This issue is sponsored by:
February 7, 2012
Volume 38 #1
NAVIGATING YOUR INTERNSHIP SEARCH You have probably heard about the benefits of internships and co-ops—career exploration, work experience, skills development, a foot in the door with an employer, building your resume, and possibly generating some income. What do you need to do to land one? An internship is a part-time or full-time work experience, typically lasting one semester or the summer. It may or may not relate to your major. Internships are paid or unpaid, for credit or not for credit. A co-op is a full-time, six-month experience, which typically requires that students take a semester off. Co-ops are always paid and may be for credit. GETTING STARTED Career Services is a good place to start. Stop by or call our career centers at 46 College Avenue (732-932-7997) or the Busch Campus Center (732-445-6127 Ext. 0) to set up an appointment with a career counselor. Write a draft of a resume and have it critiqued during “drop-in hours” at 46 College Avenue (Tuesdays and Thursdays - 1:00-3:30) or the Busch Campus Center (Mondays and Wednesdays 1:00-3:30). INTERNSHIP AND CO-OP PROGRAMS AT RUTGERS Rutgers Internship and Co-op P rogram • Earn 3 credits (internship) and 6 credits (co-op) from the School of Arts and Sciences • Internships require a minimum of 180 hours of work • Co-ops require 6 months of full-time work • Complete an online course consisting of weekly journals, a final paper, and a learning agreement • You must have completed 30 credits and have a 2.75 cumulative GPA (minimum of 12 credits if a transfer student) • You do not have to be an SAS student to participate Engineering Co-op P rogram • Earn 6 credits from the School of Engineering • Work assignments are full-time for 6 months • All positions are paid • You must have completed 90 credits and have a 2.5 GPA
S c h o o l o f E n vi r o n m en ta l a n d B i o l o gi c a l S ci en ces (S E B S ): S tu d en t to P r o fes s i o n a l I n ter n s h i p Netwo r k (S P I N) • Earn 3 credits (internship) or 6 credits (co-op) • Work assignments are 160 hours for internships and 6 months full-time for co-ops • You must have completed 24 credits, including at least 12 at SEBS and 6 the previous semester, and have a 2.0 GPA • To apply, log on to sebsspin.rutgers.edu School of Ar ts and Sciences • Select the 1 credit option • To apply, log on to sasundergrad.rutgers.edu/academics/forms/internship.html Rutgers Business School • Select the ½ credit option • To apply, log on to business.rutgers.edu Academic Depar tment P rograms • You may be able to obtain credit through your academic department • Ask about internship, research, and independent study options HOW TO FIND AN INTERNSHIP OR CO-OP First Steps Meet with a career counselor to develop your internship search strategy. Have your resume critiqued during drop-in hours. Register with CareerKnight to view internships posted for Rutgers students. Career Days Attend career days throughout the year, and talk to employers. Attend the New Jersey Diversity Career Day on Friday, February 17. Internship Workshops Check out our events calendar for workshops on finding and applying for internships.
Research Explore options at Rutgers: Go to rutgers.edu and click on “research.” Log on to careerservices.rutgers.edu and click on “internships.” Check out these websites: Jerseyintern.com, Internships.com, Biospace.com/jobs, Usa-internships.com, Vault.com, CareerShift.com. Networking Check with your academic department for leads. Develop your network of friends, parents of friends, relatives, recent graduates, neighbors, professors, Rutgers staff, supervisors, and colleagues. Ask them for leads (not a job). Utilize the Rutgers Alumni Career Network with over 1,800 potential searchable mentors. Find Career Services on Facebook and Twitter. Join the Rutgers Alumni LinkedIn group and network with over 19,000 members. On-Campus Interviews Review the list of employers coming to campus to interview students for internships; submit your resume via CareerKnight. 10 HELPFUL HINTS 1. Maintain your professionalism at every step of the process 2. Dress for the interview in business attire 3. Arrive 15 minutes prior to the interview 4. Follow up your interview with a thank you email or letter 5. Focus on learning and contributing to the organization when you arrive on the job 6. Always ask what you can do and how you can help 7. Bring a positive attitude to your work, even if it is not exactly what you expected 8. Demonstrate your value to the organization, and this may lead to greater responsibilities and possibly a fulltime offer 9. Network with supervisors, colleagues, managers, and other interns 10. Stay in touch with your supervisor and colleagues to keep the door open
WHERE RU HEADED?
In This Issue Navigating Your Internship Search Where RU Headed
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Staff Directory From the Directors Desk Ask the Director Wall Street AD
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Alumni Success Story Faculty Advice Column Career Services Inbox Career Days AD
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Social Networking Employer Spotlight Nutrition Club AD Co-Op Program AD
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Marines AD
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Job Search Tips Career Tip of the Month Services for Students Career Panels AD
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Altria AD
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Calendar Of Events Career Knight AD Facebook & Twitter AD
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We asked students: How did you choose your college major?
Dan Naftalovich ‘12 Material Science and Engineering I chose engineering and materials science because I wanted to learn things applicable to everything. I wasn't concerned with whether or not it is a field I will want to work in four years later, but rather I knew that it is what I wanted to study now. Study what you want to learn; the job is secondary.
Ricky Patel ‘12 Cell Bio Neuroscience & Economics I chose CBN because the biological sciences will help me in medical school. I chose economics because I plan to pursue an MBA. My advice is to choose a major you will enjoy, and work hard to do well.
Rohit Pai ‘13 Accounting I decided on my major through experimenting with different introduction classes. I suggest taking various intro classes at RU. These classes give a fairly reasonable preview as to what you can expect in a related career path. Consider the job market as well when picking the major, because ultimately that plays a role too.
Sobaata Chaudhry ‘13 Cell Biology Neuroscience I plan to go into the perfume industry and work with sensory neurons, which is what influenced my decision in majoring in CBN. CBN is a great major if you are interested in research or medicine. It is an analytical and detail oriented major. I suggest that if you are looking for a major you should do what you enjoy.
Brian Casas ‘13 Physics I have always had an interest in physics. I always wanted to know “why” and physics has all the answers. I think that you should find a major with which you are passionate and a career path that you love. Donʼt follow money.
Nga Le ‘13 Biochemistry I picked my major because it involves laboratory work and research. I want to become a science researcher so biochemistry was the best choice for me. Biochemistry, is tough but is also a valuable degree. Experiment and figure out what you like and persevere no matter how hard the path you took seems.
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STAFF DIRECTORY Career and Interview Center Busch Campus Center 732-445-6127 Janet Jones, Senior Associate Director Greg Sobol, Assistant Director Joe Scott, Assistant Director Barbara Thomson, Senior Project Coordinator Toi Tyson, Assistant Director Sue Pye, Assistant Director Jennifer Broyles, Assistant Director Tammy Samuels, Assistant Director Marcia Milgrom, Career Counselor Mindy O’Mealia, Career Counselor Andrew Seguel, Career Counselor Rachel Jimenez, Career Counselor Barbra Bonifield, Career Services Coordinator Toni Berlingieri, Career Services Coordinator
Career Center 46 College Avenue 732-932-7997 David Bills, Assistant Director Tina Vance Knight, Assistant Director Monica Bryant, Assistant Director Sylvia Cordero, Assistant Director Larry Jacobs, Assistant Director Scott Borden, Career Counselor Doug Ricci, Career Counselor Linda Bagen, Career Services Assistant
Administrative Office 56 College Avenue 732-932-7287 Richard L. White, Director Chrystal McArthur, Senior Associate Director Dorothy Kerr, Employer Services Executive Manager Alison Koo, Budget and Technical Coordinator Lisa Goddard, Employer Services Coordinator Larissa Keller, Employer Services Coordinator Mary Beth Kimberlin, Employer Services Assistant Mark Kerr, Career Services Assistant/Special Projects
Ask the Director Dear Director: I had an internship in the summer with a financial services company. I did not obtain the internship through Rutgers. I was called by the company to come in for an interview after a recruiter saw my resume online. I am still interning there now, and I wanted to know how I go about getting credits for this internship since it is unpaid. I have been interning there since June, and I expect I will until I graduate. Can you please let me know of the requirements. Dear Rutgers Student: Thanks for your inquiry. You can apply for the Rutgers Internship and Co-op Program and earn three credits during the spring semester for 180 hours of work and the completion of an online course, consisting of several journal entries. For details and an application, log on to careerservices.rutgers.edu and click on “Rutgers Internship and Coop Program” under “Quick Links.” We hope to see you in one of our internship sections in an upcoming semester. —Dr. Richard White, Director, Career Services, 56 College Avenue
Did You Know? Career Services offered over 100 career programs during the fall semester, and we have just as many planned for this spring.
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February 7, 2012
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK By Richard L. White This issue of “Careers” has something for everyone. For juniors, sophomores, and first-year students, our articles list a number of resources for you to consider as you plan your search for pre-professional experiDr. Richard L. White ences. Students seeking a Director of Career Services summer internship should register for CareerKnight and submit resumes to employers that will be interviewing intern candidates on campus in Februar y and March. CareerKnight is also your source for other internship postings. Seniors should also utilize CareerKnight for on-campus inter views and online job openings. Also note our upcoming New Jersey Diversity Career Day on February 17 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Rutgers Student Center. Nearly 50 employers will be at the event to discuss opportunities with you.
Did you know that if you secure an internship or co-op position for this summer or fall, you can gain three or six credits through the School of Arts & Sciences? Check out the Rutgers Internship and Co-op Program, cosponsored by SAS and Career Ser vices. Log on to careerser vices.rutgers.edu and look for the link under “Quick Links.” You do not need to be an SAS student to participate in the program. We encourage first a nd second-yea r students to read about our programs and services specifically geared to these students. We invite a ll students to attend our New Jersey Diversity Career Day on February 17 in the Rutgers Student Center, and students focusing on careers in education to attend our Education Career Day on February 24 in the Rutgers Student Center. Best wishes for a successful spring semester.
Dr. Richard L. White is New Brunswick-wide director of Career Services
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February 7, 2012
Alumni Success Story Aakruti Vakharia Assistant Language Teacher, JET Program (Osaka City) Rutgers SAS class of 2011, Political Science and French What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most/the least? I really enjoy working with students. Their enthusiasm to learn Aakruti Vakharia motivates me to be the best teacher I can be. I also like that I get to live in Japan, and learn a new language and culture. The downside is that I can’t sleep until noon anymore like I did in college, but even if I have to wake up at 6:30 every morning, my job is worth it. What do you think are the most valuable skills that people should have if they want to be in your position? There are several important skills needed to succeed in my position. First, they need to have the ability to adapt to living in a completely different environment. Next, you need to have a lot of energy to teach classes. Finally, even if you don’t speak any Japanese when you get to Japan, you need to be willing to learn it if you want to live here, especially if you’re not in a big city.
It was so enlightening and reassuring to hear your panelists’ stories, to see how it’s possible that one career may lead to a very different career, and to see that you can do what you love and still find bal-
Faculty Advice Column
What do you think made you successful? I think I got this position because I’m energetic, genuinely interested in learning about the different aspects of Japanese culture, and because I’m enthusiastic about what I do.
Jessica R. Methot Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Human Resources Management
What advice do you have for someone who has plans for graduate school or is looking for a job straight out of college? Graduating college is a big event in your life, and it’s scary to think about what’s next. If you want to go out and see the world, I recommend that you do it right after college. I postponed law school to do the JET program because I knew that if I didn’t do it now, then I probably wouldn’t have the same opportunity in the future. Also, make sure you’re choosing the path you want, and not one that someone else chose for you.
1. What advice can you give to students who are not sure of their major?
H ow ha s Ca reer S er vices help ed you a lon g you r p a th? The Career Services staff at Rutgers is truly amazing. They taught me how to play up my strong points, helped me prepare my resume, and helped me become a competitive candidate in the job market. Career Services is definitely a resource that students should use.
Career Services Inbox Dear Ms. Bryant, I just wanted to tell you how inspiring your “College Majors to Careers” workshop was! As a music education major, I am aware of the opportunity to teach music in a public school and other music-related options. However, I have always been curious about how I can apply my skills to other professions.
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ance in your life. I hope that, throughout my career, I come to know myself as well as those women do, and that I have enough sense to follow my heart like they did! Please let them know that I was so inspired by them, and thank you so much for having them speak at your program. Sincerely, Christie Scott Senior, MGSA, Music Major Monica Bryant is an assistant director of Career Services at 46 College Avenue.
Most importantly, be thorough when researching the options. Students sometimes experience path dependence, whereby they take one or two classes related to a major, and because they have fulfilled a few degree requirements they declare that as their major. One piece of advice, then, is ‘do not commit to a major without having explored alternatives.’ When exploring, it is helpful to begin by visiting departments’ websites to identify the types of degrees that are offered, and you may discover a path you didn’t know existed. Try not to eliminate possible majors because they don’t “sound” interesting; do your due diligence and keep an open mind. Finally, talk with other students. Your peers are an invaluable resource, and can share information about the true nature of a major. Your major is (usually) the gateway to the career you will have for the rest of your life, and it is a big decision. But it is also an exciting opportunity to prioritize and identify your passion. Jessica Methot
2. Given the current economic situation, what suggestions do you have for students who are debating between going to graduate school and entering the workforce? Graduate school is a significant time investment. As a result, it’s difficult for some people to conceive of forgoing a salary (or spend any more time in classes) to remain in/go back to school. However, workers aged 16 to 24 have been hit particularly hard by the economic downturn. Although the good news is that the trend is improving, this still highlights the struggle that soon-to-be college graduates are going to face. So, attending graduate school presents an attractive alternative to entering the current workforce. In the end, it is a good way to supplement your education and increase your competitiveness in the job market, especially when the unemployment rate is high, and the market is saturated with qualified applicants. 3. What job related skills will students develop through this major? The HRM major is multidisciplinary and has a relatively broad scope. Most directly, students learn skills ranging from designing effective recruiting strategies, selecting top employees, developing training programs, creating effective performance management systems to motivate employees, designing effective compensation systems, and fostering fair, safe, and ethical workplaces. What’s more, the role of HR is changing from a traditional administrative role to that of being a dynamic strategic business partner working with top executives to enhance organizational performance. An indirect benefit of this major, though, is that beyond the specific skills students will develop related to managing people, they also gain access to a broad skillset that is applicable to anyone who is seeking, currently has, or will have a job, more generally. In particular, courses in the HRM major demonstrate to students how to market themselves effectively, improve their interview skills, assess their fit with a job and an organization, understand their legal rights as job applicants and employees, and continually develop and succeed in their careers. 4. What job opportunities are available for students studying in your field, and what can students do to increase their chances of finding a job? In light of a trend toward organizations increasingly relying on their human capital to achieve a competitive advantage, the field of Human Resources is growing rapidly. Job opportunities range from generalist positions that are responsible for multiple HR functions to specialists in more narrow HR areas. On the broad end, the top HR position in many firms is the Chief HR Officer. On the more narrow end, specialist positions include Training and Development Specialists, Compensation Analysts and Recruiter. The steps students can take to increase their chances of finding a job are first, utilize the resources you have available. Our department has some of the nation’s top HRM faculty with tons of experience, advice, and connections. Ask them questions. Get to know them. The relationships that you develop as undergraduate students will, undoubtedly, become useful as support systems, reference letter writers, and colleagues in the future. Second, become involved in organizations and clubs, whether or not they are directly related to your major. The third piece is of advice is not specific to the field of Human Resources: always work as hard as you can, and make a good (and lasting) impression. Without question, hard-working, conscientious individuals are those who succeed.
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Social Networking Meets the Professional World
CAREERS
Employer Spotlight Employee name: Shaun Vacher Title: Captain, Infantr y Of ficer/Of ficer Selection Of ficer Company name: United States Marine Corps
By: Michelle Tong ‘12 In today’s competitive job hunt, it’s no longer what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job or internship. Sure, you can polish up your resume, write an exceptional cover letter, and practice answering interview questions in front of a mirror, but what else can you do that will really help make you stand out? The explosion of social media (Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter) has made its way to the professional world with LinkedIn. Think of a “cleaned up” version of Facebook where users create a professional profile highlighting their work experience, education, leadership activities, and accomplishments. According to Rutgers career counselor, Scott Borden, LinkedIn is essential for building a “personal, digital brand” that goes well beyond having a clean resume and cover letter. LinkedIn has the power to bring contacts to users through a variety of different networks and connections. A common misconception is that LinkedIn is only used for those who are looking for a full-time job. However, it’s never too early to start developing your profile. Take advantage of LinkedIn as you progress through college. Create an account, and build on it to start networking now! Even if you just want to learn more about a particular industry, or network your way to a summer job or internship, LinkedIn can help direct you to professionals who are already in the field. Who knows, maybe those connections will be the key when you are looking for a full-time position down the road. You will be better prepared by making connections, gaining career-related information, and joining professional groups that LinkedIn can offer. Once you get started on LinkedIn, join the Rutgers University Alumni Group and start networking with over 19,000 Scarlet Knights! Call Career Services at 732-9327997 or 732-445-6127 to make an appointment to gain more information about developing your LinkedIn profile!
Michelle Tong is a Rutgers University student majoring in Communication.
Did You Know? CareerKnight posted over 3,000 jobs and internships from over 1,000 employers last year.
February 7, 2012
What skills does your company seek in new hires for full-time or internship opportunities? Leadership is paramount. We also look for other qualities in an individual. Things like SAT scores, GPA, community involvement, extra-curricular activities, physical conditioning, and employment history are all considered. What we are really looking for are intangible qualities that set applicants apart from the average student. People who consistently seek increased responsibility, have outstanding communication skills, take the initiative, demonstrate a strong work ethic, and enter a room and immediately gain the respect of their peers by their bearing, presence, and high moral fiber. Shaun Vacher
Wh a t i s s p e c i a l a b o u t w o r k i n g fo r yo u r o r ga n i za ti o n ? Becoming a marine officer is the most significant and fulfilling job individuals will have throughout their lifetime, but it can only be done NOW! I have traveled the globe and helped people and militaries that could not help themselves in a dozen different countries. I have been given money, staff, resources, and responsibility unfathomable by my peers and throughout that time I have polished my leadership skills, earned a master’s degree, and gained unparalleled work/life experience. What can students expect to learn during an internship with your organization? They will learn how to identify a problem, focus on the problem, make a decision, and act. They will learn how to lead. Apart from the valuable leadership experience they gain, they will also gain work experience in their chosen area of specialty. Accountants can go into financial management, busi-
ness majors can gain experience in logistics or supply chain management. Lawyers can actually begin to practice international law and litigation rather than do research as a clerk at a civilian firm. Most importantly they will gain actual work experience with limited resources and possibly in austere conditions, making them much more desirable to civilian employers following their service. When are you scheduled to be on campus? My office is on George Street in New Brunswick; therefore I am on campus daily and am very easy to contact. I am also at every career fair offered at Rutgers. What type of questions can a student expect during an interview with your organization? Are they behavioral-based? They are absolutely behavioral-based. Like I said I am looking at very specific intangible qualities that leaders possess. I’ll be completely candid with you— the applicant who walks into my office and is more worried about looking “cool” than looking professional, the applicant who has romanticized the Marine Corps because of movies, and the applicant who has done zero homework about this organization does not make it far in the process. Expect to be asked why you want to lead Marines and tell me what it is you bring to the table for my organization. I am not a recruiter; I will not sell you on why the Marine Corps is outstanding. Applicants need to sell me on why they should be given the opportunity to earn the title of Marine Officer. It is 180 degrees from what most college students think of military service. But we are not asking you to simply serve, we are asking you to be put in a position that will have strategic and tactical implications, and will bear the responsibility of being in command of Marines. What is the best way to find out more about your organization? Come by my office at 303 George Street in New Brunswick. Email me at shaun.vacher@marines.usmc.mil. Call me at 732-249-3897. Or visit www.marineofficernj.com.
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JOB SEARCH TIPS IN TODAY’S JOB MARKET By Dorothy Kerr
Despite the current economy, with a game plan, a goal, and some hard work, there is a good chance that you will find a position. The entry-level job market has not been hit as hard as mid-and upper-level jobs. Here are several tips for today’s tough job market, whether you’re seeking a full-time job or internship: 1 . CareerKnight— The Rutgers on-campus interviewing and job posting program. We expect over 150 companies to visit campus to recruit this year, representing a range of industries. You can conduct all aspects of the pre-interview process online, including reading job descriptions, submitting resumes, finding out if you have been selected for an interview, and scheduling your interviews. CareerKnight posted over 3,000 jobs and internships from over 1,000 employers last year. We receive an average of 20 new jobs every business day. It’s a great source for fulltime jobs, co-ops, internships, and part-time jobs.
Action Step: Visit the Career Services website at careerservices. ru tgers. edu ; click on “Student Login to CareerKnight” at least once a week. 2 . Career Days—Attend the NJ Diversity Career Day on Friday, February 17 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Rutgers Student Center. Login to “CareerKnight” from our website two weeks in advance to see who will attend. This event is open to all students.
Action Step: Review the list of participating employers two weeks prior to the event, and research them through their website. Come early on February 17 to get an edge on the competition. Dress professionally and bring your resume.
3 . Employer Information Sessions and Open Houses—Make personal contact with recruiters on campus and begin to build key relationships with hiring organizations. Most sessions are in the Busch Campus Center or Rutgers Student Center.
Action Step: Visit the Career Services website at careerservices.rutgers.edu; click on “Student Login to CareerKnight.” Click on “Events.” 4 . Networking—A must! Tap into your own personal network and the online Rutgers network. P ersonal Network—Make a list of 10 people with full-time jobs. They might be relatives, neighbors, local merchants, former supervisors, professors, etc. Alu m ni Career Network—Utilize this database which lists Rutgers alumni by their major and career field. Log on to careerservices.rutgers.edu; click on “Alumni Career Network.” All members have expressed an interest in providing career advice. Also, join the R utgers Alumni LinkedIn group to network with over 19,000 members! Current students will be accepted into the group.
Action Step: Call or email your contacts. Ask them how they got their jobs, what they like and dislike about their jobs, and how you should conduct your job search. A final note: Stay flexible and remain open to different possibilities. Think about part-time jobs or volunteer assignments to get your foot in the door. Good luck with your job search. Let us know how we can assist you.
Dorothy Kerr is the executive manager of employer services at Career Services.
February 7, 2012
CAREER TIP OF THE MONTH Don’t Commit This Interview Mistake One mistake an interviewee can make is to speak in generalities rather than specifics. It is not enough to say, “I’m a very goal-oriented person.” You have to back it up with specifics. For example: “I’m a very goal-oriented person. In fact, I regularly update a list of personal and business goals with specific timeframes. Since I started keeping this goal list three years ago, I’ve successfully reached or surpassed over 90 percent of these goals. I’m confident that the other 10 percent are also within reach in the coming year.” If you are prone to using generalities, a sharp interviewer will usually follow with the behavioral question, “Can you give me a specific example?” So beware! In fact, a favorite dual interview question of mine is: “Do you consider yourself to be goal oriented?” To date it has been answered 100 percent of the time with “Yes,“ followed by “Can you give me a specific example?” It’s amazing how many people could not answer the second question or (worse yet) attempted to lie their way past it. The best answers came from those who did not even need the prompting of my second question, but gave specifics in response to my initial one. That is what a good interviewer will be seeking. An important aspect of being specific is to use the quantitative approach. Don’t just say, “I increased productivity.” Instead use, “I increased staff meeting productivity 25 percent in one year by implementing a videoconferencing system for participants at our other location on campus, thereby reducing travel time. As a by-product, meeting attendance is up over 10 percent. The new videoconferencing system was showcased in the August newsletter. Let me show you a copy.”
Adapted from Brian Kreuger of CollegeGrad.com
February 7, 2012
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Did You Know? In a recent Wall Street Journal survey, employers ranked Rutgers #21 in the nation as a source for full-time hires and interns.