Happy New Year!!

Happy 2010!!

Social media is not a fad....check out this video on the social media revolution. I think that 2010 will be another interesting year!!



To view the video on YouTube click HERE

Volunteering is food for your Soul & Resume

It's the Holiday Season and a time of the year when people recall the good and bad times of the past year. Unfortunately, there seems to have been more sad times than glad times with the economy still in a slump and unemployment rate at its highest in years.

Still, I am always amazed at how during our darkest hours we tend to look for a beacon of light and bring that light to spread joy to those less fortunate. Many people do extra volunteering, donate to charities, or find small ways to brighten someone's life.

Volunteering is one of the best things you can add to your resume, but most people forget. A candidate that has volunteer experience sends a message to his/her potential employer that he/she has a strong work ethic, will go above & beyond the 'call of duty,' can time-manage, and has a passion for something outside of his/her required work and life duties.

If you haven't volunteered, check out some local opportunities like at a soup kitchen, church, various non-profits, or the United Way could even be a good place to start. It's always good to spread joy and tidings of thanksgiving, especially this time of year.

Please enjoy this video clip of one of my favorite holiday specials. The characters learn the truth behind the song Here We Come a Wassailing and the importance of spreading JOY!

Looking for a Part-Time Job?

Check out out Student Employment Guide which lists local companies that if hiring, are willing to work around your school schedule!

Student Employment Guide for Web

Tips for Recession Job Hunting

I recently read an article from the Equal Opportunity Employment Journal's September 2009 issue entitled Tips for Recession Job Hunting. It outlines 17 suggestions to help you move along and lessen the discouragement when job hunting.

1. Dedicate Yourself - consider job hunting as a full time job
2. Quit Moping Around
3. Consider the Industry - if you're thinking a new industry would be better, then do your research first and find out if they're having cut-backs too
4. Network Before You Go - even if you're currently employed, it's always good to network. The majority of jobs are never posted publicly, but gotten through networks.
5. Develop an Online Identity - an online presence is key since most employers Google you. Check out Personal Branding with Dan Schawbel for more information
6. Consider Self-Employment - freelance or consult
7. Consider Kind-of Self-Employment - part-time or contract jobs are still an option
8. Hunt in Other Markets - consider relocating
9. What Color is Your Parachute? - good book & workbook to help you "find yourself"
10. Use Resources Wisely - watch your budget
11. Get in People's Face - similar to networking; ask for a meeting like an informational interview
12. Come Unbelievably Prepared - RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH
13. Go Where You Think the Jobs Aren't
14. Exhaust Your Biggest Pay-offs First
15. Stand Out From the Crowd
16. Consider Volunteering
17. Don't Assume They're Not Hiring - the company may be looking for better, cheaper, and more effective ways to accomplish their goals; are you the answer?

And their final advise was to stay positive! Any negative behavior and self-confidence will be evident to potential future employers and reduce your success rate. So find a way to keep yourself positively motivated.

For major/industry specific job websites check out IPFW's Career Services website

IPFW Ambassadon Program

Distinguish yourself as a leader!
Learn more about becoming an IPFW Ambassadon by attending an information session:

Monday, November 23, 2009 @ noon, Walb 114
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 @ 5pm, Cole Commons
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 9:30am, KT G98
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 9am, Cole Commons
Monday, February 8, 2010 @ noon, 2nd Floor Walb Lounge
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 9am, KT G98
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 5:30pm, KT G98

IPFW Ambassadons:
• Work / volunteer at official
university events
• Speak to university constituencies such
as alumni, associates, and other friends
of the university
• Represent IPFW at various events on
campus and in northeast Indiana
• Serve on faculty and university committees
• Mentor new students
• Participate in leadership development programming

Apply Today!

For more information, go to: www.ipfw.edu/adons

Is it Easy to be Green?

Photo via Looking Glass

Find out how to get started in a 'Green Career' Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from Noon to 1pm. Click here for more information

Grad School Letters of Recommendation

Are you considering applying for grad school? Your applications will be due soon and then comes the task of finding letters of recommendation. MyGraduateSchool.com has some good tips on asking for these highly sought after letters.

This article goes through:

• How to ask for a letter of recommendation
• The right time to ask for a letter
• Help them write effective letters
• Waive the right to see your letters
• Follow-up

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Self-confidence is the memory of success

As a graduate intern, I have the opportunity of giving classroom presentations on topics such as resumes and cover letters, as well as interviewing and networking. I have given several presentations before, but mostly to middle school or high school students, so finding myself giving presentations in a college classroom made me a bit anxious. When going over the material for the presentation, I was confident that I knew the material- but anxious how I would look to college students- seeing as I am a young woman- would they take me seriously?

Through my graduate program we have a class that allows us to practice the skills we have learned from our previous classes on real clients. I say "real" because we are given a case-load and meet with clients each week. I find myself often working on the very problem I have (self-confidence) with my clients. Though my experiences in clinic and in Career Services, I have noticed an overwhelming amount of students and community members who lack self-confidence. They don't feel they are worthy of love, appreciation or even a job.

Why? Who has been telling them they are unworthy? The answer would be....yourself!

I have included a simple self-confidence exercise that I hope you partake in. Building ones self-confidence does not make you a snob or stuck on yourself- rather it gives you an edge. If people see you are confident in yourself- they are more likely to listen to what you have to say and appreciate your ideas.

Self Confidence Exercises

Like physical exercise, self confidence exercises are a way of building strength. Instead of focusing on physical strength, these exercises build character and self-respect.

For these self confidence exercises, you will need a special journal. The first exercise is at the end of each day write down any event in which you receive positive feedback. If you get a well-deserved compliment from your boss, write it down. If your family expresses appreciation for something you’ve done, such as prepare a special meal or take the family on a picnic, add that to your journal as well. If your child tells you that you’re the best mom or dad in the world, record that in your journal.

You can also include in your journal memories of past events that you handled well. It is human nature to remember our failures. If you dwell on the things you have done wrong in your life, your self-confidence will decrease. Instead, remind yourself often of all the things you have done right in your life, both large and small.

November is Career Development Month!

Exciting and beneficial events are planned for the month of November, as we in Career Services will be providing several events to encourage professional career development. Whether you are interested in learning more about careers in the arts, or maybe tips to become an entrepreneur, Career Services has several workshops to fit your needs!

Have you ever thought of owning your own business? Wonder what it takes to start your own business? Meet local entrepreneurs and the organizations that help them be successful. Find out what they did to start and how they've kept it going.

Entrepreneur Employer Panel
Meet local entrepreneurs and the organizations that help them
Time:12:00PM Thursday, November 19th
Location:Walb Union 114
Facebook and other online social networks can have a negative impact your career. How do you protect yourself when your Facebook page is public?! Learn about other professional online social networks and how to use them effectively. Co-Sponsored with Delta Sigma Pi.

Online Social Networking: Put your best Face(book) forward
How social networking can help you get a job or prevent you from being hired
Time:9:00PM Tuesday, November 17th
Location:WU 222

Network with employers that believe the environment is something to preserve. Find out how they got started in a "green" career. Discover what you can do now to prepare for a professional "green" career.

Green Careers Employer Panel
Network with people "greening" Fort Wayne
Time:12:00PM Tuesday, November 17th
Location:Walb Union G21

Are you interested in Sports or the Fitness industry? Would you like to meet people from local teams and media sources?

Sports & Fitness Careers Employer Panel
Make yourself marketable in this competitive field!
Time:12:00PM Thursday, November 5th
Location:Walb Union room 114

Meet employers in the Arts industry. Learn what it took for them to be successful. Find out what you should be doing now as preparation and NETWORK with employers!!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: Rhinehart Center room 164

ATTENTION Employers!

Are you familiar with JobZone, IPFW's online job board? It's monitored through IPFW Career Services and provides many tools and services that employers can take advantage of through the office.

Here are some of it's amenities:

• Allows local employers to post a job for FREE!
• Once a job is posted all IPFW students and alumni have access to view and apply according to your specified method
• Career Services will email faculty to promote the opportunities to students
• Jobs are posted around campus for more accessibility to students
• You can request resume referrals through our office if you want to be more proactive (look for a registration form soon to come on our website)
  
• Detailed instructional video on how to post a local job for free (see below)

For more information contact IPFW Career Services at (260)481-0689 or visit the website at www.ipfw.edu/career.

Self-Assessment and Decision Making

Last night I presented to a group of students pursuing their GED about career planning, namely self-assessment and decision making. I utilized a packet of handouts developed by Smith College's Career Development Office given to me by a colleague--the packet covered interests, skills, values, an experience log, the importance of support systems, and accomplishments. The accomplishments handout seemed to elicit the best response from the group, and it got me to thinking about using it every time we write a resume or interview for a job.

Think about it: most of us are really uncomfortable "bragging" about ourselves on a resume, never mind the interview. Does that come from a lack of self-confidence, or from lack of practice talking about ourselves that way? You can practice speaking highly of yourself till the cows come home, but believing it is a totally different thing. So then it becomes a confidence issue. Maybe a way to tackle that is thinking back on our life accomplishments (education, work, volunteering, helping out a friend, hobbies, etc.) and acknowledging what we gained from these accomplishments.

So I've got a challenge for you: make a list of 5 accomplishments you've experienced throughout your life. Then, list the skills you obtained from that achievement, as well as the characteristics or qualities that allowed you to complete those accomplishments. An example...

Accomplishment: Earning a 3.0 GPA for the semester
Skills: Communicating with my professor outside of class time to ask questions, time management, effective studying, working as part of a team in a study group, gathering and making sense of information for exams and papers, research skills, etc.
Characteristics: Dedicated, persevering, goal-oriented, disciplined, interpersonal skills (getting along with my study group members), self-motivated, etc.

Try this before you write your next resume or prepare for your next interview, and see if it helps to build your self-confidence. If nothing else, it'll give you something to talk about in the interview!

Diversity Resources? We Got That.

    Did you know there are a wide variety of resources aimed at diverse populations of students linked to the IPFW Career Services website? Let me share a few of my favorites:

    The Riley Guide This site contains a long list of links to other diversity websites for such audiences as workers over fifty, women and people who want to work with faith-based organizations.

    Lat-Pro Recruiters for top companies use this website to find bilingual professionals (Spanish/English and Portuguese/English)

    International Student.com A 'one stop shop' guide with information on study abroad, services, and resources for international students.


    Hire-a-Hero Website dedicated to maximizing opportunities for U.S. service men and women

    Want more? Check out the rest at www.ipfw.edu/career
(Look under Diversity Career Resources on the left side of the page.)

Network Now: Speed Networking Event

Network Now: Speed Networking Event
November 11, 2009

Fort Wayne Country Club
6-9 pm [Free for IPFW Students]
Sponsored by IPSGA / SHRM

This event will give students the opportunity to network with a variety of employers / community members in a short period of time. Students will rotate every couple of minutes to network with employers. Thus, students will meet more people and have more business contacts than they would at a typical lunch or dinner event.

RSVP is required and space is limited to 30 IPFW students and 30 employers. To
register go to: www.ipfw.edu/career

For more information, contact Career Services, 260-481-0689

Career Fairs -- Advice for everyone!

The IPFW Career & Internship Fair is coming up on Thursday, September 17th from 10am-3pm in the Walb Union on campus. All IPFW students and alumni are welcome to attend.

Even if you're not ready for a job or internship right now, but might be thinking about it for the near future or just want to expand your professional network you can use job fairs as a means to accomplish this.

Come prepared with your 2-minute commercial about yourself and the knowledge you have of the company (see the Frank Costanza blog entry prior). Bring a business card or your resume to pass out to employers. You can also ask for one of their business cards and you SHOULD ALWAYS follow up with an email or phone call thanking them for their time. Don't forget to periodically re-connect with them, if you're using this as a networking tool, so they don't forget about you and you can effectively help each other when the occasion arises.

Check out more information about the IPFW Career & Internship Fair HERE. If you would like to talk to someone about how to prepare for the Career & Internship Fair, drop into our office (Kettler Hall 109) on September 15-16, 10am-4pm. If you bring your resume, we'll even give you some quick tips on how to update and improve it! And, for some information about how to work a job fair, check out this video:

How can social media hurt your career?

As social media increases, it is also becoming a way to get reprimanded or fired. Touting a job offer or badmouthing your job could get back to the boss upstairs. The same rules for Twitter also apply to your Facebook status updates. Another good rule? Don't mention your job search if you're still employed. Check out this article from CNN to learn more about the social media pitfalls.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/08/24/cb.job.social.medial.pitfalls/index.html

IPFW Externship Program: From a students perspective!

My externship at the United Way of Fort Wayne was quite a unique experience. What made the experience first rate was the insight that I received from a member of the United Way team. I was able to get a behind the scenes and view the ways in which the United Way is woven into the variety of fabrics which represent various Non-For-Profit organizations within the Fort Wayne community.

The person that I was shadowing was Jamie Garwood, the Director of Education Initiatives and Strategies at United Way. She was the head of improving the quality of learning that children received within the context of a child's initial learning stages. She worked with Fort Wayne Study Connection and while working with her, I learned many tips on how to not only create ideas but to incorporate the ideas of an array of persons to a common goal which made all persons involved feel a sense of accomplishment.

Lastly, I was able to talk one on one with the CEO of the Fort Wayne United Way. He was able to better direct many of my energies as well as summarize the way in which my thought patterns could become a reality. I found the conversation enlightening and I took what he said to heart.

I would do an externship again and I would recommend this program to anyone who has an interest in learning more about careers, how a company /program runs or if you just want to gain some more work experience or network with employers.

Xavier Qadar

____________________________________________________________________

In August of 2009, IPFW had 11 students participate in the externship program. This program allowed the students to explore a specific career path, gain marketable job experience, and make professional connections by working with alumni and local employers for 2-5 days from August 10-21, 2009.

If you are interested in hearing how you can be an extern, contact Career Services at 260-481-0689. We are offering this program again over Spring Break - mark your calendar!

Interview preparation advice from Frank Costanza

We all know and love George Costanza from Seinfeld. Whether it's for his quirky and odd rationalizations, his never ending battle with Elaine, or his inability to keep a job he was always a character we could tune into for laughs and "insights" for nine seasons.

During the many episodes while George was living with his parents, we had the distinct pleasure of Jerry Stiller's performance as Frank Costanza and his memorable interactions with George. Check out this video clip where Frank is bestowing some lasting advice to his son in a way only Jerry Stiller could deliver. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

As I watched this video I couldn't help but laugh and nod along with Frank's advice to George. He goes on and on about increasing his knowledge about bras so George could have an intelligent conversation during his 2:00 interview. Yes, Frank is RIGHT!

When preparing for an interview or any type of interaction with employers, like at a job fair or networking event, you should always have a base knowledge about their company and the services/products they provide. Having this knowledge and being able to convey it intelligently will provide a good first impression and increase your chances of being called back for an interview.

So, my interviewing advice is:

1. Do your homework - research the company and the employers you will potentially be meeting
2. Practice answers to the typical interview questions prior to the interview
3. Stay calm and focused during the interview, matching your skills to the requirements for the position
4. Follow-up with a thank you letter to ALL of the interviewees
   

LinkedIn and Upcoming Career Fair Information

So I was in a webinar this week about Career Services offices using LinkedIn to connect with students, and as a tool for students to do networking with university alumni and potential employers, and it got me to thinking. I was thinking about how the group of Resident Assistants to whom a coworker and I presented last week about online social networking all gave me a blank look when I started talking about LinkedIn, and only one knew the basics of what it is: "It's more professional than Facebook."

And, because my mind tends to wander during webinars, I started thinking about how online social networking can work out really well for us introverts. I have coworkers that are extraverts, and I have to be honest: I envy them and how easily they network with people they don't even know. But maybe online social networking can be the introverts' answer to doing networking when your best mode of communicating is not face-to-face in the moment. I wonder if the "In" in LinkedIn could stand for "introverts"--as in LinkedIn(troverts). (I wonder if I should trademark that....) Regardless, I suggest you all check out LinkedIn--you can join groups of interest to you, find graduates of your university and see what they're doing with their degrees, and start to build a positive professional presence online.

On another note, the 6th Annual IPFW Career & Internship Fair is just around the corner. We have over 30 employers currently registered, which is admittedly less than last year's 70 (although we still have 4 weeks until the actual event, and many employers like to wait to register for the fair), but we're still excited about that. I think the perception out there is that no one is hiring, and it's definitely not true. What I would suggest, though, is that you prepare exceptionally well for this fair--you have a lot of competition, so you need to be on top of your game with your resume, attire, and rehearsed speech to employers.

For more info on who will be coming to our career fair, check out www.ipfw.edu/career.

Want some numbers to back up that career search?

Check out JobTitled, a website put together by an MBA grad that was looking for better career information. The unique thing about JobTitled is that the information is based on statistics from resume databases and as submitted by JobTitled users. This site lists information regarding education and career paths for various job titles. JobTitled is currently still in beta, but has some good information.

Via -The Talent Buzz

A classic website to check out for relevant career search statistics is the Occupational Outlook Handbook, put together by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the Occupational Outlook Handbook gives information on the training and education needed for various careers, average earnings, expected job prospects, what workers do on the job and working conditions.

New Graduate Intern

Greetings!

My name is Kara Gregory and I am the new graduate intern working with Career Services. I am currently pursuing my Masters of Counselor Education with a concentration in school counseling here at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

With almost a month under my belt since starting in Career Services, I have started to grasp the importance this office has to offer students, alumni and members of the community. Whether I am shadowing a "choosing your major" appointment, or helping to critique a resume during express lanes, Career Services is a valuable resource for those who are looking to invest time in the career planning/searching process.

As an intern with Career Services, I hope to learn more about the higher education structure, career counseling techniques and theory, confidence in the interview process, networking strategies, and much more. I believe the experience I am recieving through my internship is valuable and is helpful for me as I try to decide what type of work environment I enjoy working in. I have an interest in working with high school students, as well as college age students. Through my internship, I hope to learn if the higher education setting is where I am most comfortable.

I am eager to learn and develop the skills an effective counselor needs to be most helpful to their clients. I am excited to be working in a setting where I can combine my education with praticial hands on experience.

I look forward to this journey, and looking forward to helping you anyway possible. Let me know if you're looking for an internship, need help with a resume, or just need a listening ear. My door is open!

Change Detection

New Job Search Tool

Instead of bookmarking and checking all your job sites every few days or so, let this tool email you to let you know that a new job has been posted!

Check it out -- Change Detection.

They explain it on their website: "ChangeDetection.com provides page change monitoring and notification services to internet users worldwide. Anyone can use our service to monitor any website page for changes. Just fill in the form below, we will create a change log for the page and alert you by email when we detect a change in the page text. We've been doing it since 1999. It's free."

A very efficient way to manage your job search!

Internships: Reality vs. Expectations

A BusinessWeek.com writer, Julie Gordon, pens about how internships have changed over the years and it's largely due to the interns' expectations and demands. She also discusses about how the success of the internship depends largely on the role of the supervisor, challenging tasks, and the connection to a role model. Read the full article here.

Some companies and supervisors are still "old school" and expect the intern to run errands, make coffee & copies until they're blue in the face, and of course don't forget data entry. These are all tasks that should NOT make up the majority of work for an intern. Interns are there to learn and perform relevant tasks to aid in future professional employment. Meaning that whatever the students' career goals are and/or major is there should be tasks assigned that will prepare him/her to attain these goals and/or connect the major content knowledge to tangible work.

If you're an employer reading this: Re-evaluate your internship program with a local college Career Counselor and/or the academic department(s) you work with to determine if the tasks you offer are relevant for students. Why, you ask? If you design a relevant/career-related internship it will be more appealing to students and you'll have more "top applicants."

If you're a student reading this: Be careful and read the internship job description fully. Ask questions about the specific tasks the employer will be assigning you BEFORE accepting the position. ALWAYS connect with an internship coordinator on your campus so you can have an internship advocate that will assist with looking out for your best interests. This way if you do find yourself in a bad position there will be a professional backing you up and ensuring that a positive experience is had by all.

Professional Networking in Fort Wayne group on LinkedIn

An IPFW student emailed one of the Career Services staff to let us know about a professional networking group in Fort Wayne on LinkedIn, and I wanted to share it with all of you. The name is Professional Connections of Northeast Indiana--here's some info from their LinkedIn group page:

"The purpose of Professional Connections is to recognize the talent pool of Business Executives in Northeast Indiana, and assist these individuals with their executive career transition by connecting them to opportunities, thereby promoting area economic development."

The group meets at the Fourth Wave Building on Main Street in downtown Fort Wayne every Wednesday morning from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Every other week there is a presenter, and on the off weeks, the time is for networking. Please note that the attire is professional dress to business casual.

Next meeting, July 15 at 7:30 a.m., 300 E. Main St., Fort Wayne. Networking and sharing best practices.

July 22 - Using Linkedin on Your Job Search. Presenter TBA. 7:30 a.m., 300 E. Main St.

We're on Twitter

Want bite-sized, up-to-date career information?

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/IPFWCareer

image provided by http://thedesignsuperhero.com/

IPFW Externship Program

Externship Program
August 10-21, 2009 [2-5 day commitment]

Think of it as a mini- internship!

An externship gives students the opportunity to explore a specific career path, gain marketable job experience, and make professional connections by working with alumni and local employers. Students will most likely participate in the following activities:

• Shadowing one or more professionals
• Attending meetings and presentations / touring the work site
• Conducting informational interviews with professionals in various departments and/or at various levels
• Participating in daily operations that will provide an extern with hands-on exposure to the career field/industry

* Deadline to apply: July 27, 2009

Why do an Externship?
Gain a competitive edge. Learn how to stand out from other candidates with
your initiative and experience. Test drive a new career!

Participating Employers:
Parkview Hospital, IPFW, Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, Ivy Tech Community College, United Way, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, Fort Wayne Hilton...and many more!

To see the complete list of externships available and apply for an externship go to: www.ipfw.edu/career or contact Ashley McArdle in Career Services, 260-481-0689.

Federal jobs and internships more appealing to students

A recent study conducted by the Partnership for Public Service found that more college students are considering federal jobs and internships these days. Whether it's because of the tough job market (not enough jobs in the private sector) or the emphasis placed on service by the Obama administration, working for the federal government is more appealing to college students than before. Check out the full article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/30/AR2009043003988.html.

If you're like me and can only come up with the FBI and CIA as places to work in the federal government, here's a great resource to open your mind to more federal job options: http://data.bestplacestowork.org/index.php/bptw/index. It rank-orders the top 10 places to work in the federal government, according to employee satisfaction and commitment. If you click on any of the 10 places, it provides a list of subcomponent departments and more detail on the ranking data.

Finally, if you're an IPFW student, you can check out The Guide to America's Federal Jobs from our career library in Kettler 109.

Unemployment Coping Strategies

The National Career Development Association publishes a web magazine, Career Convergence, monthly and in the June 1, 2009 edition an article by Tim Lutenski, entitled "Coping with Unemployment" discusses just that.

With unemployment at the Nation's highest in over a decade many of us have job security and stability on our minds. Is my job in jeopardy? Will I get a pay cut? What should I do to ensure keeping my job? What if I lose my job, then what? Well, there are ways to cope and keep yourself functioning so you can keep working and find that replacement job, if necessary.

Lutenski acknowledges three suggestions to cope and survive a job loss.

1. Prepare Emotionally
2. Take Proactive Measures
3. Look to the Future

He also discussed tangible ways to accomplish these like recognizing your grief and job loss stages, view unemployment and job searching as your new job, release any bitterness from the past job, budget, make a daily routine, seek support, volunteer, find ways to increase skills, and follow your passion to encourage growth. I would like to discuss the idea that you need to release any bitterness towards your past employer.

I've encountered a number of people recently that have been release from jobs for a myriad of reasons and many of them seem to have a chip on their shoulder towards their old boss or place of employment. And rightly so! If you just put 5, 10, 15+ years into a job, were a hard worker, and became invested in the company's mission it may very well seem like you were betrayed. I understand the feelings that many people go through; it's typical to cycle through the the stages of grief and loss (Kubler-Ross), but the key point is to not let it run your life.

Even if you believe you've cycled through the stages and are at peace with your previous employer the emotions may still be present and manifest at an unfortunate time, like during a job interview. Employers can tell through non-verbals and para-verbals (vocal tones) if you have have a good relationship with your past employer or not. Employers do not want to hire someone with a chip on their shoulder or who they think might be carrying this baggage which could hinder the productiveness or quality of the employee's work.

So, what can you do to help prevent this from happening?

• Get in touch with your feelings and emotions through self-reflection and/or counseling.
• Contact the IPFW Career Services office, or your local college or unemployment agency, and inquire about doing a mock interview.
• Practice what you're going to say in an interview to increase your awareness of self and prevent the emotions from causing a negative impression on a future employer.
• Remember: bad talking your past employer doesn't make them look bad, IT MAKES YOU LOOK BAD! Employers may see the bad talking as a reason why you were let go or fired.

Read the complete story Lutenski, Tim (2009) Coping with unemployment, Career Convergence, NCDA.

Grants and Service Learning for IPFW students

There are some great opportunities to take advantage of as an IPFW student. You can earn grants, tuition awards, and stipends for volunteering!! Indiana Campus Compact and Americorps offer local opportunities for students to volunteer and make this country a better place all while earning money.

Indiana Campus Compact (ICC) offers Community Service Mini-Grants (CSMG) for students and/or student organizations to organize community service projects. They must be student lead initiatives, off campus, addressing a need or problem in a community and/or benefiting the collaborating community organization. Some past examples are: spring break service trips, campus community plunge days, environmental clean-up projects, and shelter or community soup kitchen projects. Grant awards range from $100-$1,000. There are requirements that the university and student/student org must meet. For more information go to the ICC website.

ICC has also paired up with Americorps and the VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) program to offer an M3C fellows program for students. It targets first generation and/or low income college students. Students who are involved in this program will receive an education award to use toward tuition, loan payments, etc. in return for community service. The program seeks to foster a deep appreciation and understanding of democratic values and citizenship among participants, and nurture the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that lead to a lifelong commitment to active community and civic engagement.

If you're an IPFW student and would like more information about ICC or being a VISTA volunteer contact Deb Barrick at 260-481-6939 or go to the OACS website.

Get involved with nonprofit agencies...

Are you interested in helping people?
Are you interested in making a difference in people's lives?

One of the ways you can do this is by serving on a nonprofit agency's board or on one of their committees. This also looks great on your resume and will help you to have an edge over your competition when you are applying for an internship or job. If you're not sure what this would involve, come to "Get on Board", which is presented for the 2nd year by Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI). This two-part series will cover board basics, and also provide an opportunity to network with area nonprofit organizations who are searching for talented people like yourself to serve on their boards and committees.

The first workshop will be held at the downtown branch of the Allen County Public Library on Wednesday, May 20th from 6-8 PM. This workshop will introduce you to the board basics you'll want to know in order to be a stellar board member, and to decide if board service is right for you. The program will be facilitated by the Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Center. Light refreshments will be served.
**Cost is FREE. Space is limited and the event is open (on a first-come, first-served basis).
RSVP quickly to rsvp@ylni.org. Please put “5/20 Get on Board event” in the subject line.

"Get on Board Take 2" will be held at the Tower Bank lobby in Fort Wayne on Wednesday, June 17th from 5:30-7:30 PM. Come make connections with local nonprofit agencies at the 2nd annual Get on Board networking mixer. This informal event will give you the opportunity to talk to representatives from organizations large and small, across a broad spectrum of service areas. All attendees are encouraged to create a free profile at www.boardnetusa.org prior to the event.
**Cost is FREE. Space is limited, and the event is open (on a first-come, first-served basis). RSVP to rsvp@ylni.org. Please put “6/17 Get on Board event” in the subject line.

Questions about Get on Board? Contact Wendy at wendy@ylni.org.
Questions about YLNI? Visit www.ylni.org or email info@ylni.org.

What are you worth?

Are you trying to choose a major and want to know how much you could make in related careers? Currently employed and not sure you're getting a fair deal? Check out the following sites to find out how much different careers and companies pay:

Glassdoor.com:
gives you an inside look at Company Reviews and Salaries for more than 22,000 companies, posted anonymously by real employees.  Send an email from your IPFW  '.edu' account to students@glassdoor.com
and you will receive a free full access student account. You'll get free access to all reviews and salaries — without having to post anything. 


CNBC ranks the college degrees that have the highest starting salaries.

Salary.com: Has an entire listing of salaries for entry-level positions based on field

Career Builder has an article about how to negotiate a better starting salary.

Location can also make a huge difference in how far your money goes.
CNN Money ranks the best places to live.


Quint Careers and explore what other factors may be important to you.

National Student Exchange!

In my opinion, the National Student Exchange Program (NSE) is one of the best kept secrets here at IPFW. I wish more students would take advantage of this opportunity and I wanted to share a little bit about the program with you!

NSE provides students with affordable and practical opportunities to experience new and diverse settings in which to study and live. NSE has found that exchange within the U.S. and Canada can be just as exhilarating and culturally enriching as international study and one of the most significant experiences of a student's undergraduate education. NSE students access new academic options, immerse themselves in a different environment, search for graduate schools or future employment, acquire life skills, experience life from a different point of view, and expand their personal and educational perspectives.

Students must be enrolled at one of NSE’s Member Universities in order to apply for exchange; and exchanges are only available at other member institutions. Students apply for participation on their home campus and pay their normal tuition. NSE includes nearly 200 colleges and universities...so there is definitely a school out there for you to consider! I think I would pick the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras!

For more information about the NSE program, go to http://www.ipfw.edu/nse/

Facebook Appearance and Students

A few days ago one of my EDUC x210 students Facebooked me and asked: "So, do you approve of my profile and my pictures? :)" I was immediately taken aback!

I've preached about having a professional Facebook appearance to students across the campus with the majority of responses being, "ARGH!" or "Why?!" or "Uh, it's not fair that employers look at my page without asking!" It was so refreshing and welcoming to have a student actively respond to my preaching by cleaning up her pictures and then asking for my professional opinion.

It is also nice to report that I only made a comment about one picture and even glanced over the rest of her profile and can honestly say it looked clean. She still had fun with it, but nothing inappropriate.

On a side note, to the students that protest with the "Uh, it's not fair that employers look at my page without asking!" comment, Facebook is public! This is a public profile that you've just created and unless you adjust your privacy settings, anyone can see your profile. And, yes it may seem sneaky that employers judge you without your knowledge but it's their job to pick the best candidate during a job search and that means hiring someone that fits with their company mission and goals. Personality can be the tie-breaker when candidates are neck-and-neck with relevant work experience. So clean it up!

And, one final fun comment... I've had a great semester with my EDUC x210 (Career & Life Planning class) students. They are motivated young adults with so much intellect and spirit. We're nearing the end and it will be a bitter sweet parting, but I wish them all the luck and good blessings with their future endeavors!

List of Employers Attending Job Fair!

Summer Job & Internship Fair
April 2, 2009
[Walb Ballroom, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.]

List of Employers Attending:

AWS & Camp Red Cedar, Briljent, CH Robinson Worlwide Inc., City of Fort Wayne, Erin’s House, Fit Zone for Women, Frito Lay Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana /Michiana, Hanson Heidelberg Cement Group, Home Nursing Services, Howe Summer Camp, Indiana Business College, Indiana MENTOR, Logikos Inc., Lutheran Hospital, MLJ Enterprises, N.A.S. Kirby Northwestern Mutual Financial , OMCO, IPFW Office of Academic Internships, Co-Ops and Service Learning, Pizza Hut, Prudential, Purdue University, Sam’s Club, Stoneware, Inc., Summit Brands, Summit City Radio,,The Salvation Army, Three Rivers Federal Credit Union, The Graduate Rentention Program, Tower Bank and Trust, Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us, US Probation & Pretrial Services, UPS, US Probation & Pretrial Services, USMC Officer Programs, WestPoint Financial Group, White’s School of the Arts Community Developmental Programs, Whitington Home & Services for Children and Families

Job Search Strategies in a Tight Economy: IPFW Alumni Event revisited

If you were like me and just couldn't make it to the Job Search Strategies in a Tight Economy event offered through our office, here is the PowerPoint presentation with lots of great information on:

• resumes
• references
• cover letters
• transferable skills
• networking
• job searching
• interviewing
• coping with job loss

If you would like more information about any of these topics and/or would like to speak to a career counselor, please call our office at (260)481-0689 to set up an appointment.

Ben Stein: How Not to Ruin Your Life

One of the Career Services staff members ran across this article on finance.yahoo.com today, and I thought it was worth sharing on our blog. Ben Stein (some of you might remember the "Win Ben Stein's Money" show on TV some years back) is an economist (was I the only one who had no clue that he's an economist?), and he is sharing some helpful advice for new graduates in this challenging job market.

Check it out at http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/yourlife/146731

SustaIN: Indiana's Green Ideas and Networking Event

Even in this down economy there’s one employment sector that people can’t stop talking about: Green Jobs. From crafting environmentally sound public policy, to designing solar powered cell phone chargers, employers and job seekers are very enthusiastic about the opportunities available in the green market.

To support this trend, and as part of the Indiana Collegiate Career Fair , on April 22, there will also be another event called SustaIN. “SustaIN is a unique forum for students, business professionals, and the general public to meet with and learn from Indiana’s research and industry leaders about green and sustainability initiatives and practices.”

Career Fairs

2 Career Fairs in April...2 Chances to meet Employers! Get Ready.

In April, we will be hosting two different career fairs at IPFW. That means you have TWO opportunities to get your face in front of recruiters!!

Summer Job & Internship Fair (for internship, part-time, and summer job opportunities):
This career fair will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2009 from 10 AM-2 PM at IPFW's Walb Student Union Ballroom. For a complete list of employers, go to: http://www.ipfw.edu/career/assets/merged-summ-intern-job-fair.pdf

Northeast Indiana Career Employment (NICE) Expo (for internship and full-time job opportunities): This career fair will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2009 from 2-6 PM at IPFW's Walb Student Union Ballroom. For a complete list of employers, go to: http://www.grace.edu/studentlife/careerservices/NICEExpo.php

Take advantage of this opportunity. There will be over 35 employers at each job fair looking to hire IPFW students. If you are nervous about attending a job fair, then I would encourage you to attend one of our job fair prep sessions. We will talk to you about what to expect at the job fair, what to wear and of course we will look over your resume!

One Great Event Down, One to Go!

On February 12^th, I had the distinct pleasure of facilitating the Professionals of Color Career panel as part of IPFW's Black History Month Celebration. The panel, pictured below featured professionals from a wide range of industries.

Our featured professionals included (from left) : Daysha Jackson from IPFW, Jason Tyler from Three Rivers Federal Credit Union, Terry Reese from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Jonathan Ray from the Fort Wayne Urban League, Dan Nolan of Northrup High School, Brent Wake from Senator Evan Bayh’s Office and Thomas McDowell from Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Our panelist had wonderful success stories from Daysha Jackson's struggle to balance graduate school, work and motherhood to how Brent Wake's position in student government led directly to the full-time job he holds today. It was such a great experience to meet local business people that care so much about our students and our community.

The Professionals of Color Career Panel is a great past event, but a future event I'm looking forward to is our Job Search Strategies in a Tight Economy workshop on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Walb Student Union Ballroom. In response to the current economic crisis, Career Services Director Jill Parker and Assistant Director Ashley McArdle will team up to present on creative job search strategies for IPFW alumni that have faced or are facing termination, a layoff, downsizing or just want a career change. This workshop is FREE of charge and seating is limited. Please call IPFW Career Services at (260) 481-0689 by March 5 to reserve your spot. For more information please contact Christina Mosteller at mostellc@ipfw.edu

What's your Passion?

I can't tell you how many times I've met with students, trying to decide on a major or career, and when I ask them what they're interested in or passionate about they reply with a shrug, a sigh, and an "I dunno." Well, this could be due to lack of life experience, anxiety, or a miriad of other reasons, but whatever the reason I hope it doesn't stop them or you from exploring.

This is your life. What have you been doing? What do you like or don't like to do? These were similar questions that Pursue the Passion creators, Brett Farmiole and Zach Hubbell, wondered after they graduated but didn't know what careers interested them. So, what happened? They were BOLD and decided to take to the road for some informational interviews. This bold move has turned into a job and an excellent resource for other students who are unsure of the types of careers and opportunities that are out there. Check out Pursue The Passion to watch, read and learn more about careers and the people Brett & Zach interviewed.

WHAT'S YOUR DREAM? WHAT'S STOPPING YOU? YOU CAN MAKE IT COME TRUE!

Job Scams: The Recession Turns Ugly

Job Scams: The Recession Turns Ugly
by M.P. McQueen
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
provided by The Wall Street Journal

"As unemployment reaches levels not seen in decades, job and business-opportunity scams are flourishing. Consumer-protection and law-enforcement groups and better-business bureaus are reporting a growing number of phony job-recruitment and work-at-home schemes targeting desperate Americans looking for a way to pay the bills."

For more information on how to protect yourself from employment scams (like phony work-at-home offers), go to http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123405267844760357.html?mod=rss_Money.

Ten Hottest Careers: 2009

Job Searching? Who isn't?! Check out the article below, which highlights a few careers to consider for 2009. Original article.

Fastest Growing Occupations 2002 – 2012

·Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
Ten hottest careers rank: 1
Salary Range: $18,610 — $96,860
The network systems and data communication analyst career field is projected to grow by 57 percent by 2012. The rapid spread of computers and technology has demanded an increase in highly skilled workers to develop and maintain systems for new technologies. Systems analysts typically solve problems related to computer technology to meet organizational needs. Network systems and data communications analysts are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations from 2002 to 2012.

·Physician Assistant
Ten hottest careers rank: 2
Salary Range: $16,460 — $74,390
Demand for physician assistants is expected to grow by 49 percent by the year 2012. Physician assistants are formally trained to provide healthcare services (diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative) as delegated by a physician. Many physician assistants work in primary care specialties including: pediatrics, family medicine and general internal medicine. Due to anticipated expansion of the health services industry, the physician assistant career field is expected to be among the fastest growing occupations by 2012.

·Medical Assistants
Ten hottest careers rank: 3
Salary Range: $16,460 — $74,390
The medical assistant career field expects to see a 60 percent increase in growth by the year 2012. Medical assistants typically perform administrative and clinical tasks for physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and other health practitioners to help keep their offices running smoothly. Assistants who have specialized duities may include: casting of feet (podiatric) and testing eye muscle function (opthalmic). The medical assistant field is projected to be the fastest growing occupation from 2002 to 2012.

·Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Ten hottest careers rank: 4
Salary Range: $16,460 — $74,390
The medical records and health information technician career field is expected to grow by 47 percent through the year 2012. Organization and evaluation of healthcare records are typically the main responsibility of the medical records and health information technician. These records include information of a patient's symptoms and medical history, to results of examinations and tests, to diagnoses and treatments. Through rapid growth of medical tests and procedures, job prospects in the medical records and health information technician career field project to be of increasing demand.

·Computer Application Software Engineers
Ten hottest careers rank: 5
Salary Range: $18,610 — $96,860
The computer software engineer career field is projected to increase by 46 percent by the year 2012. Computer software engineers generally design and develop new computer software systems by incorporating new technologies in a growing range of applications. Professionals in this field analyze users' needs and design computer applications or specialized utility programs using multiple programming languages, depending on the program's purpose. With the rapid growth and continual change in the technology industry, computer software engineers are expected to be in high demand.

·Physical Therapist Aides
Ten hottest careers rank: 6
Salary Range: $16,460 — $74,390
With the growing number of individuals with disabilities or limited function, employment in the physical therapist aide career field is projected to increase by 46 percent. Physical therapist assistants and aides are responsible for providing services to help improve mobility, relieve pain or prevent permanent physical disabilities of patients with injuries or disease. The demand for physical therapist assistants and aides is expected to grow faster than many other career fields through 2012.

·Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
Ten hottest careers rank: 7
Salary Range: $7.09 — $26.22 hourly
The need for fitness trainers and aerobics instructors is projected to increase by 45 percent from 2002 to 2012. Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors lead individuals and groups in various exercise activities. Helping clients assess their level of physical fitness and achieve fitness goals are the typical responsibility of a fitness trainer or aerobics instructor. As more people spend more time and money on fitness and activity, the employment of fitness trainers and aerobics instructors is expected to grow rapidly.

·Database Administrators
Ten hottest careers rank: 8
Salary Range: $16,460 — $74,390
Careers as database administrators are projected to increase by 44 percent by the year 2012. Database administrators typically work with database management systems software to effectively extract data and present that data in an understandable fashion. The database administrator is responsible for understanding every facet of the organization's database system including: performance, modification, security and the platform on which the system is running. Database administrators are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations through the year 2012.

·Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Ten hottest careers rank: 9
Salary Range: $16,170 — $33,750
The veterinary technologist and technician career field is expected to grow by 44 percent by the year 2012. State-of-the-art veterinary care is expected by many owners of pets and other animals. To provide this service, veterinary technologists and technicians typically perform medical tests, and treat and diagnose medical conditions in animals. Some veterinary technologists and technicians find opportunities in wildlife medicine, livestock management, pharmaceutical sales or biomedical research. Job openings for veterinary technologists and technicians is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through 2012.

·Dental Hygienists
Ten hottest careers rank: 10
Salary Range: $8.45 — $39.24 hourly
Opportunities in the dental hygienist career field are projected to increase by 43 percent by 2012. Dental hygienists help patients develop and maintain good oral health by examining patients' gums and teeth, remove deposits from teeth, take and develop dental x-rays, explain the relationship between diet and oral health, inform patients how to select appropriate toothbrushes and floss, and more. Dental hygienists are trained to use handheld, rotary instruments used to clean and polish teeth, as well as syringes with needles to administer local anesthetics. The demand for dental hygienists will continue to rise with greater emphasis on the importance of quality oral health and the retention of natural teeth.