This is Auburn. This is Success.
Auburn University Career Center Newsletter
January: A New Year
In this issue....
- A successful new year
- Spring Career Events
- Career Center Resources
- Staff Spotlight: Anna Claire Peaden
Networking Your Way to a Successful 2018
Let’s start small.
Whether you are an engineering or history major, your professors don’t live in a bubble. They have studied and/or worked in their respective fields for some time. Don’t let the first week of classes pass by without introducing yourself to them and and paying them a visit during office hours. This not only boosts your motivation to succeed in class, but it also establishes a professional relationship that can assist and guide you in the future. You may visit them later to ask for a letter of recommendation, a referral to an employer, or advice on which specific area to pursue within your field. In short, your professors aren’t just professors—they are people, too! Don’t be afraid to connect with them.
Moving on to a popular professional networking website: LinkedIn!
If you have heard of LinkedIn and shrugged it off as a waste of time, I urge you to reconsider. So what is LinkedIn you ask? Essentially, it’s the professional Facebook. The AU Career Center Job Search Guide describes it as “a dynamic social media hub for prospective employees, recruiters, and current talent to interact in a social and collegial environment.” It also points out that 87% of recruiters indicated they use LinkedIn to actively search for candidates, while 90% of recruiters under 45 find LinkedIn effective in sourcing talent. To get started, create a profile that includes the following: a professional headshot, a professional summary, and listings of your education, work experience, involvement, and skills. There are additional areas such as projects and volunteering that you can add as well. From there, start connecting with peers. They can endorse the skills that you have listed on your profile if they choose. If they do, return the favor! Join groups that align with your professional interests, and engage in discussions to boost your online presence. Check out linkedin.com/university if you start to feel bombarded with information—they have helpful tutorials!
Once you have established your profile and core network, use the next tool: linkedin.com/alumni. This feature is one of my favorite networking resources. You can search by Auburn University alumni working in your field. From there, you can filter by location, company, and industry. After identifying individuals that interest you, send them a connection request. If they accept, send them a brief message introducing yourself as a current Auburn student majoring in ____. Include an explanation of how you came across their profile and were interested in their background. Ask if they are available and willing to discuss their experience at Auburn and in their career via email or over the phone (or in person for locals). Worst case scenario: they say no. That’s fine—just thank them for their time and move on to the next individual. People generally enjoy serving as a guide for others, especially when you are connected through Auburn.
With that being said, anyone can be a source for networking: peers, family friends, parents, faculty advisors for campus organizations, recruiters at career fairs, the barista at your favorite coffee shop…anyone! Don’t be shy. Network your way into a successful career path in 2018. It’s a resolution that will pay off over a lifetime.
Check out pages 28-29 of the Job Search Guide for more tips on building your LinkedIn profile.
Spring Career Events
Internship & Part Time Job Fair
Jan. 30th, 10AM - 1PM
Student Center Ballroom
For a list of employers
STEM Career Expo
Feb. 13th, 3PM - 7PM
Beard-Eaves Coliseum
(behind the Rec Center)
Don't forget to download the career fair app by searching "Auburn Career Fair Plus" to have all of the latest event updates at your fingertips.
For a list of employers
Harbert College of Business Career Fair
Feb. 20th, 3PM-7PM
Hotel at Auburn University Dixon Conference Center
Provides opportunities for students to interact with a variety of companies and organizations offering internships and full-time employment opportunities in fields ranging from Accounting/Finance to Marketing/Sales to Information Technology to Management.
All students interested in learning more about internship and full-time opportunities are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Dress professionally and bring plenty of copies of your resume to the event.
For a list of employers
McWhorter School of Building Science Career Fair
Feb 20th, 3PM - 7PM
Beard-Eaves Coliseum
(behind the Rec Center)
This year’s expo includes three events over the span of two days:
The Career Fair will take place on Tuesday, February 20 at the Auburn University Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum from 3PM - 7PM.
Interview Day will take place the following morning on Wednesday, February 21 (also at the Auburn University Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum) from 8AM. - 12PM.
For a list of employers
Supply Chain Management Career Fair
Feb. 21st, 2PM - 5PM
Student Center Ballroom
Provides opportunities for students to interact with a variety of companies and organizations offering internships and full-time employment opportunities in fields related to Supply Chain Management.
This event is exclusively available to students with a major or minor in Supply Chain Management. Pre-Business students who intend to major in Supply Chain Management are welcome to attend as well as MBA students with a concentration in Supply Chain Management.
Dress professionally and bring copies of your resume to the event.
For a list of employers
Education Interview Day
Mar. 6th, 8AM - 3PM
Beard-Eaves Coliseum
(behind the Rec Center)
If you are an aspiring educator, consider attending Education Interview Day. Explore open positions, network with potential employers, and interview for your dream job all in one day!
Business professional attire is required and be sure to have plenty of copies of your resumes on hand to give to the school representatives.
Schedule
Registration: 8AM-9AM
Network and Schedule Interviews: 9AM-10AM
Interviews: 10AM-3PM
If you do not schedule your interviews before 10AM, you will not be allowed to interview that afternoon
For list of employers
Communication & Media Career Day
Mar. 7th, 8AM - 3PM
Student Center Ballroom
Provides opportunities for students to interact with a variety of companies and organizations offering internships and full-time employment opportunities in fields related to Communication and Media.
Dress professionally and bring copies of your resume to the event.
For a list of employers
click hereAuburn University Career Fair
Mar. 27th, 2PM - 6PM
Student Center Ballroom
Network with employers offering internships and full-time jobs to students of all majors. Employers will be recruiting for jobs in industries including business, sales, public relations, logistics, consulting, engineering, and more. Business professional attire is required and be sure to have several copies of your resume on hand to give to company representatives. View the list of companies below to see how your education and qualifications match with their needs.
Download the career fair app by searching "Auburn Career Fair Plus" to have all of the latest event updates at your fingertips.
For a list of employers
Resource of the Month
LinkedIn is very useful for networking and job searching. The alumni feature of LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/alumni) is helpful for connecting with Auburn alumni!
Anna Claire Peaden
Anna Claire has been with the Career Center for over two years and is now one of the Career Center's Graduate Assistants. She is originally from Elberta, AL which is near Foley and Gulf Shores. After visiting her three siblings during their time at Auburn, Anna Claire fell in love with the community (and the lemonade), and decided to join the AU Family. Four-and-a-half years later and she's now pursuing a Master's in Education, focusing on student affairs in colleges and universities. She hopes to pursue a full-time position in career counseling upon graduation. When she's not working or studying, you can find her swing dancing at least twice a week!
Career Center Resources
Auburn University Career Center
Email: aucc@auburn.edu
Website: auburn.edu/career
Location: 303 Martin Hall
Phone: (334) 844-4744
Facebook: facebook.com/aucareer
Twitter: @AUCareer