Career Conversations
Advice and News from the Cohen Career Center
3 Ways to Survive Being Rejected from a Job, Courtesy of "Mad Men" Creator Matthew Weiner
In nearly eight years on the air, Mad Men has taught lots of lessons about professional behavior - most of them cautionary tales. Despite its characters' raucous workplace conduct, you could actually learn a thing or two about how to bounce back from being turned down from the show's creator Matthew Weiner. Mad Men's journey began with rejection, but it ended with 15 Emmys and more than 200 total award nominations.
1. Don’t Get Defeated by Rejection
When Weiner was shopping the initial script for Mad Men in 2001, he says “It got rejected everywhere. Every single place that exists.” It sucks hearing “no” over and over again, so why keep going? Because each rejection comes with an opportunity to learn how you can improve. Then, go out and try again.
2. Seek Opportunities to Grow
Weiner’s persistence led to a phone call with David Chase, the creator of HBO’s The Sopranos. Chase did not agree to pursue Mad Men, but he did offer Weiner a job on his team. After your rejection and reflection, consider whether there are new skills that you should be developing, events you should be attending, or people you should be meeting. Your next step might not look exactly like you’d imagined, but there might be other interesting doors to unlock.
3. Never Fear Risks
It was 2005 by the time any network showed interest in the Mad Men script—and it happened to be a network that had never even produced a show before: AMC. When you’re pursuing your next job, you will get all kinds of input from naysayers who don’t think you’re doing the right thing and even well-meaning people who just don’t understand your vision. Listen to yourself. Once you’ve weighed your options, don’t be afraid to take risks.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Be A Career Center Ambassador!
The Career Center Ambassadors program is a peer education program designed for students to help other students create and enhance their career skills.
Ambassadors must be enthusiastic, energetic, dedicated, responsible, and have a strong understanding of and appreciation for the Cohen Career Center.
If this sounds like you, submit your resume and a cover letter explaining why you would make a great Career Center Ambassador through Tribe Careers by noon on Friday, April 3, 2015.
Cohen Career Center Summer Internship Fund
The fund awards grants of $4,000 to undergraduate students pursuing unpaid internships, typically provided by employers in the following sectors: non-profit, government, education, and non-governmental organizations. Opportunities at boutique, for-profit, media/communications, or entrepreneurially-oriented organizations may be considered if justification is provided regarding why the internship is unpaid.
Applications for the Grant are due April 15th via Tribe Careers.
Visit here for more information.
Quick Questions with Executive Partners
All semester long, some of William & Mary's Executive Partners will be conducting "Quick Questions" walk-in hours in the Career Center Atrium. These real-world professionals have unique experience and knowledge to help you with your resume, cover letter, and more.
Monday & Thursday 1-4pm
Tuesday & Wednesday 3-5pm
Friday 9am-12pm
If you’d like to schedule an informational interview with an EP from a particular career field, or schedule a mock interview, fill out this form. Allow up to 5 business days for a response.
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Upcoming Events
Week of March 30th:
Wake Forest Masters of Management Program
Tuesday, March 31st, 5:30-7:30pm - Cohen Career Center, Presentation Room
Come learn about the opportunities at Wake Forest's Masters of Management Program. You do not have to be a business major.
What Makes You Career Ready? A Practice in What's Next
Thursday, April 2nd, 2-3pm - Cohen Career Center, Presentation Rooms A&B
This workshop, specifically for freshmen and sophomores, will review foundational skills in resumes, networking, and interviewing to get you started on your career search.
Careers in Public Health Panel
Thursday, April 2nd, 5:30-7pm - Cohen Career Center
A panel of professionals representing different sectors in public health will discuss their career paths and trends in the field and offer advice on gaining career experience.
Price Waterhouse Coopers Aspire to Lead Webcast
Friday, April 3rd, 12-2pm - Cohen Career Center, Presentation Room
The event is part of "Aspire to Lead: The PwC women's leadership series," which includes programs and panels hosted by PwC to help college students build leadership skills.
Visit www.mycareer.wm.edu for more information on our upcoming events.
Visit www.tribecareers.wm.edu to update your academic profile to get information specific to your career interests, and for recent job and internship listings.
Cohen Career Center
Issue 7/Series 2
March 30th, 2015
Email: career@wm.edu
Website: mycareer.wm.edu
Location: Next to the Sadler Center
Phone: 757-221-3231
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WMCareerCenter
Twitter: @wmcareer