In fact, rather than being sad if you’re single this Valentine’s Day, take it as a chance to make the choice to change your attitude about the holiday. Being positive and not taking for granted all the good things you have going for you will undoubtedly become apparent in other aspects of your life, such as at work and at school. Take the time to appreciate your coworkers, schoolmates, professors, and bosses. It’s so much easier to be happy if you dwell on the positives rather than the negatives, and positivity can take you a long way in your professional development.

Also, holidays such as Valentine’s Day can offer valuable lessons when it comes to things like the job search or maybe advancement within your current career. Giving the same care and attention to your professional development as you would to your significant other can result in huge payoffs in the end.

Tailor your resume. Just like you wouldn’t give a regifted item to your significant other, don’t reuse the same resume/cover letter. Every time you turn in your resume, you should look it over and make sure it’s relevant to the position you’re applying for. You can even go so far as to use some of the specific language that’s in the original job description, to make sure that it’s obvious that you’re a good fit for the position.

Dress to impress. You probably wouldn’t go out for a romantic Valentine’s dinner without looking your best, so approach interviews as opportunities to “woo” the employer. Dressing your best to make a great first impression is almost as important as the entire rest of the interview.

Stand out. Let’s face it: flowers and chocolate aren’t exactly the most original gifts to give on Valentine’s Day. To really make the occasion memorable, you have to think outside the box. The same thing applies to your career: in order to get the job or be recognized for your hard work at your current job, you have to make the effort to stand out among your peers.

Be proactive. Relationships usually don’t just happen, they take a certain amount of work to initiate and keep going. Likewise, a career won’t just happen without any effort on your part. Take the extra step to follow up after you turn in your resume and after an interview so that you maximize your chances of standing out among your competition.

With these tips in mind, I hope you have a successful Valentine’s Day and some new ideas about your professional development!

Reference: http://spisolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/valentines1.jpg

Posted by Deirdre Newton, Career Services Assistant

Want to nominate an OSU student or alum for the Student/Alum Spotlight series? Or do you want to share your own success? Then please fill out this quick form and Career Services will contact the person nominated.

Name: Emily Berkey

Major: Sociology & Human Development & Family Sciences

Year in School: Senior

Industry: Music

The music industry can be challenging to get into. Tell us how you got started.
I took advantage of every opportunity that came my way. I began by doing hospitality for an artist at a concert, and took that opportunity to network and make connections beyond those that were already given to me. That night I was able to walk away with a video taped interview, an internship with a woman who does PR work, and a connection to the artist, whom I still keep in touch with.

 What did you do in your position?
I began, just like everyone else, at the bottom of the music industry totem pole. By being positive and staying true to myself, I have been able to make lasting connections. I quickly ascended from hospitality to interviewer, to now writing for a large magazine.
I am also the Director of Promotions at KBVR FM, and the host of Sunday Night Slow Jams. KBVR FM has been a great resource to get my voice out there and to network with others. I am able to help smaller, underground artists by playing them on my show, and have been able to utilize social networking sites to build my listener base.

What advice do you have for others who are preparing for their job search or career?
I would advise others to follow their passion and to never stop dreaming. If you have a passion and an idea of what you want to do, pursue it. It’s amazing how far positive thinking will get you. I would also encourage people to not be discouraged and to welcome criticism, and even ask for it! I believe it’s really important to never stop learning, so welcome knowledge from others but receive it with a critical ear.

Did Career Services assist you anyway? If so, how?
I met with career counselor, Marian Moore, for the first time in February of 2012. I told her where I was and where I wanted to be. She calmly looked at me and basically said, “ok, let’s do this!”. Marian truly believed in me and quickly became one of my greatest cheerleaders. She legitimized my desire to work in an industry that would be challenging and a test of my wits and character. Marian believed in me when many others didn’t, and helped me to organize my thoughts and goals in order to pursue my dream in a practical, non-overwhelming way. Before I knew it, I was checking things off of my goal list and seeing amazing progress. Thank you, Marian!!

Job/Internship of theWeek

For more information such as contact information click here
Animal Keeper-Intern
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a no-kill facility committed to rescuing abused, abandoned and unwanted Big Cats. Since our inception in 1992 we have rescued more than 200 exotic animals, giving them a caring, lifelong home at the Refuge.

These magnificent creatures are the unfortunate, unwanted products of the private trade in exotic animals; most of them would have been destroyed if we were not able to take them.

We are constantly building large natural habitats for our growing family of Big Cats, which give them the room to run, play, and explore like never before.

Turpentine Creek is accepting applications for two types of full-time intern positions at the Refuge.

Job Description – Animal Keeper Position: Responsible for the daily care of tigers, lions, cougars, black bears, grizzly bear, black and spotted leopards, African servals, African caracal, bobcats, rhesus macaque monkey, and hoof stock. Duties include animal husbandry, enrichment, record-keeping of animal behavior, educational public tours, and customer service. Daily care includes cleaning, feeding, medicating the animals; and assisting with maintenance, upkeep, and habitat construction.

A Bachelor’s Degree in an animal related discipline is preferred. Nine positions are open.

Job Description –

Horticulture Position: Assist with the maintenance and improvement of the landscaped areas of the Refuge, including the planting, pruning and watering of trees, shrubs, and perennials; spreading mulch on landscaped areas; labeling of plant displays; mowing; weed undergrowth and plant litter removal. Responsible for the identification of toxic plant, as well as the browse for environmental enrichment. This internship requires the completion of an Independent Project. Must be able to lift 50+ lbs.

Requires the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture, Botany, or a related field involving horticultural and landscaping practices. One position is open.

Compensation: Weekly cash stipend of $50 for living expenses, as well as housing on the Refuge, which has heat, air conditioning, utilities, full bath, kitchen, and a washer and dryer, satellite TV, and free long distance.

New Positions Begin: February 1, 2013: positions last for six months, with an option to extend.

Deadline for Applications: November 15, 2012

Location of Internship: Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Education is one of the key components of your resume and if you’re a college student, education would highlight your achievement during your time at a university or any college institution. To draw attention to your education, make sure that you have these key components:

• Specify what degree you are pursuing (PhD, MA/MS, BS/BA) followed by a concentration
• Month /year of graduation, whether the degree is expected or received
• List any minors or special academic certificates that you may have
• GPA can be listed if it is above 3.0, otherwise it is optional, depending on employer requests
• Academic achievement such as magna cum laude and summa cum laude can also be listed
• Thesis and dissertation titles can be listed here as well

Study Abroad Experience

Study Aboard is a way to showcase your intercultural competency skills of which can be very appealing to potential employers. While aboard, you are able to experience and learn about different cultures and immerse yourself in a diverse environment. While abroad, consider the following:

• What personal achievements did I attain abroad?
• How can I apply my new language skills?
• What challenges did I face abroad and how was I able to surpass with my personal strengths?
• Did I contribute to any projects, philanthropy or volunteer work while studying aboard?
• How did this experience shape my views of working and living with people from diverse backgrounds?

Think of how this experience will benefit you when you can list on your resume that you have lived and studied abroad.

Internship Experience

When it comes to internship experience, make sure to be specific in describing your accomplishments with a particular organization/company. Provide the reader with ample information that is relevant, precise and significant to the positions that you will be applying. Major details such as projects that you worked on, a budget proposal that you crafted or any developmental plans that you initiated that made an impact should be listed here. Some internship tips for resumes are:

• Highlight your achievement(s)
• What new skills or knowledge did you gain from being an intern?
• Is your internship relevant to the position(s) for which you applying?

Language Experience

Speaking another language or multiple languages can be a bonus to your resume. As there is a demand for speaking more than one language, language proficiency can be crucial if you are applying for a job that calls for it. Here are some of the ways that you can list your proficiency:

• Native: Specify this in your resume if you grew up and living in the country/household that primarily uses this language on a daily basis, considering this as bilingual

• Fluent: If you are capable of holding a conversation at dinner parties, able to converse eloquently and answer questions asked, ability to use figure of speech, idioms or creative language

• Proficient: Capable of forming complex sentences, although your vocabulary may be limited, but you can rephrase sentences that match the situation or questions asked

• Conversational: “An elevator conversation” or “I can order food in another language conversation” is classified as conversational. At this stage you are limited to asking questions with regards to the weather, how one’s doing or simple sentences, but cannot withhold a complex conversation

These are some key components that can help you improve your resume appeal. Don’t forget to consult with Career Services if you have any questions about enhancing your resume.

Good luck!

By: Casey Anderson

Many students hear the phrase “Happy May Day” and it triggers nothing more in their minds then “one more month and I’ll be free,” meaning summer is almost here.  May Day however, also called Labor Day, Loyalty Day, or International Worker’s Day, is a mark of the strength and spirit of trade and labor organizations and is celebrated in more than 80 countries.

The Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions brought forth the proposal for a Labor Day celebration and worker’s rights exhibition in April of 1886.  May 1^st of that year was to be the first demonstration with strikes and marches, but American business owners refused to comply and police were called to break up the demonstration.  Later named the Haymarket Massacre, it began while a peaceful rally was taking place in support of workers striking for an eight-hour day.  An unknown individual threw a bomb at police as they were acting to disperse the public meeting.  The police opened fire and at least 12 individuals were killed, with many others wounded.  For many years, May Day has commemorated the individuals who lost their lives at this horrifying event.

Although the majority of the world still celebrates International Worker’s Day on May 1^st, President Cleveland moved the day to September because he feared it would be associated with the craziness of the anarchists who were leading many of the strikes.  Oregon was actually the first state to make it a holiday in 1887.  Go Oregon!

The history of the significant holidays and important days in the history of the American workforce are common small-talk topics at holiday parties, networking events, and during office tours when you begin your new job.  It is a good idea to research these events so you can impress your future employees and maybe even discover some additional reasons to celebrate.

Want to nominate an OSU student or alum for the Student/Alum Spotlight series? Or do you want to share your own success? Then please fill out this quick form and Career Services will contact the person nominated.

Name: Katie Merrill

Majors: Industrial Engineering and Finance

Year in School: Junior (3^rd Year)

Internship: Boeing

1. How did you find out about the internship? I found out about this internship through the OSU Fall Career Fair in 2011. I was a sophomore in Finance and a freshman in Engineering. I attended to justify my double major and see if there was a potential need for someone with my skill set in the workforce. I was not looking for a particular internship and was planning on going back home and work on a neighboring farm that summer.
2. What did you do in your position? At Boeing I was a Methods Process Analyst Industrial Engineering Intern with the Wings Team on the 787 Program. I was able to make an impact while working with a fantastic team and knowledgeable mechanics. In my position I learned about the airplane build and also about collaborating with different people throughout the organization. This internship gave me insight that I had never had before about a large manufacturing environment and an Industrial Engineer’s impact within that community.
3.  What advice do you have for others interested in finding an internship? I have one piece of advice for others interested in finding internships. Be enthusiastic about learning. A manager or company is interested in people who are willing to come in with an open mind and a good attitude.
4. Did Career Services assist you anyway? If so, how? Career Services has all of the credit for giving me wings to fly. I never thought I would have an internship after my second year of school. Due to the career fair, I was able to begin my journey with Boeing Commercial Airplanes and justify the validity of my double major.

1. Communication Skills (Verbal) – Even though written communication is in the top 10, verbal communication is even more valuable to employers. Verbal communication includes listening and speaking and how you communicate can say a lot about you. You can practice these verbal communication skills with peers (or do a mock interview), and then when it is time to execute during an interview you will be prepared.
2. Strong Work Ethic – An employee who is motivated to getting the job done and committed to deadlines are prized workers. Going above and beyond the job description will make you stand out and demonstrate that you are a hard worker.
3. Teamwork Skills – Team projects often arise in the workplace whether we like it or not. Being successful with this skill means working productively with a variety of people, utilizing the various skills within the group, and overcoming any differences between members.
4. Analytical Skills – Being able to gather information in order to assess a situation or problem is a highly desirable skill. It might mean visualizing a way to make a procedure more efficient or figuring out how to compromise to make schedules work.
5. Initiative – Assessing a situation and taking action before your employer asks not only saves them time with delegating tasks, but shows you can take charge and lead without being asked.
6. Problem Solving Skills – Employers dislike having to micromanage constantly and being interrupted all the time, thus problem solving skills come in handy, especially when it in turn makes you standout.
7. Communication Skills (Written) – If you can showcase your ability to communicate in your resume and cover letter you will already have shown them you have solid communication skills. Written communication including email, reports, and proposals, are used in an assortment of jobs.
8. Interpersonal Skills – Being able to communicate and relate effectively with your coworkers is not only beneficial to you but your employer as well. Relationship building with coworkers makes work more enjoyable for you and saves your boss from having to resolve conflicts between employees.
9. Computer Skills – According to Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project from 2008, 96% of workers used technology at work, which included online work, email and word processors. Luckily, with school demanding the use of all these technologies, by the time students reach the workplace they already have a solid foundation. In this survey it was reported that computer skills and written communication went hand in hand.

10.  Flexibility/Adaptability – Being able to “go with the flow” has many positive attributes with employers, be it shuffling around projects to make sure one gets completed sooner or rescheduling a meeting. Knowing that you will be able to perform even if the day’s schedule gets messed up gives an employer confidence in your abilities as an employee.

All these skills can easily be displayed in a resume, through the experiences you decide to provide and the use of power verbs. It might give you a leg up if your employer knows you have some of these skills already under your belt. Come in with a resume or cover letter during our drop-in hours (Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm in Kerr Administration Building, Tuesday and Wednesday 6-8 pm in Valley Library and Wednesday 2-4 pm in Milam 116) and we can help you figure out how to represent these skills best, so you can get the job you want!

Posted by Sami Kerzel, Career Services Assistant

Beaver JobNet  is a great way to get your job or internship search started. Meet employers from a variety of organizations as well as from locations around the country and around the world. This program serves students and alumni alike. Employers are seeking applicants for positions including full-time, co-ops and internships, summer camps, national parks employment, and volunteer organizations such as the Peace Corps. Students can access Beaver JobNet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Check out the Career Services website for more information about finding a job or finding an internship.

Job of the Week:

State Department Student Intern
Foreign Service

Every year the Department of State hosts 2000 student interns during the spring, summer, and fall terms. About half serve in Washington, DC, and the other half serve in U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. Our internships are great opportunities to get an inside look into the Foreign Service, the positions and the responsibilities that are possible. Deadlines are early – November 1, 2011 for the summer 2012 program!

For full information please see careers.state.gov, where you can download this brochure about our internship program: http://careers.state.gov/uploads/3b/0f/3b0f315e5f0c1c0fd926893aa9dc1e25/4.0_Student_Intern_brochure.pdf.

You can also attend an information session offered by the Diplomat in Residence for the Pacific Northwest, who’ll be on the OSU campus October 7th in Career Services (B008 Kerr Administration Building). There will be an information session at noon and another at 5pm that day.

Have you ever found yourself wondering, I know there are jobs out there that may be perfect that I’ve never heard of.  How do I find them? Most people ask this at one time or another.  There are many ways to research occupations, but one of the most effective is:  Informational Interviewing.

What is “informational interviewing”, you ask?  An informational interview is an interview that you initiate with someone in a field that interests you.  You ask the questions, because the purpose is to obtain information.  This is one of the best sources for gathering information about what’s happening in an occupation or an industry, because you’re talking to people actually working in the field.  You get to interact with someone and have a dialogue—something you can’t do with a computer screen. Informational Interviews allow you to:

• explore careers and clarify your career goal
• discover employment opportunities that are not advertised
• expand your professional network
• build confidence for your job interviews
• access the most up-to-date career information
• identify your professional strengths and weaknesses

Informational interviews can teach you about those mysterious job descriptions you’ve never heard of, and give you insider information about your field of interest.  And best of all, they can teach you what kinds of experiences you’ll need to give yourself a leg-up in the job market during these tough economic times!

To conduct an informational interview, follow these steps:  1) Identify the occupation or industry you wish to learn about, 2) Identify People to Interview 3) Prepare for the interview, 4) Arrange the Interview, 5) Follow Up.

More questions?  Come to the Career Center and meet with one of our career counselors.

Posted by Anne Lapour, Career Counselor

Question: Where would I put overseas experience on a resume?

Overseas experience can go under many sections, depending on your experience and the position you are applying for. If you mainly took classes abroad, I would put it under “Education” listed as

Study Abroad – Country – length of time (you could include the university if you want)

If you did an internship abroad, then I would put it under “Experience” and highlight what you did and the skills gained. If you studied abroad and did research, that could go under “Research Experience”. If the trip was more based on activities and travel, then it could go under “Activities”.

Overall, it really depends on what you want to highlight from your overseas experience  but whatever you decide, you only need to mention it once on the resume, you don’t want to list it under multiple sections.

Posted by Jen Busick, Career Advisor & Outreach Coordinator