This issue is sponsored by:
November 13, 2012
Volume 38 #3
WHAT DO I DO IN TODAY’S JOB MARKET? Since the spring of 2008, the “business news” has often made its way to “front-page news”—and the news remains sobering. The Wall Street crisis, home mortgage crisis, banking and auto industry bailouts, and an unemployment rate stuck around 8% are stories that are frequently in the news and causes for concern. Who would have thought that gas around $3.80 a gallon would be GOOD NEWS? But even in these challenging times, there are some bright spots and some concrete things that you can do to land a job or internship. Is there any good news on the employment front? The national economy added 114,000 new jobs in September, mostly in the private sector, and the September unemployment rate fell to 7.8%, below 8% for the first time in 43 months. The news is not as promising in New Jersey, where the unemployment rate is hovering at 9.9%. How does the entry-level hiring market compare to the general job market? There is better news on the entrylevel front. In a recent article, the National Association of Colleges and Employers cited some encouraging trends in a recent study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In September 2012, the unemployment rate for new college graduates (ages 20-24) fell to 6.3%. This is down sharply from the 8.3% unemployment rate in September 2011 and the 9.4% rate in September 2010. The unemployment rate for all college graduates is 4.1%, about half the national unemployment rate. Having a college
In This Issue What Do I Do in Today’s Job Market? Career Day AD Where RU Headed?
1 1 1
Staff Directory From the Director’s Desk Ask the Director Speed Networking AD Career Panels AD
2 2 2 2 2
Alumni Success Story Faculty Advice Column Dining Etiquette AD
3 3 3
Enterprise Internship Spotlight Social Work AD CareerKnight AD
4 4 4
Enterprise AD
5
First & Second Year Students Choosing a Major AD Career Services Inbox Big East AD
6 6 6 6
Jump Start Your Career (RICP) RICP AD CareerKnight AD Wall Street AD
7 7 7 7
Events Calendar Career Opportunities For Majors In... Vault AD AACC AD
8 8 8 8
degree is your best bet for obtaining a job and building a career. Why are entr y- level candidates good for employers and their bottom lines? Employers understand the importance of bringing new talent and fresh ideas into their organizations, even during slow economic times. In addition, entry-level hires are not as “expensive” as seasoned professionals and middle managers. Finally, they represent “pipelines” to their colleges and academic programs. The result is that recent college graduates may have a leg up on their more experienced competition. What are the most promising fields for college grads? There are lots of opportunities in accounting, engineering, information technology, nursing, and supply chain management. Keep in mind that all organizations in all sectors—corporate, nonprofit, and government—need employees who can write, market, recruit, manage projects, solve problems, work effectively in teams, and perform a wide range of functions. How can Career Services help? We offer a number of employment services to assist with your job search: • CareerKnight — Log in to your account at careerservices.rutgers.edu for access to workshops, job/internship listings, career days, on-campus interviews, employer information sessions, and to schedule career counseling appointments.
• Career Days—We offer 10 oncampus events a year. Our next event is the New Jersey Collegiate • Career Day on January 3. We expect more than 180 employers, representing a wide range of industries and employment sectors. • Employer Information Sessions—Make personal contact with employers. Most sessions are held in the early evening at the BCC or RSC. • Networking—Contact people and ask them for career information, advice, job leads, and other people to contact. Also check out our Alumni Career Network, searchable by major and career field. Finally, don’t wait to set up a LinkedIn profile. There are over 22,000 members in the Rutgers Alumni LinkedIn group, and current students are encouraged to join.
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 star t early, utilize a variety of resources (online job postings, career fairs, and campus inter views), develop a networking campaign, and utilize Career Ser vices. H ow ca n I exp a n d m y job op tion s ? 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.
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 communication, analytical, organizational, presentation, project-management, research, and teamwork skills. I ’ m a libera l a r ts m a jor. What can I d o and where shou ld I look? Look for jobs where your professional and personal skills can have an impact. Many employers seek “all majors” for entrylevel positions. Attend the New Jersey Collegiate Career Day on January 3.
WHERE RU HEADED? How has your internship helped your career plans? Jineta Raval ‘13
Matthew Mikolay ‘15
Political Science and English
Computer Science
Through my internship with Seventeen Magazine over the summer, I learned and experienced the ins and outs of publishing. It gave me a thorough understanding of the print media.
Through my internship, I became familiar with the work ethic and time commitment needed to properly complete a design project while cooperating with a team in the workplace environment.
Chanee Massiah ‘14
Avegail Tizon ‘13
Public Health
Information Technology
This past summer, I helped set up clinics in the indigenous villages of Riobamba, Ecuador. As an aspiring physician, these are the communities I yearn to learn from and provide the medical attention that many people desperately need.
At my internship at Watson Pharmaceuticals, I was not only introduced to User Experience, the career field I plan to pursue, but also to a great supervisor and mentor who has been guiding me along the way.
Raheem Balogun ‘14
Steven Cao ‘13
Engineering
Mathematics and Economics
My summer internship with the School of Engineering has helped me to build the leadership and interpersonal skills I will need to embark on my career in education. By allowing me to gain experience in the classroom, it has truly guided me in the right direction.
My summer internship at Goldman Sachs helped me build my resume, gain experience, and make me more marketable for full-time opportunities. At the end of the summer, I was extended an offer to join my team full-time after graduation.
PAGE C2 THE DAILY TARGUM
CAREERS
November 13, 2012
Director’s Desk 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 the article, “What Do I Do in Today’s Job Market?” It discusses CareerKnight, the Rutgers online system for career counseling appointments, career workshops, jobs and internships, career days, oncampus interviews, employer information sessions—and more. All matriculated students automatically have a CareerKnight account. To upload your resume, log on to careerservices. ru tgers. edu and click on “Students/Alum” under the CareerKnight logo. Check CareerKnight regularly to review upcoming events and job and internship opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a full-time job or
internship, be sure to check CareerKnight for employers conducting in for m a tion s es s ion s . These are great oppor tunities to make 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 major or planning a career, read our “Career Opportunities for Majors In...” article. Finally, take advantage of our programs highlighted in this issue of Careers, including the New Jersey Collegiate Career Day on January 3. Watch for our next issue of Careers in Februar y, and our Career Services Weekly ever y Tuesday in The Targum. In the meantime, good luck with your exams and the conclusion of the fall semester.
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.
Did You Know? US News & World Report has again recognized Rutgers University in the Top Tier of Best Colleges for 2012.
November 13, 2012
CAREERS
Alumni Success Story Name: Kimberly Gray Communication, May 2010 IT Contracts Analyst, Guardian Life Insurance What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most? The least? I enjoy many aspects of my job; the IT industry, the culture, Kimberly Gray working in New York City where everything is fast paced, and especially the people. Guardian Life Insurance prides itself on its corporate values such as “We Do the Right Thing” and “People Count” and you can see that reflection in the employees it hires. Working in Corporate IT was challenging at first, having little IT knowledge, but I caught on quickly to the complicated world of IT Contracts and it is still a constant, but rewarding learning process. What do you think is the most valuable skill that someone should have if they want to be in your position? Open and direct communication skills. I work in Corporate IT where I come in contact with various departments within the company and technology vendors outside the company. Being able to just pick up the phone or even walk over to someone’s desk when requesting information is a key skill. It can be intimidating to think of, especially at a large company, but people will respect your open communication. I’ve found that the majority of times people do want to help, especially when you’re just starting out in your career. What do you think made you successful? Throughout my college career, I always maintained part-time job(s) and participated in various extracurricular activities, including being a communication/marketing intern at Career Services and working in the Dean’s Office on the Livingston Campus as a peer advisor. I learned how to multi-task those responsibilities as well as my academic pursuits. Multi-task-
ing, along with direct communication, are important skills to have in the corporate working world where many different tasks are being assigned to you simultaneously. Also, an ability to prioritize the important, when everything is “important” has been critical. What advice can you give someone who has plans for graduate school or is looking for a job straight out of college? Network, network, network. You never know when you might have an opportunity to meet someone that can advance your goals. I learned about becoming a Career Services intern through one of my communication classmates, applied and was accepted, which in turn led to one of the best experiences of my college career and helped me land at Guardian. Every moment is an opportunity for networking; in class, on the bus, in the dining hall, etc. Use it to your advantage. How has Career Ser vices helped you along the path to where you are now? I had a special, fond experience with Career Services. As I stated before, I was a communication intern for a year and a half and it was one of the best times while I was at Rutgers. I managed the Career Services Marketing Ambassadors (CSMA), as well as met, and hopefully mentored many great undergraduates. Being in that role, we were assigned to assist at the various career events and fairs throughout the semester. I came in contact and networked with numerous vendors that came on-site for these events. This experience was great and opened my eyes to the world of networking. Upon graduation in May 2010, my connections made through my activities at Rutgers, especially Career Services, led and prepared me to where I am now at Guardian Life Insurance. Some may say this is a rare lucky chance that this occurred, but I like to quote the one and only Oprah here— “Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.” You never know what opportunities will prevail when you try your best and work hard.
THE DAILY TARGUM PAGE C3
Faculty Advice Column Todd Keister Professor, School of Arts & Sciences, Economics 1) What advice can you give to students who are not sure of their major? Choosing a major is a personal process people arrive at choice the in different ways. I would offer two suggestions for undecided students to keep in mind. One is that your major should be something that Todd Keister interests you. That doesn't mean you have to love every course or find every lecture fascinating. What it means is that you should find the basic topics studied, and the way they are studied, to be meaningful. The second suggestion is to look at jobs or career paths that seem interesting to you and ask what majors would provide a good preparation for that path. For example, you might find public policy interesting and think it would be exciting to work in the government or for a private organization that focuses on issues related to, say, immigration policy. 2) What suggestions do you have to students debating between graduate school and work? I would generally advise students to go to graduate school only if they have a clear career path in mind and the graduate program is part of that path. Graduate school can be very demanding and you want to be fully committed to the program if you go. If you're not really sure what you want to do, graduate school can be a painful - and not very productive - process. I would particularly advise against using graduate school as a way of putting off decisions. If you are not sure what you want to do, you may be better off working for a while. Even if the job you get is not exactly what you want to do for a career, the process of working for 2-3 years will give you more experience and allow you to learn about yourself and your interests. If you have a clear career path in mind, though, and you are ready to get started on that path, going directly to graduate school can be a good choice. 3) What skills will students develop as an economics major? I think the most important skills that are developed in economics courses are analytical reasoning and quantitative analysis. Analytical reasoning is about being able to think through a problem from start to finish. It is a critical skill in deciding, for example, whether the arguments a political candidate makes in a debate are sound or not. It is equally important for thinking through business decisions - should the company open a new branch or expand its product line? The process of identifying the precise question, gathering the appropriate information, and using sound reasoning to reach a conclusion is something that we continually build on in economics courses. Quantitative analysis involves making effective use of numbers and data in these types of decisions. This is an area that is continuing to become more important in almost all areas of life because of the abundance of data now available in our online, interconnected world. Companies, entrepreneurs, government - everyone is looking for ways to get a better handle on the data available to them and to use it effectively. The economics major teaches students how to use methods from statistics and econometrics to summarize large amounts of data and understand what we can learn from it. 4) What career path can you take with this major? There are so many options, it is difficult to know where to start. The basic skills that economics majors develop are useful in a wide range of career paths. I mentioned public policy before careers in government or in the private sector that focuses on particular aspects of government policy, such as immigration, taxation, social spending, etc. Alternatively, many economics majors go into the financial sector, working at banks or other types of investment companies, or into business consulting. Economics provides an excellent background for someone who wants to go on to professional school in law or business. It's also a great choice for someone who would like to start a business one day. In my previous job at the Federal Reserve, we hired recent graduates as research assistants and market analysts. These positions could be the starting point for careers in either public policy or financial markets. 5) What can students do to increase their chances of finding a job or internship? One of the most important traits employers are looking for is engagement with the world around you. Will you be the type of person who "buys into" whatever projects you are assigned and is constantly trying to do them better? Or will you just be looking to do the minimum required to get by? In the application and interview process, the more you can convey a sense of sustained enthusiasm for the activities you do, the more likely you will be to land the job. The best way to convey this information is with a strong academic record - by taking challenging courses and doing well in them. Extracurricular activities that develop interpersonal and leadership skills - student organizations, newspapers and such - are also useful. Finally, practice interviewing. For most people, interviewing which involves selling yourself to the people conducting the interview - is not a natural process. Practice with friends or family. As you are practicing, put yourself in the interviewers’ shoes. Research the job, try to figure out what they are looking for in a candidate, and focus on how you can meet those needs.
CAREERS
PAGE C4 THE DAILY TARGUM
November 13, 2012
Internship Spotlight An interview with Stephanie Lane of ENTERPRISE Name: Stephanie Lane Major: Journalism & Media Studies Year of graduation: October 2012
that have been instilled within me through this internship will undoubtedly contribute to my development as a successful businesswoman.
Where did you work and what were your main responsibilities? I worked in the Somerset and New Brunswick branches of Enterprise Rent-a-Car for the duration of my internship.
How did you get your internship? I met Regional Talent Acquisition Specialist, Darlene Cusumano, at a Rutgers University internship fair during the spring 2012 semester. I introduced myself to Darlene at the event. I gave her a copy of my resume and she followed up with me a few days later. After a few weeks and three interviews I was presented with the opportunity to partake in the internship program at Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
As an intern my responsibilities ranged from customer follow-up phone calls to marketing to new accounts as well as maintaining existing accounts. Our accounts include, but are not limited to corporate accounts, insurance agents, and local body shops. As an intern I learned the importance of generating a strong rapport with these entities as they are also part of the strong foundation that helps us to succeed as a company. However, above all obligations my greatest priority was to ensure customer satisfaction. Through my trainings and time spent with my managers and co-workers I grew to understand how important customers are to our business. Without our customers we wouldn’t have a business. I must not forget to mention there is a focus on sales at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Although it comes second to customer service, the emphasis on sales enabled me to better understand the business aspect of the company. I am confident that the experience, knowledge, and skills
What did you like best about your internship? My favorite aspects of my internship are the people that I work with and the hands-on experiences in the business world. I love being part of a team where I feel supported and surrounded by people who are competitive yet willing to help each other. I find this fuels my drive to succeed even further. What were the most valuable things you gained? I studied Journalism & Media Studies at Rutgers and my minors were in Sociology and Professional Youth Work. As the job market is somewhat dif ficult today I was worried I would not find a job at all. Above all, I never imagined I would end up with an entr y-level career in the business world with a degree in Journalism and Media Studies. Enterprise
Did You Know? The #1 employer of the Class of 2012 is Teach for America with 51 hires. Other leading employers in alphabetical order include Bank of America, Barclay’s, City Year, Citi, Cognizant, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, Macy*s, New York City Teaching Fellows, and Peace Corps.
Rent-a-Car has provided me with a fundamental understanding of business management as well as a hands-on oppor tunity to put these skills into practice on a daily basis. What are your career goals and job-search strategy? My main goal is to continue building upon this foundation that I’ve developed over these past few months through my experience at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. I previously noted the job market is somewhat difficult but I don’t think it’s as awful as some students imagine it to be. My best advice to anyone seeking an internship or a fulltime career is to be proactive. Don’t submit a resume and wait for the HR department to call you, call them. Go to career fairs and internship fairs. Many of the company representatives at the fairs are the same people who will interview you in your first or second round of interviews. Why not make a great impression on them in a face-to-face setting? Send out your resume to as many jobs as you can and then follow up with the human resources department at the respective company. Call, call, call. I believe that my generation has become so reliant on text messaging and emails that I find it makes you stand out from the crowd when you take the proactive approach of picking up the phone and calling prospective employers. Showing employers that you are genuinely interested by reaching out to them can give you that extra edge that will make you positively unique!
PAGE C6 THE DAILY TARGUM
FIRST AND SECONDYEAR STUDENTS: CHOOSING A MAJOR Think about it. Choosing a major is an important academic decision you will make at Rutgers. If you’re a sophomore, that decision is only a few months away. If you’re a first-year student, it’s not as far away as you may think—about 18 months. We encourage you to give this choice serious thought. As you work through the process, you may be tempted to let someone else make this decision for you. However, before doing so, you’ll want to consider your own thoughts and feelings regarding your major. As you explore college majors, consider these questions before making your choice: • What classes are required for the major? • Is there a required GPA to apply for the program? • Are you capable of successfully completing the coursework? • Does this field of study interest you? • What career options relate to the major? • Are these career options appealing and consistent with your skills? • Is the outlook for employment strong for these career options? • What salary can you expect to earn?
Here are three simple steps that you can take to get started: • Schedule a 30 minute career counseling appointment online via your CareerKnight account to explore these issues. • Pick up a copy of our free Career Services Guide at any one of our three offices on the College Avenue or Busch campuses. • Visit the Career Services website at careerservices.rutgers.edu for: --“Rutgers Online Career Planning Site” --“College Majors and Careers” section with career information on over 80 majors --“First and Second-Year Students” web section Good luck in your search for the major that is right for you!
Career Services Inbox Dear Monica, This past Wednesday I came to Career Services for a scheduled appointment. I initially came to receive help with my resume. However, during our discussion you helped me realize that I have other concerns on which to focus, such as determining a career path. In the coming weeks I will complete the online assessments and attempt to figure out job fields in which I'm interested. Thank you for your advice. I look forward to telling you the strides I have made in our next meeting. Sincerely, Richard
Did You Know? Career Services offers an online credentials service called Interfolio. You can store letters of recommendation and manage your account on a 24/7 basis. To open your file, visit www.interfolio.com.
CAREERS
November 13, 2012
November 13, 2012
Jump Start Your Career through the Rutgers Internship and Co-op Program (RICP) Together, Career Services and the School of Arts and Sciences sponsor a credit bearing online course for internships and co-ops. Internships and co-ops are vital experiences to develop professional skills, explore careers, and engage in networking opportunities. Through the Rutgers Internship and Co-op Program (RICP), students can earn 3 or 6 elective academic credits for an internship or co-op, respectively. This program allows students to maintain full-time student status while working in paid or unpaid internship and co-op positions. Today, internships come from different industries and target a variety of majors. Fortunately, the Rutgers Internship and Co-op Program is open to all Rutgers-New Brunswick undergraduate students that have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and have completed a minimum of 30 credits (12 at Rutgers for transfer students). Students must have verifiable proof of an internship or co-op position and apply to the program by appropriate deadlines. Put your skills to the test, gain valuable professional experience, establish relationships with potential employers, and kick off your journey towards a successful career! To learn more about the program, attend an upcoming RICP information session or visit our website: http://careerser vices.rutgers.edu/rutgers_internship.shtml Upcoming RICP Information Sessions: November 16 12-12:30 pm November 27 5-5:30 pm December 3 12-12:30 pm December 5 5-5:30 pm December 13 12-12:30 pm *Register for sessions through your CareerKnight account.
Did You Know? Our two New Jersey Collegiate Career Days—offered on January 3 and May 30 —are Career Services’ largest events of the year with over 150 employers and 2,500 job seekers.
CAREERS
THE DAILY TARGUM PAGE C7
CAREERS
PAGE C8 THE DAILY TARGUM
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAJORS IN... A primary concern of students deciding on a major is “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. Career Services helps students learn about career opportunities as they relate to individual skills and interests, previous work experience, and academic majors. There are many resources available to help you explore and choose a college major and develop career plans. 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,” available at careerser-
vices.rutgers.edu. 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 profiles covering over 80 Rutgers majors! Copies are available online 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 view one or more profiles as you explore career options.
November 13, 2012