it can be a great, fulfilling step towards your dreams. Or it may not be the right fit for you. You have to start somewhere, and making the best of it will only sharpen your skills for the future and get you closer to finding the job that really IS your dream job. You won't know unless you try it out!

Step 2: Keep perspective.You have a good 40 years of work ahead of you (maybe you don't want to think about that ^_^). But imagine all the cool things you'll have time to try! If you're like me, you have a lot of interests, and that makes narrowing down an industry or profession difficult. Don't worry about finding the perfect job right off the bat (remember step 1, you're not locked in!). Try to enjoy where you are and take advantage of the unique opportunities of each position. When it's time to move on, go for it! And look for more unique opportunities that fit your skills and interests, not necessarily your degree.

Step 3: Ignore the "impostor syndrome"."So I've had a few classes on science and technical writing. Now I'm supposed to tell people that I'm a Science and Technical Communicator. It feels kind of like a lie. Dang, it IS a lie. Truth is, I just had a few classes!" If you ever have thoughts like this about your major or emphasis, IGNORE THEM.

It's normal for college grads to get to the end of the road and start to think, 'Wow, I am completely unprepared for life in this field.' Truth is, it's just not true. Everyone starts out this way; no one expects you to come out of 4-5 years of education and have the experience of a 20-year veteran. Be honest with yourself about your limits, but have confidence in what you can become. (Note: I didn't make the "impostor syndrome" up -- One of my advisers actually told me about it!)

Step 4: Be informedI think this is the point I get hung up on most often. While I personally can't know everything, my sci/tech writing background tells me that I don't have to. I just have to know where to find it. Luckily, here at UW-Eau Claire we have a fantastic Career Discovery Center that has information galore, in the form of print resources, internet sites, and actual people who know more than I do.

You ask the questions, they'll help you find the answers. The more you know and feel confident in your resume, interviewing skills, personal strengths and weaknesses, and direction in life, the better prepared you'll be for a proactive, productive, fulfilling life in the job world.

Right now, I'm thinking, "Okay, step one, step two... yeah. That all sounds good, think I got that straight. But what about... (freak-out ensues)." See, it's not a matter of knowing everything to do when you're looking for a job. (Don't worry, I can't even take my own advice sometimes!) It's about knowing and being sure of yourself through the stress of the unknown, and knowing how to address the issues giving you stress.

Put that nervous energy to use! That's what it's there for. Talk about your personal strengths with an adviser or friend. Put on your thinking cap about what you are really seeking in your life. Practice the skills you feel you need to improve. Speak with your past employers or teachers about their experiences. Most of all, get to know yourself. You won't ever really be fulfilled in life if you don't know what you really want out of it.

Portfolios

2006-11-17T14:52:00.001-06:00

Hi,
My name is Cayla Fleck and I'm a junior at UWEC majoring in scientific and technical writing. I also work at Career Services. Friends often ask me career-related questions and one typical question is regarding what to put in a portfolio. I had an interview this week with United Way and I used the opportunity to show off my writing samples. The documents I chose to include were:

1) Projects I was most proud of
2) Projects that were most time-consuming
3) Projects that easily corresponded with details on my resume

Friends of mine who aren't writers include things like pictures of a t-shirt they made for promotion, thank you letters for presentations, slides from power points, performance evalutions, anything to tangibly prove what you've done. It can be from class, work, or independent projects.

If you don't see how it's relevant, think about the skills required to do what you've done. Communication? Organization? Leadership? Software competence? These are valued by almost all employers. Having a portfolio along on an interview increases your confidence because you don't have to rely soly on your speaking ability. I highly recommend it.

Tip for Interviews

2006-11-17T10:27:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone! My name is Becky and I’m currently a junior at UW-Eau Claire. I also work for the university at the Career Services office. It’s been awesome to be able to work on-campus because it’s so convenient. Not to mention that we get free food all the time! I’m actually at work right now and I wanted to blog about something I heard in my business law class yesterday:

How many of you think the word “sucks” is a swear word? Well, since my mom doesn’t yell at me for saying that one, I never thought it was one. My professor mentioned that employers were noticing more and more how often students say “that sucks” or “school sucks” during interviews or conversations.

We use the word unconsciously, but it’s something we should be aware of because some employers are offended by it; which makes sense because if you say “school sucks” you’re bad mouthing your education, which is one of the main reasons employers are interviewing you! Next time you think about using the word “sucks” to describe something….DON’T!

Try using demanding, challenging, or testing. Those kinds of words make it sound like you’re accomplishing something or overcoming an obstacle, which are qualities that are appealing to prospective employers.

Just a little tip to keep in mind for your next interview, Good Luck!

Becky