Jump Start
A newsletter for freshmen & sophomores from Cohen
September is the time to get Busy being Professional!
This is usually a very busy month in the Career Center with a lot of recruiting events ranging from the Career & Internship Fair this Friday, to the Graduate & Professional School Fair at the end of the month. Each event, along with the variety of organizations hosting Information Sessions, Workshops, and Meetups, you'll have plenty of options to check out. This month's newsletter is focusing on the cycles of different industries and internships can look different depending on the field. We'll also take a look at how to best represent yourself at these events, building on your professionalism.
Finally, don't forget the MACE: My Active Career Exploration registration deadline is this Wednesday! Registration link at the end of the newsletter.
Assistant Director of Freshmen & Sophomore Initiatives
Career Readiness Tip of the Month--Which Recruiting Season is Your Recruiting Season?
Which "recruiting season" is your recruiting season? Different industries recruit at different times of the year, and so while some students are busy lining up interviews, you might be more productive expanding your network. Since 80% of job/internship offers come from networking, it's never too early to start developing a network of professionals who are already doing the work that interests you; these can come from family, friend, alumni, or employer connections. Year-round, organizations visit campus for Information Sessions to get you interested in their positions. Keeping an eye on these can give you an opportunity to make introductions and show interest before you're ever applying.
Most often, positions are available because someone left the job you want. However, as a college student, you're in a unique spot where this is the only time in your life employers are coming to you to fill large cohorts of entry-level positions. Take advantage of this! But Also, don't be discouraged if you don't find what you're looking for. Maybe they're coming next semester; maybe we have an alumni connection.
When you may find many finance, accounting, consulting, and technology organizations active in the fall, you'll find more government, non-profit, education, marketing, and creative careers seeking to fill positions in the spring. Note that some government positions that require security clearance will have earlier fall deadlines.
While there's no magic number that gives definitive deadlines for each industry, there are certainly trends of which you need to be aware!
Career Competency Of The Month--Professionalism
Each month, we’ll take a look at one of eight Career Competencies determined to be most highly sought by employers. You can learn more about these through mycareer.wm.edu>Major/Career Exploration.
Professionalism/Work Ethic
- Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image.
- Demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior.
- Acts responsibly, with the interests of the larger community in mind.
- Able to learn from his/her mistakes
Have you considered how you represent yourself in your "professional work image"?
When introducing yourself to professional connections, how do you choose to start the conversation? Often, we will highlight what we expect people to notice - "I'm just a freshman/sophomore." Instead, consider focusing on why you're interested in talking to them - "I've heard about what it's like to work for Microsoft from the Information Session, and I'm curious what's your favorite part of your role?"
Have you thought about what you'll wear to the fair? With a variety of employers at the fair, there's no single dress code, but you'll want to represent yourself well. Want to borrow a suit? Check out our Dress to Impress closet.
Tribe Careers Tip of the Month--Events
Log into TribeCareers to see the most updated list of events happening through the Cohen Career Center. September is full of recruiting events, which you'll find under Events > Career Fairs. Currently, there are 77 employers coming to the Fall Career & Internship Fair and 96 programs coming to the Graduate & Professional School Fair,
To see the full list, as well as other events:
- Log in to Tribe Careers
- Click on Events
- Click on Career Fairs
- Click on the name of the event that interests you
Career Readiness Punchcard Event of the Month--Fairs
This month provides you with multiple chances to attend a fair or networking events. The Fall Career & Internship Fair, Diversity Brunch, Meet the Firms, and Graduate & Professional School Fair are all open to freshmen and sophomores. While some employers focus on junior summer internships, it's never too early to get information about their experiences and make an introduction.
Wondering how to get started with the Career Center? Not sure what you can do to begin with your career readiness process? Do you want to know how you can be Career Ready? The Career Readiness Punchcard is a way you can keep track of your career-related experiences. Visit here to learn more about the list and how to update yours on TribeCareers. Keep track of your Career Readiness progress through "Surveys" on your TribeCareers profile.
MACE: My Active Career Exploration Information Session
Are you interested in a program that will get you going on your Career Readiness Punchcard?
Check out (MACE)My Active Career Exploration!
- Six-week program is offered every semester
- Open to freshmen and sophomores
- Most beneficial to students looking for assistance determining or confirming career options
- Uses a series of self-assessments reflecting on interests, skills, values, and personality
- Each week, you will learn a new way to gather information and research career options based on your assessment results
- End of the program with a three-semester plan, setting goals for career-related experiences in the near future.
Fall 2017 Registration is OPEN -- MACE_F2017_Registration.
- The section options and dates are as follows:
- Tuesdays 9:30a.m.-10:45a.m. Sept. 19 – Oct. 31
- Tuesday 11:00a.m.-12:15p.m. Sept. 19 – Oct. 31
- Wednesdays 10:00a.m.-11:15a.m. Sept. 20 – Oct. 25
- Information Session Wednesday, Sept. 6 @ 5:00pm in the Cohen Atrium
- Registration Closes: Wednesday, Sept. 13
Come talk with us!
Come into quick-advising hours and get your questions answered without making an appointment:
- Monday - Thursday, 2-4pm
Email: career@wm.edu
Website: http://www.wm.edu/offices/career/students/
Location: Between Sadler Center and Zable Stadium on Stadium Drive.
Phone: (757) 221-3231
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WMCareerCenter/
Twitter: @wmcareer