The Early Brand Get the Worm

I’m teaching a Career Planning class this semester and also helping other students with finding or creating internships in their chosen career field. What’s interesting about both groups of students is the tendency of not knowing their career goals. What’s great about the Career Planning class, though, is by this time of the semester most students are realizing their passion and interests. Now we’re getting into the discussion of how to brand themselves by choosing electives strategically, networking with professionals through informational interviewing and attending job fairs, and picking internships that match goals. This process takes a full semester, and it can be difficult to squeeze it in a shorter time with students looking for an internship. So here’s how I work with students and what I recommend to increase their personal brand early on so to get the “worm” (internship or job).

First, ask yourself these questions:

• If I could do one thing, anything, regardless of perceived boundaries, what would I do?
• If I won the lottery and didn’t have to work, how would I spend my days?
• What do I like to do in my spare time? Could this be a career interest?

Many students have the perspective that you first take classes, then graduate, then look for a job. But, the problem that’s generated from this path is a lack of career direction which translates to employers as no goals. This path will not lead to an early brand and you’ll miss the “worm.”

What to do?

Talk to your advisor and a career counselor during Freshman and Sophomore years to discuss things in which you’re interested. Even seemingly unrelated interests, like favorite books, movies, magazines, and what you do in your spare time are worth investigating. Also consider the role you play with your friends. Are you the:

• Social Coordinator – What types of activities do you coordinate?
• Counselor – What are the reported problems with which you help your friends?
• Coach/Cheerleader – How do you encourage your friends?
• Leader – Do friends listen to you and wait for you to make decisions and then follow?
• Clown/Entertainer – What’s your skill? (humor, theatrics, music, etc.)
• Expert – What type of help do your friends request? (computers, cars, writing, creative projects, etc.)
• Moral Guider – Do you find yourself talking to friends about faith, morals, ethics, and other philosophical topics?
• Advocator /Challenger – Do you have ideals that you share with friends and challenge their views on various topics? What topics?

How to start an early brand

These initial introspective searches are keys to determining your brand and career direction. Once a career direction is chosen you should then determine the best way to brand yourself.

• Talk to people in your networks and career counselors about opportunities to get involved.
• Try on the career first through volunteering, job shadows, informational interviews, an externship, or an internship.
• Research for any blogs with that topic on which to comment and keep up with trends.
• Check out any related groups or professionals on LinkedIn and Twitter to follow.

Remember that even though you’ve chosen a career path now, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your other interests and passions. Maybe they can be incorporated together or you can keep it as a hobby. A decision doesn’t mean blocking yourself off from everything else; it just means you’ve chosen to focus your efforts in that direction for now.

Job Fair Success

Our job fairs are the largest events we organize at the office of Career Services. We average between 30 and 60 employers and between 300 and 500 students in attendance per fair. From our experience running these massive events, we've come up with a few suggestions for improving job fair success for both employers and students.

Employers:

Stay the Entire Length of the Job Fair: Some of the best candidates are the ones with complex and busy schedules. They may be arriving at the last minute, not because they didn't prepare carefully, but because they are coming from an internship or class. It sends a negative message to students when employers leave too early. One of the most common complaints we hear from students is that too many employers leave early.

Send staff who are committed to interacting with students: Knowledgeable and outgoing staff who proactively reach out to students are sure to draw the best candidates to your table.
Stand in front of your table: Remember, for many students, this may be their first time interacting with professional employers, being physically approachable will make you more accessible to candidates.
Avoid leaving your table empty if possible: If you came alone, perhaps leave a note on the table indicating when you expect to return. Bottom of Form
Students:
Dress Appropriately: One of the most common complaints we get from recruiters is that students don't dress appropriately for our events. Don't let an overly casual appearance detract from your qualifications!

Do Your Research: We post the list of attending employers weeks in advance of our career fairs. Doing prior research on employers of interest will provide you with two benefits. First, you'll come off as more prepared and professional when you speak with employers and second, you'll be less overwhelmed by the number of recruiters available to talk to if you know ahead of time who your target contacts are.
Prepare a Resume, But Don't Be Disappointed if a Recruiter Asks You to Apply Online: There are some anti-discrimination related federal guidelines that prevent larger companies from taking paper resumes from students. If a recruiter asks you to apply online do so and be sure to remind them that you met at the job fair.
Follow-Up: Ask employers 'What's the best way to follow-up with you?' THEN DO IT. Send thank-you notes to employers with whom you met.
Attend the Job Fair Prep Sessions: Take advantage of the drop-in assistance Career Services offers the Monday and Tuesday before the job fairs. You can bring in a copy of your resume and get advice on what to wear and how to introduce yourself to employers.
The Summer Job & Internship Fair is March 31^st.

Job Searching in a Tight Economy Workshop for IPFW Seniors and Alumni

Job Searching in a Tight Economy Workshop for IPFW Seniors and Alumni

If you are an IPFW Senior or Alumni and have faced, or are facing termination, a layoff, downsizing or just want a career change or advice on your job search, this FREE workshop is for you!

IPFW Neff 101 - Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Presentation 11:30am -1:15pm

Computer Lab 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Computer Lab NF B41
*Career Counselors available during the computer lab to assist with resumes and cover letters.

RSVP: Call IPFW Career Services at (260) 481-0689

DESPERATE TIMES CALLS FOR DESPERATION?

As a career counselor I talk to a number of job seekers, students, alumni, and community members alike, that can and have come to a desperation point during their job search of: "I just want a job, any job!" I understand the need to pay the bills but the appearance of desperation to potential employers is not going to get you the job. Employers don't hire the candidate that needs the job the most, but can sell their skills the best.

Two Reasons for Desperation

1. Must fulfill basic needs first: Most everyone has learned about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in psychology class and I'm here to say there is abundant truth in his theory. Maslow states that for someone to move up the needs pyramid he/she must first fulfill the basic bottom elements, with the most basic being physiological and security. Physiological are needs basic to survival like water, food, shelter, etc. Safety needs are usually the needs that inhibit job seekers, and the most common of those needs would be job security. It's difficult to focus on career goals (Self-actualizing need) when you don't know how you're going to pay the electricity bill.
2. No professional goals established: All too often people take their career development "one step at a time" with the idea that they'll figure out what they want to do later. The only problem is that when 'later' arrives they still don't know what career they want to pursue and time's running short before money runs out, which leads to desperation for a job-any job.

So how can you prevent the desperation from occurring? Consider personal investigation to determine what types of careers will match you best. Then brand yourself by choosing internships, volunteer opportunities, student organizations, networking groups, and professional associations that match your chosen career focus.

Values – How do your values rank? Out of the following values, which one(s) are most important to you? Which ones are you willing to compromise? Do your values conflict with your career goals?

• Advancement • Benefits • Challenge • Choice of Environment
• Competition • Creativity • Diversity • Compatible Co-workers

• Easy Commute • Excitement • Family Life • Contribution to Society

• Flexible Hours • High Earnings • Independence • Leadership
• Leisure Time • Prestige/Status • Rewards • Moral Fulfillment

• On the Job Training • Security • Travel • Power/Influence

• Variety

Interests – The easiest way to explain interests is through John Holland’s theory which categorizes work interests into 6 categories: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Which categories do you identify with most?

• Realistic: People who like to work with their hands, be outdoors, and/or have tangible accomplishments at the end of the day. Examples include farmers, naturalists, auto mechanics, engineer technologists, athletes, etc.
• Investigative: People who like to ask questions, usually in a science- or math-related profession. Examples include doctors, engineers, statisticians, psychiatrists, etc.
• Artistic: People who appreciate creativity in their work. Examples include writers, artists, interior designers, actors, etc.
• Social: People who want to work with other people, especially in a helping-role. Examples include social workers, counselors, customer service, advocates, etc.
• Enterprising: People who enjoy persuading and leading others. Examples include lawyers, sales-people, lobbyists, entrepreneurs, etc.
• Conventional: People who like order and systems. Examples include librarians, personal assistants, secretaries, etc.

Skills – What are your strengths? What skills have you mastered and what do you need to develop? It is best to capitalize on your current strengths because it is likely to lead to success, which leads to higher confidence and clarification of your career goals. For a list of skills to evaluate, click HERE.

Last Pieces of Advice

Be patient! In-depth self investigation takes time. Take your time and really consider how you’ve succeeded in the past, what ignites your passion, and what values you hold.

Do research! Check out websites like O*Net, Career One Stop, and ACT’s World of Work Map to research jobs and determine if they match your values, interests, and skills.

Get involved now! Start volunteering, join a student organization, and/or get an internship to aid in marketing yourself to employers. If employers can see a pattern of involvement documented on your résumé, it translates you as being a focused individual.

IPFW Externship Program

Spend your Spring Break doing an Externship!! [March 7-11, 2011]

The externship program is designed to give IPFW undergraduate students the opportunity to explore a specific career field while networking with professionals and alumni within the community...so, it is kind of like a mini-internship. We run it during Spring Break!

Here is the website for more information: http://new.ipfw.edu/offices/career/students/externships.html

Participating Employers: 14 WFIE-TV, All-Phase Electric Supply, Aunt Millie’s Bakeries, BAE Systems, Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne, Boy Scouts of America (Anthony Wayne Area Council), Business People Magazine, Caring About People, Courtyard by Marriott, DelPalma Orthopedics, Design Collaborative, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne Urban League, Fort Wayne Youtheatre, IPFW, The Journal Gazette, MSKTD & Assoc., Northrop Grumman, OmniSource Corporation, PHD, Pizza Hut, Sam’s Club, SCAN, Inc., Shindigz, Ultra Electronics USSI, and Visionary Web.

The deadline for students to apply is February 21st!

Apply today!

Volunteering, You & Your Job

The holiday season has always been a time for giving and sharing good will to all those in need. It’s no surprise, with all this charitable giving, that holiday seasons are associated with words like happy, merry, and joy! Volunteering doesn't just benefit those in need, it benefits you, the helper, and even your workplace.

BACKING IT UP...
There have been numerous studies about the positive effects of volunteering, and these effects can spill over into your work life. Allen Luks researched the cause and effect relationship between helping and good health and found that after doing an act of kindness there is a physical reaction called a “helper high” and that is followed by a “longer period of calm and improved emotional wellbeing.” This period of positive mental health affects all areas of a person’s life. Luks continues, stating the period of wellbeing can stay for hours or days and reduce negative feelings which cause “stress, overeating, ulcers,” and more. Good news, too, because an academic study reported that a manager can waste $75 per week due to being “psychologically distressed.”

Diane Stafford’s article from the St. Petersburg Times states that a person’s “psychological well-being is a significant indicator of job performance.” Her article goes on to point to stress on the job as being an indicator of low psychological wellbeing, but if we refer back to Luks’s research there is a clear option for improvement. Help others.

THE CHALLENGE!!

I challenge you and myself to volunteer not just during the holiday seasons, but the rest of the year as well. There's this classic Christmas song entitled Christmas All Year Long where the artist sings about the things he likes about the season and wishing it would carry throughout the year. The bridge is my favorite part of the song with the lyrics stating, "I wish that every spirit in the world could feel the power, and know love not once a year but every minute and every hour." This is exactly what I mean by the helper high and volunteering having an impact on your mental wellbeing. You could personally have your own holiday spirit all year long if you so choose.

HOW TO KEEP POSITIVE MENTAL WELLBEING

Perform acts of kindness like donating to a worthy cause, spending time with people who are lonely, or specifically do something special for people at your workplace. Now here’s the kicker, these acts of kindness must be completely altruistic. After all, if you expect something in return then you’ll prevent your heart from receiving the true gifts of love and joy—along with other life-enhancing benefits. As you consider this, let me leave you with one last piece of evidence, “studies suggest that people with greater personal well-being may volunteer more often, and people who are involved in community service may have greater life satisfaction, self-esteem, sense of purpose in life, physical health, and mental health.” Read more about this study here.

Spend your Spring Break doing an Externship!!

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM?
The externship program is designed to give IPFW undergraduate students the opportunity to explore a specific career field while networking with professionals and alumni within the community.
ELIGIBILITY
Any IPFW current undergraduate student is eligible to participate in the March 7–11, 2011 [week of Spring break] externship program; however, only one will be selected for each opportunity.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To participate in the externship program, you will need to complete the brief Externship Application Form (you can access the form on our website), and submit your resume and the additional paperwork- it's that simple!
LIST OF AVAILABLE EXTERNSHIPS
We have over 20 externships available...Click here to see details.
Questions? Contact Career Services, 260-481-0689