Announcing the L&S Career Services Winter Break Job Shadow Program for January 2012!

No plans for winter break?

Looking to explore your career interests and goals?

Wanting to learn more about, and observe, various types of job functions at an employer?

Wanting to build a network with professionals and learn about their career backgrounds and interests?

Interested in possible internship and job opportunities at an employer?

If you have these questions and more, then consider doing a job shadow experience!

You are invited to participate in the Letters and Science Career Services Winter Break 2012 Job Shadow program. Job shadowing will help you with your career exploration, goals and options. This fantastic and unique opportunity will engage and connect you with seasoned professionals and often UW-Madison alumni in many different career paths and from a variety of educational backgrounds.

You may be visiting various offices, conducting informational interviews with staff to learn about their career background, attending meetings and events, observing certain job functions of staff members, participating in an office activity or program, and also learning about potential internship and full-time opportunities. Typically, the job shadow day is a one-day experience, although there may be opportunities to participate for more than one day, based on the availability of the employer.

In summary, there are many key benefits that make the Job Shadow program one of our most successful programs that has attracted a few hundred students over the past two years. Some of the benefits for students and employers include:

Benefits of the Job Shadow Program for Employers

• Fosters and enhances an employer’s connection among the well-rounded and talented students in the College of Letters &Science.

• Provides an opportunity for staff members at an employer to be a resource about their career paths and share insights and a snapshot of what their typical job is like.

• Enables early identification of potential candidates for internships and full-time positions.

Benefits of the Job Shadow Program for Students

• Students get a better sense of a typical day at the organization, as well as certain job functions and tasks.

• Students have a chance to develop a professional network of individuals.

• Students acquire an understanding of the organizational culture and professional etiquette at an employer.

• Students learn about the various types of internship and career opportunities available.

The Job Shadow program will occur between January 5 and 20, 2012, during time frames that mutually work for the host employer and the student. Participating employers are from around the U.S. and Wisconsin, and represent a variety of career interests and sectors. Organizations include: American Field Service (AFS), Brunswick Group LLC, Coyote Logistics, Direct Supply, Gateway Middle School, Google, GRAEF, Her Exchange, Kohl’s, LaSalle Investment Management, Madison No Fear Dentistry, Milwaukee Public Library, Starcom Mediavest Group, Summit Commercial Finance Group, and Teach for America.

Student testimonials from past Job Shadow programs include:

“I shadowed at Starcom and it was a wonderful experience. I learned so much about a career I didn't even know existed. The person I shadowed was so down to earth (a recent Wisconsin grad). She introduced me to friends who had different positions and responsibilities, so I had a conceptual as well as physical tour of the company. I don't know how the shadow could have gone smoother or been more beneficial. I loved how they kept two shadowers together, so it was a little less intimidating and easier to keep conversation flowing. From this experience, I keep think­ing how beneficial more job shadows would have been. I guess it's never too late. Thank you again for providing this exceptional learning experience.”

“The program was really helpful because I am graduating in just a few short months and it gave me a glimpse into possible future careers.”

“I enjoyed this program because it gave me a chance to get a good look at the duties and responsibilities from professionals. I received direct feedback about their jobs and valuable advice. I thoroughly benefited from my job shadow at Direct Supply in Milwaukee. They were very welcoming and informative.

If you are interested in participating in the Winter Break 2012 Job Shadow program, and would like more information, including detailed descriptions of the opportunities available at the employers, please contact Greg Iaccarino, Career and Internship Advisor, at gjiaccar@wisc.edu to fill out an interest survey for placement within the program.

Straight from the employers: Tips on standing out

The October 2011 issue of The Tapestry (Multicultural Student Center Newsletter), written by Rachel Kuo, had a great article with advice on how to stand out to an employer. Read on to get some tips directly from the mouths of recruiters.

Know how to communicate your strengths and experience.

“Make a strong first impression and communicate your values by explaining your choices and processes. It’s impressive when you can walk people through your decisions.” - Paul Taylor, Cooper Bussman

“We look for energy, leadership, outgoing personalities, communication skills and adaptability in potential employees. Don’t be afraid to show yourself off in an interview by telling us your stories of success.” –Kathy Backstrom, Target

Get involved as much as possible.

“Volunteer and service experiences provide graduates with transferrable skill sets in time management, team leadership, data collection, communications and critical thinking.” - Kobena Marcus Collins, CityYear

“You can make yourself more competitive for internships by taking on leadership roles in classroom projects or student organizations.” -Kathy Backstrom, Target

Research the company.

“Tailor your resume for the specific job you’re applying for and be prepared for questions that aren’t just technical-based.” -Joel Harmon, Cargill

Academics are just as important as work experience.

“The key pieces to success are to keep your grades up while also gaining working and leadership experience.” - Ya Yang, General Mills

“Internships are a great way to stand out in the job market, and they provide a real opportunity to combine course work with real job applications.”


Check out some photos of students who took advantage of the networking event prior to the Multicultural Career and Internship Fair last month.




Source:
Kuo, Rachel. "Employers Give Some Tips on How to Stand out as a Potential Candidate." Tapestry (Oct. 2011): 5. http://msc.wisc.edu/tapestry/TapestryOctober2011.pdf

To stay updated on job, volunteer and internship opportunities, follow @UWMulticultural on Twitter or like "UW-Madison Multicultural Student Center" on Facebook.

Professional Development- What is that?

You may have heard the words "professional development" as a way to build your skills and resume for your future career. Attending professional conferences is one form of professional development. Read on to hear about Lauren Foley's experience as an undergraduate student who recently attended her first professional conference.

On October 21st and 22nd I had the privilege of attending the Wisconsin College Personnel Association (WCPA) Conference in the Wisconsin Dells to participate in the Student Affairs 101 portion for undergraduates. This was my first time attending a professional conference, and I was very excited and interested to learn more about the student affairs field and network with other undergraduates, graduates and professionals.

Right from the start I was introduced to undergraduate students from every University of Wisconsin college, where we participated and listened to seasoned professionals in smaller workshops. We were able to attend two of the three workshops on Student Development Theory, Resume Writing, and Introduction to Student Affairs. Working within career services, I opted for the Student Development Theory and Intro to Student Affairs. Paul Shepherd, a professional from UW-River Falls, gave us a glimpse into Student Development Theory, and how it relates to Student Affairs. He introduced us to this topic because it is a core part to curriculums of Student Affairs graduate programs. I really enjoyed his workshop because as a future graduate student, I was able to see a glimpse of what one of the courses would be like.

The Intro to Student Affairs workshop I attended was led by Scott Seyforth, an educator from UW-Whitewater, and PhD student at UW-Madison. Right away he and I connected with our love of the Badgers and all things football, as well as all things Student Affairs. The best element of this workshop was realizing that within a university, Student Affairs covers so many different areas and aspects of a University.

Thinking about my own career path, although I have a general direction I am headed, I realize that I have so many options it’s almost overwhelming! During and after the workshops, we had chances to interact and network with other undergraduates and talk about their student affairs experiences. Most of them were from Residence Life, who really influence freshman and other students living in the residence halls. After hearing more about it, I became really interested in this area, and I was sparked to look into possible residence life opportunities for internships and graduate assistant positions in graduate school.

Later in the conference I was able to meet additional professionals and hear about their background. I loved learning where they earned their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Each person I met with had a really different path and interesting story for how they stumbled into Student Affairs, and every one of them loves what they do. Everyone I met with at the conference and everyone I continue to meet in Student Affairs has a passion for bettering their university, and influencing student’s lives in a positive way, whether that is in Residence Life programs or where I work, as a Peer Advisor helping students with resumes and career advice. This positive energy surrounding Student Affairs has really encouraged me to continue my journey towards finishing my undergraduate degree and pursuing graduate school in the field.

I intend to take part in any other professional development opportunity available to me, as I suggest any student should. You can learn a lot, and build relationships with others in the field, which can prove very beneficial to me now and in the future.

Lauren Foley is a Junior at UW Wisconsin- Madison studying English with certificates in Educational Policy & Integrated Liberal Studies

Recap of Day in the Field Visit to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

L&S CAREER SERVICES STUDENTS AND STAFF ON THE ROOFTOP PATIO OF MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL'S DOWNTOWN LOCATION

On a warm fall day on October 14th, a group of 9 students and 3 Career Services staff members took a Day in the Field Trip to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This was one of the best Day in the Field programs that occurred, in which there were many opportunities for the students to meet with all levels of staff members to learn about the most current trends in journalism, communications and digital media, and how the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is positioning itself to best meet these trends.


Highlights of the visit included a tour of all 6 floors of the historic downtown Milwaukee location, including a trip back in time to the old printing press in the basement that was used for many decades. Visits to the newsroom, marketing/advertising departments, circulation section, and the publisher/editor gave the students an excellent sense of the inner workings of one of Wisconsin’s major media sources. The Journal Sentinel boasts a strong investigative reporting focus, with some of their reporters recently receiving Pulitzer Prizes for their work.

Perhaps the finest part of the experience were the thorough speed networking sessions that the students had with all of the executives of the organization and newer employees. These sessions enabled each student to have one-on-one networking and informational interview time. Students were personally invited to submit their resumes for anticipated future internships and career openings at the paper.

Student testimonials from the trip, which were drawn from student evaluations about their experience include:

1.) The field trip today was excellent because students got a more in-depth feel of working at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Meeting the staff one on one was very helpful because they offered practical, hands-on advice about getting started on job search and finding opportunities. My favorite part was by far sitting with executives also one on one and learning about the different career paths available at the newspaper. Those opportunities are rare and I am happy I was able to participate.


2.) The trip was a rewarding experience because it gave me a glimpse into the life in a newsroom. It was nice talking to people who worked there because it gave me insight into what I need to do to establish a career in communications and/or journalism.


3.) I really enjoyed being able to meet with the managing editor and publisher. I'm in this constant worry about finding a job and they gave me advice that the future of a journalist is really not just being a reporter but being someone who knows about the technological aspects of everything; how to make and manage a website, social media and search engine optimization. That was great to hear since we learn so much technology in the journalism school and there are some moments when I wonder if they will actually come into play again.



Interested in more experiential opportunities with the Journal Sentinel? Please stay tuned for more information about our Winter Break Job Shadow program that will soon be on the L&S Career Services website http://www.lssaa.wisc.edu/careers

SPEED NETWORKING SESSIONS OF STUDENTS AND MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL STAFF MEMBERS (BELOW)

Looking for an opportunity to give back once you graduate? Check out City Year Milwaukee on Nov. 1

“Own your experience.” Those were the words of wisdom passed down to me by a City Year alumnus during my first few weeks of training. I wasn’t quite sure what that meant, but I felt compelled to do just that. So, I embraced the “squishy” moments, took on the leadership opportunities, jumped into the culture and perhaps the most important, devoted myself to my students.

Those ten months flew by with great speed. So much happened within that time span that has helped to shape my character. As a corps member, I wore many hats with my service to my students. I was a teacher, a tutor, a mentor, an older sister, a counselor, an event planner, and so much more. I thought that I was a patient person before I came to City Year, but my students taught me a whole new meaning to patient. Tutoring sessions could change into conflict mediation at the drop of a hat. However, I learned how to adapt to the ever-changing situations of the day.

While serving as a corps member, I realized that service is something that I want to be apart of for the rest of my life. That is why I am thrilled to be working as a Children’s Associate for the Sojourner Family Peace Center. I am able to combine my love for education and social service with this position. The skills that I developed during my service year continue to help me today. I still use the system of Q2Qs, which we used for detailing meetings and event planning, to keep me organized. Not to mention, my boss is amazed by my ability to ‘in-kind’ or get food donated for the programs that we host, another skill I obtained at City Year.

I am very grateful for my time with City Year Milwaukee. It provided me with a good opportunity for me to give back to my city. I served alongside a dynamic group of individuals who provided powerful service each and everyday. This was a life changing experience that has helped to shape me into the leader that I am today and continue to strive to be for tomorrow.

Written by Alimatu Sirleaf, Founding Corps Member of City Year Milwaukee.


Above Photo: Alimatu Sirleaf (center) with fellow City Year Milwaukee Corps Members on the day of Corps Graduation, including UW-Madison Alumnus, Sasha Moore (far left).

You have the chance to visit City Year Milwaukee Headquarters on
Tuesday, Nov. 1 (3-9pm).

• Meet current corps members, alumni, staff and potential corps members
• Learn about the application process and how to become a corps member
• Hear about the benefits of serving with City Year Milwaukee

RSVP required.
Please contact Greg Iaccarino at gjiaccar@wisc.edu by October 26

Transportation Provided by Letters and Science Career Services for the first 12 students.

Please visit CityYear.org for more information on how to become a volunteer.

Next application deadline: November 15th.

Dressing For a Job Interview

Let’s face it, as college students our daily outfits often consist of sweatpants, leggings and T-shirts that you may or may not have slept in last night. Comfort is king and sometimes it’s hard to snap out of that mode. But what if the occasion requires it? Job interviews are one of the few reasons to take off the sweatpants and pray you still fit into that suit your mom made you buy in high school.

Because job interviews are all about creating a good impression and doing what’s appropriate, the rule of thumb is to play it safe and stay traditional.

As a style blogger who soon will be doing some interviewing of my own, I have given considerable thought to this subject. Read on to see outfit choices for men and women.

Men:

Wear a suit! You’ll look sharp and professional, especially if it is black, navy or dark gray. Wear it with a white or pastel colored shirt and pair it with a coordinating silk tie, making sure the pattern of your tie isn’t too crazy. Wear dark colored socks – no gym socks! The socks should coordinate with your suit and/or shoes, but if you don’t know what color is appropriate, just wear black ones. Make sure there aren’t scuffmarks on your shoes and that the heels aren’t run down. Get them shined or repaired if there is time. Get a haircut the week before your interview and if you have facial hair, make sure it is neat and trimmed. Don’t wear earrings if your ears are pierced, and try to keep other jewelry to a minimum. In other words, wear the class ring but leave the gold chain behind.


Women:

The same rules apply to you, believe it or not. Wear a suit! A business professional woman can still look chic, as long as her suit is up-to-date and tailored. Stay conservative with your blouse, sticking to classic white or pastel colors. You should wear heels, but only if you are comfortable walking in them. Make sure they aren’t your highest stilettos and make sure they are closed-toe. If you’re more comfortable in flats, make sure they are dressy, basic and in a neutral color (again, black is best). If you’re wearing a skirt, wear hosiery. Wear your hair in a natural and simple style;. If you have bangs, make sure they are trimmed and don’t cover your eyes. Wear makeup, but don’t make it obvious – stick to neutral colors and leave that red lipstick at home. Make sure your nail polish is a normal color – no greens, blacks or purples – and trim your nails so that they aren’t daggers.


Both Men and Women:

I cannot emphasize this enough: do not wear overpowering cologne or perfume. You will most likely be in an office, and suffocating your interviewer with Old Spice or Clinique Happy will NOT land you the job. Don’t chew gum or suck on a mint during your interview. Keep your pockets empty; you don’t want to jingle when you’re walking down the halls of the office. Bring a briefcase or portfolio with you and put a extra copies of your resume, a legal pad and pen in it.

Exceptions to these rules:

There are certain circumstances in which dressing with a little more creativity for your interview might benefit you. If you’re interviewing for a job at an advertising agency, graphic design company, music industry or the like, you can probably put a little more personal touch into your outfit. For women, add a statement necklace or a colorful bag. For men, play around with the pattern of your tie or add a pocket square to your suit. But remember, first impressions are everything, so don’t go too crazy.

There are plenty of places to shop for these looks, from less expensive stores like H&M to more expensive stores like J. Crew and Banana Republic (J. Crew even offers a student discount!). But remember, a suit is an investment and you will most likely be wearing it for many years to come (especially if you nail your interview) so spending now will most likely pay off. And you can always break up a suit and wear just the bottoms or just the tops to make it more versatile in the future.

Anna is a junior at the University of Missouri studying Advertising and Public Relations. She runs a style blog called Forward or Die.

The Top Do's and Don'ts of Interviewing

Need some advice on talking with recruiters? I talked to several hiring personnel who have lots of experience interviewing candidates. They’ve seen it all – including one woman who wouldn’t go home, but insisted on finishing her interview after getting sick, according to Nicole Hilsenhoff from Epic. Use their expert tips to avoid being known as “that horrible candidate,” instead being the perfect one who gets the position!

WHAT NOT TO DO AT AN INTERVIEW

1. Don’t swear in an interview no matter how casual the environment.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic
2. Don’t flirt with or ask your recruiter out – it’s not as charming as it sounds.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic
3. Never mention money/salary. Most companies will have already done research in order to provide the most competitive salaries possible for the position and location. Therefore, be aware that salaries will be relative to location (i.e. salaries for the east and west coast locations may be higher than the Midwest, but the cost of living is also much higher).
- Ya Yang, General Mills
4. Never talk bad about a co-worker, a previous employer, or fellow student to make yourself look better. In business there will be conflict, and we like to see how you turn negative situations into positive ones.
- Ya Yang, General Mills
5. Don’t rush through an interview – don’t schedule appointments immediately following an interview in the event that it runs longer than anticipated.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic



HOW TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION

1. Let the recruiter know that you're interested in the job and why you'd be a good fit.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic
2. Have examples ready for an interviewer’s questions (i.e. “Tell me about…”).
- Vickie Bortz, Federal Bureau of Prisons
3. Let the recruiter know what impressed you about the company and how you connect to their mission.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic
4. Do research on the company.
- Ya Yang, General Mills
5. Make good eye contact.
- Vickie Bortz, Federal Bureau of Prisons
6. Have an idea of what you want to do. For example, if you’re a Finance major, have an idea of what areas of finance interest you.
- Ya Yang, General Mills
7. Be yourself. Recruiters can tell when you're being phony.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic


For more in-depth interviewing preparation visit our website: http://www.lssaa.wisc.edu/careers/students/interview_prep.html