In this issue: • FREE Services for Grads • We’re Moving to Brennan Hall • Employer On-the-Line • Careers Center Stage • Graduating Student Survey Report • Bonus Features: - Dear Parents & Families - Career Planning Timeline
WSU Career Services
Hire-a-Shocker
Building Shockers, Building Professionals Issue 13 / 05.05.14
10 Tips for Top-Notch References Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
“References available upon request” is a statement that can make or break your job offer. Here are 10 tips for assembling a successful reference list. 1. Ask, don’t assume. Ask your references for permission to use their names. Confirm the following: • Do the people you include as references actually want to give you a reference? • Does their schedule permit time to discuss your qualifications? • Most importantly, what kind of reference will they be? When it comes to references, neutral is the same as negative, so ask your contacts to be honest: Can the people you ask give you a positive recommendation? 2. Let the professionals do the job. Potential supervisors are not interested in hearing friends or relatives talk about how nice you are. They want confirmation for their main objective: Are you going to deliver the duties of the job? Good reference sources include previous supervisors, co-workers, professors, or advisers. Think outside the box: If you voluntarily coordinated an organization’s fund-raising effort, the organization’s supervisor could be a great reference. It doesn’t matter that you weren’t paid. 3. Avoid name dropping. A reference’s name or job title is insignificant compared to the information he or she will provide regarding your strengths and weaknesses. CEO may be a loftier title than supervisor; however, who can better attest to your abilities on a daily basis? 4. Provide references with the appropriate tools. Give each reference a copy of your resume, so he or she has a complete picture of your background. Provide a description of the job to which you are applying. Knowing the duties and responsibilities ahead of time will prepare references for questions they may be asked and help them relate your experience to the potential job. 5. Alert references to potential phone calls. Contact your references and tell them to anticipate a phone call or email. Tell them the name of the company, and the position for which you interviewed. If you know the name of the person who will check your references, offer that information, too. 6. Keep your references informed. Were you offered the job? If so, did you accept? When will you start? 7. Thank your references. When you accept a job offer, take the time to write each of your references a thank-you note. They have played a valuable part in your receiving an offer. 8. Keep in touch. Don’t end contact with your references. Send an email, call or meet them for lunch on occasion. You never know if and when you may need to call upon them to be references in the future. 9. Update your list. Just like resumes become outdated, so do reference lists. As your career builds, keep your reference list up-to-date. 10. Return the favor. Your references may have been the deciding factor in your job offer. When you are asked to be a reference, say yes.
LUCKY LEMONADE May 7, 2014 11am-1pm NorthEast Pati0-RSC Beat the heat ace those finals
$ $$ $$ $$$$$$$$$$ $$ $$$ $ $ $ $$ $$W $ $ $ Continued FREE Services for Graduates $ $ $ $ E’RE M OVING! $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$ $$ $ $ $$$ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $ $ $$ $$ $$ $ $$Look $ $ us$in$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$$$$for $ $ $ $ $ Brennan Hall $ $ $ $ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $ $ $ $$ $$Building $ II $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ nd $ $ $ on $ $ $ $ $ the 2 floor $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$ $in$the $ $ $ fall! $ $ $$ $$ $$$$ $$ $$$$$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Career Coffee Blog... Employer On-the-Line $ ...$ $ $ $ Via Christi Health The Office of Career Services offers resume reviews, mock interviews, and free job search assistance for a year after you graduate. You are also invited to continue using Hire-a-Shocker and to attend all career events.
Resume Review - Stop by our office any Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday for a resume critique. Walk-in hours are from 12:00 - 1:00 pm. Bring a copy of your resume.
Mock Interview - Schedule a practice interview with a career counselor to prepare for your real world interviews. The counselor will advise you about your responses to questions, appearance and overall readiness to interview.
Brennan Hall HERE WE COME!
Hire-a-Shocker - You’ll want to continue using Hire-a-Shocker, the online recruiting system where employers post jobs and view resumes. Employers use the system because they want to hire our grads. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your resume viewed by local and national companies. Access your Hire-a-Shocker account from your myWSU. Job Search Assistance - Meet with a career counselor to learn additional methods and resources that will help to jump-start your career. Career Events - Alumni are welcome to attend all career events hosted by Career Services. Bookmark our website to stay abreast of all events. To make an appointment or for more information contact us at 316.978.3435.
By Jan Mead
Graduating soon? Congratulations! You've worked long and hard to get this far. You may have been so busy finishing up all the requirements for your classes that you haven't really had time to think about what happens next --- life after college. You may even be a little nervous about leaving the university and the security of what has been such a big part of your life for the past few years. But, it is time to move on. To find a new job making use of your new degree. Where to start? Call us! We can help --- whether it be your resume, cover letter, interviewing or even how and where to begin to look for a job. And, our services are free to you for a year after graduation from WSU.
By Jeanne Hopkins
Lori Ellison-Zuercher, Sourcing Specialist and member of the HR Talent Team
What was your first job after completing your education? After achieving a Master of Human Relations, I moved to Kansas for a job with the American Red Cross working to empower low-income job seekers to become marketable and obtain gainful employment. That six-year foray into workforce development helped to shape my unique view on talent sourcing with an empathy for those who are looking to hire on at Via Christi. What are some types of career positions at your organization which students might not expect to find? When people think “Via Christi” they think healthcare, nursing, doctors, etc. All of those are very important but keep this in mind – any occupation a population would need to run a city we need to run our hospitals. So we recruit for every position from accounting and HR to maintenance and dietary. Why do you want to hire Shockers? Here’s the truth: quality matters. As the largest healthcare provider in Kansas we must adhere to our core values and our desire to offer “the right care, for every person, every time.” We do our research when we decide to develop a relationship with, say, a university. Graduation rates, reputation, etc. all make a difference in deciding where we plan to invest our time and manpower. We look to align ourselves with establishments who embrace excellence, and WSU consistently demonstrates high quality output. What majors should consider applying for jobs? Because of the variety of our available jobs, all grads are welcome to take a peek at our job listings at www.viachristi.org/jobs
Or, perhaps you are going on to graduate school or a professional program. We will help with that process also --- by assisting with your Statement of Purpose and interviewing skills.
Do you have a job search or resume tip to share? Tailor your resume for each job. Every. Single. Time.
Call soon!
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? Most job seekers like to have a connection to someone on the “inside” if they plan to pursue employment with a particular company. Students are welcome to connect with me on LinkedIn if they wish to discuss Via Christi.
We're here to help!
Go Shox!
What is unique about your organization? Via Christi is being recognized as providing quality health care in the top 5% nationally four years in a row. This is in large part due to the Catholic sisters who are still very much involved in the day-to-day leadership and direction of the organization since their involvement began in the late 1800s.
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Careers Center Stage:
New record for Hire-a-Shocker!
Athletic Trainers & Exercise Physiologists Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility.
Duties: Athletic trainers (ATs) typically do the following: • Apply protective or injury-preventive devices such as tape, bandages, and braces • Recognize and evaluate injuries • Provide first aid or emergency care • Develop and carry out rehabilitation programs for injured athletes • Plan and implement comprehensive programs to prevent injury and illness among athletes Exercise physiologists (EPs) typically do the following: • Analyze a patient’s medical history to determine the best possible exercise and fitness regimen • Perform fitness tests with medical equipment and analyze the subsequent patient data • Measure body fat, blood pressure, oxygen usage, and other key patient health indicators • Develop exercise programs to improve patient health • Supervise clinical tests to ensure patient safety
Important qualities: • compassion
April 25: Job listings open to students and alumni totaled 1004! Employers want to hire Shockers!! Number of new jobs posted in April: 531 No. of new jobs posted July 1, 2013 April 30, 2014: 3976 No. of new employers July 1, 2013 April 30, 2014: 664 No. of resumes and cover letters uploaded July 1-April 30: 1982 No. of times resumes reviewed by employers: 1299 Many employers have access to view resumes and do not post jobs. Have you uploaded a resume to Hire-a-Shocker?
Over the summer…
• Create your Hire-a-Shocker profile: log in from your myWSU • Update your current profile: GPA, address, phone, change of major, grad date, etc. • Upload a resume • Use the Employer Directory • Job search and create a job agent
• decision-making skills • interpersonal skills
Job Prospects:
Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 21 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth will result in only about 4,900 new jobs over the 10-year period. As people become more aware of sports-related injuries at a young age, demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase, most significantly in colleges, universities, and youth leagues. Employment of exercise physiologists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. This is a small occupation, and compared to athletic trainers, licensure for exercise physiologists is less common and therefore there are fewer recognized standards of practice for exercise physiologists. Demand may rise as hospitals emphasize exercise and preventive care as part of their treatment for chronic diseases and long-term rehabilitation. There are few available exercise physiologist positions, so competition for work remains high.
Similar occupations:
chiropractors, EMTs, paramedics, massage therapists, occupational therapists Occupational Outlook Handbook / Bureau of Labor Statistics
Search Tips... SUMMER JOB Keyword search: “Summer” Position Type: “Seasonal/temporary/one-time.” Click Search. CAREER JOB Click on “advanced search” Position Type: “Degree required” and/or “Degree preferred” and add your major to the search. Click Search. ON CAMPUS STUDENT JOB Position Type: On Campus (Regular, Work Study or Graduate student). Click Search. Create a job agent for on-campus listings. Once you click Search, click on “email me,” name your search and click Save.
Dear Parents & Families Whether your student is a traditional freshman or a part-time returning adult learner, Career Services provides support, guidance, and resources for your student at every point in the career development process. Although it is up to the student alone to determine and pursue a career, you play an integral role by providing insight, encouragement, and support.
What Employers Want
Students report one of the main reasons for attending college is to prepare for a career. However, simply earning a degree is not always enough in a competitive job market. A variety of factors influence hiring decisions. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers report the following as the top ten most important skills and qualities they look for in a candidate. 1. Verbal communication skills 2. Strong work ethic 3. Teamwork skills 4. Analytical skills 5. Initiative 6. Problem-solving skills 7. Written communication skills 8. Interpersonal skills 9. Computer skills 10. Flexibility/adaptability In addition to earning a degree, extracurricular activities are very important to a successful college experience. Support your student’s efforts to become involved in one of the more than 150 student organizations on campus. Volunteerism is another way to build skills. Employers appreciate students who want to give back to the community. A strong work ethic is number two on the desired skills list. The job listings in Hire-a-Shocker are available to all students through their myWSU account. Working while going to school will help your student develop time management skills.
What you can do
Encourage career research. Career Services is a great place to start. A career counselor will help your student discover the education and skill set required for any careers of interest. Initiate career-related conversations at home. Offer feedback on what you see as his or her special strengths. Emphasize the importance of keeping up with current events. Employers expect students to understand what is happening in the world. Choosing a career is a process students need to go through in stages. The steps include assessing skills, abilities and interests; exploring majors; experimenting with career options; and conducting a job search. The college years are a time of exploration, experimentation and learning on many levels for students and their families!
Freshman - Awareness 1. Learn about the services and resources available through Career Services. 2. Gather information about majors and careers, from the Career Services’ website. 3. Create a resume and upload it to Hire-a-Shocker for a critique. 4. Check out the part-time jobs available on Hire-a-Shocker. 5. Join at least one student organization.
Discover interests, values, and abilities. Sophomore - Exploration 1. Make an appointment with a career counselor to confirm your choice of career and major. 2. Collect information about organizations of interest. 3. Participate in every opportunity to learn about majors, careers or companies. 4. Work a part-time job for experience in your major. 5. Update your resume, adding soft skills you’ve refined.
Plan an education that is marketable. Junior - Planning 1. Meet with a career counselor to identify business and industry resources. 2. Perfect a 30-second elevator speech to be used at all career-related events. 3. Join student and professional organizations related to your major or career choice. 4. Learn to create professional business correspondence such as cover and thank-you letters. 5. Check job listings in Hire-a-Shocker to learn about future job prospects.
Network. Senior - Commitment 1. Attend career fairs and networking events hosted by Career Services. 2. Talk with a career counselor about college-to-career transition and how to be successful. 3. Upload a professional resume into Hire-a-Shocker. 4. Schedule a mock interview with a career counselor. 5. Participate in on-campus interviews.
Prepare to job search.
www.wichita.edu/career
316.978.3435
career.services@wichita.edu
203 Grace Wilkie Hall
On track for a professional career path!
Career Planning Timeline
Graduating Student Survey Report
The Graduating Student Survey (GSS) is an exit survey of bachelor’s degree recipients. The survey collects first destination information on employment. Survey information can be an important factor when selecting a major or accepting a job offer. WSU students use this information to research career paths and to learn what first-year professionals are earning.
Salary average for the major with the highest response rate: Accounting - $41,023 For more detailed salary information visit http://bit.do/wsu-salary-business Salary average for the major with the highest response rate: Elementary Education - $33,393
For more detailed salary information visit http://bit.do/wsu-salary-education
Salary average for the major with the highest response rate: Mechanical Engineering - $59,319
For more detailed salary information visit http://bit.do/wsu-salary-engineering
Salary average for the major with the highest response rate: Graphic Design - $31,600 For more detailed salary information visit http://bit.do/wsu-salary-fine-arts Salary average for the major with the highest response rate: Nursing - $42,386 For more detailed salary information visit http://bit.do/wsu-salary-health Salary average for the major with the highest response rate: Criminal Justice - $32,535 For more detailed salary information visit http://bit.do/wsu-salary-las
2014 Events
May 7 - Lucky Lemonade for Finals Frenzy July 17 - On-Campus Jobs Fair September 23 - Koch Interviews September 29 - AGH Interviews September 30 - KPMG Interviews October 1 - Grant Thornton Interviews October 2 - Adams, Brown, Beran, Ball Interviews October 3 - BKD Interviews October 6-7 - Kennedy & Coe Interviews October 9 - Lindburg, Vogel, Pierce, Faris Interviews October 10 - Ernst & Young Interviews November 14 - Education 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 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 on-
1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, KS 67260-0042 316.978.3435 - career.services@wichita.edu www.wichita.edu/career
campus opportunities. Hire-a-Shocker also shows which employers are coming to career events and
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allows you to apply for on-campus interviews.