Monday, February 23, 2009

One Great Event Down, One to Go!

On February 12th, 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

Friday, February 20, 2009

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!

Monday, February 16, 2009

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.

Friday, February 6, 2009

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.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Career TV

New Website!

Career TV is one of my new favorite websites! This website is designed to help college students and young professionals develop long-lasting, successful careers. It provides job seekers with free, personalized career profiles, career coaching, career-related videos, salary reports, and career news. You can also learn more about industries, companies, and get quick video tips on a variety of career topics.

Check it out! www.careertv.com

Friday, January 16, 2009

Summer Internships

Want an internship for summer? DON'T WAIT! Start now to increase chances of your top internship choice. Indiana INTERNnet published some simple steps in their December 2008 Newsletter on how to get an internship by summer. Click here for the complete article.

Here are some basic steps to get you started:
January
  1. Visit the Career Services office (KT 109 at IPFW)
  2. Write down some goals/objectives for a positive internship experience
  3. Update your resume
  4. Research companies and internship directories (like JobZone and Indiana INTERNnet)
February
  1. Attend workshops and practice your interviewing & networking skills
  2. Request a mock interview with Career Services
  3. Attend any career fairs in the area
March
  1. Attend career fairs
  2. Continue to apply for positions found on company websites and internship directories
  3. Begin interviewing (don't forget to send thank you notes after interviews)
  4. Continue networking with faculty, alumni, and employers
  5. Attend the Mock Interview Day on March 25th (call 260-481-0689 for more info)
April
  1. Attend Summer Job & Internship Fair (April 2nd in Walb Ballroom 10am-2pm)
  2. Attend NICE Expo (April 16th in Walb Ballroom 2-6pm)
  3. Continue researching companies, applying and interviewing
May
  1. Accept offered position via letter of acceptance
  2. Contact the Office of Career Services or your major department (which ever applies) to inform them of internship and ensure all proper paperwork is completed for the school
  3. Start your internship (some internships won't start until June, though)
For more information about which office you should contact at IPFW when doing an internship, please review the slide presentation below. Good Luck Internship Hunting!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Job Security vs. Happiness

I found an article titled "They Left the Corporate Cocoon to Blossom" on CNN.com this morning. It profiles three people who left high-paying positions at large corporations to pursue their dreams. It got me to thinking about the role your values play in the career choices you make.

I must admit that job security is probably my number one work value, but, as this article illustrates and reminds us career counselors, it's not the number one work value for everyone. I think in these challenging economic times, we tend to think, though, that everyone values job security above everything else. However, this article shows how it doesn't have to, and makes some excellent points regarding how work values like challenging assignments, job satisfaction, and productivity at work can override the idea that we should stay in our current job no matter what, given the job market these days. Check it out: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/01/08/jumping.ship/index.html