Category Archives: Lessons

#LifeAfterSU with Heather Cosson

Posted on by
Heather Renae Cosson

Heather Renae Cosson

In our continuing series on post-SU plans, Heather Renae Cosson, G ’13, lets us know how she will be using her M.S. in public relations!

1) Name, Major/degree: Heather Renae Cosson – M.S. in Public Relations

I have always been a social and opinionated person. I chose to embrace this and jump into public relations and communications. While earning my master’s degree, I worked with a PR agency in NYC. I enjoyed working there, but I knew something was missing.

That same summer, I attended a conference where President Bill Clinton spoke about mutual cooperation and bringing communities together to solve problems. Everything clicked. From that moment, I knew I wanted to work toward something greater. After meeting the team at National Foundation to End Senior Hunger, I had found my “something greater”. I joined the fight to end senior hunger.

When I’m not working, I spend my free time trying out new recipes, exploring museums and playing with my new puppy. I am also slightly addicted to coffee and Twitter.

2) What are you doing after graduation? I will be the communications associate for the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger. It’s a new nonprofit in the DC area that spun off from Meals on Wheels America.

3) What tip do you have for those job searching? Network! I know everyone says this, but it really is the most important step. Talk to the people you know and let them know what you’re trying to do. Don’t ask them for a job. They usually can’t give you a job, but if they know what type of job you’re looking for, they can keep an eye out for opportunities.

Update your LinkedIn profile. Add relevant courses and projects you’ve worked on. Make it easy for recruiters to find you.

Do not stop applying for jobs. Getting an interview is wonderful, but it does not mean you’ve been offered a job. Don’t stop.

4) How did Career Services help you? I used Career Services many times for resume and cover letter review. It helps to have a fresh pair of eyes look over your resume. A resume is how you sell yourself; take the time to get a second or third opinion on it.

Thank you Heather for sharing your post-grad plans. Stay tuned for more #LifeAfterSU stories!

You’ve studied abroad…now use it to stand out!

Posted on by

By Christina Faulkner, Career Services’ Employer Relations Program Coordinator

So you’re back in the States after a semester abroad; you’ve explored a new place, culture, and maybe a new language too. Your semester abroad can be a great leverage point on your resume and in an interview to help set you apart from other candidates!

Christina in Niokolo Koba National Park during her study abroad experience in Senegal.

Christina in Niokolo Koba National Park during her study abroad experience in Senegal.

Put it on your resume
Your resume is often the first method of contact you will make with a potential employer, so you want it to stand out against all of the other resumes they see. Having experience abroad distinguishes you from other candidates because it shows that you can adapt to new environments and be independent.

Depending on how relevant your study abroad experience is to the job you are applying for, you can list it briefly or more in-depth. Always include the location, duration, and title of the program on your resume. If you studied at a university while in your host country, include the name of the university as well. If your study abroad experience is directly applicable to the job, you can expand on it by sharing the classes you took (and whether they were in a language other than English), research projects you conducted, what you learned, and/or skills you gained.

If you held an internship, volunteered, or conducted research abroad, add your title and duties under the appropriate section of your resume.

Include any languages you learned abroad in the skills section of your resume. Add your proficiency in the language – basic, intermediate, conversational, or fluent.

Examples:

Resume Pic Christina

Talk about it in an interview
What you choose to put on your resume, including study abroad experience, may come up in an interview; if it’s on your resume, then you should be prepared to discuss it. You can also use experiences from your trip abroad to answer behavioral interview questions. Examples:

Interview Christina

Examples like these can show you are adaptable, determined, a good communicator, and so much more!

Everyone’s study abroad experience is unique and challenging in its own way, so use it to prove that you are the right person for the job. Be proud of your experience abroad – you learned, explored, and put yourself out there!

For individual help, please visit us during drop-ins! These times will change beginning May 13, so please keep an eye on our website.
Monday           12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday          12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday      3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Thursday          2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Jerejef! (Thank you!)

ORANGE & BLUE: Serving and Protecting SU

Posted on by

By Gregory Snyder, ‘07

On September 11, 2001 at 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 smashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Completely unaware of the situation, I was sitting at a computer in my graphic design course during my junior year of high school. I enjoyed computers and design and I was beginning to lean toward pursuing a college degree in the field. As the day unfolded, my career path changed in an instant.

Officer Gregory Snyder '07 (second from right) on the day he was swore in

Officer Gregory Snyder ’07 (second from right) on the day he was sworn in

Someone in class saw the headline news on a website and brought it to everyone’s attention. My teacher turned on a television in the classroom for us to see as we continued with our work. At 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175 slammed into the South Tower before our very eyes. We were horrified. As the events of the day concluded, I knew what I wanted to spend my life doing. I wanted to be a police officer. I wanted to be the one running in and the one to help those in need. Some say law enforcement is a calling. I’m not sure this is true, but what I do know after working for six years is that it is a challenging and stressful job that will strain your personal relationships and potentially your quality of life. However, when you choose this career for the right reasons and find the department that fits you, as a complete person, there are few more rewarding professions.

After high school, I attended Syracuse University, following in the footsteps of my grandfather, brother and sister before me. I worked as a tour guide for SU and volunteered with the University 100 and enjoyed serving the University community. I bled orange for my years at Syracuse and will continue to for the rest of my life. I completed my degree in Sociology with minors in both Psychology and LGBT studies, but I continued pursuing a career in law enforcement and both my degree and college experiences made me the officer I am today.

My fiancé and I moved to Brooklyn after graduation in May of 2007 and by that July I had completed the painstaking process of written exams, oral interviews, physical fitness testing, and background checks. I then began my six months of training at the New York City Police Department Academy, an adventure and unique life experience, to say the least. After graduating the academy, I worked for another three and half years in the public housing developments in Brooklyn. The extremely high crime area was great for developing my skills and experience, but after about two years of work I knew something just wasn’t right. I loved aspects of my job, but I just knew the department wasn’t quite right for the kind of police officer I wanted to be. New York City was mind blowing, and while the pizza is unmatched, I also knew the city just wasn’t where I wanted to settle down and raise a family. I began the process of looking for a department that was a better fit to me.

In 2010, the perfect job opportunity to combine my passions appeared. As it would happen, the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety, DPS to the community, was hiring. I instantly gravitated toward the idea of returning to my alma mater to do the job I love. After going through the process, I returned to Syracuse University to work full time for the Department of Public Safety in August of 2011. The department has been a great fit for me. It has allowed me to live and work in a place I love, with a community I can relate to, and to be a police officer in a unique way that I couldn’t in New York City.

I don’t know whether or not this is the last stop for me in my law enforcement career. As with any career, I am constantly looking to improve myself and further provide for my family and our future and it is difficult to predict where that road will lead. However, the Department of Public Safety has given me a career I can enjoy and I feel rewarded every day to serve and protect this community.

Balancing a Passion and a Paycheck: Megan Hess

Posted on by

This is the first blog post in a new series on A Slice of Advice called Balancing a Passion and a Paycheck. We’ll feature Syracuse University alumni who spend their time outside of work on a project, business, idea, or hobby in a proactive and dedicated manner. If you’d like to be featured, send a tweet to @CareerSU!

Megan Hess

Megan Hess, Class of 2011

Today’s alumna, Megan Hess, was featured on Forbes’ list of Top 75 Websites For Your Career, and as a 2011 grad, she has spent a lot of time exploring odd careers for her website, No Joe Schmo. Here she talks about what she does and how she does it:

What do you do full-time and what do you work on part-time? (a little introduction)
I’m a digital and social media editor at Scholastic Parent & Child magazine, where I help to oversee digital strategy and produce content for the magazine’s website, apps, and social media channels. On the side, I founded and run a website featuring people with unusual jobs called No Joe Schmo.

Why did you begin this part time work?
Knee-deep in the job search after graduating in 2011, I needed a creative outlet to keep me writing on a regular basis (cover letters just weren’t cutting it). One of my favorite writing formats is the character study, because it enables you to engage in someone else’s life through his or her stories. So I decided to create a hub for character studies.

Originally, I conceived of my site as The Joe Schmo Project; I planned to interview people with really run-of-the-mill jobs, like bank tellers and grocers (Joe Schmos, if you will), in order to glean career advice. I wanted to examine the paths of people we interact with daily but probably never speak with. But as I gave it more thought, I realized I could extract more human data by profiling people at the other end of the spectrum: those with cool or crazy jobs. I think my mom was actually the one to coin “No Joe Schmo.”

What do you enjoy best about your side project?
I love chatting on the phone for hours with people I’d otherwise never have the opportunity to speak with. While I’ve chronicled some well-known individuals, like the Naked Cowboy, many No Joe Schmos are much lower profile. In fact, many have never been interviewed before. Hearing these people speak with such gusto about their lines of work – even someone like Cara Brown, a professional pooper scooper – helps me remember that a career is always a work in progress. Plus, a full-time job and side project mustn’t be mutually exclusive; No Joe Schmo helps to fuel professional inspiration.

Not only is No Joe Schmo personally satisfying, but it also opens up others’ eyes to jobs they didn’t know existed. Or perhaps it turns their preconceived notions about certain jobs upside-down.

What advice would you give to others looking to start side projects?
“Do what you love, and the rest will come” is easier said than done, especially if you’re a recent grad with bills to pay. But maintaining a side hustle is a smart workaround that may eventually become a full-time job. It’s so important to act on a great idea; you can always tweak and iterate later. Waiting to act until an idea is “perfect” may actually harm you in the long run. Just look at the Winklevii.

Stay up to date with No Joe Schmo on Facebook.

Do you balance your passion with a paycheck? If so, let us know and we’ll feature you in a future post!

When your home is also your office: the pros and cons

Posted on by

By T.J. Basalla ’06

T.J. Basalla, Class of 2006

T.J. Basalla, Class of 2006

For the past two years, my job has offered me the unique opportunity to work from home every day. My company is one that supports flexible work arrangements or telecommuting, citing among other things improved employee morale and cost savings.  While I never actively sought a career that would allow me to work from home, it has proven to be a worthwhile experience for me. I’ve come to love the many benefits to working from home:

Comfort: Your home should be the place where you’re the most comfortable. When you get to work in your most comfortable location, you benefit. That’s how I feel working from home. Even when my workday gets really crazy, being at home relaxes me and allows me to stay focused on my tasks at hand.

Productivity: When I tell people that I work from home, one of the things that I often hear is, “I could never get any work done working from home.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. Working from home limits my outside distractions and allows me to stay focused on my job. I’ve found that I’m overall more productive working from home than in a traditional office setting.

Flexibility/Freedom: I don’t have to sit in traffic in the morning or the evening. When I take a lunch break, I can walk around my neighborhood. My time working from home has offered me a unique amount of flexibility that I couldn’t get in a traditional office setting.

With all that said, working from home does pose some unique challenges. I’ve found, though, that none of the following challenges are impossible to face.

Lack of Human Contact: This is the biggest and most obvious one. If you’re an outgoing person like me, that can be very difficult to take at times. Just because you’re not sharing an office with people doesn’t mean you can’t be in contact with your co-workers all day. That’s why a phone exists. That’s why social media and e-mail exist. My co-workers know me very well even though many of them have never met me in person. I also try to leave home to get coffee or lunch at least once or twice a week. You can still be social and outgoing even if you aren’t in an office setting. You just have to make the efforts to do so.

The Home Setting: It may not feel natural to “go to work” when you don’t leave your home. That can affect your productivity and work quality. The biggest way to overcome this: create a space in your home that is specifically designed as your work zone. I’m lucky enough to have an office in my house, but you can designate any space as your work zone. Then it simply becomes a mental thing: when I am in my work space, I am no longer “at home.” I am “at work.”

Working from home may not be for everyone, but it does offer some unique benefits that working in an office does not. I’ve been lucky to experience them first hand over the last two years!

Spring Break in Suits: DC Immersion 2013

Posted on by
MHA-WhiteHouse

Malcolm, Hannah, and Amanda in front of the White House on a rainy day!

By Amanda Day, Class of 2015

While my friends headed down to Punta Cana and Panama City Beach this Spring Break, I was doing something a bit more productive. Nineteen of my fellow students and I were given an opportunity to explore Washington D.C. and to meet some of the remarkable Syracuse University alumni who call D.C. home. Thanks to the Paul Greenberg House in Washington D.C., Alumni Relations, and Career Services, we spent our break running around D.C. experiencing what life is like in our nation’s capital. By the time the trip was over, we were all exhausted, but the experience was incredible. I wouldn’t trade my Spring Break trip for the sunniest island on the Caribbean.

I’ve always loved Washington D.C., but our trip opened my eyes to everything the city really has to offer. It’s a city that offers a fast-paced life and beautiful views. Washington D.C. is without a doubt one of the most breath-taking cities I have ever seen. On our Monuments by Moonlight tour that kick started our trip, we got to experience the beauty of the city after dark, seeing all of the historic monuments of D.C. in a new light. In the time we spent walking around the city, there was always something amazing to see.

DC 2013 - Capitol

DC Immersion 2013

What I believe to be the most important part of our trip to D.C. was meeting Syracuse alumni who live and work there. On our trip we got the opportunity to talk to some of the most incredible people who graduated from Syracuse University and went on to a life in Washington. From Google to the F.B.I. we met amazing alumni from all different fields of work. We got a taste for various work environments and what different jobs entail. But perhaps the most valuable part of our visits with alumni was the advice they offered us. Though every alumnus had unique advice, one message was consistent: the importance of connecting. Reaching out and connecting to people is crucial to building a future. They also advised us to work hard, be involved on campus, and to not stress too much about our futures. All of the alumni we met on our trip inspired me tremendously.

Our Spring Break in D.C. was a phenomenal experience that I will never forget. We were given the opportunity to network, ask questions, and learn a lot about life in Washington. I personally have a whole new appreciation for our nation’s capital. By the time our trip came to an end, it was hard to say goodbye. I gained so much from the trip: connections, knowledge, and 19 new friends. Like I said, I wouldn’t trade my Spring Break for anything.

“Should I Go To Grad School?”

Posted on by

By Alaina Spadaro, G’14
Graduate Assistant, Career Services

Graduate Assistant

Alaina is the graduate assistant in Career Services. In this post, she shares some thoughts and resources about pursuing a graduate degree program.

To Go or Not to Go?
Wondering about graduate school? Well, “Should I go to graduate school?” is a common question we hear in Career Services and one that I am familiar with personally. When I was in my senior year of undergrad, I didn’t know whether or not I wanted to pursue a degree past my B.A. and if so, what program of study I should choose.  I knew how much effort it would take to apply and had to decide quickly. Time limitations, financial concerns, and family pressures combined to make my graduate school decision complex. The choice to go or not to go is unique for every individual and situation.

I would not recommend graduate school to someone who is unclear about his or her career path. There’s a lot of emphasis in today’s economy on continuing your education. However, without a specific career goal in mind or without being ready, the pressure of graduate studies could become too much. Personally, I needed to be certain that I really wanted the job opportunities that would be available when I finish my graduate degree. Otherwise, I don’t know if I would have the motivation and willpower to complete the demanding program.

Identify Your Career Path
In my opinion, the most important aspect of deciding whether you should go to graduate school is to identify your career path. There are many different fields and industries to consider and you want to make the best decision for you and what you want out of life. It might sound cheesy, but knowing your “work self” is pivotal to finding a rewarding employment opportunity down the road. Your work self is a term we use to help students define their unique capabilities, interests, and values impacting their career decisions. Many undergraduates don’t get the opportunity to think about what they value in a career, whether it’s work-life balance, organizational structure, or workplace culture. If you don’t know your work self very well, I’d say that work experience trumps education.

NOTE: You don’t have to go graduate school right after undergraduate studies. Many have successfully completed graduate degrees both during and after obtaining some work experience.  Often, work experience shows you what it’s really like in your field of interest and what kind of education is required to advance. 

The Application Process
Once you identify your career path and realize an advanced degree is the appropriate next step, prepare to apply (and that can be daunting).  I have to be honest…the application process takes much more time than you anticipate. If you’re considering graduate school the fall of your senior year, then you better hustle to get your applications together for the following fall. Often, application deadlines are in January and February.  Not to mention, many graduate schools and programs require a standardized test (GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and LSAT). Below are some resources that I’ve compiled to help you along the way.

Some useful links when considering graduate programs:

Below are links to the main pages for graduate school exams:

You’re Not in This Alone
There’s no way that I could address all the concerns and questions you, as an individual, have about the application process or grad school. I hope, however, that you realize that you don’t have to navigate the question: “Should I go to grad school?” on your own.

For more advice on the many aspects of the graduate school application process, please come to Career Services to speak with a counselor. We would be happy to discuss your decision with you or answer any question you might have along the way.  Just call 443-3616 to set up an appointment or stop by the office at 235 Schine Student Center during Drop-ins.

Our counselors can help you:

  • Clarify whether you should pursue a master’s degree or a PhD
  • Research graduate schools and programs
  • Develop a strategy for the application process
  • Fine-tune your personal statement
  • Revise your resume for graduate school
  • Practice for your graduate school interview
  • Understand what a GA/TA/RA is and how to apply

Best of luck with your decision! And please let us know if we can help.

Career Resources Series: Use Vault.com to Score Points with Employers

Posted on by

By Chuck Reutlinger, Associate Director, Career Services

“Why are you interested in us? What do you know about us? Why are you interested in this position and this career path? What are your strengths? Where do you see yourself in the future?”

Employers ask questions like these to see how much you really know about their organizations, their products or services, their work cultures, and, of course, the actual tasks, challenges and preferred qualifications of a specific job. Why? They are trying to identify that candidate who has an accurate grasp of the realities of working in a specific role; is confident that their knowledge, skills and attitude can produce desired outcomes; whose personality and work style will fit easily into their work culture; and who will be energized by the work they do now and in the future. This will be the candidate with whom they will want to form a relationship and to whom they will gladly make an offer.

VaultIn order to properly impress an employer, motivated job seekers have come to depend on a number of resources that capture and publish information on industries, employers, specific careers, and the tactics that employers use to evaluate candidates in the various stages of consideration.  Foremost among these resources is Vault.com.  Through its various profiles and lengthy guides, Vault provides the kind of information that networkers, cover letter writers and interviewees can use to compete successfully for an offer of a job or an internship. Familiarity with such information has become an employer’s expectation of their best candidates.

For the general public visiting Vault’s web site, some information is presented free of charge but most of the truly valuable information carries a cost.  Fortunately for students, Vault makes arrangements for colleges and universities to pay an annual fee that affords their students access to a great deal more crucial insider information on industries, careers, employer cultures, preferred qualifications, interviewing styles and formats, and much more. Syracuse has such an arrangement whereby students can log on to Vault through a Syracuse portal, set up their own accounts on Vault, and use the resources without the restrictions that non-Syracuse users would encounter.

To access Vault through the Syracuse designated pathway, students need to follow these steps every time they wish to use this resource:

  1. Go to this section of the Career Services website and click on the login link
  2. Enter the SU designated user name and password
  3. Click on Vault Career Insider on the next page
  4. Set up a new account for first time users or log in with existing account login info set up in an initial visit

Counselors at SU Career Services can help students to grasp how Vault information can help them.  Resources similar to Vault include Wet Feet and Glass Door although SU does not currently have specific arrangements for student usage.

Career Fair’s Over: Now What?

Posted on by

In this short video, Associate Director of Employer Relations Sue Casson shares some quick pointers on how to follow up with recruiters now that Career Fair is over!

This two-minute video is worth watching if you’re curious about the next steps to take.

We hope you had a wonderful experience at our Spring 2013 Career Fair!

Click the link:
Sue Casson on Career Fair Follow-Up

 

 

Prepare for the Fair! (Career Fair, that is…)

Posted on by

By Shannon Andre, Employer Relations Coordinator

With the Spring Career Fair less than a week away, there’s only a little time left to get ready to impress the employers visiting campus!  Here are some quick tips to help you along the way:

1)      Have an up-to-date resume.

Even Otto has a resume!

Even Otto has a resume!

Remember that your resume is a marketing tool.  Most recruiters will spend less than 10 seconds reviewing a resume.  You’ll want to make a great impression!  Spend some time reviewing the Career Services Career Guide for all the basics of building a resume.  Make sure it’s free of grammar and spelling mistakes too!  Once it’s ready, have it reviewed by one of our career counselors during 15 minute drop-ins, or visit us during Resumania on Monday, February 4.  Employer experts will review resumes from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

2)      Do your research.
One of the most frequent criticisms we hear from employers is that our students have not done their research when they approach the employer’s table.  Before you attend the Career Fair, it’s important to check out the employers visiting, the opportunities they have available, and to learn a little bit about the company.  Utilize resources like OrangeLink, LinkedIn, Twitter, and the company’s website to do the background research.  It will make you stand out!

3)      Practice your elevator pitch.
When you approach an employer, you’ll give them a firm handshake, introduce yourself, hand them your resume, and then have a few moments to explain why you are a great candidate for their position.  Be prepared to speak for 30 to 60 seconds about your qualifications, experiences, and goals as they relate to the position you are interested in (this is where that research is really important).  Don’t be afraid to write it down and practice!

4)      Dress for SUccess.
First impressions are key, which is why dressing the part is so important.  Make sure your clothes are ironed and appropriately cut.  Some suggestions for business dress include: dress pants, khakis, button-down shirts, collared shirts, suits, ties, skirts, and blouses.  Remember comfortable shoes too!  Check out Career Services’ Pinterest board for some examples.

If you need additional help preparing for the fair, Career Services is hosting two workshops this week – Wednesday, January 30 from 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. and Friday, February 1 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.  Learn how the Career Fair works, what to wear, what to bring, and how to approach employers.

We look forward to seeing you Tuesday, February 5 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Flanagan Gymnasium for the Spring Career Fair!