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
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
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:
Friday, September 11, 2009
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
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/08/24/cb.job.social.medial.pitfalls/index.html
Monday, August 31, 2009
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!
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!
Friday, August 21, 2009
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:
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:
- Do your homework - research the company and the employers you will potentially be meeting
- Practice answers to the typical interview questions prior to the interview
- Stay calm and focused during the interview, matching your skills to the requirements for the position
- Follow-up with a thank you letter to ALL of the interviewees
Thursday, August 20, 2009
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.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Want some numbers to back up that career search?
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.
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