UVM Career Services Blog

Savvy Seniors: Seek and Ye Shall Find!

Posted on February 4, 2013 with No Comments

Some say that 70% of jobs are never advertised.  70%!

That means that if you are spending all your “job search” time on Craigslist and Monster then you are missing out!

How do you find these “hidden” jobs? There is lots of great advice out there about finding jobs that aren’t advertised.

It mostly boils down to this:

• Network! People hire people. Start getting to know some people today.
• Research Companies and Career Fields.  Start making a short list of organizations that you would like to work for. Get to know some people who work there! (Look on Linked in to see if any UVM Alumni work at your target company.)
• Intern, Volunteer, or Work (P/T, Full Time or Temporary). Get your foot in the door. Companies like to hire internally.  (Bonus: You get to know people.)

Of course it doesn’t hurt to use some on-line resources like Catamount Job Link to Find Full Time Employment.

The most important element of your job search is to keep looking! You never know where you will find “the one,” that first great opportunity after college.  Maybe it will happen at the upcoming Spring Job Fair!

~Kala

Still not sure what kind of job exactly you are looking for? Check out our earlier post: Savvy Seniors: Explore Options

Ready to start looking? Join us for this special Seniors Workshop:
Savvy Seniors Workshop: Identify Opportunities
Wednesday, February 6^th, 4:15pm L&L E-166

Internship of the Month: Draftfcb

Posted on January 28, 2013 with No Comments

Intern: Sam Patterson
Class Year: 2013
Major: Public Communication
Employer: Draftfcb
Internship Title: Account Management Intern
Website: www.draftfcb.com/

Describe the company and your internship responsibilities:

Draftfcb is a global advertising agency. They offer positions in every aspect of advertising/marketing from account management to creative direction. I interned on the account management side. My primary responsibilities included tracking all advertising materials of competitors for the Valspar paint company, managing day-to-day integrated campaign materials including banners, print, website, and social media, as well as managing content uploaded to their YouTube page.

What did you like best about this internship? What was most challenging?

The most enjoyable part of the internship was being able to work on projects that made a real impact on day-to-day operations. For example, I was put in charge of creating an integration between Facebook and Pinterest so the two platforms could operate more consistently and efficiently.

The most challenging aspect of the internship was being able to work on projects with little direction or oversight. My superiors were often busy working on projects of their own and I would have to use my own discretion to complete the assignments.

What impact did this internship have on your career direction?

This internship ultimately led to a job as I will be returning to Draftfcb in Chicago full-time next fall. The 10 weeks I spent at DFCB this summer showed me so much about how the industry works and helped me realize that this type of career is something I want to continue with. The people I worked with, both full-time employees as well as other interns, were all extremely pleasant and helpful and I am excited to return to that type of workplace environment. Internships provide an extremely valuable experience of working in the real world and getting a taste of what professional life will be like after school.

What advice do you have for students as they apply for opportunities such as this one?

The best piece of advice I can offer to students is that you make an effort to reach out to everyone and anyone that may be able to help you. In my experience, this meant going to LinkedIn and reaching out to get in touch with people working in the field. I was able to meet and connect with someone who graduated from UVM and worked at Draftfcb. They were extremely helpful as I applied to Draftfcb.

• Learn more about Draftfcb

• Apply for their summer internship through Catamount Job Link Position # 10573

Making a Career Transition

Posted on January 17, 2013 with No Comments

When thinking about making a career change many people might question whether or not it is worth their time, energy and resources to follow through with it due to the overwhelming feeling of the process. However, when people start reflecting on why they’re ready for a change possibly due to burn out, financial instability or new interests, taking the necessary steps toward a happier career can be worth the struggle. Below are a few tips to help you work towards your new goals and obtain the career that’s right for you:

1. Realize it’s never an easy process. Changing careers can create anxiety and fear, which are normal emotions when facing change, but it’s important you use these emotions to your advantage. These emotions can help you assess why you’re thinking about this change and if they are pointing out factors you should be considering when deciding to follow through with the transition. It may be helpful to talk about your ideas with a career counselor or life coach to identify what it is you’re looking for in a job, how your transferable skills can be marketed to a new industry and how to create a plan that will be manageable for you.
2. Use your network. Consider connecting with friends, family, former colleagues, or finding people through LinkedIn to help you network. By identifying people who work within the field of interest, you will receive first-hand information about the reality of the chosen career and how you can get started with the transition. However, it’s probably a good idea to speak with more than one person within the field to give you a broader perspective.
3. Build a support team. By surrounding yourself with people who are positive and supportive of your new pursuits, you will have the additional resources you need to pull you through the skepticism you may encounter.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Every artist was first an amateur.”

~Danielle

Savvy Seniors: New Year! Let the ride begin!

Posted on January 9, 2013 with No Comments

Here’s a little inspiration from Story People

“off on another adventure of a lifetime & hoping he won’t forget halfway through this time”

Set your compass, raise the sails, and keep on breathing!  Here are a few things to pack for the upcoming adventure called Life! After college!

Curiosity:  Be curious each day about the next step, the next conversation, the next connection to make.

Compassion: Getting a job and life you want takes time!  Be gentle with yourself in times of change, while you keep leaning into the wind.

Commitment: There are no firm deadlines & assignments to meet in life, no one checking in over your shoulder.  You are steering the ship, so keep an eye focused forward and set your own search schedule.

Humor: Laugh often.  Abandon all Eeyore tendencies when thinking “I gotta get a job….”  Keeping positive is key, so take time each day to see the humor in things -  watch a comedy re-run, take a laughter yoga class, or make a belly-laugh chain with friends.

~Holly

World of Work: Alli Morse ’12, State Street Bank

Posted on December 11, 2012 with No Comments

Alli Morse ‘12
Project Manager/Business Analyst
State Street
Major: Mathematics

What are employers looking for?

During senior year of college family, friends, professors, and fellow students are all asking the golden question: “What are your plans after you graduate?” For some students, it’s a question they love to be asked because they have an answer. Maybe it’s graduate school, a full-time job, or traveling throughout Europe for a summer. But I would argue that for most students, it’s a question they dread. Come December of my senior year, I fell into the latter category.

After ruling out graduate school and the trip to Europe, due to the damages it would cause on my bank account, I began looking into ways of incorporating my math skills into the business world. I knew I wanted a large, global and reputable company that would allow me to develop as a financial professional and grow within the company.

After a lot of research and submission of online applications to multiple companies, my friend recommended looking into State Street. With hopes of networking with State Street colleagues, I attended the annual UVM Boston Career Networking Night. After giving my well-planned spiel to a Senior Vice President from State Street, she gave me her business card and told me to follow up with her offline. The next day, I emailed all alumni with whom I connected, including the SVP from State Street. The next thing I knew I was headed into Boston for “Informational Interviews.” After four hours of draining interviews, including an unsolvable math problem, I left One Lincoln Street thinking I would never get a job there. But I was determined to continue on my search.

The next month I dedicated to my job search, which consisted of networking with people at both State Street and other financial institutions. For the most part, many people never responded but I was persistent which, in the end, was key. Over a month after my visit to State Street in Boston, I received an offer from State Street within SSGM ERM Department. It turned out I had key competencies they value. I graduated Cum Laude in May 2012 and in June I moved to the North End in Boston and started at State Street.

I am currently a Project Manager/Business Analyst for the Risk Management department within SSGM. So, landing a job after graduation is possible! It takes time and effort. While beginning your search, here are some tips from a lead recruiter at State Street to assist your efforts.