This issue is sponsored by:
April 3, 2012
Volume 38 #3
CLASS OF 2013: TACTICS FOR RISING SENIORS Think about it. Your senior year at Rutgers is just around the corner. You may feel elation; you may feel some trepidation and anxiety; or you may feel a combination of excitement and concern. The reality is that you have one more year to go until you take the next significant steps in your life.
our website at careerservices.rutgers.edu and register for CareerKnight to gain access to internship listings. Visit the Rutgers Student Employment website at studentwork. ru tgers. edu for part-time jobs. Finally, see if your academic department has any leads.
Will you look for a job? Work full time or part time? Attend graduate school? Do volunteer work? Work during the day and go to graduate school at night? It’s not a bad idea to begin tossing around some ideas with friends, professors, and family members.
# 3 Attend our bi g spri ng ca reer da y: Career days are not just for seniors. The New Jersey Collegiate Career Day on May 30 will have over 130 employers, some still looking for summer interns.
What can you do this summer to get ready for your senior year? Here are tactics for you to consider:
#1 Prepare your resume: Write your resume and stop by Career Services to have it critiqued during weekly “drop-in hours”: Monday and Wednesday from 1:00-3:30 p.m. at the Busch Campus Center; and Tuesday and Thursday at 46 College Ave. from 1:00-3:30 p.m. Our offices are open all summer. #2 Find a summer job, internship, or volunteer experience: Check out our online internship listings each week. New internships arrive daily. Visit
#5 Do some reading and research: Visit your local librar y, the Career Ser vices libraries in the BCC or at 46 College Avenue, or Kilmer Librar y to research careers and employers. Go online to review jobs,
# 6 If you’re pla nni ng to go to gra dua te school: Open your credentials file by visiting www.inter folio.com . Have professors who know you well write a letter of reference for you. Research graduate programs online. The summer is a great time to do this before you start another busy fall semester. # 7 Pi ck u p a n d con su l t the R u tger s “Ca r eer S er vi ces Gu i de”: Career Ser vices has some excellent materials for you to read over the summer. Pick up a free Rutgers Career Services Guide before supplies run out. You can also access the guide through our website. # 8 Uti li ze Focus a nd the R u tger s On l i n e Ca r eer Pla nni ng Si te: Identify your interests, skills, and values through these two interactive sites. See how your personal attributes relate to the world of work. Click on “Career Assessments” under “Quick Links” on our home page. Get an early start. We hope to see you this spring or summer. Our doors will be open!
Did You Know? Career Services offers a convenient way to manage your job search. It’s called CareerShift, and it’s available on our website under “Boost Your Job Search.” Set up your own personal job search account and gain access to thousands of opportunities from multiple job boards.
WHERE RU HEADED?
In This Issue Tactics for Rising Seniors Career Days AD Where RU Headed?
1 1 1
Staff Directory Career Days AD From The Director’s Desk Senior Survey
2 2 2 2
Alumni Success Story Faculty Advice Column Career Shift Career Panel AD
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Campus to Career Internship Spotlight College Majors to Careers AD Engineers Without Borders
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Toys”R”Us AD
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Reciprocity RU Using Facebook Career Knight AD April Panels AD
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Ask the Director Career Services Inbox Co-Op Program AD
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Events Calendar Career Tip of the Month Etiquette Tip of the Week Women Entrepeneurs AD
#4 Build your personal network: Talk to people, asking them what they do, and what they like or dislike about their jobs. Ask their advice on how to find a job. Consult the Alumni Career Network to identify alumni who majored in your field and who are willing to provide career advice. Log on to careerservices.rutgers.edu; click on “Alumni Career Network”; the password is “henry.”
industr y forecasts, and company profiles. Another convenient resource is the Vault’s Career Insider, available on our website.
8 8 8 8
What do you plan to do this summer to help with your future career? Eric Taylor ‘13
Greg Cui ‘14
Exercise Science and Sports Studies
Economics
I have been interviewing for summer internships in the sports marketing field recently. So far I have had interviews with a marketing firm, a minor league baseball team, and a major league soccer team.
I plan to work for the law firm I worked for last summer. In order to better prepare for going back to the law firm I took law writing classes. My hope is to write appellate works, briefs, and do legal research now that I have training in law writing.
Jessie Mills ‘12
Veniamin Mayevskiy ‘13
Political Science and Philosophy
Philosophy
For the third summer in a row I will be working in a prestigious law firm in New Jersey. I will also spend my summer preparing for my first year at Seton Hall Law School.
I am going to take classes in order to become a certified EMT. I am also going to shadow a cardiothoracic surgeon over the summer.
Emily Trethewey ‘13
Jessica Sher ‘15
Civil Engineering
Cell Biology and Neuroscience
I will be interning at a civil engineering firm working in environmental engineering. I will also be taking an extra class over the summer to further my studies.
I will research mechanisms of neuronal regeneration and communication in a neuroscience laboratory. Rutgers has renowned research facilities and faculty to help pre-med students excel in their medical careers. I plan to take advantage of these resources!
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Director’s Desk by Richard L. White Our final issue of “Careers” is devoted to getting you ready for the challenges that lie ahead. If you’re a senior , you may be involved in the jobsearch or graduate school application process, and if you’re fortunate, you have received one or more offers from employers or graduate schools. Although the entr y-level job market remains challenging, it seems to be improving Dr. Richard L. White somewhat and there are Director of Career Services opportunities out there. You are not alone if you have experienced a difficult job search or haven’t even begun your search. If this is the case, be sure to utilize Career Ser vices during your final weeks at Rutgers and during the summer. Also mark your calendar for our Science and Nonprofit/Government Career Days on April 12 and
our grand finale, the New Jersey Collegiate Career Day on May 30. If you’re a junior, our article, “Class of 2013: Tactics for Rising Seniors,” provides a roadmap for what you can do to get ready for your senior year job or graduate school search. If you are in your first or second year, visit our website to check out “Focus” and our “Rutgers Online Career Planning Site.” Both sites will help you explore your interests, skills, and values and relate them to career choices. If you’re a senior, please fill out our “Quick Senior Survey,” which will arrive soon via email. Let us know your plans for next year. You could win one of our $25 gift cards. Best wishes for a successful conclusion to the spring semester. Career Services will be open all summer. Stop by any office and let us know how we can assist you.
Dr. Richard White is New Brunswick-wide Director of Career Services
April 3, 2012
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 at 46 College Avenue 732-932-7997 David Bills, Assistant Director Tina Vance Knight, Assistant Director Larry Jacobs, Assistant Director Monica Bryant, Assistant Director Sylvia Cordero, Assistant Director Doug Ricci, Career Counselor Scott Borden, 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 Larissa Keller, Employer Services Coordinator Lisa Goddard, Employer Services Coordinator Mary Beth Kimberlin, Employer Services Assistant Mark Kerr, Career Services Assistant/Special Projects
Did You Know? Check your eden account regularly for Career Services updates. You can have your eden email forwarded to another email address. Go to webmail.rutgers.edu, sign in, then click web tools to set up forwarding.
Career Services has a channel on myRutgers. Add us to your “Everyday” tab!
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April 3, 2012
Alumni Success Story Name: Sara Esquivel Biological Sciences, 2 0 1 1 Environmental Emergencies Associate, United Nations Office at Geneva What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most? The organization of meetings of Sara Esquivel international environmental experts, which enables me to meet, interact, and learn from these experts about environmental emergencies and what can be done to prevent, mitigate, and respond to such emergencies when they occur. What do you think are the most valuable skills that someone should have if they want to be in your position? Professionalism, planning and organizational skills, and teamwork.
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Faculty Advice Column John McGann, Assistant Professor, Psychology
What do you think made you successful? Having a keen interest and good understanding of the subject matter is important, together with a commitment to continuous learning. What advice can you give someone who has plans for graduate school or is looking for a job straight out of college? A graduate degree is always an asset. There is also something to be said about going for a job straight out of college as it af fords someone the oppor tunity to put into practice what one has learned. Ideally, a combination of the two is best. I plan to pursue a master's degree in my field of work while continuing with my current job.
1) What advice can you give to students who are not sure of their major? The best advice I can give to students on choosing a major is to choose a subject that they really love, not just something John McGann that they think will somehow be helpful to them in their later career. If you love it, you’ll enjoy doing the reading, enjoy the challenge of upper-level courses, and ultimately get the critical thinking, reading, and writing skills that you’ll need in any career. 2) What skills will students develop as psychology majors?
How has Career Services helped you? Career Services has prepared me for interviews and helped me strengthen my resume.
Psychology majors gain skills in critical/scientific thinking and in how to read and absorb fairly complicated material. They also gain a lot of insight into how people “work,” including how we think, how we interpret the world around us, and how we interact with other people. This knowledge is broadly applicable throughout life and in many different careers. 3) What job and internship opportunities are available for students majoring in psychology? What can they do to increase their chances of finding a job or internship? This is a hard question to answer because psychology is a very broad field that feeds many career types - everything from neuroscience research to business to clinical work with patients. The best advice is to engage with the psychology advisers and faculty in your area of interest and see where they can point you. Having a high quality resume and cover letter is also particularly important to help you stick out among the other applicants. 4) What career path can you take with this major? Psychology is the study of people, and understanding other people is a part of many, many careers. I’ve known psych majors who went on to become clinical psychologists and psychiatrists, professors, and academic researchers, as you’d imagine. But I’ve also known graduates who’ve put their knowledge to use as novelists, marketers, sales people, guidance counselors, lawyers, physicians (for the more biologically-minded), entrepreneurs, and human factors engineers. In the end, the major is whatever you make of it, and learning psychology deeply is good preparation for lots of directions your life might take. 5) What suggestions do you have to students debating between graduate school and work? First, there’s an important distinction between “graduate school” and “professional school.” A professional school is one that trains you in an existing set of skills that you’ll need in your career like medical school (for an MD) or business school (for an MBA). A graduate school is one that trains you in the scholarly development of new knowledge, like a PhD in an academic subject. Almost all PhD programs are *free*, but careers in academia are very challenging (and PhD’s take a long time to earn!) so I encourage students to look at such programs as a vocation - if you can easily see yourself working happily in that field for the rest of your life, do it. If not, try to get some experience working in the field first (say, as a lab technician) to try it for a while and decide if you really like it. If you are considering a professional school, the balance is that you have to pay them a lot of money in tuition, but you’ll (probably) make more money and have more skills (and credentials) afterwards. Just be alert to real costs involved and be thoughtful about what skills you’ll actually gain.
Did You Know? For lists of jobs obtained by Rutgers graduates with specific majors, log on to our “Major and Career Profiles” series at
careerservices.rutgers.edu/CareerHandouts.shtml.
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From Campus to Career: 10 Tips for a Successful Transition from College to the Workplace
CAREERS
Internship Spotlight An interview with Jordan Keitelman, Intern, Toys“ R” Us, Inc.
As graduation approaches, many college seniors are preparing to enter a professional work environment for the first time. The transition from college student to employee is exciting. It is also a huge challenge because of the tremendous difference between life in college and life after college. As you begin your move from college to career, here are 10 steps to success: 1. Arrive at work on time, preferably a little early. Stick to your allotted time for lunch. As a new employee it is important to demonstrate a strong work ethic and dedication to your career. 2. Dress appropriately. Observe how other employees dress, especially colleagues in the same position as you. Always look neat and clean. 3. Ask your supervisor for feedback on your performance. 4. Observe your colleagues in action. Take note of office protocol. Avoid office gossip. Steer clear of “complainers.” 5. Demonstrate good manners. Always knock before entering a colleague’s office. Answer your telephone politely, even if the call is internal. 6. Identify a mentor. Find a person who is further along on a similar career path who is willing to take you under his/her wing. 7. Ask lots of questions. Do not pretend to know all the answers. Learn what you need to know. 8. Always stick to deadlines. If you are going to have a problem meeting a deadline speak with your supervisor as soon as possible. 9. Pay close attention to the organization’s culture. Learn how things work. 10. Volunteer to help your co-workers. Ask your supervisor what you can do to contribute to special projects. You’ll get noticed and be on your way! These tips also apply to students beginning internships this summer. Good luck with your transition to the workplace and your job!
April 3, 2012
Name: Jordan Keitelman Major: Accounting Year of graduation: 2 0 1 3
views at the Toys “R” Us, Inc. global headquarters in Wayne, New Jersey. The process was straightforward and it was easy to apply.
Where did you work and what were your main responsibilities?
What did you like best about your internship?
This past summer I worked for the Internal Accounting department of Toys“R”Us, Inc. as the Common Area Maintenance/Store Audit Intern. As part of my responsibilities with CAM, I conducted an audit of financial records of landlords for different store locations to ensure expenses were not being unfairly charged to Toys “R” Us. I received reconciliations and other documentation from landlords, conducted an audit, wrote a report, and then discussed my findings with representatives of the landlord to reach a settlement. Jordan Keitelman
During the time I spent with the Store Audit team, I took raw data and created a database that we could use for analyzing patterns. To get this data, we went to stores and conducted a non-financial audit, to see if the stores were meeting all the guidelines set by headquarters. Stores were scored on many aspects of performance and I used these scores to create my database. Outside of departmental responsibilities, interns also had group projects. Mine was on social media and my group and I spent a few hours per week throughout the summer putting together a pitch on where we thought the company should direct its social media efforts. It was a lot of fun and the end product impressed everyone. How did you get your internship? I had an on-campus interview through the Career Services office at Rutgers University and final inter-
The people I worked with were amazing – they made the experience so memorable. My internship at Toys “R” Us was a lot of fun – sometimes I didn’t even feel like I was doing work because of how much fun it was. While I did accomplish plenty, I also have great memories of things like the NERF blasters we shot around the office on Fridays or the practical jokes we played on one another using the many toys available. I doubt I’ll ever see another office where so much work gets done while people are having so much fun. What were the most valuable things you gained? I gained experience in a professional environment and important skills such as third party negotiations after audits and time management while working a 9-to-5 job. I developed a lot as a professional and began to apply what I’ve learned through school and from mentors to my internship experience. By the end of my time at Toys “R” Us, Inc., I could define what my responsibilities were day to day and see the results of my work.
What are your career goals and job-search strategy? My internship with Toys “R” Us showed me how much fun work can be. I really want to enjoy what I do every day for the next 40 years. As long as I don’t dread waking up each morning, my career goal will be met. My job search strategy is very similar to my internship search strategy – I utilize Rutgers CareerKnight and any professional connections I have.
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Ask the Director Dear Director, My roommate, who has had a bunch of interviews, told me that some recruiters start the interview by saying, “Tell me about yourself.” How do I prepare for that question and answer it in the interview?” —Rutgers Senior Hi RS: Thanks for your good question. It’s a good idea to be prepared for this question, if it does come up. I would encourage you to practice a response to this question, maybe with a friend. Start by writing down three key points about yourself—one personal, one academic, and one work related. Your response should be about a minute, which is a decent amount of time when you watch the clock. You want to keep your answer short, informative, and well structured. Your response might sound like this: “I would like to touch on three things: my personal, academic, and work background. I grew up in Summit, New Jersey and finished in the top 10% of my class, while playing soccer and the flute. I enrolled in Rutgers and decided to major in economics because I wanted to learn the basic concepts of our money system and the global economy. I have had several internships and parttime jobs while in college, including my current internship at Johnson & Johnson in Skillman, New Jersey, where I am supporting the consumer sales division. My career goal is to work in pharmaceutical sales.” This covers all three main points in just about 30 seconds. You don’t want it to sound overly rehearsed, but I hope this will give you the idea. Good luck with your upcoming interviews. —Dr. Richard White Director, Career Services
Career Services Inbox Dr. White, Thank you so much again for working with me on my personal statements. Your valuable revisions and inspirational guidance throughout this process is much appreciated. I will be completing my applications this week and will definitely let you know where I end up with my education. I look forward to sharing good news with you in the spring! Sincerely, Michelle Eisenberg, Psychology, 2011
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RECIPROCITY: CAREER SERVICES BEYOND THE BANKS Are you planning to live and work outside of New Jersey? Then you should take advantage of the agreement between Rutgers Career Services and a network of career centers throughout New Jersey and the country. Through your affiliation with Rutgers and Career Services, you can receive “reciprocal services” at many schools in the locations of your choice. Here is how reciprocity works: Step 1 Send an email message to Dr. Richard White, Director of Career Services, at riwhite@echo.rutgers.edu. Step 2 Include your name, current address and phone number, year of graduation, and school(s) that you would like us to contact on your behalf (maximum of three). Step 3 Letters will be sent to the career services directors at the school(s) of your choice, requesting that they grant you access to the career library, job listings, and other services. Step 4
When the school replies back a copy will be sent to you.
Please note the following: • If you’re in a hurry, there is usually no need to wait for a formal reply from the school. If you show up with your copy of our letter, almost all schools will honor the letter on the spot. • Normally you will be able to utilize job listings, directories, and other resource materials. • Typically you will not be able to utilize such services as on-campus recruiting or individual career counseling. Each school will specify the breadth of its services for individuals from other schools. • You can utilize this service at any time—as a student or alumni. • A small number of schools (e.g., Boston University, Delaware, George Washington, and Georgetown) charge a modest fee ($25 or $50) for a certain time period (usually six months). Most schools do not charge. • Schools in the University of California state system, Columbia, Harvard, NYU, and Penn do not provide reciprocity. Good luck with your job search “beyond the banks!”
RU Using Facebook? Find us at Facebook.com/RutgersCareerServices By: Michelle Tong ‘12 With over 800 million active users on Facebook, Career Services decided to join in on the fun. Currently, there are over 1,800 fans of Rutgers Career Services! The page keeps you updated with upcoming events and workshops, useful career-related articles, special internship/job postings, and even interactive contests to win some cool prizes! Career Services launched its first Facebook contest where students commented on “What was your favorite Career Services event that you’ve attended?” 20 lucky participants were entered in a drawing for a gift card. Popular responses included career days, internships in the health professions, dining etiquette, and speed networking. Occasionally, you can find exclusive job and internship opportunities posted on the page. Previous opportunities included nonprofit organizations, the White House Internship Program, the CIA, and even NASA! We encourage you to leave comments about what you like about Career Services resources and/or suggestions for improvement. Let your voice be heard!
Be sure to become a fan of Rutgers Career Services. Find us at Facebook.com/RutgersCareerServices. Top 5 reasons to join the Facebook page: 1. Stay up-to-date with Career Services events. 2. Participate in special contests and enter to win some cool prizes! 3. Learn about exclusive internship and job opportunities.
Did You Know?
4. Check out career advice articles, you never know when you could use some tips. 5. Learn about special career-related events held off campus.
Thinking about working or studying abroad? Log on to the Career Services website and click on “Going Global” under “Boost Your Job Search.” In-depth country profiles are available along with profiles of America’s largest cities. A must if you are planning to relocate.
Michelle Tong is a Rutgers University student majoring in Communication. She previously served as a Career Services intern.
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CAREER TIP OF THE MONTH The Greatest Resume Mistake Every year, I see resumes from individuals who try to “stretch the truth” in order to sound more desirable on paper. It’s “resume inflation.” This lack of honesty, when discovered, instantly disqualifies that person from further consideration. Corporate recruiters are paid to screen people out, and the quickest and surest way a candidate is screened out is when a “white lie” or exaggeration is found. A recent candidate attempted to show experience in a computer language by placing it on his resume. It generated calls, but it also generated rejection letters when it became apparent that he did not really have a foundational understanding of the language. Doors were shut (very hard, I might add) that could have otherwise been open to him. Remember, the resume is not a work of fiction. While it should emphasize the positive, it should never emphasize what does not exist.
Adapted from Brian Kreuger of CollegeGrad.com
ETIQUETTE TIP OF THE WEEK: The Boss Be loyal to your boss. Speak well of your superior to others and support his or her initiatives. Your job is not only to advance your own career, but also to make your superior look good. Seek out supervisors and mentors who are ethical, that you will be proud to support. Never do anything illegal or unethical for your superior, because you will be held accountable.
Source: the Culture and Manners Institute at http://www.cultureandmanners.com/
Did You Know? The “Career Services Guide,” our free 50+ page job search and career planning handbook, is available online at careerservices.rutgers.edu. Look under “Quick Links” and select “Career Services Guide.”
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April 3, 2012