In this issue: • Vote Angry • Salary Information • Sales Engineers • Six Degrees of Separation • Bonus Feature: - Network For Your Job Search - The Networking Challenge
WSU Career Services
Hire-a-Shocker
Building Shockers, Building Professionals Issue 09 / 02.03.14
About the Job Outlook 2014 Survey The Job Outlook 2014 survey is a forecast of hiring intentions of employers as they relate to graduates of the Class of 2013-14. Each year, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) surveys its employer members about their hiring plans and other employment-related issues in order to project the market for new college graduates for the current class and to assess a variety of conditions that may influence that market. From August 5, 2013, through September 13, 2013, data was collected for the Job Outlook 2014 survey. A total of 208 surveys were returned for a 19.8 percent response rate. Of those responding, 16.8 percent of respondents were from the West, 23.6 percent were from the Northeast, 27.9 percent were from the Southeast, and 29.3 percent were from the Midwest. The remaining 2.4 percent of respondents were located outside of the United States. Find the Job Outlook Survey on our website at wichita.edu/career under Featured Links.
What Employers Look for in a Job Candidate Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers
What do employers want? Your major, GPA, skill sets, and experience can all be factors in what an employer will consider when looking at you as a potential employee. In fact, many employers require a GPA of 3.0 at a minimum. Some set the bar higher: Employers interested in engineering grads, for example, look for a GPA of 3.5 or better. And, GPA can be a “tie-breaker” if you and another candidate seem similarly qualified, with the higher GPA winning out. Assuming you’ve got the required skills to do the job and the GPA to meet their requirements, employers will also look for the “soft” skills and attributes they value—the ability to work in a team, solve problems, and organize work. They also will look at your resume for evidence that you’ve got the “right stuff.” So, what if you and another candidate appear equally qualified in terms of major, GPA, and required skills to do the job? Employers say the candidate who has a leadership position will likely win out.
$ $$ $$ $$$$$$$$$$ $$ $$$ Vote Angry to Help the Wichita Children’s Home $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$$$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$$ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Employer $On-the-Line Career Coffee Blog... $ $ $ ...$ WSU Graduating Student Salary Survey
Having made it to the second round, Wichita State men’s basketball coach Gregg Marshall is competing against 23 other NCAA basketball coaches to net $100,000 for his favorite charity — the Wichita Children’s Home. The Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge is a voting competition on ESPN.com. College basketball fans can register at espn.com/infiniti and vote for their favorite coach. The contest, which tipped off on Jan. 6 with 48 coaches participating, will run for 10 weeks. Coaches with the most votes will advance to a round of 16, and then four. The winning coach and charity will be announced March 16. Coach Marshall and his family have worked with the Wichita Children’s Home for a number of years. Marshall’s mother was adopted from a children’s home in Greenwood, S.C., a fact that gives him a personal connection to the children and young adults served by WCH. At a news conference earlier this month, Marshall said, “These young people deserve a chance to be successful. They need love and they need people to care for them. If you do that, just like my mom, they can go on to be wonderful people.” Since the challenge began, Marshall has consistently been in the top three. Former WSU coach Mark Turgeon (Alzheimer’s Association) and former Shocker assistant coach Tad Boyle (Ronald McDonald House) are also competing. Shocker and WCH supporters are asked to vote daily. “Let’s go,” Marshall said. “We need Shocker nation to get up. Hopefully, we can get a long run in the competition.” Marshall, of course, is nothing if not competitive. So by "long run in the competition," he means: WIN!
Salary information can be an important factor when selecting a major or accepting a job offer. The office of Career Services collects salary data from students who are graduating with a bachelor's degree. Students may use this information to research career paths and to learn what first-year professionals are earning.
How do we collect the data?
A link to the survey is emailed at the time of graduation. Three months after graduation, if the survey has not been returned, a paper survey is mailed. Recent grads are contacted by phone in a final attempt to collect salary data.
How do we use the salary data?
Career Services gathers this information to help students with career decisions. They also provide salary information upon request to employers who want to make fair and competitive offers to WSU graduates. Additionally, the various colleges request the information as part of their accreditation process. Go to wichita.edu/career and click on the featured link “2012-2013 Salary Information” to view the Salary Survey results by college.
#VoteAngry DAILY at espn.com/infiniti!
By Jeanne Hopkins
By Jan Mead
Salary Information & Negotiation
Are you ready to graduate and start earning those big bucks? If so, there are probably a few things you want to know regarding salaries for new grads. The market drives wages--how much demand is there for people in your field? You are competing with other graduating students from many colleges and universities in addition to Wichita State. You may also be competing with experienced people who have lost their positions due to downsizing of their organizations. Salaries also vary greatly by geographic area. Do your research before you interview. Our website provides links to several sources of information.The information from our Graduating Student Survey is a good place to start. (http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=CAREERSERVICES2&p=/IndustryAnd SalaryInformation/). If an employer asks your salary requirements, you can say “negotiable.” You can also ask what their salary range is for the position. Or, it is appropriate to say “I hope to be paid commensurate with the requirements of the job.” If you strongly believe you are worth more money than an employer offers you, tell them you are very interested in the position and ask courteously if they are open to negotiation. Many organizations do not allow very much, if any room for negotiation when they make offers to new graduates. However, sometimes they may be able to offer a sign-on bonus in lieu of a higher salary offer. A sign-on bonus is a lump sum of money the employers pays you when you begin your job. It is an advantage to the employer because it doesn’t increase your base salary, on which your potential raise(s) will be based. And, it may be a fair tradeoff to you because you undoubtedly have expenses to pay as you graduate. Remember, benefits may add on as much as an additional 30% to the employer’s cost for your compensation. Perhaps you can negotiate something other than salary such as flexible hours, working from home one day per week, vacation time or other paid time off, stock options, insurance benefits, tuition reimbursement for a graduate degree or additional training. If you attempt to negotiate your salary, it is very important to be prepared to point out why and how you are worth more money than the original offer. It is not enough to say “I need a higher salary.” Always be respectful when dealing with employers. If you attempt to negotiate salary and are unsuccessful, decide if the opportunity and experience you will get are appealing enough for you to accept the offer proposed. It may just be worth it to start at a lower salary than you might hope for in order to get in with a desirable organization.
Cintas and PepsiCo will conduct on-campus interviews in March for career positions. The interviews will be held in the Office of Career Services. Request interviews in Hire-a-Shocker. The information below is from the employer profiles in Hire-a-Shocker. Cintas
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, tile and carpet cleaning, promotional products, first aid, safety, fire protection products and services and document management services for approximately 900,000 businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS, and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Cintas operates approximately 430 facilities in the U.S. and Canada, including six manufacturing plants and nine distribution centers that employ approximately 30,000 people. Company revenues were a record $4.1 billion in fiscal year 2012. www.cintas.com.
PepsiCo
PepsiCo offers the world's largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands, including 23 different product lines that generate more than $1 billion in annual retail sales each. Our main businesses -- Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay, and Pepsi Cola -- also make hundreds of other enjoyable and wholesome foods and beverages that are respected household names throughout the world. With net revenues of approximately $60 billion, PepsiCo’s people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet, which we believe also means a more successful future for PepsiCo. We call this commitment Performance with Purpose: PepsiCo’s promise to provide a wide range of foods and beverages for local tastes; to find innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment, including by conserving energy and water usage, and reducing packaging volume; to provide a great workplace for our associates; and to respect, support, and invest in the local communities where we operate. www.pepsico.com.
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Careers Center Stage:
Positions currently posted to Hire-a-Shocker:
Sales Engineers
Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses. They must have extensive knowledge of the products’ parts and functions and must understand the scientific processes that make these products work. Sales engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. Successful sales engineers combine technical knowledge of the products or services they are selling with strong interpersonal skills.
Duties: • Prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers • Confer with customers and engineers to assess equipment needs and to determine system requirements • Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements and provide sales support • Secure and renew orders and arrange delivery • Plan and modify products to meet customer needs • Help clients solve problems with installed equipment • Recommend improved materials or machinery to customers, showing how changes will lower costs or increase production • Help in researching and developing new products
Job 19645 - PepsiCo, Sales Beverage Division, Nationwide Job 20001 - Operations Mgr., Yellowstone National Park Lake Hotel, Xanterra Parks and Resorts, Wyoming Job 19575 - Head Volleyball Coach, McLouth USD 342, McLouth, KS Job 19960 - Children’s Fitness Instructor, My Gym Wichita Job 19878 - Swimming Pool Cleaner/Helper, Aquasizers Pool Co., Wichita, KS
Important qualities: • complex problemsolving skills • interpersonal skills • self-confidence • technological skills
Job Outlook: Employment of sales engineers is expected to grow by 14 percent from 2010 to 2020, as fast as the average for all occupations. As a wider range of technologically sophisticated products comes on the market, sales engineers will be in demand to help sell products or services related to these products. Employment is expected to be strongest in independent sales agencies, as manufacturing companies outsource their sales staff as a way to control costs. Growth is also likely to be strong for sales engineers selling computer software and hardware. Employment of sales engineers in computer systems design and related services is expected to grow by 43 percent from 2010 to 2020.
Similar occupations: purchasing agents, financial services sales agents, manufacturing sales reps Occupational Outlook Handbook / Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job 19791 - Cintas, Management Trainee, Wichita, KS
Job 15416 - Software Development Engineer/SDET FullTime, Amazon, Seattle, WA Job 19658 - Asst. Swim Coach, Wichita Swim Club Job 19507 - Counselor Specialist, Camp Wayne for Boys, Preston Park, PA
Hire-a-Shocker If you’re looking for a job, you need to check out Hire-a-Shocker, our online recruitment system. Post your resume and search for part-time, full-time, degreed and nondegreed positions, including oncampus opportunities. Hire-a-Shocker also shows which employers are coming to career events and allows you to apply for on-campus interviews.
Network For Your Job Search Courtesy of NACE, National Association of Colleges and Employers Networking could be what helps you land a job. If you take part in social networking sites, you probably have a pretty good idea of how networking can enhance your personal life. But, if you’re like many new college graduates, you’re probably not as comfortable about incorporating networking into your job search. In spite of your discomfort, you need to incorporate networking into your job search: Especially in a competitive job market, networking could be what helps you land a job. In fact, many jobs are filled before they are even advertised—filled by people who learned about the opportunity before it was formally announced. What is networking when it comes to the job search? It’s not about using people. Just as you look to build personal relationships through social networks, you want to build relationships to foster your professional life. These relationships can help you not only in your current job search but down the road as you build your career. Networking is not one-sided: It works both ways. You offer assistance to others just as they offer assistance to you. Perhaps the easiest way to think about networking is to see it as an extension of being friendly, outgoing, and active. Here are some tips for building and maintaining a healthy network: 1. Make a list of everyone you know—and people they know—and identify how they could help you gather career information or experience. Who do you know at school? Professors, friends, and even friends’ parents can all be helpful contacts. Did you hold a part-time job? Volunteer? Serve an internship? Think about the people you came into contact with there. 2. Sign up for an alumni mentoring program. Many colleges offer such programs, and they are a great way to build relationships in your field. 3. Join the campus chapter of a professional society that relates to your career choice. In many ways, a professional society is an instant network: You’ll be with others who have the same general career interest. Plus, you may be able to learn more about your field from them. For example, you may be able to learn about the field and potential employers from others who share their internship experiences. 4. Volunteer at a local museum, theater, homeless shelter—anywhere that even remotely relates to your field of study. By volunteering, you’ll not only learn about your chosen field firsthand, you’ll also be able to connect with people who are in the field. 5. Speak to company representatives at career fairs, even if you’re not ready to look for a job. Be up front that you’re not currently in the job market and don’t take a lot of the representative’s time, but touching base with a potential employer now can help you down the road when you are ready. 6. Attend company information sessions at your college and talk one-on-one to the recruiters who run them. 7. Schedule informational interviews with people who can tell you about their careers. It’s best to ask to meet in person or by phone for a short interview, and don’t immediately start asking “How can you help me?” Plan your questions ahead of time, focusing on how the company works and how the person shaped his or her career path. 8. Add your profile to LinkedIn. It’s free. And then, work your profile. Add work history (including internships!), skills, and keywords. Make connections to people you’ve worked with or met through networking. Ask for “recommendations” from people who have worked with you. You’ll find LinkedIn is a good source of suggestions for people in your field to contact for informational interviews. 9. Remember to be courteous and tactful in all your conversations, to send thank-you notes to people who help you, and to find ways to help others as well. Don’t drop your network once you’ve gotten a job. Nurture the relationships you’ve built and look for opportunities to build new connections throughout your career. Getting started might be uncomfortable, but with time and practice, networking will be second nature.
The Networking Challenge by Lisa Hinkley, Director of Career Services at Lake Forest College Being a busy and slightly shy student, I found networking to be challenging, even when given specific recommendations for people with whom to connect. Ironically, my most important networking lesson came from a woman I had avoided contacting when I was a novice networker. Although I had shied away from reaching out to her, I came into contact with her through other means: I was assigned to work with her during an internship. Not only did she teach me much about the career I was considering, but she also introduced me to people who I needed to know in my field—including one who eventually had a role in hiring me for my first professional position. What I didn't know as a student is that people generally like to help others, especially when you make it easy for them. Networking is among the most effective career development and job-search techniques. Many job seekers spend their time looking at job postings and want ads, but these seldom provide a complete job description. That's where networking can play a role: Savvy students use networking to get the full story about organizations, positions, and career-growth opportunities. Not only can you use networking to find jobs, but the information you learn through networking can help you craft your resume appropriately and give you an edge in the interview. (Although you are likely focused on your first professional job, remember that networking is important for subsequent jobs as well.) If you are like many students, networking to learn about career options and job/internship leads is probably toward the bottom of your list of job-search tasks. Unfortunately, it may only emerge as important when you've exhausted your other options and desperation-or some twist of fate-forces you to try networking. The fact is, if you are like many students, you probably use networking skills more than you realize. For example, to choose classes, you read through the course catalog, ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations, read "student only" sites with feedback on specific courses and professors, and (hopefully) talk to your academic adviser. Your parents also might offer their thoughts. This is networking. It is a combination of research, conversation, and analysis. Make networking part of your daily activities You can easily make networking a part of your normal daily activities. For example, it's likely you're being asked by friends and relatives about your post-graduation plans. This is a networking opportunity. Share details with them about fields or positions of interest to help them think of people they know who are doing similar work. Ask them to help you connect with these people, and then, follow through. (Uncertain about your intended career path? Not sure you can offer a clear answer to questions about what you want to do after graduation? Ask your career adviser to help you refine your interests and formulate a good response.) Make the most of your networking Finding people to contact is just part of networking. Try these quick tips to make the most of your conversations with networking contacts: • Send an e-mail to introduce yourself when requesting a meeting. Explain (briefly!) what you have in common and describe what you hope to learn through your conversation. Include a date and time that you will follow up by phone to schedule your meeting time if you haven't heard back; then, follow through! (Because so many people don't do what they say they will, this attention to detail is sure to impress.) • Research the industry, organization, and person you will be meeting prior to your conversation. • Make a list of questions to ask; if you are starting with a sample list of questions obtained from your career center or online, customize the questions to be specific to the industry and the person you will be contacting. • Treat professionals with respect. Use appropriate grammar and spelling when writing messages. If you've scheduled a meeting, don't cancel. Arrive 15 minutes early. • Whether your conversation is in person, on the phone, or via e-mail, follow up with a thank-you note to show your appreciation and improve your chances of creating a productive relationship. • Accept networking as an investment in your future that can produce results in the present. There are a variety of places through which to find people to talk to about your professional interests. Here are a couple to get you started: • Social networking sites such as LinkedIn, and/or • Career fairs, employer information sessions, and networking events.
Six Degrees of Separation
Did you know you can meet any other person on earth, by knowing six people? Click the link to see how: http://youtu.be/z-EESK4oVnc
“Accept networking as an investment in your future that can produce results in the present.� ~Lisa Hinkley, Director of Career Services at Lake Forest College Spring 2014 Events February 10 - Education Interview Day February 12 - Dillards Interviews February 13 - Target Interviews February 20 - Engineering Career Fair March 4 - Cintas Interviews March 6 - PepsiCo Interviews March 26 - Resume Docs @ the Health Fair April 2 - Career Fair Prep Party April 9 - Spring 2014 Career Fair April 11 - Physical Therapy Career Fair
Office Hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 8:00am - 7:00pm Friday - 8:00am - 5:00pm
FYI
Walk-In Hours Monday, Tuesday & Thursday - 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Notice of Nondiscrimination Wichita State University does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, status as a veteran, genetic information or disability. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita KS 67260-0205; telephone (316) 978-6791.
Hire-a-Shocker January Stats Breakdown by Colleges, for jobs posted in January
Business - 24% Liberal Arts & Sciences - 23% Engineering - 18%
1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, KS 67260-0042 316.978.3435 - career.services@wichita.edu www.wichita.edu/career
Education - 14% Health Professions - 11%
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Fine Arts - 10%