Saginaw Valley State University Office of Career Services Guide by Saginaw Valley State University

CAREER SERVICES WICKES HALL 270 989.964.4954 CAREERS@SVSU.EDU SVSU.EDU/CAREERS

CAREER SERVICES GUIDE

Check out our employment fairs for more job opportunities! visit svsu.edu/careers for specific dates, times, and locations

• Part-Time Job Fair • August

• Summer Job & Internship Fair • January

• Accounting & Finance • Employment Fair • September

• Manufacturing & Information Technology • Employment Fair • February

• Fall University-Wide • Employment & Networking Fair • October • Health & Human Services • Employment Fair • November

• Spring University-Wide • Employment & Networking Fair • March or April • Education Employment Fair • June

Cardinal.

WELCOME! This career guide will help you identify the many resources available from SVSU Career Services. Take a peek inside — you will find advice on how to take the next step toward your future, whether you are applying for internships, your first job, your first choice graduate school, or even your dream job as an SVSU Alumnus. It is one more way your university is serving you, to help you find your next step in life. At Career Services, we see your success as our success, and we will do our best to ensure that you have every chance to develop yourself as a professional. Feel free to stop by frequently, so you can walk out of SVSU saying...

succeed. RESOURCES Available through Career Services: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Resume and cover letter assistance Mock interviews Interview coaching Career/Employment fairs on campus Workshops Internship and co-op advising Job search strategies Advice on how to develop your personal brand One-on-one advising On-campus job assistance Alumni placement surveys Alumni career assistance

Be sure to use the online resources available at www.svsu.edu/careers

CONTENTS

Don't forget, your svsu.edu email address is yours as an alum free for life. Keep using it so Career Services can connect you with Career/ Degreed 5+ Years of Experience positions!

CARDINAL CAREER NETWORK The Cardinal Career Network is a free resource for students and alumni to search for open positions around the region, state and country. To access and search for opportunities: 1. Visit www.svsu.edu/careers. 2. In the upper right hand corner, click on “Cardinal Career Network.” 3. Enter your SVSU Network username and password to access the database. 4. In order for you to apply for jobs, internships, and co-op positions, you must upload a resume. 5. Under “Employment Opportunities” there are two options: a. Select "Cardinal Job Postings" to search for positions that are posted only for SVSU students and alumni. There are various position types you can search for including: Career/Degreed 0-5 Years Experience, Career/Degreed 5+ Years Experience, Part-Time, Internship, On-Campus Student Employment, and more. b. Utilize the "Extended Job Search" to perform a keyword search by any location in the United States and select countries around the world. The extended job search will provide results from other databases. Apply for positions that match your interests and qualifications. Some positions allow you to submit resumes directly through the Cardinal Career Network, while others will direct you to the company’s website or instruct you to apply via mail. Read instructions for all postings very carefully as they vary and may require different information and documents, such as cover letters, reference pages, and transcripts. You will be in direct competition with other qualified applicants for positions. It is necessary that you spend some time to develop your professional documents and interviewing skills by utilizing the resources and advising from Career Services for document critiques, mock interviews, and interview coaching. In addition to the nationally recognized online tutorials, workshops and one-onone assistance are also available to help you prepare these documents. Schedules for workshops are posted each semester in the Career Services office and on the Career Services website at www.svsu.edu/careers and students/alumni may call the office to schedule an appointment with a staff member.

Don't forget to stay connected via the Cardinal Career Network. About 20% of all postings are under the "Career/Degreed, 5+ Years Experience" category.

FOUR-YEAR ACTION PLAN Freshman Year Meet with a Career Services staff member for one-on-one career advising to get you started Attend a Career Services resume workshop to build your resume Build an effective cover letter; after you create a general template, a customized version should be submitted to each individual job application based on the position and your unique qualifications for that specific vacancy Get engaged with Student Life to find out about and join Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) that interest you and seek volunteer opportunities to add to your resume Explore the Cardinal Career Network for employment opportunities on campus and around the community Create a free LinkedIn account at www.linkedin.com and then register with www.SVSUconnect.com to network with successful alumni; get your LinkedIn profile picture taken at the University-Wide Employment Fairs for free Attend at least one Career Services event on campus – this is a great time to explore Career/Employment Fairs Develop your long term career plan and determine the steps you need to take to achieve your career goals

Sophomore Year Edit and update your resume; have it critiqued by Career Services Explore the Cardinal Career Network for experiential learning opportunities like internships, co-ops, or job shadowing Apply to the SVSU Cooperative Education/Internship Program If you haven’t joined an organization on campus, or engaged in volunteer activities through Student Life, do it this year! Update your SVSUconnect.com information and contact at least one successful alumni for career advice or job shadowing Go to at least one Career/Employment Fair to experience what it is like to network with employers – it is also a great place to search for co-op and internship opportunities Re-evaluate your long term career plan and make any necessary revisions to the steps you need to take to achieve your goals

Junior Year Update your resume, have it critiqued, and upload a polished version to the Cardinal Career Network Gain acceptance into the SVSU Cooperative Education/Internship Program and find an internship if you have not done this yet Attend Career/Employment Fairs to research employers and look for internship opportunities Take a leadership position in your organization on campus – a great experience and great resume builder Schedule a mock interview Use SVSUconnect.com to seek mentorship in your field of study Re-evaluate your long term career plan and continue to take the steps you need to take to achieve these goals

Senior Year Update your resume, have it critiqued, and upload the new version to the Cardinal Career Network Get references together from employers, faculty members, and advisors Apply for jobs: it can take a student four to six months to secure a position, so START EARLY Attend as many Career Services events as possible, including Career/Employment Fairs, workshops and etiquette dinners Network and apply for jobs at Career/Employment Fairs and on the Cardinal Career Network Meet with Alumni Relations and utilize SVSUconnect.com to build a networking team for after graduation Don't forget, your @svsu.edu email address is yours as an alumnus free for life!

Your Financial Aid Award Letter, viewable on Cardinal Direct, may reﬂect that you are eligible for Federal College Work Study. For this to happen automatically, you had to have expressed interest in work study on your FAFSA and be eligible for the award. Work-study funds do not initially count toward any bill a student may have at SVSU. The student earns work-study funds if they are hired into a position, and the student receives a paycheck every other week.

ON-CAMPUS STUDENT EMPLOYMENT Types of Student Employment

Student Eligibility

The on-campus Student Employment Program includes part-time positions funded through Federal Work Study and SVSU's general fund. Being awarded work study does NOT guarantee a position on-campus nor does it guarantee that the student will be able to earn the entire amount awarded.

General requirements for on-campus student employment include: 1. Fall and Winter employment: Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours, and Graduate students must be enrolled in five (5) credit hours during both fall and winter semesters. Spring and Summer employment: Undergraduate students must either be enrolled in six (6) credit hours OR be registered for at least (6) credit hours for the upcoming fall semester. Graduate students must be enrolled in five (5) credit hours or be registered for at least five (5) credit hours for the upcoming fall semester. 2. Student employees must be current students at SVSU; incoming freshman and transfer students are not permitted to work until their first semester of classes. 3. Guest students do not qualify for employment. 4. Student employees must have a valid social security number.

Student Employment positions are funded in the following ways:

Federal College Work Study (CWS) Federal College Work Study is a federal student employment program for students that have financial need. Under this program, the federal government pays the majority of student wages. Students are required to apply for financial assistance on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be obtained from SVSU’s Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid or completed online (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Based upon the student’s financial need as ascertained by the FAFSA information, students may be awarded Federal Work Study. This award allows students to apply for positions that require Federal Work Study as a qualification in addition to positions open to all students.

Regular Student Employment (RSE) Regular Student Employment is funded entirely from the SVSU general fund. All enrolled students are eligible to earn RSE funding. Departments may choose to continue employing a student using RSE funds once they have earned their total Federal College Work Study award as long as the department has RSE funding available in their budget. These positions are posted as "Open to all students" on the Cardinal Career Network.

Equal Opportunity Employment It is the policy of Saginaw Valley State University that no unlawful discrimination will be practiced or tolerated in the provision of employment, education, organizations, athletics, housing, public accommodations and other services to the public. Equal opportunity will be provided regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or familial status, color, height, weight, handicap or disability. For additional information regarding student employment, please visit www.svsu.edu/careers.

ON-CAMPUS STUDENT EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION PROCESS Online via the Cardinal Career Network SVSU’s Student Employment Program positions are posted on the Cardinal Career Network, SVSU’s online job database (www. svsu.edu/careers). Students must apply for vacant positions via the Cardinal Career Network. Students will be in direct competition with other qualified applicants. It is highly recommended that students develop professional documents and practice interviewing skills prior to application.

PLEASE READ EACH JOB DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY AS POSITIONS POSTED HAVE DIFFERENT ELIGIBILITY AND WORK SHIFT REQUIREMENTS. ADDRESS THESE REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR COVER LETTERS AND RESUMES.

To Apply for a Posted Position: • Log into the Cardinal Career Network, www.svsu.edu/careers. • Select the Student Login link. • Enter your SVSU network Username and Password to access the database. • Upload your resume under "Documents." • Under "Employment Opportunities," select "Cardinal Job Postings" and select “On-Campus Student Employment” under the "Position Type" option. (Note: You may also use the “JobID” option to look up specific positions under "Keywords.") • Apply to those positions for which you qualify. If you have questions regarding the Federal or Work Study Program, please refer to the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid in Wickes Hall or www.svsu.edu/financialaid for additional information.

Tips to Success: • Attend a Resume Workshop • Email your documents for an advisor to review at careers@svsu.edu • Schedule an appointment or visit our office during walk-in hours for a one-on-one meeting with a Peer Career Advisor.

Relevant experience in your ﬁeld is one of the most important factors employers consider when making hiring decisions. By participating in internships, co-ops, externships and ﬁeld placements, you not only better your understanding of your future profession, but also increase your value to potential employers.

INTERNSHIPS & CO-OPS Co-ops A co-op is a paid, on-going relationship between the employer, student, and university. Students in the program gain work-related experience and actively participate in the professional workplace. The co-op program is open to all undergraduate students currently enrolled at SVSU. (International students are required to provide proper work authorization to work off-campus.) Because of the high expectations, students must meet several requirements to participate in the co-op program: • • • • • •

A minimum of 24 college level credit hours from SVSU or another accredited college or university must be completed prior to application.* Students must meet and maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Candidates must have completed a minimum 24 credit hours in past academic year. Applicants must have at least one year of coursework remaining until graduation. Students are required to fulﬁll any additional requirements set forth by the employer or SVSU. Candidates must submit applications for the Co-op/Internship Program through the Cardinal Career Network. Visit Career Services in Wickes 270 or www.svsu.edu/careers for further details and instruction.

Non-Academic Credit Internships An internship is an experience with a deﬁnite time frame (e.g., four months in the summer) that can be either paid or unpaid, and can involve projects that vary in intensity based on the student’s level of experience. Unlike co-op positions, the requirements for internships vary from employer to employer and by academic background. To participate in SVSU’s internship program through Career Services, you must meet certain requirements: • • •

Applicants must be currently enrolled at SVSU, regardless of class standing. Students must meet and maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Candidates must submit applications for the Co-op/Internship Program through the Cardinal Career Network. Visit Career Services in Wickes 270 or www.svsu.edu/careers for further details and instruction.

Internships for Academic Credit Credit-earning internships combine a structured learning experience with academic requirements that must be met. If you are interested in an internship and wish to seek out information regarding earning academic credit, you must first speak to a faculty representative from your respective department. Each academic department has unique guidelines. To earn academic credit, students must seek out an advisor within their department well in advance of the semester they wish to complete their creditearning internship experience. In order to gain permission to enroll in the internship or independent study course, a plan with course content and requirements will be devised with your advisor. Credit is not simply granted to you without an academic component or plan. After a mutual agreement between the faculty, student, and employer with a well-defined description of tasks, academic components, and responsibilities, the student may receive permission from the faculty member for enrollment to earn academic credit. If you are an unpaid intern, please be aware of specific criteria for unpaid internships under the Fair Labor Standards Act of the U.S. Department of Labor. *A freshman whose high school co-op employer has requested that the student continue their co-op at SVSU is exempt from this requirement; however the student must still register through the Cardinal Career Network.

INTERNSHIPS & CO-OPS Parameters for Unpaid Internships (Source: United States Department of Labor) There are some circumstances under which individuals who participate in “for-proﬁt” private sector internships or training programs may do so without compensation. The Supreme Court has held that the term “suffer or permit to work” cannot be interpreted so as to make a person whose work serves only his or her own interest an employee of another who provides aid or instruction. This may apply to interns who receive training for their own educational beneﬁt if the training meets certain criteria. The determination of whether an internship or training program meets this exclusion depends upon all of the facts and circumstances of each such program. The following six criteria must be applied when making this determination: •

The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment;

•

The internship experience is for the beneﬁt of the intern;

•

The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff;

•

The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded;

•

The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship; and

•

The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.

If all of the factors listed above are met, an employment relationship does not exist under the FLSA, and the Act’s minimum wage and overtime provisions do not apply to the intern. This exclusion from the definition of employment is necessarily quite narrow because the FLSA’s definition of “employ” is very broad. Some of the most commonly discussed factors for “for-profit” private sector internship programs are considered below.

Similar To an Education Environment and The Primary Beneﬁciary of the Activity

occurs where a college or university exercises oversight over the internship program and provides educational credit). The more the internship provides the individual with skills that can be used in multiple employment settings, as opposed to skills particular to one employer’s operation, the more likely the intern would be viewed as receiving training. Under these circumstances, the intern does not perform the routine work of the business on a regular and recurring basis, and the business is not dependent upon the work of the intern. On the other hand, if the interns are engaged in the operations of the employer or are performing productive work (for example, filing, performing other clerical work, or assisting customers), then the fact that they may be receiving some benefits in the form of a new skill or improved work habits will not exclude them from FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime requirements because the employer benefits from the intern’s work.

Displacement and Supervision Issues If an employer uses interns as substitutes for regular workers or to augment its existing workforce during speciﬁc time periods, these interns should be paid at least the minimum wage and overtime compensation for hours worked over forty in a work week. If the employer would have hired additional employees or required existing staff to work additional hours had the interns not performed the work, then the interns will be viewed as employees and entitled compensation under the FLSA. Conversely, if the employer is providing job shadowing opportunities that allow an intern to learn certain functions under the close and constant supervision of regular employees, but the intern performs no or minimal work, the activity is more likely to be viewed as a bona ﬁde educational experience. On the other hand, if the intern receives the same level of supervision as the employer’s regular workforce, this would suggest an employment relationship rather than training.

Job Entitlement The internship should be of a ﬁxed duration, established prior to the outset of the internship. Further, unpaid internships generally should not be used by the employer as a trial period for individuals seeking employment at the conclusion of the internship period. If an intern is placed with the employer for a trial period with the expectation that he or she will then be hired on a permanent basis, that individual generally would be considered an employee under the FLSA.

In general, the more an internship program is structured around a classroom or academic experience as opposed to the employer’s actual operations, the more likely the internship will be viewed as an extension of the individual’s educational experience (this often

intern. 6

Because a resume is the employer’s ﬁrst impression of you, it should be ﬂawless and professional. Resumes should be no longer than one page for most recent college graduates. Students who have a lengthy list of pre-professional experiences (like some education and healthcare majors) may require two pages. The following components are suggestions to include on your resume.

CREATING YOUR RESUME* Heading

Involvements & Honors

Your heading should include your name, address, phone number, and email. You should also include a link to your E-portfolio if you have one. It is important to use a professional email on your resume. Your SVSU email is a good choice because it establishes a connection with the university and is free to SVSU alumni for life.

Your involvement and honors section should list any organizations to which you belong(ed) in reverse chronological order, along with any awards or honors you have received, such as scholarships. You may also include 1-2 bullet statements to clarify or highlight signiﬁcant accomplishments or statistics to strengthen the value of the involvement or honor to potential employers. Consider

Customized Header Tip:

You can be creative when writing resume headers. Customize heading names to ﬁt unique experiences. Examples include: Intercollegiate Athletic Experience, Campus Leadership, Research, and Community Service.

Objective An objective is not required. If you choose to have one, it must be specific and concise, and should support the position for which you are applying. Below are some example objectives. Generic Example: To apply my exceptional interpersonal, creative and teamwork skills to gain experience through a co-op or internship position in the field of sales and marketing. Specific Example: To utilize my exceptional communication, leadership and lesson planning skills as a fifth grade math and language arts teacher at Binder-Stec Elementary School.

Education Your education section should include a full spelling of the degree, your major(s), minor(s) if applicable, and your grade point average if it is above a 3.0. Only list institutions where you are working toward a degree or from which you have earned a degree. Academic honors, such as the "Deans' List" may also be listed in this section. Undergraduate degrees earned at SVSU include: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Professional Accountancy, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Social Work.

Relevant or Work Experience These sections should be listed in reverse chronological order, with the name of the employer, your position, location, and dates of employment. Each position should contain two to five bullet point statements that highlight your significant responsibilities and accomplishments while employed in that position. Everyone should be able to pick up your resume and have a clear idea of what value you added to your position. Relevant experience is defined as any related experience that you believe an employer may deem relevant to the specific position for which you are applying.

writing customized headings to capture a reader's attention.

Computer and Technical Skills Some majors develop a speciﬁc skill set that employers require for certain jobs. It’s very important to include these skills on your resume to showcase your expertise and maximize your marketability. For example, graphic design majors typically develop a skill set that includes various programs including Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Computer science majors may include Language Proﬁciency such as CSS, C++, Java, and HTML. The same holds true for engineering students and majors in Health and Human Services.

WRITING EFFECTIVE BULLET STATEMENTS Overview It is said that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Writing effective bullet statements can help you paint a picture in the mind of the person reading your resume. In order to effectively accomplish this feat, your bullet statements should be clear, concise and detailed. List accomplishments over tasks. Remember, in many cases the position title explains the duties that you performed. For example, writing that you "used a cash register" as a cashier adds no value to your resume. (See the "Power Words" list on page 17 for more ideas.)

Number of Bullet Statements Generally, you should include a minimum of two and no more than ﬁve bullet statements under each position listed on your resume employment history.

Formatting Bullet Statements Bullet statements are intended to be concise and to the point. Do not embellish or use ten words when ﬁve will do. Your bullet statements may extend to a second line if necessary to clearly describe the accomplishment. Bullet point statements do not need to end with periods or other punctuation. If you choose to use punctuation, be consistent throughout the document.

Conveying Your Message For each bullet statement, use an action or power word that supports one of your professional strengths or skill areas. Do NOT recycle action or power words. In other words, if you "processed ﬁnancial transactions" in one bullet statement, do not use the word "process" or "processed' in subsequent statements. Find another word to convey your thought. Use descriptive versus general language. For example, instead of writing that you presented to a group of students write that you presented to a group of 25 high school seniors. This strategy allows you to paint the person reading your resume a “word picture,” giving them a better idea of how you might be a good fit for their company or organization.

Bullet Construction Levels The stronger your bullet statements, the greater your value proposition will be to an employer. There are three levels of bullet statements: Level 1 (not very impressive): Listing your duties, tasks and responsibilities. Avoid using Level #1 bullets at all times.

Examples: Sales Associate • Dealt with customers* • Stocked shelves • Used cash register • Cleaned store *Think about the negative tone of certain word choices. "Dealt with customers" has a negative connotation. Rephrasing this statement as "Assisted customers" would convey a more positive attitude.

Level 2 (more impressive): How or in what way did you perform Level #1 exceptionally well? Are there any additional duties that you initiated that were not part of your job responsibilities? Employers want to hire individuals that show initiative.

Examples:

Sales Associate • Assisted customers in a warm and friendly manner • Stocked shelves during down times to ensure a professional environment • Processed ﬁnancial transactions through the cash register in a fast and efﬁcient manner • Cleaned store to maintain an appealing atmosphere to enhance customer satisfaction

Level 3 (most impressive): What value did you bring to your previous employer? Did you make something better or solve a problem? Employers want to hire individuals with a track record of accomplishments. Be able to support all Level #3 bullets with detailed examples or anecdotes during an interview.

Examples:

Sales Associate • Earned Associate of the Month honors for outstanding service in June 2018 • Created effective displays which increased monthly sale by 200% in a two-month period

Your bullet statements are what makes you unique and special. Your bullet statements should not look like any other applicants.

WRITING LEVEL 3 BULLET STATEMENTS AND MAXIMIZING EXPERIENCES Writing Level 3 Bullet Statements The key to writing effective bullet statements is simple: they need to reflect your accomplishments and achievements. What do you do in a position that is special, unique, different, and better than your peers? When written correctly, your bullet statements should not look like anyone else. They should be unique to your resume. In order to do this, think about what value you added to the previous positions you’ve held. Ultimately, any organization is looking for employees who have these three skills: 1. The ability to communicate effectively, written and oral 2. Critical thinking 3. The ability to solve complex problems Employers want to see how you’ve demonstrated these skills in your previous positions. Keep a journal of your accomplishments, whether it’s at a part-time job, internship, volunteer experience, or study abroad opportunity. The more you can list specific information, the better for employers. For all your positions, ask yourself these questions: • How are the things you have done been measured? • What were the specific outcomes of projects? • What is the cause and effect of actions you’ve initiated? • Where can you use words like “increased” and “decreased” to demonstrate success?

A Basic Format

Any Position Any Location, Any City, Any State • Created ____ that led to ____ over a ____ period of time • Oversaw the development of ____ that resulted in ____ • Managed a team of ____ co-workers that ____ • Processed over $____ worth of transactions over a ____ hour shift with a 100% accuracy rate

Examples INTERCOLLEGIATE VARSITY ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE Men’s Varsity Basketball Team 2018 - Present Saginaw Valley State University • Devoted 20 hours per week to athletics while carrying full course load of 30 credits per year • NCAA Academic All-American CAMPUS LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE Recruitment Chair, Delta Sigma Pi 2018 - Present Mu Phi Chapter, Saginaw Valley State University • Led four recruitment activities that increased membership from 25 to 40 members for a co-ed, professional business fraternity • Coordinated the Relay For Life booth and organized 15 volunteers for 24 continuous hours, raising $6,954 for charity

Maxmizing RSO Experiences Many resume templates emphasize work experiences and limit your extra-curricular activities to one line. However, SVSU offers students the ability to grow and develop in ways that are desirable to organizations. Whether you are a student leader engaged in registered student organizations, participating in community service or even conducting research related to your program of study, you are earning experiences that can help you in your career. Remember, resumes are about highlighting your specific accomplishments and achievements. Create custom headings to organize the information and be sure to explain why these activities are important. Here are some bullet statements for Registered Student Organization (RSO) experiences to consider using to best personalize your document for your experiences: • Participant in a national service fraternity in which I perform over 125 hours of community service per year • Mentored new members on the culture and traditions of an organization with a rich history dating back to 1965 • Served as volunteer coordinator and successfully arranged over 75 service hours in support of over 13 annual events • Hosted team building exercises for 23 members that fostered a closer bond among fraternity members • Completed leadership courses that covered topics including effective problem solving, conﬂict negotiation, ethics implications and project management strategies RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Project Title August 2019 - Present Saginaw Valley State University • Selected to participated in an elite program designed to partner undergraduate students with Ph.D. faculty research • Conducted ____ on the topics of ____ • Prepared an annotated bibliography of ____ peer reviewed sources on the topic of ____ • Presented ﬁndings at ____ in ____ • Assisted primary investigator in preparing documents for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval

STUDY ABROAD French Immersion, Montreal, Canada January - June 2018 • Studied French Canadian literature culture for six months, living with a host family that only spoke French

Using power words on your resume are very important when it comes to developing effective bullet points. Power words, or actions, begin each bullet point describing your responsibilities. Power words help the employer understand what you did with solid action.

POWER WORDS Communicate Addressed Advertised Arbitrated Articulated Authored Collaborated Communicated Condensed Conferred Consulted Contacted Conveyed Convinced Corresponded Debated Deﬁned Discussed Drafted Edited Elicited Enlisted Explained Expressed Furnished Inﬂuenced Interacted Interpreted Interviewed Involved Judged Lectured Listened Mediated Moderated Negotiated Observed Outlined Participated Persuaded Presented Promoted Proposed Publicized Reconciled Recruited Referred Reinforced Reported Resolved Responded Solicited Suggested Summarized Synthesized Translated Wrote

Teaching Advised Coached Conducted Coordinated Critiqued Educated Enabled Encouraged Evaluated Facilitated Focused Guided Individualized Informed Instilled Instructed Motivated Simulated Stimulated Taught Tested Trained Transmitted Tutored Financial Administered Adjusted Allocated Analyzed Appraised Assessed Audited Balanced Budgeted Calculated Computed Conserved Corrected Determined Estimated Forecasted Managed Marketed Measured Netted Planned Prepared Programmed Projected Qualiﬁed Reconciled Reduced Researched Retrieved

Research Analyzed Collected Compared Conducted Critiqued Detected Determined Diagnosed Evaluated Examined Experimented Explored Extracted Formulated Gathered Inspected Interviewed Invented Investigated Located Measured Organized Researched Reviewed Searched Solved Summarized Surveyed Systemized Tested

Leadership Administered Analyzed Appointed Approved Assigned Attained Authorized Chaired Considered Consolidated Contracted Controlled Converted Coordinated Delegated Directed Eliminated Emphasized Enforced Enhanced Established Executed Generated Handled Headed Hired Hosted Improved Incorporated Increased Initiated Inspected Instituted Managed Merged Motivated Navigated Organized Originated Overhauled Oversaw Planned Presided Prioritized Produced Recommended Reorganized Replaced Restored Reviewed Scheduled Secured Selected Streamlined Strengthened Supervised Terminated

Creative Acted Adapted Began Combined Composed Conceptualized Created Customized Designed Displayed Drew Entertained Established Fashioned Founded Illustrated Instituted Integrated Introduced Invented Modeled Modiﬁed Originated Performed Photographed Planned Revised Revitalized Shaped Solved

Organization Approved Arranged Catalogued Categorized Charted Classiﬁed Coded Collected Compiled Corrected Distributed Executed Filed Generated Incorporated Inspected Logged Maintained Obtained Operated Ordered Organized Prepared Processed Provided Purchased Recorded Registered Reserved Responded Reviewed Routed Scheduled Screened Submitted Supplied Standardized Systematized Updated Validated Veriﬁed

Helping Adapted Advocated Aided Answered Assessed Assisted Clariﬁed Coached Contributed Cooperated Counseled Demonstrated Diagnosed Educated Encouraged Ensured Expedited Facilitated Familiarized Furthered Guided Helped Insured Intervened Motivated Prevented Provided Rehabilitated Represented Resolved Simpliﬁed Supplied Supported Volunteered

Technical Adapted Applied Assembled Calculated Computed Conserved Constructed Converted Debugged Designed Determined Developed Engineered Fabricated Fortiﬁed Installed Maintained Operated Overhauled Printed Programmed Rectiﬁed Regulated Remodeled Repaired Replaced Restored Solved Specialized Standardized Studied Upgraded Utilized

MILITARY STUDENT AFFAIRS Overview The Ofﬁce of Military Student Affairs (MSA) serves as a resource to veterans and dependents on campus. This population of students, often referred to as “military-connected”, may also include those eligible for VA educational beneﬁts. Striving to assist individuals through the entire transition process from military service to educational success, the goal of MSA is to help establish a network of support.

Department The MSA office consists of a Staff Director, School Certifying Official, and student veteran liaisons whose main purpose is to assist military-connected students in their transition to higher education. Specific services provided by Military Student Affairs include mentoring, advising, financial aid counseling, and certification of benefits. Additionally, the MSA office maintains a lounge that hosts over 300 military- connected students and their families.

Lounge The lounge promotes an environment where students can interact and connect with similarly minded and experienced individuals. The lounge always offers computers, beverages, snacks, a microwave, television, and a study area to help create a welcoming environment.

Office The Military Student Affairs office, in coordination with the on-campus Registered Student Organization (RSO) known as Student Veterans of America (SVA) consistently host events catering specifically to military students’ interest. Student information meetings regarding VA Benefits, connections for employment, or volunteer opportunities are mainstays associated with the office.

We are very proud to be serving those who’ve served.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Overview

On-Campus Student Employment

A number of international students at SVSU find it necessary to seek out employment in order to supplement their tuition dollars. The Career Services office and the Office of International & Advanced Studies (OIAS) collaborates on several initiatives to ensure that international students are given the opportunity to find the employment they are seeking. The three categories that follow highlight the different methods by which an international student can become employed during their matriculation at SVSU:

International students (F1 non-immigrant student visa holders) may work part-time (20 hours per week/maximum) on campus during the fall and winter semesters and full-time (40 hours per week/ maximum) during the spring and summer semesters. In order to be eligible for on campus employment, you must be enrolled for twelve (12) credit hours (undergraduate) or nine (9) credit hours (graduate) for both the fall and winter semesters of the regular academic year. Spring and summer jobs require that you have registered for the next fall term or at least six (6) credit hours total during the spring and summer semesters. Students who obtain on-campus student employment MUST ﬁll out required new hire paperwork with the Career Services ofﬁce prior to beginning on-campus employment.

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) Any F-1 student may take part in CPT prior to graduating from SVSU. The student MUST have completed two full academic semesters at SVSU. This type of training is typically deﬁned as “alternative work/study, Internship, Cooperative Education, or any other type of required Internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through agreements with the school.” To qualify as a CPT opportunity, the employment MUST be directly related to the student’s major. For information on ﬁnding Co-ops and Internships, see page #5.

OPT (Optional Practical Training) Post-completion training is temporary employment directly related to the student’s major area of study that takes place after the student graduates from SVSU. OPT can be granted following each level of education, such as 12 months after the Bachelor Degree is earned and 12 months after the Master Degree is earned. Authorization of this training may be granted for a maximum of 12 months of full-time or part-time work. Those students who are interested in OPT may submit applications for employment authorization within 90 days before graduation. Approval of an application typically takes three (3) months. Students possessing a visa can only gain authorization once for this type of training. For information on ﬁnding part-time/full-time off-campus employment (Cardinal Career Network), see page #1.

Potential on-campus positions include: · Dining Services · Facilities & Maintenance · Clerical/Customer Service · Information Technology Services · Library Services · Tour Guides/Orientation Leaders · Resident Assistants · Undergraduate Research Program (UGRP) For information on how to apply for on-campus jobs, see page #3.

International students are also able to take part in volunteering or unpaid Internship opportunities, provided the student is not displacing an employee that would otherwise earn a wage. Volunteer opportunities are available through SVSU’s Ofﬁce of Student Life (989) 964-4170

SAMPLE RESUME 1

An example resume intended for most college students NOTE: Level 3 bullet statements will stand out. There is a big difference in the sample resume when comparing the Level 3 (accomplishment) to the rest of the items. Your goal is to list only Level 3 bullet statements on your resume.

Note how the Computer S kills section is brought to the top for a techincal resume. Be sure to highlight your skills that matter most to an employer

The bullet points are weak and should be converted into Level 3 Bullet Statements that include quantities A hiring manager would not know what Green Cardinal Initiative or Alernative Breaks are. Write a Level 3 Bullet Statement to explain the significance. Proper example of Level 3 Bullet Statement. A hiring manager would not know what Conversation Pods are. Write a Level 3 Bullet Statement to explain the significance.

SAMPLE RESUME 2

An example resume intended for students with pre-professional experience NOTE: Level 3 bullet statements will stand out. There is a big difference in the sample resume when comparing the Level 3 (accomplishment) to the rest of the items. Your goal is to list only Level 3 bullet statements on your resume.

Include GPA if it is above a 3.0.

This bullet point is not valid because this task is implied by the position title.

Proper example of Level 3 Bullet Statement. A hiring manager would not know what these clubs are. Write a Level 3 Bullet Statement to explain the significance.

SAMPLE RESUME 3

An example resume intended for experienced individuals NOTE: Level 3 bullet statements will stand out. There is a big difference in the sample resume when comparing the Level 3 (accomplishment) to the rest of the items. Your goal is to list only Level 3 bullet statements on your resume.

Proper example(s) of Level 3 Bullet Statement.

Proper example of Level 3 Bullet Statement.

REFERENCES PAGE About References Building relationships with supervisors and professors is important to maintain a good circle of references that you will need when you apply for internships, co-ops, or jobs. A reference page includes professional and academic references that can speak to your abilities. Personal references should not be included; they tend to have bias and cannot speak to your professional attributes. This page should include the same header as your resume and cover letter and should include: • • • • • •

Name of reference Occupation Employer name Employer address Employer phone number Business email

Tip: Be sure to let your references know you are applying for positions and frequently update them on your job search. Example: Coop T. Cardinal 7400 Bay Road, University Center, MI 48710 • 989.964.4954 • ctcardinal@svsu.edu • ePortfolio: www.cooptcardinal.com

REFERENCES Mr. Thomas Barnikow, General Manager Mooney’s Ice Cream 1234 Some Road Saginaw, MI 48602 989.555.0000 tbarns@email.com

Dr. Kimberlee Stec, Professor of Psychology Saginaw Valley State University 156 Brown Hall 7400 Bay Road University Center, MI 48710 989.555.1234 kstec@svsu.edu

Dr. Shane Moll, Physician Mid-Michigan Medical Center 4005 Orchard Drive Midland, MI 48670 989.555.9090 drmoll@medical.com

Many employers require that a cover letter be sent in addition to a resume. A cover letter should be brief, speciﬁc, and convey that you want an opportunity to interview for a position.

COVER LETTER Some necessary components to all cover letters are: • A heading that contains your current address • The date of the letter • The recipient’s name, title, company name and business address • A proper salutation (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms., Dr.) • Do not start cover letters with "Whom it May Concern" or the person's ﬁrst name

COVER LETTERS ARE AN IMPORTANT WAY TO MATCH YOUR SKILLS TO SPECIFIC POSITIONS. AVOID USING GENERIC, "ONE SIZE FITS ALL" LETTERS WHEN APPLYING FOR POSITIONS.

Paragraph 1 State the purpose of your letter and the position for which you are applying. Also indicate how you found out about the position, and thank the person and the company for taking the time to review your application.

Paragraph 2 Inform the reader why you are interested in the position, and reveal how your qualiﬁcations align with the responsibilities and duties of the position for which you are applying. Always provide speciﬁc examples to demonstrate your skills.

Paragraph 3 Now that you have informed the employer of your interest, market yourself. Make it known why you are the best for the position, and what skills and qualities you will bring to the job and the employer. Be modest, yet ﬁrm, and provide examples.

Paragraph 4 Thank them again for taking the time to review your resume, and indicate your interest in an interview with the employer. Provide your contact information – email and phone number will sufﬁce.

Important Tip: Avoid using a generic cover letter. Write a new cover letter and personalize it for every position for which you apply. Employers can tell the difference between the two, so make the effort.

SAMPLE COVER LETTER

7400 Bay Road University Center, MI 48710 December 1, 2018 Christa Coppus Human Resources Dow Chemical Company 3901 South Saginaw Road Midland, MI 48640 Dear Ms. Coppus: Please consider the enclosed resume as my application for the Human Resources Co-op position at the Dow Chemical Company. I learned of this opportunity through an employee, Gloria Wagener, and received additional information through the Career Services office at Saginaw Valley State University. Thank you for taking the time to review my application materials. While employed at Matrubin Enterprises, I utilized my administrative, organizational and communication proficiencies to perform tasks that included answering phones, responding to emails, running errands, sorting mail and using a multipurpose copier. In addition, I helped multiple departments maintain documents such as invoices, statements, packing slips, non-conforming product reports and data analysis sheets. Most importantly, I ensured customer satisfaction by providing customers with elemental analysis before orders were completed and performed advanced research to resolve any customer issues. My background of working in a professional office setting and my education are excellent indicators that I will be successful in this position. A co-op position will allow me to utilize my administrative skills and gain professional experience in a corporate setting while pursuing a degree in business administration. I look forward to starting and advancing my career through a co-op position at Dow Chemical Company. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have and would appreciate the opportunity to interview with you. You may contact me by phone or email at 989.964.4954 or ctcardinal@svsu.edu. Again, thank you for your time and the opportunity to apply.

Sincerely,

Coop Cardinal

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Fun Fact: The #1 way most organizations want to recruit college students and alumni is by meeting them at Employment Fairs.

EMPLOYMENT FAIRS Why You Should Attend Employment Fairs Employment fairs provide an exceptional opportunity to network with employers looking to fill current positions or seeking candidates for future opportunities. In this day and age, society's reliance on social media and digital communication seems to have obscured the importance of faceto-face contact and the impact of a firm handshake. The truth is that Employment Fairs are more relevant than ever and may be the decisive factor in obtaining gainful employment in a competitive job market. Attending Employment Fairs and meeting directly with potential employers gives candidates an advantage over applicants whom the employer has not had the opportunity to meet directly. According to a 2016 survey by the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE), "nearly 40% of recruiters plan to attend more employment fairs." Furthermore, "over 70% of human resource departments participating in fairs are expecting to hire qualified candidates," according to the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM)/Career Journal Poll Search Tactics Survey.

SVSU Career Services organizes several employment fairs available to students and alumni free of charge. Our annual employment fair schedule typically includes several fairs in which employers are hiring from a wide variety of industries: • • • •

Part-time Job Fair Fall University-Wide Employment Fair Spring University-Wide Employment Fair Summer Job & Internship Fair

In addition, Career Services also puts together industry-speciﬁc fairs for majors that might require a designated skill set for employment, such as: • • • •

Accounting & Finance Employment Fair Health and Human Services Employment Fair Manufacturing & Information Technology Employment Fair Education Employment Fair

Our website also lists a variety of off-campus Employment Fairs that are open to the general public. Please visit the Employment Fairs section of our website at www.svsu.edu/careers for a complete listing of employment fairs in addition to a link detailing job fair etiquette, including tips for effective networking.

For interviews, employment fairs or other networking events, dress the part and be impressive. Your clothes say a lot about you as a professional, so take the time to make a great ﬁrst impression. Don't be remembered for something other than your answers!

PROFESSIONAL DRESS Professional Dress for Men • • • • • • • • • • •

Suit — two- or three-button: black, navy, or gray Shirt — long sleeve, solid white or pale blue Tie — complements the suit (no graphics or pictures) Shoes and belt — must match each other; black or brown Socks — match pants No excessive cologne Hair — neat and trimmed Facial hair — clean shaven or neatly trimmed Jewelry — minimal and conservative Remove visible body piercings Tattoos should be covered

Professional Dress for Women • • •

Conservative suit — black, navy, or gray Skirt — no shorter than knee length Blouse — solid white or pale blue; be mindful not to show too much skin

• • • • • • • •

Hosiery — match suit or skin color Shoes — polished with small to medium heel, neutral color Hair/Nails — well-groomed with no loud colors Jewelry — minimal and conservative Visible body piercings, aside from earrings, should be removed No excessive perfume Appropriately sized purse, bag, or briefcase, but only one Tattoos should be covered

SOCIAL NETWORKING & ONLINE PRESENCE Facebook As most are aware, Facebook is the largest and most popular social network. You use it to have conversations, post pictures/videos, and catch up with old friends. Unfortunately, many Facebook users disclose more information than they should. If you don't edit your Facebook site, it could have a signiﬁcant impact on the way that potential employers look at you as a candidate, and might make or break a decision to hire you. Clean up your page. Remove and untag poor photos, remove questionable wall posts, and edit your privacy settings for maximum security. However, you can use Facebook to your advantage. By “liking” pages of employers and companies in which you are interested, it keeps you updated on what’s going on in their worlds. It’s impressive to a recruiter when you know current news about their company. Career Services also uses Facebook to post news, articles, events, along with career, internship, and co-op opportunities. By “liking” SVSU Career Services, you will get special access to all of this FREE information that helps to foster your career and professional development.

Twitter Twitter is used by many different organizations and people as another social media and networking tool. If used correctly, Twitter can be beneﬁcial to your job search and to learning tips on career and professional development. By using strategic hash tags (e.g., #careers #resume #jobs #jobsinMI), you can ﬁnd jobs that companies are posting on Twitter or advice on career development. Many employers have Twitter accounts dedicated solely to tweeting information about new job postings within their companies. It is a good idea to follow these accounts for upcoming news on the company and information that might be helpful in an interview. The more you know about an employer, the better off you will be. Remember, unless your tweets are private, employers can still search for you and see what you’re tweeting, so be careful and mindful of the information that you are posting. If you have a job, be sure to add a disclaimer that your tweets are your own. In addition, if you follow SVSU Career Services on Twitter, you will get tons of tweets regarding events, career development tips and ideas, and job postings that we retweet from employers. Follow us @SVSUCareers.

LinkedIn is a professional social network. On LinkedIn you will find over 300 million students and professionals from around the world connecting. Instead of personal information, LinkedIn is like an electronic resume that houses information on your professional life including student status, occupation, skills, involvements, honors and much more. By making connections on LinkedIn with prominent SVSU alumni, colleagues, peers and employers, you create a network of professionals. LinkedIn can be used to find jobs and opportunities, including a specific site for students seeking post-graduate employment (www.linkedin.com/studentjobs). In order to have an effective LinkedIn profile, it must be complete and current. Collect recommendations from past supervisors or peers, join groups, follow companies and most importantly, maintain your network by using LinkedIn.

ePortfolios An electronic portfolio (ePortfolio) is a tool students and professionals use to showcase their academic and professional achievements via the Web. This visual representation of yourself allows employers to evaluate a comprehensive collection of your accomplishments and gauge your capacity for growth within their company. ePortfolios also demonstrate your organizational and communication skills as well as technological aptitude. When done correctly, your ePortfolio can be the ﬁrst thing an employer ﬁnds if they Google you.

Don’t forget to Google yourself to assess the impression an employer could get if they "Googled" you

While a resume can get your "foot in the door," the interview is the most important element in the job search process. Through interviews, you and the employer have a chance to exchange information and participate in a discussion to determine whether you are a good ﬁt for their organization and whether the organization is a good ﬁt for you.

INTERVIEWING TIPS Conversation Skills Despite your best intentions, if you have not practiced before the interview, you will probably make a mistake. Try not to abuse words and phrases such as, “like,” “uh,” “um,” or “you know.” These overused words and phrases are nervous habits that make for awkward conversation. Though acceptable in informal conversations, they may leave a lackluster impression of you with the employer.

Body Language Exercise eye contact, a ﬁrm handshake, proper posture and a positive demeanor. It is important to maintain all of these in the interview. Be enthusiastic and interested. Research suggests that body language has over 50 percent impact on what you are verbalizing, so it is important to exercise it well.

Know Your Resume It is inevitable that you will get questions regarding the work and educational experiences that appear on your resume. Be sure that you know everything on your resume and that you can answer questions about it, especially speciﬁc examples that demonstrate characteristics you claim to possess.

STAR Guide The STAR guide is a technique to learn and use for interviewing when you answer behavioral questions about previous experiences. By utilizing this method, you are ensuring that your answers are clear, thorough and complete.

Situation

Briefly describe the background of your example and include your role.

Task

Share the details of the problem or responsibility you were charged with in the situation.

Action

Describe the various courses of action you could have taken and why you chose a certain action. Detail what you did in this action.

R esults

Describe the outcome and/or resolution of the situation. If positive, what was successful? If negative, what could you have done differently?

Interviewers will ask a variety of questions to ascertain whether an applicant is qualiﬁed for the position and assess a candidate’s growth potential within their company. The following questions are not allinclusive, but provide a guideline for several you should expect during the course of an interview. It is highly recommended that students participate in a Mock Interview through Career Services.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Tell us about yourself.

You will likely be asked this question, so use it to your advantage! Stay clear of personal information. Answer using the most recent and relevant information. “I am a recent graduate of SVSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. I enjoy keeping up with trends in social media, writing in my music blog, and creating infographics.”

Tell me about a time when you...

This type of question digs for information from you regarding a specific scenario and is commonly known as behavioral interviewing. The employer might ask about a time when you had to work with a difficult customer and how you handled the situation. The STAR method is very valuable to counter these types of questions. Remember, "a time" is one, specific event.

What would you do if... Situational questions are very common. The employer may want to see how you will react by presenting a hypothetical scenario. Answer thoroughly and try to incorporate examples of similar situations you may have encountered from previous experiences by using the STAR Method. Do you have any questions for us?

Never leave a job interview answering this question with “no.” By asking an employer a question or two, you will exhibit interest in the employer and the position. Preparing these questions in advance is easy. Also, pay attention to the questions they ask you during the interview. Ask the interviewer questions that show that you learned new information about their company or organization: What would a typical day be like? Can you tell me how success in this position is measured? Who would I work with most closely on a daily basis? What do you consider the most challenging aspect of this position for someone who is new to your organization? • What are your major projects in the coming year? • • • •

It is imperative to research the employer prior to the interview to avoid asking questions that are already answered on their website.

ADDITIONAL COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS • Tell us about yourself (Be prepared with a 30-second pitch.)

• What do you know about our company?

• Why did you choose to attend SVSU? (Tip: Know

• Are you a team player?

something about your program's accreditation to demonstrate an "informed" decision. For example, a business major may discuss AACSB and how only 20% of all business programs attain it.)

• Why should we hire you? (Be ready for this one. Even if it is not asked directly, the answer to this should be woven throughout all of your responses.)

• How do you handle conﬂict? • How competitive are you? • What do you expect from your supervisor? • Describe to me the best and worst supervisor you ever had. (Never talk badly about a previous employer.)

• Tell me about your most signiﬁcant work experience. • Why are you the best candidate for this position? • Have you ever supervised anyone? • What are your strongest skills? (Back up answers with speciﬁc examples.)

• Tell me about the most difﬁcult experience you’ve faced and how you handled it. (STAR Response.)

• Why should we hire you? (Be ready for this one. Even if it is not asked directly, the answer to this should be woven throughout all of your responses.)

• What do you think is the most signiﬁcant problem in our ﬁeld today?

• Why are you interested in this position? • Why are you interested in working for us? • Describe your greatest strength. • Describe your greatest weakness. (The key to this question is to be honest about a work-related flaw and to thoroughly describe how you are working to improve. By being honest, you can build trust with the employer in addition to demonstrating your ability to overcome challenges.)

• How do you deﬁne success? • What are the most important qualities necessary for success in this ﬁeld and which of these qualities do you possess?

• How did you motivate a resistant student or client to comply with your instructions?

• How would you be described by former colleagues? • How would you describe yourself? • How would a supervisor or colleague describe you? • When did you know you wanted to be in this ﬁeld? • What are your long-term career goals? • Where do you see yourself in ﬁve years? (You

may wish to answer this in terms of skills acquired or further education.)

• What do you do in your spare time? • What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? • How do you relieve stress? • What gives you the most satisfaction in your work? Why? • What two or three things are most important to you in your job?

Start the application process at least a year in advance! Find more information and resources at svsu.edu/graduateprograms

GRADUATE SCHOOL 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 the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Planning to Apply You can begin contacting schools and getting graduate school applications at any time. Start at least a full year in advance! Though the 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 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 ﬁrst, second, or even third school of choice. You will want at least one "safe school" that you are conﬁdent you can get into, as well as at least one school that presents a real challenge in terms of competitiveness.

Need help ﬁnding a program? Check out www.graduateguide.com for a complete guide to accredited graduate programs.

Interviews One of the best ways to gather information is to talk to people. Talk to experts in the ﬁeld, talk to your professors, talk to people who attended the schools or programs you are considering. The most valuable thing you can do is to 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, whether it be 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 test preparation materials.

Recommendations While it is a bit early to be asking for recommendations as a ﬁrstyear student, you can always work on 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 be an assistant to one of your professors during your senior year, capitalize on it. Take 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 your 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. Source: GradSchools.com

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SVSU Graduate Programs: SVSU offers the following post-baccalaureate degrees and programs. Contact SVSU Graduate Programs at 989.964.6096 or gradadm@svsu.edu, or one of the appropriate departments for more details.

SVSU GRADUATE PROGRAMS College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences • Communication and Media Administration (M.A.) • Public Administration (M.A.) - Student Affairs Administration Certificate

College of Business • Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

College of Education • Early Childhood Classroom Teaching (M.A.T.) • Educational Leadership - Education Specialist (Ed.S.) • K-12 Literacy Specialist (M.A.T.) • Principalship (M.Ed.) • Special Education (M.A.T.) • Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (M.A.) • Technology Learning Systems & Design

College of Health & Human Services • • • •

Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) Health Administration & Leadership (M.S.) Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) Nursing (M.S.N.) - Nursing Administration Certificate - Nursing Education Certificate - Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate • Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) • Public Health (M.P.H.)

College of Science, Engineering & Technology • Computer Science and Information Systems (M.S.)

The Career Services Guide is made possible through contributions from these employer partners:

A Division of TCF National Bank

partner. Make sure to check out their job postings and more opportunities on the Cardinal Career Network svsu.edu/careers