Longhorn Life: Grad Guide by The Daily Texan

APRIL 27, 2012

an advertising special edition of The Daily Texan

Including...

THROWING A UT-INSPIRED GRADUATION PARTY HOW TO DRESS FOR SUCCESS GRADUATING SENIORS WHO HAVE JOBS

RESUME TIPS ...and Much More!

LONGHORN LIFE

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Friday, April 27, 2012

LONGHORN

Editors’ Note The end is near! We sincerely hope that all you seniors out there are savoring every minute of your last few weeks as a college student. This may be your last chance to really let your hair down and have a ton of responsibility-free fun. For some it may also be the last time you and all your friends will live in the same city. Never fear! There is still PLENTY to look forward to upon becoming a college graduate. Now is your chance to start on the path to that dream job you’ve always wanted. We’ve packed this edition with lots of helpful tips to guide you after graduation. Get some pointers on building a better résumé on page 11 or learn how to dress to impress at interviews (page 12). Read an expert’s advice on landing your dream job on page 19 or plan your graduation party with the advice on page 5. Seniors, you can do this! You’ve already greatly increased your chances of success simply by attending this fine institution known as The University of Texas at Austin. If you’re experiencing a severe case of senioritis, then why not put all that procrastinating energy into reading this edition. It’s sure to make you feel more productive, even while putting off that 20-page term paper. We know you’re looking toward the future and so are we in most of this edition’s content, but you should also take

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Longhorns celebrate at last year’s Commencement Ceremony.

some time to live in the present. If you are a junior (or even a senior) check out some words of wisdom from a college grad (who also happens to be one of our editors) on page 14. You’re so close to being done! We hope you will find our Grad Guide helpful, even if you’re not graduating this year (it’s never too soon to start planning for the future). Best of luck and congratulations, Emily Morgan and Christine Imperatore Special Editions Co-Editors

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Special Editions Editors Christine Imperatore Emily Morgan Writers Sylvia Butanda, Alison Killian, Channing Holman, Lauren Daly, Brittany Lamas, Alex Vickery, Jennifer Yang, Nathalie Lumang, Courtney Griffin, Megan Smith, Mira Milla Photographers Katrina Funtanilla, Joyce Isleta, Rachel Lau, Guillermo Hernandez Copy Editor Sarah Lindig Cover Design Felimon Hernandez TSM ADVERTISING & CREATIVE SERVICES Assistant Director Jalah Goette Advertising Adviser CJ Salgado Campus & National Sales Rep Joan Bowerman Broadcast & Events Manager Carter Goss Student Manager Ryan Ford Student Assistant Manager Veronica Serrato Student Account Executives Cameron McClure, Paola Reyes, Adrian Lloyd, Morgan Haenchen, Fredis Benitez, Ted Moreland, Emily Sides, Zach Congdon, Tyrell Elegonye, Ted Sniderman Student Office Assistant/Classifieds Rene Gonzalez Student Marketing Manager Olivia Wong Student Marketing Assistant Allison McMordie Student Buys of Texas Manager Lindsey Hollingsworth Student Buys of Texas Assistants Suzi Zhaw, Estaban Rivera Special Editions & Production Coordinator Adrienne Lee Senior Graphic Designer Felimon Hernandez Student Graphic Designers Aaron Rodriguez, Bailey Sullivan Longhorn Life is an advertising special edition of The Daily Texan produced by students in Texas Student Media’s special editions office. Reach us at specialeditions@texasstudentmedia.com. Copyright 2011 Texas Student Media. All articles, photographs and graphics are the property of Texas Student Media and may not be reproduced or republished in part or in whole without written permission. CONTACT TSM: We are located in the Hearst Student Media building (HSM). For advertising, call 512-471-1865.

Friday, April 27, 2012

NOISE LOVE THAT!

LONGHORN LIFE

Compiled by Sylvia Butanda | Photos by Guillermo Hernandez

Student chatter around the 40 Acres

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?

Jon Surovik

architectural engineering junior

“An architect in Austin because compared to other large cities, Austin is behind in architecture; the skyline is already cool but could be better.”

Chris Sakaguchi

sports management graduate student Sakaguchi stays stylish with the help of his girlfriend, who he says is his fashion inspiration and keeps him up to date on the latest trends. Describing his style as urban and trendy, Sakaguchi usually shops at Nice Kicks, Stag (on South Congress) and online at eBay. He predicts lots of prints and short-sleeve button down shirts as this summer’s primary fads. Wearing: Mishka hat, Urban Outfitters pants, shirt from local thrift store, shoes from Nice Kicks

Page 3

Megan Burns

Samuel Moore

health promotion junior

sports management junior

“An occupational therapist, because you get to help people for a living and do it wherever you want. I can travel a lot and do [the job] as much or as little as I want.”

“The general manager for the San Antonio Spurs. I love basketball and I’d get to be a part of that stitch that holds the organization and where everything is under your control.”

WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG? Taehwan John Rhee economics senior

Rhee’s backpack is full of his economics course books and everyday essentials like notebooks and his laptop charger. After graduation, Rhee hopes to work at an insurance firm and put his focus on economics to the test.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S GOING ON AT

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Longhorn Life

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Friday, April 27, 2012

Guy’s perspective

On the terrible joy that is job-hunting Brian Bogart Longhorn Life

I think it’s time for a wake-up call. In case you haven’t heard, it ain’t exactly the best time to be a recent college graduate. Back in the day, as I’m sure your parents have told you time and time again, all you needed to make it in the professional world was a college degree and willingness to work. But the sad truth in the year 2012 is that only about 20 percent of UT students even land themselves a starting job coming out of college. Nowadays it seems like you need a degree in chemical engineering to even sniff a job interview, forget getting that cushy out-of-college job you were told all your life you’d be able to get. But hey, it’s cool. For every time we need a wake-up call, we also need to take a breather and assess exactly where it is we are as new college graduates. And to you underclassmen, I suggest you read on, too, because your four years are gonna be up sooner than you think. As for me, however? I still have a full year left here! I ain’t never leaving these 40 Acres. Anyway, I hope the following at least helps you take that first crucial step into the professional world and, if anything, I sincerely hope it teaches you that in some of the most serious times in our life, it can pay to not take yourself too seriously. Here is my advice for those of you who are becoming what we college

students like to call “real people,” so read on fellow Longhorn, and above all knock ‘em dead, ‘cause it’s a big world out there just waiting for hungry young bucks like you. Wow! You have a 4.0! But guess what? Nobody cares. Well that’s not true, maybe the Dean’s List cares and maybe it will feel cool to hear the words “Summa Cum Laude” after your name is announced on the day of your graduation, and hey depending on your major, maybe you need a certain GPA just to get into grad school. But once you graduate you just might find out sooner than later that GPA will be one of the more trivial statistics to ever come out of your college career. What employers will probably notice at first is that you got the degree in the first place. They may see that you got that straight-A report card and they may even draw conclusions that you’re a smart person. But you graduated from one of the best institutions in the state of Texas, so you’re supposed to be smart. What they’ll really care about is what you did with that education in the limited time you’ve had to apply it. This means that you’ll have to have more than just a shiny new diploma to show off to potential employers; you’ll have to show them that you have this little thing called “know-how,” and “know-how” doesn’t come from a squeaky clean report card, it comes from prior

experience. Now maybe you’re one of those people who didn’t get a job while they were in college because you were too busy studying, maybe you’re one of those people who thought that work was supposed to come after college. No matter how you slice it, the point is you should be working in college. Ideally, you should try to find a job in a field that is related to your area of study, because as much as employers will like that you were a working student, they will love that you are a working student with prior experience to boot. I know waiting tables is hard and often under-appreciated work, but it’s just not going to jump out on the ol’ resume when you try to start your career. Learn How to Sell Yourself Do you know the No.1 skill employers look for in potential employees? Is it work ethic? Is it good grades? Is it ambition? The answer is D) none of the above. What an employer is most looking for is an employee who can most effectively communicate with their managers and customers. How else do you think most CEO’s occupy the upper-echelon of the tax bracket when, stereotypically, they spend their days playing golf with clients? Because they were the smartest guys in the room? Not even close. Now I know you may be thinking to yourself: “But what on earth do I have to sell? I’m just another student with a liberal arts degree

and no real idea with what I want to do in life.” But guess what? You are a very talented individual with many good qualities, and it only takes verbalizing a few of those qualities effectively that will ultimately catch the eye (or ear) of your employer. So learn how to interview and know what employers are looking for whenever you put yourself out there, because it could be that confidence in yourself that differentiates you from other prospective employees. Word of advice: Go to hirealonghorn.org and send out a resume. This website got me my first writing job for a small publication way back in the day and sooner than later, it opened up tons of doors that extended far beyond the field of writing. All you need to do to achieve success is find a proper starting point and launch off from there. Soon, your professional opportunities will increase exponentially if you can simply capitalize on the chances you’re given. So, happy hunting, and after just a few minutes of browsing I’m sure you’ll find at least one or two companies that properly align with your interests that will be eager to receive your resume. Just Chill I know that I probably included a lot of freak-out in the last 900 words or so that I’ve written, and if I startled any of you readers I do sincerely apologize. I’m not trying

to freak you out, fellow Longhorns, I’m just doing my damndest to help you because from the bottom of my heart I want to see you succeed and I want to see you find a career path that will ultimately make you happy. Here’s another newsflash: No one likes working with someone who takes themself too seriously. Just as important as it is to have work ethic, talent and the drive to forge your own successful career, it’s also crucial to have the right attitude to accompany all of those fantastic assets. So have a smile on your face everywhere you go, because there’s no reason not to have one. Employers will be attracted to your energy and there is always room for optimists in the workforce. If you have a relaxed attitude, people will pick up on that and respond to it in an equally positive way, and you just might find that things start coming a little easier for you after time. As excruciating as the job search may seem at times, you don’t do yourself any favors by freaking out. In fact, you do yourself an enormous disservice. So count your blessings, because chances are they are numerous, and wear your own name like a badge of honor every time you walk through the door, because after polishing that bad boy for 20-some-odd years now, it’s about time you wore it with pride. Brian Bogart is a theater & dance junior, with a focus on acting and business foundations.

Campus career fairs offer ease in the job search

Great performances require great preparation. When you’re ready for the next step, call 800- 2Review (800- 273-8439) or visit princetonreview.com today.

RACHEL LAU/Longhorn Life

We’re hiring: Psychology seniors Lia Panzia and Dennis Bilodeau listen as support specialist Lindsay Robinson explains the opportunities available at Austin-based healthcare services firm The Karis Group.

Graduating with a degree from UT is no easy task, but the challenge doesn’t stop there: securing a job is your next mission. Luckily, the University’s colleges and schools host career fairs each semester to make the search easier on you. The College of Liberal Arts hosted the most recent fair, which took place in the North End Zone of Darrel K. Royal Stadium on April 11. Representatives from more than 60 companies manned their booths full of pamphlets, internship information and the occasional free candy, and were eager to meet the Longhorns who strolled by. For four hours the room was packed with students, freshmen to graduate-level, dressed in business attire with resumes in hand. An imminent graduation isn’t necessary to start networking with potential employers, so be sure to attend a few of these career fairs in the future (most colleges and schools already have their fall events scheduled).

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LONGHORN LIFE

Friday, April 27, 2012

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ENTERTAIN

Be the host with the most

How to throw a Texas-sized graduation celebration Sarah Lindig LONGHORN LIFE

Graduation is a big deal — and you know what they say… everything is bigger in Texas! So of course when you’re graduating from The University of Texas at Austin, the celebration needs to be as large as the Lone Star State. The end of the semester can be a hectic and stressful time for graduating seniors, so you’ll probably want to enlist your parents’ help in planning your end-of-college bash. You might even consider throwing a group party with your graduating friends, instead of trying to coordinate several individual parties. This way you’ll also be able to split the cost between more people. No matter what kind of celebration you put together, you’ll first want to create a guest list and establish a party time (for group events, you’ll need to pick a time that’s convenient for everyone’s schedules).This year’s commencement ceremonies occur on Friday and Saturday, May 18 and 19, but different colleges and schools will have their own events at varying times. Access the schedule and event descriptions online at utexas.edu/ commencement/2012/. Then, decide on a location appropriate for the size of your invite list— and keep in mind that the weather will be quite warm by mid-May, so you’ll need a venue that’s accommodating. If it’s within your budget, consider renting a banquet room or hall. How-

ever, if you’re able to host the party at someone’s home, it will help keep costs down. You may also consider a restaurant or public park. Once you have the main details settled, the quickest and cheapest way to send out invitations is via Facebook. Many parents like to send out graduation announcements to friends and family members, though, so it might be a good idea to include invitations to the graduation party along with those announcements, especially if several of your guests are not on Facebook. After you get through the stress of coordinating and scheduling, then comes the fun part: choosing the decorations, food and activities that will make the celebration all the more special and memorable! The convenient thing about graduation parties is that they already have a theme. Play it up by suggesting that guests wear their burnt orange and cowboy boots to show some Longhorn pride. To decorate, buy UT-themed balloons and string up banners or pennants. You can buy Longhorn party supplies at the University Co-op or order them online from a discount party supplies site, such as BirthdayDirect.com, if you’re hoping to avoid lines and save some money. Because graduation is already an exciting and emotional event, these partygoers are usually just happy to mingle and reminisce. So instead of trying to entertain and occupy guests with a schedule of organized activities, offer opportunities for everyone

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“The convenient thing about graduation parties is that they already have a theme. Play it up by suggesting that guests wear their burnt orange and cowboy boots to show some Longhorn pride.” to share and create memories. Put up a memory board of photos of you and your friends near the entrance of the party with a guestbook or blank poster board for each graduate where friends and family can leave notes and congratulate them. If you can afford it, rent a photo booth. For a more costconscious alternative, pass around disposable cameras and encourage everyone to take pictures. If you want something really unique, look into renting Instaprint, a service that will print out Polaroidtype prints of the Instagram photos that your guests snap on their phones. The printer will automatically print copies of photos that are geo-tagged for your venue’s location or that include whatever hashtag you decide on for your event. Check out Instaprint at instaprint.me/. Let’s face it though, balloons and memory boards are great, but you just can’t have a party without food! Stick to the Texas theme and serve your guests a barbeque buffet. But you may want to hire a caterer so that no family member or friend is forced to miss out on the festivities by having to cook.

Here’s a list of barbeque joints in the area that offer catering services: JMueller BBQ, BBQ Heaven, Rudy’s BBQ, Green Mesquite, Sugar Shack BBQ, The Salt Lick and Stubb’s BBQ. Since most guests will be of legal drinking age, try serving this yummy orange champagne punch that’s easy to make for a large crowd. Ingredients: two 12-ounce cans of frozen orange juice one 12-ounce can of frozen lemonade 1 liter club soda one 750-milliliter bottle white wine two 750-milliliter bottle champagne 1/2 gallon orange sherbet Ice Directions: Fill a punch bowl with ice and the orange sherbet. Mix in the cans of frozen juice with the bottles of white wine and champagne. Just before guests arrive pour in the club soda so the punch stays bubbly. For dessert, try a fun alternative to a larger cake by special ordering Longhorn-themed cupcakes from a continues on next page

WHEN YOU’RE DONE READING,

REMEMBER TO RECYCLE!

Longhorn Life

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local bakery. Here are a few options to check out: Sugartooth Bakery, Blue Note Bakery, Hey Cupcake!, Polkadots Cupcake FactorY, Hill Country Cupcakes and Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop.

new

If you want to give your guests party favors or something special to commemorate your graduation celebration, consider custom-ordering something. Hand out small bags of customized M&Ms in burnt orange

Friday, April 27, 2012

with your own message or photo printed on the candy shell. Or provide bottles of soda from Jones Soda Company with custom-printed labels with your name and graduation date. For more information on these options

student

visit mymms.com and jonessoda.com/ custom-labels. No matter how you do it, graduation is a milestone worth celebrating with your friends and family, so enjoy yourself!

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Friday, April 27, 2012

BUDGET

Longhorn Life

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Doing more, for less

Get some cash for all that clutter Sarah Lindig Longhorn Life

When I moved into my dorm room as a freshman in my first year of college I was able to pack all my belongings neatly into the trunk of my Acura MDX. I occupied half of a double-occupancy room, the left rod of a walk-in closet, three dresser drawers and the lower shelf of a mini-fridge. Five years later, I am now in my first year of graduate school and living in an apartment with three other girls. Between the four of us roommates, we have five coffee makers, countless dishes, seven brooms, two couches and five computers. The thought of fitting all that I own into the back of my car is an absolute joke at this point. How have I managed to accumulate so many belongings? As the semester wraps up and new

graduates get ready for the financial responsibilities of this new phase of adulthood, now is the ideal time to clear out the clutter and rake in the cash to help supplement that entrylevel salary. Understandably, this is a little easier said than done. So, whether you’re a pack rat like me (thanks, Mom…) or you’re a regular purger, here are some tips on how to go about cleaning out your apartment. First order of business is to find out which of your things could be worth selling. A good starting point is with your textbooks. Skip the bookstore! Sell your textbooks directly on Amazon or Half.com and avoid that cringe-inducing moment when the cashier at the bookstore tells you the accounting textbook you paid $200 for is now worth $20. The next area of purging to explore can be particularly excruciating for us girls: those clothes. Does that top

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you bought two years ago because it was just “soooooo cuuuuuttteee” still have the tags on it? Do you really need those shoes that you can only stand to wear for 30 minutes? And those jeans that you haven’t fit into since your junior year of high school but you keep them anyway as “motivation” to lose weight? Ladies, it’s time to let go. Make a “Sex and the City” moment of it and set aside an afternoon to play dressup à la Carrie Bradshaw. Invite your Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda, scribble out some voting cards, maybe grab a bottle of champagne, and try on the contents of your wardrobe. See what fits; see what doesn’t. Be honest with yourself about what you’ll need and what you’ll actually wear again and what you won’t. Say your good-byes to whatever doesn’t make the cut, then stuff those suckers into a trash bag and take a trip to Buffalo Exchange.

If you have some more valuable or expensive clothes or accessories to sell, consider listing them on eBay or hitting up a designer consignment boutique, where you might score a little bit more cash. In any case, you probably won’t need all of the furniture you have now. Ask yourself if you’ll even have room for everything. Will your kitchen table fit in your new place or will only need a few bar stools at a counter? Will you still have a balcony when you move or can you get rid of your patio table and chairs? You can usually make a pretty nice chunk of change on Craigslist or through a furniture consignment store for the Ikea bed frame you only had for a year and especially for any unique or vintage pieces you may have. Another option is to list your things on Facebook Marketplace continues on next page

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LONGHORN LIFE

continued from previous page

or announce what you’re selling in an email to the members of any organizations you’re a part of — there may be younger students moving out of dorms or sorority and/or fraternity houses who would be interested buyers. Try to sell your unneeded furniture sooner rather than later to avoid having to pay for a storage unit or being forced to lug it along when you move. You may be surprised at the other miscellaneous money-making household items you’ll find you don’t need after you leave school — for example, your printer and television. Chances are you won’t be turning in any term papers at your new job, and if you’re moving into a place of your own, you probably don’t need televisions for both your living room and bedroom. If you know you only ever watch movies on Netflix, consider getting

rid of that massive library of DVDs you have accumulated over the years. The same goes for books, if you are someone who uses an iPad or Kindle as an eBook reader. Take a look around your kitchen for even more things you likely won’t need — like both an electric and a manual can opener, or a toaster and a toaster oven. If you end up finding more unneeded possessions than you had anticipated, there’s nothing like a good oldfashioned yard sale to get rid of your random knickknacks all at once. Generate some buzz by posting fliers around your neighborhood beforehand. The more people who come by, the more chances you’ll have to make money! Beware, you may go through a bit of separation anxiety in the process of downsizing, but take comfort knowing that the less stuff you have in your rooms and drawers, the more cash you can have in your wallet.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Dress for success without going broke Lauren Daly LONGHORN LIFE

Graduation is nearing and with that comes the landing of your first awesome job. This also means some intense interviews. As a potential employee, it is important to advertise yourself not only through your expert resume, but your mature attire. Before you start crunching numbers and hyperventilating about the costs of D&G suits, read below for some tips, straight from thebudgetfashionista. com and Kiplinger.com, on how to gain a respectable interview and work wardrobe without breaking the bank. 1. Take inventory of what you already have in your closet. Don’t go buying new black heels if you already own two good pairs. Stay honest with yourself and know what you’ll wear in the office. Kiplinger says to try and find some classic pieces like a black dress and blazer. Try making a list of what you need and a maximum price you want to spend on each item. That way you’ll have more control as you enter the store and won’t get overwhelmed. The budget fashionista advises that if you have a friend of the same size, you can try setting up a system of switching

closets after a year so that you can get new clothes without actually spending the money. 2. Stick to outlet malls and discounted stores. Both sites offered these words of wisdom. Guys, when looking for your suits check out Burlington Coat Factory. They pride themselves on offering name brands 65 percent off from their original cost. Men’s Warehouse also tends to have ‘BOGO’ deals on full suits — it all depends on your timing. Ladies, TJ Maxx is getting better with their range of quality clothes for reasonable prices, so check there, as well as Burlington Coat Factory and Marshalls for your suits, skirts, and blouses. The Tanger Outlets and Premium Outlets are also chock-full of deals, so consider taking a little day trip down to San Marcos. 3. Mix and Match. The budget fashionista says to “aim for versatility.” If working in a corporate office, this rule is extremely helpful. Invest in a couple good, cool-toned suits like navy and black. These will become your staple outfit, and then you can add a pop of color with fun silk blouses, ties, and scarves underneath. Experts suggest the 70/30 rule: make 70 percent of your wardrobe clothes that won’t ever go out of style like a dark pencil skirt, black pair of pumps and a ba-

sic white button up top for women; and dark blazers, black slacks and white button ups for men. The other 30 percent can consist of fun but work appropriate clothing and accessories. 4. Shop with cash only. This is a strategy I’ve learned myself while shopping, though it was due to a negative experience of a sudden 3-month long spending freeze. Research what you think is a reasonable cost for each item you need, set what you want to spend and take it out at the ATM. It’s all too easy to swipe that shiny piece of plastic and forget to keep track of what you’re spending. If you keep the money in cash, you’ll be much less willing to waste it on something you don’t really need. At the end of the day, you will leave feeling successful rather than regretful. Also, find a great tailor. A lot of what makes clothes look sharp and professional is how it fits. So if you buy some cheap slacks, make them look expensive by taking them in. Dressing professionally on a budget isn’t impossible as long as you keep track of good sales, plan ahead and monitor your own spending. The clothes you wear to your interview and work simply add to the person you are. So use them as proof of your potential.

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Friday, April 27, 2012

FOOD

LONGHORN LIFE

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Good eats on a student budget

Recipes

Cook up a festive Cinco de Mayo feast Alex Vickery LONGHORN LIFE

hrow your own Cinco de Mayo party or just a feast for yourself with these quick and easy, yet delicious recipes from south of the border. APPETIZER: MANGO SUMMER SALSA As if you need another reason to love chips and salsa, here’s another. This fresh combination of spicy and sweet is perfect to whip up for a spring afternoon snack or a weekend get-together with friends. Ingredients: 4 medium tomatoes, chopped 1 medium mango, peeled and chopped 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and cubed 3/4 cup fresh or frozen corn, thawed 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained 1/4 cup chopped red onion 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped 3 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Chill until serving. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy! Makes 4 cups. DRINK: BEER MARGARITAS Cinco de Mayo isn’t complete without a margarita. But instead of feeling like you’re cheating on your love affair with beer, you can mix the two together in this surprising twist on a classic margarita on the rocks. No blender or fancy margarita mix needed and

JOYCE ISLETA/LONGHORN LIFE

it’s ready to serve in 5 minutes. Ingredients: one 12-ounce can frozen limeade 12 ounces tequila 12 ounces water 12 ounces beer Ice 1 lime, cut into wedges Directions: Pour limeade, tequila, water, and beer into a large pitcher. Stir until well blended, and limeade has melted. Add plenty of ice, and garnish with lime wedges. Adjust with additional water, if needed. Makes 6 servings.

ENTREÉ: CHICKENANDCHEESE ENCHILADAS Complement a quick appetizer and drink with hearty, homemade enchiladas as the main course. Placed at the “easy” level by Food Network and with a total time of 30 minutes, these enchiladas top off a “delicioso” Cinco de Mayo feast prepared in under an hour. ¡Perfecto! Ingredients: 1 small red onion, halved 1 1/2 pounds tomatillos, husked and rinsed 1 to 2 serrano chile peppers, stemmed and seeded

1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth Kosher salt Pinch of sugar 8 corn tortillas 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and/or Monterey Jack cheese 1/3 cup fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing 3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese Directions: Preheat the broiler. Slice half of the onion into thin rings and set aside. Place the other onion half, tomatillos and serranos on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil until the vegetables are soft and slightly brown, 7 to 10 minutes, turning as needed. Transfer the vegetables and any liquid to a blender, add the broth and puree. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the sugar. Meanwhile, stack the tortillas, wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave just until warm and soft, about 1 minute; keep covered. Toss the chicken with 2 cups shredded cheese in a bowl. Spoon a portion of the chicken mixture down the middle of each tortilla. Add a few cilantro leaves and roll up. Place the enchiladas side by side in a lightly oiled 9-by-13-inch baking dish and brush with the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Broil until crisp and golden, about 3 minutes. Pour the tomatillo sauce over the enchiladas and top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Return to the oven and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with the onion rings, queso fresco and any remaining cilantro. Makes 5 servings.

recipes from tasteofhome.com, allrecipes.com and foodnetwork.com, respectively

New to the Menu

Flipnotics’ Hippie Cooler lets you ignore the heat Flipnotics, a local coffee shop located near Barton Springs and Zilker Park, is a great place to go to relax and perhaps enjoy some live music. With plenty of choices when it comes to beverages, I was offered their newest menu item, the Hippie Cooler. An infusion of deep-magenta hibiscus tea with a splash of your choice of orange juice or apple juice, the Hippie Cooler is Flipnotics’ newest sensation. After one sip, I was hooked.

With the initial tartness of the apple juice and then the sour, brisk punch of the hibiscus, this brew is the perfect compliment to spring weather. This refreshing beverage will cool you off after a long day in the sun or just replenish your thirst. The barista guarantees that it will “hit the spot.” Not officially on the menu yet, it was created by one of the baristas and has been recommended to customers ever since. If you love tea, this is the best refresher for a hot day. — text by Mira Milla | photos by Rachel Lau

LONGHORN LIFE

Page 10

DUVAL VILLA APARTMENTS

Friday, April 27, 2012

Newly Renovated Apartments in Historic Hyde Park

Graduating seniors give us the scoop

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HOW THEY GOT JOBS:

EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

Channing Holman LONGHORN LIFE

fter four years of college, your main goal is to get a job, right? But with the competitive job market, many current students will graduate sans a job offer. Not to fret: A degree from The University of Texas at Austin speaks volumes; you just have to market yourself. When applying for positions, remember that it is your job to prove why you are the perfect candidate. While it may seem difficult to stand out, a few graduating seniors who’ve already landed great jobs told us just how they did it. PRISCILLA THOMPSON, Broadcast Journalism will work for: Teach For America “I am really looking forward to stepping outside of my comfort zone, because I can’t grow without stepping outside of my element.” Changing her major three times during her four years on the Forty Acres, Thompson opted to take a break from broadcast journalism and accept a teaching position through Teach For America. TFA especially stands out to college grads because it forgives $5,000 in student loans per year for up to three years while also offering a graduate school education for a reduced tuition rate. TFA searches across the nation for individuals dedicated to making a difference in the education system, which is why the organization’s process is competitive: They only accept the best. “They never fill all the spots they want because the program looks for quality candidates,” Thompson said. Thompson began her trek for TFA in February with an online application and a 500-word letter of interest. “Typically, the next step is phone interviews, but I was skipped to the finals,” she said. During the final round, Thompson had both group and individual interviews followed by a short sample lesson, in which she taught a 6th grade English class about similes and metaphors. After a month of checking her emails around the clock, she finally received her acceptance email. “I was nervous, but I was positive that I would get the job because I spoke with the recruiter. Talk to on-campus recruiters and people that have been through the

program because if you’re faking it, they will know.” Thompson will begin training this summer and will start teaching this August at a middle school in Houston, near her hometown of Texas City. “[Where they place you to teach] depends on your major. I preferred middle school because I wanted to work with older kids. Either way, working with kids won’t be easy,” Thompson said. After her two-year commitment to TFA, Thompson plans to either climb the ladder within the organization to become communications director or open her own production business specializing in videos for engagements, weddings and birthdays. Whichever route she takes, “I am working to change my community,” she said. JESSICA PHAM, Retail Merchandising will work for: Stage Stores “I regret not getting internships because I wanted to focus on school, [so] intern in the summer or make time in the school year to figure out what you want to do.” Pham’s employment at Swoozie’s gift store years ago taught her how to communicate with customers and initially piqued her interest in retail. “I immediately saw myself in the retail world,” she said. After a few years at UT, Pham interned at Nordstrom, delving a little deeper into the retail industry and learning the importance of both the market and the economy. Planning for life after graduation, one of Pham’s textiles and apparel professors informed her See GRADS, on next page

LONGHORN LIFE

Friday, April 27, 2012

Page 11

Help! What’s wrong with my resume? Channing Holman LONGHORN LIFE

Students ask this question when applying for internships and scholarships and, more importantly, when searching for a job. Answering this question is far more complicated than students believe because even the smallest mistakes can have the biggest consequences. Monica Choi, internship manager for Communication Career Services said that a good resume is not one-size-fitsall — an appropriate resume for an economics major will be different from one for an advertising major. Before stepping into her current role, Choi was the CCS career advisor and program manager in charge of the Communication Job & Internship Fairs and Graduate School Fairs. She shared with us a few key dos and don’ts to help you spruce up your resume. “Think about your target company — a toy company and a bank will have different approaches.” Familiarize yourself with the employer and the skills the company looks for in entry-level candidates so you can more effectively present yourself as a valuable addition to their company.

Grads

Continued from previous page

of a position at Stage Stores. Stage Stores caters to Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage retail companies. It has more than 800 stores nationwide with plans to open 40 more within the year. Pham will assist the buyer throughout the day in the merchandising division to maximize the efficiency of the buying process while developing relationships between vendors and the buyer. Pham applied for the position last fall and after a series of interviews and an orientation in Houston, she received a job offer in February. Although she had interviews lined up with a series of com-

“Don’t have your formatting all messed up! Think of your resume as a stand alone document – use the same style.” Formatting your resume with the same font, style and margins consistently throughout the page makes your resume look professional and well-put-together. Avoid fancy designs on your resume. Keep the content informative but concise by using bullet-point lists. “Keep your resume to one page unless you’re applying to law or grad school.” The average employer looks at a resume for six to eight seconds, scanning the document for only the most relevant and important details. By limiting yourself to a single page you will be forced to include only the most noteworthy accomplishments and skills you can offer to the employer. “Don’t try to cram everything into one page.” It is impossible to list every accomplishment, every organization and so forth with limited space. Instead, delete any irrelevant information to the position you are applying for, such as work experiences that do not pertain to the career you are seeking or a less-than-satisfactory

panies, Pham quickly cancelled them when she received the news she anticipated. “My assertiveness allowed me to stand out against the others. A lot of UT people made it to the second round but didn’t get the job. I did because assertiveness gets results,” she said. She begins working in Houston shortly after graduation. The job begins as a three-month training period before working as an assistant buyer. She plans to remain a Stage Stores employee for at least five years and possibly move up in the company. Pham’s advice: “Focus on your goal and always make progress. Don’t stray away from your goal; finish. Then see what kind of job you can find.” REGGIE WILSON, Corporate Finance will work for: VMG Health “I’m excited to get my feet wet in a skill I’ve wanted to acquire. The opportunity I have in my hands is unbelievable, and I’m in my hometown.” Wilson will take his skills to the office of VMG Health as a Financial Analyst, working on emergency acquisitions. “Companies like to see people that take risks, [have] good communication skills and personality. A lot of the small things make a big difference,” Wilson said. VMG Health is known worldwide as providing leading financial advisers to serve the healthcare system. Financial analysts work on a variety of healthcare engagements and spend

grade point average. A resume should serve as a list of accomplishments instead of a comprehensive job history. “Use action verbs to show what you’re able to accomplish.” Use active words and descriptors to explain to potential employers not just what you did, but what positive outcomes your actions have resulted in. Avoid using slang when listing accomplishments and always double-check the accuracy of any job titles or descriptions. “Place your contact information at the top or bottom of the page.” Necessary contact information for a resume is typically a phone number and email address, but can also include physical address or website. Including profiles and pages such as Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, a personal blog or website is an increasingly popular way to brand yourself and offer a clear representation of the work that you do. “Never send your resume without a cover letter.” A resume highlights your accomplishments and your education experience. And while a resume is imperative in applying for jobs, cover letters allow your

their first year in financial modeling and supporting senior level staff. Looking forward to returning to his hometown of Dallas, Wilson is excited to give back to his community by serving as a role model to students at his former high school. “They think they can’t make it, so students go to community colleges and don’t go off to school. I want to be the voice that they can go off,” he said. Wilson began applying for his position in mid-November, after the job was posted on the McCombs School of Business job database On-Campus Recruiting. He accepted the job offer in early April after interviewing with top executives, partners and entry-level analysts. “The business school taught me how to dress, speak, work with teams, proficiency in Microsoft programs and how to join organizations to build my personal brand and networks. A lot of kids don’t do those things,” Wilson said. He advises students to exercise leadership and communication skills throughout the interviewing processes. Also, “it pays to be persistent,” he said. “Email immediately after meeting with an employer and remind them of what you can bring to the company and communicate what you want in a non-aggressive manner,.” HANNAH WU, Marketing and English will work for: General Mills “UT has thrown a lot of chal-

personality to shine through to employers who read hundreds of applications regularly. Use the cover letter as a way to stand out from the rest of the pool of applicants. “Come to career services and we’ll look over your resume for you. It’s what we’re paid for.” Self-editing isn’t always effective. Similar to writing a paper, a different set of eyes can offer a different perspective to offer suggestions or critiques that you might not always realize on your own. For more personalized assistance, schedule an individual appointment with an adviser through the career services office within your college. A complete list of the contact information and Web links for each college’s career office is available at hiretexas.utexas.edu. After you have created a stellar resume with these suggestions and the help of a career services adviser, print out your polished final draft on a nice, slightly heavier weight of paper with high quality ink settings. Your resume will be an ever-evolving document though, so be sure to update the content accordingly as your professional skills and experiences develop.

lenges at me and it made me tough. I was placed in an environment and had to build myself from the ground up”. Torn between her loves for both marketing and English, Wu chose to double major, further diversifying her skills. The Kansas native branched out to the eclectic city of Austin initially for the McCombs Business School, but quickly fell in love with indie music and the city. Wu accepted her position as Business Management Associate with General Mills in Minneapolis over spring break after a series of interviews, an assessment, a paidfor trip to Minneapolis for two days and weeks of anxiously checking her email for the “we gladly welcome you to the company,” or “we regret to inform you” notes. “They sent me an email saying that

they were having a really hard time making a decision and they would be in touch soon. So, I sent them an email telling them how much I wanted this job and reiterating why I was right for the job. They replied that they really appreciated my email, and I believe that helped me get the job,” Wu said. Wu looks forward to being immersed in the global company specifically dealing with foods in demographics. In an attempt to stand out against other candidates, Wu highlighted her leadership skills gained through several executive boards and positions of power. “I was really passionate about all of my positions and they forced me to consistently use trouble shooting skills,” she said. Each of these grads worked diligently to get the job they wanted. It took networking, persistence in following up and confidence throughout the interview. Go after your dream job and continue to apply until you’ve found a great fit for yourself. In case you are lacking communication skills, enroll in a communication studies class to learn the ins and outs of public speaking, interviewing and how to market yourself. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and don’t be afraid to leave the great state of Texas — there are many opportunities outside the state lines.

— photos by Rachel Lau

LONGHORN LIFE

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Friday, April 27, 2012

WHAT should i WEAR

to a job interview

ILLUSTRATIONS BY BAILEY SULLIVAN/LONGHORN LIFE

Lauren Daly LONGHORN LIFE

nterviews can be terrifying, especially if you walk in feeling underdressed. Thankfully, Katharine Brooks, director of the liberal arts career service, has provided some general insight into what to shoot for when flicking through your closet. On the Dress for Success page utexas.edu/cola/orgs/lacs, she includes these standard tips: 1. Keep in mind what you’re applying for and dress appropriately. By taking the initiative to dress the way you would as an employee, you are showing the interviewer that you are serious about the job. If you’re unsure about what to

wear, just go with professional dress. Better to be the best dressed than the worst. 2. Err on the conservative side. Avoid too much jewelry, make-up and especially cleavage. Also, don’t overdo it. It’s best not to wear perfume or cologne because the interviewer may have an allergy. If you really want it though, just go with one spritz. 3. Ladies: Go with a dark pencil skirt or dark slacks, a white long-sleeved button up blouse, closed-toed heels and a matching blazer to look clean and polished. If wearing a skirt, make sure that it comes to your knees while standing, and, Brooks suggests to wear hose underneath. Avoid open-toed and brightly colored heels and don’t go higher than 2 ½ inches. Keep your hair out of your face and stick to light make-up and clear, polished nails. 4. Gents: You can’t go

wrong with a suit when heading into a serious interview. Go with a black or charcoal gray suit, a white button up shirt, some black dress shoes (DO NOT wear white socks!) and a simple black tie. Keep all hair short and well-groomed. 5. Don’t allow yourself to be confused by the term “business casual.” According to Brooks, it is a lot like business professional but you have a little more leeway with fabrics and color. Don’t go overboard with shades, unless of course the job you’re applying for is more lenient on creativity. First impressions are important in an interview, but try not to get stressed over your clothes. If you’re still unsure about what to wear, check out the business’ website. Sometimes they’ll post expected interview attire. Overall, it’s you that they are hiring, not your clothes. Good luck!

UT COMMENCEMENT by the numbers

The 129th Commencement Ceremony will take place on the South Mall on Saturday May 18 at 6:30 p.m., with former United States Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as the commencement speaker.

Q UARTERS ON CAMPUS

$600,000 approximate cost of the commencement ceremony*

12 132 2

months to plan the entire event

seconds the fireworks display lasts

times the event has been moved indoors since 1964

30,000

guests attended the spring 2011 ceremony QUICK FACT: A person seated at 21st Street and University Avenue hears a speaker on stage at the foot of the Tower 648 milliseconds after the person speaks. The accompanying video is delayed 21 frames to be in sync with the audio delay (normal frame rate is 30 frames per second). Information provided by ceremony coordinator Susan Clagett, compiled by Ali Killian. Turn to page 21 for a profile on Clagett. *Funded by gifted money, royalties from photography services and flower sales.

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LONGHORN LIFE

Page 14

Friday, April 27, 2012

Editor Column

Words from a college grad: Savor it while you still can Christine Imperatore LONGHORN LIFE

This message is mainly for juniors who are anxious for the next year to pass but I suppose it could also pertain to any seniors hoping

Are you still looking for the perfect place? Look no further! Remember us when you’re ready to look for your next home! We have the location, affordability, and a friendly staff with the best maintenance service in the campus area!

Choose from one of our 8 locations!

For an apartment, townhouse or condominuim in the campus area call

512-472-3816

West Campus • Camino Real- $795-$2400 $1275 • Salado- $850-$1325 $850 75-$850 • Seton Square- $675-$850 s-- $950-$1475 • Vanderbilt CondosFULL • Nueces Oaks Townhomeswn nhomes- $1410-$1535 FULL

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• Castle Arms- $795-$1195 95 5-$1195 $1215 • 31st Street- FULL L errs- $775 • University Quarters-

Where Students & Service are our priority.

Walk to Campus!

Or vis visit at

605 W West 28th

& www www.marquisliving.com w.

the next few weeks will fly by. Finishing school for good may be the thing you crave most right now, but I’d like to provide you with a cautionary tale. Take my advice and enjoy your senior year (or, for current seniors, what’s left of it) while you still can! I gypped myself out of half my senior year. I graduated from the University of San Diego in 3 1/2 years, thinking it was a wise decision at the time. While I was in school I did whatever I could to speed up the process. I took summer and winter session classes to supplement the college credits I earned from AP courses in high school and put me on the fast track to my B.A. in Communication Studies. I couldn’t wait to be done with all the homework, studying, papers and exams that college entailed and move on to my dream career as an entertainment journalist. What I didn’t think about was that upon graduation, I would have a whole new set of responsibilities (and bills) that would severely decrease the level of fun I could have. About two weeks before my final full semester ended, it hit me: I wasn’t ready to leave

college. I may have been ready in the sense that I had fulfilled all of my degree requirements, but I was certainly not ready to say goodbye to college living and become a “grown up” with a full-time job and bills to pay. “What have I done?!” I thought to myself. I briefly toyed with the idea of opting out of the coming winter session I would be taking to finish my last three credits and instead taking that course in the spring, along with three “BS” courses. I didn’t think my parents would be too happy about that though, so I stuck with the plan. I soon found that post-grad life wasn’t all that I had imagined. I got a mediocre full-time job that had nothing to do with my career interests and where I was nowhere near fully appreciated. I quickly realized just how true it was that the cost of living in Southern California is astronomically high. What made things worse was that all of my friends were continuing on with the semester without me. They were all still living the good life while I was miserable in my “adult” world. When they all went off for spring break I was stuck at work. I desperately wished I were finishing up senior year with the friends I had spent the last

3 1/2 years with. I really missed those class-free Fridays when I could escape to the beach with the girls. Post-grad life had made my complexion paler for sure. Even if you aren’t graduating early, let this be a reminder to savor your last year and don’t let the good times pass you by. You may be overwhelmed with schoolwork but as a college student you have a lot more free time than you may realize. Part of what brought me here to UT for graduate school was that I really missed being a student! Aside from the social and recreational aspect I truly missed learning something valuable every day. Don’t be in such a rush to finish this fun and exciting time in your life. John Mayer was lying when he sang, “there’s no such thing as the real world” (just like he lied to Taylor Swift when she believed he took their relationship seriously). I can assure you there is such a thing as the real world and it’s nothing like the show on MTV. I’m not saying you should never finish college, but rather that you should not take it for granted. In short, my message to you is to stop and smell the roses that are your senior year… and John Mayer is a liar.

LONGHORN LIFE

Friday, April 27, 2012

Page 15

LSAT and GMAT and GRE ... oh my! Nathalie Lumang LONGHORN LIFE

Standardized tests have been a plague upon students for decades. For some of us, the testing didn’t end at the SAT because of things like the MCAT, LSAT, GRE or GMAT. There are various methods to studying and finding the one that best suits you is part of the problem. Preparing for tests such as this could take research even before signing up for classes or buying the books. It is wise to talk to someone who has taken these tests, so you’re aware of what to expect and what to focus on. This would take some research on your part, and an awareness of your strengths and weaknesses in your study habits. Setting a goal of how many hours a day and week you should study would also be wise. According to Jialing Fang, a pharmacy senior and test prep course teaching assistant, for tests like the MCAT it’s advised to start preparing at least three months before the test

and study about eight hours a day every week. “It’s best not to be overly nervous the week before the test and burn yourself out,” said Fang. A common approach is taking classes to prepare for the tests. UT offers an MCAT crash course for six weeks in the summer. It’s for three hours a day, five times a week. The course helps with each section of the MCAT – from physics, natural science area, reading and writing. “Break the material down to outline form,” Fang said. “In the last week, don’t overly study, but rather try to remember the main points.” However, with tests like this, it’s best to set realistic expectations. Just because you do not get that perfect score, does not mean it’s the end of the world. Stay away from the negative thoughts spewing into your brain and stay positive about the test. “Studying with someone is always good,” Fang said. “Not only because you can ask questions, but they can keep you sane.”

AARON RODRIGUEZ/LONGHORN LIFE

MCAT: Medical College Admissions Test; LSAT: Law School Admissions Test; GRE: Graduate Record Examinations; GMAT: Graduate Management Admission Test

FALL SPACES going fast A P P LY T O D AY � S E C U R E YO U R S P O T

Official Student Housing Sponsor of UT Athletics

upgraded amenities coming fall 2012 � ��W E S T. C O M � � � � W � �TH S T � � � � . � � �. � � � � amenities subject to change | renderings subject to change

LONGHORN LIFE

Page 16

Friday, April 27, 2012

UT’s top-ranked 2012 graduate schools MAY 2ND Noon–4pm

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9

Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex

SOUTH MALL, NEAR PARLIN HALL Celebrating employee health & fitness day

◊ Free for all current / retired ut faculty & staff ◊ ◊ New course ◊ new food ◊ great prizes ◊ Register online: WWW.UTRECSPORTS.ORG/POKERWALK

www.utrecsports.org/splashbash

BRING YOUR SUIT * LIVE MUSIC FREE FOOD * FREE NEON TANK

The University of Texas at Austin

The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC)

is a comprehensive scholarship program. It gives you the money you need to cover tuition, fees, and stipends for books - even monthly allowences. An NROTC Scholarship covers the following: • Full tuition • All college and university educational fees Stipend for books • Subsistence allowence each month • Other related educational expenses • Uniforms

Subsistence Allowance each month

(see your local recruiter for current amounts) Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior

$250 $300 $350 $400

General Eligibility Requirements Applicants for the NROTC Program must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen • Be 17 years old by September 1 of the first year of college and younger than 27 on June 30 of the year in which you are eligible for graduation and commissioned status. An age waiver may be granted for prior active military service. • Be a high school graduate or possess equivalency certificates by August 1 of the same year that entrance into the four-year NROTC program is anticipated. • Be physically qualified by Navy standards. • Have no moral obligations or personal convictions that will prevent bearing of arms and supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States. • Apply for and gain admission to NROTC colleges. Contact: or: • Acheive qualifying scores on the SAT/ACT NC1 Gina Rocha Valdez MMGS Philip Wygans Scores can be mixed (different test dates or test) Work: (210) 295-9619 Work: (210) 295-9619 SAT - 520 Math, 530 Verbal Cell: (210) 336-2264 Cell: (210) 439-7200 ACT - 21 Math, 22 English Or, be in the top 10% of High School class standing Email: gina.valdez@navy.mil Email: philip.wyans@navy.mil (Must have taken either ACT or SAT)

watch for the next

LONGHORN

Alex Vickery LONGHORN LIFE

It’s no secret that The University of Texas has some of the top-ranked programs nationally in undergraduate education and the tradition continues for graduate programs as well. If you’re looking to further your education by applying to graduate school, here are some of the Forty Acres’ most reputable graduate programs to consider according to the well-known U.S. News & World Report college and graduate school rankings. EDUCATION: Ranked first among public university graduate education programs on the latest U.S. News & World Report list for 2013, UT’s College of Education has been steadily growing in status and reputation. Programs such as Administration/Supervision, Special Education and Educational Psychology have all ranked among the top 10 overall in the field. Ranked first in research funding, students can expect to be prepared to become leaders in the field of education with the school’s modern technology and research facilities. Students can get involved in about 10 different organizations related to education as well as unique campus projects through the school’s acclaimed centers. ENGINEERING: All of the Cockrell School of Engineering’s graduate programs are ranked nationally in the top 20 in U.S. News & World Report, and many in the top 10 of their respective areas of study. The school prides itself on its research capabilities, looking at societal issues and encouraging collaboration between faculty and students to create solutions. Students can expect

to think critically through involvement in campus projects. Unique opportunities the school offers include the Center for Lifelong Engineering Education, which hosts realworld application courses and degrees, and Texas Venture Labs, which encourages cooperation between engineering and business students to promote start-ups on campus. SOCIAL WORK: UT’s Master of Science in Social Work has remained in U.S. News & World Report Top 10 programs of social work education since 2003. The program offers a base curriculum as well as a sequence in one of two areas of concentration that allow students to develop knowledge in a particular area. The program is taught by leaders in the field of social work and is headed by the nationally recognized Center for Social Work Research. In addition, students gain hands-on experience through a required internship, which allows for practical application of research and skills from the curriculum. BUSINESS: The McCombs School of Business graduate programs boast various national rankings in the field of business, but most notably is the Master of Professional Accounting program, which ranked first in U.S. News & World Report for this year. The program complements a curriculum in broad-based accounting knowledge with specific knowledge through one of four tracks. Faculty members dedicate themselves to helping students achieve high success on the CPA exam, many of which are then recruited by prominent firms and find permanent jobs upon graduating.

in The Daily Texan on May 4

ER MM ON U S the EDITI

Friday, April 27, 2012

orgs.

Current students don’t have to wait to join Texas Exes Brittany Lamas Longhorn Life

Many young Longhorns dream of the day they can join the Texas Exes and put one of those sweet license plate frames on their car. Some may not realize they don’t have to wait to graduate to become a part of the organization. The largest student organization on campus, the Texas Exes Student Chapter (TESC) is a part of integral Texas traditions and helps students have a smooth transition to Texas Exes after graduation. “TESC upholds and promotes some of the University’s oldest and best-known traditions and connects students to the valuable network of University alumni,” said Katie Lauck, the organization’s advisor. The organization hosts events for students like the annual networking and etiquette event, Food for Thoughts. It also keeps up with a Career Network database compiled of Texas Exes, and the networking events give students the chance to connect with former Longhorns who are now employers. The student chapter has no GPA, college requirements, or attendance requirements. Students must pay an initial fee of $20 to join, and after can either pay $70 for fouryear membership, or $20 in dues each year. “The money covers the cost of the various benefits and our events,” Lauck said. After joining, members receive a packet usually containing a t-shirt and some other TESC gear as well as a benefits key card that provides discounts at local stores in categories including health, electronics, and food. “Twenty dollars sounds like a lot, but that is all you

pay for the whole year and the money goes towards supporting our programs,” said Meghan Wied, student chapter president. “After you receive your membership packet with your t-shirt, discount tag, free gift and you attend at least one event, it’s already almost paid for itself!” TESC is also responsible for the production of the annual Torchlight Parade, Hex rally, and Orange and White Welcome every fall semester. If students are interested in getting involved with planning and being a part of those events, members can go to the weekly meetings, and get updates through Facebook, Lauck said. “Through the rallies, you get to gather with other Longhorns, current, previous, and prospective, and cheer on your team, and through networking, you see alumni who give back because of what this University has given them,” Wied said. After graduating, students can choose to upgrade to Texas Exes and receive a discount on the membership fees. “When students graduate, we encourage them to join the Texas Exes Alumni Association,” Lauck said. Texas Exes strongly encourages new grads to get involved with a Texas Exes chapter in their area, she said. With a database of 450,000 members Texas Exes has not only local and national networks, but also an International network to keep Longhorns connected as well as a Special Interest Network that connects specific types of former students. Lauck said, “Becoming a member of Texas Exes when a student graduates is the best way to stay connected to the University and its resources.”

Longhorn Life

Page 17

Getting involved on campus hook ‘em: Students gather in the EtterHarbin Alumni Center on campus for the annual Class Ring Ceremony, hosted by Texas Exes Student Chapter. TESC also organizes the Torchlight Parade and Orange and White Welcome every fall semester.

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Longhorn Life

Friday, April 27, 2012

our campus

Page 19

A spotlight on UT faculty and staff

Expert Q&A

Dean gives tips on finding an ideal career Megan Smith Longhorn Life

The world of bosses and briefcases can be nerve-wracking, especially if you don’t know where to start. With graduation nearing closer, seniors will soon be leaving their familiar classrooms and professors and entering into a brand new phase of pursuing careers. Longhorn Life sat down with David Spight, assistant dean for advising in the School of Undergraduate Studies, to find out where students can begin their searches, get tips on interviewing and learn how to score that dream job. Longhorn Life: Tell us a little about yourself. Was an advising position at the University of Texas your dream job when you first graduated college? Spight: Honestly, growing up in Denver, I never thought I would end up in Texas. I also didn’t even know what academic advising was until I got to college. I started off college thinking I wanted to be a high school history teacher. In fact, I majored in history for four years. Then, I got into the classroom for my student teaching experience and realized it wasn’t what I wanted to do. As for academic advising being my dream job, it hadn’t even crossed my mind. In reality, I did a number of jobs to find out what it was I liked and disliked about doing certain jobs. It wasn’t until I was 26 that I took another advising job at Colorado State just because I thought it would be fun to do for a while. About six months into it, I realized I really enjoyed doing it and I’ve been doing it ever since. I’ve been in advising for a little over a decade now and I’m just finishing up my eighth year at UT.

I enjoy it very much. LL: With graduation approaching fast, seniors will soon be entering the working world. What resources are available for their initial job search process? Spight: Well, if they haven’t already done so, one thing graduating seniors should really do in the next few weeks before they walk across the stage is to visit their college’s career services office. It’s really important for them to get in there because those offices are connected to employers, they can help make sure their resumes are polished and ready to go and even practice interviewing. If the student has already secured a job, they need to prepare for what the world of work is like – primarily, knowing how to act like a professional. That’s where things like alumni networks like Texas Exes are useful. They connect students with professionals that are already in the world of work, so that they can give students recommendations on how to secure the job that they want in the field of their choice. We’re really trying to get freshman involved in these networks as well – not just seniors – in order for them to get connected sooner. LL: The college experience is about trying new things and defining individual interests, but for some graduation comes too soon. What do you suggest to graduating students who still have a wide variety of interests? How can these interests be tailored into a dream job? Spight: The beauty of it is, trying new things and exploring new interests isn’t limited to just the four years that you’re in college – and it shouldn’t be. It would be a boring life if you just stopped trying new things. So one of the things to think about is, of the experiences you’ve had here

joyce isleta/Longhorn Life David Spight is assistant dean for advising in the School of Undergraduate Studies.

or wish you’d had, what is it that draws you to those experiences? You should then look for those types of experiences outside and after college. In relation to combining those interests into a dream job, that is where doing an internship shortly after finishing college, instead of going straight into a job, would be a good idea. Also, Austin presents a huge opportunity to get involved in things much like you would get involved with in a student organization or a volunteer experience. That way you can tie all your interests to-

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9

gether, while still holding down a job. You may also find that some of those interests might lead to a job you never thought of before—one that turns out to be your dream job. LL: For students that already have an ideal career in mind, what is the most efficient way to make it through low-level jobs on their way to the top? Spight: I think the most important thing is to keep your eyes open and learn. I remember when I got my first job and I had all of these ideas. I kept thinking that everyone just needed to listen to my ideas. You don’t want to give up on sharing ideas when you can, but you also want to take advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as you can about what does happen at those lower level jobs. What you do in those lower jobs doesn’t disappear when you start to move up. The better you understand how things work as you move up, the better you will be. Now I’m in a position where I supervise people who supervise people who work with students. However, there are still a lot of lessons that I got out of that first job, where I was the lowest guy in the organization, that I use even now. It also helps me understand how to get the most productivity out of people that do work for me. Keep your eyes open and learn as much as you can, but don’t be afraid to take the initiative to try some things when those jobs give you the opportunity. It’s when you make something out of your experience that you get recognized and start to move up. Create your own experiences. LL: Some students find that their chosen major does not translate into their dream See Q&A, on 20

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Longhorn Life

Page 20

Higher Ed Briefly

Texas A&M penalizes student in Las Vegas photo COLLEGE STATION, Texas — For one Texas A&M University graduate student, what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas. Justin Newman says he ran into academic trouble after The Associated Press published a photo of him in a story about a mobile medical clinic dubbed “Hangover Heaven” that aids Las Vegas tourists who drank too much alcohol the night before. Newman’s name wasn’t used, but he said people in his college department recognized him sitting in the bus. He was wearing an “AGGIE Athletic Training” T-shirt. In an email to the AP on Tuesday asking that his photo be removed, Newman said he was fired from his research position and lost a fall campus internship. He faced a disciplinary hearing, but said in a follow-up email Thursday there were “no repercussions for my actions.” — Associated Press

Q&A

Continued from 19 job. What advice do you have for students wishing to pursue a career in a field different from their major? Spight: Well, the reality is, around 50 percent of students that have recently graduated are working in jobs that aren’t directly related to their majors. In most career fields, major doesn’t matter. So, what is it that employers are looking for? They are really looking for your skills and experiences — well-rounded students. Students don’t always know this, but when we make you take things like history, government, science, math and English, you’re actually learning some of the most basic skills that employers are look-

Friday, April 27, 2012

5 Things I’ve Learned

Matthew Hill Assistant Instructor Department of Spanish and Portuguese [4 years at UT]

Compiled by Ali Killian

Bureaucracy runs amok in public universities. It’s maddening.

Academic life is all about finding your niche. There are about 10,000 books written about the Quixote, but if you can find a new angle on it, you have a career.

Lawrence Speck Professor School of Architecture [37 years at UT]

The Benson Latin American Collection library is the place to be. Where else in Texas can you find 16thcentury Mexican manuscripts and over a million volumes just about Latin America?

ing for in people they want to hire—no matter what the career field. They are looking for people who can communicate well— written and orally. I know a lot of students don’t like to write, but the more you write, the more opportunities you have. Those courses, as well as the courses in your major, teach you how to look at a situation, critically think about the information and then make a decision. These are skills employers are looking for. LL: What steps should students pursuing a higher-level degree take while still in school in order to increase their chances of landing their dream jobs afterwards? Spight: I think, in particular for graduate and professional students, it is really important to get those types of internship and work experiences to get a taste of what it is like in that career field, and to be able to put something

No matter how high admissions standards get and no matter how much the caliber of students in general improves, there are still going to be a few bozos around. Is that a good thing?

1 2

Getting out of your own department or college and sampling the intellectual range of the larger University is, ironically, the best way to improve your performance in your own discipline.

Austin seems to have an infinite capacity for becoming a cooler and more supportive city for UT to thrive in year after year after year.

Avoid driving to campus if at all possible — the traffic downtown is terrible. Graduate school is actually a plot to keep people from sleeping for five years.

is making it a far more open, tolerant and creative place.

If you do not like the way things are around here, you really can change them. Well, maybe not always, but most of the time.

The constantly increasing global diversity of students on this campus

on their resumes to show that they have relevant job experience. The students that tend to be successful in graduate and professional school are those that seek out opportunities to get experiences. Definitely seek out internships, part-time jobs and job shadowing opportunities. LL: What is the best piece of advice you received when you first graduated college and started searching for your ideal job? Spight: The hardest part of finding a job isn’t the interview, it’s getting the interview. When you have hundreds of people submitting resumes, how do you distinguish yours? The one thing that a lot of people make a mistake about,– and not just recent college grads, but people that have been out of college for years – is that they don’t try to

Have five lessons to share with colleagues? We’re always looking for entries! Email us at specialeditions@ texassstudentmedia.com

tailor what they’re talking about in their cover letter and in their resume to what is being asked for in the job description. First, look at what the responsibilities are in the job description and then what experiences you have to offer. Then, in your cover letter and resume, you can list the experiences you have that fit that particular job description. The more you do that, the more you look like the person that is best fit for that job and the more you have your foot in the door. Also, in the interview, don’t be so worried about saying the right or wrong things. You don’t want to work at a place where you have to change who you are to fit that environment. The interview is your chance to say what you’re about, what you believe and to see if you and the interviewer think that the job is a good fit for the both of you.

Longhorn Life

Friday, April 27, 2012

Meet the ...

— Ali Killian

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS

You were waiting until “later” to buy your yearbook. Now is your last chance.

Name: Susan Clagett Title and Department: Associate Vice President for Public Affairs in the Office of Relationship Management and University Events

buy a yearbook. www.cactusyearbook.com

Years at UT: 45 My job entails: coordinating the planning and production of largescale public events that help to communicate the values and priorities of The University of Texas at Austin.

A typical day for me involves: Each day is different. A day can involve attending committee meetings, consulting with colleagues, responding to email, drafting communications, resolving questions or complications, planning and evaluating activities and handling a myriad of other details associated with managing events.

My background includes: I have a B.A. in English and an M.A. in history from UT. I was active in the Texas Union as a student and was first employed there as an adviser to student program committees. I was involved in planning and producing

Page 21

rachel lau/Longhorn Life

university-wide programs during UT’s Centennial observance in 1983. Those activities preceded my current role.

The best part about working on the 40 Acres is: the privilege and pleasure of working at Texas’ flagship university and being involved in activities that contribute to its culture and traditions. On those rare days when I need a quiet place to decompress, I usually end up going to the tree-shaded plaza in front of the Harry Ransom Center. It’s a good place for quiet contemplation. To contact my office/department: - In person: University Development Office Main Building 22 - By phone: 512-4717753

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LONGHORN LIFE

Friday, April 27, 2012

Behind the Scenes

When you think of the Study Abroad International Office at UT you probably think of a place to find resources about taking courses in other countries during your college career. Not exactly the place for a recent college graduate, right? Wrong! The SAO can be a great resource for graduates that want to take some time to travel abroad right after college. “Traveling abroad expands your worldview and

PHOTOS BY RACHEL LAU/LONGHORN LIFE

in turn, fosters and innate curiosity to learn and explore,” said Arelis Palacios, program coordinator in the International Office. The Study Abroad Office and International Office work together with different colleges and international education programs with the focus of trying to increase the understanding of different cultures. Taking time to travel after graduation instead of

jumping right into an entry-level job can possibly help your career in the long run. “The ‘real world’ is a complex place that needs dynamic thinkers,” Palacios said. “Knowing how to navigate different cultural spaces would be instrumental in helping students transition into professional roles.”

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Longhorn Life

Friday, April 27, 2012

Page 23

1 in 2 new graduates are jobless or underemployed Hope Yen The Associated press

WASHINGTON — The college class of 2012 is in for a rude welcome to the world of work. A weak labor market already has left half of young college graduates either jobless or underemployed in positions that don’t fully use their skills and knowledge. Young adults with bachelor’s degrees are increasingly scraping by in lower-wage jobs — waiter or waitress, bartender, retail clerk or receptionist, for example — and that’s confounding their hopes a degree would pay off despite higher tuition and mounting student loans. An analysis of government data conducted for The Associated Press lays bare the highly uneven prospects for holders of bachelor’s degrees. Opportunities for college graduates vary widely. While there’s strong demand in science, education and health fields, arts and humanities flounder. Median wages for those with bachelor’s degrees are down from 2000, hit by technological changes that are eliminating midlevel jobs such as bank tellers. Most future job openings are projected to be in lower-skilled positions such as home health aides, who can provide personalized attention as the U.S. population ages. Taking underemployment into consideration, the job prospects for bachelor’s degree holders fell last year to the lowest level in more than a decade. “I don’t even know what I’m looking for,” says Michael Bledsoe, who described months of fruitless job searches as he served customers at a Seattle coffeehouse. The 23-year-old graduated in 2010 with a creative writing degree. Initially hopeful that his college education would create opportunities, Bledsoe languished for three months before finally taking a job as a barista, a position he has held for the last two years. In the beginning he sent three or four resumes day. But, Bledsoe

said, employers questioned his lack of experience or the practical worth of his major. Now he sends a resume once every two weeks or so. Bledsoe, currently making just above minimum wage, says he got financial help from his parents to help pay off student loans. He is now mulling whether to go to graduate school, seeing few other options to advance his career. “There is not much out there, it seems,” he said. His situation highlights a widening but little-discussed labor problem. Perhaps more than ever, the choices that young adults make earlier in life — level of schooling, academic field and training, where to attend college, how to pay for it — are having long-lasting financial impact. “You can make more money on average if you go to college, but it’s not true for everybody,” says Harvard economist Richard Freeman, noting the growing risk of a debt bubble with total U.S. student loan debt surpassing $1 trillion. “If you’re not sure what you’re going to be doing, it probably bodes well to take some job, if you can get one, and get a sense first of what you want from college.” Andrew Sum, director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University who analyzed the numbers, said many people with a bachelor’s degree face a double whammy of rising tuition and poor job outcomes. “Simply put, we’re failing kids coming out of college,” he said, emphasizing that when it comes to jobs, a college major can make all the difference. “We’re going to need a lot better job growth and connections to the labor market, otherwise college debt will grow.” By region, the Mountain West was most likely to have young college graduates jobless or underemployed — roughly 3 in 5. It was followed by the more rural southeastern U.S., including Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. The Pacific region, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, also was high on the list.

On the other end of the scale, the southern U.S., anchored by Texas, was most likely to have young college graduates in higher-skill jobs. The figures are based on an analysis of 2011 Current Population Survey data by Northeastern University researchers and supplemented with material from Paul Harrington, an economist at Drexel University, and the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington think tank. They rely on Labor Department assessments of the level of education required to do the job in 900-plus U.S. occupations, which were used to calculate the shares of young adults with bachelor’s degrees who were “underemployed.” About 1.5 million, or 53.6 percent, of bachelor’s degree-holders under the age of 25 last year were jobless or underemployed, the highest share in at least 11 years. In 2000, the share was at a low of 41 percent, before the dot-com bust erased job gains for college graduates in the telecommunications and IT fields. Out of the 1.5 million who languished in the job market, about half were underemployed, an increase from the previous year. Broken down by occupation, young college graduates were heavily represented in jobs that require a high school diploma or less. In the last year, they were more likely to be employed as waiters, waitresses, bartenders and food-service helpers than as engineers, physicists, chemists and mathematicians combined (100,000 versus 90,000). There were more working in officerelated jobs such as receptionist or payroll clerk than in all computer professional jobs (163,000 versus 100,000). More also were employed as cashiers, retail clerks and customer representatives than engineers (125,000 versus 80,000). According to government projections released last month, only three of the 30 occupations with the largest projected number of job openings by 2020 will require a bachelor’s degree or higher

to fill the position — teachers, college professors and accountants. Most job openings are in professions such as retail sales, fast food and truck driving, jobs which aren’t easily replaced by computers. College graduates who majored in zoology, anthropology, philosophy, art history and humanities were among the least likely to find jobs appropriate to their education level; those with nursing, teaching, accounting or computer science degrees were among the most likely. In Nevada, where unemployment is the highest in the nation, Class of 2012 college seniors recently expressed feelings ranging from anxiety and fear to cautious optimism about what lies ahead. With the state’s economy languishing in an extended housing bust, a lot of young graduates have shown up at job placement centers in tears. Many have been squeezed out of jobs by more experienced workers, job counselors said, and are now having to explain to prospective employers the time gaps in their resumes. “It’s kind of scary,” said Cameron Bawden, 22, who is graduating from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in December with a business degree. His family has warned him for years about the job market, so he has been building his resume by working part time on the Las Vegas Strip as a food runner and doing a marketing internship with a local airline. Bawden said his friends who have graduated are either unemployed or working along the Vegas Strip in service jobs that don’t require degrees. “There are so few jobs and it’s a small city,” he said. “It’s all about who you know.” Any job gains are going mostly to workers at the top and bottom of the wage scale, at the expense of middle-income jobs commonly held by bachelor’s degree holders. By some studies, up to 95 percent of positions lost during the economic recovery occurred in middle-income occupations such as bank tellers, the type of job not expected to return in a

more high-tech age. David Neumark, an economist at the University of CaliforniaIrvine, said a bachelor’s degree can have benefits that aren’t fully reflected in the government’s labor data. He said even for lowerskilled jobs such as waitress or cashier, employers tend to value bachelor’s degree-holders more highly than high-school graduates, paying them more for the same work and offering promotions. In addition, U.S. workers increasingly may need to consider their position in a global economy, where they must compete with educated foreign-born residents for jobs. Longer-term government projections also may fail to consider “degree inflation,” a growing ubiquity of bachelor’s degrees that could make them more commonplace in lowerwage jobs but inadequate for higher-wage ones. That future may be now for Kelman Edwards Jr., 24, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., who is waiting to see the returns on his college education. After earning a biology degree last May, the only job he could find was as a construction worker for five months before he quit to focus on finding a job in his academic field. He applied for positions in laboratories but was told they were looking for people with specialized certifications. “I thought that me having a biology degree was a gold ticket for me getting into places, but every other job wants you to have previous history in the field,” he said. Edwards, who has about $5,500 in student debt, recently met with a career counselor at Middle Tennessee State University. The counselor’s main advice: Pursue further education. “Everyone is always telling you, ‘Go to college,’” Edwards said. “But when you graduate, it’s kind of an empty cliff.” Associated Press writers Manuel Valdes in Seattle; Travis Loller in Nashville, Tenn.; Cristina Silva in Las Vegas; and Sandra Chereb in Carson City, Nev., contributed to this report.

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