Come so far, got so far to go

by Rachel

So it's my first blog post, yay! As my second full month as a CCI here at the CPDC (we love our acronyms!) draws to a close, I've been reflecting back on how far I've come.  Today, at the suggestion of one of the career consultants, I made a spread sheet to keep track of how many appointments and what type of appointments I've had so far.  I've only been seeing students on my own for two weeks, but I've already had 9 students! Then I counted up the resumes I reviewed before the Fall EOC, and realized I had reviewed 17 in the month of September.  It seems with every appointment something comes up that I'm not entirely sure of the answer, but I'm starting to realize that this isn't a job that I could learn from a book or from power points; at a certain point you have to jump right in and learn baptism by fire style.  Looking at these numbers, I realize that while I still may have a lot to learn, what I have learned is starting to weigh heavier on the scales.

While I'm helping to guide students on their way to having successful careers, I'm also realizing this internship is helping me develop my own career.  An area I've always struggled is asking for help when I've needed to. I'm learning, especially in the career field, that there's always someone that can help you come up with another resource and a different angle to look at a student's issue from.  Even with everyday tasks, I have umpteen great resources right outside my door to help me expand my knowledge.  Even if career services isn't the direction that I ultimately go in student affairs, the skills I'm developing in this office will help me wherever I go.

We're Baaack!

by Christin

The summer is over…aaand so is September (WHAT?!)…and the Career Counseling Interns have returned to the CPDC!  September is a crazy month in our office, which explains the delay in posting.  I wasn’t here last September, so the madness this year was all new to me. 

Two weeks ago, we had a week full of job fairs.  Literally, 4 fairs in 4 days.  Not to mention the weeks of preparation that led up to the madness we christened “Career Week”.  As you can imagine, this meant chaos (good chaos, but chaos none the less) for both our staff as well as the student body.  Now that things have started to calm down a bit, I’ve had a chance to reflect on my summer and what the coming year will hold.

This summer, I had a completely different internship experience-I interned in Recruitment for a different university in the Pittsburgh area.  I was really excited for this opportunity as I wanted to do something outside of career services, and see if it was a good fit for me.  I truly cannot speak more highly of my experience.  I learned an insane amount in a short period of time, and was given responsibilities an intern would typically never have.  I really had to step up to the plate, and looking back, I am really proud of everything I accomplished.  I also saw a lot of similarities between the student Recruitment process and one’s Career Development.  Rather than being about the numbers, it was about helping students to find their “fit”.  I can definitely see myself working in Recruitment/Admissions when I graduate, and I’m excited that I now have the skill set and experience to make that possible.   

After my experience this summer, and coming back to CMU and diving right in, I feel like I am finally coming into my own in the field of Student Affairs.  Every day, I get better at and more comfortable with what I do.  I want to excel, and I feel like I’m finally at a place where I can focus on continually improving in order to better serve our students.

I’m excited for this year-We have a new batch of great CCI’s, I am working with a new College (Tepper!), I have a number of goals I want to accomplish, and I have a better understanding of where I want to be, personally and professionally, in 7 months. 

I GRADUATE in 7 months.  Well, technically, 6 ½ months.

There’s a lot that needs to happen in that amount of time, and a lot of decisions that need to be made.  I’m insanely nervous about where I’ll be (I’m a J!  I need a plan!), but I’m also really excited to see what ends up happening. 

The Secret to Finding the Perfect Job

by Jake

No Pandora today, instead I'm streaming the new Manchester Orchestra album, Simple Math.

Okay, everyone, I'm ready to share the secret.  I've been searching, applying, and interviewing for full time Student Affairs jobs since December.  I've been following SA Tweeters, reading their blogs, and reading the blogs they read.  I've had my ear to the ground and turned over every stone (except heavy ones).  At the end of the day, I've found an answer...

There is no secret.

Sorry, y'all, but it's the truth.  Construct the perfect resume.  Write the perfect cover letter.  Apply to the perfect job in the perfect location.  At the end of the day, you will be united with the right job.

There is no perfection.

Every job will have its downside to go with its upside.  Every location will lack something.  Every supervisor will have a flaw.  There really is no such thing as a perfect job.  Sorting through those flaws to find the best fit is how we determine which job is the right job.

Every resume and cover letter will be viewed differently.  One person on the search committee may value a creative resume with superb writing while another will be in search of facts and content.  One person may prefer your experience as an RA while others may be more interested in your first prize for raising sheep for wool during your internship in Scotland.  Why put in the job description that I should have a sense of humor if I can't make sarcastic remarks in my cover letter?  Dates on the right or the left?  Who cares!

This internship is ending and I'd like to share the one thought that reigns supreme in the career search and the search for meaning at-large:

Be true to yourself.

Let's face it, search committees can sift through the BS, so why bother giving it to them.  If you don't want to work by yourself, then apply for jobs where you'll work on teams.  If you can't stand working outside the city, then apply to jobs in metropolitan areas.  If you are allergic to cats, then avoid the apprenticeship with the cat farm down the street.

You'll land the job that fits because you genuinely want to do that work in that place with those people.  Some of us may have to settle for a less-glamorous job at the start, but keep shooting higher and higher because that great fit may only be an application away.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

by Christin

Wow, it’s been awhile since I have posted anything here.  However, this is the interns’ final week at CMU, so I figured I should finish out strong.  I can’t believe how quickly this school year and internship have flown by!  Not to be obnoxiously cliché, but life moves pretty fast.  (Come on, you know my cheesy comment was worth watching a Ferris Bueller clip…)

I’m halfway done with my graduate program.  I’m starting a new internship at the University of Pittsburgh next week.  (Don’t worry, I will be back at CMU and blogging again in the fall!)  In a few months I will start to search for full-time jobs.  Eep!  So many changes.  This is exciting.  And crazy.

As a graduate student, I sometimes feel as though my life is in a constant state of flux.  Every few months I have new classes, new internships, new professors, and new classmates.  I know that I am very blessed to have all of these varied, rich opportunities and experiences.  I also know that they will add a lot of strength to my resume.  But I sometimes struggle, because living with all this change is not my preferred state of being. 

Hair-do, study habits, wardrobe, my order at Chipotle.  For better or for worse, I rarely ever change these.  Or most things in my life, really.

I’m a “J” on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).  This means I like order, structure, schedules, and predictability.  Not only do I simply like these things, but living in a predictable, structured manner is my strong preference.  It helps me to operate best, to get things done, and to exist in a sane manner.

Clearly, change sometimes rattles me.  Therefore, it’s kind of ironic that I am going into such a dynamic field of work.  However, I think my crazy life as a graduate student is preparing me to embrace a changing world and live with the ambiguity.  I’ve found the more I am forced out of my comfort zone, the more I am given the opportunity to grow and become a better version of myself.  

So, I find myself pleasantly surprised in being able to say that I am excited for the changes that lie ahead.  I’m excited to have a new experience at Pitt this summer.  I’m excited to come back to CMU in the fall and have a different experience than I did this year.  I am learning that change is good.  I just need to remind myself that variety is the spice of life, there is a plan, and all of this will benefit me greatly in the end!

The Job Search is Scary

by Jake

Pandora station: Arcade Fire

Days have been coming and going in the ongoing progression toward graduation (May 1) and my first full-time job in Student Affairs (TBD).  That's basically the only way I can describe it.  One day ends and another begins with a new set of to-dos and a list of cool jobs to apply for.  With school days approaching their (terminal?) end, at least that to-do list will begin to feature "go to a museum" rather than "type a paper about some higher ed topic". 

The work doesn't stop, though.  Every day I encounter a college that I hadn't thought of or considered for employment and they happen to have a job in one of my interest areas; career counseling, residence life, student activities, admissions, academic advising.  With every new job discovery comes a new sense of urgency that I must apply for this job today or I will not be considered.  Rarely is this actually true, but I have certainly applied for a few jobs (especially in ResLife) that have been posted for months without an end date, but have already moved forward with the interview process.

I am a nostalgic person, clearly, so leaving home, family, and friends is a difficult pill to swallow.  I think I've consumed it, though.  It's become clear that it is unlikely I will be in Pittsburgh this time next year (or in a few months), so I just have to suck it up and think about the benefits that come with a new experience.  As I've written on my personal blog in the past, I have fallen in love with the idea of leaving on several occasions.  This feeling can certainly come and go with the coming and going of actual opportunities.  I think it's just easy for me to think about leaving now because I don't have any interviews on my plate at the moment, so there's no tangible thought of "what would it be like to live in _____".

It's scary to start something new.  It's exciting, too.  Starting over, finding new friends, creating a new life, these things are all invigorating and exhausting.  On one hand, I know that I'll miss my friends, church, family, and life in Pittsburgh.  On the other hand, I can't wait to check out a new music scene and hopefully be hundreds of miles away from any performance by Motley Crue or the Clarks.

The most important thing I'll say today is that you should be excited about the job and location every time you apply.  The thought of moving would be a whole lot scarier if I were applying for jobs I didn't love in cities I wasn't excited about living in.  Sure, 40 hours of your life is a long time so you should enjoy your job, but even the coolest job won't get me to Cleveland.  I'm only applying for jobs I'd enjoy in cities that I'd love.  I know that if I want a change I can always come back in a few years, but I'd rather hold on to that chance of falling in love with somewhere new.

Social Media

by Jake

Pandora station: City and Colour

Last week was the ACPA Conference in Baltimore, MD.  I went to the conference with a cohort of Pitt students as well as a few co-workers from CMU.  I've been thinking about something profound to bring back from the conference, but I'll just map out a few important things that have stuck out to me in the week since.

The Internet is big. 

I went to a few seminars on social media to learn how we can utilize different applications in the office and in the job search.  I am currently preparing a presentation for the office about the things I learned, but there are so many different applications that can be useful that are available for free online.  Besides the old-reliables like Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter, there is a whole collection of media devices that can be useful in the workplace. 

LinkedIn is a professional social networking tool utilized by over one million users.

Polleverywhere can be used to take polls using text messaging or Twitter that can be displayed right in a powerpoint.

About.me is a site where you can create a simple online business card.  Here's mine!

Doodle is a site that can help to coordinate meetings.

Weebly is a simple web page creator.

These are all useful resources that an intermediate computer user can utilize in making their office more hi-tech, efficient, and exciting.

The world is small.

That being said, social networking has made this a very tiny place.  I am currently involved in a job search and have had a few interviews, but I don't want to mention any of them with the fear of showing bias for one which might take me out of the running for the others.  Social networking devices like Twitter are fun to use in sharing exciting news, but the Internet has made the world small enough that I know employers can read everything I'm putting online.

With this in mind, we must brand ourselves.  Google yourself; see what comes up.  Are you writing things on Twitter and Blogger that you wouldn't mind a potential employer reading?  Did you remember to take down every embarrassing picture from Facebook?  Do you still have that Myspace account with your high school girlfriend's pet names written all over the comments?  These are some things that need to be addressed and double-checked before the job search gets too intense.

The old school hand-shaking of networking still exists, though, so you had still better be on your best behavior in the real world.  These professional networks on sites like LinkedIn still have to start with the real in-person interactions of the past, so put your best foot forward.  And try to wear a tie.

For more information about using social media in Student Affairs, check out the research done by Rey Junco.

Developing as a Professional

by Christin

One of the many things we focus on here at the CPDC is fostering students’ professional development through a number of different means.  “Professional development” is such a broad term, and it can refer to a number of different things: college coursework, attending workshops, informal learning opportunities, and so on.  Truly, in almost every interaction with students, I am seeking to help them develop professional skills and values which they will use in their careers.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to engage in some of my own professional development by attending the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) national convention in Baltimore, MD.  This conference is geared toward practitioners, educators, and graduate students in the student affairs field.  I didn’t know what to expect, as this was my first major student affairs conference, but I was definitely excited.

So how was it?

My response to people who ask about the conference has been pretty standard: “I learned a lot.  I met a lot of new people.  I had fun.”  Duh.  Great answer, Christin. 

Really, though, I DID learn a lot.  I’m a huge nerd, but since I’ve been back in school I haven’t been as excited about learning as I hoped or expected I would be.  However, attending this conference and going to sessions about current research in the field of higher education re-ignited my desire to learn, think, and generate new ideas.  I again felt like that undergrad I once knew (all of two years ago… I’m so nostalgic) who loved to think about the “big questions” and generate her own thoughts about them.  I’ve even started to develop a possible research topic if I ever decide to get my PhD: relating Baxter-Magola’s Model of Epistemological Reflection to students’ spiritual development and religiosity…I know, you’re immediately intrigued, right?

I also DID meet a lot of new people.  I’m always telling my students to network, network, network.  Literally, I just say that and leave them to figure out how to do it.  (Kidding).  But this gave me an opportunity to practice what I preach.  For an introvert like me, networking is hard!  However, it’s important and totally worth it.  I came home with a ton of great new ideas, contacts, and LinkedIn connections all from engaging in a little bit of networking.

In these ways, the conference was refreshing; I was reminded of why I enjoy this field, and I was able to share that experience with 3,000+ other people who feel the same way.  However, the conference was also totally exhausting!  Late nights, early mornings, day-long sessions, and an infection I picked up from the hotel (yeah, disgusting) really wore me down.  But despite that it was such a worthwhile professional development experience.  When I’m in the daily grind, I forget how important opportunities like this are, and this week was a really good reminder.

My Heart is in the Work

(or alternately titled, One Reason Why Internships Are Great!)

By Christin

Last week was Spring Break for both Pitt and CMU, so I was off from both school and my internship for an entire week.  What in the world did I do with a whole week off you ask?  I wish I could tell you that I spent it in some warm, tropical location, sipping on frozen drinks with little umbrellas and getting a nice tan.  No such luck for this poor grad student.  However, between watching an entire season of Lost, baking delicious coconut macaroons, and briefly cheering on Pitt in the Big East Tournament, I had a lot of time to veg and think about things.

One thing I kept thinking about was how thankful I am to be doing a job which I enjoy.  I knew I enjoyed this internship, but it wasn’t until I got excited to come back after a week off that I realized it really is a great fit for me.  It’s a job that I can get excited about and really dedicate myself to.

This caused me to reflect on a quote from Carnegie Mellon’s namesake, Andrew Carnegie, who said (like this blog title) “My heart is in the work”.  Even a financial tycoon like Carnegie, who was surely raking in major dough, recognized the importance of enjoying what you do.  I would guess that it wasn’t all about the Benjamins for Carnegie.  And it really shouldn’t be for anyone.

Obviously one’s career is not the entirety of one’s life (though I suppose it definitely can be if you want it to), but we each will spend some 40-odd years in the working world.  That is a mighty long time to be working for the weekend.

Maybe I’m naïve.  After all, having graduated from undergrad only 2 years ago, I haven’t been working for very long.  But I’ve come in contact with people who love their jobs and those who don’t, as I’m sure we all have.  I’m convinced you should do something you enjoy and have passion for—something where you can put your heart into your work.

Now, you may not find what that is immediately, and my post may therefore be frustrating for you to read.  Rest assured that I am in the same boat, and some of what I am saying comes from a place of hope.  I’m still a student, and I am still trying to find a career where I can put my heart into my work.  This process certainly isn’t easy, but it’s worthwhile. 

And this is why I think internships are great—they allow you to try a certain job, gain valuable skills and experience, and see if you actually enjoy the work.  If you’re open and diligent, you’ll find something you enjoy.  You always have time to explore, try new things, and change direction.

Post-Spring Break Thoughts

by Jake

Pandora station: Copeland

We've entered the stretch run for the school year.  All that's left in each class is a final project.  The job search is in full swing with a dozen applications hitting the ethernet jungle this weekend.  Spring break is over, which means back to the grind, but it also means I'm only a couple months away from big changes.

The biggest decision when interviews and job offers come along will be whether I stay in Pittsburgh or leave for a city on my short-list (Boston, Philly, Seattle, Portland, Denver, and SoCal at the moment).  I've spent my whole life in Pittsburgh, which makes this an increasingly difficult decision.  Everything I know is here; my family, my friends, my church, my alma mater.  Looks like I should stay, but poetic justice has me leave. 

"Why on earth would I want to stay even longer?" my inner-artist asks.  Because it's safe?  That's a poor reason.  Because I want to develop the roots I've planted?  Getting better.  Because I love Pittsburgh?  Makes sense.

Who knows where I will have opportunities when graduation rolls around.  I'll be happy to get a few interviews and an offer or two.  Pittsburgh has a much lower cost-of-living than the other cities mentioned, which would be great for me to build up some savings and pay back loans for a few years before re-evaluating.  On the other hand, I'm young and not tied down to Pittsburgh, so now is probably the best time to leave.

I visited Seattle two summers ago, Philadelphia last semester, and Boston last week.  These are three great American cities for very different reasons.  They each offer different things that are attractive for the young, single, artful Christian male.  In a way, each city felt like home during the visit.  Each city offers a young, hip crowd of musicians and artists and beer-enthusiasts that I'd fit in with.  Each city would bring along a new, exciting adventure.  Each city would get me closer to the ocean.

Am I ready to start over?  I don't really know.  Sometimes I feel ready to try something new and different, sometimes I am terrified to leave what I love.  The best part of the whole equation is that I believe in a faith that tells me God has a plan.  He'll guide me to the decision and I can just be along for the ride.  This thought makes everything seem simpler, but taking the decision out of my hands is a scary thing.  You only live once, though, so we'd better make the most of it.

Career Detours

by Jake

Pandora station: The Format

There's a saying that I've heard from several of my Christian friends and that is "if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans".  Whether you believe in God or not, I feel like this statement can ring pretty true because our plans rarely work out the way they are supposed to. 

My high school self thought that I'd be married and working for ESPN by the time I was 26, but that clearly is not where I am in my journey!  This isn't to say that I am not accomplished because I did not realize these goals, but instead that through the different trials and turns in my life I have developed a new set of goals which may not even have everything to do with a career.

In our consultant meeting today one of my colleagues, Renee, brought a new Career Success Guide to our attention from our website, which deals with "bridge year" options (link coming soon).  These include a lot of short-term internships and jobs that give students experiences that may be related or unrelated to their field of study.  I jokingly said that I should look through these ideas for myself, until I realized that that wasn't such a crazy idea.  In the past week I have started looking at some alternative options with organizations I have a particular passion for.  Unfortunately the International Justice Mission and The Mentoring Project do not have paid internships and Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) doesn't seem to pay much to anyone who doesn't know some Korean.  Other options exist, though, and I have several of them spelled out on a sheet sitting in front of me.

There is a certain excitement that comes with being thrown off of your planned path.  For the Js out there (Judging, Myers-Briggs Type), having the structure of a plan is what helps you sleep at night.  For the Ps(Perceiving), though, your engine fires up when you hear of opportunities that are seemingly unrelated to your unintentional path. 

Dear Js: This is not a bad thing!  Keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground because opportunities are everywhere, you've just got to be ready to open the door when they come knockin'.

My advice is to give opportunities a shot.  There's always been a part of me that wants to give it all up, move to Asia, and do whatever I can to help shut down human trafficking.  This may not be a feasible option considering I don't have a lot of the qualifications for jobs that will let me do this and pay off my student loans, but you'd better believe I'll keep searching for ways to contribute. 

Until then, I'll work on doing my part to raise awareness in the States.  I don't really have a plan, but I've learned that making a plan isn't always the best use of time, anyways.  Right, ESPN?

Thinking like an Interviewer

by Christin

(Am I supposed to add a Pandora station, too?  Right now it's "Celtic Woman".  That's potentially a little bit embarassing..)

Lately, I've had interviewing on the brain.  This is almost certainly a result of spending at least 50% of my work time over the past two weeks doing interview-related things.  I participated in a few days of interviewing for new interns and student staff, gave a presentation on interviewing skills, met with students for mock interviews, and had Career Counseling Intern (henceforth referred to as CCI) training on interviewing.  It’s that time of the year, I suppose!

What is most interesting is that in most of these experiences I have been able to get a view from the “other side of the table”, if you will.  This opportunity has been incredibly enlightening and has given me a new perspective, both personally and professionally, on interviewing.

I always used to think I was a good interviewer.  I suppose that’s because almost all of the interviews I have had produced favorable results, and because I felt positively about them once they were over.  In fact, I distinctly remember a time when I told my college roommates, “I love interviewing!  It’s just like having a good conversation.” 

Not quite.

Contrary to popular belief (or maybe just my belief) interviewing is not a completely intuitive process.  While the interview is your opportunity to show the employer who you are as a person, there’s also a formula you ought to follow, and a way interviewers are looking for you to both act and answer questions.  You need to make them want YOU over all of the other applicants, and doing this takes a certain amount of preparation.  There are a number of things to consider, and it can seem bit overwhelming to think about!  Am I dressed right?  How is my body language?  Are my answers to their questions strong enough?  Am I really qualified for this job?  Do they like me?! 

Our Career Success Guide on Interviews has a lot of good information on how to approach interviewing.  However, the most important advice I can give would be to practice, practice, practice.  Get a list of common interview questions and literally write out your answers to them.  Practice those answers.  Know yourself and what points you will want to make about your strengths and successes ahead of time.  Know the company as well.  (Don’t just take a quick glance at their home page, either.  Do some thorough research!)  Doing this will cut down on a lot of that crazy pre-interview stress and anxiety.

I am not saying to be someone who you aren’t just to nail an interview.  Above all things, be yourself.  But be yourself in a professional manner.  Interviewers want to see the kind of person you will be when you come to work every morning! 

On The Blog Title..

by Christin

I’ve never really blogged before, so getting into this whole deal is new to me.  But I love writing, so I figured a blog entry would be the perfect way to plow through my Friday afternoon fatigue (side note: I obviously wrote most of this blog on Friday afternoon).  I know if I write a whole book on here Jake will make fun of me, so I’ll try not to get off track! 

Over the past month or so we had been dragging our feet about getting this blog up and running…mostly due to the fact that we couldn’t come up with a good blog name.  I was trying to think of something clever, fun, and alliterative that rhymed with “career”, “adventure”, or “journey”, but when Jake suggested the current title, I thought it perfectly described what we do here at the CPDC as well as the state of my own life.  It also serves as the perfect topic for my first blog entry EVER!

The age old question of “what should I do with my life?” is something I still continually ask myself, even as a graduate student and intern in the Career and Professional Development Center, of all places.  I’m sure you are thinking, shouldn’t she at least have some idea of what she wants to do with her life?  I do.  Sometimes.  Depending on the day and my current situation.  I’m incredibly fickle, so there are some days when I’m sure about my life and have a clear direction and other days where I haven’t a clue.

There was a time when I sincerely wished an email that told me what I should do with my life, and how I should do it, would show up in my inbox.  But over the past few years I have found, and continue to find, that the career journey is infinitely as important as the destination.  The confusion, the indecision, and the apprehension toward decisions about one’s future are all normal feelings to have.  I would venture to say not having all the answers is even good.  It forces you to be introspective, to try new things, and to step outside of your comfort zone. 

I know this has been incredibly true in my own life.  The risk-taking, new experiences, and feelings of being uncomfortable have all led to my own self-discovery, particularly in figuring out my own calling.  I am finally starting to figure out what exactly “I should do with my life”, and every experience I have had, both good and bad, had helped me to do this.

I know I risk sounding cliché, but life is a journey, and one’s career path is no different.  Everyone is at a different point on the map, and takes a different route to get to their destination.  And now time for my CPDC related shameless plug…There’s a reason that one of our office’s many resources on career exploration is called TartanGPS.  It helps you focus on your own career exploration through the lens of a journey, and it meets you where you are.  So be okay with where you are, and trust this whole process!

As you reflect on your own journey, I hope you’ll enjoy reading about mine as I continually seek to discover “what I should do with my life”.

Searching

by Jake

Today's Pandora station: Tokyo Police Club

The job hunt is in the early stages for me these days.  In putting together cover letters and revising my resume, I find nothing but stress.  For me, it gets to the point where I just give up, say "this is good enough", and pray for a response.  When all is said and done, I will be matched up with the right job and there's not much more I can do besides what I'm already doing.

Lot's of confidence coming from an intern who gives out this advice, right?  The fact is, though, that we don't have all of the answers!  I met with a pair of students today looking for internships this summer and felt those exact sentiments.  There's no simple 3-click method to magically find a pool of jobs you should apply for.  We have to get out there, do the leg work, and find them.  We have to find the institutions we want to work for and keep an eye on their job postings.  If that means that you go to Lockheed Martin's website every day starting 6 months before summer, then that's what you have to do.  If that means that I'll look on the University of Washington's website and find nothing I'm qualified for once a month for the past two years, then that's it.  No one's going to do it for us or just call us up and say "hey, I know you never applied for this perfect job, but do you want it?".

So, it takes a lot of faith.  A lot of faith in the system that your qualifications will get you the right job.  A lot of faith in yourself that you can find that job and market yourself well.  A lot of faith that some luck will point you to the right website or person on the right day.  We can't get too far without doing anything, but we won't get everywhere all by ourselves, either.

Days like today need some good tunes, which is why I pickedTokyo Police Club.  Upbeat and fun.  It's so nice outside and I can't wait to feel upbeat and fun on my bike ride home!  At the end of the day, whether I have a job in line or not, I can still ride my bike down the street and enjoy the cool breeze.  In the moment, that ride will feel better than any dental plan or 401k could.

An Introduction of Sorts

by Jake

Today's Pandora station:  The Strokes

Oh hello!  My name is Jake.  You can read about me in the About Jake section, naturally.

Today is Wednesday, the first of my three-day week as an intern in CMU's Career and Professional Development Center.  It's hard to drag myself out of bed on Wednesdays (you know, my Monday).  I don't have to get up early for anything Sat-Tues, so Wednesday is the toughest.  I also bike to work, or walk in the winter, so the single-digit temperatures today made my electric blanket seem like heaven this morning.  There's no better way to become alert in the morning than by walking a mile and a half in 8 degree breezes, though.  I think that's the main reason I can avoid coffee all day!

Today is not like normal Wednesday because my schedule is full of appointments with students preparing for tomorrow's career fair, the Employment Opportunities Conference (EOC).  I've been busy all day since my first appointment at 9am and I'll be working til the (my) bell at 3:30.  My appointments today are almost exclusively to help students prepare their resume for tomorrow's phenomenon that is a career fair.  Most of the students today met with me last week and wanted to schedule time to review their adjustments, so the second half of our appointment is usually an explanation of what tomorrow will be like.

Shake hands.  Smile.  Eye contact  Suit and tie.  What's your year?  What's your major?  Why do you want to work for us?  What are some projects you've done?  Scan the room.  Map out your route.  Make sure to do your research!  You'd better know what internships Google is offering before you give them your "elevator speech"!

It's a game, the career search.  Not only do you have to do impressive things to put on the resume, but you have to present it well, along with a cover letter, then clean up and present yourself well at the career fair.  Maybe then you'll get an interview! 

Then there's the interview.  Do it all again.  Be ready to map out your biggest strength and weakness.  Think about a time you faced adversity and overcame.  Can I talk about when I played on a sprained ankle in the state championship?  Or maybe when I was paired with the lazy kid in class for our final project?  I don't know if "not killing your partner" really counts as "overcoming adversity"...

It's all a game that we have to master.  We are all salesmen when it comes to the job market, which is why everyone has to be able to communicate well, no matter your field. 

The most interesting aspect for me is that I'm on both sides right now.  I'm telling students how to prepare for the job search, but I'm job-searching myself as graduation approaches.  I look forward to sharing part of that journey with you, so you might figure out your own path.

Give the advice, then take your own.  Hopefully I'm giving good advice.