Grady Career News
Intended-Grady Student Newsletter
Greetings from the Grady Career Consultant
Hello, Intended-Grady students!
Please read on for some updates from the Career Center, including a list of commonly asked questions for Grady students and some tips as some of you prepare your Grady applications for spring. I hope that this information will be helpful for you as fall semester winds down and you all start thinking ahead to next semester. Good luck on finals!
This will be the last newsletter until the start of spring semester.
Email: sam610@uga.edu
Website: http://career.uga.edu/
Location: Clark Howell Hall, Athens, GA, United States
Phone: 706-542-3375
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UGACareerCenter?sk=wall
Twitter: @UGAGradyCareers
In This Report
Upcoming News and Events
- Applying to Grady for Spring 2018
- 2018 Journalism and Mass Communication Career Day
- Winter Break Tips: Grady Career FAQs
Career Center Information
- Meet with Samantha
- Job and Internship Search Tips
Applying to Grady for Spring 2018
For all students applying to their Grady major in Spring 2018, here is some information to assist you in that process.
Find tips and guidelines to get started on writing your statement of interest here, along with information on how your statement will be scored and other factors taken into consideration when you apply.
The best way to practice for writing your statement of interest is to plan how you would like to prepare. Since you can’t bring in any notes while you write, you may choose to memorize your content, memorize an outline, know your thesis/main sentences, etc. What is best for you depends on your learning style and what will help you remain calm while you write your statement. Regardless of what you choose, you should practice. Open a blank Word doc on your laptop, set a timer and see what you are able to write. That’s the closest you can get to simulating the experience of writing your statement!
If you are not writing your statement of interest until after winter break, you might like to have your statement looked over. The best times to do so before the application deadline will be the following:
Career Center Drop-In Hours
Every day from 12-2 p.m. in Clark Howell Hall, 2nd floor. Starting the first day of classes. These will be 10-15-minute meetings, no appointment necessary.
Journalism Building Drop-In Hours
These will be 10-15-minute meetings, no appointment necessary in Journalism, room 309-D.
Tuesday, Jan. 9, 1-3 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 10, 1-3 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 12, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 1-3 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1-3 p.m.
Please bring a printed copy of your statement for review.
Save the Date: 2018 Journalism and Mass Communication Career Day
Thursday, Feb. 8
Events from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mark your calendar for the 2018 Journalism and Mass Communication Career Day! This day-long event connects companies and organizations with students seeking careers in digital, print and broadcast journalism, creative mass media, media sales, advertising and public relations. Internships and full-time positions will be available. The day will include two career panel events, a networking luncheon and a career fair. Be on the lookout for preparation events leading up to the event at the start of spring semester.
This is a great event for Intended-Grady and recently admitted Grady students to attend to learn more about the industry and meet professionals in the kinds of roles they want in the future.
More details will be provided as the event draws closer. For a full schedule of events, check here.
To start preparing for Career Day as the semester winds down, check out some tips here.
Grady Career FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions from Intended-Grady students for your review as you all start thinking about jobs and internships over the holiday break, and as spring semester starts. Answers are courtesy of the UGA Grady Careers team.
Q: “I don’t have a resume. Can you help with that?”
A: Yes! Start out by checking out the Career Center’s free resume builder here. Sign up with your UGA email and browse for a layout you like.
Here are some tips for content:
- Always use bullet points to describe your experiences—that makes it easy to read
- Order your experience in each section from newest to oldest
- All Grady undergraduate majors should list their degree title as “Bachelor of Arts in Journalism,” then list their major
- Start each bullet point with a strong action verb. There is a list to help you brainstorm on p. 26-27
- You can (and should, as a Grady major) list class projects on your resume. Check out an example on p. 28
Q: “Can you look at my resume?”
A: Sure! Plan to stop in to drop-in hours during spring semester. All drop-ins are quick, 10-15-minute meetings. No appointment is necessary. Time are below:
General Career Center Drop-Ins
Every day, 12-2 p.m., Clark Howell Hall, 2nd Floor, Multipurpose Room
Drop-Ins with Samantha
Mondays in Clark Howell Hall
Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m., Journalism, room 309-D
Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m., Journalism, room 309-D
Drop-ins will be on hiatus in the weeks leading up to the Spring Career and Internship Fair. Instead, visit us for Resume Critique Days at the following times:
Wednesday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tate Reception Hall
Thursday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tate Grand Hall
Monday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tate Grand Hall
Tuesday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tate Grand Hall
Please note: On the days where there are resume critique days, there will be no other regularly scheduled drop-in hours.
Q: “Where do I find part-time jobs and/or internships on campus and in Athens?”
A: The best place to find local opportunities available to you online—think part-time jobs or internships on campus or elsewhere in Athens—is on Handshake. Local places and campus offices know that’s where UGA students look for opportunities. Log in through the Career Center homepage.
You can also reach out to the places you like to frequent in town, such as stores or restaurants. You can stop in and ask about opportunities, or if there is an office on campus that interests you, reach out to their main line and call to inquire about opportunities with them.
Q: “Do I need to have an internship this summer?”
A: This typically depends on what year you are, and how much experience you already have. Your goal as an Intended-Grady student is to gain experience that will lead to at least one internships that is related to your major/area of interest. Everyone’s experience level is a little different, so stop in to drop-in if this is concerning you. For now, focus on gaining experience outside of the classroom or an internship.
Q: “How do I get the experience I need for an internship?”
A: A great place to start is right here on campus. You can join a campus publication or student organizations related to your major, and/or seek a role related to your interests/major in any student org you’re already involved with here on campus.
I would also encourage you to get creative and think about ways to make your own experience! With access to resources like free website platforms (think WordPress, Wix, YouTube), lynda.com, and the open digital media labs in the MLC (including equipment rentals), you can start creating your own content ASAP.
Q: “Where I do find internship openings?”
A: There are a few places to check:
- Company/organization websites. There is usually a “careers,” “internships,” “work with us” or similar tab.
- Grady Job Leads newsletter. Sign up for the listserv here, if you’re not already on it.
- Handshake. Sign it through the Career Center homepage and start browsing jobs and internships. There are currently over 7,600 openings and many Grady students have had success finding roles in their areas of interest.
Q: “What can I do on Handshake?”
A: A few top features include:
- Link or upload work samples
- Favorite employers to get email notifications when they do things on Handshake, like post a job or sign up for a career fair
- Favorite a job/internship opening to keep yourself organized and get email reminders for approaching deadlines
- Make your profile public to employers if they would like to browse UGA students
- Getting contact information for employers. Since it is a job board open only to UGA students or alumni, many employers will share their names and/or emails, unlike most large job boards online.
Q: “When should I be applying for internships?”
A: There is no standard recruiting timeline in the communications industry, but many internships are likely opening around this time. Be aware that you may still be actively applying to internships through the middle or end of spring semester. I recommend that you start thinking about where you would like to apply, and track their openings and applications closely. Since there is no specific timing, you don’t want to miss out!
Q: “When can I meet with you?”
A: Spring drop-in hours are listed above!
Meet with Samantha
To schedule an appointment, call (706) 542-3375. Samantha covers Career Center walk-in hours on Mondays, from 12-2 p.m. in Clark Howell Hall. You can also stop by drop-in hours every Tuesday and Wednesday in Journalism, room 309-D from 1-3 p.m.
Receive assistance with resumes, statements of interest, cover letters, job search strategies, interviewing, applying to graduate school and any other career-related topics. Printed copies of materials are preferred.
Please note that the last week of drop-in hours will be the week after Thanksgiving break. They will resume as usual the first full week of classes in January.
Job and Internship Search Tips
Samantha Meyer Bio
Samantha joined the UGA Career Center in December 2014 as a Career Consultant for the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Samantha is a proud "Double Dawg" and Grady graduate, with Bachelor's degrees in public relations and women's studies, and a Master's degree through the Grady ADPR 4+1 program. During her time as a student at the University of Georgia, Samantha was on UGA's PRSSA Bateman team and was a member of the Demosthenian Literary Society, as well as the Women's Studies Student Organization, where she helped plan the annual Athens Take Back the Night event. She is delighted to be able to work with Grady students. Go Dawgs!
Email: sam610@uga.edu
Website: career.uga.edu
Location: Clark Howell Hall
Phone: 706-542-3375