Week of 6/3/2013

Meet the newest addition to our team, Patty Colosi!

Hi there! My name is Patty. I’m a transfer student walking the long road to completion of a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology (I’m looking to add a minor too :D ). I’m also your friendly, neighborhood OA over at Career Services. I’ve only been with the office for a few weeks, but I already love the close-knit team and the opportunities I’ve had to learn about the post-grad job search. Work environment is really important to me and this office has the best I’ve ever experienced. I think students coming to utilize the office will appreciate it too. When I’m not frantically studying, I’m reading fanfiction or watching old episodes of Star Trek. I like to write and play table-top RPGs as well! I was born in Olympia, but spent my first 7 or so years in upstate New York. Now that I’m back, I don’t plan on leaving. I love Seattle!

Upcoming Events

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Q&A

“I just started a new job/internship and now I’m not sure if this was the right fit for me…what do I do now?”

We all hear stories about people hating their jobs - it’s no secret! One aspect about many college internships and jobs is that they are not permanent, and that every opportunity can help you grow and realize what you truly like to do and not do. The best way to avoid a negative internship experience is to make sure to ask the right questions during the interview process. Ask questions that will really help you understand and encompass the entirety of the duties and tasks you will be performing if you receive the job. There should be no surprises if you know exactly what it entails before beginning to work.

However, there are other factors that may make you question your new job such as; the work environment, the dynamics of the staff members, etc. that you wouldn’t know as much about until you actually begin working. In this case, make sure to reflect on why you were interested in this opportunity in the first place.

Things you might consider are:

Is this position going to help you network or receive professional connections and references that will help you in the future?

Is it helping you acquire new and needed skills for your career path?

Consider your industry of interest, and perhaps you will see that you sometimes have to start working at a position that may not be completely ideal, but may help you move onward for the future.

If you are still unsatisfied with the work that is given to you, make sure to communicate with your supervisor so they understand your vision and where you saw this position taking you. If you come from an open-minded place, oftentimes they will be able to work with you to make sure you are receiving the learning outcomes you were hoping for in the first place, or help you understand where they are coming from as well.

Nonetheless, it is still possible for the position to be a bad match for you. If this is the case, be sure to discuss with your supervisor to see if there is anything you can do to step down from the position or find an alternative job so you still can support the organization and fulfill your obligation to the internship.

Always keep in mind that communication is key, and most supervisors will be delighted to work with you to make sure everyone is happy and excited about their work! 

Week of 5/20/2013

Student Testimonial

“When I first visited the SU Career Services office, I had just received my bachelor's degree in International Studies but was struggling to cope with the dawning realization that I hadn't come up with a concrete post-graduation career plan. My appointments here with Alissa Strong have been extremely beneficial, as she has not only provided me with solid resume and interview preparation advice that has been essential to me securing key internship and job positions over the past 10 months, but has also consistently offered positive reinforcement which boosted my self-motivation and drive to not put off or give up on my career goals.”

Andrew Arpin, Class of 2012

Attention All Seniors!

Career Services is pleased to host the second annual Senior BBQ on Wednesday, May 22. Graduating seniors are invited to join in a casual (and free!) BBQ lunch to celebrate your accomplishments and discover resources to help you make the transition from student to life after SU. There will be a fun photo booth and prizes, including a drawing for a $300 Visa card!

This event is for graduating seniors only. Space is limited and (free) tickets are required to enter. To obtain your free ticket, stop in to Career Services in PAVL 110. Sponsorship provided by CampusPoint and Northwestern Mutual.

Questions? Contact Maggie Heier at heierm@seattleu.edu in Career Services.  

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Q&A

“How do I know if a job posting is a scam, and how can I protect myself?”

Have you ever come across a job listing on job boards that seemed a bit odd, or even too good to be true? Unfortunately, job scams do exist, but there are clues and ways to prevent yourself from getting scammed. Always remember to use sound judgment and discretion when dealing with questionable employment opportunities and if something doesn’t seem right, make sure to do more research before going on further with the job.

As a general rule, you should be wary when:

-You are offered advance payment for service.

-It is difficult or impossible to confirm the legitimacy of the employer.

-You are asked for personal information, such as your social security number or your bank account information

-You receive an offer without an interview or typical application process.

-There is a potential increased risk working with private individuals and start-up companies.

-The interview is in a private home or secluded location and not in a public place of business.

-You are asked for payment or fee (with exceptions for background checks, driver history and occasionally uniform or equipment).

The Career Services office is also here to provide you with support and advice, so don't ever hesitate to stop by if you would like an advisor to look over a job with you!

Week of 5/6/2013

Student Testimonial

"I met with James and he helped review my resume for me. He was very helpful and gave me a bunch of advice of how I could not only format my resume, but also looking at specific areas I could focus on in more detail in order to make it stand out better."

~Anonymous, Senior

Featured Employer: US Navy

The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of engaging conflict, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. Navy officers are highly trained professionals who lead the way in achieving operational and management requirements. They provide technical, managerial and scientific expertise in a wide variety of specialties at sea, in the air and on shore. Graduates will serve in officer communities including surface warfare, aviation, SEAL, supply, aeronautical maintenance duty, or submarines.

Currently, the U.S. Navy Engineering Officer Programs is looking to hire students for full-time positions and wants you to learn more about the opportunities with the Navy. They are particularly interested in students in electrical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, math, chemistry and physics.

Please join us on Thursday, May 9^th from 12:30-1:15pm in the Pavilion Living room for an informational session! Lunch will be provided, and don’t forget to bring your resume!

To learn more about putting your science and engineering skills to work in the Navy check out their website: http://www.navy.com/careers/nuclear-energy.html

Upcoming Events

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Q&A

“I’m an SU student but don’t live near campus…is there any way I can meet with an advisor without physically coming to the office?”

Absolutely! We understand that there are many commuter students who cannot spend time on campus outside of their school schedules. As an accommodation, we offer advising appointments through Skype and phone sessions. These appointment requests can be made on our website through the Special Appointment Request Form. Please be sure to specify in the comment box that you would like to do satellite advising! Once the advisor emails you about the appointment time, it would be best to e-mail them any material you would like them to look over, such as a cover letter or resume, so they can look at it before and during your appointment.

Our office will also be hosting and recording Webinars so keep an eye out for those on our website! These webinars will range from training in how to use the Redhawk Network to how to write a resume and cover letter!