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
Spring 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 first Raj Soin College of Business Recruiting Day! This event will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 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 fall event scheduled for September 24, 2008.
Spring 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, May 13, 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 Monday, April 14. 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 Wednesday, May 7.
Learn more about the Etiquette Luncheon
Hot topic: Graduation 2008
Get an early start on your job search
Career Services recommends beginning your job search 6 months before graduation. Read an article on the topic of starting the job search process early: It Pays to Start Your Job Search Now by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
To assist you in your job search, Career Services offers services including résumé and cover letter assistance, job fairs and on-campus interviews, The Wright Search job posting and résumé database, and mock interviews. In addition, Career Services has resources available in the Career Resource Center and online, including:
Job Posting and Job Search Sites
Job outlook: intense competition for 2008
The Job Outlook survey is a forecast of hiring intentions of employers as they relate to new college graduates. Each year the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) surveys its employer members about their hiring plans and other employment-related issues. November 2007 summary:
- Employers expect to increase college hiring by 16%. Hiring expectations are especially strong in the Midwest, where employers anticipate hiring 25% more new college graduates this year.
- Competition is expected to be particularly fierce for graduates in engineering, computer science and accounting fields.
- Leadership experience, followed by major, a high GPA (3.0 or above) and involvement in extra curricular activities influence the selection of candidates assuming all other attributes are equal.
- Failings of new college graduates fell into three general areas: professional communication skills, workplace skills and experience.
- Professional Communication: 1/3 of survey respondents cited lack of writing and face-to-face skills in new college graduates who are adept at e-mail communication.
- Workplace: new graduates lack a good work ethic, analytical and problem solving skills, business acumen, initiative, flexibility, and professionalism.
- Experience: new college graduates lack internship/co-op experiences or any type of hands-on experience.
- Employers rated on-campus interviewing and internship/co-op programs as the most effective recruiting methods. This was followed by career fairs/recruiting days and Internet job postings on the campus web site.
- Nearly 17% of employers said they expect to use social networking sites as part of their recruiting/selection effort, up from 11% in 2006.
Stay connected with WSU
Career Services encourages alumni to stay connected with Wright State University. Alumni Partners is the programmatic name for opportunities that link Wright State alumni to the university community, in ways that share and highlight their experience and expertise. The program is a collaborative effort of Career Services and Alumni Relations.
Learn more about Alumni Partners
In addition, the Raj Soin College of Business has a Business Alumni Association. Stay connected with your fellow alumni and learn about upcoming events to enhance your career opportunities and professional skills.
Career Services surveys: win a $50 or $100 gift card
Near the end of each quarter graduating students will receive a WINGS email from Career Services to participate in the Post Graduation Plans Survey. Career Services conducts this survey each quarter to learn more graduating students' plans related to graduate school or employment. By participating, you will be entered into a drawing to win a $50.00 gift card to Macy's to go toward your professional wardrobe.
In addition, at the end of every Spring quarter, graduating students will receive a WINGS email from Career Services to participate in the Senior Survey. Career Services conducts this survey once a year to learn more about students' satisfaction with utilizing Career Services. By participating, you will be entered into a drawing to win a $100.00 gift card to Macy's to go toward your professional wardrobe.
Resource corner: The Wright Search
If you are not already a registered user of The Wright Search, register now! The Wright Search is an online database for Wright State students/alumni and employers. Registered students and alumni can:
- post a résumé for employers to view,
- view co-op/internship and career employment positions,
- sign-up for On-Campus Interviews,
- access employer contact information,
- connect with alumni,
- receive email notifications from Career Services about related events and opportunities.
The Wright Search is a great way to connect with employers. Employers that contact Career Services to advertise a job opening or to view résumés are directed to The Wright Search, and the only way to be included in employer résumé searches is by becoming a registered user. Right now there are over 100 business related job postings!
From the November 2007 NACE employer survey (above): Employers rated on-campus interviewing and internship/co-op programs as the most effective recruiting methods. This was followed by career fairs/recruiting days and Internet job postings on the campus web site (The Wright Search).
Register online by clicking on the link “To become a Registered User, you MUST complete the four required steps.”
Reminder for registered users
Remember to update your résumé every 30 days in The Wright Search to keep an active status. If you do not update your résumé within the 30 days, the "allow employer viewing" setting in your profile will automatically change to "no". Be sure to change this setting back to "yes" when you upload your résumé again. Résumés can only be referred to employers if "yes" is selected.
More to explore: WrightChoice Intern Program
The WrightChoice Intern Program, established by a WSU MBA alumna, is an organization that provides internship opportunities for students with disabilities and minority students. Students can learn more about the organization, current internship openings and the application process at http://www.wrightchoice.org/students.
In addition to external internship opportunities, WrightChoice, located in Columbus, Ohio, offers internal internship opportunities in the following business areas: Human Resources, Marketing and Management Information Systems. Students who are interested in internal internship opportunities can contact WrightChoice at resumes@wrightchoice.org.
Meet the expert: NCR Recruiter, Kellie Gilroy
When asked how upcoming graduates can stand out at a job fair, NCR's Kellie Gilroy provided the following advice:
The key to a successful job fair is preparation. Before the career fair, do quick research on the companies that are attending. Determine which organizations you are interested in and make quick notes on what interested you about the organization as well as questions you may have for the representatives at the booth.
On the day of the fair, make sure you have plenty of resumes and your questions in an organized padfolio. In addition, it is imperative to "dress to impress." Make sure you are wearing a suit that is wrinkle free and your appearance is polished. This is the first impression you are making with a potential future employer and you want it to be a good one.
At the fair, approach each company with confidence and prepared questions/highlights from your background. Keep in mind, this is the time for you to sell yourself! You want the company to know why they should hire you. However, this is also a time for the company to sell you on the benefits of joining their organization. Therefore, make sure to get any initial questions answered. Lastly, enjoy yourself and use the fair as a learning experience and a way to find out what companies interest you more than others.
- Kellie Gilroy, University Relations Program Manager, NCR Corporation
Learn more about NCR Corporation
Featured employer: Kraft Foods
Thank you to James Wagers, Region Recruiter, Kraft Foods for contributing the following profile:
Kraft Foods is a retail sales and service organization that calls on local grocery stores like Kroger, Wal Mart, and Meijer. Our portfolio of products include many common household names: Kraft Mac & Cheese, Maxwell House coffee, Tombstone Pizza, Oscar Mayer, and Oreo Cookies to mention a few.
The entry level sales and service rep position is a great way to start your career path with Kraft. Opportunities to advance are not only present but also encouraged as we are searching for individuals to step into a fast paced, exciting, and challenging career.
Compensation is competitive with a full compliment of benefits all effective day one of employment. Tuition reimbursement is available to those who qualify.
Please visit our web site, www.kraft.com, for more detailed information. If you are interested in pursuing a career path with Kraft please send your cover letter and resume to: James.wagers@kraft.com.
Business student spotlight: Amanda Drake
Thank you, Amanda, for the following success story:
As a student, it is important to set yourself above mediocre. There are many ways to accomplish this, but going to Career Services is your best option. I was starting my junior year in college, two years from launching my career. As a Business Management and Human Resources dual major, I wanted to learn more about my field. I became an officer in the Human Resources Club, joined the Management Club, and participated on the SAM business case competition team. On campus extra-curricular programs and organizations are a great resource to gain experience within your major. In order to really set myself above the standard, I knew I would need to get an internship.
I worked with Career Services to find an internship within the Human Resources field. I posted my resume on the Wright Search, I attended career fairs, networked, and I kept in contact with Career Services. Shortly after, I accepted my first internship position with Total Quality Logistics (TQL) as an HR Intern. As a student, it was a surreal experience stepping into the professional world. Some of my responsibilities as an intern were to assist with the employment screening process by checking applicant references and ordering background checks. I also assisted the recruiters with onsite interviews by hosting company tours and interacting with applicants on their onsite visits. I also had many opportunities to engage in different HR projects. Although the daily responsibilities and projects contributed to my development, I also learned how to interact with professionals, use proper judgment, give a corporate presentation, prioritize, and manage my time. I was able to gain experience in different areas of HR to discover which area I wanted to pursue in my career. Working in this professional environment motivated me to pursue my Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR). This experience truly initiated my transition into the professional world.
About a year before graduation, I started looking for a full-time opportunity in HR and five months before graduation I found one. I accepted a position with Teradata Corporation as an HR Consultant. The bottom line is simple. Prepare properly for a successful career and you will find it.
As an ambitious student, I knew it was crucial for me to get an internship. What I did not know was that my internship shaped me as a professional. The experience I gained during the course of my internship made me who I am today. This experience changed my outlook on my future for the best. It inspired me to have a positive attitude, persistent motivation, and a solid confidence level. I suggest that every student that wants to succeed should pursue an internship.
-Amanda Drake, Senior, Business Management and Human Resources
Spread the word
If you 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 tip
Compliments of At Ease Inc.
Are you putting your best email self forward?
You can be sure you are if you:
Email only those to whom your message pertains rather entire address groups.
Make a point of responding to messages promptly.
Always use spell-check and grammar-check before sending messages.
Include your telephone number in your messages.
Learn that email should be used for business rather than personal use.
If you would like to receive monthly tips from At East Inc., send a request to sabath@ateaseinc.com.
