Senior Year Information - SVSU

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02 EMPLOYMENT FAIRS 03 SENIOR YEAR CHECKLIST 04 DEGREE APPLICATION CHECKLIST 05 KEY ACADEMIC DATES 06 GETTING INVOLVED 07 ONLINE PRESENCE 08 SVSU CONNECT 09 GRAD SCHOOL 10 FINAL PREPARATIONS 11 CAREER SERVICES FOR LIFE

Wickes Hall 270 | 989.964.4954 careers@svsu.edu svsu.edu/careers

GETTING READY FOR LIFE AFTER SVSU

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EMPLOYMENT FAIRS 2017-2018

AUGUST

26

SEPTEMBER

12

OCTOBER

13

NOVEMBER

16

JANUARY

30

FEBRUARY

14

APRIL

Part-Time Job

Student Life Rotunda

Accounting & Finance Curtiss Hall Seminar Rooms

Fall University-Wide Curtiss Hall Second Floor

Health & Human Services Movement Analysis Lab (HHS Building)

Summer Job & Internship Student Life Rotunda

Manufacturing & Information Technology Pioneer Hall

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Spring University-Wide

JUNE

Education Employment Fair

19

Curtiss Hall Second Floor

Curtiss Hall Banquet Rooms

For specific times, dress codes, and list of employers for each employment fair, please visit: svsu.edu/careerservices/events/employmentfairs

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SENIOR YEAR CHECKLIST

1. Don’t forget to apply for graduation! Visit svsu.edu/commencement to view deadlines, payments, and the application for graduation.

2. Study to increase or maintain your GPA. Use resources like the Writing Center or the Center for Academic Achieving to assist you. Visit svsu.edu/tutor to make an appointment.

3. Log in to your Cardinal Career Network account and create a job search agent. Visit svsu.edu/careers to do so.

4. Attend a Resume Workshop to touch up your documents before applying for positions. Go to svsu.edu/careers to view the Resume Workshop schedule or view resume tutorials.

5. It’s never too late to join an RSO! Visit svsu.orgsync.com to view a full list of active clubs and organizations at SVSU and find something that interests you.

6. Prepare for your interview with your future employers by coming to an Interview Workshop or scheduling a mock interview. Visit svsu.edu/careers for more information.

7. Attend the Spring and Fall University-Wide Employment Fairs. Visit svsu.edu/careers to view dates, times, and a list of employers for each fair.

8. Attend networking or any industry-specific events that pertain to your major. Networking is a large part of finding a career. Visit svsu.edu/careers to learn more about networking.

9. Are you thinking about continuing your education and going to grad school?

To view a list of the graduate programs SVSU offers, visit svsu.edu/gradadm.

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DEGREE APPLICATION CHECKLIST

1. Each candidate for a degree must file a written application, accompanied by the graduation fee, in the Registrar’s Office. Find the application at svsu.edu/commencement.

2. The application fee is $85. Please make the check payable to SVSU. Payments can be paid online through the my.svsu. edu portal with either a credit card or electronic check. This fee covers partial expenses for the degree audit, the diploma & Commencement exercises. It is non-refundable. Applications without payment will not be accepted.

3. All documentation and official transcripts of transferred credits must be on file in the Registrar’s Office at the time an application is submitted.

4. If you are graduating in December 2017, the deadline is July 21, 2017.

5. If you are graduating in May 2018, the deadline is November 22, 2017.

6. If you are graduating in December 2018, the deadline is July 20, 2018.

7. Visit svsu.edu/commencement for more information.

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ACADEMIC DATES KEY 2017-2018

FALL 2017 Tuition Due

Classes Resume

Grades Due at Noon

Classes Begin

Classes End

Commencement

Labor Day, No Class

Finals Begin

August 2

August 28

September 4-5

November 27 December 9

December 19

December 15-16

December 11

Thanksgiving, No Class Finals End November 22-26

WINTER 2018

December 16

Tuition Due

Spring/Summer Registration Finals End March 12

May 5

Classes Begin

Classes Resume

Grades Due at Noon

MLK Day, No Class

Classes End

Commencement

Spring Break, No Class

Finals Begin

December 6 January 16

January 15 March 5-11

March 12 April 28

May 9

May 11-12

April 30

SPRING 2018 Registration

Memorial Day, No Class

Tuition Due

Classes/Finals End

March 12 April 4

May 29

June 30

Classes Begin May 14

SUMMER 2018 Registration

Independence Day, No Class

Tuition Due

Classes/Finals End

March 12 June 6

Classes Begin July 2

July 4

August 18

some dates in the SP/SR semesters are tentative

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GET INVOLVED IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO

OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM

INTERNSHIPS & CO-OPS

STUDENT LIFE

By participating, you not only better your understanding of your future profession, but also increase your value to potential employers.

Whether you join a student organization, attend a leadership program, or volunteer time- Student Life is here for you.

SVSU and Career Services have an extensive network of organizational partners who seek students for co-ops and internships. These positions are often paid.

We want you to know that student success is always our top priority. Alternative Breaks are one great example for students to learn about an important social issue and then travel to another State, sometimes other countries, to provide service relating to that particular issue. Trips take place during fall, winter, and spring breaks.

Relevant experience in your field is one of the most important factors employers consider when making hiring decisions.

You must register through Career Services and have your resume and cover letter critiqued & accepted in order to apply for Cooperative Education and/or Internship positions posted by Career Services in the Cardinal Career Network.

To apply, visit svsu.edu/careers for more information.

Take advantage of the many exciting opportunities to grow, learn, and to become responsible citizens and future leaders at Student Life.

Visit the website at svsu.orgsync.com for information on more than 150 registered clubs and organizations to give back, meet new friends, get involved, and make a difference.

STUDY ABROAD

Studying abroad enables you to see the world and learn about other cultures.

Study abroad programs at SVSU range from 10-day trips, full-semester trips, to yearlong educational programs.

More than $85,000 in study abroad scholarship money and funding is available.

With less than 2% of the entire US student population studying abroad, this experience on your resume can help you to gain a significant competitive edge.

Make lifelong friends from SVSU and your abroad location.

Get real-world work experience, learn a foreign language, and take advantage of the opportunity to see the world!

For more information, visit studyabroad.svsu.edu.

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SOCIAL NETWORKING

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AND ONLINE PRESENCE

If you do not have a Linked-In profile by now, get one at www.linkedin.com.

It’s now time to build a large network so you can use it later.

Opportunities may come to you; recruiters look for candidates who have impressive credentials.

Industry groups can offer you value and connection.

Be sure to keep your resume up to date.

Many employers use Social Media as a means to screen possible interns and employees.

Your voicemail greeting may be someone’s first impression of you.

Make sure it is a positive one.

Clean up your page from pictures to your likes.

Identify yourself professionally.

Have energy in your voice.

Changing your privacy settings puts you in control of how your profile appeals to others.

Do not get creative with your voicemail, stay professional and simple.

Think before you tweet.

Tell people what you want them to do.

Have a professional username.

Do not use a computer generated greeting.

Read the news feed for your industry or field to stay current and have talking points for future interviews.

ePORTFOLIO An ePortfolio is a collection of a student’s work in electronic format. You should include an introduction or welcome to your ePortfolio. This is the first virtual impression that people will have of you, so make it a great one! You ay even want to include a video welcome where you explain the organization of your ePortfolio and direct the viewer through the site. Your ePortfolio may contain all or some of the following:

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK Early in your career, you need to build your contacts. The more people you know, the better.

Associate with one of the most powerful and influential organizations in the region.

Mentoring opportunities with the local business leaders and executives.

Meet regional business leaders and political figures of today and tomorrow.

Evaluations and recommendations

Improve networking skills, expand contact base, and advance careers in order to promote their business and themselves.

Evidence of General Education competencies

Gain committee and board experience.

Evidence of creativity and performance

Learn more about YPNs in the Great Lakes Bay Region at these three sites:

Supporting files of various formats (text, pictures, video, etc.)

Projects prepared for class or extracurriculars Writing samples Evidence of extracurricular activities, including examples of leadership

For more networking opportunities, go to

facebook.com/EnergizeBayAreaYPN macc.org/mypros saginawchamber.org

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SVSU CONNECT WHAT IS

AND WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN?

SVSU Connect is a premiere networking tool for alumni and current students.

It is a website that allows you to both re-connect with old classmates as well as enabling you to utilize the trusted Saginaw Valley State University environment to expand your professional network.

By fully integrating with social networks, and cultivating a culture of helping and giving back, you will be amazed how vibrant your Saginaw Valley State University community is!

BENEFITS HOW TO LOGIN Go to and bookmark: svsuconnect.com.

Login using your LinkedIn or Facebook account to have your basic information automatically pulled into your SVSU Connect profile.

OR Login and register using an email address and create a password just for SVSU Connect.

The ability to find, network, engage, and stay connected with over 40,000 alumni and employers around the world.

Access to relevant job and internship opportunities targeted specifically to SVSU alumni and students.

Opportunity to mentor and connect with current students to provide valuable, professional mentoring relevant to their major.

Easy Login by registering using your existing LinkedIn or Facebook account, or build your first LinkedIn profile. The two-way feed keeps your contact information up to date.

Get the latest SVSU news and be quickly informed about campus events.

Get Started TODAY! svsuconnect.com

Find alumni and fellow classmates by location, so you can interact whether you’re home or traveling.

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FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR YOUR FUTURE

FINISHING TOUCHES Update Resume and Cover Letter on the Cardinal Career Network.

Meet with a Career Services staff member and have everything critiqued.

Attend a resume workshop.

Develop job search strategies.

CARDINAL FOR LIFE Regardless of your plans after graduation, you’re automatically a member of the SVSU Alumni Association when you graduate. For more information about special offers and events, visit alumni.svsu.edu.

Schedule a mock interview with Career Services.

Attend employment fairs.

Visit svsu.edu/careers to view schedules for resume workshops and employment fairs.

GRAD SCHOOL You already know the benefits of attending SVSU, have you considered earning your graduate degree at SVSU too? We offer 14 masters programs and one doctoral program in areas such as health care administration, nursing, business administration, administrative sciences, computer science & information systems, communication and digital media, and education. Our part-time program can be completed in 18-24 months and offers evening, online, and hybrid classes to accommodate busy working professionals. As an SVSU undergraduate, we’ll waive your application fee! For more information on our graduate programs, please visit svsu.edu/gradadm. Stay SVSU Loyal!

Cardinal.

SUPPORT FUTURE CARDINALS You can make a difference. Alumni support is very important to the lives of our students and in our community. You will create opportunities for thousands of students looking to make a better life for themselves and for others.

You will inspire students to broaden their minds, expand their horizons, and challenge themselves to exceed their potential. You will enlighten the region through professional, artistic, cultural, and personal development programs and events. To make a gift or explore ways to give, visit foundation.svsu.edu for more information.

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GRAD SCHOOL?

ARE YOU PREPARING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL

While the graduate school process is a long one, and you may feel you have plenty of time to write essays, get recommendations, or take your tests, you will find that the time passes incredibly quickly. Don’t let these deadlines sneak up on you and avoid unnecessary stress as you wait for the last professor to finish a recommendation or try to cram for your GRE, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, or other exam.

PLANNING TO APPLY You can begin contacting schools and getting graduate school applications at any time. Start at least a full year in advance! The amount of time it takes to prepare for the application process may depend on the program you are applying for; give yourself ample lead-time to fulfill any requirements. If you are changing careers or entering a program that is different from your undergraduate studies, you may find that there are some prerequisite courses necessary in order to gain admission into your intended program. You also want plenty of time to gather information on the various programs in your area of interest and to evaluate the relative benefits of different schools before you start applying.

Planning a year ahead will give you time to consider what you want out of your graduate school education, gather information from various sources on the best programs and schools, and assess the overall costs of graduate school. The graduate school application process is highly competitive. Apply to enough schools so that you will have options should you not be accepted into your school of choice. You will want at least one ‘safe school’ that you are confident you can get into, as well as one school that presents a real challenge in terms of competitiveness.

INTERVIEWS One of the best ways to gather information is to talk to people. Talk to experts in the field; your SVSU professors, faculty of prospective graduate schools, and students who attend the schools or programs you are considering.

The most valuable thing you can do is learn all you can about different schools and programs. Gathering information from a variety of sources is your first step to getting the answers you need.

TESTS Almost all graduate programs require some type of standardized test, such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, or GMAT. Since these tests have a significant impact on the success of your application, you might want to invest in some preparation materials for any exams that may be required for the program for which you are applying.

RECOMMENDATIONS It is important to always continue building relationships with your professors. You are much more likely to get a positive recommendation if your professors know you and can speak from personal experience rather than solely reciting a list of your accomplishments. If you have the opportunity to talk to your professors about your interest in graduate school. You may be surprised to discover how receptive they will be. They were in your shoes at some point and will probably be more than happy to help you with advice or assistance.

ESSAYS You can also begin drafting the personal statement you will need for your application essays. For some people, writing their personal essay is the most difficult part of the process; starting early can help alleviate the stress as deadlines are still far away. One benefit of writing you application essays in advance is that you are able to think through your reasons for pursuing a graduate education and consider your qualifications for graduate school. Frequently, students will learn something about themselves through this highly introspective process that helps them better define their academic and personal goals. This clarity can be of great benefit when considering where to apply. Be sure to customize each essay for the specific program; demonstrate you have researched the specific program and faculty.

CAREER SERVICES IS HERE FOR YOU, FOR FREE, FOR LIFE!

Once you graduate, all of our services remain available to you. The Career Services Office, your @svsu email, SVSU Connect, and the Cardinal Career Network will always be available to you as valuable resources to stay connected and keep updated on jobs and opportunities.

We’re here to help!

Career Services posted over 2,000 entry-level opportunities for SVSU seniors to start their career in 2016-2017.

There were over 6,000 job opportunities in the Cardinal Career Network during the 2016-2017 academic year.

9% of all postings in the Cardinal Career Network in 2016-2017 were for Career/Degreed, 5+ years of experience. SVSU Career Services is a resource for alumni to take the next steps in their career.

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