According to ABC News 80% of jobs are landed through networking, so stop spending so much time applying and get working on networking.
Does everyone in your network know you are looking for the next step in your career? If no, let them all know, keep them updated on your opportunities, interviews, and offers. This is not only great marketing of yourself but also helps trigger peoples minds the next time they hear of a job opening.
Why LINKEDIN? – It is in all caps for a reason. It is an unlimited resource for staying connected to your professional network but also helps you connect to people who you may want to work with. I landed a job interview with a company I really wanted to work for just by asking the CEO on Linkedin. So take some time connect with everyone you know and post about topics in your industry to the newsfeed. This shows you are educated of what is happening in your field but also helps people remember you for what you are great at.
Relationships are like pulses. You need to pump in order to keep them alive. Start going to coffee, lunch, or dinner with people that might be able to help you or keep you informed on another career opportunity. This takes a lot of work. It may seem weird to contact someone who you haven’t talked to for a year but just do it! Most people respond well.
Once you have some momentum in your career, start helping others and pay it forward. It seems simple but most people get into their offices, sit at their comfy desk, and never think to maintain relationships outside their inner circle. So pump the relationship and be there for people when they are exploring their own careers.
Send Thank yous! Why is it so hard? Oh wait, it isn’t. This creates a great image for yourself when you show gratitude and also makes you happier.
Being happy, staying focused, and pursuing your passion should make you excited in the morning when networking. If not, maybe it is time change it up and find a new career you want.
Branding yourself isn’t just for people already in, or pursuing, a career in marketing. Whether you realize it or not, you are marketing your personal brand every single day to everyone you meet or encounter in your classes and even at work. The personal branding process starts with who you want to be as a person, which can be whoever you want I might add! So take a step back, look at what you really want out of life and start building your personal brand with this foundation. Here are five steps to help you begin thinking about and creating your very own personal brand:
1.) Define who you want to be as a person, know what you want out of life!
2.) Identify your personal skills and ownable attributes (the ones you have now or the ones you want to acquire over time).
3.) Make sure you can excel at each of those skills and attributes.
4.) Determine whether you can use them to differentiate yourself from others.
5.) Consider if these skills will bring you success and happiness over the course of your life (the most important part).
Once you have some of these things in mind, begin to think of all the areas in your life that you want success. Of course this would include your career but also think about your social life, relationships, children, and so on. Remember that your personal brand should be aspirational, so what you want out of life, not necessarily where you are right now. This is just a start but it should guide down the right path for personal branding success!
Here at Career Services, we definitely encourage students to complete at least one internship before they graduate. But what if you’re interested in study abroad as well? Of course, you could always do a study abroad and an internship at different times, but another great option is to do an internship abroad! OSU’s Study Abroad office works with a program called IE3 Global Internships that aims to place students in an internship position in another country. Students can also receive academic credit for their internship. For more information check out this link: http://ie3global.ous.edu/campus/osu/
Read a firsthand account of a student’s experience in an IE3 internship. Ben Spearing recently returned from an internship in Namibia, where he was working at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and you can read about it at his blog http://benspearing1.blogspot.com/
Note: This post is linked to a external blog and the content for the post approved by Oregon State University Career Services. We are not responsible for the content on the guest blogger’s personal website and do not endorse their site.
College is the time to develop the skills you need and Career Trail is here to help! Take advantage of the Career Trail Prep by Step program. I am excited to be part of Career Services’ Initiative to reach out to OSU students both on and off campus by offering a new way to engage students in career preparation and develop their skills! Student success is the focus!
Career Trail is our new online career development self-directed and interactive program to reach students and alumni 24 hours per day, making accessibility for all at their fingertips. Career Trail engages faculty and staff by providing a resource including curriculum/assignments that can be used individually or in a classroom setting. Career Trail engages users with diverse levels of experience.
One of the aspects of the “Career Trail Prep by Step” program that I am excited about is how a student or alumni can quickly review the steps and determine where they are at in the career preparation process and find the step they are ready to engage in.
The Career Preparation process begins with getting to Know Yourself, your strengths, values, interests, and personality. What a great way to start!
Know the World of Work is the next step where you can learn about majors, what you can do with your major, and learn about jobs that excite you!
Next it is off to Develop Tools and Skills that will prepare you for a job. Here you learn about building a stand-out resume and developing stellar interviewing skills.
Next you Learn How to Connect. Connecting with others through your network, expanding your network through informational interviewing and using professional social media like LinkedIn can help you learn about opportunities and be ready to act on opportunities when they present.
You can even learn how to develop a professional website or blog under Now Keep Going!
For more help or information visit us at Career Services|B008 Kerr Administration Building | 541-737-4085 | career.services@oregonstate.edu
Carolyn Killefer serves as an OSU Career Counselor with over 20 years of professional counseling experience in academic, community, private practice, and industry settings with a commitment to helping others reach their personal goals.
Here is a little video for thought as we quickly progress into a new year. Tell us what you think about these ideas on social innovation and changing a major paradigm in U.S. culture.
Enjoy and Happy New Year!
posted by Malia Arenth, Career Counselor
* This video was done for TED Talk and does not reflect the opinion or stance of any one person within or the Career Services department as a whole.
I wrote this after watching Larry Smith from the University of Waterloo give a TEDx TALK on “why you will fail to have a great career” , an interesting video to me especially because I work in the Career Services department. I hope that you will take the time to watch the video that inspired me to write this blog post.
I am writing you today because…
I want you to reach your fullest potential.
I want you to find your true passions, those that go deeper beyond mere interests..
I want you to influence the world in positive ways and become a person whom you admire.
One of my favorite quotes is “I am Human. Nothing Human can be alien to me.” – Terence. This quote means to me that if a human being dares to change the world, dares to be a doctor, dares to be Martin Luther King, or dares to be the person they admire, it means so can you, because you are human being also.
Reaching your fullest potential is hard and maintaining it is even harder. We all have looked at someone close to our heart and felt a sense of sadness because they are not being the great human being that they could be. I personally have watched a friend of mine who has a vast amount of potential constantly veer away from becoming the amazing woman she could become. I notice though that we are constantly assessing our friends and family trying to help them reach their fullest potential, but what are we doing for ourselves? It is time to practice what you preach. So here is a self test that is currently working well for me in my life to ensure I reach my fullest potential and self-actualization.
Do a self-assessment of the person you are and the person you are becoming. A good way to see if you are in line with becoming the better and greater you is to see if you are in line with your life purpose. If you don’t have a life purpose, take the time to write one now and do a check in with yourself to make certain you are choosing the right career, the right mate, and the right friends. If you realize you are not, then it is time to make changes. Below is my life purpose:
“My life purpose is to nurture my community and the people that surround me. I wish to become a person in leadership where I will empower, educate, and embrace new ways of thought that will lead to overall success in my life and that of my team’s. I want to make people feel worthy of my time and attention. When I leave the room I want to people to have many good things to say about me instead of bad. I want to mentor my future kids to be successful, active members of society that do good for the world and their local communities. I want to be an example, leader, husband, father, family member, and mentor. By doing these things in my life it will help me feel fulfilled, thankful, happy, and healthy”.
By assessing what your life purpose is, I hope that you choose a career path that supports your values and goals. Finding passion in the career you choose that is also in line with your life purpose is going to be difficult but finding this out earlier rather than later will save you lots of money, time, and energy. We all have interests and sometimes our parents tell us what our interests are. This can lead to us choosing a career path that we are not totally in love with. I met a woman recently who found out she hated accounting and now has a bachelors degree in a field she hates. She is now pursuing sales and that is her real passion. We may end up in a career that makes us feel miserable and at that time it may feel it is too late to make the switch. But it is never too late to discover your passion. Everyone in your life will respect you more if you do this for yourself.
Now hopefully you are running full force for your full potential. Your passion is driving you there. So now what are you going to do for humanity? When you leave a room, do the people you’ve affected have more good things to say about you than bad? I love to give back, it makes me feel so good. Part of that comes from my job. But what else are you going to do? What imprint on the world will you leave? How will what you do for others affect the generations that come after you? Doing something for the greater good will make you feel full. Be grateful that you are here and you still have the opportunity to do something .This will also get you connected with bright, enthusiastic people who share the same passion as you.
In conclusion, be the person who you admire, be the person I would admire. Go for the career that will bring the greatest passion into your life. I cannot wait to read about all the great things you are doing!
What do you think about the video? What is your passion? Please comment and share!
Posted by Zack Sperow, Career Services Assistant and Human
Ready to get inspired for your job, internship, or career search? Each month we will spotlight an OSU student that has inspired us when it comes to their career development. Check out their success stories—besides inspiration, they also show that academic major does not have to restrict your goals and that there are many ways to define success.
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!!
Welcome to Career Corner! Career Corner provides career and workplace related topics and information.
Where does passion come from? It starts with having sense of meaning and purpose in what you do. It’s an exciting feeling that stimulates and motivates you. It is a part of you and should not be separate from your career. For example, if you enjoy helping people and it fulfills you, then find a career that allows you to help others. Below are things that you can do to transform your passion into a meaningful career.
Beauthentic. The source of your personal success and overall well-being comes from within. Be able to identify your talents, strengths and abilities as well as your limitations and embrace them. Know who you are and be honest with yourself. Focus on things that come naturally to you.
Have a Purpose. What is your purpose? Give yourself time to examine what it is. It’s not an easy question to answer. For many, it requires deep reflection and thought. To have purpose is to know what matters to you in the world and your life. It must fulfill you and evoke emotions that excite you. Identify things that you like to read, talk about and do. When you have a purpose, it adds more meaning to your life. Once you know what it is, you can be useful to others and can apply your talents, knowledge and skills.
Use your Values as Guide. Examine what your core values are and let it direct your path. Once you’ve determined your most significant values, determine how they fit with your goals, aspirations and lifestyle. Do they align with your purpose?For example, if you determined that work-life balance is an important value, think about careers that support that value.
Create Goals that are Impactful. Develop a positive mindset of achieving your goals. Start thinking about things that you can do now and write them down. Take action and be accountable to yourself. This helps reinforce your goal and to achieve them much quicker. Create a visual picture of your ideal job/career. Write down the duties, tasks, and responsibilities that you enjoy doing. Envision the environment, office, location and other qualities that you look for in your ideal work setting.
Designing Your Future. Live a purpose driven life. Know how your skills, knowledge and talents can make an impact.Seek opportunities where you cancontribute your qualities to others and in a way that ignites your passion.
Knowing what you are passionate about is important. When you know what you want, it is much easier to obtain it and your pursuits become more meaningful.
What are you passionate about? We would love to hear your thoughts.
Marian Moore, Career Development Coordinator/Career Counselor in Career Services at OSU is passionate about empowering others holistically to find meaningful and sustainable careers that promote lifestyle optimization. Interests: Career Coaching, Talent and Human Capital Management, Curriculum Design and Development, International Education, Personal Branding, Organizational Development, Entrepreneurship, Global Economic Development, Human Rights and Immigrant and Refugee advocacy.
Welcome to Career Corner! Career Corner provides career and workplace related topics and information.
It takes more than starting a business to be an entrepreneur. It requires drive and initiative to develop a product or service. Below are 8 strategies you should consider before pursuing a path of entrepreneurship.
Strategy 1: Being Self-Aware
Know yourself! Being aware of your strengths, abilities, personality characteristics and limitations allows you to leverage them in all situations.
Strategy 2: Believing in Yourself
Trust your abilities and talent. To be taken seriously as an entrepreneur, you must believe in yourself and have confidence. Convey an entrepreneurial mindset demonstrate your business acumen.
Strategy 3: Finding Your Niche
Be an active listener and pay attention to your market. Learn about what your target audience wants and develop solutions to address their problems.
Strategy 4: Turning Failure into Opportunity
Don’t fear failure. Evaluate the failure, learn from it and move forward. Use it as a guide to help you re-examine your purpose.
Strategy 5: Creating Connections Among other Entrepreneurs.
Develop a support system with other like minded people. Surround yourself with entrepreneurs who share your passion and interests.
Strategy 6: Being Committed to Your Passion
Enjoy what you do. Passion is what makes your actions and purpose more meaningful. You are more committed to your goals when you have a purpose.
Strategy 7: Continuing to Reinvent Your Idea
Be a lifelong learner and find efficient ways to improve your product or service.
Strategy 8: Establishing Yourself as a Leader
Be a pioneer and use your creativity and innovation to make an imprint on society.
I hope that you found these tips helpful and can apply them to your own strategy for success. Best of luck!
What advice would you give an aspiring entrepreneur?
Marian Moore, Career Development Coordinator/Career Counselor in Career Services at OSU is passionate about empowering others holistically to find meaningful and sustainable careers that promote lifestyle optimization. Interests: Career Coaching, Talent and Human Capital Management, Curriculum Design and Development, International Education, Personal Branding, Organizational Development, Entrepreneurship, Global Economic Development, Human Rights and Immigrant and Refugee advocacy.
