Career Guide Cover Contest!

Congratulations to Abbey Waltke! Her photograph was selected as the winning design for the 2010 career guide. Abby has won a $50 gift card and the opportunity to work with one of the Graphic Artists in URC to finalize the design.

We would also like to recognize the following students who submitted their artwork for the contest:

Jill Schroeter
Denisson Carrillo
Andrew Meredith
Gene Delany
Michael Vosmeier
Sabra Combs
April Berryann

Thank you!

Student Employee of the Year Award

Congratulations to Emily Wright, student worker in the Department of Anthropology / Division of Continuing Studies, for winning the 2010 Student Employee of the Year Award! Emily was nominated by her Supervisor, Richard Sutter and will receive a plaque and $250 award for her hard work.

We would also like to recognize all of the student nominees and express our appreciation for all of the great work that they do for our campus! Each nominee will receive a certificate signed by the Chancellor.

Rachel Cruse
Shatese "Lashay" Powers
Mark Savio
Nicholas Fenton
Brad McCleary
Angela Bauer
Sequetta Seville Dennis
Vaughn Novy
Sara Scritchfield
MJ Loukes
Faith Simpson
Sharon Smith

"Student Workers Rock!"

FREE 2-day training for local university students to become Certified Peer Educators

This 2-day training takes place on Friday, April 16th from 5-9 PM (Classroom Medical building, Room 35A) and Saturday, April 17th from 9 AM-5 PM in Walb Union, Room G08. You need to print off the picture attached to this posting and complete the form, or send your name, campus affiliation (which university you go to), year in school, address, phone number, and email to tillapau@ipfw.edu.

Networking: step-by-step tips

I had the pleasure of hearing Lorraine Ball speak at a local conference at the end of March. She was so engaging and had a very practical approach to networking. Here are some tips from the expert...

Face-to-Face Groundwork

Everyone that attends a networking function has the same goal: to meet someone. If you're hesitant about approaching someone think of it in this light: by approaching others you're helping them achieve their goal of meeting someone!

Nuts & Bolts of the Introduction

• Firm handshake and eye contact goes a long way. Try to remember names; this will impress the others you meet when it comes to ending the conversation.
• Give what you want to get (e.g. "Hi I'm Karen from IPFW" will in turn give you his/her first name and where they work)
• You have 15 seconds to introduce yourself before the other person gets bored, starts looking for someone else to talk to, or begins to make a visual to-do list in their mind.
• Treat it like a tennis match and volley. Remember to ask "What do you do?" or "Tell me more about yourself."
• Listen to the other person. Identify people with whom you want to have longer conversations and who you should meet.
• Conversation starters for each gender: Females - comment on clothing/jewelry; Males - comment on recent sports event... DON'T FORGET TO BRIDGE THE TOPIC!

Bridging the Conversation

• If you can't make the bridge from an unrelated topic, like clothes or sports, then DON'T GO THERE!
• Be careful not to get stuck in a conversation that won't benefit you or the person you're speaking with.
• Try a simple bridge phrase like: "... and what do you do?"

Ending the Conversation

• Sometimes it's hard to end a conversation, but it's necessary for you to continue networking and meeting the people that would most benefit you, and by meeting you.
• Try some of these enders:

"I enjoyed talking to you..." then step backwards. Most people will catch onto this nonverbal cue and follow your lead.

"I would love to talk with you further, can I have your contact information?" But, only ask for contact info if you plan on following up.

"I've taken up enough of your time, there's a lot of other people I'm sure you'll want to meet."

• Try the Hand-Off method of ending a conversation. If you know someone in the room that should meet this person, then pass them on to make a good connection.
• Receiving Business Cards: Treat this card with respect and take a little time to view it in front of the owner. It's your last chance to make the other person feel special by commenting on the card. Comment on things like the logo, style, their job title, etc.

Working the Room

If you're not sure how to work the networking event, try these two strategies.

1. Position yourself just to the right of the entrance. Most people will gravitate to the right and work the room in a counter-clockwise fashion. Not convinced? Picture your local grocery store and how it moves customers to the right when you first enter.
2. Try another route. If you don't want to remain stationary, then try walking to the left and continue in a clockwise fashion. You'll meet everyone on your way around because they're walking towards you!

If someone you want to meet is conversing with someone else, keep in mind these options.

1. Position yourself in the person's line of sight. Pay attention to that person's body language. If he/she acknowledges you with eye contact, a head nod, or even a verbal hello then it's your opportunity to enter the conversation.
2. If you're being ignored even after trying the previous option, then move on to another person. That nonverbal is telling you that he/she cannot or does not want to be interrupted at the moment. Maybe he/she will open up later and you can speak to him/her without causing negative emotions.

After the Networking

You have about 48 hours to follow up and remind your connections that you're interested in remaining in-touch. Think about it, can you remember what you had for lunch 3 days ago? Most people start forgetting what's happened within the 48 hour window.

Send an email or a thank you card to follow up. Maybe make plans to meet for lunch if this is someone you really want to talk with further.

These tips work just as well for JOB FAIRS since it's a structured networking event.

50 jobs and internships available at NICE Expo Job Fair

Searching for a job or internship?  Come to the Northeastern Indiana Career Employment (NICE) Expo Job Fair on Thursday, April 15, 2010 from 1-5 PM at Ivy Tech's North Campus located at 4900 St. Joe Rd. in Fort Wayne.  50 employers are offering part-time, full-time, and internship opportunities!  The attending companies include:  Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Sprint, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Cintas, Parkview Health, FedEx Freight, Three Rivers Federal Credit Union, Erin's House for Grieving Children, and many more!

Click here for a complete list of the available jobs by company, location and directions, and information on how to prepare for a job fair (bring copies of your resume, dress professionally, and prepare your introduction speech/commercial to employers). 

Need inexpensive options for professional dress (i.e., a suit)?  Check out Career Closet through the Huntertown United Methodist Church (email careercloset@huntertownumc.org), Clothes Mentor on Coldwater Rd., and Goodwill Industries.

Student Workers Rock!

National Student Employment Week!

During the week of April 12-16th, we would like to encourage all IPFW departments to show their appreciation for student workers. Here are just a few ideas:

* Take them out to lunch or breakfast
* Send a card or e-card thanking them for a job well done
* Wear a “Student Workers Rock” button(contact Career Services,481-0689 for buttons)
* Have a departmental ice cream social, party or luncheon
* Buy them IPFW gear from the bookstore
* Give a flower, balloon, candy, or a gift certificate to a local restaurant
* Make a banner and hang it in your office that could read, “Thank You Student Employees” or “Our Student Employees Rock!”

This is a great time to show recognition and appreciation for the 500-plus students who devote many hours each week and make significant contributions to our campus community!

The Jobs Of Yesteryear: Obsolete Occupations

The Jobs Of Yesteryear: Obsolete Occupations

As computers and automated systems increasingly take the jobs humans once held, entire professions are now extinct. Click through the gallery to see examples of endangered professions, from milkman to telegrapher, and hear from people who once filled those oft-forgotten jobs.