Fall 2012

Make th eM Six Job S ost of Your Inte rnship earch M ist New Ca 1 reer Cen akes of College Grads 2 te The Em ployer S r Staff Membe r po Employ 2 ers Plan tlight to Visit C The Alu 3 mni Con ampus nection Share Y 4 our Pa and Inte ssion for Fash 6 io ri n o rs in Appa Coming rel Ev Use Job ents 7 Fairs Eff ec Wanderi 8 ng Wise tively ly 9 10

Carrington 309/Glass 103 417.836.5636 http://careercenter.missouristate.edu

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR INTERNSHIP By Addye Buckley-Burnell Among the qualities that employers look for when hiring employees, relevant work experience and communication skills consistently top the list. For this reason, internships have increased in importance since they are one of the few ways students can acquire relevant experience while taking classes. In addition to providing academic credit, many internships are paid. Plus, according to the latest Salary Survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), students who graduate with at least one internship average $6,000-$7,000 higher starting salaries. Following are nine suggestions to help ensure that you make the most of your internship.

Dress Appropriately Scan with your smart phone to learn more about the Career Center:

Find out what the dress code is before starting, and follow it. Even if other people at work wear flip flops and shorts, it’s recommended that you dress more professionally since you are trying to prove yourself and establish your professionalism.

Be On Time or Early

Avoid arriving late for work in your internship. For students whose class schedules start later in the day, they sometimes have trouble adjusting to earlier work hours. Don’t expect to leave early. In fact, offering to stay later and logging some overtime never hurts. Be on time for meetings. Being respectful of others’ time will reflect on you positively. Continued on page 3.

SIX JOB SEARCH MISTAKES OF COLLEGE GRADS By Jack Hunter, Career Center Director

Following are six mistakes college graduates often make and recommendations for correcting those mistakes.

Not Being Aggressive

Don’t sit back and be casual in finding a job. Create a job search plan and work it. One suggestion: create a “Hit List” of seven to eight companies, find a contact (network) in each, and work those contacts.

Counting Only on the Internet

Less than one percent of job seekers find a job by placing résumés on a job board. Because this is so easy to do, thousands of applicants like you are posting their résumés. Use the Internet, but don’t rely on it. Job boards are not a substitute for networking.

Newsletter Team Caleb Jobe Kim Lucas Gary Stafford Valerie D. Kidd Turner If you have an idea for an article that you would like to contribute, please email— [email protected] The mission of the Career Center is to provide professional assistance and intervention to Missouri State students and alumni through the use of career counseling, internship and full-time job searches, and vocational and educational information, so they may make insightful career decisions.

Not Creating a Sizable Network

Use your family, friends, colleagues, peers, MSU faculty, MSU staff, business connections, your pastor, your Scoutmaster, etc. Turn over all the stones! One good connection will likely lead to another.

Not Creating a Tailored Résumé

Your résumé must be one of highlights, showing details and results, with proof for each skill you identify. Your résumé must speak to the employer and to a specific job description.

Not Being Realistic

An employer typically looks at 100 résumés, selects 12 for further evaluation, offers a position to four, and hires two. Be patient . . . the process may take 180 days. For an applicant, 16 applications will result

Not Using the Career Center

Use all the resources available to you. Use your academic advisor, your faculty, university staff, your family, business connections, and the MSU Career Center. The Career Center can help you with your résumé, enable you to do a practice interview to improve your chances when you appear in front of an employer, give you advice on the current national salary ranges for the positions for which you are applying, help you create effective follow-up letters and help you make sense of benefits packages you are offered. Step forward, ask for help—The Career Center will deliver! Do it now!

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NEW CAREER CENTER STAFF MEMBER: GET TO KNOW DOMINIECE HOELYFIELD Dominiece Hoelyfield, a native of Bloomington/Normal, IL, is the new Career Resources Specialist at Missouri State University’s Career Center. In 2012, Dominiece graduated from Illinois State University with a Master of Science degree in College Student Personnel Administration. Although her area of interest was specific, Dominiece explored various opportunities in the workforce before landing her career at MSU. Dominiece obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008 from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale in

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in two interviews and one job offer. Stay in contact with the employers in which you have an interest. Work your plan!

radio/tv, emphasis in electronic media marketing/management, along with a minor in journalism. She worked as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service before seeking a Master of Science degree in college student personnel and administration at Illinois State University. As the Diversity Initiatives Graduate Assistant for the Illinois State’s Career Center, Dominiece coordinated the Cultural Career Network Program. She prepared students of diverse backgrounds for the workplace and coordinated a variety of events designed to connect the students with employers Continued on page 6.

Make the Most

Continued from page 1.

Smile

Smile and be polite to everyone you encounter. Being nice goes a long way to building a positive professional image. Learning the names of other employees, including janitorial staff, will show that you are respectful. You never know who could have an effect on your position.

Volunteer

Being the first to offer help on projects will show that you are a go-getter and engaged in the work. When you find yourself without something to do, don’t wait for someone to give you work. Instead, ask others if they need assistance. This enables you not only to learn more about the work projects but also to build connections and network with your co-workers.

Give 110%

If you don’t understand instructions, be sure to ask for clarification. Proofread your work carefully, and research if needed when completing a project. Show pride in your work and make it high quality.

Stay Professional

Stay off your phone, Facebook, and personal email—avoid anything non-work related while on the clock. Resist the urge to share inappropriate stories while at work or to bring your personal problems to work. In addition, don’t take items from work for your personal use.

Show Integrity

If you tell someone you will do something, do it—and in a timely manner. If you make a mistake, own up to it, and work to find a way to fix the problem.

Avoid Gossip and Complaints

There is always something to complain about in any workplace, but staying out of the drama and staying positive will reflect well on you, and you will not have to worry about saying something that could harm your professional image.

Be a Sponge

Seek knowledge and take advantage of the opportunities to learn. Internships are intended to be learning environ-

ments, so soak up as much wisdom as possible. This is a great place to find a mentor and make contacts for your future job search.

Stay in Touch

After you have completed your internship, keep in contact with co-workers and supervisors. If you have followed the advice above, these contacts will prove to be wonderful references and resources in your future job search. Your internship employer may even offer you a full-time position after the internship if you have proven to be a valuable employee. These are just a few things you can do to make the most of your internship experience. Whether you love the work or hate it, this will be a learning experience. Remember, you will be spending a lot of time there, so it is in your best interest to use that time wisely and take as much from the internship as possible.

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Addye Buckley-Burnell, formerly a Career Resources Specialist in the Missouri State University Career Center, is now Assistant Director of Career Development at Auburn University.

Company: Missouri Department of

Natural Resources

Website: www.dnr.mo.gov

Businesses across the United States use Missouri State University as a recruitment hub that produces capable, workforce-ready graduates. One of the organizations that actively recruits MSU students is the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and in this section of the newsletter we explore this agency’s inner workings. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) is composed of the Office of the Director, Water Resources, Soil and Water Conservation Program and five programmatic divisions. The five divisions include Administrative Services, Energy, Environmental Quality, State Parks, and Geology and Land Surveying.

The integration of these five divisions makes a dynamic combination of employees who are interested in improving Missouri’s natural surroundings. Certain strengths, skills sets, levels of experience, and education are required in order to successfully serve the citizens of Missouri. More specifically, MoDNR likes potential hires to possess attributes such as integrity, dedication, applicable knowledge, and flexibility. Additionally, candidates should have an open attitude toward learning in a changing environment. Because the MoDNR strives to satisfy Missouri’s natural resource needs, the department will continue to serve the Continued on page 9.

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EMPLOYERS PLAN TO VISIT CAMPUS

On-Campus Recruiting Date

Employer

Positions

Deadline

Sep 24

KnowledgeLake, Inc.

Implementation specialists/Jr. developers

Sep 20

Sep 25

Americo Life, Inc.

Entry-level insurance positions

Sep 23

AT&T

Account executive

Sep 16

Henderson Trucking Co.

Management trainee Logistics coordinator Fleet manager

Sep 16

Liberty Mutual

Sales representative

TBA

Penske Logistics

Supply Chain Leadership Development Program

Sep 23

State Street

Internship Client operations administrator associate I Accounting/pricing specialist associate I

Sep 16

FedEx Freight

Transportation specialist

Sep 16

Sep 26 Sep 27 Oct 1

Oct 2

Oct 3

Oct 4

4

Young Entrepreneurs Across America Branch manager

At Info Sessions; see below

Consolidated Electric Distribution

Sales and/or Management Training Program

Sep 23

Modern Woodmen of America

Financial representative

Sep 19

BKD, LLP

2013 Full-time entry-level staff accountant 2013 January Intern

Sep 14

Young Entrepreneurs Across America Branch manager

At Info Sessions; see below

BKD, LLP

2013 Full-time entry-level staff accountant 2013 January Intern

Sep 14

ConocoPhillips

IT intern IT new hire

TBA

Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

TBA

TBA

Target

Executive team leader Stores intern

Stop by table at COB Career Fair or Fall Career Fair

ConocoPhillips

IT intern IT new hire

TBA

KPMG, LLP

Audit intern Summer 2013 Audit intern Winter 2013 Federal tax intern Summer 2013 Federal tax intern Winter 2013

Sep 23

Phillips 66

IT intern IT New hire

TBA

Sherwin-Williams Company

Management training position

Sep 25

Elliott, Robinson & Company

Intern and full-time staff accountant

Sep 26

Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

Sales and management trainee

Oct 2

Koch

2013 Accounting internship Accountant new college graduate 2013 Analyst internship Analyst new college graduate 2013 Information technology internship Information technology new college graduate

Sep 26

KPM CPAs

Staff accountants

Sep 26

Date

Employer

Positions

Deadline

Oct 5

Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

Sales and management trainee

Oct 8

RubinBrown, LLC

Intern and full-time accountant—Assurance Services Sep 27 Accountant­—Tax Consultant—Business Advisory Services Intern—Business Advisory Services

SFW Partners, LLC

Staff accountant Intern

Sep 27

Oct 9

Hallmark Cards

HALLMARK 2013 IT summer internship

Oct 1

Oct 10

Federal Reserve Bank

Full-time analyst Full-time entry-level bank examiner Analyst intern SRM (supervision and risk management) intern

Sep 26

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.

Field engineer Project engineer

Oct 8

ALDI, Inc.

District manager District manager intern

Oct 9

Edward Jones

Service—Rotational Development Program (RDP) Research Division (Mutual Funds) Internship Trades—Rotational Development Program (RDP) Product Marketing Internship Operations Internship Product Marketing—Rotational Development Program (RDP) Research—Rotational Development Program (RDP) Service Internship

Oct 3

Kohl’s Department Stores

Store management intern Store management trainee

Oct 7

Oct 11

Oct 15

Oct 17 Oct 18

Oct 2

Young Entrepreneurs Across America Branch manager

At Info Sessions; see below

AXIUS Financial

Financial advisor

Oct 9

Modern Woodmen of America

Financial representative

Oct 8

Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

Office engineer Field engineer Interns

Oct 15

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

Project engineer

Oct 15

Oct 26

Young Entrepreneurs Across America Branch manager

At Info Sessions; see below

Nov 2

Camp War Eagle

At Info Sessions; see below

Nov 9

Young Entrepreneurs Across America Branch manager

Counselors

At Info Sessions; see below

Information Interviews Date

Employer

Time

Location

Sep 19

Target

6:00 pm

Glass Hall 343

Sep 20

Modern Woodmen of America

1:00 pm

Glass Hall 108

Modern Woodmen of America

5:00 pm

Glass Hall 108

AT&T

6:00-7:00 pm

Strong Hall Room 002, in basement

Liberty Mutual

4:00-5:00 pm

Glass Hall 230

Sep 24

Continued on page 7.

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Alumni: Parker McKenna MSU Connection: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master’s of Business Administration In this issue of Career Centered, the alumni we profile is Parker McKenna. Parker graduated from Missouri State with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Masters of Business Administration. Currently, he works with the Springfield Public School System as the Director of Human Resources. More specifically, he leads and is responsible for all HR functions and operations. Some of his more focused priorities are ensuring that the district has the “appropriate human capital” to elicit efficient and effective worker output, which helps the education system stay aligned with organizational goals. In addition, Parker works as the district’s compliance officer to ensure that regulatory and/or legal requirements are satisfied.

Long-term Parker’s goal is to remain happy, which incorporates being “challenged professionally and personally and maintaining an appropriate balance between the two.” Moreover, Parker attributes his success to being a hard worker: “Never let anyone outwork you—This doesn’t necessarily mean more hours, but working smarter.”

“Never let anyone outwork you­—This doesn’t necessarily mean more hours, but working smarter.”

Parker gained interest and access to human resources through active participation in social, professional, and academic organizations, which helped him build relationships that led to his career success. Because of his undergraduate and post-baccalaureate involvement and work experience, Parker received the opportunity to enter a career in Human Resources.

When offering advice to students who are entering the workforce, Parker suggests that students should build relationships. “Be aware of the positive and negative perceptions of young professionals and be prepared to emphasize the positive and disprove the negative.”

He also recommends that recent graduates be willing to take jobs that may not meet personal satisfaction and then “make that experience work for your future.” These recommendations are important because they will allow you the opportunity to prepare for the workforce and obtain high levels of career preparation and satisfaction. “You may have to volunteer for additional projects, spend time after hours in other departments, or ask to tackle something that isn’t a part of your job description, but those experiences may be exactly the experience that gets you the next job.”

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Dominiece Hoelyfield

Continued from page 2.

and to provide resources for available internship and career opportunities.

diversify my skills by experiencing different areas and student populations.”

Dominiece has also worked with the federally funded Student Support Services (SSS) TRiO program. This involved developing a Technology Learning Community workshop for TRiO participants and creating a weekly E-Bulletin of program events and activities. Dominiece says, “I wanted to

Additionally, she acted as a House Director for Kappa Delta Sorority on Illinois Wesleyan University’s campus in Bloomington, IL. Dominiece managed a house of more than 30 sorority members; playing a significant leadership role in crisis and facility management. She says, “My experiences have

6

prepared me for my role as a Career Resources Specialist, and I’m thankful to be a part of the team.” Dominiece mentions that student’s should be aware of their capabilities and the power of their example. Your outcome isn’t defined by your major but rather by the opportunities that are afforded you.

Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution

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Employers Visit

Continued from page 5.

Sep 24

Penske Logistics

5:30-7:30 pm

TBA

Sep 25

Modern Woodmen of America

8:30 am-4:00 pm

Table 1st floor Glass Hall

Young Entrepreneurs Across America

4:30-6:30 pm

Glass Hall 237

WDW College Program Recruiting

2:00 pm

Glass Hall 102

WDW College Program Recruiting

5:00 pm

Glass Hall 101

Oct 2

Phillips 66

6:00-7:00 pm

Company will invite students with interviews to dinner; please save this evening for the dinner

Oct 8

Hallmark Cards

6:00-7:00 pm

Glass Hall 431

Oct 9

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

6:00-7:00 pm

Glass Hall 237

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.

6:30-7:30 pm

Kemper 102

Oct 10

ALDI, Inc.

6:00-9:00 pm

Glass Hall 346

Oct 11

Young Entrepreneurs Across America

4:30-6:30 pm

Glass Hall 237

Oct 16

Modern Woodmen of America

1:00 pm

Glass Hall 108

Modern Woodmen of America

5:00 pm

Glass Hall 102

Oct 23

Young Entrepreneurs Across America

5:30-7:30 pm

Glass Hall 237

Oct 31

Camp War Eagle

10:00 am-2:00 pm

PSU Contact Table

Camp War Eagle

10:00 am-2:00 pm

PSU Contact Table

Camp War Eagle

5:00-9:00 pm

PSU Room TBA

Chicago Peace Corps

4:00-6:00 pm

Hill Hall Room 2

Young Entrepreneurs Across America

6:30-8:30 pm

Glass Hall 343

Sep 26

Nov 7

SHARE YOUR PASSION FOR FASHION IN APPAREL AND INTERIORS By Dr. Michele Granger

The fields of fashion and interior design offer a wide variety of opportunities for students, ranging from technical and creative careers to positions in management and marketing. While the fields are far from basic, they do fulfill the basic needs of clothing and shelter— consistently providing job opportunities throughout all economic times. Today’s apparel industry is a major force of employment and revenue in the world. U.S. consumers alone purchase well over $197 billion of apparel annually. From its manufacturing to retailing sectors, the apparel and interiors industries have exploded to become a global configuration of companies collaborating to

provide fashion in the forms of apparel/ accessories and physical environments to consumers around the world. In the Fashion and Interior Design Department of MSU, you will gain great hands-on experience as you learn about the changing apparel and environmental needs of clients and the industry from a world perspective. There are two primary choices for a degree in fashion. You can choose to major in fashion design/product development, which provides emphasis in design and production, or you can select a major in fashion merchandising/management, which focuses on the business and marketing aspects of the industry.

As a designer, you will learn to take your ideas from the sketchpad to the runway. Coursework in computeraided design, clothing construction, pattern making, draping, and illustration support design majors in honing their professional skills. Those who graduate in design/product development are successfully employed as pattern makers, technical designers, designers for manufacturers, and manufacturer’s representatives. Merchandising and management majors gain knowledge and skills in the areas of, among others, product development, Continued on page 8.

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COMING EVENTS

Following is a calendar of events planned for the fall semester. For more details, visit the Career Center’s website at careercenter.missouristate.edu

September 18 and 19

September 25

September 18

October 23

Résumé Madness

Fall Career Fair

COB Career Fair Preparation Workshops (This workshop is required for anyone interested in attending the COB Career Fair.)

September 24

COB Career Fair (Important: You MUST have participated in one of the COB Career Fair Preparation Workshops in order to attend the COB Career Fair.)

Etiquette Dinner

October 24

Mock Interview Day

November 2

Legislative Internship Application Deadline

November 7

Exploring Careers Panel

Passion for Fashion

Continued from page 7.

merchandising math, visual merchandising, marketing, and entrepreneurship. These graduates are successfully employed as buyers, retail managers, fashion coordinators, stylists, visual merchandisers, and business owners. Interior designers are the experts who keep our living, working, and gathering places convenient, comfortable, safe, and beautiful. This field offers a multitude of career options, ranging from designing for architectural firms to providing freelance services for individuals. In the Interior Design Program of MSU, you will be trained in multiple specialties, to include design, sales, and restoration. Refining knowledge of design theory, aesthetics, space planning, and environmental design will give you the skills to provide design solutions that are appealing, sophisticated, and practical. A degree from MSU in interior design will prepare you to help people make the most out of their personal living spaces. Many graduates begin offering design services in home furnishing stores, for suppliers and dealers, or residen-

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tial building construction companies. Some interior designers concentrate on specific areas, such as designing restaurants or residential kitchens. Others design interiors for airplanes or plan historical restorations. The boundaries are unlimited for majors in interior design. Whether you select fashion or interior design as your major, there are a number of departmental activities that you may choose to join. All enhance your education and broaden your horizons. Study abroad programs provide a global perspective on marketing and design. In summer 2011, 20 fashion and interior design students participated in a tour of England, Belgium, and Paris. In summer 2012, Italy and Greece were the destinations for the summer study abroad program. There are student organizations in both fashion and interior design that offer field trips and activities, such as fashion show production and Friday Art Walk exhibits.

Internships are required for fashion and interior design majors and are normally completed during the summer of their junior year. Thanks to wellconnected faculty and alumni, students successfully complete internships and build their professional networks in such places as Dallas, New York City, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Fashion and interior design professionals are in demand. Your expertise will be sought out for these highly popular and creative professions. Take your passion for beauty, art, and business, and find your place in the Fashion and Interior Design Department.

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Dr. Michele Granger is a professor in the Department of Fashion and Interior Design. In addition to teaching, she had led study-abroad programs and has authored textbooks such as Fashion: The Industry and its Careers,The Fashion Intern, Case Studies in Merchandising and Apparel and Soft Goods, and A Guide to Analyzing Your Fashion Industry Internship.

Employer Spotlight

Continued from page 3.

citizens of Missouri by protecting the state’s natural and cultural resources, cleaning up environmentally impacted sites, locating waste disposal facilities, exploring and developing mineral, fuel and water resources, and developing sciencebased decisions regarding next-generation changes. Lastly, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources places a high value on its partner relationships, especially with higher institutions of learning. It is imperative we work together to

USE JOB FAIRS EFFECTIVELY

Job fairs, like interviews, are face-to-face meetings between jobseekers and employers. They are one of the easiest places to find good job leads. Every employer attending is there to hire one or more workers. At a fair, jobseekers gather information about a company to help them decide if they want to apply for a job. Recruiters staff booths and answer questions, distribute brochures, accept résumés, and size up jobseekers. Making a good impression at a job fair may give your résumé or application added weight. The following tips can help you make the most of any fair. Find the fair. Career centers, associations, state and local governments, and private companies organize job fairs. Find the fairs in your area by looking everywhere they might be announced. Ask a career counselor, review the business bulletin board at your school or local library, check the employment section of the newspaper, and search online via an Internet job fair locator. Ready your résumé. Before attending a fair, you should prepare a résumé. Bring several copies to the fair. Leave at least one with every company that seems promising. A résumé lists your name, contact information, education, and experience, both paid and unpaid. It emphasizes accomplishments and skills. Most résumés for entry-level jobs are one page. Dress neatly. A job fair is like a series of mini-interviews, with recruiters forming impressions of the people they meet. You might not need to wear a suit, but clothes that are too casual could be a strike against you. Clothes that are too short, too tight, too worn, or too playful are particularly risky. If you are unsure about what to wear, ask a career counselor or someone from the organization sponsoring the fair. Go alone. Leave children and other relatives at home. If you plan to attend the fair with a friend, don’t appear to be inseparable when visiting booths. A professional image is easier to maintain if you speak to employers alone.

identify, develop, and promote those interested in Missouri’s natural resources. As a partner in education, Missouri State University prepares future scientists and environmentalists who will assist in the research of Missouri’s environmental issues in hopes of finding soluble answers. As a partner employer, Missouri Department of Natural Resources further develops and trains these students to become professionals in their field, equipping them with the proper tools and resources to be efficient and productive. f Survey the terrain and plot a strategy. When you arrive, take a quick walk through the fair. Time is limited, and booths are crowded. Plan a route before stopping at booths to see your favorite companies. Save visits with the best prospects until after you’ve warmed up with a few other employers. To make the best use of your time, ask for a list of participating companies a few days before the fair and rank visits before you arrive. Complete applications flawlessly. When a company distributes application forms, take two. One will be a rough draft. If you bring an application home to send later, consider adding a note saying you met the recruiter at the fair. Master the mini-interview. Every time you speak with an employer, no matter how briefly or how boisterous the atmosphere, consider it an interview. Recruiters will expect you to introduce yourself, shake hands confidently, answer questions about your coursework or experience, and have an idea of the type of job you want. Finding out about the company is equally important. You might ask what the hiring process is like or what jobs are available for people with your education. Before you leave the booth, be sure to ask for the recruiter’s business card. Take notes. After visiting several booths, it’s easy for conversations to run together, leaving any jobseeker muddle-headed. After each visit, take a few notes to read at home. Stay organized. Fairgoers are deluged with paper—company literature, recruiters’ business cards, applications, and their own notes. Bring a briefcase, an expandable folder, or a canvas bag to keep materials organized. Counselors suggest going through these papers while your memory is still fresh. Apply in absentia. If you cannot attend the job fair, contact the sponsoring organization. The sponsor may be able to give your résumés to participating employers before or after the fair. Continued on page 10.

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WANDERING WISELY Career Preparation Is a Process

By Addye Buckley-Burnell

Many people believe that the major you select decides your career, and that is the end of the line. If life really were that simple, people would not switch careers so often in their lives. The truth is that careers are more like journeys than destinations. Most careers do not require a specific major, and most majors give you the skills to choose from a variety of career options. As with any journey, there is sometimes a need to take a detour or reroute the course. That is why we refer to this as a career-decision-making process. What does this process look like? The steps include the following: 1. Explore yourself: Find out about your interests, personality, values, and skills in order to know what you are looking for in a profession. 2. Explore options—Research career fields, industries, jobs, and specialty areas to find out as much as possible before heading down any specific path. 3. Make a decision—Find a career or major that matches with your interests, personality, values, and skills.

4. Take action—This may include declaring a major or getting work experience in the career field through an internship, practicum, part-time position, or full-time job. 5. Evaluate this decision—Is this a career or major you enjoy? If not, you may want to detour from your original path by returning to one of the previous steps. Career development is not a linear process, and often you may find yourself going back a step or two. Most of us will return to the steps of the process multiple times during our lives, and knowing about available resources is essential. Participating in career counseling in the Career Center is a great way to begin this process or to evaluate the course you are currently on. Remember, it is okay to reroute sometimes; just be prepared to ask for directions when needed.

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The title for this column comes from Katharine Brooks, Ed.D., author of You Majored in What?: Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career, in which she explains that career paths usually are not linear. She implores us to be receptive to exploring the many routes to career satisfaction, to be “wise wanderers.”

Job Fairs

Continued from page 9.

At the end of the interview, express your willingness to speak with the employer in person. This is important, because most employers prefer to meet with a potential employee face to face before hiring. Follow up. Even after the interview is over, your task is not complete. Secure a good impression by sending a thank you letter to the interviewer. It is best to send the letter within two days of the interview, but any time is better than none. Thank you letters should be brief—less than one page and may be handwritten or typed. Their purpose is to express your appreciation for the interviewer’s time and to reiterate your interest in the job. Most thank you letters have three main paragraphs. •

•

The first paragraph is your chance to thank the interviewer for meeting with you and to show enthusiasm for the job. Some suggest refreshing the interviewer’s memory by mentioning the date of the interview and the position for which you applied. The second paragraph is for you to briefly reiterate a few skills that make you well suited for the job. You might also mention a topic from the interview that was espe-

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cially interesting to you. Also, include any important information you forgot to mention during the interview. •

The third paragraph is where you thank the interviewer again, give your phone number, and share that you look forward to hearing from him or her.

Many employers say an emailed thank you letter is acceptable if the email correspondence was exchanged between the interviewer and the candidate. Otherwise an email message should not substitute for the standard mail in most situations. Address the letter to the person who interviewed you, and make sure to spell his or her name correctly. If a group interviewed you, write either to each person you spoke to or to the person who led and coordinated the interview, mentioning the other people you met. Finally, be sure to proofread the letter, and ask someone else to proofread it for misspelled, misused words. As you write your thank you note, remind yourself that you might be writing to your next supervisor. Syndicated from bls.gov, August 16, 2012: http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2000/summer/art02.pdf