Gustavus Career Blog

2012-01-09T08:16:00.001-06:00

By Elizabeth Weiers, 1/9/12

The Center for Servant-Leadershiphit the ground running this new year with January Jump Start. The event, held lastThursday, offered Gustavus students a long list of various activities andevents to take advantage of while on campus this J-Term. Containing150different activities (in celebration of Gustavus’ sesquicentennial), the listsuggests movies to watch, books to read, and even questions to think about anddiscuss. Also among the 150 different items are ideas to help prepare thosegearing up for job applications and interviews. Compiled by the CSL staff, theactivities on the list range greatly to fit a variety of personalities andschedules.

Through events likeJanuary Jump Start, the CSL hopes to bring in students who are less acquaintedwith the center. Senior Economics and Psychology double major Anna Nelson andjunior Biologyand ScandinavianStudies double major Dawn Comstock both agree that the CSL is morethan just a place to get help for a resume. In fact, with help from the staffat the CSL, both women were able to obtain an internship through the MayoInnovation Scholarship Program. Vincent Thomas, the Internship Director for theCenter for Servant-Leadership, believes that because the CSL is relativelyyoung, “students don’t realize yet the full benefits.” However, he hopes thatby holding events like January Jump Start, students will become more acquaintedwith the center area and staff members in addition to learning what the centerhas to offer during students’ four years at Gustavus. Throughout the month ofJanuary, students have numerous opportunities to stop into the CSL including KnittingClub on Tuesdays, Tea Time Thursdays and Fondue Friday on Jan. 13.

Center for Servant Leadership: Meet Heather Banks

2011-12-14T13:12:00.000-06:00

Heather Banks, Health Professions Coordinator, is part of the Center for Servant Leadership. Heather serves as the advisor for: pre-medical, pre-pharmacy and pre-dental students. Heather has been working at Gustavus in Career Development since 2004, she has had a variety of career experiences, but has developed a special interest in health and health careers. She truly enjoys working with students interested in the health professions and helping them explore the different possibilities. Heather believes there is something in the health field for everyone...even if you hate blood and/or needles!

Heather and her husband, Aaron live in Saint Peter. They have two boys that keep them very busy. Heather enjoys spending time with family and friends, being active, watching sports (especially basketball) and cheering for the Oregon Ducks football team.

Career Videos

2011-12-07T08:54:00.001-06:00

What is a better way to spend the winter break then figuring out your Career?

(ok - Maybe spending time with family over the holidays is important too)

Check out these helpful websites with videos focused on helping you figure out your career!

This is the site with Federal Government career videos:
http://www.acinet.org/videos.asp?id=&nodeid=27

Here are other career video sites:
http://careersoutthere.com/category/careers/
http://careertv.com/
http://www.youniversitytv.com/careers

Mayo Innovation Scholars Program at Gustavus

2011-11-10T10:52:00.000-06:00

Here are some photos from the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program (MISP) Orientation.

Four Gustie students (Dawn Comstock '13, Anna Nelson '12,

Kyle Radtke '13, and Anna Swenson '12) along with Biology Professor

Sanjive Qazi visited the Mayo Clinic on Friday, October 28th to tour

the facility and meet with the program coordinators.

According to the MISP handbook, "The Mayo Innovation Scholars Program

is a unique opportunity for undergraduate science and business/

economics students along with a small group of graduate students to

research new product ideas and innovations submitted by Mayo Clinic

physicians and professionals... Teams of undergraduate and graduate

students are given a product or innovation in development at Mayo

Clinic to research; they also assess and analyze its market viability

and potential applications. The Program culminates with team

presentations of their findings and recommendations at

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. in March."

How to get a FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JOB!

2011-11-08T15:39:00.000-06:00

FYI - there are LOTS of federal government jobs! And, there will be more as many current federal employees are at or near retirement age. Some suggestions are listed below.....for more info go to www.usajobs.gov and www.makingthedifference.org.
Cynthia

Brad Golson from Call to Serve, Department of Homeland Security updated MN Private Colleges Career Services staffs about key changes made to the Federal hiring process:

a. KSA’s (knowledge, skills, abilities statements) are gone from the first round of the application process.
b. A standard resume is now required for application (USAJOBS.gov includes information on resume format).
c. A ‘skills’ section will be part of the resume. Brad advised that we inform students not to be ‘humble’ when completing that section. Students will get ‘points’ based on how they rate themselves – the higher the rating, the more points they will get.
d. Three programs are currently in place: Student Intern Program/Federal Internship Program, Recent Graduates Program (up to 2 years after graduation), PMF program (for graduate students).
e. After 640 hours, Interns can be moved to FT, which can be reduced to 320 hours based on performance and academic success.
f. Networking and informational interviewing are extremely important in the process, especially in smaller markets like the Twin Cities.
g. Brad indicated that there are currently 1.9 million government employees.
h. Regarding postings on USAJOBS.gov – if there is an extremely short posting length on a position (3 days) it means the job is basically already filled internally, but law requires all jobs to be posted. His advice was to not have students waste time applying for those positions. For longer posting lengths, it usually means it is an ongoing process and/or they are hiring for multiple positions.
i. Highlighted makingadifference.org as a good site with a lot of information.
j. For Americorps/Vista/Peace Corps there is now a 12 month non-compete policy.

A Look at What's Ahead!

2011-10-25T13:28:00.001-05:00

Upcoming Events!

Friday, October 28 is Fondue Friday at 2:30 in CSL South - with Special Guest Luke Paquin.

Monday, October 31 - Thursday, November 3 are the special information sessions for the MN Private College Job and Internship Fair - More details coming soon!

Tuesday, November 1 Securian Financial is on campus doing interviews

Tuesday, November 1 Tuesday Tea Time in the CSL South at 2:30

Wednesday, November 2 Courage and Light workshop for renewal in Linner Lounge at 2:30

Saturday,
November 5 is the Upper Midwest Law Fair @ University of St. Thomas School of Law from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Ideas for Productively Procrastinating Over Fall Break

2011-10-21T09:59:00.000-05:00

I know that you are all excited for some R&R this fall break. But while you are putting off writing that paper or doing any actual reading for reading break here are some ideas for productively procrastinating!

Clean up. If you are home - this is a great time to have some bonding time with your Mom and do your laundry together. If your still on campus - it's still a good time to get it done while there are less people on campus to steal the machines. There's almost always a mess to be cleaned up or laundry to be done. Whether you've been putting off washing clothes, or cleaning up the dishes and cups from your ~~party~~ study-session with a small group of friends that you had over the weekend - now is the perfect time to get these things done. Doing some 'housekeeping' will make it easier for you to concentrate and be productive!
Update your resume. You never know when an internship or a job opportunity will catch your eye, and how soon you might need to give it to someone. If you are stuck on even starting a resume - stop by Career Development, WE LOVE HELPING STUDENTS! And we'll make it really easy! For tips on starting check out our website here.
Practice performing. Even if you are not in the performing arts in college - take a break and sing "Glee"-style or have a solo dance party and bust out your moves before going to see "Footloose." Either way you'll have fun and it's a great way to let off some steam.
Check out classes for January and Spring Semester. Classes are up on WebAdvisor for January and Spring Semester. The inner nerd in you will love looking at courses and planning for registration. Make sure you find one "fun" class that you can take just because you want to - not because you have to. This also will keep your mom (or dad or other relative) off your back when they ask what you are going to take next semester!

Fall break - Here I come!

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Not sure what to do over break? Well if you're in the cities, I think I can help...

GO TO THE GOVERNMENT JOB & INTERNSHIP FAIR 10-3 TODAY!
Check out the Soap Factory's Haunted Basement for some thrilling/haunted adventure
Stumble through a corn maze at Sever's Farm or MN Twin Cities Harvest Festival Maze
Check out an event or walk through the Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center
Cruise down Victory Memorial Drive to Theodore Wirth Parkway and beyond, watching the wildlife
Play Frisbee golf - Did you know that the Minneapolis area contains more disc gold parks than nearly any other metro area in the U.S.?
Flex your Minneapolis taste buds at Sanctuary, Spoonriver, French Meadow Bakery, Le Belle Vie, Solera, and Peninsula Malaysian Cuisine.
Enjoy dinner at the Oak Grille followed by a touring Broadway show at the Historic State or Orpheum Theatre
Sample the beer and sausage selection at the Bulldog NE in Northeast Mpls
Learn something from a book - and the architecture - at the Minneapolis Central Library
Listen to inspirational music at the Basilica of St. Mary, the oldest basilica in the country
Take a trip back in time at Nye's Polonaise Room, rated best bar in the nation, and belt out a tune at the piano bar
Take a day and see the nearly 100,000 items on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts - their current exhibition "Edo Pop: The Graphic Impact of Japanese Prints" looks exceptional
For a Halloween-esque excursion, visit famous Twin Citians' burial sites at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis
Take a backstage tour of the Tony Award-winning Guthrie Theater
Find real deals at Off Fifth and Neiman Marcus' clearance floor in downtown Minneapolis
Run around any of Minneapolis' 22 lakes
Take home something with a Latin flair from Mercado Central, a market on Lake Street with more than 40 Latino businesses
Steal a kiss on the Stone Arch Bridge
Duck into the Chambers Hotel's lobby and view the modern art collection
For a late-night dinner, go where the chefs go - 112 Eatery
Sink into a booth at Jitters in Northeast Minneapolis for a drink and great jazz
See a show, puppet-style, at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre
Watch a classic movie at midnight at the Uptown Theatre
Learn about Minneapolis history at the Mill City Museum on the Mississippi Riverfront
Rent a canoe and float on Lake of the Isles, taking in the fall colors
Hop on a Twin City Trolley for a city tour
Splash around in the 15,000 foot water park, then ice skate indoors at the Depot Hotel
Catch a show at a discount - go through the rush line at many local theaters with your GAC ID
Visit a great bookstore - like Magers & Quinn in Uptown - and peruse with steamed cider in hand
Learn to bake an apple crisp or pumpkin pie, and cook chili or a pot roast - and celebrate Fall!

Enjoy your Fall Break!!

MNPC Job and Internship Fair Information Sessions

2011-10-20T09:31:00.000-05:00

You don't want to miss this! Attend one of the 17 sessions to learn more about the fair and to register!

Week Wrap-up and What's Ahead

2011-10-14T09:58:00.002-05:00

What happened this week in the Center for Servant Leadership?

This week we had interviews with Target and Federated. Target especially was impressed with the level of interviewing and leadership skills that Gustavus Students showed. Be sure to keep on exceeding employers expectations by refining your interview skills - for tips and more information visit our website ~here~

This week was the deadline for the Pre-Health Career Exploration Applications - we had over 30 students apply for an opportunity for 16 students - which is AWESOME! Interviews for this opportunity will be happening next week

Seminary and Divinity Day was this Thursday and it was a huge success. 12 nationally ranked schools attended!

Tuesday Tea Time was attended by David Weiss who was here for Coming Out Week... and Tea Time included talks and sessions on "Coming Out as Christian Vocation"

What is happening next week: October 17 - 21

Monday is interviews with Larson Allen

Tuesday is Tea Time at 2:30

Thursday and Friday are large Admissions days so be ready to greet some future Gusties!

Seminary and Divinity School Day 2011

2011-10-06T15:57:00.000-05:00

Thursday, October 13, 2011

9:30 am - 4:00 pm

A unique opportunity to connect, reflect, and explore theological graduate study options with representatives from major seminaries and divinity schools.

To Register Contact:

Marilyn Beyer in the Center for Servant Leadership, Church Relations
email: mbeyer@gustavus.edu

No fee to attend, but you must register by Oct 10.

Pre-registration includes luncheon.

Seminaries and Divinity Schools Attending:
Candler School of Theology - Emory University, Atlanta GA
Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC
Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), Chicago, IL
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Gettysburg, PA
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS), Columbia, SC
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS), Berkeley, CA
Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA
Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ
Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, OH
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, New York City, New York
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, New Brighton, MN
Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, TN
Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA
Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT

WORKING ADVENTURE WORLDWIDE

2011-10-05T15:04:00.002-05:00

Work, Intern or Volunteer abroad!

Special work visa or volunteer placement
Job search help and on-the-spot support
Internationalize your resume
Explore the world and broaden your horizons

FIND OUT MORE TODAY!

info@bunacusa.org, 1-800-462-8622, www.bunac.org/usa

Center for Servant Leadership: Meet Kristen Walpole

2011-10-04T15:03:00.000-05:00

Kristen Walpole works with students exploring major and career options, administers the Strong Interest Inventory, and maintains the career center resource library. Students who want to learn more about these services should contact Kristen in the Center for Servant Leadership at kwalpole@gustavus.edu

Kristen has a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Kristen brought with her experiences as a Cobber & a Tommie to Gustavus. She joined the career center and the Gustavus community in the fall of 2007.

Kristen and her husband enjoy walking their dog and playing with their cat in their free time.

EVENTS UPDATE!

2011-09-30T08:20:00.003-05:00

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our Open House or Careers Possible this week!

Both events were a great success and we appreciate the great showing of support!

A lot of pictures are up on our facebook page: facebook.com/GustavusCareerCenter

so check them out! Here's a sneak peak below!

Jeff Stocco, Director of the Center for Servant Leadership at the CSL Open House

Employers interacting with Students at Careers Possible event last Tuesday

CSL OPEN HOUSE

2011-09-22T09:12:00.000-05:00

The Gustavus Center for Servant Leadership would like to invite YOU to an Open House to see our new space!

Thursday, September 29 I 10:30 am-1:30 pm

Center for Servant Leadership I Johnson Student Union

ALL STUDENTS, STAFF, and FACULTY are invited to stop by to:

Get a Tour
Meet the Staff
Ask Questions
Grab a Snack

LinkedIN & YOUR Job Search

2011-09-21T14:11:00.000-05:00

NETWORK - internet identity

LinkedIN & Your Job Search

Presentations at 10:30am and 11:30am

on Tuesday, September 27

in the Center for Servant Leadership

All students are encouraged to attend this expert presentation and learn about how LinkedIn and your internet identity affect your job search and how to use them effectively in job searching and networking.

gain KNOWLEDGE - JOB SEARCH

Careers Possible

2011-09-20T09:06:00.000-05:00

discover - Network - BE INSPIRED - dream

Careers Possible was formerly known as Employer Information Day. It is an event sponsored by Career Development in the Center for Servant Leadership.

Tuesday, September 27 I 10:30 am - 2:30 pm I Heritage Room

Consider the possibilities of what you will do to

MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT

All students are invited and encouraged to attend and meet employers and graduate programs. Business casual and resume are preferred - but not required.

EXPLORE - learn - APPLY - interview

Diverse Students Career Forum

2011-09-16T08:50:00.004-05:00

Diverse Students Career Forum (DSCF)

Saturday, October 1st 9:00 am - 3:00 pm @ St. Thomas

The Twin Cities Chapters of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance & Accounting (ALPFA) will be hosting our 3rd annual Diverse Students Career Forum on Saturday, October 1st from 9am to 3pm at University of St. Thomas, 1000 LaSalle Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403.

This is a professional development and recruiting event for diverse college students majoring in accounting, finance and other business related fields. Here is your chance to participate in:

Mock interview sessions
Resume reviews by hiring recruiters
Various professional development workshops
Luncheon with a keynote speaker
Career fair for possible internships and full-time employment
Chance to win Becker CPA review scholarship

Space is limited! Register now at:
http://www.alpfa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Calendar.eventDetail&eventId=1518&pageId=2020
Registration fee of only $20 applies. This fee comes with a complimentary membership to either ALPFA or NABA
Lead Sponsor: United Health Group
Other Sponsors: Grant Thornton, General Mills, Cargill, KPMG, Ernst and Young, Honeywell, Ameriprise Financial, Becker

Co-Chaired by a Gustavus Graduate - so let's get lots of Gusties to this event!!!!

Start of School and What is this place?!

2011-09-14T11:23:00.004-05:00

By: JMV 9/13/2011

Classes have started; the new building, Beck Academic Hall, is up and running; and the Center for Servant Leadership is officially open for business.

Constant questions are "Where is the Community Service Center?" "Is this the Career Center?" "I thought the CVR used to be here...?"

The answer to all of these is HERE, YES, IT STILL IS - just in a new name!

The Center for Servant Leadership (or CSL as it is lovingly called by those who don't care to spit out the mouthful of its full name) IS the Career Center, Center for Vocational Reflection, Church Relations and the Community Service Center....The only difference is its name and the location. All these offices STILL offer the same Great services/programs/events!

Stop by today and check out our new space and say hi to all 14 of the staff members!

Have an awesome second week of class!

This Week in Collage

2011-08-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Have a great weekend!

Center for Servant Leadership: Meet Rev. Grady St. Dennis

2011-08-11T09:41:00.002-05:00

8/11/2011

Rev. Grady St. Dennis

Pastor Grady serves as Director for Church Relations and Community Engagement and Associate Director of the Center for Servant Leadership. An ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, St. Dennis is a part of the campus ministry team serving as College Chaplain. St. Dennis joined the Gustavus administration staff in 2007. Prior to coming to Gustavus, St. Dennis served as Associate Pastor at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis from 1999. His ministry areas of experience include youth ministry, twenty something young adults, young married couples, evangelism, and mission outreach. In addition to his ministry at Gustavus, St. Dennis is the House Chaplain for the Minnesota House of Representatives. He holds a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and a M.Div. degree from Luther Seminary. St. Dennis and his wife Angela live in Edina, MN with their two daughters, Anna and Isabel.

This Week In Collage

2011-08-01T15:29:00.002-05:00

By Jill VanOsdol, 8/5/2011

This week I was very busy packing and moving offices! Which means lots of boxes, shorts, Gustavus t's, and umbrellas to dodge rain with electronics! But the move was worth it and now I'm enjoying a new desk, putting up new decorations, new paint/carpet smell and most importantly - new CSL office-mates!!

I've also been busy with resumes since Cynthia is still gone and working on our September event - Careers Possible and the usual computer work. Let me know if you need anything next week! Otherwise enjoy my collage and Have a great weekend!

Center for Servant Leadership: Meet Jeffrey Rathlef

2011-07-27T15:11:00.002-05:00

Jeffrey serves as Director for Community-Based Service and Learning and is an Associate Director of the Center for Servant-Leadership, Mr. Rathlef oversees a robust portfolio of on-going co-curricular service programs and facilitates and supports faculty in curricular community-based learning. In addition, Jeffrey facilitates the development of meaningful campus/community partnerships in support of civic engagement between Gustavus Adolphus College and the local St. Peter community and broader southern Minnesota region.

A native of Kansas, Jeffrey holdsa B.S. in Horticulture and B.A. in History from Kansas State University where he also coordinated the university's S.A.V.E. (Students Assisting Volunteer Efforts) for the university community service center. upon graduation from Kansas State, Mr. Rathlef entered the Ecuadorian branch of the U.S. Peace Corps where he assisted rural community development efforts en a small community in the Andean highlands. Jeffrey conducted his graduate work(M.A. Latin American Studies and M.A. in Cultural Studies in Education) at Ohio University where he worked as the on-site coordinator for one of the university's study abroad programs based in Cuenca, Ecuador. At Ohio University Jeffrey taught the university's survey Latin American Studies courses as a graduate associate, and conducted research on transformative learning in Havana, Cuba. Jeffrey comes to Gustavus after an extensive tenure at World Learning's School for International Training's Study Abroad division where he directed and managed a comprehensive portfolio of overseas study abroad programs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. At SIT, Mr. Rathlef developed numerous overseas programs that encompassed international service-learning approaches, and led and contributed to various institutional initiatives including overseas legal compliance, student re-entry, diversity, universal curriculum design, curriculum development, and additional research in transformative learning and critical pedagogy.

Jeffrey's personal interests, they include: fishing, camping, woodworking (particularly wooden boat-building), mountain biking, and running. In addition, Jeffrey continues to engage with and support diverse Latin American communities in locally-based development initiatives, including intercultural exchange and community-building.

Gustie Happy Hour Tonight!

2011-07-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Gustie Happy Hour, July 26th at Cooper's Pub in St Louis Park (http://www.cooperpub.com/)

Please join us for happy hour at Cooper's Pub in St Louis Park on Tuesday, July 26th from 4:30 to whenever the last person leaves. This is a great opportunity for people to come hang out and network with other Gustie professionals in the Twin Cities. Coopers is located at 394 and Park Place, across from Costco in the West End development.

Also please check out the Gusite Business group that meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month: http://www.meetup.com/businessnetwork-499/

What is your internship story?

2011-07-25T09:10:00.002-05:00

by JVO, 7/25/11

Recently the Gustavus Homepage has featured several stories on students doing internships this summer:

This got Vince and myself thinking - who else has a really interesting internship story? We invite you to comment or send us an email with your story and we'll feature it on the blog!

Class of 2015!

2011-07-22T08:26:00.002-05:00

The new Center for Servant Leadership was mentioned on the front page article about the Class of 2015! Check it out HERE!

Program Coordinator II, U.S. Hosting Program

2011-07-15T11:11:00.000-05:00

Check out this job at GustieJobs

Program Coordinator II, U.S. Hosting Program

Center for Servant Leadership: Meet Sara Sletten

2011-07-15T10:00:00.001-05:00

Sara Sletten grew up in the small Southern Minnesota town, Blooming Prairie. Blooming Prairie is best known for its mascot, the Awesome Blossom. Sara will be a Blossom forever. After graduating high school, Sara pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

At Gustavus, she worked almost 4 years for the Community Service Center before the big merge into the Center for Servant Leadership. Sara really enjoys helping students find their right path here at Gustavus and getting them ready for their big future!

Outside of work, Sara enjoys taking her German Wirehair dog on walks. She also enjoys visiting family, scrapbooking with friends or attending music concerts. She has a husband of 3 years and they are expecting their first baby in December!

Center for Servant Leadership: Meet Cynthia Favre

2011-07-12T15:16:00.004-05:00

Cynthia Favre has been helping Gustavus students to name their gifts and talents and find places to use them in the world since July of 1989. She can help students with resume and letter writing, using GustieJobs, Linkedin.com, and other resources on the Career Development webpage. She is the primary contact for students participating in MN Private Colleges Job and Internship Fair and MN Education Job Fair. She provides information, opportunity and support to students to gain clarity, confidence, and connections for careers and callings.

Cynthia's Bachelor of Arts is from the University of Minnesota, Morris with a major in Sociology (a focus in the sociology of work) and her Master of Science is from Minnesota State University, Mankato in Counseling and Student Personnel with a focus in adult employment counseling. She launched her career as assistant director of Career Center at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas followed by several positions at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida including administrator of internships, career counselor, and employer relations. She eagerly returned to the liberal arts when she came to Gustavus.

Outside of work Cynthia is an avid youth sports spectator. Which works out well as she is a soccer mom (3 soccer teams this summer), a hockey mom (year around), a dance mom, and a track/field mom (2 teams).

Stop in today to meet with Cynthia!

Center for Servant Leadership: Meet Vincent Thomas

2011-07-11T14:09:00.002-05:00

Vincent A. Thomas, J.D.

Vincent Thomas is from a family of four - two parents, and one younger sister. Vince grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He attended college at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor (English major, Class of ’83); and law school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison (J.D., Class of ’86.) Vince moved to Minneapolis immediately after law school to join Briggs and Morgan (Minnesota’s fourth largest Law firm). Vince wanted to live in a Midwest city with a great quality of life, and he thought Minneapolis would be a good fit - he was right! He met his wife, Barbara, four years later. They were married in 1992.

Vince left the firm after nine years to join the Hamline Law School administration as Assistant Dean of Students and Adjunct Law Professor. He was an Orientation Leader and Resident Advisor in college, and he thought the job would be a perfect combination of the two professions that he knew best -law and university student affairs. Happily – he was right again! Vince then moved on to serve as Assistant Dean for Student and Multicultural Affairs at University of St. Thomas Law. For the last year, Vince pursued a career transition to university advancement/philanthropy by working in funds development for Kwanzaa Community Church, Minnesota’s only predominately African-American Presbyterian Church.

Vince knew he’d miss serving students and working on a university campus when he left UST Law. What he didn’t know was how much he’d miss it. His former students often asked to meet him for talks over coffee, and Vince always said “yes.” At one of these meetings last December, a former student said “you just can’t stop being the Dean of Students, can you?” His comment caused Vince to think a lot about what he felt called to do in his work life during the holidays.

Vince also served as a parent volunteer in the College and Career Center at his daughter’s high school last year. He spent two hours every Tuesday afternoon helping seniors write their college admission and scholarship application essays, and underclassmen write part-time job resumes. Vince loved this work! Those two hours were the best two hours of every week.

Vince talked about all this with a long-time friend and mentor in January. He encouraged Vince to return to university student affairs work because Vince liked it, was good at it, and because “colleges will always have students who need support and advice.” Thankfully, Vince decided to take his advice.

Vince applied for the Gustavus Internship Program Director job because it was an opportunity to do two of the things he loved the most at Hamline and UST: 1) advising students on career and academic matters; and 2) asking employers to hire the College’s students. Vince also applied because the job was at Gustavus. He wanted to work at a college that valued the combination of faith and intellect. He thought Gustavus would be a good fit because Vince had visited Gustavus several times as an admissions representative for Hamline and UST law schools, and as the parent of a girls Gustie Soccer Camp camper. Vince liked and respected Gustavus, felt at home on its campus, and shares its core values.

Vince is still from a family of four. He and his wife Barbara, have a fifteen-year old daughter, Mary, who is a junior at Minneapolis South High, and a ten-year old son, Michael, who is a sixth-grader (first year of Middle School.) They live in Minneapolis, near Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Creek.

For fun, Vince enjoys going running, reading about American history, religion, or politics, and following the daily progress of the Detroit Tigers, Lions, Pistons, and Red Wings, and the University of Michigan Wolverines. Both of his children play sports (baseball, Ultimate Frisbee, Nordic skiing, and soccer); Vince loves being at their games with his wife and their teammates’ parents. Vince loves college sports, and hope to attend as many Gustie games as possible. If he has a day off, you’ll find him at Starbucks reading the New York Times.

Vince is a great person to get to know in the Center. Talk with Vince to learn about how important it is to do an internship during your time at Gustavus, how to find an internship, or how to get registered to do an internship for credit. Vince would love to meet you, so stop in today!

Center for Servant Leadership: Meet Jill VanOsdol

2011-07-08T12:02:00.004-05:00

Jill grew up in Marquette, Michigan and is a 2010 Gustavus graduate. Jill is extremely proud of her hometown and was excited to see that Marquette was recently featured in a Star Tribune article: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/travel/124876059.html.

While at Gustavus, Jill double majored in Dance and Psychology. She was the president of the Swing Club, a member of the Gustavus Dance Company, a Career Center student employee, a Career Center Host, a member of Big Partner Little Partner and a member of several search committees. For the past year, Jill has lived in St. Peter and worked as the Career Programs Assistant in the Career Center, where she assisted students with resumes, cover letters, and interviewing and worked with Career Center events and programs such as the student employees, Hosts and Career Peer Advisors.

This year Jill will continue at Gustavus as the Office Coordinator for the Center for Servant Leadership, as well as starting graduate school at Minnesota State University, Mankato within the Counseling and Student Personnel: College Student Affairs track.

Jill is the perfect person to start with in the Center. She can put you on the right path for who you should talk to with your needs and what the functions of the new Center are. Stop in anytime to meet with Jill, find out more about the Center for Servant Leadership, or to grab a piece of candy! To contact Jill call: 507.933.7524 or email: jvanosdo@gustavus.edu.

Meet the Staff: Center for Servant Leadership

2011-07-07T14:42:00.002-05:00

As you may have heard the Career Center merged into the Center for Servant Leadership with three other offices - Church Relations, Community Service Center, and The Center for Vocational Reflection.

Within the Center for Servant Leadership there are several individuals (14!) ready and waiting to help YOU!

They also want you to know them a little - so over the next few weeks there will be a blog about each member of the Center for Servant Leadership Staff.

The staff list is below with their job functions within each pillar of the Center:

Jeff Stocco - Director of the Center for Servant Leadership
Sara Sletten - Administrative Assistant
Jill VanOsdol - Office Coordinator

Career Development (formerly Career Center)
Cynthia Favre - Director of Career Development,
Associate Director of the Center for Servant Leadership
Kristen (Hartz) Walpole - Career Counselor
Corrie Odland - Career Exploration Coordinator
Heather Banks - Health Professions Coordinator

Vince Thomas - Director of the Internship Program

Church Relations and Community Engagement (formerly Church Relations)
Grady St. Dennis - Director of Church Relations and Community Engagement,
Associate Director of the Center for Servant Leadership
Marilyn Beyer - Assistant Director of Church Relations and Community Engagement

Community Based Service and Learning (formerly the Community Service Center)
Jeffrey Rathlef - Director of Community Based Service and Learning
Associate Director of the Center for Servant Leadership
Dave Newell - Assistant Director of Community Based Service and Learning

Vocation and Integrative Learning (formerly the Center for Vocational Reflection)
Chris Johnson - Director of Vocation and Integrative Learning
Associate Director of the Center for Servant Leadership
Amy Pehrson - Assistant Director of Vocation and Integrative Learning

Attention Gustavus Class of 2012!

2011-06-24T10:57:00.001-05:00

Class of 2012:

1. If you are graduating between December 2011 and June 2012 keep reading!

2. Now is a great time to update your GustieJobs profile! GustieJobs is how Career Development communicates with you about post-graduation plans. If you have not yet done a profile - just go to https://gustavus.edu/careercenter/ and click on the GustieJobs logo - it is easy to log in and update your profile. If, for some reason, your log in does not work - let me know.

3. Now is also a great time to update your resume - before school starts! Summer is a great time for me to read resumes and give feedback. Email as word attachments to me at cfavre@gustavus.edu.

4. Now is a great time to get a suit for interviews! If you are looking for a job, internship, service program or grad/professional school - you will need a suit for interviews. You have spent a lot on your education - so get a great suit that makes you look like a professional!

Doing a little bit at at time can make the transition out of Gustavus less stressful!

Cynthia

Helpful Job or Career Search Websites

2011-06-16T11:53:00.007-05:00

State Sites:

Job Sites & Resources by Career Area

MN Career Planning, education and job search site

MN Job Bank

Hennepin County Human Resources

Ramsey County

City of St. Paul

MN Non-Profit Organizations of Color

MN Non-Profit Jobs

MN Dept. of Corrections

MN Dept. of Health

MN State Jobs

State of MN Careers

National Sites:

Monster

Career Builder

Graduate Schools:

Peterson's Guide

Grad Schools

Gustavus Career

Career Planning & Research:

Gustavus Career

iSeek

Spotlight on Careers

QuintCareers

Explore Health Careers

Life Science Alley

No one has ever found a job by doing nothing

Make time for your job search!

Summer Clothing & Work

2011-06-10T12:11:00.001-05:00

Now that summer is finally here let's go over two things:
First, the Career Center blog is going to be slowing down over the summer months - a post a week or so... That being said, we are here to serve! If you want advice or have a suggestion for a post, just let me know and I will provide! Email me at career-center@gac.edu. Also remember that the Career Center will be open all summer to help with your job search, resumes, cover letters, etc - Keep 'em coming!
Secondly, let's go over some ground rules with summer work wear. It's hot and sweaty out, but alas, you still need to dress for the office and not the beach. Some general guidelines:

YES

For Work by jvanosdol featuring cotton skirts

Not for work by jvanosdol featuring crop tops

1) Check out your feet before wearing sandals. Sandals can be work appropriate in many jobs, so long as they are not flip-flops or overtly sexy. Before strapping yourself in though, make sure your feet are viewable - and remember that a pedicure will not cure all ills! A sandal with a back that covers your heel would be a good choice for most people.

2) Avoid silk and linen if possible. Silk doesn't breathe and thus equals sweat stains, and linen really only looks great if you never have to sit down. Better options include cotton, lightweight jersey, or lightweight wools.

3) If possible, bring a light purse to haul all of your belongings. You should be able to find one in just about any fabric, including leather, if you seek one out. The heavier bags, once weighed down with your planner and papers, can leave sweat stains against your body. Nylon bags have the same reputation and are to be avoided - not to mention it's hard to imagine a work-appropriate nylon bag...

4) Watch those hemlines. Shorts can definitely be work appropriate - many stores call them "city shorts" and they are made of a dressier material and hit around the knee. Short shorts? Not a good idea - and if you are wondering if you can pull off a pair of shorts, then it's best to leave them at home. You'll know a work pair of shorts when you see 'em!

5) Summer dresses. I love wearing summer dresses - one piece and your whole outfit is done! Be careful about what constitutes as a summer dress though. If it can also function as a beach cover-up, it should not go near the office. On the other hand, frilly chiffon dresses look far better on a date than in a staff meeting. Go over a classic, simple dress in a solid or plain print.

30 Ways to Spend your Summer...

2011-06-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

...if you live in/by the cities -

Walk through the Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center
Cruise down Victory Memorial Drive to Theodore Wirth Parkway and beyond, watching the wildlife
Play Frisbee golf - Did you know that the Minneapolis area contains more disc gold parks than nearly any other metro area in the U.S.?
Flex your Minneapolis taste buds at Sanctuary, Spoonriver, French Meadow Bakery, Le Belle Vie, Solera, and Peninsula Malaysian Cuisine.
Enjoy dinner at the Oak Grille followed by a touring Broadway show at the Historic State or Orpheum Theatre
Sample the beer and sausage selection at the Bulldog NE in Northeast Mpls
Relax over brunch at Keye's Cafe
Learn something from a book - and the architecture - at the Minneapolis Central Library
Listen to inspirational music at the Basilica of St. Mary, the oldest basilica in the country
Take a trip back in time at Nye's Polonaise Room, rated best bar in the nation, and belt out a tune at the piano bar
Take a day and see the nearly 100,000 items on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Visit famous Twin Citians' burial sites at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis
Take a backstage tour of the Tony Award-winning Guthrie Theater
Find real deals at Off Fifth and Neiman Marcus' clearance floor in downtown Minneapolis
Run around any of Minneapolis' 22 lakes
Take home something with a Latin flair from Mercado Central, a market on Lake Street with more than 40 Latino businesses
Steal a kiss on the Stone Arch Bridge
Duck into the Chambers Hotel's lobby and view the modern art collection
For a late-night dinner, go where the chefs go - 112 Eatery
Sink into a booth at Jitters in Northeast Minneapolis for a drink and great jazz
See a show, puppet-style, at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre
Watch a classic movie at midnight at the Uptown Theatre
Learn about Minneapolis history at the Mill City Museum on the Mississippi Riverfront
Rent a canoe and float on Lake of the Isles
Hop on a Twin City Trolley for a city tour
Splash around in the 15,000 foot water park, then ice skate indoors at the Depot Hotel
Catch a show at a discount - go through the rush line at many local theaters
Visit a great bookstore - like Magers & Quinn in Uptown - and peruse with iced tea in hand
Go camping, boating, kayaking, fishing, and swimming
Make lemonade, have a BBQ and a campfire - and celebrate Summer!

Enjoy your Summer!!

So you don't know what you want to do after college...

2011-06-06T14:02:00.003-05:00

- guess what - you are not the only one!

At some point everyone doesn't know what they want to do and many people change what they want to do as they get older.

A great book to read that will hopefully help you start to sort out your ideas is:

What Should I Do with My Life? by Po Bronson

Other ideas are:

Talking with Parents or Relatives
Connecting with Gustavus Alumni through LinkedIn
Meet with lawyers, teachers, doctors, business owners in your hometown

Things to ask:

What do you enjoy (or don't enjoy) about your job?
How did you start out after college?
Where would you like to eventually end up?
How did your career journey change and evolve?

Do your own research online at:

Good luck! Let us know if you need anything!

The Center for Servant Leadership: Career Development

2011-06-02T09:46:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, June 1, the Career Center officially joined
The Center for Servant Leadership

We are all excited to begin amazing work with our new colleagues! Check out their website and stories at: https://gustavus.edu/servantleadership/

To officially join with the center our space is being renovated - so once again you can see trucks outside of the Johnson Student Union and you can hear banging and see a flurry of walls being taken down and new ones being put up inside.

So where are we located while this construction happens? The Career Center or as we will now be known - The Center for Servant Leadership: Career Development - is currently located in the basement of Uhler Hall. Come see our temporary space now and on August 1 see the new center!

Last week of classes!

2011-05-11T16:39:00.000-05:00

Last day of classes is a week from today!

Seniors: What are your plans after graduation?
Others: What do you have planned for this summer?

Post a comment on your plans today!

-- Still need figuring out your plans? Stop by the Career Center - We can help!

“So what are you going to do after you graduate?”

2011-05-06T14:12:00.003-05:00

Taken From: "Senior Year Timeline" by Tom Denham on 4/22/2011

“So what are you going to do after you graduate?” are words that make most college Seniors panic. Perhaps you were hoping that this was the year to just coast, but being overscheduled with school, a part-time job, your significant other, and now finding the right career is making you stressed and anxious. This is a transition year so stay flexible and positive! Now is the time to integrate the experiences, knowledge and self-discovery of the past three years into a job or graduate school search. Here is your timeline for senior year success.

Summer before your Senior Year

Graduate School Checklist:

· Google and research several programs that interest you and identify the application deadline dates; check out GradSchools.com.

· Request catalogs, applications, and financial aid forms; visit campuses, meet with Financial Aid Counselors; narrow your choices.

· Take an entrance exam prep course and register to take appropriate admission tests (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.).

· Buy interview clothes and bring them to campus

Job Search Checklist:

· Target three to five cities as places to live after Commencement; visit them if possible and evaluate their suitability.

· Google and research all the companies that meet your job search criteria and set up an organizing system.

· Buy interview clothes and bring them to campus

FALL TERM

Make your job or graduate school search a top priority from the start!!!
Meet with Cynthia Favre to develop a year-long plan of action that will help you stay on track.
Practice Interviewing and improve your delivery with a video-taped Mock Interview on InterviewStream
Update your one page resume and cover letter and be sure to have it carefully critiqued bring it to Cynthia Favre or e-mail it to career-center@gustavus.edu; post it online at GustieJobs; buy resume paper from the Gustavus Bookmark.
Gain more experience with part-time internships (Talk to Corrie Odland, Interim Internship Director), community service (stop by the Center for Servant Leadership to find opportunities) or jobs that can quickly build your resume.
Take on a leadership role in campus organizations to further develop your communication, teamwork and organizational skills.
Record a professional message on your voice mail.
Read relevant handouts and resources from the Career Center; attend Employer Information Day (Tuesday, September 27, 2011), Government Job Fair (Friday, October 21, 2011) and Information Sessions on the February Job and Internship Fair.
Establish a LinkedIn account to help organize your network of connections; form a “Dream Team” of your best contacts.
Network, network and network with alumni and others about your future plans and be sure to collect business cards.
Identify professional associations that are related to your major or career field and join as a “Student Member.”
Request letters of reference from faculty and internship supervisors for both graduate school and future employers.
Send thank you notes after each graduate school or job interview.
Use the Career Center website regularly.

Graduate School Checklist:

Meet with your Advisor and Career Counselors to discuss your graduate school ideas and have your essay critiqued (also ask for help from the Writing Center on campus).
Request catalogs, applications, and financial aid forms; visit campuses, meet with Financial Aid Counselors; narrow your choices.
Order transcripts and submit applications including Fellowships and Assistantships; create a back-up plan if you get rejected.

Job Search Checklist:

Google and research all the companies that meet your job search criteria and set up an organizing system.
Take advantage of on-campus and off-campus recruitment programs.
Send out tailored (not mass mailed) resumes and cover letters each week.
Stop by your local public library to browse their career resource area and review their binders of job listings.
Be persistent when following up with email and phone calls to prospective employers; ask for an interview.
Spend 20% of your time searching online, attending job fairs, using temp agencies and the classifieds.
Spend 80% of your time meeting key professionals and networking your way to your new job!

SPRING TERM

Meet with Cynthia Favre; seek advice on evaluating job and graduate school offers.
Thank your references for their assistance and inform them of your success by sending a note of appreciation.
Continue doing Fall Term suggestions until plans for after graduation are finalized (i.e. you find a job or choose a grad school)
Begin the relocation and transition process from undergraduate to graduate student or employee; be flexible.

Graduate School Checklist:

Seek advice from your Advisor, then choose your graduate school and send in a deposit to reserve your spot.
Inform other universities that accepted you of your decision so they can admit other students on their waiting list.

Job Search Checklist:

Interview with spring term recruiters on and off-campus.
Double your networking efforts!!!

Three Tips for Landing a Job in Today's Federal Government

2011-04-28T09:42:00.001-05:00

By: Call to Serve eNews: April 2011
The fiscal 2011 federal budget has been passed, giving agencies money to hire through September 2011. The fiscal 2012 budget debate is just getting started. The current discussions around deficit-reduction, federal pay and federal hiring have made it more important than ever for applicants to follow three proven approaches.

Do Your Research!
With more than 260 agencies and subcomponents to choose from, that students and alumni should research “the right fit” as the first step to any successful federal job search. The Partnership’s Best Places to Work online rankings provide a useful tool to investigate workplace satisfaction and decide what factors are most important to job seekers. Job seekers should think outside the box. For example, while most internationally-focused degree recipients may deviate toward the Department of State or the U.S. Agency for International Development, many job seekers do not recognize that a host of other agencies have an international element. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture, for example, both have offices overseas. In addition, small agencies like the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the African Development Foundation and the Inter-American Foundation have an emphasis on global issues.

Network, Network, Network!
Utilizing social, academic and professional networks is arguably the most important component to landing a job in any field. While most agencies must follow rules to widely advertise a job opportunity, networking can greatly aid your search. Federal agencies, like many other sectors, rely heavily on the existence of networks to disseminate opportunities that are available, especially student positions that do not have to be posted on USAjobs.gov. Additionally, networking is a vital step both before and after applying for a position within the federal government. Students or alumni can reach out to federal employees for informational interviews, just like the private and non-profit sectors. Encourage your students to maintain a detailed list of contacts in order to stay abreast of their networks. In tough economic times, persistence is often the key to landing that dream job!

Tap Into Career Services!
Students and alumni should continue to utilize career services as a vital resource in the search for a federal job or internship. Increasingly, colleges and universities around the nation are widening their reach to encompass alumni who are looking for career changes. The federal government can be a great fit for those mid-career applicants who are looking for work/life balance and stability. As such, it is important that alumni expand their search to encompass career services, consortium events and job fairs at their alma mater.

Looking for a Job? Want to win a Nano?

2011-04-28T08:45:00.001-05:00

Attention: Graduating Seniors and Alumni

The Minnesota Private College Career Consortium will host a Virtual Career Fair on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3 and 4. Everyone who registers is entered in a drawing to win a free Nano.

Open only to students and alumni of Minnesota’s private colleges, the fair is a unique virtual event that helps job seekers meet employers in an efficient, environmentally conscious way.

Why a virtual career fair?

Participate in a job fair that’s convenient, user-friendly and within the comfort of home.
Register for free; upload your résumé and login to chat with employers.
Chat sessions vary each day, and hours will be posted prior to the event.
Check out the participating employers and research their positions.

What's the Situation with your Job Search?

2011-04-27T08:58:00.002-05:00

Wednesday, April 27

Join Cynthia and Jill for some Job Search tips today in the Evelyn Young Dining Room.

We are here to help YOU find the JOB of YOUR DREAMS!

Where: Caf
When: TODAY, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Who: You, Cynthia & Jill
Why: To Help You!

Need a Job?!?

2011-04-26T16:19:00.003-05:00

Gustie Alum Adam Toppin will be back at Gustavus next Wednesday, April 27 with two other colleagues to host an information session on Accretive Health at 7 pm in the St. Peter Room. Accretive Health is a revenue cycle consulting company for hospitals and health care systems (in the same healthcare consulting services industry as Stockamp, Deloitte, Accenture, etc.). They signed their first MN client (Fairview) last May and have just recently signed a second MN client (North Memorial). As a result, they have a very large need for college recruits into our entry level position of Operations Lead. Both client sites are local in the Twin Cities and they are looking to hire a total of 14 college recruits! Already, they have 7 Gusties on their MN team (by far the most out of all MN colleges) and Adam wants to make sure that number continues to grow!

So to Recap:

Who: YOU
What: Job Information Session on Accretive Health
Where: St. Peter Room
When: Wednesday, April 27, 7pm
Wear: Dress Professionally!
What to Bring: Resume!

Gustavus Career Center’s Top 10 Ideas of What to Do If You Can’t Find a Summer Job:

2011-04-12T10:19:00.000-05:00

Employers and graduate/professional schools will wonder what you did with your summers. Have something to put on your résumé and something to talk about in interviews. More importantly, get information and experiences to help you move forward with your career ideas! For information and links for these ideas, go to gustavus.edu/careercenter or stop in and visit with the Career Center staff.

1. Job Shadow: If you know what types of positions or career fields you are interested in, seek out employers and/or people to job shadow for a day or part of a day. Send a thank you note within 2 working days.

2. Informational Interviews: Find people who are doing jobs of interest to you or employers of interest to you. Call or email them and ask for a 15-30 minute conversation about their work. Dress professionally and show up on time with prepared questions. Respect their time! Send a thank you note within 2 working days.

3. Explore Careers: Learn about careers that might interest you. Check out www.iseek.org and then head to the Career Center home page for more links to great resources.

4. Volunteer: Check out www.mncn.org and www.idealist.org to find volunteer opportunities. Especially a great idea if where you volunteer is connected to your career interests! Interested in the environment? Check out the Department of National Resources volunteer opportunities. Enjoy working with kids? Check with churches and youth centers. Volunteer at special events, community celebrations or local fairs. You don’t have to get paid for experiences for them to go on your résumé.

5. Learn: What skills would make you a better candidate for the careers of interest to you? Better writing? Check out The Loft Literary Center for writing classes and groups. Interested in the arts? Check out Springboard for the Arts for workshops on skills to make a living as an artist. Learn new software, create a website, or start a blog! Take a class or study on your own.

6. Study: Thinking about graduate school, law school, or medical school? This could be a great time to study for the tests needed for admission.

7. Create Job Search Tools: Write a résumé. Write a cover letter. Create a LinkedIn profile. Update your GustieJobs profile. Practice your interviewing skills on Interview Stream. Buy an interview suit.

8. Use an Agency: Temporary employment agencies are a great way to get placed into a project or temporary work for things like clerical, data entry, factory and many other types of jobs. It doesn’t cost you anything so it is worth a try! Check out www.prostaff.com, www.manpower.com or www.jeanethorne.com.

9. Project Work: Put the word out to family and friends that you are looking to make money. Paint a room or a house, build a fence, landscape a yard, or watch kids!

10. Follow Your Interests: If you are interested in architecture– visit great buildings! If you are interested in international cultures – visit the many cultural exhibits, celebrations and events over the summer. Interested in broadcasting? Tour TV and radio stations. Interested in the environment? Visit parks and nature areas.

Student Success Story

2011-04-06T15:15:00.001-05:00

Hi Cynthia,

I just wanted to send a quick note to express my sincere thanks to you!

I am a senior (Economics & Management major with an honors Sociology & Anthropology minor) expected to graduate this May. Anxious to find a full-time position to start after graduation, I went to the job fair. It was there that I interviewed with Ingenix Consulting and SPS Commerce, and left my resume at several other booths. Since that time, I continued interviewing with Ingenix and SPS, and eventually got job offers from both companies within the same week! I was excited about the offers, yet cautiously reviewed each company in-depth. So, I am excited to announce that I will be a "Senior Research Analyst" in the Leadership Acceleration Program at Ingenix Consulting (which is part of UnitedHealth Group).

The reason for telling you this story is to thank you for being persistent about uploading our resumes online to both the GustieJobs and Career Fair websites. By doing so, I was asked by both companies to interview with them before I could ever ask! Also, the job fair prep party was a huge help to my peers and I. It definitely eased the pressure by practicing with real professionals and was a great networking tool. Thank you so much again for your hard work! You are truly amazing at what you do.

Sincerely,
A Grateful Student

Happy Spring Break!

2011-03-28T16:17:00.003-05:00

With this time off here are some suggestions on how to spend it:

Are you a Pre-Health Student? Watch the 3 FREE Health Short Courses provided by the U of MN and Gustavus they include the following topics: Planning for Medical School, Personal Statements for a Health Profession, and Interviewing Skills for a Health Profession.

Update your resume - email it to career-center@gustavus.edu for it to be reviewed by one of our staff members!

Search for a summer job or internship in your hometown! These are great ways to build your experience and your resume!

Do some informational interviews with professionals in a field you are interested in!

Relax!

Have a great break and stop by if you need any help when you get back!

Word Clouds for Resumes and Cover Letters

2011-03-23T11:04:00.002-05:00

Word choice can make or break a resume or cover letter. By choosing certain words, we direct the flow of our job search documents. However, word count and other analysis tools are not impactful, since people do not understand statistics well and do not really relate to math as well as we do to visual images.

Enter “word clouds” and Wordle. A word cloud is a proportional graphic display, where each word's size represents its frequency in a document. Wordle is a free web page (http://www.wordle.net) which makes a word cloud in moments from any text pasted into the page. See image below of this blogs word cloud!

The value of this exercise is two fold:
(1) certain words jump out at you. These are the most common words. This means you can determine at a glance what you are saying most often & decide if you like what you see.

(2) you can search for words you think ought to be important & see how often you are (not) saying them.

It's 100% free, and takes a few moments.

Pathways to Bioscience Careers

2011-03-21T15:45:00.001-05:00

By Emma Strand, 3/21/2011

Are you interested in a career in the biosciences? If so, consider attending Pathways to Bioscience Careers, taking place on Tuesday, April 5th at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center from 3:30 to 7:00 pm.

At this event, students will meet alumni from Minnesota private colleges and learn about professional opportunities in clinical research/regulatory affairs, food science, medical/pharmaceutical sales & marketing, research & development/lab science. This topic will not be covered again until 2014, so don't "wait until next year" if you are interested!

This year's schedule is as follows:
3:30 pm - Check in
3:45 pm - Welcome
4:00 pm - Break out sessions
6:00 pm - Reception

Break out sessions (Choose 2)
Clinical Research/Regulatory Affairs
Food Science
Medical & Pharmaceutical Sales & Marketing
Research & Development/Lab Science

Please come to the Career Center to fill out a registration form by Friday, March 25th. That's this Friday! The cost is $10 and there is a carpool sign-up sheet in our office if you need a ride or are willing to drive others. We hope you will consider attending this unique event!

The first 3 to respond to this blog entry to career-center@gustavus.edu will get free registration for this event.

Tips for job-seekers: Zero in, rev up, stay positive

2011-03-21T15:17:00.001-05:00

By Emma Strand, 3/21/2011

Senior Gusties - by this point in the year, you probably realize that the job search isn't easy. While a few soon-to-be graduates have jobs lined up, many of us are still searching for opportunities and talking with employers. To help you with your search, we'd like to share an article published in the Mankato Free Press on Sunday, March 20th. The paper spoke with several career experts, who offered the following advice for job-seekers:

- Zero in: "In many cases, [...] job seekers don't focus enough on who they are and what they want. They're presenting themselves in a very generic fashion ... to companies that want very specific individuals." Before sending your resume to an employer or going to an interview, do your research. Learn about the company and understand how you could add value. The more you know about the specific position you are applying for, the better chances you have of being hired.
- Rev up the resume: "With resumes, one is never enough. Have at least two or three, each targeted to specific jobs or career fields." Use language in your resume that matches the words in your desired position's description. "If the job opening is for a 'senior IT specialist,' for instance, those exact words should be appear in the resume."
- Avoid interview stumbles: When an interview asks you the question "Tell me about yourself," they don't want to know about your siblings or your pets. According to Laura Perez, CEO of Epiphany Coaching in Sacramento, "They want to know about your education, background, experience and expertise." Additionally, be observant and act accordingly. Find ways in which you can connect with your interviewer - they are people too, and will likely feel more comfortable if they can relate to you.
- Tap your social network: "Embrace your Facebook friends, LinkedIn contacts and Twitter followers." However, remember that it is not appropriate to ask them for jobs via these sites. Social networking sites can help you connect with the right people, but they are not the way to directly ask for a job.
- Mind your manners: Screen your Facebook page for pictures, posts, and applications that do not accurately represent you as a potential employee. No employers wants to see photos of you drinking on spring break or at house parties with your friends. Know about facebook privacy settings and check yours frequently. Additionally, be professional and use correct grammar in any job-related e-mail correspondence. "It is never OK to use texting shorthand such as 'lol' or 'ttyl' with company contacts. Your e-mail could easily be forwarded to a supervisor who might not find your communication skills amusing or professional."
- Stay pumped up: Even if you do not have a job when graduation rolls around, don't get down in the dumps. "Start every day with a to-do schedule. Get dressed and out of your PJs. Volunteer. Be involved in activities that put you alongside people who might be helpful." If you are rejected time and time again, ask why and be willing to make the changes that are suggested to you.

All quotes taken from the article "Tips for job-seekers: Zero in, rev up, stay positive" published March 20, 2011 in the Mankato Free Press. Article by Claudia Buck.

Health Professions Fair - Sample Questions

2011-03-15T11:11:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, March 16 @ 11:30-2:30pm is the Health Professions Fair. This is an opportunity to speak to admission representatives about their respective programs or employers about job opportunities. This weekend take a moment to look at the websites of the organizations attending (attached below) and jot down a few questions.

Here are a few sample questions:

Introduction: “Hi, my name is Jane Doe. I am a sophomore here at Gustavus majoring in History. I am planning to apply to Medical school and am interested in your program. “

Q: What does a competitive applicant look like?

Q: How is a candidate evaluated? Is there any type of rating system/points system for evaluating candidates…such as volunteer work, direct patient care, leadership roles, etc.

Q: Do you have any visit days or advising sessions for prospective students?

Q: I read on your website about some of the unique features that your program offers (give a specific example). Are there other features/opportunities that make your program distinct?

Q: How are the interviews structured? What is the best way to prepare for the interview?

Q: Is there a certain amount of hours of shadowing/experience required prior to applying?

Q: How do students from this school perform on the National Board Examination?

Q: Is there any type of mentor/adviser system?

Q: What is the current tuition and fees?

Conclusion: “Thank you for the information. I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me today and answer my questions.”

Health Professions Fair

2011-03-15T11:10:00.002-05:00

Happy Tuesday, Gusties!

Just a reminder: tomorrow (Wednesday, March 16th) is the Health Professions Fair! Stop by the Heritage Banquet Rooms anytime between 11:30 and 2:30 to visit with representatives from 28 organizations. This event is designed for students (First Year - Senior) who are interested in pre-health programs or employment in the laboratory, research, or medical field. Business casual dress is encouraged. There will be frost-your-owns, so bring your appetite and copies of your resume.

The following organizations will be present:
- ACR Homes, Inc
- Aerotek Scientific Staffing
- Augsburg College
- Aurora Medical
- College of St. Catherine
- College of St. Scholastica
- Creighton University
- Des Moines University
- Mayo School of Health Sciences
- Memorial Blood Centers
- National College of Natural Medicine - Portland, OR
- Northwestern Health Sciences University - College of Acupuncture
- Northwestern Health Sciences University - College of Chiropractic
- On Assignment Lab Support
- Peace Corps
- Ross University
- University of MN (Rochester Campus)
- University of MN - College of Veterinary Science
- University of MN - Medical School
- University of MN - Physical Therapy
- University of MN - School of Dentistry
- University of MN - College of Pharmacy
- US Army Health Care Team
- Kaplan Testing
- Mayo Medical School
- "Global Health in Mexico: Building Community Through Service and Solidarity" J-Term 2012 Experience
- EPPA Lead Scribe
- Open Door Health Clinic

Additionally, Ross University will hold an informational session for pre-med and pre-vet students in the Heritage Room at 4:30 pm. The Peace Corps will also hold an informational session in the 49'er Room (next to the Information Desk) at 4:30 pm.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Please don't hesitate to stop by the Career Center if you have last minute questions or concerns. We have quick questions today from 2:00 to 3:30 pm.

FAIR PREP PARTY

2011-02-15T16:37:00.001-06:00

By Emma Strand, 02/15/2011

Are you going to the Job and Internship Fair next week? If so, please consider attending the Fair Prep Party. This is an excellent opportunity to participate in mock interviews, receive career advice, and learn how to network!

FAIR PREP PARTY
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Heritage Room, Gustavus Jackson Campus Center
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Business casual dress. Bring copies of your resume!

Schedule:
6:30 p.m. Candidates and Career Mentors arrive: nametages, refreshments, mock interview sign up
6:45 p.m. Career Mentors introduce themselves
6:50 p.m. Scott Anderson, President and CEO of Patterson Companies presents "Confessions of a Job Fair Loser"
7:00 p.m. Speed Networking: Candidates will be in groups to have three two-minute opportunities to practice their introductions with Career Mentors
7:15 p.m. General advice/networking
7:15 p.m. Mock Interview Round 1 begins
7:35 p.m. Mock Interview Round 2 begins
7:55 p.m. Mock Interview Round 3 begins
8:15 p.m. Mock Interviews ends
8:30 p.m. Event ends

We hope to see you there!

5th Annual FPA MN Career Day

2011-01-26T11:39:00.000-06:00

5th Annual FPA MN Career Day has been scheduled for Friday, February 25th.

For those of you who are not familiar with this event, Career Day is a one day event for students who want to learn about the financial planning profession. In addition to having the opportunity to network with a number of established financial planners, students will have the opportunity to interview for jobs with financial planning firms. Last year we had 32 students attend Career Day in Golden Valley and had 9 firms at the event looking to hire - every student who attended was scheduled for at least one interview.

Be looking for additional information about this event in the coming weeks!

www.fpamn.org

STUDENT ADVERTISING SUMMIT

2011-01-26T11:35:00.001-06:00

by Jill VanOsdol, 01/26/2011

The Student Advertising Summit is a great way to get involved in the advertising and marketing community, and provides students with a link to professionals who hire upcoming graduates.

It is an event hosted by AdFed and Ad2 that provides students with an opportunity to hear professionals talk about marketing/advertising/PR topics that are relevant to students. Includes: Networking Roundtables; Portfolio Reviews; Agency Tours; Speakers from the Industry; Insight to what the working world is like; and Contacts

It will take place on Feb. 11, 2011 from 8 am - 5 pm in Minneapolis at the McNamara Alumni Center on the Twin Cities University of Minneosta Campus (200 Oak St. S.E. in Minneapolis). The cost is $50.

To register for this event go to: www.ad2sas.org

Helpful Links:
Website: ad2sas.org
Facebook group: Student Advertising Summit (Minneapolis)
Twitter: studentadsummit
LinkedIn: Student Advertising Summit (Minneapolis)

Every bit of exposure to the advertising community is essential and this is an opportunity to meet real people doing the job students desire. Networking is critical in this competitive job market.

The Career Center is willing to help students without means of transportation and also has a few tips on how to pay for the registration fee if they cannot afford it - for more information stop by or contact the Career Center. We will also have a Career Center representative attending the event to help support our students while there.

(There is also a similar event taking place in Chicago on the same day for the same price - for more information about this one contact the Career Center)

MN Private Colleges Job and Internship Fair

2011-01-20T14:05:00.002-06:00

by Mark Wamma, 1-20-2011

A little over a month from now, Minnesota’s Private Colleges will be hosting their 34th annual Job and Internship Fair. Held February 22 and 23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, the fair gives students the opportunity to meet with employers and practice critical professional skills such as networking and interviewing. In addition, students also connect with employers to apply for and get jobs.

This year, over 100 employers have registered for the fair. These employers span the gamut when it comes to industry. Ranging from financial to non-profit and governmental to medical to technological, most anyone can find something of interest. You can view a full list of the attending employers by visiting http://www.mnpcfair.org/students/student_information.aspx and clicking the “Employers” link.

If you haven’t yet registered for the Job and Internship Fair, there is still time! All you need to do is stop by or contact the Career Center. The fair is a great way to start a career search, not to mention a fantastic way to motivate yourself to spiff up your résumé.

Visit the MNPC Job and Internship Fair website for complete details.
http://www.mnpcfair.org/

A Great Opportunity with Talent Marks!

2011-01-19T08:46:00.002-06:00

Attention Gusties:

Talentmarks has a number of positions available for communication, PR, or journalism students to interview career experts.

The ideal student is outgoing, a natural communicator and willing to interview authors by phone or video. We introduce the student to the author so the student can set up their interview when it's convenient for them.

Interviews will be conducted by Skype or Google Talk and recorded by the student. Students should have an understanding on how to use Skype and capable of recording and editing their conversation. Students interested in applying for this opportunity should send a Skype video message to DPhilabaum (skype name) or email info@talentmarks.com

Details for your students can be found at:

http://www.talentmarks.com/Misc/Student_Interviewers.aspx

All the best!

Don Philabaum
www.talentmarks.com

Attention Gustavus Women!

2011-01-11T13:11:00.000-06:00

by Mark Wamma, 1/11/2011

Gustavus Women,

Are you interested in financial services? Then, take a moment to consider attending the Piper Jaffray Women in Finance Forum. This annual event provides a forum for undergraduate and graduate women to learn about different career options and network with professionals in the financial services industry. For more details, read the event description below and follow the link to apply!

Sixth Annual Piper Jaffray Women in Finance Forum on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011. We are very pleased to be hosting this forum designed for women interested in career opportunities in the financial services industry. During the event we will highlight different career options and provide networking opportunities with professionals at Piper Jaffray.

Space is limited for this prestigious event! If you're interested in attending, please apply by submitting your resume through our website using the link below. The deadline to apply is January 17, 2011. In order to qualify, you must be a top-performing female that is currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate college program. You'll be notified regarding your acceptance by January 24, 2011. Thank you for your interest in attending!

https://tbe.taleo.net/NA8/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=PIPER_JAFFRAY&cws=1&rid=425

Three tips for the young job hunter.

2011-01-10T15:02:00.000-06:00

by Mark Wamma, 1/10/2011

In his article, “The Young and Successful Job Search”, Dan Schawbel presents three tips for young job seekers. The first is to find an internship… then find another. Internships are a great way to invest in your career. They provide experience which will pay out in future opportunities. Secondly, make the effort to improve and maintain your online presence. Increasingly, employers are using online resources to screen candidates. To optimize your chances of landing a position, a flattering online presence can make a world of difference. And finally, network. Since many employers prefer to hire someone through a personal recommendation, it is crucial to develop relationships with peers in your industry. These tips are a great way to begin working towards your career. Visit the website to view the entire article and detailed information.

http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/aug2010/ca2010089_168698.htm

Don’t Meet the Parents!

2011-01-07T15:01:00.000-06:00

by Mark Wamma, 1/7/2011

It may be every teenager’s worst nightmare- your parent showing up in the middle of school to complete some unimaginably embarrassing task or bring you some cruelly humiliating object. What could be worse than that, your past teenage self may ask? Well, try having it happen at a job interview. As Dan Finnigan puts it in his article "It's Not Your Mom's Job Hunt", "if a recruiter has to deal with your mom or dad, you're not getting the job (unless they own the company)." However, he does point out six ways in which parents can help:

"Reading over your resume to give you a fresh perspective, but NOT writing the resume, word for word; Coaching you on how to negotiate a salary offer, but NOT negotiating on your behalf, term by term; Brainstorming ideas for your job search, but NOT doing the search, job by job; Giving you practice interview questions, but NOT serving as your reference; Alerting you to a local job fair, but NOT attending it with you (or worse yet, for you); Talking over the pros and cons of job choices, but NOT making the final job decision."

Go online to view the entire article.

http://blogs.wsj.com/hire-education/2010/11/05/its-not-your-moms-job-hunt/

JobSTART 101

2011-01-06T14:59:00.000-06:00

by Mark Wamma, 1/6/2011

JobSTART 101 is a free online resource created to help college students and recent graduates understand the professional skills required to succeed in today's work environment. Six short video lessons, called "methods", present advice and strategies on a range of topics. You will learn how your online presence can affect you job hunt, strategies and best practices once you've landed your job, and how to advance your career. In addition, there is a downloadable workbook that poses questions to enhance each of the method's topic and contains links to related websites. If you want to expand and develop your professional skills, check out this website!

http://jobstart101.org/

CAREER EXPLORATION AND NANCY PAUTZ DEADLINE TOMORROW!

2010-11-30T11:19:00.000-06:00

That's right - tomorrow is December 1st, which means ALL CAREER EXPLORATION REGISTRATION FORMS AND NANCY PAUTZ AWARD APPLICATIONS ARE DUE!

Turn in both items to the Career Center front desk. Remember, all Career Exploration forms must be FULLY filled out - this includes a signature from your site supervisor and faculty sponsor! If you don't have these signatures, do it TODAY!

Nancy Pautz applications are available in the Career Center. The application requires a one-page essay that you can easily complete tonight. This award gives you MONEY for your J-Term career exploration - so take advantage of it!

Attention Education Majors!

2010-11-30T11:18:00.000-06:00

Are you an education major looking for a job? Check out www.schoolspring.com! SchoolSpring collects education job postings from many different websites and posts them all in one place. This saves applicants the time and headache of searching for jobs on dozens of state and other teaching websites. SchoolSpring also makes the application process easier by providing a common application. By simply filling out your information and submitting a transcript and letter of reference, you can apply to many of the employers on the site. Additionally, SchoolSpring will e-mail you when new jobs are posted. The best part about the website is it is totally FREE! Be sure to take advantage of this excellent resource!

The Nancy Pautz Leadership Award for Interim Career Explorations

2010-11-17T15:36:00.001-06:00

By Emma Strand, 11/17/2010

Are you doing a January Career Exploration? Considering applying for the Nancy Pautz Leadership Award for Interim Career Explorations. Applications are currently available in the Career Center.

What is the Nancy Pautz Leadership Award?
Nancy Pautz worked in the Career Center for 16 years as the Internship Program Assistant. In 2003, Nancy passed away after a battle with cancer. To honor Nancy's dedication to Gustavus students and her countless contributions to the Career Exploration program, The Nancy Pautz Leadership Award was established. Each year, a small number of students are awarded up to $300 to cover expenses incurred while participating in an Interim Career Exploration.

What are the qualifications for receiving the award?
The primary goal of the award is to help students participating in an Interim Career Exploration engage in substantive reflection on issues of vocation, lives of service, and how a person's career reflects one's larger sense of self, purpose, and contribution to society. Students must fill out an application (available in the Career Center) and write a one-page leadership statement. Awards will be given based on financial need, commitment to genuine exploration, and potential for leadership development.

What happens if I receive the award?
Recipients will be notified via e-mail. The first portion of the award money will be mailed out in early January. To receive the second portion, recipients must complete all work assigned by their faculty sponsor and the Career Center by Friday, January 28th. Recipients must also read an assigned leadership article and write a one-page reflection paper on leadership. Each award winner will write a one-page summary of their experience and submit a photo to be shared with the Gustavus Community. Additionally, all recipients will attend the reflection dinner on Tuesday, February 8th at 6:00 p.m.

Stop by the Career Center and pick up an application today! This is a great way to cover expenses like gas money and to share your J-Term experience with the Gustavus Community. Stop by the Career Center if you have any questions!

Let it Snow: Reminders for J-Term

2010-11-16T11:30:00.001-06:00

By Emma Strand, 11/16/2010

With the first snow comes the reminder that winter at Gustavus is fast approaching. In the Career Center, the chilly weather means that we are preparing for J-Term, a time when many students complete a career exploration.

The deadline for career explorations is December 1st - just two short weeks away! If you have already found a site, please stop by the Career Center and pick up a registration form. The form requires a signature from your site supervisor and faculty sponsor, so don't save this for the last minute!

If you are completing your career exploration near your hometown, remember to bring the form home with you over Thanksgiving break so that you can get your site supervisor's signature. If your site is not near your hometown or Gustavus, you can use the fax machine in the Career Center to obtain this signature.

This year's faculty sponsors are:
Eric Elias (Biology): Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Dental, Pre-Vet, PA, Nursing, Pre-PT, Pre-OT
Kiki Harbitz (Biology): Pre-Health at ISJ, River's Edge, and Mankato Clinic (Pre-selected positions)
Leila Brammer (Communication Studies): Art, Communication Studies, Environmental Studies
Terry Morrow (Communication Studies): Pre-Law, Political Science
Bruce Smith (Econ/Mgmt): Economics, Management, Accounting
Marie Walker (Psychology): Psychology, Sociology

If you are looking for a January Career Exploration, it's not necessarily too late! Log onto Gustie Jobs and browse through the internships, or schedule an appointment with Corrie Odland to see what your options are. As always, stop by the Career Center with any questions you have. We are looking forward to January!

Employee Rights on Facebook

2010-11-12T13:51:00.000-06:00

By Emma Strand, 11/12/2010

Facebook is designed to help us connect with friends and family and share our photos, thoughts, and stories. However, Facebook also blurs the line between our personal and professional lives as employers find access to their employees' profiles. We know that employers may choose not to hire a candidate because of content on their Facebook page--but can an existing employee be fired because of Facebook?

A new development in the ongoing debate over Facebook and privacy rights occured earlier this month when Dawnmarie Souza, an Emergency Medical Technician for the American Medical Response of Connecticut, complained about her supervisor in a Facebook post. Ms. Souza used several vulgarities in the post, prompting her supervisor to fire her soon after. The National Labor Relations Board believes that the employee was fired illegally and has filed a complaint. The decision in this case could have a lasting impact on all Facebook users.

Read the full New York Times story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/business/09facebook.html?_r=1.

Meet Tony Spain!

2010-11-08T11:41:00.001-06:00

By Emma Strand, 11/5/2010

If you’ve been in the Career Center recently, you may have noticed a new addition. Tony Spain has joined our staff to assist students with their online web presence and will be here part-time until the end of the semester.

Tony grew up in Janesville, Minnesota and is a 2009 Gustavus graduate. While at Gustavus, Tony served as Student Senate Co-President, giving him a unique perspective on student life at Gustavus. He was also the president of Queers and Allies, a member of the Gustavus Choir, a CSC employee, and a member of several faculty committees. For the past year and a half, Tony lived in Seattle and worked as an office manager at a law firm, where he looked over resumes and interviewed applicants for positions at the firm among other duties.

In today’s ever-changing job market, the internet is an important tool to find jobs, internships, and connect with potential employers. However, the internet can also be used against applicants who are not aware of their online presence. Facebook privacy settings are constantly changing, and employers have tools that allow them to see much more than students expect. Tony hopes to help students learn how to “employer-proof” their Facebook, correctly use LinkedIn and other professional networking sites, and develop resumes that highlight their skills and experience.

Consider scheduling an appointment with Tony today—he is very flexible, and has plenty of open appointments to discuss online tools and resumes. To schedule an appointment with Tony - Stop by the Career Center or call 507.933.7586. Additionally, on Tuesday, Nov. 9th Tony will be presenting “The Virtual You: Online tools to make connections, land internships, and start your career” from 6:00—7:00 p.m. in the Career Center. At this session, Tony will discuss how to use (and how NOT to use) online social and professional networking sites to create a professional online image, network with professionals, and find job and internship opportunities. Topics covered will include: Linkedin, Facebook, GustieJobs, Craigslist Jobs, Professional Networking Etiquette, and navigating the new job economy as a graduate of Gustavus.

We are very excited to have Tony in our office. He looks forward to meeting and making connections with you!

Fall Break To-Do List

2010-10-22T16:16:00.001-05:00

By Emma Strand, 10/22/2010

It’s finally the time of year we have all been longing for – FALL BREAK! After a couple stressful weeks of midterms, exams, and deadlines, it seems like the entire campus is ready for a few days of relaxation. I can’t wait to have my Mom do my laundry and eat a home-cooked meal! It will be a nice break from Easy Mac…

If the job and internship search has been stressing you out, Fall Break is a great time to get caught-up. While we hope you don’t spend too much time worrying about a job or internship over break, a few hours can make a big difference and will help ease the stress you may be feeling. So, where do you begin?

1. Log on to Gustie Jobs and update your profile. You don’t need to be a junior or a senior to use Gustie Jobs—anyone can benefit from this site. Your username is your student I.D. number followed by _gustavus (123456_gustavus). Your password is your birthday (12161988 = December 16, 1988). Explore the site and see what it has to offer! You’ll be surprised how many job and internship opportunities are posted.

2. Upload your resume to Gustie Jobs! This is especially important if you would like to apply for jobs and internships through the site. If you need help making or refining your resume, stop by the Career Center and pick up the booklet “Resumes and Cover Letters.” You can also check out books on resumes from the library. If you need further help, please set up an appointment with Cynthia Favre. You can do this by calling us at 507-933-7486 or stopping by the Career Center when you return from break.

3. If you are interested in doing a January Term career exploration or internship, take time to research potential sites. If you know you are doing a career exploration in your hometown, get the site supervisor’s signature and information while you are home for break. This is much easier than having to fax forms back and forth when you are at Gustavus. Internship forms are due Dec. 1^st.

4. Visit the Career Center website and plan to attend our upcoming events. Information sessions for the Minnesota Private College Job and Internship Fair are taking place Nov. 1^st-4^th. Additionally, we have a webinar on Resumes coming up on Wednesday, Oct. 27^th from 2:00—3:00 p.m.

5. If you are a first year or sophomore who is unsure about a major, reflect on the year so far and the classes you have taken. What do you enjoy? What don’t you enjoy? Talk with family and friends about your experiences thus far at Gustavus. Sometimes, an outside perspective can help you see things in a new light.

Enjoy your break, Gusties! Drive safely and take care of yourselves. We can’t wait to see you back on campus refreshed and ready for the second half of the semester. Remember, we are always here to help, so stop in anytime you’d like!

Networking!

2010-10-21T10:39:00.003-05:00

Brought to you by Diane Darling with Effective Networking

As you begin looking for a job, people will begin telling you to NETWORK to find one. You may have no idea what Networking means - or you may have no idea how to start networking. Yesterday in the Career Center we had a Webinar on Networking from Diane Darling with Effective Networking. She provided a copy of her presentation and some helpful links below. This is a GREAT way to start learning about Networking and how to start your own networking process.

Networking Tools and Tips from Diane Darling:

Here is a link with some of the information I shared with you. It include the soft copy of "How to Work a Room."

The presentation is so big that I needed to separate it into 3 files.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Facebook fan page - You are welcome to join our fan page on Facebook.
Twitter - If you'd like to "follow" me, here's my Twitter page. http://twitter.com/DianeDarling
Diane's blog - I'm a random blogger. Please check it out and go to Diane's blog.
Boston Globe article about my experience with debt

Tips for Prospective Gusties: Choosing a Major

2010-10-15T13:56:00.001-05:00

by Emma Strand, 10/15/2010

Next week, the Gustavus Admissions Office will host “Explore Gustavus,” an event which brings many prospective students and their families to campus. As potential Gusties gather information about academics, campus life and the Gustavus experience, the Career Center would like to share a few tips for high school students and regarding college majors and careers.
(From Katharine Brooks, Ed.D, published on Psychology Today: http://www.psychologytoday.com)

1. Try to ignore the pressure to declare a major before you’re ready: When you first arrive at college, it might feel like everyone has declared a major and knows exactly what they want to do with the rest of their life. Some students even claim to know their major on college tours! In reality, surveys show that about 80% of first-year college students don’t know what they plan to major in—and over 50% of college students change their major at least once before they graduate. When you begin college, take time to explore different areas of interest, ask questions, and do your research before declaring a major. At Gustavus, you have time to figure out what you enjoy—and what you don’t—before you need to declare.

2. Study majors that are unfamiliar: Often times, students say “I want to major in Communication Studies” or “Biology” but do not understand what this actually entails. By assuming you know what a major is like, you may end up in the wrong major or miss out on a major that is well-suited for you. If you don’t understand a major, take time to visit with the professors, read up on the subject, and talk to current majors. Additionally, the Career Center library has “What can I do with a major In…” sheets that explain what careers are possible with all of the majors at Gustavus.

3. Visit the campus bookstore: When you’re touring a campus, visit the bookstore! Not only can you load up on collegiate apparel (Gustavus has REALLY nice sweatshirts☺) but you can browse the textbooks for various classes. This will help give you a better understanding of the class, subject matter, and level of difficulty. This can also help you with the major search—what books do you enjoy reading? What puts you to sleep? These may be clues for a possible major.

4. Remember, with the exception of a few specific areas, your major does not equal your career: Your major is a starting point which gives you a set of skills. Your career does not have to align perfectly with your major. For example, a Communication Studies major can work in management, a Political Science major can attend medical school, and an anthropology major may end up working in career counseling. Internships and experiences are really what help you adapt your major to whatever career field you pursue.

5. Be okay with change: Like I mentioned earlier, over 50% of college students change their major at least once before they graduate. There is no shame in changing your mind! If you begin a major and are not happy, don’t feel that you are stuck. There are many people on campus who can help you form a plan to make things work. The most important thing is that you are happy and enjoying your academic work.

Families and prospective Gusties—please feel free to stop by the Career Center on your tour. We would love to meet you and answer any questions you may have. Our office is in the Johnson Student Union, near the Center for Vocational Reflection and the Community Service Center. We look forward to seeing you!

7 Job Hunting Tips for Students

2010-10-08T12:19:00.001-05:00

By Emma Strand, 10/8/2010

1. Go in with the right expectations: Your first job probably won’t be your dream job! Additionally, your first job won’t be your last job. Shoot for balance—a decent, entry-level position with a good company is a solid starting point. You have plenty of time to move up the ladder as you gain experience and build up your network.
2. Work your network: Did you know that 90% of new graduates find their first job through friends, relatives, and professional acquaintances? Don’t be afraid to tell your friends and family that you are looking for a job. Chances are, at least one of them will know someone in your industry who has an opening or would be willing to contact you. Each person you meet becomes part of your network!
3. Use basic business sense: Companies hire employees who they believe will help their business improve. Before your interview, figure out what you could bring to the company, and articulate this when you are talking with them. Understanding how the business works—and how you fit into their business plan—will help you stand out above the other candidates.
4. Learn about your future company: Before your interview, research the company and the position you are applying for. Go to their website or talk to people who work there to learn as much as you can about the business. Employers don’t want to hire someone who doesn’t seem genuinely interested in the position—and you will send that impression if you go into the interview without doing your research.
5. Be flexible: If you are set on a specific job in a specific location, you’re going to have a tough time making it happen. There are plenty of good jobs in places like Boise, Amarillo, and Salt Lake City. Consider looking for jobs in a number of locations. You’ll increase your chances of finding a job—and may even enjoy living in a new environment!
6. Demonstrate that you have the right attitude: Be confident, positive, and optimistic in your interviews and conversations with potential employers. No one wants to work with a grouch or a downer. Your attitude can be an even more powerful tool than your resume and past experiences!
7. Don’t get discouraged: Given the economic circumstances, it’s easy to feel discouraged. If things aren’t going your way, don’t give up! A job you don’t get may lead you to a different job. The effects of sending out resumes and going to interviews are cumulative. You never know how one interview or interview could impact your career search.

From Joe Mayne’s article “Job Hunting in a Tough Economy: 7 Tips for Students and Graduates”

Fashion Friday: On-Campus Interviews for Men

2010-10-01T13:12:00.001-05:00

By Emma Strand, 10/1/2010

Last week, we discussed appropriate women’s attire for on-campus interviews. Men, this week it’s your turn!

While your resume, communication and experiences matter most, the way you look also influences your potential employer’s first impression. According to boardroomties.com, 80% of the first impression an employer gets of you is visual and is formed within the first two minutes of meeting you. If you come into a job interview without looking the part, you probably won’t get the part.

So, what to wear? The easy answer is…a suit! Navy blue, black, or dark grey looks best. Be sure that your suit fits appropriately and is in good condition. If you are uncertain whether or not your suit fits correctly, visit a tailor. There are a few in Mankato (including one in the River Hills Mall) who can adjust the length of your sleeves and pants for a reasonable price. The tailor can also replace buttons and fix tears. The next step is your shirt and tie. Your shirt should be a neutral color—white is the perfect canvas for a necktie! Your tie should match or compliment the color of your shirt and suit. Do not—I repeat, DO NOT wear a tie that is too loud, colorful, or contains cartoon characters, symbols, etc. While you may think these ties are humorous, the person conducting your interview may not share that opinion. Silly ties are unprofessional and may communicate that you are not taking the interview seriously.

Your shoes should be clean, polished, and in good condition. Use leather cleaner or shoe shine to correct scuffs and marks on your shoes. We recommend wearing black, lace-up shoes. Loafers can work as well, although they are more casual. If you are wearing dark shoes, wear dark socks! If you are wearing a dark suit and dark shoes, white socks will stick out like a sore thumb.

Best of luck as interview season begins—and remember, if you need help preparing for your interview, stop by the Career Center!

Fashion Friday: On-Campus Interviews for Women

2010-09-27T09:22:00.004-05:00

By Emma Strand, 9/24/2010

Yesterday, Olson, Thielen & Company came to campus and kicked off the 2010-2011 on-campus interview season. As the year progresses, more and more employers will be visiting Gustavus in search of outstanding new employees.

Although on-campus interviews take place on our home turf, typical “Gustie Gear” is not appropriate dress. You should treat these interviews exactly as you would treat an interview at the employer’s office—not like a class at Gustavus. Leave the sweatshirts and Ugg boots behind! Your dress should be professional and communicate that you take the interview seriously.

So, what is appropriate dress for an on-campus interview? This week we’ll cover women’s apparel; next week we’ll cover men’s apparel.

WOMEN
Ah, the dreaded question—do I have to wear a suit? Don’t fear ladies, today’s suits come in a variety of cuts, colors, and styles. When shopping for a suit, remember that it should fit correctly—not too tight, but not too loose. If you choose to wear a skirt, be sure that it is an appropriate length both when you are standing up and sitting down. Usually, skirts that fall just above the knee are an appropriate choice.

Fashion Friday by jvanosdol featuring suits

When thinking of color, remember that a job interview is not necessarily a good time to experiment. Yes, your outfit can express your personality—however, anything too crazy can distract from your qualifications and what you have to say. If you’d like to add a little color to your ensemble, choose a shirt that compliments your suit like the example below. The blue adds interest to the suit without being too much.

Finally, be careful when choosing jewelry and shoes for an interview. Your shoes should be clean, comfortable, and professional. Low heels or flats work well. Too high of heels and you’ll be worrying the way you walk more than your upcoming interview! While big earring and chunky bracelets are in style, interviews aren’t the right time to wear them. When answering questions and speaking with a potential employer, you want them to focus on you—not your sequined earrings. Although you need to be careful with jewelry, you don’t need to eliminate it all together. Simple necklaces or stud earrings can be a nice addition to your suit.

Untitled by jvanosdol featuring onyx jewelry

Health Professions: A tour of our newly remodeled website

2010-09-22T12:50:00.000-05:00

By Emma Strand; 9/22/2010

It’s no secret—students interested in health professions have a lot to think about! Early into their career as Gusties, these students must carefully consider which classes to take. Down the road, they begin preparation for tests like the MCAT, research graduate school admission standards, and start the application process.

To help these students as they prepare for a career, our office has recently updated the Health Professions section of our website. The website has resources for students considering a career in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, athletic training (major at Gustavus), biomedical sciences, chiropractic, health education (major at Gustavus), health fitness (major at Gustavus), nursing (major at Gustavus), occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathic medicine, physical education (major at Gustavus), physician assistant, physical therapy, podiatry, public health, and veterinary medicine.

Go to http://gustavus.edu/careercenter/health/. From here, click on the area you are interested in. For each area, you will find:
- Pre-requisite requirements (Broken down by year and semester)
- Quick Links (Helpful websites)

Students interested in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy can also view:
- Entrance Exam information (MCAT, DAT, and PCAT)
- Information on the graduate school application process
- Gusties Attending Medical School, Dental School, and Pharmacy School

We have also recently partnered with the University of Minnesota to offer three online short courses. Courses offered include “Planning for Medical School”, “Personal Statements for a Health Profession”, and “Interviewing Skills for a Health Profession”. These courses are free and available to any Gustavus student! Find them on the Health Professions homepage at http://gustavus.edu/careercenter/health/. They are located at the top of the screen. Towards the bottom of the screen, you’ll find two PowerPoint presentations on general pre-health questions and preparation for a health career at Gustavus.

We hope our new Health Professions website will make the process easier for Gusties. Check it out and see if it can answer any of your questions! We’d also love your feedback—as YOU are the ones who will be using it!

Stay tuned… “Fashion Friday” starts this week!

Artists: Take the Reins!

2010-09-15T12:37:00.001-05:00

By Emma Strand 9/15/2010

We hear it all too often at Gustavus… “You’re a theater major? Good luck getting cast!” or, “He’s a good artist, but it’s hard to break into that world.” For the students on campus who dream of a career in the arts, it’s often difficult not to feel discouraged and as though the ability to succeed lies in someone else’s hands. In “The secret to success for artists, creatives” by Robert Pagliarini, this mentality is challenged. Pagliarini advises artists to stop worrying about other people—casting agents, record labels, or publishers—and just create. Many artists experience success simply by putting themselves out there. The article is filled with excellent examples of people who determined their own career path by taking control. Check the article out here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/jobs/sns-jobs-pagliarini-success-for-artists,0,7362369.story.

After reading the article, stop by the Career Center. As you take control of your career in the arts, we can help you find cool internships or connect you to Gustavus alumni in the business. Many Gustavus graduates have gone on to experience great success in the arts, including 2007 graduate Brian Evans. Evans is a member of the Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater Company, and recently won the 2010 SAGE Award in the category of “Outstanding Performer.” Read Brian’s story here: http://news.blog.gustavus.edu/2010/09/15/alumnus-brian-evans-wins-minnesota-sage-award/.

So artists, don’t be discouraged! The Career Center is here to help you on your own creative journey.
Take the reins, and you’ll be amazed by the results!

Welcome Back!

2010-09-14T09:41:00.001-05:00

Posted by Emma Strand, 9/14/2010

Congratulations, Gusties – you made it through your first week of class and life on the hill is back in full swing. In the Career Center, we couldn’t be happier to see the campus buzzing with the excitement of a new year.

As you begin thinking about your goals for this year, consider how the Gustavus Career Center can help you. Maybe this year you’d like to explore a career or complete an internship. Maybe you feel that you’d like to change your major. Or, maybe you just need someone to talk to as you begin preparing for life after Gustavus. Whatever your goals are, our staff is here to help you with your career development needs. And, contrary to popular belief, the Career Center has resources for students of all ages—not just juniors and seniors!

So, where do you start? Check out our website, http://gustavus.edu/careercenter/ and take a look at a few of our links. Our Health Professions page is newly updated and can answer your questions about pre-requisites, entrance exams, and the application process. We have also partnered with the University of Minnesota and are also offering free online short courses. Gustie Jobs (formerly G-Net) is also updated with many job and internship opportunities. Additionally, our website offers great information and videos on creating a resume and cover letter. This blog will be updated a few times each week with advice, stories, humor, and tips on career development.

After browsing our website, stop in and visit our office. We invite you to explore our library, get to know the employees, and make an appointment if you’d like. This is your year Gusties – make the most of it! We look forward to working with you and meeting your needs.

Find me an Internship!!

2010-09-01T08:42:00.005-05:00

Career Center Internship Sessions for 2010-2011

How to find an Internship or Career Exploration
This workshop covers where to look for internships, how to make contact with employers, and how to register for credit.
Friday, September 10 10:30 am Career Center
Monday, September 13 3:30 pm Career Center
Wednesday, September 15 10:30 am Career Center
Wednesday, September 22 3:30 pm Career Center
Friday, September 24 10:30 am Career Center
Wednesday, September 29 3:30 pm Career Center
Friday, October 8 10:30 am Career Center
Tuesday, October 12 3:30 pm Career Center
Friday, October 15 10:30 am Career Center
Wednesday October 20 10:30 am Career Center
Tuesday, October 26 3:30 pm Career Center
Tuesday, November 30 3:30 pm Career Center

Internship Orientation
Required for all students participating in an Internship or Career Exploration for Gustavus academic credit
Fall Tuesday, September 21 3:30 pm SSC 101
Interim & Spring Thursday, December 2 3:30 pm SSC 101
Interim & Spring Monday, December 6 3:30 pm SSC 106
Interim & Spring Tuesday, December 7 6:00 pm SSC 101
Interim & Spring Thursday, December 9 3:30 pm SSC 101
Spring Tuesday, February 15 3:30 pm TBA
Summer Wednesday, May 18 3:30 pm TBA

11th Annual Internship Fair
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Heritage Room

Internship Registration Deadlines
Domestic International
Fall 2010 Tuesday, September 14 March 1, 2010

Interim 2011* Wednesday, December 1 October 1, 2010
*Interim REQUIRES online registration NDL-068 Career Exploration

Spring 2011 Friday, February 11 October 1, 2010

Summer 2011 Thursday, May 12 October 1, 2010

Thinking About Fall

2010-08-18T08:13:00.002-05:00

As school begins to near, you're probably thinking about whether you need to bring the microwave, how many bulky sweaters to pack and how many to get later, and how awesome it will feel to be back on the hill. All great thoughts as fall looms.

But have you thought about registering for a fall internship??

Fall internships are incredibly opportunities to get both academic credit and real world work experience. And best of all, you CAN fit one into your busy schedule of classes, sports, and clubs! A semester internship can be done for as few as ten hours a week and as many as forty hours a week - your academic credit will vary with your hours.
Come on into the Career Center to set up an appointment with Corrie Odland (x7532, codland@gustavus.edu) and discuss how to find an internship. Better yet, attend a workshop - times and dates announced next week!

You also might want to read this article from the Wall Street Journal - it's aimed at employers but offers an interesting insight into what goes into an internship and all the benefits it can offer you.

Internship = Future Job?

2010-08-10T08:06:00.001-05:00

The Career Center is starting our internship push early this year (yep, you still have nearly a month before school starts). There's a good reason though: you may not realize that an internship - done over Fall, Interim, Spring, OR Summer - is becoming the main format companies are using to recruit new hires. An ever-growing number of companies are hiring directly from their internship pool, rather than going through the process of finding outside candidates. Interns already have the knowledge and experience to jump right into their professional, full-time position and be of value to the company. Check out this amazing statistic if you don't want to take my word for it.

Best of all, internships are not scary to find and land! The Career Center has an Internship Coordinator (Corrie Odland) here to help you through the whole process. So start thinking about how you are going to gain your experience this school year...

Keyword Search

2010-07-22T07:36:00.000-05:00

For your reading pleasure, here is a list of the top 100 resume keyword search phrases used by recruiters and hiring managers on Monster over a three month period. Kinda interesting if you're feeling bored on this summer days. Are there any phrases you should be adding to your resume??

Sales
Recuiter
Administrative assistant
Accountant
Receptionist
CPA
Customer service
Accounting
Java
Mortgage
Manager
Executive Assistant
Human Resources
Pharmacist
Accounts Payable
Insurance
Payroll
Staff accountant
Administrative assistant
Physical therapist
Outside sales
SAP
Business analyst
Collections
Audit
Engineer
Controller
Financial analyst
Project manager
Marketing
C#
.net
Project manager
J2EE
Administrative
Oracle
Construction
Warehouse
Inside sales
Business analyst
Paralegal
RN
Financial analyst
Data entry
Nurse
Peoplesoft
Restaurant manager
Loan officer
Staffing
Executive assistant
Retail
Legal secretary
Customer service
Call center
Outside sales
Bookkeeper
Inside sales
Auditor
Autocad
Tax
Registered Nurse
Buyer
C
Spanish
Japanese
Underwriter
Sales
Account executive
Technical writer
Medical
Cnc
Finance
Staff accountant
Civil engineer
Telemarketing
Accounts receivable
Senior accountant
Manufacturing
Sql
Unix
Architect
HVAC
Help desk
Oracle DBA
Clerical
Purchasing
Bilingual
Help desk
Analyst
Accounts payable
Technical writer
Pharmaceutical
Loan processor
Occupational therapist
Qa
Pharmaceutical sales
Real Estate
Maintenance
Human Resources
Entry level

Did anyone else catch how repetitive that list was? Just goes to show you that how your resume is worded matters. If you need help with yours - the Career Center is open all summer and is here to help!

3 Ways to Ace Your Job Interview with Social Media

2010-07-21T08:00:00.002-05:00

Dan Klamm is the Outreach & Marketing Coordinator at Syracuse University Career Services, where he advises students on using social media for career success. Connect with him on Twitter @DanKlamm.

Succeeding at a job interview is all about coming prepared: Doing company research and being able to articulate how your unique skills and experiences are a fit for the job. Social media can help you gain crucial insights about the company you’re applying to, as well as the people you’ll be interviewing with, so that you can gain an edge during the interview process.

In the past, doing research on a company meant looking at their website, reading over press releases, and searching for mentions in the news. While these are still valid techniques, now you can learn about companies through people-powered online networks like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Blogs provide additional insight. With social media, you can get a fuller picture of the company — not just the official corporate message, but all of the messages from the “little people” on up to the CEO.

1. LinkedIn Company Page and Employee Profiles

To get started, search for the company on LinkedIn. A company’s LinkedIn page features a list of new hires, recent promotions, departures, as well as demographic information about its employees, such as gender, geography, and career track. If you’re interested, you can have daily or weekly e-mails sent to you with new activity. Just hit “follow” at the top of the page.

Take a look at the profiles of employees, particularly those you’re scheduled to meet with during your interview. “Candidates should be looking up hiring managers and recruiters on social media, just as hiring managers and recruiters can look them up,” said Tracy Tillapaugh, technical recruiter with Professionals Incorporated in Liverpool, New York. Resourceful candidates can learn about each individual’s background and job description so they’re prepared to ask more insightful questions during the interview, Tillapaugh said.

Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the company page on LinkedIn is the ability to see how you’re connected to current and former employees at the organization, and immediately tap into those connections. In some cases, you may know a person directly, while in other cases it might be a friend-of-a-sister-of-a-colleague who works there. The best way to learn about a company is to make use of the expertise of its employees, as they are the ones with inside knowledge of the organization and the challenges that arise on a daily basis. They’re also the ones who can tell you that little kernel of information about the job you’re interviewing for that’s not in the job description.

If you find an employee you’d like to contact, you can send them a message directly or request an introduction from a mutual LinkedIn connection. Ideally, the connection will be made quickly and seamlessly, and you can move forward with setting up an e-mail, phone, or in-person conversation to learn about the company. For detailed advice on information-gathering conversations and etiquette, visit the Informational Interviewing Tutorial on QuintCareers.

A LinkedIn company page also provides insight into the organization’s hiring practices. Take a look at the roster of current and former employees, and click through a few profiles. How long do most people stay with the company? Where do they go after? Do all current employees share similar credentials or belong to certain professional associations? You can learn all sorts of information about their employee population that may not be directly applicable during an interview, but may give you a better feel for the landscape of their business.

2. Corporate Blogs and Accounts on Facebook and Twitter

Additionally, visit the company’s official Facebook Page, Twitter account, and blog. This is a great way to keep up on company happenings whether you’re interviewing for a small organization or a global brand.

Ray Lapena, a recent public relations graduate from Syracuse University, closely followed General Electric’s Twitter account and blog as he prepared to interview with the Fortune 500 company. “GE was in the middle of changing its portfolio of businesses,” Lapena said. “By reading blog posts regarding these changes, I was able to capture somewhat of an inside scoop and understand things from GE’s perspective.” During his interviews with GE, he directly referred to blog posts he had seen. “I was able to talk about GE in a way that was relevant at that time. I think some of my interviewers were pleasantly surprised when I brought up specific things that they were doing,” he said. Lapena was hired for General Electric’s Communications Leadership Development Program and will begin in June 2010.

3. Employee Blogs and Social Networking Accounts

In addition to official corporate accounts, many CEOs and higher-ups tweet and blog as individuals. You can gain extraordinary insight into a company by following them, as they are the people driving the organization. What issues do they face? What motivates them? What do they write and tweet about on a daily basis? These are all things that can help you better understand the company as you approach your interview.

Take it a step further and find the accounts of non-executive employees within the company at which you’re interviewing. This should be easy to do, as many people include links to their Twitter account and blog in their LinkedIn profiles. If you’re having difficulty identifying employees, use a directory like Twellow.com.

The benefit of following employees is that you may get hints about issues currently affecting the workplace that you wouldn’t see in official press releases or the CEO’s blog. For instance, a mid-level manager might tweet about challenges presented by the company’s new database software. A junior employee might blog about the recent effort to emphasize team-building in the company’s training program. Some of these insights may directly relate to the position for which you’re interviewing. These comments also give you a feel for corporate culture.

On Twitter, it’s easiest to set-up private lists to follow the tweets of employees at particular companies. Some may call this “stalking” — I call it “being resourceful.” As you prepare for your interview, you may even want to reach out with a tweet: “I’m interviewing for a marketing assistant job at your company next week. Any insider tips?” If you’re going to do this, it’s usually best to exchange a few introductory tweets first.

Conclusion

Researching the company has always been an important element of interview preparation. Now, social media tools have made it easier to gather relevant and useful information. Once you’re armed with knowledge about the company, you’ll be on your way to interview success!

Article by Dan Klamm on Mashable Business on June 1, 2010
Link to Original posting: http://mashable.com/2010/06/01/job-interview-social-media/

Fashion Friday: Office BBQ

2010-07-16T08:41:00.000-05:00

It's about that time - you've worked hard at your job all summer, and now it's time to let loose and enjoy your coworkers in a less pressure-filled environment. Hot dogs, brats, pasta salad. This is what summer is all about!
But work parties can bring new confusions and summer BBQs are no exception. What do you wear to be relaxed but still respectable? Here's a couple quick suggestions...
For the ladies:

Summer Office BBQ - Ladies by kristenyvonne featuring Love Quotes Scarves scarves

A summer dress is a perfect choice for a casual evening meal. Make sure to get one with thick straps and that will come down to right above your knee (a maxi dress would also be a great choice!). Fun, bright colors are right at home out of the office. A scarf help add some softer color and covers you up a little bit more. Flat sandals are comfortable, but make sure to not go too casual. So cute!
For the guys:

Office BBQ - Men by kristenyvonne on Polyvore.com

You can finally wear shorts! No denim shorts (jorts, yikes) or huge cargo pockets though. Keep them tailored and crisp, and obviously not falling down! A polo or a lightweight wool sweater are solid choices for a top. You can break out a casual leather watch and slip-on shoes. Unless you have oddly beautiful feet, avoid the sandals. As a general rule, men's feet should be covered at work events.

Bottoms up!

Attention Gustie Graduates of 2010!

2010-07-15T09:34:00.002-05:00

Gusties:
On August 1 your G-Net account will be turned off.
As an alum you have access to the Gustavus Alumni G-Net. You may access that account with the following:

Go to the Gustavus Home Page
Next go to the Alumni page by clicking on the Alumni Tab at the top.
Next look to the left of the page with the heading of Alumni Relations in black and many other things in orange ---> In the middle is Resources & Services - directly under that is Career Services - Click on this
Under the heading of Alumni G-Net (about half way down) click on the link to bring you to the Alumni G-Net page.
Once there use your original G-Net Username and Password.
Username: Use your six digit student ID plus _gustavus
(e.g. 123456_gustavus)
Password: Use your birth date
(e.g. for birth date of 02/04/90 type 02041990)
Then you are set to use Alumni G-Net.

IF you do NOT want your G-Net turned off, email me - Cynthia at cfavre@gac.edu and let me know.

Also, I am finding that I sometimes get info that I would like to pass on to alumni job seekers. If you would like to me on my email list to get that please let me know. Put "alumni job news" in the subject line so I know that is what you want. This is something that you can easily undo if you do not want it any more.

Cynthia

Hard to be Chosen

2010-07-12T11:44:00.003-05:00

HOUSTON — Alneada Biggers, Harvard class of 2010, was amazed this past year when she discovered that getting into the nation’s top law schools and grad programs could be easier than being accepted for a starting teaching job with Teach for America.

Ms. Biggers says that of 15 to 20 Harvard friends who applied to Teach for America, only three or four got in. “This wasn’t last minute — a lot applied in August 2009, they’d been student leaders and volunteered,” Ms. Biggers said. She says one of her closest friends wanted to do Teach for America, but was rejected and had to “settle” for University of Virginia Law School.

Will Cullen, Villanova ’10, had a friend who was rejected and instead will be a Fulbright scholar. Julianne Carlson, a new graduate of Yale — where a record 18 percent of seniors applied to Teach for America — says she knows a half dozen “amazing” classmates who were rejected, although the number is probably higher. “People are reluctant to tell you because of the stigma of not getting in,” Ms. Carlson said.

When Robert Rosen graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, , in 2009, he did not apply, fearing he would be turned down. Instead, he volunteered in a friend’s classroom weekly for the next year, to see if he liked teaching, but also to build a credential that would impress Teach for America. Asked how hard getting in is, James Goldberg, Duke ’10 said, “I’d compare it with being accepted to an Ivy League grad school.”

Mr. Goldberg, Mr. Rosen, Ms. Carlson, Mr. Cullen and Ms. Biggers count themselves lucky to be among the 4,500 selected by the nonprofit to work at high-poverty public schools from a record 46,359 applicants (up 32 percent over 2009). There’s little doubt the numbers are fueled by a bad economy, which has limited job options even for graduates from top campuses. In 2007, during the economic boom, 18,172 people applied.

Over the years Gustavus Adolphus College has had many students placed in service positions, for many organizations including AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, Teach For America and Admission Possible to list a few. At Gustavus, while many students applied to Teach For America this year, only two were selected. This number is down from previous years, where the trend in Gustavus placement had been increasing. Last year, in 2009, 8 Gustavus Students were selected for Teach For America, 6 students in 2008 and 5 in 2007. Next year hopefully more Gustavus Candidates will be selected.

Article adapted from a similar one in the New York Times by Michael Winerip entitled "On Education: A Chosen Few Are Teaching for America", published July 11, 2010.

Cheaters Stopped

2010-07-08T15:15:00.002-05:00

In Orlando, FL the frontier in the battle to defeat student cheating is changing and moving forward at the testing center of the University of Central Florida.

No gum is allowed during an exam: chewing could disguise a student’s speaking into a hands-free cellphone to an accomplice outside.

The 228 computers that students use are recessed into desk tops so that anyone trying to photograph the screen — using, say, a pen with a hidden camera, in order to help a friend who will take the test later — is easy to spot.

Scratch paper is allowed — but it is stamped with the date and must be turned in later.

When a proctor sees something suspicious, he records the student’s real-time work at the computer and directs an overhead camera to zoom in, and both sets of images are burned onto a CD for evidence.

As the eternal temptation of students to cheat has gone high-tech — not just on exams, but also by cutting and pasting from the Internet and sharing of homework online like music files — educators have responded with their own efforts to crack down.

This summer, as incoming freshmen fill out forms to select roommates and courses, some colleges — Duke and Bowdoin among them — are also requiring them to complete online tutorials about plagiarism before they can enroll.

At Gustavus, students are required to sign the Gustavus Honor Code and take the Honor Pledge. These read as follows:

Honor Code: "As a community of scholars, the faculty and students of Gustavus Adolphus College have formulated an academic honesty policy and honor code system, which is printed in the Academic Bulletin and in the Gustavus Guide. As a student at Gustavus Adolphus College I agree to uphold the honor code. This means that I will abide by the academic honesty policy, and abide by decisions of the joint student/faculty Honor Board."

Honor Pledge: "On my honor, I pledge that I have not given, received, or tolerated others' use of unauthorized aid in completing this work."

Anti-plagiarism services requiring students to submit papers to be vetted for copying is a booming business. Fifty-five percent of colleges and universities now use such a service, according to the Campus Computing Survey.

Some educators have rejected the service and other anti-cheating technologies on the grounds that they presume students are guilty, undermining the trust that instructors seek with students.

One idea is that Internet-age students see so many examples of text, music and images copied online without credit that they may not fully understand the idea of plagiarism.

As for Central Florida’s testing center, one of its most recent cheating cases had nothing to do with the Internet, cellphones or anything tech. A heavily tattooed student was found with notes written on his arm. He had blended them into his body art.

Article adapted from The New York Times article by Trip Gabriel published on July 5.

Turd Ferguson

2010-07-07T08:36:00.001-05:00

Hope your summer job or internship is going along swimmingly! In case you've hit a rut, watch this highly career-related video for a little pick-me-up ;)

Keep the Spirit Year Round

2010-07-01T09:51:00.001-05:00

The Fourth of July is such a fantastic holiday - always spent with family, proud of all the wonderful aspects of being an American, grilling delicious food, and ooh-ing and aah-ing over fireworks. Is it a day of inspiration for you too? How about keeping that feeling year-round by becoming a government employee?
USAJOBS is the place to begin "working for America" - check it out and remember that the Career Center can help you draft a federal resume (a variation of your everyday resume).
In the meantime, start your celebration early with this...

Have a safe, celebratory weekend!

World Cup Fever

2010-06-23T09:45:00.000-05:00

Don't you just love the World Cup? The images from South Africa are stunning and make you think about what a wide, incredible world we live in. Watching all the team gather brings to mind my list of places I want to travel. Why not start crossing some of those countries off of your list? International internships or international jobs after graduation are real possibilities. Contact the Career Center for details or start your search online. And make some noise on your vuvuzela!

Softening the Blow

2010-06-15T07:21:00.000-05:00

You had high hopes for this job. The job requirements matched your skill set perfectly. You aced your interviews. And you imagined hearing those sweet words so many long to hear: "You're hired."
Instead you got a rejection letter. According to recent Department of Labor stats, there are nearly six people vying for every open position - so most interviews will end with the candidate being passed on. And that can be a crushing blow - but it can also be a career-making moment. When you don't get the job, what should your next steps be?

First of all, don't beat yourself up. Sometimes you really didn't do anything wrong - companies may go through the motions of interviewing applicants when they have already decided who will get the job. It happens - at least you got another chance to perfect your interview skills, right?
When you get the news that they went with another candidate, handle it graciously. How you conduct yourself in this unfortunate moment can determine if the company will think of you next time a position opens up. Send a hand-written card thanking them for their time, expressing your interest in the company. and say that you would like to be kept in mind for future openings.
Finally, ask for feedback. Before you do though, make it clear that you accept their choice not to hire you - no one will give you feedback if they think you are going to argue or appeal. If you can't keep your cool, than skip this step. But if you can handle it, this can provide great insight into how you can better position yourself next time. Be aware that some companies (typically large ones) will shy away from giving any feedback and will send you a canned response. But others would love to answer you if you say "If you don't mind me asking, do you have any feedback on how I can improve for future interviews?" Keep the conversation positive and professional - you could be their backup candidate!

Friendship is Golden

2010-06-09T09:33:00.001-05:00

We all need friends - and when you are in the midst of a job search, they can be especially important to give you some emotional support and a chance to laugh for hours and de-stress. And of course, friends can offer great job leads through their own connections. But be aware of these potential mistakes when mixing business and friendship..
- Lead into a job search request - don't go straight for the kill. Rather than bluntly telling your friend how they can find you a job, make sure you take time to catch up on their life. This might seem obvious, but desperation can make people do crazy things - including giving the impression that all they care about is what the friend can do for them. Don't let yourself succumb to this!!
- Your friend doesn't keep a detailed journal of your professional activities. It's up to you to give them a brief recap of what you've been up to and what you've accomplished so that they know how to introduce you to their connections.
- No hijacking your friends' LinkedIn connections. While you may be freaking out that they know the CEO of your dream company, don't ask for an introduction right away. Tell your friend about your career goals and hope that they offer to pass on your resume. If they do, then you can ask to be introduced to the exec. If they decline, respect their wishes.
- Unless you worked with your friend, they know nothing about your work performance. Your friends know and love your best qualities but they can't speak to how you handle your job on a daily basis. Don't ask them for a professional reference request - on LinkedIn or elsewhere - the best you will get is a weak endorsement that brings down your credibility.
- Make sure you are friends with those you make requests of. If you are randomly lurking on Facebook and come across the guy in the back of your tenth grade science class who apparently now works at the place you have been sending your resume every several months - don't ask him out to lunch to "catch up" and immediately blurt out that you need a job at his company. This is not appropriate and it can't end well.

7 Deadly Sins...

2010-06-03T08:52:00.000-05:00

...for New Hires
Congratulations, you landed the job! The hard part is over right? Not exactly. Your first few weeks in a new company are crucial. And it's not just mastering the technical skills that can bring challenges. How you behave in your new work environment is just as, if not more, important.

Avoid these newbie errors:
- Ignoring the Culture:
How much should you socialize? Do coworkers prefer phone calls, emails, or face-to-face conversations? Dress shoes or sneakers? Many aspects of a work culture can be subtle - tap into them and you'll feel instantly more at home. Observe everything - going in thirty minutes early and staying a little late to watch how your coworkers conduct themselves (when they get their coffee, where they take their lunches, how they wrap up at the end of the day) can be a great way to start.
- Arrogance:
Listen and learn - don't go into the position insisting on doing everything your way.
- Hiding Out:
On the flip side, don't be too timid. Work on building relationships with those you work with from day one. Start with asking others about their role in the company - it's an easy question that will get you talking and help you piece together the layout with more ease.
- Not Clarifying Expectations:
If you don't know what's expected of you, it's hard to deliver. Meet with your supervisor right away to discuss expectations, responsibilities, and what success for you would look like. Ask all the questions you can think of and check back in every now and again.
- Refusing to Admit Mistakes:
Don't worry, all new hires make mistakes - it goes with the territory. Simply accept ownership, learn, make said correction, and move on. Nicely done.
- Rocking the Boat:
Hold off on implementing changes before you get others to back your idea - and particularly before you understand why things are done the way they are. Once you know the reason, it might make things suddenly seem like they are running smoothly.
- Not Asking for Feedback:
Don't wait six months or a year to find out how you are doing in your new position. Schedule a quick meeting with your manager after one month to see if everything is off on the right foot. This demonstrates your investment in your career, and allows you a chance to correct anything that you've been doing that turns out to not be helpful. Another learning opportunity!

* Adopted from the San Francisco Chronicle

Fashion Friday: Summer Work Wear

2010-05-28T06:17:00.000-05:00

Now that summer is finally here (and graduation imminent) let's go over two things:
First, the Career Center blog is going to be slowing down over the summer months - a post a week or so... That being said, we are here to serve! If you want advice or have a suggestion for a post, just let me know and I will provide! Email me at knelson2@gac.edu. Also remember that the Career Center will be open all summer to help with your job search, resumes, cover letters, etc - Keep 'em coming!
Secondly, let's go over some ground rules with summer work wear. It's hot and sweaty out, but alas, you still need to dress for the office and not the beach. Some general guidelines:
Yay:

Summer Work Yes's by kristenyvonne featuring Yves Saint Laurent bags

Nay:

Summer Work Attire No - Nos by kristenyvonne featuring Jimmy Choo bags

1) Check out your feet before wearing sandals. Sandals can be work appropriate in many jobs, so long as they are not flip-flops or overtly sexy. Before strapping yourself in though, make sure your feet are viewable - and remember that a pedicure will not cure all ills! A sandal with a back that covers your heel would be a good choice for most people.
2) Avoid silk and linen if possible. Silk doesn't breathe and thus equals sweat stains, and linen really only looks great if you never have to sit down. Better options include cotton, lightweight jersey, or lightweight wools.
3) If possible, bring a light purse to haul all of your belongings. You should be able to find one in just about any fabric, including leather, if you seek one out. The heavier bags, once weighed down with your planner and papers, can leave sweat stains against your body. Nylon bags have the same reputation and are to be avoided - not to mention it's hard to imagine a work-appropriate nylon bag...
4) Watch those hemlines. Shorts can definitely be work appropriate - many stores call them "city shorts" and they are made of a dressier material and hit around the knee. Short shorts? Not a good idea - and if you are wondering if you can pull off a pair of shorts, then it's best to leave them at home. You'll know a work pair of shorts when you see 'em!
5) Summer dresses. I love wearing summer dresses - one piece and your whole outfit is done! Be careful about what constitutes as a summer dress though. If it can also function as a beach cover-up, it should not go near the office. On the other hand, frilly chiffon dresses look far better on a date than in a staff meeting. Go over a classic, simple dress in a solid or plain print.
See you next week!

No Summer Job? Never Fear!

2010-05-21T11:08:00.001-05:00

If you can't find a summer job, make sure you do something! Employers and professional schools will wonder what you did with your summers. Have something to put on your resume and something to talk about in interviews. More importantly, get information and experiences to help you move forward with your career ideas!
Cynthia has these ten great suggestions for you:

Use an Agency: Temporary employment agencies are a great way to get placed into project or temporary work for clerical, data entry, factory, and such positions. It doesn't cost you anything so it is worth a try! Do a Google search for agencies in your area. Some examples of agencies are ProStaff, Man Power, and Robert Half.

Project Work: Put the word out to family and friends that you are looking to make money. Paint a room or a house, build a fence, landscape a yard, watch kids... whatever!

Volunteer: Check out the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and Idealist to find volunteer opportunities. This is especially a great idea if you can volunteer in a way related to your career interests! Interested in the environment? Check out the Department of Natural Resources volunteer opportunities. Like kids? Check with churches and youth centers. Use your imagination! Volunteer at special events, community celebrations, fairs, or the state fair. You don't have to get paid for experiences have them add value to your resume.

Study: Thinking about graduate or professional school? This could be the perfect time to study for the admissions exams. Check out the GRE, LSAT, and MCAT.

Learn: What skills would make you a better candidate for the careers of interest to you? Better writing abilities? Check out the Loft Literary Center for writing classes and groups. Interested in the arts? Check out Springboard for the Arts for workshops on how to make a living as an artist. Learn new software, create a website, write a blog! Take a class or study on your own.

Career Research: Learn about careers that might interest you. Start with ISeek and Spotlight on Careers (contact the Career Center for our username/password for Spotlight). Both have tons of career information and resources. Remember that professional associations are great places to get career info.

Create Job Search Tools: Write a resume, write a cover letter, learn how to interview! The Career Center webpage has info on all! The Career Center IS open over the summer, so email resumes and cover letters for review if you wish. Create an account on InterviewStream using your gac email address to learn how to interview - and record your practice interviews via webcam. Go to Better Talking to practice for a phone interview. Update your GNET profile. Buy a suit!

Informational Interviews: Find people who are doing jobs of interest to you or employers of interest to you. Call or email them and ask for a fifteen minute conversation about their work. Dress professionally, show up on time with prepared questions including: What was your first job out of college? How did you find you first job in your field/company? What could I do while in college to prepare for positions like yours or with your company? Who else should I talk with? What other ideas, suggestions, advice do you have for me? Respect their time! Do not overstay your welcome! Send a handwritten thank-you note within two days.

Job Shadow: If you know what types of positions or fields you are interested in, seek out employers and/or people to job shadow for a day or part of a day. Professional associations are often a good resource to find job shadow possibilities. Email or write asking for a job shadow. Include your resume so they can see your background. Send a thank-you note within two days of completing shadowing.

Follow Your Interests: If you are interested in architecture and live in the Twin Cities - visit great buildings! If you are interested in international cultures - visit the many cultural exhibits, celebrations, and events over the summer. Interested in broadcasting? Tour TV and radio stations or become a part of studio audiences. Interested in the environment? Visit parks and nature areas. If you say you are interested in something - show your interest by attending, visiting, and showing up!

Whoo Hoo!

2010-05-19T08:59:00.000-05:00

Happy last day of classes Gusties!!

You've got one fabulous sunny day to celebrate this accomplishment before cracking down to study for finals. Grab a chair on the lawn and take it in!

Want another great way to celebrate the end of classes?

Come to the last Quick Questions of the year at 2 today :)

Here's to you!

Fashion Friday: Summer Internship Day 1

2010-05-14T08:44:00.001-05:00

Lots of you spend your summers interning, whether for academic credit or not. Here's how to start off on the right foot.
Ladies: It's always best to over-dress the first day - If you saw employees in suits when you interviewed, you should also wear a suit. Otherwise an outfit along these lines should fit the bill. A lightweight wool trouser is perfect for summer (not too hot for outside, but you won't freeze in the air conditioning) and can be found at j crew, Banana Republic, etc. A charcoal gray is professional without being too harsh in the summer months. A conservative sweater with a belt around it - go with the silver one here - paired with a blouse or nice cami underneath looks great on top. Beware of cleavage - any cleavage is too much cleavage! Save your open-toe heels for later - your new co-workers don't need to see your feet on the first day, if ever. Delicate, small earrings, a nice watch, and a structured bag finish your transformation from student to summer professional! Add a smile, and it'll go well - cheesy but so true.

Summer Internship by kristenyvonne featuring J Crew bags

Guys: Again, it's always best to overdress the first couple days until you know the lay of the land. If all the other employees you saw at your interview were wearing suits and ties, you should too. If not, be sure to wear nice dress pants. A lightweight wool option will keep you cool. A nice, but muted dress shirt goes on top with a black belt and black dress shoes to ground the look. Wear a watch to visually tip your coworkers on to your time-efficient ways. Nice and easy!

Summer Internship by kristenyvonne on Polyvore.com

Impending Deadline...

2010-05-12T08:38:00.002-05:00

Can you hear it? The Jaws theme song ringing in your ears as the Summer Internship Registration deadline gets closer and closer and closer....
Internship Registration forms AND their yellow Summer Tuition Form counterparts are due in the Career Center by 4:30 pm TOMORROW. Head to the Career Center for any last minute questions today and make sure to head to the Student Accounts Office for their signature. Turn it in and things will go along swimmingly...

PS - Learn what to wear on the first day of your internship this Fashion Friday!

Ma and Pop Inspiration

2010-05-10T08:58:00.002-05:00

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday! If you forgot, it's definitely better late than never in my family - pick up that phone stat!

Remember when you were little and you wanted to grow up to be just like your parents? Whether you wanted their career, hobbies, or just their stellar grilling ability or hilariously loud laugh, mom and dad are often our first idols. We can't wait to get big and try to fill their shoes... And then we turn thirteen. :)

Even if our parental obsessions have cooled to a healthy respect, we can still learn a lot from those who raised us. Have you ever really talked with your mom or dad about their job? Most of my friends just know what job title attaches to which parent, and that's about all. Why not make a plan once this crazy semester is over to spend a summer evening asking some deeper questions. Even if there is absolutely no way you would pick the same career as mom or dad, listening to their progression from entry-level youngster to seasoned worker is sure to illuminate some murky areas for you.

So fire up that grill, pour a tall beverage of your choice, kick up your heels on some plastic patio furniture, and spend just one evening listening to your parents.

Get them rolling with these questions:

- What jobs have you had since you were my age?

- How did you end up choosing this career? What made it appeal to you?

- What kind of skills do you use in your work?

- What's been the most frustrating thing about your job? What's brought you the most pride or joy?

- Is this the career you envisioned when you were my age?

Cheers!

Aerotek on Campus Tomorrow!

2010-05-06T11:22:00.000-05:00

Hey senior science majors - are you still hunting for a job? Come to the Career Center tomorrow at 12:30 to discover all that Aerotek has to offer. Aerotek is a leading (and Career Center approved) staffing agency with lots of opportunities for those in the sciences. I'm sure you've heard on the news that the first sign of a better economy is more temporary positions opening up - companies may not be hiring permanent positions, but will test the waters with a temp worker. It's true! And even better, that temp worker has the best shot at getting a permanent job once the company starts hiring again. But don't take it from me - come tomorrow at 12:30 and the professional explain it! Bring your resume and wear something in the realm of business casual. See you soon!

Fashion Friday: Spring Workwear

2010-04-30T09:02:00.001-05:00

For the ladies:

Spring Business by kristenyvonne featuring FOSSIL bags

When wearing bright colors or trendy floral tops, make sure to pair them with a muted basic like this khaki shift dress. The rest of your accessories should be professional as well - understated earrings, a watch, and a belt over the top of the cardigan to streamline the look. A cute spring bag is always a do, but look for one that has structure to keep with the outfit's polish (and to hold your massive planner!).

For guys:

These looks from Banana Republic demonstrate the same idea - definitely go for fun colors on top but balance them with toned-down pants to make them workable in a high-stress meeting. A little extra ironing also couldn't hurt! ;)

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