Husky Career Blog
If you missed November 3rd's Graduate and Professional School Fair or November 16th's Law School Fair, I won't hide the fact that you missed a good time. Representatives from more than 75 institutions attended the Graduate and Professional School Fair, and reps from more than 80 (!) attended the Law School Fair. It was a great opportunity to connect face-to-face with admissions representatives from programs all over the region and the nation.
But if you missed either event, all hope is definitely not lost, because the UW hosts many year-round resources for connecting you with pre-professional information, guidance and advice.
If you're thinking of heading to Graduate and Professional School, for instance, you'll want to be sure to check out the entire webpage of resources hosted by our team here at UWCC.
And if you're thinking of heading to Law School, please tell me you've checked in with the Gateway Center's Pre-Law Advising team. If you haven't yet, don't fret - just check out their online resources, then scurry to the Gateway Center (MGH 171).
If you're interested in pursuing Health-related graduate or professional education, be sure to attend April 28th's Health Graduate and Professional School Fair, being offered from 4-7pm in the Upper Husky Den. More information will be available on the Career Center website by late Winter Quarter.
Finding the face-to-face contact with admissions reps that was offered at the fairs earlier this month can be tricky to duplicate. However, there are some options to consider:
- Some programs make department-specific visits on campus, if there's a target population they're interested in recruiting. Check in with your departmental advisers if there's a school or two that is of particular interest.
- Look at other school's events websites. Sure, it's always nice to attend these events on your home turf, but sometimes neighboring colleges and universities offer these fairs at different times, and many times they're open to the public, and students from local schools. Be sure to call the event coordinator listed on the website first, though, to ensure you're able to attend.
- Visit the admissions page of any and all institutions that you're particularly interested in attending. Often times they'll have a calendar of their recruiting fairs and activities - maybe there's one happening in a neighboring city, or even a town where you have a friend/relative and could bunk for a night.
And last but definitely not least, keep an eye on the UWCC calendar for next year's Fair dates!
Sometimes I like to think about Eeyore. Seriously, he's an amusing little guy, is he not? And I think Eeyore's important to remember in this economy. Why, you might ask? Well let me play out a little scenario below.
Eeyore: good morning. If it is, which I doubt. Of course I'll never be able to find a job in this economy, so I should probably just stay inside and eat cookies and watch Tool Academy on Vh1. And maybe I'll stay at UW a couple extra quarters so I can delay the inevitable rejection that awaits me in the great big world beyond UW.
Savvy UW job seeker's reponse: Eeyore, lose the 'tude! Didn't you know that pursuing an internship is a great way to improve your employment chances, according to research done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers? That experience outside the classroom can lead to more success after graduation? Get on HuskyJobs, you cranky creature you, find that internship, and take a step towards securing meaningful employment.
Questions on the internship process, or how to land one? Visit us online at http://careers.washington.edu/Students/Find-Jobs-and-Internships , and don't let Eeyore get you down.
To be honest, November is not one of my favorite months. The summer sun is gone, the excitement that accompanies the start of the new school year has dissipated and the beautiful red leaves have fallen to the ground. Yet, ski season and winter holidays seem eons away.
November requires resilience as we come to terms with the fact that the rain is here to stay, that we have no control over the performance of our favorite sports teams and that professors actually expect work from us! If you're struggling to maintain your motivation and mood, remember to be thankful for November's blessings (Pumpkin-flavored everything! Three federal holidays! Television sweeps!) and to spend your energy on things you can control.
Consider using November as a springboard to begin thinking about your future in 2010 and beyond. The Career Center can help you channel your mid-autumn restlessness into a productive career exploration or job search process. So be sure to come check us out in 134 Mary Gates Hall. We think you'll be thankful you did.
By now, you probably already know that The Career Center is on Facebook. Isn’t everyone? Friends, cousins, grandparents—mom and dad. On Facebook, our personal lives and social relationship dramas unfold before a wide and all-encompassing audience. How often have we heard someone we know talk about their embarrassment or their social drama on Facebook.
And how about “UnFriending” people? That’s another aspect of Facebook social drama that will never end. I’m sure we all have a story to share: Personally, one of my friends found out her boyfriend dumped her because he UnFriended her on Facebook. Yes, this was in highschool. And yes, I agree with you—how unoriginal.
In the spirit of Facebook UnFriending, I have this youtube clip to share with you. It’s from an NPR edition of Prairie Home Companion. Yes, it’s a song. Yes, it’s radio. And heck yes, this is a hysterical mockery of Facebook UnFriending.
I hope you enjoy!
You are not alone. You can find work. You can find meaningful work. Job searching takes time, strategy, optimism, organization and luck. Part time / contract / seasonal / internship / co-op positions often lead to full time, career roles. Find your foot-in-the-door, do great work, develop a rock-solid reputation and be kind to others.
The Seattle Times just posted about the job market, Fortune magazine shares some useful info, One Day One Job has a super duper article for new grads, Reuters highlights using the web to mix it up, and the [free] daily updates of the Puget Sound Business Journal are key for keeping up with the Northwest economy & job market.
Some jobs are advertised. Most jobs are hidden, not visible to the public. Tapping into the hidden job market takes strategy. Network, ask for advice, meet as many people as you can, share stories & promote your strengths. Luck may play a part in your search … be open to that intangible & keep your eyes & ears open for situations and opportunities which may boost your luck. UW students & alumni can use HuskyJobs for free, year round. If you want to work on campus, go directly to the units & departments that interest you and stay in touch with their key decision makers. Other ideas are to embrace professional & alumni associations [advice & contacts!], vary up your search strategies, be patient [yet persistent!] and … surround yourself with positive supporters who can help you through this transition / potentially tough time. Believe in yourself. Go for it! Check these other posts I’ve made if needing a boost. If looking for a laugh, check out Chris Rock on Youtube and his thoughts on jobs vs careers.
Not sure what networking is all 'bout? Check this short clip out:
Excellent tips, words of encouragement and strategies from some experts:
So last week, Dawgs, my neck started hurting. My shoulders ached. I woke up with a headache, kept it most of the day, and went to bed with it each night. I started noticing the bags under my eyes and a voracious appetite for caffeine. So what's a girl to do? Spend a weekend morning in bed with coffee, her Nintendo DS and some strategically placed naps, naturally.
And guess what? I came out the other end of it feeling a lot better, thanks to taking four seemingly-measly hours to myself. And that's what I want to encourage you to do. Yes, do your homework. Absolutely, attend your internship. Of course, study for your midterms. But when you have a moment to take a real, live break - take it and run with it.
Sure there are dishes to be washed, laundry to be done, people you haven't seen in a while, grandmas you owe a phone call to, the list goes on and on. But an equally important thing, keeping our sanity and our health, is often the first thing we cross off our list. I challenge you, Huskies, to flip that upside down this week. Because in a particularly aggressive flu season, a particularly tricky economy, not to mention the tough classes, demanding jobs or internships and more - taking good care of yourself is key to staying happy and healthy. So here's to your health and happiness! 
Choices come in all shapes and sizes.
Where should I attend college? Should I sleep-in or go for a jog? Should I study abroad? Do I want sweetener with my coffee? Accounting or finance option? Should I go on that blind date? Do I want an MBA or head to law school after my undergrad degree? Internship or travel in Europe or Asia this summer?
Life, careers and yes, college, centers on all types of decisions. Choosing where to focus your energy is the ongoing challenge, and opportunity. You can pursue educational and professional endeavors that align well with your unique talents, gifts and skills you enjoy using. You can do the opposite as well – make decisions about your near and distant future that do not align well with the energizing ingredients that make you special.
My hope is that you choose the first option mentioned above, and invest time and energy in uncovering, embracing and sharing abilities / talents / core skills / activities which come naturally to you. Yes, I’m talking about strengths here. Merriam-Webster defines [strength] … as “a strong attribute or inherent asset”. Everybody has strengths. Public speaking. Active listening. Leading research projects. Creative expression. Working with kids. Persuading others. Learning new technology. Risk taking. Writing. Repairing car engines. These are just a few examples. Everybody has their own unique combination of abilities that are inner motivated, core to who they are as a person. Core strengths are motivated skills that are used repeatedly in early and recent experiences in which you have done well and enjoyed what you were doing. Placing significant strengths at the nucleus of your life and career decisions, leads to maximizing more of your potential. Trust me.
Strengths grow and evolve over time. Core strengths stay fairly consistent throughout our lives, even if the venue, activity or environment where the strength is used, changes. One key to making informed and strategic decisions about our futures, is to take action to recognize, embrace and market our inner-motivated strengths. American icon Barbara Cook once said, “if you’re able to be yourself, then you have no competition. All you have to do is get closer and closer to that essence.” Alternative rock band Audioslave sings, “to be yourself is all that you can do”. Good advice, now let’s get started.
Want to make a difference? Inspired by one's ability to affect change globally, by acting locally?
Not sure what microfinance is all about? Check out this clip:
The Career Center is thrilled to partner with some dedicated UW colleagues and Seattle organizations, to host a brand new event, which we hope you consider attending. I personally want to give a big shout-out / thank you to Emma in the Career Center and Wren in the Global Business Center, for a lot of hard work putting this event on.
Consider coming to this event!
Poverty and Opportunity: Microfinance + People-Powered Development
The Global Business Center, SeaMo, and the UW Social Entrepreneurship Club will bring world-changing organizations to UW for an exclusive look at how social businesses fosters sustainable development.
Internship Open House; October 15th, 2009; 2:30 to 5:30pm, Mary Gates Hall Commons
The first-ever Microfinance Internship Open House at UW! All current students are invited to learn about internships with leading social businesses and non-profits that improve the lives of people around the world.
Bring copies of your resumes and your passion to make a difference!
Featured organizations include:
Agros International; Esperanza;Gates Foundation;Global Partnerships;Jolkona;Kiva;Lumana;Lumana Credit;MicroEnergy Credits;Oikocredit USA;Re-Vision Labs;Save Together;SeaMo;Unitus;Vittana;Washington CASH
Co-sponsored by the UW Career Center
Also be sure to check out the awesome keynote speaker in Kane Hall!
A few days ago, NPR did a radio segment on the coywolf, a hybrid of a coyote and the gray or red wolf. No one knows for sure, but perhaps the coywolf exists because it is genetically better suited to its environment. With its wily coyote ways and its large, deer-eating wolf’s head, the coywolf is able to negotiate around humans as well as hunt successfully in the wild. The coywolf has prepared itself to keep on keepin' on.
A friend of mine graduated a few years ago with a BA in Psych and a BS in Zoology. She works with birds at a veterinary clinic and loves it. But she doesn’t know what she’s going to do next. She will eventually need to move on to a better-paying job with more responsibility, but if she doesn’t start preparing for it now, she won’t be ready when the time comes! Maybe she could hybridize her current education and her new work experience with veterinary school? Only she knows the answer. But will need something more to keep her skills formidable to her current environment!
So how are you surviving in the wild? Think about how you can augment your inherent abilities, passions, and education with something new that can help you meet your own goals. It’s never too early to start asking yourself “what’s next?”
And of course, if you need some good advice or just a sounding board to bounce your ideas off of, come down to the Career Center and let us help you! Good luck!
Speaking of wily coyotes... (clearly he's not hybridized).
How many times have you heard the saying "It’s not what you know, it’s who you know"? It’s true! You might think that building a list of acquaintances is trivial or snobbish—I mean, who makes fake friends, right? Don’t think that way! It’s becoming more and more important to know the right people if you want to land a job.
Remember 2nd grade? All your friends had the same friends as you did. You ignored or teased people you didn’t like. Ring any bells? Well if you haven’t entirely given that up yet, forget all that now. It’s time to get to know everyone and get everyone to know you. Put your face out there in the wide world of professionals. Network. Smile. Talk about yourself and what your goals are. Ask for help in finding information on job leads. You can get started doing this at school events, career events, with your neighbors, and even with the friends you already have. The sooner you get started doing this, the sooner you’ll see that your friends and acquaintances will connect you to exciting opportunities.
Most people don't immediately think of lawyers when discussing friendship, and this youtube clip is no exception. Watch this hysterical clip of Boston Legal, my all-time favorite show. Alen Shore and Melvin Palmer have a fabulously adversarial dynamic. Completely opposite to the spirit of making friends...
