2010-2011 Corporate Sponsors

IPFW Career Services would like to thank our 2010-2011 corporate sponsors. Their contributions will be used for our career library resources, equipment and career programming throughout the year.

For additional information about our corporate sponsors, please visit their websites.

BKD

WestPoint Financial Group

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

To learn more about becoming a corporate sponsor, go to the IPFW Career Services website.

Drop-in Career Counseling - Extended Hours!

Drop-in Career Counseling

Drop-in Career Counseling is available without appointment during the hours listed below. Drop-in appointments take 15 - 20 minutes. Career Counselors answer general questions about majors or careers; critique resumes and cover letters; explain what resources are available on campus; and get students started on internship, job, and graduate school searches. If additional time is required, the Career Counselor will refer the student to an hour-long appointment.

Hours for Drop-in Career Counseling:

* Fall and Spring academic terms: Monday through Friday, 10:00 to 2 p.m.

Hour-long Career Counseling Appointments

For career-related needs and questions that extend beyond the drop-in appointment, including mock interviews and interpretations for career assessments, Career Counselors are available for hour-long appointments.

Questions? Contact Career Services at 260-481-0689.

New Graduate Intern

Hi, my name is Hannah Stork and I’m the new Graduate Intern in the Office of Career Services. I am currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. I received a Bachelors of Arts in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations from Indiana Tech in May 2009.

During my undergraduate studies I was a member of the Women’s Basketball team as well as a Resident Assistant in the underclassman dormitory. These two experiences helped me develop leadership skills and better understanding of student affairs and university operations. Since graduation, I have had the opportunity to work in higher education as an Admission Counselor. As an Admissions Counselor I had the opportunity to work with prospective students from the beginning of their college search all the way to enrollment.

My passion for higher education has led me to Career Services where I hope to learn more about job searching, networking, resume writing, various job markets, employment trends, and career counseling. I enjoy working one on one with students to help them succeed in and out of the classroom. This internship will provide me with a great opportunity to learn about another area of student affairs. I hope to gain more knowledge about the higher education system, while developing a broad understanding of various student affairs departments. I am excited to join the staff here at IPFW and hope to be of assistances to employers, staff members, faculty, and students.

Are you fed up with your job?

If you've been watching the news lately, then you know who Steven Slater is. The Jet Blue flight attendant who quit his job in a very unorthodox manner and is now facing felony charges. Below is a video of CNN reporters interviewing one of the passengers on the plane who witnessed the occurrence.

Apparently Slater had an altercation with a passenger on the plane which lead to verbal and physical actions on the passenger's part. Slater then proceeded to seal his "resignation letter" by getting on the plane's intercom, telling off the said passenger, grabbing beers out of the hospitality cart, and releasing the emergency chute to exit the plane. He has since been released from his job and is being held on 2 felonious charges.

So we all know this is the WRONG way to quit a job. But, how do you quit a job without burning bridges? And, what's so wrong with burning a few bridges if the company and/or supervisor was bad to you?

Quitting the Job Properly

1. Give at least 2 weeks notice, a month would be preferred. This demonstrates professionalism and courtesy to the company and your boss. They will eventually have to replace you and by giving them a heads up, they can initiate a search for your replacement with hopes for a small gap between you and the new recruit.
2. Type a resignation letter. Use professional language and business letter format. Approach your boss with this letter and explain to him/her as to why you're choosing to resign.
3. Choose your words wisely. When you approach your boss about quiting the job, be sure to give solid reasons for your departure. If it's a touchy subject, then make sure to discuss it with a trusted friend/family member, or a career counselor to adequately prepare. This will help you choose your words properly and leave on a good note.

Don't Burn Bridges

1. It's a small world after all. It's amazing who knows who and how much people network and talk within professional industries. If you quit your job unprofessionally, then it's likely your previous boss will talk about it and it may end up affecting your job search.
2. Get the good reference. Even if you didn't like the job, you can still leave with a good reference from your supervisor or a colleague.
3. Make it easy on yourself. If you leave in a professional manner, then it's a lot easier to interview with a new employer. A common question used in interviews is, "Why did you leave your previous job?" It will reflect better on you if you can answer positively than figure out how to spin it, or risk lying. The company you're interviewing with can call your previous employer and inquire whether or not they would consider hiring you back.

McGregor: The traveling career gnome

You may have met McGregor in our Spring 2010 Newsletter, but if you haven't allow me to introduce to you the IPFW Career Services Traveling Gnome. June and July were busy months for McGregor as he traveled across the state and country. Check out his latest travel stories...

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McGregor here... What are the chances that I run into Christina Mosteller Hall and Karen Obringer during my trip to Franklin, IN? They were at Franklin College for the Career Development Professionals of Indiana Leadership Institute. I hear they're "Social Media Rock Stars!"

I just loved the gardens and the local history at Franklin College. Here's a little video of my fun trip in Franklin, IN on June 16, 2010.

That was so much fun, but it was time to spread my wings... literally! I flew to San Francisco to check out the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Warf, and Alcatraz. There aren't as many gardens in San Francisco, but there was plenty of water and nice people!

Did you know that it's one of the most expensive cities in which to live? If I were to move there, from my home in Fort Wayne, IN, I would need to make three times my average salary! That's a lot of green, even for an experienced gardener like myself!

Here are some fun pictures of my trip to San Francisco. I wonder where I'll travel to next...

I visited Fisherman's Warf and saw Alcatraz Island. I thought it would be bigger!

I also walked the Golden Gate Bridge and stopped traffic. Not many people have seen a traveling gnome.

Networking Benefits: Finding a job

I'm sure you've heard that networking can lead you to a job. Well, here's a good video that explains just how to do it. Check it out!

If I was to share the best advise in this video it would be to utilize your network even if you're not job hunting. This helps to develop rapport with your networks, and you have the opportunity to help them so that when you actually need assistance they are more likely to assist you with the job search (or whatever else you might need).

Remember networking is a give-and-take relationship. You can't go into it desperate to find a job because then networking is going to fail you. Think about someone you might know that only takes from you, and every time you're around him/her you feel exhausted.... Don't be that person!

IPFW Accounting Mock Interview Day!

Are you an Accounting Major interested in making a great connection with local employers? Register for a 45 minute mock interview!

Register to participate in our first annual IPFW Accounting Mock Interview Day! Practice your interviewing skills with local employers, and receive direct feedback and tips from the experts themselves! Make a great and lasting impression within the 45 minute one-to-one practice interview appointment!

Accounting Mock Interview Day
Thursday, August 12, 2010 [1-5pm] KT 109
Register at: https://purdue.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_0lihy1w9b5GFzCc

Participating Employers:
BKD, Lincoln Financial Group and Crowe Horwath LLP!

Available Interview Time Slots:
(Indicate the time slots you would be available on the registration form)
Interview 1: 1:00-1:45pm
Interview 2: 1:45-2:30pm
Interview 3: 2:30-3:15pm
Interview 4: 3:15-4:00pm
Interview 5: 4:00-4:45pm

Requirements:
Professional dress, an updated resume, and you must be a current undergraduate IPFW Accounting major.

Registration is on a first come first serve basis, so register now before all of the 20 interview slots are filled!

Questions? Contact Ashley McArdle in Career Services, 260-481-6591