Career Services here for you
This is Career Services News for students in the Raj Soin College of Business. Look for a new issue each fall, winter and spring quarter to highlight upcoming events, opportunities and resources to assist you in career planning and the job search process.
Career Services offers an array of services to all students at Wright State University in the areas of student employment, career exploration, cooperative education/internship and job search assistance. Explore the Career Services Web site to learn more.
Career Services
E334 Student Union
http://career.wright.edu
(937) 775-2556
Fall quarter events
To view all Career Services events for the year, visit the Career Services Events Calendar. To view job fairs and events other than those sponsored by WSU Career Services visit the list of off-campus job fairs.
Raj Soin College of Business Recruiting Day
Don't miss out on the Raj Soin College of Business Recruiting Day - over 50 companies will be participating! This event will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Student Union Apollo Room. Advance registration is not required; however, a copy of your résumé is required as your admission ticket. Come prepared and dressed professionally. Go to the Event Web site for a list of participating employers and to visit the Warm up Room for tips on preparing and participating.
If you are unable to attend this event, visit Career Services, E334 Student Union, after the event to view business cards of participating employers.
The Raj Soin College of Business Recruiting Day will be offered twice a year. Mark your calendar now for the spring event scheduled for April 8, 2009.
Fall On-Campus Interviewing opportunities
Each fall, winter and spring quarter employers interview on campus for a variety of co-op/internship and career employment positions.
You must have an active résumé in The Wright Search to participate in On-Campus Interviewing. For new registered users, it may take up to two business days after uploading a résumé to have access to the On-Campus Interviewing component of The Wright Search, so plan ahead!
On-Campus Interviewing sign-ups begin the first week of class each quarter, and new interview schedules are added throughout the quarter, so check for additions on a weekly basis.
Learn more about On-Campus Interviewing
Etiquette Luncheon
On Tuesday, October 14, 2008, Charlene Walker and Gail Whitaker from Career Services will provide etiquette coaching at the Etiquette Luncheon. Charlene and Gail are both Business Etiquette Trainers certified by DTN Productions.
At this professional training event, get answers to questions like:
How early should you arrive to a meeting?
Who extends their hand first for a handshake in a business introduction?
Who orders first at a business lunch?
Which fork do you use for what part of the meal?
Students may sign up beginning September 15. Space is limited and seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can be purchased in Career Services, E334 Student Union, for $10.00. Last day to purchase tickets is October 3.
Learn more about the Etiquette Luncheon
Hot topic: Exploring majors and careers
Students in the College of Business who have not yet chosen a major can explore business careers and majors in number of ways including research, self assessments, courses, informational interviews and job shadowing, and test driving a career choice through a co-op or internship experience.
Students who have chosen a major also benefit from career exploration. Although you may know what you want to major in, do you know what you can do with that major? It is helpful to know your options so that you know the outlook and demand, the skills and experience required, average salaries, and what kind of co-op/internship experience you should look for to get you on the right path.
Whether you have chosen a major or not, there are career exploration resources and tools for everyone. Take a look at how Career Services can help you explore and know your options.
Research
One way to learn about careers is to read about them. There are books, Web sites and even job postings that provide descriptive information about what a job entails and what experience and education are required. Career Services has research tools online in the Investigate Majors and Careers section of the Web page. For example, What Can I do with this Major provides a breakdown of career areas, employers and strategies by major. The Occupational Outlook Handbook allows you to search career areas and get more detailed information such as nature of the work, training and qualifications, employment, job outlook, projections data, earnings, related occupations and sources for additional information. In addition, Career Services has a Career Resource Center (CRC) available to students to research majors and careers. Read the next article, Resource Corner, to learn more about the CRC.
Self-assessments
Assessments are available for undecided students to assist in the decision making process. Assessments, followed by evaluation of the results, are completed in consultation with a career services professional. DISCOVER, for example, provides an online assessment of interests, abilities and values with information about majors and occupations, and the opportunity to relate personal preferences to the world of work.
Courses
Career Services offers the course LA 201: Effective Career Planning. The course is designed primarily for first and second year students who are undecided about an academic major, or students who may have chosen a major but are not sure if it is the right major for them. LA 201 is currently taught as an online course and is offered each quarter.
The College of Business offers the course BUS 100: Horizons in Business. For all first year students, the Horizons in Business class provides an excellent overview of various areas of business and potential career paths. The core courses required of all undergraduate business students also provide excellent exposure to the various business disciplines.
Informational interviews and job shadowing
Seek out opportunities to do informational interviews and job shadow professionals who do various jobs that you have an interest in exploring. Informational interviews, whether an in-person meeting or a phone or email communication, provides the opportunity to ask questions and learn specifically from individuals what they like or dislike about their job, the challenges and rewards, tips or suggestions for getting into the field and how exactly they got where they are today. Job shadowing allows you to spend time observing a typical day and the working conditions.
Work with a Career Services advisor to develop informational interview questions and identify contacts. In addition, students can connect with professionals by networking through friends and family, meeting professionals at events such as job fairs and the Alumni Mentoring Program.
The Alumni Mentoring Program was established by Career Services and the Alumni Association, to benefit students who wish to explore their career opportunities and options by talking to professionals in the field. Wright State alumni volunteer to share information via telephone, email, or personal interviews, and, in some cases, host job shadowing experiences. Alumni mentors are located locally, regionally, and nationally. The Alumni Mentoring database is accessed via The Wright Search. To find a mentor using the Alumni Mentoring database, students and alumni must be registered users of The Wright Search. Learn how to become a registered user when you visit the The Wright Search Log In page.
Co-op/Internship
What better way to learn about a job then to actually do the job! There are numerous benefits to participating in a co-op or internship, one of them being the opportunity to test drive your career choice. An accounting major, for example, who is undecided between public accounting and government accounting, has the opportunity as a student to try out both areas through co-op or internship experiences. This allows you to be in the setting, learn about the field and perform the work. Meet with a Career Services advisor to learn more about cooperative education and internship opportunities.
Resource corner: Career Resource Center
The Career Resource Center (CRC) in the office of Career Services serves as a valuable source of information for people seeking career, job search, and employer information. Resources are categorized to assist you in locating the materials needed. Categories include Job Search, Directories, Career Exploration, Experiential Education (Co-op Ed/Internships), Transition to the Workplace, Graduate School and specialized career information by college and major.
Use the CRC to explore majors and careers, research companies and salaries, generate ideas for company leads, view sample résumés and cover letters, study sample interview questions and strategies, and more!
Although resources cannot leave the CRC, students are welcome to spend as much time as needed reading and taking notes. A copier is available for students to make copies; there is a charge of $.10 per copy. In addition, computers are available for career related Internet searches and to develop personal marketing tools such as résumés and cover letters. An appointment is not required to utilize the Career Resource Center. It is available on a walk-in basis during office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Take advantage of these free resources!
More to explore: Student clubs and organizations
There are many ways to get involved on campus. Review this list of top 5 reasons to join a student club or organization at WSU, and then read the article below, Meet the Expert, to get a recruiter's perspective on the topic.
1. Build relationships: Participation in student clubs and organizations allows you the opportunity to meet students pursuing the same major or students with similar interests. Peers can be helpful resources. Learn about their successes, where they interned or who they know. In addition, participation in student clubs and organizations provides an avenue to build relationships with key faculty who serve as faculty advisors. Faculty can be important contacts and references during your job search, so let them know who you are and show your strengths through your contributions as a member of the organization.
2. Enhance résumé: How will your résumé set you apart from all the other business students graduating at the same time? There are many ways to market yourself, and campus involvement can make you an attractive candidate if you take advantage of the opportunities. It takes more than just attending meetings. Demonstrate your drive and commitment by participating in projects, fundraising initiatives and event planning, for example. These are great things to add to your résumé.
3. Professional development: Clubs and organizations may differ in mission statements, goals and agendas. However, most organizations offer professional development opportunities through activities and events. This might include workshops, guest speakers, or involvement with professional associations. There are just some things you cannot learn in the classroom!
4. Gain leadership experience: Take on a leadership role such as Secretary, Public Relations Chair, or President to polish your organizational, public speaking and management skills. Yes, all students are busy managing school work and possibly a job at the same time, and employers know that. Demonstrate your willingness to go the extra mile to develop your leadership skills!
5. Network with employers: Employers are aware that it is a choice that a student makes to get involved and seek opportunities to grow professionally. This may be a reason that employers utilize student clubs and organizations as a recruiting method. Employers reach out to organizations to advertise job openings or attend meetings as guest speakers. This is great way to network with employers and get your name out there. Employers do remember who they meet and where they meet them!
Take a look at these lists of student clubs and organizations available at Wright State; there is something for everyone!
Student clubs in the Raj Soin College of Business
All WSU student clubs and organizations
Related articles:
Add Success to Your Resume with a Little On-Campus Socializing
Employers Seek Leadership Abilities in College Grads
Meet the expert: Randy Domigan, Brady Ware
When asked for his perspective on student involvement in clubs and organizations, Randy Domigan, Recruiter for Brady Ware, provided the following:
Campus involvement in clubs and organizations and campus leadership positions can be key to the success of potential new employees. Many employers look at this involvement as part of the recruiting process. As a recruiter, there are a number of factors we take into consideration when looking at candidates for employment. Participation in campus activities and leadership positions is a factor that can be an indicator of a good candidate.
Leadership positions give students a chance to not only lead a group of people or an organization, but it also puts them in situations where they have to problem solve or deal with potentially difficult situations or people. Those experiences cannot be taught in the classroom and will help students to develop leadership skills that will benefit them in the workforce. The individuals who take on these roles in college are many times the future leaders in the companies they work for.
Campus involvement can also be a good indicator of a student's initiative. Students who strictly focus on academics and don't try to involve themselves in the community around them can be more apt to do that once they start working. Many employers want their employees to be involved with civic organizations and other community involvement.
Involvement in these organizations can also help develop social and interpersonal skills as well as communication skills. All of these skills are important for most companies looking to hire the best and the brightest students.
One final thought is that some of these organizations are geared to helping students learn more about career fields and introducing them to professionals in that career field. For example, the accounting department has a professional fraternity called Beta Alpha Psi that does a great job of informing students of the careers available in the accounting industry by having events that bring students and professionals together. Some of the events are formal where there are presentations and some are more casual where students have an opportunity to ask questions and mingle in a more casual setting. The organization definitely helps accounting students in their career.
To sum it up, students should try to get involved in their campus and seek out positions of leadership. This can help a great deal when looking for future employment.
- Randy Domigan, Brady Ware
Featured employer: NewPage Corporation
Thank you, NewPage Corporation, for contributing the following profile:
You already know NewPage. We are in your life everyday.
Headquartered in Miamisburg, Ohio, NewPage Corporation is the largest printing paper manufacturer in North America. You'll find the paper we print in magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail, gift wrap, labels, corporate collateral, coupons and newspapers. Our paper mills are in Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nova Scotia, and Wisconsin.
At NewPage, we have an engaged, open and active culture where employees' opinions and input are welcomed and encouraged to help grow our company. We are making a massive and company-wide investment in our employees through Lean Six Sigma training and initiatives. Our employees are generously rewarded for working together and continually looking for ways to improve our company and business practices. We "play to win" and want you to join our growing team.
Our organization is leading the paper industry by challenging other companies to think smart and be aggressive. At NewPage, we're dedicate to pull further ahead of our competition as we continue to focus on our vision to be the best printing paper business in North America.
Come join our team! To apply for a position or to see an updated list of job opportunities, please visit: http://www.newpagecorp.com/careers.
Learn more about NewPage Corporation
Business student spotlight: Matthew Janning
Thank you, Matthew, for the following success story:
As a business student, it is very important to challenge and diversify yourself as much as possible. I believe that being a well rounded individual will help you achieve much success in the business world. I like to believe that by being involved in many organizations, developing professional relationships with faculty and staff in and out of class, and working at my co-op with the Wright Patterson Air Force Base has helped me to become a well rounded individual in the business world. All of this would not have been possible without the help of some very caring faculty members and Career Services.
Being involved as the president of the Raj Soin College of Business Dean Student Advisory Board, senator for the Raj Soin College of Business, co-president of the Newman Catholic Student Association, and international student board member of the Society for Advancement of Management, has helped me gain much experience in leadership and team work that will help me greatly in my future career. It has been through the experiences shared by my professors in class and the experiences I have gained through work and life that have helped me become a well educated and prepared individual for my future to come. A wise person once told me that, "books help you learn what is to be tested in class, but experiences help you learn what is to be tested in life." I could not agree more with this saying, because I am now able to realize that my co-op has helped shape me into a strong business professional.
When I was ending my sophomore year, I realized that I was in need of an internship or co-op to help give me an edge in the business world. My professor let me know of a position that had just opened up in a field that she knew was right for me. After the resume help I received from Career Services and the outstanding recommendation my professor wrote, I was accepted into a co-op position at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. I have been working there ever since, and I am looking forward to a future with them.
Above all, I believe that the Raj Soin College of Business has helped shape me and my fellow students to become future leaders in the business world. It is with great thanks and respect that I recognize the outstanding faculty and staff at WSU, Career Services, and every one of my coworkers at Wright Patterson Air Force Base for helping me become the person I am today.
-Matthew Janning, Senior, Accountancy and Finance
Spread the word
If you have a success story or have personally experienced the benefits of utilizing Career Services and are willing to share your experience, please contact Julie Todd at julie.todd@wright.edu.
Etiquette tips
Compliments of At Ease Inc.
How do you unload a bore at a mixing and mingling function?
You are at a reception and standing alone. You approach another person standing solo and soon find you have absolutely nothing in common. How can you escape?
The next time you find yourself in this situation, change your mindset! Recognize that everyone is interesting if you are interested. The secret is knowing how to get that conversation engine revved up! Ask open-ended questions (i.e., who, what, when, where and how) rather than close-ended ones. You may surprise yourself by finding the person who initially appeared boring as most interesting!
Do you say "I'm sorry" more often than necessary?
The next time someone shares constructive criticism with you, think before responding. Instead of responding with "I'm sorry," say, "Thank you for your feedback."
While "I'm sorry" is an emotional response, the term "thank you" is both a logical one and also a form of acknowledgment.
How do you project yourself on voice-mail?
If someone were listening to your voice-mail right now, what would they hear? Would they hear you are not available or you are in a meeting this morning and will return to your office this afternoon? Will they be taken through voice-mail jail before they have the chance to speak to a live being?
Voice-mail etiquette dictates that callers learn when they will hear from you rather than the message "I'm not available". By updating your voice-mail box regularly, you can be sure you will be keeping your lines of communication open with callers who will learn when they can count on receiving a call-back from you.
If you would like to receive monthly tips from At East Inc., send a request to sabath@ateaseinc.com.
