Your Future TODAY!
Fall 2016 | Issue 1
September 27, 2016
2 - 5 p.m. at the Cintas Center
CAREER ADVICE FROM YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS
12 contents
Your Future Today
FEATURES
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Hire-A-Muskie
Need help finding the employer profiles? Want to connect with employers before stepping foot into the Cintas Center? BY LIZ TUSSEY
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From Xavier to Kroger
Xavier alumni discuss how their Jesuit education influence their work as internal auditors. BY REDMOND MILLERICK, Advertising & English, ‘16
Career Development Office 530 Conaton Learning Commons 3800 Victory Parkway Cincinnati, Ohio 45207-1161
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www.xavier.edu/career 513.745.3141 cdo@xavier.edu
Taking place behind the scenes, the logistics industry is a career path most students do not consider.
An Inside Look: Logistics BY ALEX HOWARD, Sales Recruiter, RWI Logistics
The CDO provides developmental & comprehensive career directed services to all Xavier students & alumni in contributing to Cura Personalis & Magis. 2
Your Future Today
Thank you to our
SPONSORS
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Department of Veteran Affairs: An Alumni Story Xavier alum discusses his career at the Department of Veteran Affairs.
BY BRENDAN CMOLIK, Entrepreneurial Studies, Marketing, ‘12
CAREER TOPICS 5 Career Fair Prep Events 6 Road to the Career Fair 7 Your Search Begins 10 Advice to Students from Students 11 Turn Your Internship into Full-Time 13 Is Sales Right for You? 14 What Events Should You Attend 16 Find A Job That Will Be The Right Fit 19 Tips for Working in Government 20 Xavier Interns 22 Making the Most of your College Experience 23 Letter from an English Major
ON COVER: KAYLA KEITH, BRYCE DUKESHIRE AND AISHA JORDAN
Career Development Office
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view over
2,000 ORGANIZATIONS
make an
APPOINTMENT with a Career Coach
HIRE-A-MUSKIE 5 TIPS FOR STUDENTS
BOOKMARK THE WEBSITE develop
YOUR PROFILE
www.hireamuskie.com is easy to remember, but bookmark the actual sign-in page (https://xavier-csm.symplicity.com/students/) for quick access
DOWNLOAD THE APP
Search your app store for “Careers by Symplicity”
view upcoming
CDO Events
Connect With Employers
before the career fair
ACCESS ALL JOB BOARDS
Search statewide, national and international opportunities by following links to Ohio Means Jobs, NACElink Network, USA Career Guides and Going Global
DISCOVER ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS view the career fair
employer listing & map 4
Your Future Today
Follow the shortcut to discover, upcoming on-campus interviews, for which you qualify and then apply to the opportunities
POWER UP WITH THE GUIDE
Learn from our “User Guide for Students & Alumni” (www.hireamuskie.com/guide)
Career Fair Prep Events PREPARING FOR CAREER FAIR SUCCESS KENNEDY AUDITORIUM
Monday, September 19 • 5 - 6 p.m. ONE-ON-ONE
WITH EMPLOYERS & COACHES • 530 CLC
Monday, September 19 • 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 20 • 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 21 • 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Thursday, September 22 • 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Friday, September 23 • 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday, September 26 • 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Fall Career Fair Tuesday, September 27, 2016 2 - 5 p.m. Cintas Center
In 2015-16
2,338
appointments & walk-ins with the Career Development Office
89% of employers
thought Xavier students were of high caliber & well-qualified at the Spring Career Fair
94% of employers were hiring for one or more positions at the Spring Career Fair
1,249
students attended Xavier career fairs (Fall/Spring Career Fairs, Graduate School & Year-of-Service Fair, Education Fair and the Big East Virtual Career Fairs)
Career Development Office
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ROAD TO THE
E E R FAIR R A C YOUR PREPARATION BEGINS TODAY LOOK ON HIRE-A-MUSKIE See what organizations will be present
RESEARCH REGISTERED EMPLOYERS What they do, recent news, mission and vision statements
POLISH YOUR RESUME Have it checked by a career coach & bring multiple copies to the fair
ATTEND CAREER FAIR PREP EVENTS Walk-ins with an employer & the Career Fair Prep workshop
WEAR APPROPRIATE ATTIRE Make sure those shoes are professional & comfortable enough to wear during the fair
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE Your handshake & elevator pitch (what you will say to employers)
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YOUR SEARCH
BEGINS
Careers are formed through small, measured steps. I personally label “student” as the most important occupation during an individual’s undergraduate experience. Thus, our attention ought to be directed toward becoming active members in the classroom and immediate community. The main lessons I’ve learned in the past three years are (1) observations and actions are directly linked, and (2) the choices we make in the present determine a better sense of tomorrow. Every encounter with the Xavier Career Fair is unique, and mine was delayed due to switching majors between freshman and sophomore year. For this reason, I did not attend the networking event until Spring 2015 - the end of my second year - when a friend invited me to shadow and observe other students as they interacted with representatives from 115 local and national organizations. This glimpse into the Career Fair made a significant impact when I began exploring potential internships. After I took a step back to watch the event unfold that day, I created an accurate vision of how I could plan for the next fair and tailor it to my professional needs. Indeed, I jumped into the scene exactly one year later with selfassurance and all of the proper materials - copies of my updated resume, a portfolio of work samples, a map of the event, a notebook and written reminders of exactly what I wanted to convey about my work aptitude. These first impressions were made through students who came from various academic backgrounds. Their perspectives, focuses, practices and implementations provided confidence that there isn’t a correct format for delivering the “30-second elevator speech” or connecting with employers. Overall, the key takeaway is to view the Career Fair as a day to personally build a strong representation of yourself and your unique skills.
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Career Advice
Be assumption free.
Many non-business students have an idea that the Career Development Office’s (CDO) career coaching, mentoring and events only pertain to individuals in the Williams College of Business. This certainly isn’t the case! The CDO resources are available to all undergraduates, graduate students and alumni, and the transferable programs are designed for many career paths. In fact, during the Spring 2016 Career Fair, representatives from Children’s Hospital Medical Center recruited biology and chemistry majors, Kroger had a department for people specialized in digital communication, and Procter and Gamble sought students in informatics and computer sciences.
Invest in authentic relationships.
There is a predominantly negative connotation behind the term “networking,” and one cannot help but think of it as a chore that must be handled each semester. A professional should instead view this process as a chance to build mutually beneficial and supportive relationships with others
who share similar interests. Many Xavier clubs and organizations are centered on particular majors, and they prepare students for academic and professional success. Join these groups and befriend the members! Other connections on campus, such as Mortar Board and Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), are campus chapters of larger, national associations. It is wise to conduct research and ask others about the resources that might be available outside of the university.
Digitize your representation.
While polishing your interpersonal skills, another savvy communication step is purchasing a domain and creating a personal website. Free online services, such as WordPress, are easy-to-use tools that handle web coding and design. Think of the final product as an extension to your resume and a portfolio backup. Therefore, when time is short while speaking to a prospective employer, you can attach the web address to your business cards and document headers. Reference it as an additional source to explore your work experiences and concentrations.
Written by Emily Linginfelter
Public Relations, Advertising & Digital Media, ‘17 2016-17 Communications Intern
Career Development Office
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From Xavier to Kroger Using your Jesuit Values in Internal Auditing
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Your Future Today
Kroger isn’t just filled with potatoes, breads, laundry detergent and milk. Kroger has a presence in 44 states from coast to coast, including more than 3,700 retail locations, making it the third largest retailer by revenue in the world. Kroger has also expanded its business offerings within the last 15 years to include companies such as Fred Meyer Jewelers, The Little Clinic and 84.51°—a data analytics research firm. Kroger is a place that honors great values, ideas and a diverse work force; striving to create and sustain a business which people respect. These are the types of characteristics that drew Ryan Friedl and Chris Ryan to Kroger’s internal auditing department where they review all of Kroger’s divisions at a corporate level, helping evaluate and improve risk management, internal controls, financial controls and operational practices. Ryan Friedl, a 2014 Xavier graduate in Accounting and Information Systems, values the core education he received while in school. Classes such as theology and philosophy opened his eyes to different perspectives, something which translates into the way he approaches his career at The Kroger Co. In fact, his focus in English significantly improved Friedl’s writing prowess, allowing him to confidently write comments on audit reports that are distributed to corporate executives and regional leaders throughout Kroger. Another important tool for him is Xavier’s reputation. Top-tier companies recruited Friedl via the Career Development Office, which allowed Friedl to kick-start his career. With Kroger Internal Auditing, associates spend about fifty percent of their time traveling across the country to all of the company’s regional operations. Kroger even allows for weekend flexibility to get associates home to see their friends and families. Friedl lives for adventures and attributes the traveling options
and the established reputation of the Internal Audit department as reasons he chose to begin his career with Kroger. Chris Ryan (’15) holds a similar viewpoint. For him, Xavier was a close-knit family, a place where he was able to open up and meet new people from a variety of backgrounds. Chris pushed himself to be outgoing, joining student government and leading Manresa. Involvement around campus helped Chris develop networking and communication skills which allowed him to effectively communicate with associates on a daily basis. However, communication is not the only important skill Xavier provided Chris as he started his career with Kroger. He stressed the importance of the rigorous core curriculum and its challenges to think outside of the box. The studies of philosophy and business ethics instilled a moral foundation, invaluable to an audit career. An education which challenged him to study a broad spectrum of topics enables Chris to efficiently learn details of Kroger’s divisions to help mitigate risk and identify and correct any problems that may exist. Internal Auditing at Kroger helps to expand knowledge about the entire company. This aids in making a decision on a career path – one that may last you until retirement! Friedl and Ryan say the core curriculum at Xavier helped them. The core pushed them into exploring different schools of thought. They were challenged to think from different angles in almost every course they took. These are the types of characteristics that top level employers, such as Kroger, appreciate and look for in a prospective employee.
Written by Redmond Millerick Advertising & English, ‘16 2015-16 Communications Intern
Meet the Firms September 8, 2016 3 - 5:30 p.m. Cintas Center
This event is a great opportunity to meet a variety of accounting firms looking to hire for jobs and internships.
ACCOUNTING MAJORS OFFER
ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS
Kayla Keith Accounting, ‘16
“The biggest piece of advice is to get involved. I know this is what everyone says, but it really is key. Get to know your professors, join a club and take a leadership role. These things not only give you key connections for moving into the job market, but they also give you something to talk about with employers and put on your resume for you to stand out. When preparing for Meet the Firms, I would suggest three things: (1) Pick out the companies that interest you and make sure you talk to them at the event, (2) Make sure you practice what to say about yourself and what to ask employers while you are at their tables and (3) Make sure your resume tells a story about who you are, and have someone with experience in hiring look over it for mistakes and to give you suggestions on improvements (The Career Development Office or your executive mentor are great options for this). Don’t stress too much; prepare and enjoy yourself!”
“The Williams College of Business does a fantastic job at creating opportunities for its students to network with employers and professional mentors throughout the academic year. However, it is up to us, individually, to take full advantage of them. Meet the Firms is an incredible event for accounting majors. Personally, it led me to my summer assurance internship at Barnes Dennig and Co. If I recall correctly, I was talking with the recruiter over a piece of pizza and we exchanged contact info. In addition, the professors in the accounting department are always so easily accessible to talk with and answer your questions. So in summary, my advice is to take full advantage of the opportunities you are given - and there are plenty!”
Bryce Dukeshire Accounting, ‘18
“Make your presence known to recruiters early, and it will give you a leg up on the competition as internship time approaches. Recruiters remember the names and faces of first-year students that show ambition in learning about their company. As always, be yourself. A true representation of the real you will draw a company who has a business culture matching your long term goals and needs.”
10 Your Future Today Aisha Jordan Accounting, ‘16
Turn Your Internship into a
Full-Time Position Congratulations on scoring an internship! While you may have cleared a lot of hurdles to land this position, now is when the real work begins. Your job is to not only perform the tasks that are assigned, but also lay the groundwork to be considered for a full-time role with the organization. This is the time to build your reputation as a competent, conscientious professional. One key way is showing initiative: if you’ve completed your work, ask if there is anything else you can do. Use any downtime to read relevant industry articles or papers, or learn the organization’s systems. Alison Ruhenkamp (‘13), a Human Resource Development Specialist at Clark Schaefer Hackett, also recommends that you actively network and build relationships with managers and decision-makers in your office.You can do this by setting up brief in-office or lunch meetings to learn more about their needs and challenges and see how you can help. Brendan Walsh, JD, MBA, SCSP (‘01, ‘02), who specializes in tax planning and tax law for Clark Schaefer Hackett offers this advice: • Show enthusiasm – Half the battle is being energetic and enthusiastic about the internship, and bringing a positive attitude to the role everyday. You may be stuck performing menial tasks at times, but your employer knows this and looks more for the attitude you bring than anything else. Employers want to hire folks who enjoy working for them and who will be positive advocates for the firm in the future. • Bring new ideas to the table – If you have ideas for how to improve a product/process, share them. Don’t assume that your employer has already thought of all your ideas. Even if the response is, “We’ve already addressed that,” you’re showing that you think strategically and could be a long-term asset to the firm. • Be a self-advocate – Your supervisors are very busy with their daily routines, and some of them may not be aware of your projects or the impacts you’ve made. I would encourage you to be politely assertive and showcase the work you’ve done. For example, if your supervisors haven’t given you any projects, you can approach them and ask if there is anything you can do to help. While doing so, you can explain your current projects and the successes you’ve had. This may give them the added confidence necessary to assign you some of their work. You should also keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to prove your value. So don’t walk around looking down at your cell phone or listening to your earbuds.You may miss out on the perfect project to showcase your skills. An internship is a reciprocal relationship – you’re there to learn as much as you can and gain valuable experience, while providing the organization with your time and talents. If you can demonstrate your desire to be part of the team through your relational skills as well as your technical skills, you’re more likely to be rewarded with a job offer.
Written by Frank Steele Manager of Strategic Staffing & Recruiting Clark Schaefer Hackett
Career Development Office
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AN INSIDE LOOK:
LOGISTICS So you’re walking through the Fall Career Fair filled with tables representing companies that you’ve never heard until now. Sure, you’ve done your research on the industries and companies you’re most interested in, but what about those industries that seem foreign to you? Third-party logistics providers, like RWI Logistics, were created to help companies focus on their products. By taking over the logistics needs of our customers, we are able to act as valued transportation consultants.
Why Consider a Career in Logistics? Over the past thirty years, the logistics industry has seen tremendous growth, so logistics companies are expanding in many areas of business. Take RWI Logistics for example, in the past three years we have more than quadrupled in size. That kind of growth has opened the door for sales and operations positions, but also for accounting, management and human resources opportunities.
What do Logistics Companies Look for in New Hires? As the industry is experiencing such large growth, logistics companies are looking to bring on talented individuals who can help us continue to expand. RWI Logistics (along with many of our competitors) is looking for self-starters who can deal with stress. In our line of work everything has a timeline, and it’s our job to make sure that timeline is met. The bottom line is that a job in this industry can be stressful, and being able to cope with stress is key. Working in logistics can be stressful and demanding, but the industry is also fast-paced and rewarding. Many companies believe in developing their own leaders and promoting from within. If you enjoy working in a fastpaced atmosphere, aren’t afraid of a little stress and want to work in a growing and stable industry, be sure to stop by some of the great logistics companies at the career fair.
Written by Alex Howard Sales Recruiter RWI Logistics
Is Logistics the right fit? Meet with a Career Coach to discuss your options. www.hireamuskie.com 12
Your Future Today
SALES Is It Right For You? Selling is at the heart of essentially all that we do in our lives; whether it’s selling the latest product innovation to your customer or convincing your friends to pick a certain restaurant over another, we are constantly selling our ideas. By definition, therefore, we are all salespeople! With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that successful salespeople can come from any educational background and with any sort of personality. Whether you are a marketing or finance major, introvert or extrovert, lefty or righty, you can find enormous success in the field of sales! I graduated Xavier in 2015 with a degree in Finance and a minor in Economics and have found my career with P&G Sales extremely relevant and exciting thus far, despite not having a sales-focused background. P&G Sales delivers success to the Company through building positive customer relationships that create value for both sides, based upon our core competencies and principles. These strong customer relationships, combined with an unparalleled passion for winning and a desire to be a leader, are the foundation for a career in sales with P&G and certainly applicable to students across any major. P&G has given me the opportunity to develop a relationship with my customer based upon my own personality and strengths, which has ultimately put me in the best position to succeed in driving the business. How I develop and maintain my professional relationships is different than that of my colleagues, but we all have the same goal of driving joint value for P&G and the customer. We are able to do so in our own ways. In addition to a wide variety of personalities, P&G Account Managers have responsibilities that encompass nearly every facet of the business. Throughout my career, I have been exposed to in-depth data analytics, strategic forecasting, developing in-store and online marketing and merchandising plans, working to manage operations and inventory levels and much more! I have experienced incredible personal development through this wide variety of projects, as I have been able to thrive in my areas of strength while simultaneously improving my areas of opportunity. I have found the diversity of assignments to be extremely rewarding, and the collaborative nature of the Company has made it an active and encouraging environment in which to learn. Throughout my time with P&G Sales, I have grown professionally and personally, and I have been given the tools to continue progressing as a business leader of the future. It has allowed me to fulfill my competitive drive while constantly developing new relationships with others. I encourage students of all majors and backgrounds to consider a career in sales, as it provides an incredible platform for learning. It is a true driver of any company’s success!
Written by Michael Gordon
Finance, ‘15 Category Development Manager P&G Meijer Team
WHAT EVENTS SHOULD YOU ATTEND? This year we will have a variety of events, but not all of them may fit your needs.
ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT FAIR
August 22, 2016 Eligible for Federal Aid? This event is open to freshmen looking for jobs on-campus. Not a freshman, but still looking for an on-campus job? All jobs are posted on www.hireamuskie.com. Use your Xavier username and password to login.
MEET THE FIRMS September 8, 2016 All accounting majors should participate in this event.
SOUTHWEST OHIO/NORTHERN KENTUCKY EDUCATION CAREER FAIR
March 28, 2017 This career fair is an awesome opportunity for anyone looking to work in education. While many jobs are for teaching position, schools are also looking for counselors.
FALL CAREER FAIR September 27, 2016 Open to all majors, the Fall Career Fair has a number of participating corporations, government agencies and non-profits. Looking for a specific type of job? Log into Hire-A-Muskie to view the list of attending employers.
GRADUATE SCHOOL & YEAR-OF-SERVICE FAIR October 25, 2016 With a large assortment of non-profits and graduate schools, this event is perfect for anyone looking to complete a year-of-service after graduation, work in the non-profit sector or attend graduate school.
SPRING CAREER FAIR February 2017 (Official Date TBD) Open to all majors, the Fall Career Fair has a number of participating corporations, government agencies and non-profits.
DIVERSITY RECEPTION
BIG EAST VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR
February 2017 (Official Date TBD) The Diversity Reception is open to all students. It is a networking event that connects students, alumni and employers who embrace and support diversity. The reception typically takes place the Tuesday before the Spring Career Fair from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Cintas Center.
November 2016 (Official Date TBD) Including organizations and graduate schools, this is a great event for any student. By working with the 10 universities in the Big East Conference, this is a good opportunity for students looking to move outside of Cincinnati.
RSVP for Career Development Office events on www.hireamuskie.com
TIMELINES FOR SPECIFIC CAREER FIELDS
All fields may have different recruiting processes.Talk to your career coach about when you should begin looking for internships and jobs.While all industries recruit year-long, listed below are a few majors with heavy recruiting seasons.
FIELDS
SEASON
ACCOUNTING
Ongoing - but heavy recruiting in early fall
EDUCATION LAB RESEARCH
Early spring through summer Heavy recruiting in early spring (Interested in Children’s Hospital? Speak to them at the fair and apply in March)
None (Positions are posted when available,
SPORTS MARKETING
however, some career paths, such as working with sport teams, may have a heavy recruiting season. For example, baseball marketing and management positions are often posted and recruited in late winter/early spring.)
how to find OPPORTUNITITES Websites, Meet the Firms, Career Fair, internships, networking Education Fair, State Department Of Education websites, schoolspring.com, aaee.org/job-board Google ‘research opportunities,’ Use reciprocity if you are moving to another city after graduation, Check hospital/company websites Networking, national and regional associations, teamworkonline.com, workinsports.com, conferences (national, regional, and sometimes sport and league dependent)
Don’t see your major? Make an appointment with a career coach to talk about your options. Log into www.hireamuskie.com to schedule a time. 14
Your Future Today
Career Development Office
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How To Find A Job That Will Be The Right Fit (And Not Defined By Your Major)
Let me start out with a secret… Ready? Your major does not define your career. What? I know, it goes against everything you have been working tirelessly toward, but overall, it is very true.Yes, having your degree in accounting will significantly increase your chances of being offered an accounting position, but that is not to say that some of you arts and science majors won’t become accountants. Will Ferrell, a famous actor, has his degree in sports broadcasting. John Stewart has a degree in psychology. Gene Simmons has a degree in education. Thurgood Marshall, U.S. Chief Justice, in dentistry. Howard Shultz, CEO of Starbucks, has a degree in communications. Mitt Romney has a degree in English.
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Your Future Today
Your degree defines your hard work, commitment, passion and desire to develop personally and professionally. It shows the employer that you have a solid foundation for math, science, humanities, business and the subject for which you majored. But it does not define you. It does not define what you will do with your career. So why should it define what jobs you “can” and “should” apply for? And how do you know the job you land is going to be the right fit? Let’s transition to the job search and why finding the right fit is so important. Humans have been proven to be extraordinarily terrible at predicting how they feel about doing something in the future. As such, it becomes increasingly important to focus not on what you think you will enjoy, and more on what aligns with your skills and values. Since you should have a sense of these from your time at Xavier, it may become easier to identify keywords, company mission statements or job duties that will support them. Have you found a compelling position title? A company with a mission statement that affirms your personal values? A job description that corresponds with your skillset and ethics? Great! If you are not there yet, eliminating jobs that you know you do not like (from previous exposure to class concepts, internship or job experience) is just as valuable - or more - than knowing what you do like. What are some strategies you can implement to make sure this job is going to be a great fit? First, informational interviews. There is no better way
to figure out if a company or job is going to be a good fit for you than from someone who is currently doing it. Use LinkedIn, Xavier’s alumni network and your personal network to find individuals in those roles and ask questions about what they do, how they ended up where they are today and what skills/experiences are important to highlight your candidacy. This also puts your foot in the door, and you can now utilize that person as a potential contact for an employment opportunity. Second, do your research. Google the company, use glassdoor.com, find information about the role and what others are saying. Keep in mind, reviews often come from those with outlier experiences that are either really great or really poor, but they still provide valuable insight to the positions, company, benefits, hiring practices, policies and career advancements. Third, interview the company just as they interview you. When extended an interview offer, the interviewee is often wrapped up in being that ‘perfect’ candidate with all the right answers. They forget that an interview is actually a two-way street. It is just as important that you come with questions about the role, company and day-to-day benefits, so you can ensure that it is a great fit. Do not miss the opportunity to ensure that if selected, it is going to be something you will enjoy. To conclude, finding the right job is not defined by your major or one search method. Being happy and successful in that role is not as clear, either. Make sure you jump into your job search and first post-college career knowing what you are looking for-something that matches your skills, values, interests and benefits - and do not put yourself into a definitive bubble based on your major. Also, keep in mind, most individuals transition several times in their life until they find their passion. Do your research, apply for jobs that are interesting (even if your major is not one on the list) and ensure your passion is reflected in the position in which you land. In the words of Henry Haskings, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Written by Rita Stall
Assitant Director, Career Development Office Career Development Office
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Department of Veterans Affairs An Alumni Story
I started interning at the Cleveland VA Medical Center as a Medical Support Assistant in the summer of 2009. At that point after my freshmen year, I was not necessarily interested in healthcare administration and I was not planning on working for the federal government, but seven years later and here I am: a group practice manager for medical specialties at the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). In hindsight, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised I remained in healthcare or with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For one thing, both of my parents were physicians, so I was introduced to medical jargon, the hustle and bustle of busy hospitals and the indirect feeling of saving someone’s life from a very early age. While I am still not a doctor or nurse, I am at the point in my career where I am fluent in the language of clinicians, I manage outpatient operations for medical specialties at the third largest VA in the country, and I have the satisfaction of knowing I play an integral part in caring for America’s veterans. “Serving those who served” is one of the VA mottos that resonates most with me and the reason I am still ‘serving’ veterans seven years later. I guess my career path is comparably unique in a world where ‘job hopping’ is considered the new normal; a defining characteristic of what it means to be a millennial. While I may have stayed in the same organization longer than most of my peers, I have been afforded more responsibilities and professional experiences than others may have not. By 2012, I was an analyst for mental health services, helping management administer program operations at 13 locations across Northeast Ohio. By 2013, I was performing multi-million dollar cost-benefit analyses for the chief of staff as a program analyst. Now, I am consulting clinicians and administrators
on how to best align resources and streamline processes to facilitate timely, efficient care. From cardiology to primary care to hematology and oncology, I recommend and implement strategies that help specialties deliver timely care to the veterans of Northeast Ohio. Throughout my career, the Cleveland VA has done an excellent job nurturing my professional development by steadily augmenting my level of organizational responsibility, offering formal training courses in Lean-Six Sigma and Leadership Development and supporting my educational needs outside of work. If you are looking for flexibility and a work-life balance, on top of professional satisfaction, the federal government may be your ideal employer. They not only held my position for two years as I got my Master’s degree at IE Business School in Madrid, Spain, but they recently converted my position to telework after my wife took a position in New York City. I now work remotely from my home in Brooklyn, NY. While not all federal agencies may be as accommodating or professionally rewarding as the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, I can only speak from experience. With an annual budget of over $80 billion, over 300,000 employees across thousands of locations and a hierarchical, sometimes prohibitive, organizational structure, I am certain the Department of Veterans Affairs is not for everyone. But, if my experience is something that interests you, please contact me or inquire about Xavier’s Master of Health Services Administration. A large number of Xavier MHSA graduates currently work at the Cleveland VA and other VA locations around the country.
“While I may have stayed in the same organization longer than most of my peers, I have been afforded responsibilities and professional experiences than others may have not.”
TIPS
Written by Brendan Cmolik
Entrepreneurial Studies, Marketing, ‘12 cmolikb@gmail.com
FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN WORKING FOR GOVERNMENT
• Must be a US Citizen • Successfully pass security & background checks • Currently critical need is in these occupations: STEM, Physicians / Nurses, Acct/Finance/Budget, HR, Safety & Occupational Health • 2 paths to get hired - Pathways (www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads) - Government Agency specific internships & fellowships
• USAJOBS is the primary Federal job board (www.usajobs.gov)
• Federal jobs are listed and described differently than traditional jobs. • Federal resumes are formatted differently than traditional ones: there is no page limit • Students may apply for full time positions if they are within 9 months of graduation • Typical wait time from application to interview is 120 days
Need help searching or applying for a goverment position? Make an appointment (www.hireamuskie.com)
Career Development Office
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In the Field
MEDPACE
BKD CPAs & Advisors
KELLI RAINES Accounting & Marketing Class of 2017
GRANT GARBACIK Accounting Class of 2017
What was your primary role as an intern? I do financial statements and accounting for different Medpace branches, called entities. For my entities, I do monthly close files, which include accounting for payroll, expenses and cash transactions, among other things. I also do bank reconciliations and company-wide global schedules.
What was your primary role as an intern? I was responsible for the preparation of various types of tax returns. I prepped everything from personal returns to partnerships and corporate tax returns. I also worked on a few compilations. Essentially this is when we take a company’s financials and make sure that they agree with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
How did you contribute to the organization? I’d like to think I was valuable and helpful to my team - I would get my own work done, and then help my co-workers and teammates. What key attributes made you successful? I took initiative and asked for tasks rather than waiting for people to assign them to me or reach out to me. This helped me learn quicker and gain the trust and respect of my superiors. What are some key lessons you’ll take away from this experience? For one, don’t wait to ask for help. If you tried to do something and it didn’t work, reach out. People are always willing to help when they see that you’re making an effort. Also, meeting deadlines are extremely important. When dealing with accountants in other countries, timeliness is especially important.
How did you contribute to the organization? I think that I was a great addition to the BKD tax team. I was doing work that any of the other tax associates would be doing. It was really rewarding to work with tax partners and directors and see a return that I worked on get filed. What key attributes made you successful? My work ethic and willingness to learn were big parts of what made me successful in this internship. As the filing deadline for tax season came up, we were putting in a lot of hours, anywhere from 60-70 hours per week. These long hours really helped me learn so much more and show my superiors that I wasn’t afraid to put in the extra time and effort.
Xavier students gain real world experience working as interns
M&S Consulting MIKE FAST Economics, Minor in Psychology Class of 2016 What was your primary role as an intern? The duties assigned to me were becoming an expert in two computer programs: R’s shiny package and H2O.ai. They are data processing and analytic tools. Day-to-day activities entailed going though online tutorials to learn the different aspects of each program. How did you contribute to the organization? I contributed indirectly by training to become a consultant. I also contributed two blog posts towards the end of the semester. What key attributes made you successful? Self-determination and persistence. What are some key lessons you’ll take away from this experience? I learned two cutting-edge data analytic tools which will certainly be useful in my future jobs.
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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE Written by Megan Montalvo Class of 2014
It has been almost exactly two years to the date since I graduated from Xavier University. During my time there, I was heavily involved in the Mentor Program. Being a member of two colleges (Business and Arts and Sciences), I was fortunate enough to have two Mentors, both of which were extremely diverse in the advice and perspectives they gave. I stand by my claim to this day that the Mentoring Program was the most beneficial part of Xavier. One of my Mentors was in sales and the other was the vice president of a local hospital. I still keep in touch with both. While under their guidence, I was coached in resume and interviewing skills and shadowed some very important meetings with prominent figures in the Cincinnati medical community. During my senior year at Xavier, I used these skills to obtain an internship with a startup medical device company, Blue Belt Technologies. Blue Belt is an orthopedic robotics company based out of Minneapolis, MN that specializes in unicondylar knee replacements. My Mentors helped me negotiate my way into an entry level job. Following graduation I moved to Minnepolis, Minnesota to pursue my first job with Blue Belt Technologies as an Associate Clinical Specialist. In that role, I learned the technology and began instructing surgeons to perform our robotic surgery all over the country. In this role, I was doing cadaveric surgery. I was quickly promoted to a clinical specialist and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. That year I earned the Clinical Rookie of the Year award. I spent the next year in Philadelphia with one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country and held the highest number of clinical case volume in the company. I have no doubt that the skills I learned through my Mentors, in combination with a Xavier education, led me to this success. This year, I earned the Clinical Specialist of the Year award. In January, Blue Belt Technologies was acquired by Smith and Nephew Orthopedics. Smith and Nephew is a well-known and respected company in the medical community.
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I hope to continue my career success with Smith and Nephew and hopefully mentor a Xavier student in the future. There is no better way to give back to those who helped you reach your goals than to continue that on to future generations. Your Future Today
LETTER FROM AN
English Major
Dear English Majors, Why would you choose English? You should have picked something safe, something with a future. Instead of security, you went for the unknown.You went for a world where you are constantly chasing that next thought, the next idea; a new creation. Casting whims and hopes every which way, tantalized by the stories we read as kids, you follow the passions literature and prose instilled in you. People may ask, “What can you do with a major in English?” The answer is: I don’t know. It’s not that there’s a lack of jobs, but a lack of clarity. Muddled within cyberspace, as you explore companies all over the world, the jobs are there. They will always be there. It’s about opening up your mind, looking for new ways to share your talents. English majors will always be needed, in different positions at different locations. It might not be the exact one you want, but it’s a good place to start. It’s not about settling. It’s about planning. Get out of your own head and realize what you have in front of you; a mind bursting with creative energy, flowing with ideas and the words to express them.You thrive on finding the words when others can’t, painting an image so vivid that it floats right in front of your eyes. Others may not understand this skill, but with a pen in your hand you sure as heck can explain it to them. Realize that not every path starts where you want it, but know that you have a choice in where it ends. So, become that teacher, the one who first inspired your love for all things reading. Become that author, the one whose book you read under the covers because it was past your bedtime. Become the creator, the artist, the editor, the studier, the writer. Become all the things that pushed you into picking up a book in the first place. But be okay with becoming something else first. As I’m sure you’ve read somewhere, dreams don’t happen overnight.You will get over the moon someday, but sometimes it takes a little time to construct the rocket. Explore new jobs, look at different fields and keep taking the steps that you want; the ones leading you home. It may not be pretty or easy, but hey, at least you’ll have something to write about. Sincerely, Redmond Millerick English and Advertising double major, Writing minor Class of 2016
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