Career Exploration « The Career Development Center Blog

Posted by: Tim Chen, OSU Student and Career Services Career Assistant

Are you interested in finding a job that gives you a chance to explore the world? If so, consider looking into job opportunities with various cruise lines. The top cruise lines in the United States are based in Miami, Florida. With various routes used all year long, Cruise ship companies are always looking for people to employ. There are many different job opportunities available on board each cruise ship depending on the skills and/or abilities you would like to bring with you.

I had a chance to attend an Alaskan Cruise last summer. During their last trip, the cruise director of the Serenade of the Seas had talked about the employment process for working on a cruise ship. Although not all companies follow this process, this particular company seeks interested applicants and will place them in a short seasonal contract (3 months), to try out the position. If the employee enjoys their job, then they are generally offered a contract that lasts for about 8-10 months.

The advantage for working as a crew member on a cruise ship is the ability to travel to many attractive destinations. Although most of the time is spent on the cruise ship, crew members often have a chance to visit and shop the various destinations. Also, because the crew members live on the cruise ship, they don’t have to worry about paying rent for a place to live, and they also have access to free meals, free laundry, free medical insurance (required by maritime law), and a free shared room on the ship. All in all, this can save the crew member expenses when working on board the ship.

The potential disadvantage is the amount of hours worked in a week. Although each position has specific details, most crew members work roughly 12-14 hours 7 days a week. Crew members are guaranteed breaks throughout the day to compensate for the long hours. Another fact is that crew members generally share a bunked bed in the lower cabins of the ship, which do not contain any windows. The living areas may not be appealing for those who are picky about where they sleep at night. Finally, this position is NOT recommended for those with sea sickness.

All in all, working on a cruise line is definitely an experience! It provides an opportunity to gain many skills such as work safety, first aid, and customer service skills. Best of all, you have the ability to meet people from all over the world. Cruise ship lines always hire crew members from various parts of the world, so there is a high level of diversity on board the ship. I remember that my cruise director made the joke saying that if the cruise ship was a country recognized by the United Nations, it would be one of the most peaceful places in the world. That statement reflects the amazing diversity experience people can gain from traveling and working with the crew members in a cruise ship.

Posted by Rachel Erickson, OSU Senior and Career Services Career Assistant

There are many benefits to gaining a graduate degree. I am sure almost everyone has seen the statistics about the average difference in income among high school graduates, Bachelor degree graduates, and Master degree graduates. However, getting a graduate degree might not be best for everyone right away. If you are considering going to graduate school after completing your undergraduate degree there are some important issues to consider. One issue is whether employers in your field generally prefer new hires to have had work experience before getting their graduate degree. Another issue is the time that it takes to complete tests and application materials. If you are considering graduate school, talk with your academic advisor and consider making an appointment at Career Services to discuss these and some other important topics.

For information on graduate school including why to go to graduate school, the perspective of a professor on undergraduate school vs. graduate school, and accelerated programs go to http://www.gradschools.com/Category/Why-GradSchool.html. Also, if you are interested in what schools offer graduate degrees in your field of choice go to the same website and choose the “Find a Program” tab at the top of the page.

Interested in learning about more about a fabulous professional development opportunity? Interested in finding a rewarding and challenging experience when you graduate from OSU? Interested in giving back to students and the community? Interested in learning all this from the comfort of your own home? You’re in luck!

Teach for America is hosting several online events this spring to learn more about different aspects of their program. These are very low-key, and there’s no commitment, but these are great opportunities to become more aware of a way to work towards ending educational inequity in our country. If you’re interested in any of the events below, simply click on the link to RSVP, and you’ll get information to call into a conference line number when the event goes “live.” Please feel free to contact Matea Bozja (matea.bozja@teachforamerica.org) with any questions.

TUESDAY, APRIL 6

» Introduction to Teach For America: Learn about our mission and approach to closing the achievement gap and hear a firsthand account of what it’s like to be a corps member. 8 pm EST

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7

» Pre-Med Webinar Featuring Medical School Deans: Hear a med school dean talk about the value of the Teach For America experience and how it will help you in your medical career. 4 pm EST

THURSDAY, APRIL 8

» Teach For America’s Graduate School Partnerships: You don’t have to choose between Teach For America and grad school! Learn about our 200+ deferral partnerships and hear alumni testimonials. 9 pm EST

Posted by Anne Lapour, Career Counselor

Are you a liberal arts major? Do you take joy in the beauty of a classic novel, love a good historical drama, or perk up at the thought of your Abnormal Psychology class? If so, you’ve probably heard the following question at least once (if not 100) times…

So what are you going to do with a major in ______? (Insert major)

Now, if you’re anything like many of liberal arts students who make their way to Career Services, you haven’t quite figured out the answer to that question. (And that’s entirely okay, by the way.) There are very legit reasons for this. Perhaps you’re multitalented and can therefore envision yourself in multiple work settings. Perhaps you’re simply not sure what the options are for someone with your degree. Perhaps you’ve been told that all you can do with an English major is teach. Well, I have good news…

A Liberal Arts major is one of the most flexible, adaptable, well-rounded degrees you can earn.

It’s true. Liberal Arts majors are masters of communication, analytical reasoning, identifying patterns and themes, brainstorming ideas, and solving interpersonal problems. These are the skills you gain from completing a group presentation on Shakespearean sonnets. And they also just happen to be useful in the world of business.

Business expert (and former English major) Susan de la Vergne states: “[Businesses] need leaders who understand where people ‘are coming from,’ who can communicate vision and direction, who demonstrate adaptability and political awareness. They want leaders who are willing to slog through difficulty and navigate ethical complexity.” And she says businesses should look no further than a Humanities Department, or a College of Liberal Arts.

So, you might be thinking “Great, perhaps I am employable…now how do I convince others?” Here’s the thing: YOU need to believe it, in order to make EMPLOYERS believe it. That’s right—you need to perceive and tout your liberal arts degree for everything it is (challenging, useful, transferable), instead of doubting it for everything it’s not (engineering).

Are you ready to branch out? To look beyond the classroom for ways to use those transferable skills you’ve honed in your European History classes? Here’s how you can a) convince yourself of all those transferable skills, and then b) articulate those skills to potential employers:

1. Visit Career Services: We’ll help you revise and craft your resumes and cover letters to better communicate the ways you can contribute to today’s world of business (or non-profit organizations). Make an appointment with a career counselor by calling 541-737-0529.

2. Gain Experience: If you can build your repertoire of work and/or professional experiences (volunteer opportunities, internships, etc), you’ll begin to see first-hand how you might utilize your liberal arts degree in a work environment.

3. Check out the resources: The following blogs have excellent information for liberal arts students…
The Liberal Arts Advantage—For Business (For example, see this post on crafting your “elevator pitch” to a potential employer.)
For English Majors

4. Know Yourself: Spend some time getting to know your unique strengths. You never know when the professional opportunity you’ve been seeking will arise. Be ready.

Posted by Anne Lapour, Career Counselor

Are you looking for opportunities to gain professional experience and contribute to the mission of a non-profit organization? Then there’s good news for you! The annual Non-Profit and Volunteer Expo is coming up later this month, on January 28th. This year’s event is co-sponsored by Career Services and OSU’s Community Service Center.

So…why attend the Non-Profit and Volunteer Expo? A few reasons…

You need professional experience! You may not realize it, but volunteer work is a wonderful way to gain valuable working experience. There will be MANY organizations present for you to begin talking to!
You want to make a difference. Non-profits offer fabulous opportunities to satisfy that social justice advocate inside you, or your need to make the world a better place!
Networking. Non-profits are also employers, folks…here’s your opportunity to begin the networking process for that internship or job you’ve been looking for.
Interested in a program like the Peace Corps, Americorps, or Teach for America? We’ll have a panel of past participants to answer all your burning questions.

Stay tuned on our Non-Profit and Volunteer Expo Webpage for more details about the event, such as the organizations who will be attending, as well as the workshops and events being held throughout the day.

Posted by Anne Lapour, Career Counselor

As a counselor over in Career Services, I talk with students almost every day who need to declare a major, or who want to change majors. Generally speaking, students have a major or two in mind when they come to see me. And often the first question out of their mouth is…What can I do with this major? What jobs correspond with this major out in the real world?

It’s a legitimate question. But it’s a tough one too, because it’s not uncommon for people to find satisfaction in a job that doesn’t seem directly related to their college major. There are certainly exceptions, but Major does NOT always equal Career.

So where to begin? If you’re considering a specific major, start by researching the course curriculum. This may seem obvious, but people often skip this step. And think about it–if you take a look at the course requirements and it looks hideous in your eyes, you’re not going to want to spend 4 years studying it. Choose a major that you can see yourself studying…and perhaps even enjoying. If you’re interested in your major, chances are you’ll find it easier and more fulfilling–leaving you extra time and energy to pursue the hands-on experiences or internships that will make you truly marketable by the time you graduate.

Obviously, this isn’t the only consideration when choosing a major. But it’s a place to start. Here’s a link to all the majors at Oregon State…click a few, and navigate your way through the department websites to find the undergraduate course curriculum for your chosen degree. Does it look appealing? Then you’re one step closer to choosing a major.

Posted by Anne Lapour, Career Counselor

Unless you’ve been hiding under a mossy Oregonian rock, you’ve probably heard the word “sustainability” any one of a hundred times over the past year. We’re lucky to live in a state where sustainability efforts are cutting edge. Passionate people are out there doing amazing work…do you want to join them?

“Green jobs” are certainly a positive career direction these days, but just because it’s a newer (and growing) field doesn’t mean you don’t have to do your homework. Start by checking out this great website on Green Jobs.

Posted by Bryon Burleigh, Career Services Graduate Assistant

Are you on track to graduate this spring? Do you know what you’ll be doing afterward? It’s not unusual to be in your final year of school, but have no ideas or prospects for life after graduation. Many people simply turn to graduate school as a means of further delaying their foray into the “real world.” This might be a viable strategy for some, but if you’re not sure what you want to do with your life then graduate school might not be the best choice for you. There are many graduate school application guides available out there with differing information and advice, but nearly all of them include the following questions you should ask yourself: graduate_school

Should I go to graduate school? Why or why not?
What are my goals and interests?
What degree do I need for my career path?
Do I have the motivation to stick it out for another 2+ years?

If you think that graduate school might be something you are interested in, it’s time to start asking yourself these questions. Many graduate application deadlines for the 2010 fall entry class are fast approaching, often occurring in early winter, and many applications require you to solicit letters of recommendation, take the GRE/GMAT/etc, as well as write an introspective personal statement. These are not things you want to think about when you’re trying to study for your finals!

For more information on whether you should go to graduate school, check out the following links, or come to Career Services and meet with one of our career counselors.

Posted by Ali Casqueiro, Career Services Intern

For some of us, the prospect of spending 40 hours a week in one of many cubicles at an office doesn’t seem ideal. While many individuals enjoy the fact that an office job means no throbbing feet at the end of the day and little need to battle brutal weather throughout the changing seasons, others in the market for employment can’t stand to imagine five days a week in a muted-color cubical. So, for those of you whose ideal workspace doesn’t include spending 2,400 minutes sitting in a cubical all week, have you considered what jobs are out there that are cubical-free?

According to Anthony Balderrama of CareerBuilder.com, many people know their ideal work environment is one that’s not confined to an office or, “the prospect of sitting at a desk (probably in front of a computer), with only a thin partition separating you from a sea of colleagues.” If you’re one of those people, there are plenty of non-cubical careers to explore. Check out this article to read CareerBuilders.com top ten cubicle-free jobs!

angelo cammarata

Posted by Ali Casqueiro, Career Services Intern

Angelo Cammarata is about to have his last call at the West View, Pennsylvania bar, Cammarata’s Café. That’s because at 95 years old, Cammarata is finally retiring. Tending bar from the end of prohibition in 1933, Cammarata is calling it quits after 70 years of doing a job that he loves. As a member of Jim Beam’s Bartender Hall of Fame and Guinness World Records longest-serving bartender, Cammarata’s career has been one filled with friendship, family, and fun. Cammarata states, “”This is a good bar. All my customers here are family. We call them our family, our friends. We know them all. And they’re all good.”

Wouldn’t it be great to work for 70 years loving everything about your job? Waking up in the morning and being nothing but excited to work? How neat would it be to feel that your job isn’t a job, but a way of life? For Cammarata and others, careers like this do exist. The thrill of loving what you do and doing what you love is all part of the job search process. Inspiring stories like Angelo Cammarata’s puts into perspective how critical the job search process it. Yes, it might be long and sometimes discouraging, but finding that needle in the haystack, the diamond in the rough, and hitting the jackpot on the ultimate job—well then, it’s all worth it.

Let Career Services support you in your pursuit for your ideal career. Come check out all we have to offer you, and together, let’s help you one day become Guinness World Records happiest employee!

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The Career Development Center Blog

Explore. Educate. Empower. Engage.

Category Archives: Career Exploration

Like to Travel? Another Career or Job Option…

Have you thought about Graduate School?

Teach for America Info Sessions–In your PJs!

Your Liberal Arts Degree: An Asset, Not a Liability

Non-Profit and Volunteer Expo is Coming!!

When choosing a major, consider the classes…

Easy Being Green

Is Graduate School Right For You?

You Want Me to Sit in a Cube? No Thanks.

Last Call!

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