Presented by Career Services...Your Link to the Future Office of the Vice-President for Undergraduate Education
This issue sponsored by A Supplement Yo ur g u i d e t o j o b s , i n tern sh ips, an d gradu ate sch ool Volume 36 #3
April 6, 2010
CLASS OF 2011: 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 just one more year to go until you leave the security of friends and the collegiate environment and take the next significant steps in your life. 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, neighbors, and family members. It's never too early to begin the process of "career planning." What can you do this summer to get ready for your senior year? Here are tactics for you to consider:
#1 Write your resume: This is the single most important document in your job search. It’s also an excellent exercise and tool if you’re planning to go to graduate school. 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 Line up a summer job, internship, or volunteer experience: Check out our online internship listings each week. We expect over 2,000 internship postings this year, earmarked for Rutgers students. New internships arrive daily. Visit our website at http : //ca reers er vices . r u tgers . ed u and click on “Internships” to get started. Register for CareerKnight to gain access to internship listings and visit the Rutgers Student Employment website at http : //stu dentwork. ru tgers. edu for part-time jobs. Finally, see if your academic department has any leads. #3 Attend our big spring career day: Career days are not just for seniors. The New Jersey Collegiate Career Day on May 26 will have over 150 employers, some still looking for summer interns.
In This Issue Tactics For Rising Seniors Govt. & Science Career Day Where Are You Headed?
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A Winning Job Strategy From The Director’s Desk NJ Collegiate Career Day
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Internship Spotlight: Citi Quick Senior Survey Student Panel AD Career Shift AD
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Internship Spotlight: Enterprise Career Services Inbox From Campus To Career Careers In Higher Education AD
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Enterprise AD
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Dining Etiquette Dinner AD Services For Students Reciprocity Career Services Beyond The Banks
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Ask The Director On The Lighter Side Disabilities Awareness AD Internship Co-Op AD
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Spring 2010 Events
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#4 Build your personal network over the summer: Talk to lots of people over the summer. Ask 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. The network contains over 1,700 Rutgers graduates who are eager and willing to provide career information and advice. Log on to http : //ca reers er vices . r u tgers . ed u ; click on “Alumni Career Network.”
#8 Utilize Focus and the Rutgers Online Career Planning Site: Identify your interests, skills, and values through these two interactive sites. See how your personal attributes relate to the world of work. The Rutgers Online Career Planning Site, designed by our staff, references Rutgers majors and real jobs obtained by Rutgers graduates. Get an early start. We hope to see you this spring or summer. Our doors will be open!
#5 Do some reading and research: If you have any spare time over the summer, visit your local librar y, the Career Ser vices libraries in the BCC and at 46 College Avenue, or Kilmer Librar y to research careers and employers. "Surf the net" to review jobs, industr y forecasts, and company profiles. Another convenient resource is the Vault Online Career Librar y, available on our website. #6 If you're pla nni ng to go to gra dua te school: Open your credentials file by visiting www. inter folio. com . If you can identify professors who know you well enough to write a letter of reference, give them recommendation forms to complete over the summer. Also research graduate programs on the internet. The summer is a great time to do this before you wind up in the midst of another busy fall semester. #7 Rea d the Rutgers “Ca reer Services Guide”: 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.
WHERE RU HEADED? Helping you find your direction is what Career Services is all about! Career Services offers a wide range of assistance for all students from first year through graduate school. This month, Career Services Interns, Kim Gray and Michelle Yen, asked Rutgers students: “What are your career plans for this summer?” Here’s a sample of how some students responded:
Trea Cueva ‘11
Lawrence Kim ’10
Biological Sciences
Exercise Science
I will be taking summer courses as well as shadowing at hospitals to aid me in preparation for medical school.
I am currently waiting on graduate school decisions, but if that falls through I will likely look at the job market and go from there.
Grace Kuo ’12
Nadine Younes ‘10
Finance & Marketing
American Studies
I will be interning at a financial investment group to gain experience and knowledge for my future career path.
I have accepted an offer for an internship position at a township’s Chamber of Commerce.
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Amanda Deonandan ’10 Public Health I will be networking and interviewing at various places to secure an internship for next semester.
Kevin Mei ’11 Industrial Engineering I will be interning at LIG Insurance working on projects related to my major and projected career path.
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A Winning Job Search Strategy by Peter Vogt, MonsterTRAK Career Coach You've posted your resume online and even applied for a few positions. You're also scouring the newspaper classifieds like crazy, sending off cover letters and resumes for all the job openings that seem to fit you. Is there anything else you can do to look for a job? Absolutely! In fact, the more diverse your job-hunting strategy, the more effective it's likely to be. Here are eight tactics you can use to track down job opportunities: Contact Professional Organizations in Your Field National, regional and local professional organizations exist in great part to help their members with career development. Many organizations include fieldspecific job listings on their websites or in their printed publications. Visit Company and Organization Web Sites Many companies and organizations post their job openings on their own websites, usually under an Employment or Career Opportunities link. Many also have an application process where you post your resume on their website, which places it in their applicant tracking system.
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FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK By Richard L. White Our final issue of “Careers” is devoted to getting you ready for the challenges and decisions that lie ahead. If you’re a senior , you may have been actively engaged in the job-search process or graduate school application process since the fall, and if you’re fortunate, you have received one or more offers from employers or graduate schools. Although the Dr. Richard L. White entr y-level job market is Director of Career Services the worst since the early eighties—before you were born!—there is still a job out there for ever yone. You are certainly not alone if you have experienced a challenging 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 9
and our grand finale, the New Jersey Collegiate Career Day on May 26. If you’re a junior , our article, “Class of 2011: Tactics for Rising Seniors,” provides a roadmap for what you can do this summer and fall to get ready for your senior year job or graduate school search. If you are in your first or second year, I encourage you to 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 in the context of 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 five $50 American Express gift cards. Best wishes for a successful conclusion to the spring semester. Career Services will be open all summer. So stop by any office and let us know how we can assist you.
Dr. Richard White is New Brunswick-wide director of Career Services
Apply Directly to Organizations That Interest You Do you know you want to work specifically for Company X or Organization Y? If so, send a well-written cover letter and your resume directly to the company, either to its human resources manager or, often more effective, to the person who would likely make hiring decisions for the department that interests you. It isn't always easy to find the right person to get in touch with; typically, you'll have to do some digging. Network, Network, Network Generally the most effective job-hunting approach, networking is simply talking to people to either track down helpful personal contacts or learn about job openings that may not necessarily be widely advertised or advertised at all. Start by talking to your own family, friends and acquaintances. Let everyone in your life know you're looking for a job, and give them an idea of what type of job you want. Join Professional Associations If there's a professional organization in your field, join it and start participating in its meetings and other events so you can get to know people in your area of interest. Work with a career counselor to both tap his or her contacts and learn of alumni who might be able and willing to lend you a hand in your search. Finally, don't forget to tap your professors' connections as well. Participate in Job Fairs Many cities, particularly large ones, host job fairs at various locations throughout the year. Most colleges and universities hold their own job fairs as well, either individually or in collaboration with other institutions. A job fair is a rare opportunity to have employers come to you, so make sure you attend whenever possible. Use a Placement Agency or Recruiter/Headhunter There are companies out there that specialize in helping people find jobs. Some of them even focus on working with college students and recent college grads. Maybe one of them can help you. A word of caution, however: While most organizations receive their fees from employers (and not you, the job seeker), some will seek money from you. So be careful, and make sure you know who's paying the bill. Consider Temping Often, by working briefly as a temp for a company, you can position yourself to be hired for a full-time, permanent position that opens up later on. Even if that doesn't happen, however, temping can help you see various companies from the inside, meet people in your field of interest and earn some pretty good money. The more diverse your job-hunting methods are, the more opportunities you'll uncover and the greater the chance is that you'll find, and land, the job you want. Visit http://careerservices.rutgers.edu for help with your job search.
Coming Out on the Job: LGBT Issues in the Workplace Hear Lesbian, Gay, and Transgendered panelists talk about their experiences "coming out" and being "out" at their respective workplaces (present and former) as members of the LGBT community.
April 14, 8-10 pm, SAC, Raritan River Lounge
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INTERNSHIP SPOTLIGHT: CITI An interview with Arjun Misra Internship Spotlight: Citi An interview with Arjun Misra, Finance & Economics, 2 0 1 0 Where did you work this past summer? I completed a 10-week summer analyst program with Citi’s Institutional Client Group (ICG). How did you get your internship? Citi Intern The internship search process was certainly time consuming but brought with it a great learning opportunity. I applied online for a sophomore program the company offered during the spring semester of my sophomore year and was selected to interview. There were two rounds of interviews; first a 45-minute phone interview, followed by a super day at the office which comprised of 5 rounds of two-on-one interviews, each 30 minutes in length. After receiving an Arjun Misra
offer to participate in the internship program and performing well over the summer, my fellow interns and I were extended an offer to return to the company during the summer of our junior year.
class was asked to participate in was a detailed Leverage Buyout Analysis of a consumer-retail based company.
What did you like best about your internship? The amount of responsibility that is given What were your main responsibilities? to interns is absolutely amazing. I was involved with two live transactions Although most and several client interns had to stay pitches, including sell-side / buy-side “The amount of responsibility that is in the office long hours, many past M&A and debt and equity financings given to interns is absolutely amazing.” midnight, it was exciting to work on for companies in the ARJUN MISRA projects that were health care sector. Citi Intern shaping the finanAs an intern I was cial services indusrequired to make try. It’s exhilaratmyself available at ing to read about something your team all times and assist with a magnitude of was working on in the newspaper and assignments that ranged from menial know that you contributed to the success tasks like photocopying to more exciting of the project in some capacity. and challenging technical projects that allowed me to see how companies are valWould you recommend your employued and compared against industry averer to Rutgers students? ages. A major project the entire intern
Absolutely. Citi fosters a culture that allows for both personal and professional growth. The management believes strongly in developing an atmosphere that values meritocracy and gives everyone an equal opportunity. How relevant was your work to your academic program at Rutgers? The experience I gained allowed me to put what I had learned in the classroom into action, as well as add value to classroom discussions. It enhanced my desire to learn more about finance, while instilling in me the drive to learn about other disciplines as well. What were the most valuable things you gained from your internship? The internship taught me how to manage my time efficiently, work well under pressure, contribute effectively in a group setting, and most importantly to always be ready to take on new challenges and be willing work outside my comfort zone.
“Quick Senior Survey” If you are a graduating senior, please let us know if you are headed to a job or graduate school by completing our “Quick Senior Survey.” Log on to careerservices.rutgers.edu beginning April 5. Win one of five $50 American Express gift cards!
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INTERNSHIP SPOTLIGHT: ENTERPRISE An interview with Apurva Sanghvi Internship Spotlight – ENTERP RISE An interview with Ap u rva Sanghvi, Economics & P sychology, 2 0 1 0 Where did you work this past summer? I interned at Enterprise Rent-A-Car at a local branch in Fords. How did you get your internship? I actually first heard Apruva Sanghvi about the internship Enterprise Intern through Career Services. It looked like something I would be interested in so I applied through CareerKnight and got accepted for the interview. What were your main responsibilities? My main responsibilities ranged from interacting with customers, selling different products, meeting and interacting with different accounts whether it was corporate, dealerships, auto body shops, etc. Most of my responsibilities centered around making
the transaction for the customer as easy as possible.
experience easier and gave me the opportunity to make the most of my internship.
What d id you like best abou t you r How relevant was your work to your internship ? academic program at Rutgers? I loved meeting so many different types of I had to use a lot of theories and concepts people. Every day was truly different and I that had been taught in classes at loved the excitement about not knowing Rutgers to do my job efficiently. how the day was going to turn out. The peo- However, Enterprise has an amazing ple I worked with at training program where they teach Enterprise were “Enterprise were truly amazing individuals you everything you truly amazing indineed to know to do viduals who made it who made it really fun and interesting to go your job effectively really fun and interinto work every day.” esting to go into on a day-to-day basis. So while the work every day. APRUVA SANGHVI academic program Enterprise Intern is helpful, Would you recEnterprise does a om m end you r great job of teaching you what you need employer to Rutgers students? I would definitely recommend Enterprise to know. to Rutgers students. I feel that the students at Rutgers are very well rounded; What were the most valuable things they have the perfect balance of academic you gained from your internship? skills as well as other activities making One of the most important things I gained them ready for any challenge. My back- was confidence in my communication skills. ground at Rutgers truly made my work Because a majority of the job requires com-
CAREER SERVICES INBOX Hi Greg, Thank you for your help and suggestions with my mock interview for acceptance into South College's PA program in Knoxville, TN. After my interview with you I received another interview invitation to South University in Savannah, GA. To prepare, I reviewed the DVD you gave me and took your suggestions very
munication with customers, I feel a lot more comfortable being able to strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Furthermore, I learned a lot about sales and marketing strategies. This in combination with enhancing my communications skills has made me a more confident individual. What are your career goals? My career goals include finding stability in a career that will enhance my life experiences. I want to wake up and go to work enjoying what I do. Furthermore, I want to find a job where I have room to grow and give back to the company by being one of the most efficient and productive employees. What is your job-search strategy for this year? My strategy includes applying to jobs through CareerKnight as well as attending Career Services events such as career days and information sessions with companies. In addition, I have been applying directly to the websites of companies that are suitable for my needs.
FROM CAMPUS TO CAREER: 10 Tips for a Successful Transition from College to the Workplace
seriously. I know it caused me to feel prepared, confident, and informed of current medical issues. Both programs commented that I had "done my homework." I was accepted to both schools and will be attending South College at the end of September. Even though it is a young program, I felt that the smaller class size and the faculty was a better fit for me. I have included the link if you would like to take a look at the program and their impressive faculty. Thank you again for your support. Sincerely, Victoria Hunter
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 very exciting. It is also a big challenge because of the tremendous difference between life in college and life after college. As you begin your career after college, here are 10 basic keys 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 their 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 assist your co-workers. Ask your supervisor what you can do to help with 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.
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RECIPROCITY: CAREER SERVICES BEYOND THE BANKS Are you planning to live and work outside of central 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 most schools in the locations of your choice. Here is how reciprocity works: Step 1 Send an e-mail message to Dr. Richard White, Director of Career Services, at riwhite@echo.rutgers.edu. Step 2 Include the following information: your name, current address and phone number, year of graduation, and school or schools that you would like us to contact on your behalf (maximum of three). Step 3 I will write a letter to the career services director at the school(s) of your choice, requesting that he or she grant you access to the career library, online job listings, and other services. I will mail a copy to you. Step 4 When I hear from the school, I will send you a copy. In some cases, the school will send a copy directly 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 my letter, almost all schools will honor the letter on the spot. ➢ Normally you will be able to utilize job listings, directories, DVDs, and other resource materials. ➢ Normally 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 students or alumni from other schools. ➢ You can utilize this service at any time—as an underclass student, senior, or graduate. ➢ 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!”
Did You Know? Rutgers offers an online resume service called Optimal Resume to help you plan, write, and format a winning resume.
APRIL 6, 2010
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 part-time 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
“The Director” answers questions every weekday morning on the Career Services website.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE As you transition from backpack to briefcase and step out into the world of work, familiarizing yourself with the following “corporate lingo” may help you learn your way around. Competitive Salary = We remain competitive by paying less than our competitors. Join our fast-paced company = We have no time to train you. Duties will vary = Anyone in the office can boss you around. Casual work atmosphere = We don’t pay enough to expect that you will dress up well. Must be deadline oriented = You will be six months behind schedule on your first day. Some overtime required = Some time each night and some time each weekend. Requires team leadership skills = You will have the responsibility of a manager, without the pay or respect. (Source: unknown)
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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 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 46 College Avenue 732-932-7997 Chrystal McArthur, Associate Director David Bills, Assistant Director Larry Jacobs, Assistant Director (and Buddy) 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
Administrative Office 56 College Avenue 732-932-7287 Richard L. White, Director Dorothy Kerr, Executive Manager, Employer Services Janet Bernardin, Manager, Special Programs Barbara Melamed, Website Project Manager Alison Koo, Budget and Technical Coordinator Larissa Keller, Employer Services Coordinator Lisa Goddard, Employer Services Coordinator Mary Beth Kimberlin, Employer Services Assistant