Careers 2011-10-01

This issue is sponsored by:

Volume 37 #3

November 1, 2011

“WHAT DO I DO IN TODAY’S JOB MARKET?” An Interview with Richard White, Director of Career Services During the last three years, the “business news” has become “front-page news”—and the news remains sobering. The Wall Street crisis, banking and auto industr y bailouts, and an unemployment rate stuck around 9% are stories that are frequently in the news and causes for concern.

Who would have thought that gas below $3.50 a gallon would be GOOD NEWS? But there are some bright spots and some concrete things that you can do to land a job in tough times.

Is there any good news on the employment front?

In the current climate, “good news” is a relative term. The national economy added 137,000 new jobs, mostly in the private sector, but the September unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.1%.

The New Jersey unemployment rate remained slightly higher at 9.4%. There may be better news on the entr y-level front for members of the Class of 2012. In its “Job Outlook 2012” sur vey, conducted earlier this fall, the National Association of Colleges and Employers predicts a 9.5% increase in entr y-level hiring in 2012, including a 6.9% projected increase in the Northeast.

In short, it appears that 2012 graduates will enter a slightly more promising job market

How does the entry-level hiring market compare to the general job market?

Having worked as a corporate recruiter in the eighties and at Rutgers since 1990, I believe that most companies understand the importance of bringing new talent into their organizations, even during slow economic times. In addition, entr ylevel hires are not as “expensive” as seasoned professionals and middle managers. The result is that recent college graduates may have a leg up on their more experienced competition. Also keep in m ind that the national u nem p loym ent rate for all college grads is only 4 . 6 % - abou t half the overall rate.

What are the most promising fields for college grads?

There are lots of opportunities in accounting, engineering, nursing, and information technology.

Keep in mind that all organizations—even if the focus of their business is finance or engineering—need people who can write, market, recruit, and perform a wide range of non-business and non-technical functions.

How can Career Services help?

We offer a number of employment services to assist you with your job search: CareerKnight — This is our portal for all career-related programs and ser vices.

Register at careerservices.rutgers.edu for

access to workshops, jobs, internships, on-campus career days, on-campus interviews, and employer information sessions.

Career Days — We offer 12 oncampus events a year. Our next live event is the New Jersey Collegiate Career Day on January 5, 2012. We expect more than 150 employers, representing a wide range of industries.

Employer Information Sessions — Make personal contact with employers. Most sessions are in the early evening at the BCC or RSC. Networking — Make a list of 10 people whom you know well and who are currently working.

Contact them for career information, advice, job leads, and other people to contact. Also check out our Alumni Career Network, searchable by undergraduate major and career field.

What knowledge and skills are employers seeking?

Some employers are focused on discipline-specific knowledge such as accounting, computer science, engineering, or graphic design. But many others are seeking skills that liberal arts majors bring to the table: strong oral and written communication, analytical, organizational, project management, research, and teamwork skills.

I’m a liberal ar ts major. What can I do and where should I look?

Look for jobs where your profes-

see

Job Market on page 3

Why Should I Attend the Graduate & P rofessional School Day? Graduate and Professional School Day gives you the opportunity to have 140 graduate and professional schools coming to you, in one place, at one time! This is one of the many advantages of being a Rutgers student or employee.

Graduate school may also be a

smar t alternative in today’s competitive job market.

Whether you are just thinking about an advanced degree, or you are currently applying to schools, attend this event to learn about available programs, get details on programs, and meet admissions representatives from schools to which you’ve applied who might be reviewing your application!

see

Grad School on page 3

WHERE RU HEADED?

In This Issue What Do I Do in Today’s Job Market?

Why Should I Attend Graduate & Professional School Day? Where RU Headed?

than 2010 and 2011 graduates.

1 1 1

Staff Directory Ask the Director From The Director’s Desk Career Day AD Career Services Inbox

2 2 2 2 2

Alumni Success Story Faculty Advice Column Speed Networking AD Vault AD

3 3 3 3

Intern Spotlight Alumni Career Network AD Career Tip of the Month Career Opportunities for Majors

4 4 4 4

Prudential AD

5

Social Networking Sites Big East AD Internship & Co-op Program AD Habitat for Humanity AD

6 6 6 6

Internship & Co-op Program Upcoming Career Panels Career Knight AD

7 7 7

Calendar Of Events SPIN AD Services for Students

8 8 8

How has your Rutgers Internship & Co-op Program (RICP) internship helped your career plans?

Edoardo Conti ‘12 Math and Computer Science My consulting internship at PricewaterhouseCoopers allowed me to get a broad snapshot of many industries. I was able to determine that I would like to pursue management consulting. I suggest all Rutgers students use Career Services and participate in internships.

Chanae Creamer ‘12 Criminal Justice/ Africana Studies Through my RICP internships with Middlesex County Drug Court and Middlesex County Probation, I was very fortunate to have career opportunities that tapped into my interests and helped me build strong networks. My RICP internships helped me explore career options and confirm my interest in pursuing a masterʼs in social work.

Steven Ng ‘11 Economics/History RICP connected me with top talent in the New Jersey area at Cmed Inc. Through RICP, I narrowed down what I enjoy doing and learned about myself. I also learned how to think outside the box. Currently I work at Liberty Mutual. I also recently took the GMAT in hopes of getting my MBA.

Curt Villarosa ‘12 Communication My internship with NBC Universal helped me focus my career plans and taught me what I like and donʼt like. I was in ad sales and it allowed me to develop transferrable skills. I want to get into behind scenes TV and publicity.

Noelle Sisco ‘12 Economics Through my internship at UBS my finance career plans were confirmed. My internship involved sales work and analysis. I also helped to bring in clients and pitch the company to them. This internship confirmed my interest in finance and sales.

Samantha Behrooj ‘12 Journalism and History I had two internships through RICP with ScarletKnight.com and NBC Universal. NBC Universal showed me that I am interested in media such as broadcasting. I went into my internship thinking that I would not like it but I actually love it and digital media and broadcasting is now my focus.

PAGE C2 THE DAILY TARGUM

Staff Directory Career and Interview Center Busch Campus Center 7 3 2 -4 4 5 -6 1 2 7 Janet Jones, Senior Associate Director Greg Sobol, Assistant Director Jennifer Broyles, Assistant Director Joe Scott, Assistant Director Sue Pye, Assistant Director Tammy Samuels, Assistant Director Toi Tyson, Assistant Director Marcia Milgrom, Career Counselor Barbra Bonifield, Career Services Coordinator Toni Berlingieri, Career Services Coordinator

Career Center at 4 6 College Avenue 7 3 2 -9 3 2 -7 9 9 7 Chrystal McArthur, Senior Associate Director David Bills, Assistant Director Larry Jacobs, Assistant Director Monica Bryant, Assistant Director Sylvia Cordero, Assistant Director Tina Vance Knight, Assistant Director Doug Ricci, Career Counselor Scott Borden, Career Counselor Linda Bagen, Career Services Assistant Mark Kerr, Career Services Assistant/Special Projects

CAREERS

November 1, 2011

From The Director’s Desk

by Richard L. White Our third and final issue of Careers for the fall semester has something for everyone.

If you’re a senior or graduate student seeking a job following graduation, be sure to read my Dr. Richard L. White article, “What Do I Do in Today’s Director of Career Services Job Market?”

It discusses CareerKnight, the Rutgers online portal for careerrelated workshops, jobs and internships, career days, on-campus interviews, and employer information sessions—and more. To register and put your resume online, log on to careerservices.rutgers.edu and click on “Students/Alum” under the CareerKnight logo. Check CareerKnight regularly to review upcoming events and job and internship opportunities.

If you’re thinking about graduate school or are currently applying, the Graduate and P rofessional School Day is for you. It will take place on Wednesday, November 2 from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. in the Rutgers Student Center. It will have a national and regional focus with 130 graduate programs rep-

resenting business, humanities, law, medicine, education, engineering, sciences, and social sciences.

Some Rutgers units will also be attending. See our ad in this issue of Careers.

Whether you’re looking for a full-time job or internship, be sure to check CareerKnight for employers conducting information sessions. These are great opportunities to make face-to-face contact with employers. Most events are in the Busch Campus Center between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.

If you’re deciding on a m ajor or p lanning a ca reer, read our “Career Oppor tunities for Majors In...” article. Finally, take advantage of our programs highlighted in this issue of Careers, including the New Jersey Collegiate Career Day on Januar y 5.

Watch for our next issue of Careers on February 7, 2012, and our Career Services Weekly every Tuesday in The Targum. In the meantime, good luck with your exams and the conclusion of the fall semester.

Richard L. White is New Brunswick-wide director of Career Services at 56 College Avenue.

Administrative Office 5 6 College Avenue 7 3 2 -9 3 2 -7 2 8 7 Richard L. White, Director Dorothy Kerr, Employer Services Executive Manager Barbara Thomson, Senior Project Coordinator Alison Koo, Budget and Technical Coordinator Larissa Keller, Employer Services Coordinator Lisa Goddard, Employer Services Coordinator Mary Beth Kimberlin, Employer Services Assistant

Ask the Director Dear Director, Is it better to go to graduate school right after college, or wait a few years and get some work experience first?

Dear Rutgers Senior: Some graduate programs require or strongly encourage work experience following your bachelor’s degree, while others do not.

Graduate programs in such areas as business (MBA), social work (MSW), psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), and public policy seek candidates with two to five years of relevant work experience. Other programs, including law, medicine, the humanities, sciences, and social sciences do not require experience, although it could boost your admission chances. They are looking for bright, focused students who have a passion for their field.

Of course, the cost of graduate education may necessitate that you work for a few years to generate some resources for your continued education.

My advice is to ask the graduate admissions offices at the schools where you are considering applying the following questions: “What is the average age of your students?” “Do you recommend work experience before graduate school?”

“Can acceptances be deferred?”

I hope this is helpful. Good luck with your graduate applications.

—Dr. Richard White Director, Career Services 56 College Ave.

Careers Services Inbox Dear Tammy, I just wanted to thank you so much for all your help. I truly appreciate it. I am so excited about the internship, and I am so glad everything was able to work out. I have to say; this is the best department at RU by far when it comes to getting things done and helping students. Truly amazing!

Thank you again, Gia Peppers Journalism and Media Studies 2011

Did You Know?

Our two New Jersey Collegiate Career Days—offered in early January and late May—are Career Services’ largest events of the year with over 150 employers and 2,500 job seekers.

CAREERS

November 1, 2011

Alumni Success Story Jaclyn Rosenberg, 2011, Communications Performance Marketing Specialist at Ferrara & Company What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most? The least?

The aspect of my job I enjoy the most is being able to work on Jaclyn Rosenberg Facebook. One of my responsibilities is to manage a major brand’s Facebook page, so I get to be on it all day! My least favorite aspect of my job is creating banner placements. I have to place those annoying banners on the sides of webpages and take analytics on the placements. It’s a lot of data pulling and sometimes a hassle.

What do you think is the most valuable skill that someone should have if they want to be in your position?

They need to have efficient technology skills. I use new digital data tools every day to pull digital analytics, and I constantly have to teach myself these platforms. It’s a lot easier if you are comfortable and confident with how a computer works. Also knowledge of coding helps.

THE DAILY TARGUM PAGE C3

Faculty Advice: Joan Marter

What do you think made you successful?

I worked hard throughout college and had two great internships. Internships are the key to finding a job. It gives you awesome experience and something to talk about during interviews.

What advice can you give someone who has plans for graduate school or is looking for a job straight out of college?

It is going to be tough getting a job out of college. It took me 3 months to find mine. I applied to over 100 jobs and had about 15 inter views until I got an offer. Get ready for some intense inter views (most of them have tests involved). If you are going to grad school, lucky you! You get to put off the real world for a few more years.

Hopefully when you get out, job searching won’t be as difficult.

How has Career Ser vices helped you along the path towards where you are right now?

Career Services has been a huge help with my job search. They critiqued my cover letter and resume until it was perfect. They also honed my interview skills. They really helped out a lot in the process and I thank them for that!

Joan Marter, Ph.D. Art Histor y

Joan Marter

What advice can you give to students who are not sure of their major?

The most successful major is the one that interests you the most. Opportunities may vary from one field to another, but if you are dedicated to a certain subject and respond to that area of study, you should pursue that direction. You will succeed if the major you choose motivates you to work hard.

Given the current economic situation, what suggestions do you have for students who are debating between going to graduate school and entering the workforce?

Some fields definitely require graduate study to find a job. What is most important is to know what your goal is. Graduate school is expensive, and a major investment of both time and money. If you have determined that you want to pursue a career that requires a graduate degree, only then should you enroll in a graduate program. Work may help to clarify the direction you should take. Does the job lead to advancement without graduate study? If the job offers only limited opportunities for advancement, then a graduate degree may be necessary.

What job related skills will students develop through an ar t history major?

Art history majors learn how to write. Visual acuity is improved. Of course, there is also the enjoyment of works of art in museums and in travel for the rest of your life.

What job oppor tunities are available for students studying in your field, and what can students do to increase their chances of finding a job?

Internships are essential in any field, but for the art history student an internship in a gallery or museum can lead to employment. Our students have internships at museums in New Jersey and New York.

Some art history students work in galleries in New York. These internships offer valuable experience in the “business” of the art world, and can lead to an entry-level position.

Job Market : Continued from front sional and personal skills can have an impact. Many employers seek “all majors” for entry-level positions. Attend the New Jersey Collegiate Career Day on January 5.

How is the internship market holding up?

There are still lots of opportunities for internships. Many employers utilize internships as the preferred method of attracting and hiring full-time employees. They are the best way to get your “foot in the door,” get noticed, build your resume, and generate a full-time offer.

What tips do you have to help my job search?

Some keys to a successful job search during tight times are to start early, utilize a variety of resources (online job postings, career fairs, and campus interviews), develop a networking campaign, and utilize Career Services.

How can I expand my job options?

I would recommend the following: expand your geographical parameters; consider positions unrelated to your major; consider a part-time or temporary job; and consider taking additional courses to supplement your knowledge and your resume.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck with your job search, and let us know how we can help.

Dr. Richard White is director of career services at 56 College Avenue. If you have questions or need advice, email him at riwhite@echo.rutgers.edu.

Grad School : Continued from front Meeting personally with admissions representatives may even increase your chances of getting into graduate school.

Master’s degree students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. can also benefit by attending. This event is open to all students and staff!

The Graduate & Professional School Day will be held on Wednesday, November 2 at the Rutgers Student Center from 12:30 – 3:30 PM. Visit careerservices.rutgers.edu for more information.

Did You Know?

Prudential is the #1 recruiting organization at Rutgers.

PAGE C4 THE DAILY TARGUM

CAREERS

Intern Spotlight

November 1, 2011

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAJORS IN...

by Chrystal McArthur

An interview with Victoria Kozhevnikov of P RUDENTIAL: Student name: Victoria Kozhevnikov Major: Finance Year of graduation: 2014

Where did you work and what were your main responsibilities?

Victoria Kozhevnikov

This past summer, I worked at Prudential’s Life Insurance business in the Planning and Analysis group. My group did forecasting and my main responsibilities were to help organize and prepare the analytics into presentations that were given to the heads of the businesses.

How did you get your internship?

One of my family friends works at Prudential and he was very knowledgeable about the internship program so he turned in my resume to the recruitment team and I landed an interview! I never believed it when people said that networking is so important, but it is very true and I experienced it first hand so I can’t stress it enough.

What did you like best about your internship?

What I liked best about my internship was Prudential’s atmosphere. The work environment was great. Everyone was so friendly and willing to help. My boss and my group members were so good to me and taught me so much. We even had casual Fridays which were the best! I also loved

how the program incorporated many fun activities; we went to see Beauty and the Beast at the NJPAC, we went on a scavenger hunt in NYC, and built bikes for kids who are a part of the “AIDS Resource Foundation for Children.” I really love the work environment at Prudential which is why I am so eager to come back.

What were the most valuable skills you gained?

Throughout my summer, I gained many new valuable skills. Being only a freshman at the time of my internship, I am grateful that I was able to get a head start on my career and get to experience what it is really like to work in a big company business environment such as Prudential. I was also able to perfect my skills in Excel, PowerPoint and work with a team, which are all crucial skills to master in the business world.

What are your career goals and job search strategies?

I hope to become very successful in my finance career and I aspire to become an important asset to a company and make a difference. But the most important thing for me is that I hope to love my job and what I do every day. My number one job search strategy would have to be networking. I really believe that networking could make a big difference in a person’s job search. I also believe that a person should look for a job or an internship at a company that is a good match for them. I believe Prudential is a place for me and I could definitely see myself working there after I graduate.

There is one primary concern of students deciding on a major: What career possibilities are related to specific majors? In this day of increasing costs for a college education, students and parents want to be sure that their investment of time, hard work, and money will lead to a meaningful job and career.

The Career Services staff helps students learn about career opportunities as they relate to individual skills and interests, previous work experience, and academic majors.

We offer workshops such as “Choosing a Major,” as well as panels of speakers discussing careers. We also encourage you to take advantage of our “Rutgers Online Career Planning Site.” This site enables you to identify your interests, skills, and values, and then relate them to Rutgers majors and jobs obtained by Rutgers graduates with those majors.

Another valuable resource is our series of Career Opportunities for Majors in… profiles. Each profile describes the major from a career perspective and lists typical employers and sample job titles. There’s also a list of actual positions obtained by Rutgers graduates. Our “career opportunities” series includes 77 profiles covering 86 Rutgers majors!

Copies are available at the 46 College Avenue office and at careerservices.rutgers.edu. To access the profiles click on “College Majors and Careers” under Quick Links. Whether you’re deciding on a major or planning your career, we encourage you to pick up one or more profiles as you explore career options.

Chrystal McArthur is a senior associate director of Career Services at 46 College Avenue.

CAREER TIP OF THE MONTH The One Question to Ask Ever y Interviewer The opportunity for you to ask a question often comes only at the end of the interview. In fact, you are typically offered the chance when the interview is over: “Are there any questions that I can answer for you?”

However, there is a question you should ask every interviewer as early as possible during the course of the interview: “Can you tell me about the position and the type of person you are seeking?”

Properly positioned, this question can provide you with your single greatest opportunity for understanding more about the job and your ability to fill the role. The answer can show you the specific areas of need you should address during the course of the interview. So it is important to inject this question into the interview as early as possible.

You can do this with an “out-take” question. As you finish an answer, use it as a lead to your question. Be careful not to use this technique as an attempt to control the interview. You merely need to use this technique to inject this critical question.

For example, in answering the question “What do you know about our company?” you can answer directly with what you know about the company - you have done your research, right? Then state that you do not know as much about the specific position. Turn your answer into the out-take question: “Can you tell me more about the position and the type of person you are seeking?”

Find the strategic opportunity to inject this question as early as possible in the process. Then, as appropriate, frame your answers around what they are seeking in the person to fill the position. Stay within practical bounds in directing your answers, yet keep in mind the perspective of the interviewer, and seek to meet their needs for the position.

You will be further ahead in the interview than if you merely take shots in the dark, hoping for your answers to magically hit the mark.

Content written by Brian Krueger, President, CollegeGrad.com, Inc. Copyright 2004 CollegeGrad.com, Inc. Used by permission of the author and publisher.

Additional entry level career information is available at www.CollegeGrad.com

Did You Know?

US News & World Report has again recognized Rutgers University in the Top Tier of Best Colleges for 2012.

November 1, 2011

CAREERS

THE DAILY TARGUM PAGE C5

PAGE C6 THE DAILY TARGUM

CAREERS

November 1, 2011

SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES: THE TWO SIDES OF FACEBOOK The popular social network, Facebook, provides opportunities to help you with your job search…but if you’re not careful, it could hurt your chances at job search success. It has become a completely public network, and while you may enjoy using this site for social purposes, your sense of privacy might not be all that secure.

Employers now use Facebook as a tool for gathering background information on job and internship candidates. Many use recent graduates or interns who work for their organization to search for information on prospective candidates. Employers have always performed background checks on candidates. But now students have conveniently created public profiles on social networking sites that help employers look for “red flags” to nix candidates before they have a chance to get their foot in the door or even after one or two successful interviews.

Many students never consider that employers may judge them on more than just a resume. While a Facebook profile may be a great resource for meeting people and finding others with common interests, employers may think very differently. For some students, their online social persona undermines the professional persona as portrayed in their resumes. Students who post inappropriate content on Facebook will prompt employers to ask, “What kind of judgment does this candidate have?” Students with otherwise ideal job qualifications can give the impression of being unprofessional.

While Facebook can have negative consequences, it also has positive uses for job search or networking purposes. Some students have started to use it as a second resume or a networking tool to meet others and gain valuable career information. Facebook profiles which closely mirror students’ resumes create the image employers are seeking.

Review your Facebook profile from an outsider’s perspective. Do you want to portray this image of yourself to the public? You should also pay attention to privacy settings - you can limit these so that only certain users can see your profile.

There are potential risks associated with Facebook. But if used wisely, it is a great tool for networking, gaining information, sharing experiences, meeting new people, and showing your professional side.

Did You Know?

Best National University Best Public - National University Undergraduate Business Undergraduate Engineering High School Counselor Picks National University

CAREERS

November 1, 2011

THE DAILY TARGUM PAGE C7

EXPLORING THE RUTGERS INTERNSHIP AND CO-OP PROGRAM

By: Michelle Tong ‘12 On September 28, 2011 Career Services hosted its first Employer Appreciation Breakfast for employers that have sponsored one or more interns through the Rutgers Internship and Co-op Program. The event brought together Career Services staff and employers, from participating organizations, to discuss key trends in internships, the mutual benefits of internships, and the key issue of paid versus unpaid, credit versus non-credit internships. Guest speakers included John Warner, assistant district director of the U.S Department of Labor--Wage and Hour Division, and Marta Pateiro Rutgers ’09, campus recruiter and manager of Prudential’s summer internship program. The morning was also dedicated to showcasing the rapid growth of the Rutgers Internship and Co-op Program (RICP) since the fall of 2008.

Today’s internships come in different styles, target a variety of majors, and vary by industry, compensation, and credit requirements. Students who are not yet eligible to participate in a departmental internship, or just want to explore career options outside of their major have a great opportunity to earn credit through RICP from the School of Arts and Sciences. As noted

by Tammy Samuels, assistant director of internship programs, RICP started with just 29 students and now has grown to over 600 participants in its first three years. The number of participating employers continues to grow as well in both the public and private sectors throughout the tri-state.

Students have the option of completing a 3-credit internship or a 6credit co-op course that coincides with their position. One of the many advantages of RICP is the fact that credits may be earned even if the internship is also paid. In order to be eligible to participate, students must have a cumulative 2.75 GPA and have completed 30 credits (12 credits at Rutgers if a transfer student). Students must also present verifiable proof of their internship or co-op, subject to approval, and apply before the beginning of the semester in which they are interning.

Put your skills to the test, gain valuable professional experience, establish relationships with potential employers, and kick off your journey towards a successful career!

Learn more about the Rutgers Internship and Co-op Program by going to http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/rutgers_internship.shtml

Michelle Tong is a Rutgers University student majoring in communication. She currently serves as a Career Services communication and journalism intern.

Did You Know?

You have to try CareerShift! It’s an amazing job hunting and career management site. Go to careerservices.rutgers.edu.

PAGE C8 THE DAILY TARGUM

CAREERS

November 1, 2011