November « 2012 « The Career Development Center Blog

Have you ever worked with someone who had mood swings that affected the whole office? Or maybe you had a colleague who often got angry in meetings, sparking tension and disagreements? Have you worked with someone who always knew the right thing to say to make you feel better? Have you been supervised by someone whose positive attitude infected the entire workplace culture?

These are examples of how emotional intelligence can impact the workplace, whether your workplace is an office, a restaurant, a store, or a factory. Very few people work alone. Most people work on teams or in other kinds of groups. So, employers are looking for people who can navigate those teams well and improve the team by being a member of it. For all these reasons, emotional intelligence is a huge plus for a potential candidate.

So, what exactly is emotional intelligence? The technical definition is that it measures the level of ability an individual has in regulating his or her own emotions and moods as well as understanding and considering the emotions of others. People with high levels of emotional intelligence are adept at adapting to stressful situations and having difficult conversations. They can regulate themselves emotionally and help others to regulate themselves by offering care or respect or positivity. Emotionally intelligent people are good at sensing what other people are feeling and knowing how to react to those feelings in order to reduce tension and conflict.

You can see why this would be a good quality to have with your friends and family, but why does it matter at work? Well, there are certain skills associated with high emotional intelligence that correlate to success at work, including social skills, self-awareness, self-control, and motivation. High emotional intelligence also coincides with the ability to manage stress. Work can be stressful, and employers want to know that their employees can handle that stress in productive ways. They also want to know that their employees are self-aware enough to know how other perceive them, including clients and customers.

How can you cultivate emotional intelligence? Treat your co-workers with respect and build relationships with them. Go to work with a positive attitude whenever possible, and if you’re having a bad day, let people know that you’re struggling. If you feel yourself getting angry or frustrated at work, take a moment to examine why before reacting. You will be surprised how often just thinking through a problem or conflict that is upsetting before you react will eliminate the power of the feeling associated with it. Try not to blame others for workplace mistakes but offer solutions to problems. Finally, in your interactions with your co-workers, be in tune with them, ask them how things are going, and actually care about the answer. There is nothing as frustrating as working with someone who only pretends to care. If you build caring relationships at work, you will build your emotional intelligence, and be able to exhibit this at work and in future interviews. With some luck, taking the time to care about those you work with will lead to other opportunities, through referrals and recommendations. There are many different kinds of intelligence, and emotional intelligence is a useful one to work on increasing.

Posted by Jessica Baron, Graduate Assistant Career Advisor at OSU

To view this job/internship listing, you must be a currently registered OSU student and have an existing Beaver JobNet account. If you are eligible and do not have an account, register now. Beaver JobNet is a great way to get your job or internship search started. Meet employers from a variety of organizations.

Job/Internship of the Week

Actuarial Summer Internship
Cambia Health Solutions

Description:

Bottom line has a whole new meaning when you’re accountable to members, not shareholders.
Some companies look around the boardroom and see profits. We see families who are counting on us to help them be well. Join a dynamic not-for-profit actuarial team where members come first.

Cambia Health Solutions’ Actuarial Division is responsible for proactively managing and retrospectively tracking and reporting on the financial and risk positions within the company and supporting the strategic goals of the corporation. Within that context, the Actuarial Intern performs technical, analytical and support functions to help the division and the company meet its goals.

Desired Major(s):

College of Business, College of Science/Mathematics

Desired Class Level(s)

Fifth Year Senior, Junior, Senior

Qualifications:

Combine your academic experience with the following skills and abilities:
• Candidates must be working towards a degree in mathematics, business information systems, actuarial science, statistics, economics or computer science or have passed at least one actuarial exam
• Candidates must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets, statistical analysis, database creation and management
• Candidates must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program through spring 2013
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

*Strong preference towards candidates who are interested in working at Cambia full time after graduating.

For more information, including how to apply check out the posting in Beaver JobNet.

For nine years Black Friday has been recorded as the busiest shopping day of the year. The shopping extravaganza, which takes place the day after Thanksgiving, begins anywhere from midnight to 4am when lines of eager shoppers await various store openings in order to snatch up some of the best deals seen all year. Much like preparing for a job interview, Black Friday involves much planning and preparation. Here are 3 ways preparing for Black Friday is like preparing for a job interview:

Do your Research. When preparing for your job interview, research can be helpful in learning a little bit about the company such as its missions and goals. It can also give insight on statistics and competitors in the particular field in which you will be interviewing. Doing your research for Black Friday is also important. BlackFriday.com already has Black Friday ads for 2012 posted for major stores like Walmart, Best Buy, and Sears. Researching and comparing ads from different stores can be helpful to ensure you are getting the best deal. To go even further, researching past and current prices of the item you are hoping to buy can also be helpful to ensure you are really getting a deal. (I bought a camera last year on Black Friday and it turned out I waited in line at 4 in the morning for a small 10 dollar discount on it! Sometimes the small discounts might not be worth all the hassle of Black Friday.)
Prepare & Practice. Though you don’t know the specific questions that will be asked of you in your interview, there are still a few ways you can prepare and practice. Making a list of your skills and accomplishments can help you give specific examples in your interview answers, while practicing and recording yourself answering questions can make you aware of your mannerisms and habits. Making a list for Black Friday is important in helping you stay on track and stay focused. Many big stores like Target and Walmart get so crowded with shoppers that things can become very overwhelming and intense. Sometimes with limited number of items, stores have people pushing and shoving for the latest and greatest deals. This is also why practice can be important in preparing for your shopping day. It can be helpful to visit the stores you plan on going to and get familiar with the set-up and layout of the store. Some stores may also rearrange their layout for the big day, so sometimes maps are placed in their Black Friday ads which show where big items and different departments will be set up.
Image. The last step in preparing for your interview is deciding what to wear. “Dressing the part” can be crucial in the interview process, sometimes making or breaking the outcome. Dressing the part for your interview usually varies depending on the company and position. In addition to dressing the part, making sure you are comfortable can be important, as well as being conscious of things you might fidget with or that might be distracting like hair, jewelry, etc. With long lines and crowded stores, dressing the part is just as important on Black Friday. Being comfortable is also highly recommended for Black Friday since you will be doing a lot of walking and a lot of standing in lines. Having comfortable clothing can also make moving through the stores easier, helping you get in and out at a quicker pace. (I waited in line at a store for 2 hours on Black Friday 3 years ago!)

There you have it…so be sure to do your research, get prepared, and get comfortable and you will be ready to take on those Black Friday deals as well as an interview!

Posted by Erica Evans, Career Services Assistant

Job/Internship of the Week
Child & Adolescent Treatment Specialist
Trillium Family Services

Description

At Trillium Family Services, we believe that every team member has an integral role in the lifesaving treatment we provide. We offer hope in understanding life challenges and work with clients, families and community support networks to help children heal and return to their homes and loved ones, where they can lead lives that fulfill their potential. We believe that those we serve have suffered trauma and that this trauma greatly impacts their lives. We are a trauma informed agency and aim to provide safe, reparative emotional experiences. We hold these commitments in our trauma informed principles: build safety, emotional management and cognitive skills; help overcome barriers to healthy communication; create skills of self control and self discipline; establish healthy attachment relationships and rebuild social connections; and help to work through loss and prepare for the future.

Trillium Family Services offers a great opportunity to be part of a dedicated team helping children and adolescents in psychiatric residential treatment. The Child and Adolescent Treatment Specialist is an entry-level, direct care position that helps provide innovative models of care and treatment for children and adolescents living with mental illness. We look to hire people who are passionate about working with our population and who are committed to improving the lives of those we serve through our trauma informed models of practice.

Responsibilities: Build rapport with clients and provide daily support and structure. Provide skills training to clients in order to help them learn to manage their mental health symptoms. Model, coach and counsel clients regarding appropriate hygiene, social and interpersonal interactions. Manage crisis situations as needed. Administer medications as required and directed. Monitor clients according to assigned shifts. Complete required chart entries and professional documentation. Plan, supervise and participate with clients in study and recreational programs according to agency policies.

Pay range is $10.15 – $10.90 per hour (depending on experience and $0.75/hr shift differential for the Awake Overnight shift). Extensive paid training provided for all new hires, including a mandatory 40 hour training academy. Child and Adolescent Treatment Specialists are not required to have a degree, but relevant experience and education, including QMHA status, is preferred.

We currently have availability for full & part-time day, swing and awake overnight shifts.

Trillium Family Services is an equal opportunity service provider and employer.

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time, Permanent Part-Time, Temporary/Seasonal – Full Time, Temporary / Seasonal – Part Time, Internship – Paid, Internship – Unpaid

Qualifications

Bachelors Degree in behavioral science (30-36 quarter hours of mental health classes) or related field; or equivalent education/relevant experience (Qualified Mental Health Associate). Experience working with children and adolescents (coaching, 4-H, church youth group, practicum, camp or other recreational activities). Experience working with at-risk children and youth preferred. Must be physically able to restrain an out-of-control child and able to lift at least 50 pounds.

For more information, including how to apply check out the posting in Beaver JobNet.

Career Development refers to the skills and experiences that can help you grow personally and professionally. Here, at Career Services we offer a wide range of services that can help you attain this value knowledge that can be helpful for you when seeking a career:

Beaver JobNet

Beaver JobNet is OSU Career Services’ online career management system and it is a great way for students and alums to get started in their job/internship search. Students/alums can connect with employers from a variety of organizations as well as from locations around the country and around the world. 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. You can access Beaver JobNet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Career Fairs

Career Fairs are a place to find jobs and internships. This event offers you the chance to network with employers and explore a position or organization that you had not previously considered. These employers travel to Oregon State University just to see you. Take advantage of this opportunity to get started on your career!

Resume and Cover Letters

Drop-in sessions are approximately 15-minute sessions that do not require an appointment. At the drop-in sessions, career services staff are on-call to critique your resume, cover letter, curriculum vitae, or graduate school application. We can also help you with any Beaver JobNet questions.

Drop-in hours are: Monday through Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM in Career Services (basement of Kerr Administration Building)

No appointment is necessary, simply come in and sign up for the next available time and a career assistant will help you with any questions you may have.

Informational Interviews

One of the best sources for gathering information about what’s happening in an occupation or an industry is to talk to people working in the field. This process is called informational or research interviewing. An informational interview is an interview that you initiate – you ask the questions. The purpose is to obtain information and build your network! Find out more about how to go about doing an informational interview on our website or check out our blog post on informational interviewing.

How to Explore Majors and Careers

Explore what you can do with a certain major or degree. For example, what can you do with that history or English major? Hint: There’s more than just teaching! Check out the section on our website, “What Can I Do with This Degree” or learn more about yourself through SIGI3, a special tool that can help you to plan your career. Among the features offered on SIGI³ you will find tools to help you research occupations, choose, change, or clarify a major, and evaluate your interests, skills, values and personality.

Consider visiting OSU’s University Exploratory Studies Program, which provides outstanding advising and resources for students in the process of deciding on a major. And consider taking ALS 114 (Career Decision-Making) for a structured and engaging career exploration experience.

Make an appointment with a Career Counselor to discuss your options.

These are just a few tips that can help you be successful in career development. If you need further help, call us at 541-737-4085 from Monday-Friday 8-5, we will gladly assist you with any career related needs.

Posted by Phi Vu, Career Services Assistant

Job/Internship of the Week

For more information such as contact information click here

Expense-Paid Internships
Student Conservation Association

Description:

INTERNSHIP
Get Real Conservation Experience with SCA Expense-Paid Internships. For college and graduate students, as well as other qualified individuals, SCA internships provide the opportunity to work directly with resource management professionals, while gaining tangible skills, and contributing substantially to the preservation of our natural and cultural treasures. Ranging in length from 12 to 52 weeks, in all 50 states, SCA Internships are available throughout the year in all conservation disciplines. All positions are expense-paid (living stipend, housing, round trip travel) and most offer insurance and AmeriCorps Education awards.

CONSERVATION CORPS
In this SCA program, college and graduate students and other qualified participants address specific, urgent conservation challenges. Projects may include mitigating wildland fire risks, eradicating invasive plants while protecting native species, restoring desert lands scarred by off-road vehicles, or providing environmental education in community classrooms. SCA Corps programs, some of which are offered in cooperation with AmeriCorps, run for up to 10 months, and members often share a communal residence.

As a Corps member, you’ll live and work with like-minded individuals who share a connection to the land and the people who live there. Corps members have the same application process and benefits as Conservation Interns.
Corps members spend 3-10 months devoted to critical environmental issues such as wildfire management and education, trail restoration and maintenance, environmental education, and invasive species eradication. This is a great opportunity to give back while you learn from the land on the land. Join the many SCA Corps volunteers who know there’s work to be done. This is real get-your-hands-dirty conservation.

All positions are expense-paid (living stipend, housing, round trip travel) and most offer insurance and AmeriCorps Education awards.

Apply online at www.thesca.org
Email: eescamilla@thesca.org with any questions.

Desired Major(s): All Majors

Desired Class Level(s): Alumnus/a, Fifth Year Senior, Freshman, Masters, Junior, Other, Post Baccalaureate, Senior, Sophomore

Salary Level

http://www.thesca.org/serve/internships/benefits

Job Function

Administration, Administrative / Support Services, Advocacy, Agriculture/Natural Resources/Environment, Animal Care (Non-Veterinary), Animal Care (Veterinary), Communication, Community Service, Education/Teaching, Event Planning / Coordination, General Labor, Hospitality / Hotel / Restaurant, Interactive Media, Journalism, Library Science, Management, Management/Administration, Marketing, Marketing/Sales, Other, Performing Arts, Political Organization / Lobbying, Project Management / Coordination, Public Relations, Research, Social Services, Volunteer, Writing

Duration

Start times and duration vary

Qualifications

18+ years old
High school diploma or GED

Many things come into consideration when planning a holiday season budget. You have to think about the amount of money that is going to be spent on gifts for friends and family, the cost of food, decorations and travel expenses. Although it can be tricky and stressful, planning a holiday budget and sticking to it, is POSSIBLE. The following are a list of tips in the right direction of doing so.

1.) Determine what you can afford to spend.

Look over your finances, and determine how much you can afford to spend on holiday-related purchases. Set this figure as your overall holiday spending limit.

2.) Set a spending limit for each area of holiday spending.

Set a limit for each category of holiday spending such as gifts, food, decorations and traveling.

3.) Track your spending throughout the season.

Keep a running total of your purchases and after every purchase, track how closely you’re adhering to your budget.

4.) Tweak your budget to cover any instances of overspending.

Don’t panic if you overspend in one of the categories; just scale your spending back in another category to make up for it.

5.) Hang on to a copy of your budget after the holidays are over

Old receipts and lists of where your money was spent the previous year can be extremely helpful in planning future budgets.

6.) Don’t be afraid to change your budget.

A good budget is always evolving

7.) Don’t forget to include your upcoming expenses not related to the holiday.

Always remember that you still have bills to pay and other possible expenses such as, tuition bills or deductions from your paycheck to pay for health insurance after the New Year as well.

8.) Eliminate and Create

Even though it’s fun to buy gifts for everyone you know and love, maybe consider eliminating some people from your list. Also, purchasing gifts is not always the answer. You could create something that is just as meaningful, if not more.

9.) Communicate with family about budget.

Discuss how much your family members are planning to spend on gifts, this way you aren’t spending $50 on them, when they are only planning to spend $10 on a gift for you. Just make sure you are all on the same page!

10.) Avoid problem stores and over spending triggered by emotions and holiday spirit

Most likely there are going to be places where you have over spent in the past, so avoiding those stores is your best bet. Also, that “certain someone” you are buying for may trigger emotional overspending so try your best to avoid that or note it in your budget and move on.

Posted by Carly Larson, Career Services Assistant

Job/Internship of theWeek

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

Description:

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

It’s almost Election Day, and that means that all across the nation emotions are running high. Sometimes it can be hard to navigate the murky waters of political discussion, especially in a work setting, so here are some tips for how to handle yourself at the crossroads of politics and your career.

Honestly, the advice you’ll probably hear the most is that it’s best to try to avoid the topic altogether. Making your political sentiments known can erode relations with your coworkers, drive customers away, and even possibly threaten your place in the company. It’s also important to note that Facebook and Twitter can count as workplace politics! If your colleagues can see your posts, or if you’re posting in a way that reflects on your company, you could face disciplinary action. Often it depends on the company’s policies and whether they think your private behavior is directly affecting your work performance, but it’s prudent not to risk it.

However, if you believe in being able to voice your opinions at work, there are a few tips to manage avoiding confrontations while discussing politics in the workplace.

Choose your audience wisely. To avoid unnecessarily straining relationships with your colleagues, be careful about who you start discussions with. Coworkers that are trusted friends are the best audience. Also, take a cautious approach to avoid saying something that may be seen as offensive to the other person; don’t just assume that someone shares your views on issues. It would also be good to take some time to figure out your workplace’s written and unwritten rules for topics of conversation like these.
Open dialogue and mutual respect. It’s important to remember that it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to change someone’s mind about an issue, just like they probably won’t be able to change yours. Clearly showing your respect for other opinions and keeping it as an exchange of views rather than a heated debate will help all parties in the conversation keep their cool.
Try to find common ground. Mutual respect is a lot easier to achieve if you reinforce the values you have in common with others. In many cases you probably both want the same thing; you just have different ideas on how it will be accomplished. Common ground will help you see things from your coworker’s point of view.
Be aware of the situation. Obviously there are some situations that are more appropriate for these kinds of discussions than others. If your boss feels that the time you’re taking to engage in debate is affecting your job productivity, you could be in trouble. The best time for sensitive discussions with coworkers is outside of work time, either during breaks or outside of work altogether.
Disengage from confrontation. If confrontation does arise, maintain your neutrality. Try to diplomatically steer the conversation to a different topic. If that doesn’t work, gracefully withdraw from the conversation and let them know that you’re just not feeling comfortable with where it’s headed.

Politics is one of those topics that is very polarizing and subjective. If you’re cognizant of your language and attitude, and the mood of those around you, providing a safe environment for open dialogue should hopefully be fairly straightforward. And if you’re ever in doubt, avoid sensitive topics altogether.

Posted by Deirdre Newton, Career Assistant

The Career Development Center Blog

Explore. Educate. Empower. Engage.

Monthly Archives: November 2012

Emotional Intelligence: What is it? And why do employers want emotionally intelligent employees?

Job/Internship of the Week-Cambia Health Solutions

3 Ways Preparing for Black Friday is Like Preparing for a Job Interview

Job/Internship of the Week-Trillium Family Services

Career Development- A few resourceful tips

Job/Internship of the Week-Student Conservation Association

10 Tips for Budgeting Success over the Holidays

Job/Internship of the Week-Turpertine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Politics in the Workplace

Contact Info