Where the Wildcats Are: School of Continuing Studies ’12 Alum Brandon J. DeLallo

Tags

alumni, career advice, Career Development, job search

My name is Brandon J. DeLallo and I am a Project Management Specialist at Northwestern University. I have been employed with the University since June of 2008 and with Project Café since June of 2011. I am currently working on an enterprise level project to launch the “Our Northwestern” Online Community, with the goals of increasing alumni development and social interaction.

I originally entered college out of high school in 1994 where I spent a year at Lake Tahoe Community College, then transferred and did another year at American River (Community) College in Sacramento. I took a break and in 2001, ended up at California State University, Sacramento in the Criminal Justice program. While at CSUS I was an Lambda Alpha Epsilon-Sigma Chi Criminal Justice Society Member and Communications Director. Unfortunately, before completing my degree I moved to Chicago in 2006 to accept a promotion with my employer, Citibank.

When it came time for me to leave the financial services industry in late 2007, I began looking at the local universities and their tuition benefits programs. I felt that without my degree I was missing something essential, not just validation of my abilities and achievements, but validation of the unknown possibilities and untapped capabilities.

I accepted employment with Northwestern University in the Information Technology department, and a year later began taking classes at the School of Continuing Studies. I majored in Political Science, minoring in History. In May of 2012, just prior to graduation, I was accepted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honors Society, which was a validation and reinforcement that all my hard work; balancing my job, my wife, my newborn son, plus getting a promotion and three NU Service Excellence Awards.

I accepted my current position with Project Cafe, starting in June of 2011. Interestingly, while organizing some files in the “Project Management” Folder on the server I came across several resumes of those whom had previously interviewed for my position, a position that had been vacant for over a year and a half. To say I was impressed with their qualifications is an understatement as they all had degrees from good schools as well as multiple accreditations via the Project Management Institute or International Institute of Business Analysis.

Feeling truly fortunate to have been chosen over (in my opinion) more qualified candidates got me thinking and I wanted to meet with my director for clarification on his choice. I arranged a meeting with my manager and asked him point blank what he saw in me. I knew I was highly technical, an apt desktop and server support technician, as well as able to resolve numerous software/hardware problems rapidly and effectively. However, with all this technical skill, I had never managed very large scale projects and certainly knew nothing of the PMI or IIBA nor its principles.

What I find most ironic is that my manager clarified why the four-round, ten-member interview group approved my hiring and why I continue to receive accolades; I can communicate and facilitate discussions effectively and get people communicating with one another to clearly articulate project concerns and requirements. I honestly didn’t know I had this skill or that it was even a skill. I knew I was good with people, but the fact my communication skills were considered a driving asset blew me away. Also, the frankness of my manager was refreshing, “Oh I know you weren’t qualified when we hired you, but we knew you could do the job.”

The point is, although you might not be completely cognizant of what skills the job requires, become familiar with what you can bring and sell it. Don’t ever minimize them or downplay those skills and once you learn them, develop them. For years I focused on my technical ability, but equally important was my ability to communicate technical information to non-tech folks in a meaningful way.

About Where The Wildcats Are
University Career Services’ alumni blog series “Where The Wildcats Are” features the career experiences and advice from Northwestern University alumni of all ages and stages. Learn where your fellow Wildcats are post-graduation and how they reached their career goals. Are you a Northwestern alumni interested in sharing your career development process with current students? Email careerservices@northwestern.edu and include “Alum blogger” in the subject line.

Where The Wildcats Are: Consulting Career Advice from ’11 Alumna Rachel Gou

Tags

alumni, career advice, Career Development, international students, internship advice

I graduated from Northwestern University in June 2011. I double majored in Economics and Communication Studies to both get a quantitative and qualitative academic experience, which I believe helped me later on in my job search in consulting.

Since graduation, I have been working at a top management consulting firm. The work is very challenging and has given me opportunities to work in different fields and functions. I would definitely suggest consulting to anyone who wants a fast-paced learning environment and the opportunity to work with smart and driven people.

As a recent alum, I am happy to share my experiences that helped me find my full-time position in consulting. Furthermore, being an international student, this may also help those who find themselves unable to find a summer internship in the US due to lack of work authorization off-campus.

Freshman year: Work Abroad
In my first year, I was primarily interested in advertising. I began looking online for summer internship opportunities, but many of them were targeted towards students in their junior year. I eventually started reaching out to advertising agencies abroad and found a summer internship with a top advertising agency. International experience can be beneficial at any company you’ll work at because it shows that you are culturally diverse and are able to adapt to new places and surroundings quickly. For consulting specifically, a second language is useful to have since you may be working with clients in other parts of the world.

Sophomore year: INSIDER TIP: Consulting internships will put you ahead of the curve
After the summer, I realized that perhaps advertising wasn’t right for me. I looked into consulting as that is a common path for economics majors. I did some research on the industry and found that it offered opportunities that I was looking for, such as a fast-paced work environment, steep learning curve and work with motivated people. I set out to look for a summer internship and ran into the same road blocks as I did with my advertising internship search. Most positions were targeted towards juniors, as firms use internships as a recruiting tool—converting summer interns into full time hires. Thus, looking outside the US for an internship is also a smart idea, since many internships won’t have the junior-year requirement. ANY experience in consulting is beneficial and will put you ahead of the curve.

Junior year: Go Big or Go Boutique
After going through the firm websites I found only about 10 firms or so that would sponsor me as an international student. The thing about consulting firms is that if they are not willing to sponsor you for an H-1b visa after graduation, it is unlikely that they are willing to sponsor you as a summer intern, since they use the internship as their main tool for recruiting.

Furthermore, most consulting firms only hire about 1 or 2 summer analysts per office, so the process is extremely competitive. Over the years I’ve seen people become extremely stressed out about this. I always tell them that they’ll probably have a higher chance of landing a full-time consulting job at a top firm than a summer internship and not to be discouraged.

I decided to look at boutique consulting firms, since they are a great way to gain more responsibilities early on due to the size of the firm; you can also learn a lot about how smaller firms function.

I began reaching out to Northwestern alumni by looking through the Northwestern Alumni Association website. One of the alums that I communicated with offered me a position after speaking with me and reviewing my credentials.

Senior Year: SOCIALIZE…seriously!
One of the most important things you can do during the senior year recruiting season is socialize. At this point there isn’t much more you can do to improve the candidacy of your resume, but showing interest in the firms you apply to is the best way to increase your chances of getting a first round interview. All consulting firms host social events within the month of September and October. Sign-ups are usually through the CareerCat system, but sometimes firms may reach out individually via email. In addition, it is important to read through the firm’s website and understand what they do and what their main focus is. It definitely impresses the firm when students have done more research than just what was written on the CareerCat page and it shows us that the student knows what they’re applying for and how much they want to work with us.

I know that I have started the internship experiences fairly early in college. That is definitely NOT the only way to get a job in consulting. I have many friends that have only done one internship throughout their entire college career and they have landed very good jobs in the industry as well. I know strong consultants who have chosen to take volunteer trips during the summer or worked as a camp site leader. The point is to do something productive and meaningful (to you) with your summer and gain experiences that are easily transferable.

About Where The Wildcats Are
University Career Services’ alumni blog series “Where The Wildcats Are” features the career experiences and advice from Northwestern University alumni of all ages and stages. Learn where your fellow Wildcats are post-graduation and how they reached their career goals. Are you a Northwestern alumni interested in sharing your career development process with current students? Email careerservices@northwestern.edu and include “Alum blogger” in the subject line.

What I learned from . . . The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White

Tags

Career Development, career lessons, networking

A few months ago, Betsy Gill recounted the career lessons she learned from one her favorite stories as a child – Aesop’s Fables’ The Tortoise and the Hare. If you recall your favorite childhood book, the moral of the story can often be related to many aspects of your life, including your career. One of my favorites is The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White — the same author who penned the well-loved Charlotte’s Web.

The protagonist in Trumpet is — as you may have guessed — a Trumpeter Swan named Louis, who is unable to do the one thing expected of all Trumpeters: Trumpet. The gist of the story is this: Louis’ father steals a trumpet from a music store to give his son a voice. Louis learns to play the trumpet beautifully, but vows to right his father’s well-intentioned wrong, taking a variety of jobs as a trumpet player to earn the money to repay the music store.

What career lessons can Louis the swan teach us? To name a few:

He is a lifelong learner. Without a voice of his own, Louis commits to finding an alternate way to communicate. He goes to school to learn to read and write using a slate and chalk. And when that fails (much to his dismay, he can only use this method of communication with others who read), he masters the trumpet, which opens the door to a variety of jobs as a musician. Is there a job or internship you are working toward? Make a list of what it will take for you to get there — whether it’s practicing your interviewing skills, learning a new skill or gaining experience through volunteer work — and go for it.

He is honest and hardworking. Louis sets off — leaving his family — to take a series of jobs for the sole purpose of paying for his trumpet. His hard work earns him much more: He becomes a renowned trumpet player, woos his swan companion, and begins a new family of his own. Talent gets Louis far, but it’s his honesty, work ethic and follow-through that carry him the rest of the way.

He networks. Louis doesn’t go it alone. He makes connections through his human friend — a young boy named Sam — who recommends Louis for his first job as a camp bugler. Once summer ends, Sam directs him to Boston for his next job. Who do you know that can mentor you and help connect you with others in your industry? Reach out to former Northwestern alumni, attend networking events and ask family and friends to introduce you to professionals who would be willing to speak with you about your career interests.

He takes risks. Saying goodbye to his family and flying across country — from his home in Montana to the East Coast — is a big step for a small swan. But Louis believes in his abilities and doesn’t let fear get the best of him. His new experiences only bring him closer to his goal. Similarly, you may find that taking a risk will bring you closer to your career goal. It may require you to start life in a new state or country, adapt to a new office culture and learn to work alongside others with different personalities. Don’t let fear prevent you from embarking on an experience that will further your career development.

He carries his “toolkit” with him. Throughout his travels, Louis acquires a bevy of belongings that hold important meaning to him. First, his chalk and slate; next, his trumpet. He later carries with him his moneybag and a lifesaving medal he earned by saving a boy from drowning at camp — his first place of employment. Do you have a job search toolkit? This could include tangible items, like a polished resume and cover letter, and proper business attire, or it could include business etiquette, like a firm handshake and appropriate questions to ask someone you meet at a networking event.

In case you’re wondering, Louis does earn the money (all $4,420.78 of it) to repay the music store for both the trumpet and the damage done to the store when his father snatched the instrument. And I think we can all learn a thing or two from this fictional swan.

What career wisdom can you find in your favorite childhood book?

Where The Wildcats Are: Career Advice from Alumna Lauren Sachar

Tags

career, Career Development, graduation, job search, northwestern alumni

I’m not sure when I had less of a clue what I wanted to do with my life – now, as an employed graduate, or last year as a Senior. I graduated last June with a major in Sociology and a minor in Legal Studies, and I am currently working as a paralegal at a public interest law firm in Washington, DC. The uncertainty of the job search process really stressed me out. I wanted to channel the stress into action and start applying for jobs, but most companies and organizations that seemed interesting to me did not have a formal recruitment process, meaning that they posted jobs when they had openings because they needed someone to start immediately. I watched my friends interested in consulting one by one get job offers by early winter, and still I had no idea where to begin.

I have since learned that uncertainty is just fine. It is not productive to compare yourself to anyone else when it comes to jobs. There are going to be people who need a job, any job, for financial reasons or just because they are Type A and need a plan. There are going to be people who are very much not Type A and looking for a job could not be lower on their priority list. There are going to be people who pursue another degree immediately after graduating. You might fall into one of these categories.

You by no means need to know exactly what you want to do with your life when you graduate. But if you have no idea what to do with your life, you may as well start with something and see if you like it. Your first job out of college does not need to be the perfect job for you, and if it’s not, that’s OK. You can learn as much from a job you don’t like as you do from a job you love. Learn as much as you can about yourself from the experience. Do you like the people you work with? Do you like the work environment? Are you challenged? Are you bored? Does this job match your skillsets? The answers to these questions can help you hone in on what you look for in your next job.

However, while I tell you things will work out, you need to be ready to work for it. My job did not fall into my lap. I went to Career Services to get help on my resume. I went to many informational interviews to try to learn more about different industries and build my networks. I used the NU alumni network to get in touch with lawyers doing interesting work in the cities I was interested in. I applied to jobs through Career Cat, as well as through public job websites. I talked to family, family friends, and even family of family friends to rack their brains for job ideas and connections to organizations that fit my interests. I crafted countless cover letters and job applications, many of which ultimately went unanswered. It can be exhausting, especially when it seems like it is all for naught. You might not get the job that you build up as your “Dream Job.” But you know what? Life goes on. Things have a way of working out. All it takes is one good job offer to make all of the stress and effort worth it.

I did not, and still do not, know what I want my career to be. I have always been interested in law, so I figured starting my post-college life as a paralegal made sense. Since I started working as a paralegal in DC, I have learned a lot about the legal field and a lot about myself. I’m not sure if law is right for me, but everyone keeps saying that at twenty-two, I’m not supposed to have it all figured out. I have finally taken that to heart.

My overarching piece of advice regarding the job search process is this: don’t panic. Do your research, be proactive, and network. Things should fall into place if you are persistent enough. But do not forget to take advantage of your present opportunities at Northwestern. Get as many skills as you can. Learn new things. Take classes that are out of your comfort zone. Be busy, but not overwhelmed. Don’t get so wrapped up in your future that you forget to experience the opportunities you have right now.

About Where The Wildcats Are
University Career Services’ alumni blog series “Where The Wildcats Are” features the career experiences and advice from Northwestern University alumni of all ages and stages. Learn where your fellow Wildcats are post-graduation and how they reached their career goals. Are you a Northwestern alumni interested in sharing your career development process with current students? Email careerservices@northwestern.edu and include “Alum blogger” in the subject line.

Stay Classy, Northwestern: Dress for Success Tips from Ron Burgundy

Tags

career fair, internship fair, job fair, networking

Well hello Northwestern, Run Burgundy here from KVWN News Center 4. I’m here to do a special segment just for you all here in Evanston, Illinois (which is a long ways from San Diego). I’m told there is a job/internship fair coming up on Tuesday, January 15 from noon-4 p.m. in SPAC, and I volunteered to give you some of my dress for success tips that have always brought me the best of luck. So get ready . . . here they are:

1. Ladies and gentlemen, choose the right attire. Now you may not want to opt for the vibrant colored suits Veronica and I usually sport, but go for a neutral color like black, gray, navy blue, etc. Ladies, you have a few more options and can go for beige, dark gray, and slate blue as well. Choose a long sleeved shirt that’s fairly conservative like white, light blue or subtle stripes. I am definitely not the conservative type, just ask Champ Kind from Sports. However, these colors will work best for you.

2. Don’t wear too much jewelry like rings, necklaces, earrings. You want the employer to notice your experience and energy, not all your bangles and jewels.

3. I’m Ron Burgundy. I’m known from my perfectly coiffed head of hair and an AMAZING mustache. No matter which hair-do you choose, make sure it’s polished. I’m always camera ready, so make sure you are too.

4. Now my good friend Brian Fantana has some interesting choices for cologne, but I recommend keeping it classy on the cologne. Opt for a very light fragrance or perhaps none at all. The last thing you want is for an employer to be allergic to your formidable scent. With a scent that’s too pungent, 60% of the time, it works none of the time.

5. Keep your emotions in check. When that awful man punted Baxter over the bridge, I was literally in a glass case of emotions. Now before the fair, you may feel like someone kicked your best friend into the ocean too. You may feel scared, uncertain, and nervous. Take a few deep breaths. You’ve prepared long and hard for this day, and you’re going to do great. If you need a little encouragement, talk to one of the staff members from University Career Services. They can help you calm down, and present your best self.

6. Lastly, you don’t have a teleprompter, so make sure you practice, practice, practice for the fair. No matter how great your outer appearance is, if you stumble over your words, you’ll lose the interest of your audience. Get your elevator pitch polished and perfected, and if you need a little help go see the staff at University Career Services. They can help you out.

Well, that’s all I’ve got. For more dress for success tips, check out what the team at UCS says on their website. They’re a bunch of pretty cool cats, if you ask me.

From all of us at News Center 4, I’m Ron Burgundy. You stay classy, Northwestern.

New Year, New Quarter, New Career Goals

Tags

career, Career Development, career exploration, career fair, internship, job, mock case interview, summer plans

If you’re not a fan of New Year’s resolution lists, try making a to-do list of short-term goals that will make an immediate impact on your career development. Not sure where to begin? This itemized list of upcoming events and suggestions should give you a good starting point.

Get your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile in working order. It’s time to dust off any application materials and get them ready for the New Year. Check out samples here and here, and visit UCS walk-in hours to have your materials reviewed (Note: Walk-ins start Wednesday, January 9 for winter quarter; 11 a.m.-2:45 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday @ 620 Lincoln, Thursday, Friday @ the main library, 2^nd floor, core reserve). If you’re not a member of LinkedIn, sign up now and use these tips to build your profile and familiarize yourself with the service’s features.

Plan your summer at Summerfest. Summerfest is a one-stop shop for undergraduate students searching for — you guessed it — what to do this summer. Find information on summer programs, fellowships, summer classes, internships and more. Plus, you can get a resume review or internship advice from UCS staff. Tuesday, January 8, 12-4 p.m., Norris, 2^nd floor.

Network with employers at the 2013 Winter Job/Internship Fair. More than 100 employers in the public and private sectors are expected to attend the fair—hiring for internships and full-time employment. Login to CareerCat for a list of specific companies and positions, and find more information at our website. Need help preparing? Read up on how to make the most of a career fair. Open to undergraduate students, graduate students and Northwestern alumni. Students: bring your Wildcard for admission; no registration necessary. Tuesday, January 15, 12-4 p.m., Henry Crown Sports Pavilion/SPAC, 2311 Campus Dr., Evanston.

Apply to interview with top communications firms in New York via the New York Recruiting Program (graduating seniors only). If you’re a graduating senior with dreams of working at a communications firm in NY, join the New York Recruiting Program mandatory information session to learn more about the opportunity to score an interview with Chandler Chicco, DraftFCB, RF Binder, Starcom, or White & Case — to name just a few. Every year Northwestern seniors travel to New York for interviews as part of the New York Recruiting Alliance (NYRA) – a consortium that sponsors employment interviews in the communications industry. Wednesday, January 9, 4-5 p.m., UCS, 620 Lincoln, 2^nd floor conference room. Deadline to submit application materials is Monday, January 14, 2013 11:59PM (EST). 

Practice case interviewing for a consulting internship (juniors only). Juniors seeking internships in consulting can practice case interviewing with graduating Northwestern students who already have full-time consulting offers from firms like BCG, Bain, Deloitte, McKinsey and more. Apply for the Mock Case Interview Program for Internships via CareerCat (Jobs & Internships, keyword: Mock Case Interview). You may only sign up ONE time. Space is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Wednesday, January 23, 6-9 p.m., UCS Interview Center, 630 Lincoln St. RSVP by Wednesday, January 16.

Explore careers and take an assessment. Your career development is all about exploration. It’s not uncommon to be unclear about what jobs or internships would best suit you. If you need help determining how your interests, values, skills and personality correlate to career options, consider making an appointment with a UCS career counselor to learn how to research different industries and take one of our assessments (we offer the Strong Interest Inventory, Values Card Sorts and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator). For more information visit our website.

Pick and choose what works best for you from this list, and you’ll be in good shape for a successful 2013!

We wish you a merry job (and internship) search

Tags

Career Development, holiday, informational interview, internship, job, networking

Ever heard that hiring managers are off duty during the holidays? Or that winter break is the ideal time to take a breather from your job/internship hunt? Not so. In fact, the holidays are often a prime time to amp up your search — there are fewer job seekers vying for positions and more exam- and homework-free weeks to focus entirely on your career development. Here’s how to take advantage of professional opportunities during the quiet weeks ahead:

Chat with a UCS staff member. Set up a meeting with a UCS career counselor during your break. We frequently speak with students on the phone and review resumes and cover letters via email, so don’t hesitate to make an appointment even if you’re out of the city or state. Prefer to meet in person? Make an appointment now to meet with a career counselor immediately after break. Time slots fill up quickly, so the sooner you call, the better!

Set a holiday networking goal. Make a commitment to network or conduct an informational interview with at least one person before returning to campus. Have you been meaning to drop your former boss a line? Reconnect with an old colleague from an internship? Send them a holiday message and update them on your life and work. They may know of an opportunity — and keep you top of mind for any that arise in the New Year. If you’re attending a holiday party, make an effort to share interests and work goals with new people. Exchange contact information if you make solid connections, and follow up if there are opportunities for informational interviews.

Do your research. If you’re not on LinkedIn, sign up and create your profile now. Use your holiday time to research companies and ask for introductions to those at companies of interest through your first-degree LinkedIn contacts. Not sure how to do this? Check out UCS’ social media and LinkedIn tutorials. Beyond LinkedIn, UCS offers a number of online resources to aid NU students in company, industry and job/internship research. Also, use the LinkedIn Alumni site to find NU alumni in fields of interest.

Learn a new skill. During the quieter times of your break, brush up on a skill that will make you more marketable in your job search. Review an Excel tutorial, build your own website or read a career development book. That new skill may give you an edge over another candidate.

If you keep active in your career development this holiday, you’ll be one step ahead of your fellow job and internship seekers in the New Year – and one step closer to employment.

How may we help you?

Tags

assessment, career counselor, Career Development, internship

As an undergrad, I didn’t think about my university’s career services center until I was required to interview a career counselor for the school newspaper. Until then, I had done all of my career development and prep on my own: drafting resumes and cover letters, interviewing for internships that I had heard about through my department or friends, and researching grad schools using books and online resources. While I was certainly on the right track, I could have explored many more opportunities had I sought the guidance of a career counselor instead of trying to do it all on my own.

As a Northwestern student, it’s likely you may find yourself in the same boat — you’re either unaware of UCS’ services, not sure you need them, or planning to visit UCS when you’re in the final stretch of your job search senior year.  Getting a jump start at UCS, however, can help you in all areas of your career development – even as early as freshman year.

Without further ado, UCS career counselor Christina Siders offers 10 reasons for you to make an appointment with a UCS staff member:

1. You are struggling with choosing a major and need some help narrowing down your options
2. You have no idea (or only a fuzzy idea) of what you want to be when you “grow up”
3. You would like help with creating and sticking to a career plan while you’re at NU
4. You are thinking about graduate or law school but are uncertain as to if, when and where you might attend
5. You are interested in taking an assessment to help identify your interests, preferences, values, or skills and how they can align with potential career paths
6. You are a graduate student thinking about transitioning from academia to industry or leaving your program all together
7. You need an unbiased person to listen to your career-related goals, ideas, and concerns
8. You are applying to graduate or professional school and you need a second pair of eyes on your application materials
9. You need additional information about some occupations and industries you are considering
10. You are thinking about shifting academic paths but need to talk it through before actually doing so

You can also start taking steps toward your career using a timeline tailored to your class standing.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to call us at 847-491-3700. We’re open year-round, and that includes throughout winter break!

Minimizing Stress During Your Employment Search

Tags

betsy gill, career, Northwestern, northwesternucs, stress

If you’ve met with me in person for your internship search you’ve likely heard me say ‘A little bit of stress is ok because it can be used as a motivator to make your search a priority, but a large amount of stress is not good because it will cripple you, and stop you from being successful’.

Last week Northwestern students began their 2012-2013 academic year. Within 6 days of stepping back on campus most students have:

1. Moved across the country with all of their belongings
2. Said goodbye to loved ones that they won’t see again for months
3. Paid way too much for books and supplies for classes
4. Attended their first classes on topics they have never studied before
5. Met at least 30 new people

And they also…

1. Attended Organization or Company Information Sessions
2. Rewrote their Resume(s)
3. Started writing Cover Letters
4. Attended a Career Fair
5. Networked with over 20 employers

So to say that these 10 activities could add stress on the Northwestern student is an understatement! Let’s talk about ways to minimize the stress of all of this activity so when it comes time to apply for jobs and internships we are our best self.

Attend CAPS Workshops
Locations: CAPS Life Skills Center; 3rd Floor Searle Hall; 633 Emerson St.
or Abbott Hall, 5th Floor for Chicago Campus

• Stress Management 101: A Four-Part Workshop
• Introduction to Mindfulness: A Four-Part Workshop
• Drop-In Meditation Group (registration not required)
• Biofeedback: A Four-Part Workshop (Please note that registration is preferred.)
• Relaxation Techniques: A Four-Part Workshop
• Drop-In Stress Management and Peak Performance Training

Visit the CAPS Stress Management Resource Center starting October 9th – December 13th, Rm. 3.234, Searle Hall (registration not required) Tuesdays, 3:00-5:00 pm; Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30 pm; and Thursdays, 9:00 am-12 pm and 2:00-5:00 pm.

Meet with University Career Services
Locations: 620 Lincoln Street or CareerLab in Main Library 2nd Floor Core Reserves

Most students feel they can find an internship or job on their own. But students who use UCS often remark they learned about new resources, clarified their career goals, received valuable help with self-marketing tips, etc.

Make an appointment to come up with a plan for your job or internship search. Or make an appointment to help you decide on your career path by calling 847-491-3700.

Create a Calendar and Plan Ahead

Use Plan-it Purple and the Events Listings on CareerCat so you never miss a deadline!

To log on to CareerCat go to Northwestern Student CareerCat Access

To go to the Plan-it Purple Calendar for UCS go to http://planitpurple.northwestern.edu/calendar/76

These are just a few Tips, but I hope it helps you Stay Healthy and Safe, Northwestern!

Tips for the Upcoming Career Fair

Tags

career fair, northwestern university, northwesternucs

So two days into the Fall Quarter and I’m already talking about attending Career Fairs! That’s right- companies have been calling and emailing all summer because they want to meet you and share with you their employment opportunities. Due to the quarter system and starting a bit later than normal, companies are anxious to get to Northwestern and start recruiting. This isn’t a bad thing, but it leaves little time for NU students to prepare for the fall recruiting season.

With the Fall Job and Internship Fair on Tuesday, October 2nd from Noon-4pm in Norris University Center, 2nd Floor, I thought it would be good to share with you all a video UCS made at our Winter Fair last January. The advice still applies and comes straight from the recruiters. Most who will be here again this Fall!

In addition, UCS staff will be at Norris, Louis Room from Noon-4pm on Monday, October 1st hosting the One Stop: Career Fair Prep Walk-in Event. It is a stop in and come back later if you need to style program. Come in to get quick answers to your career fair related questions, receive a resume review, practice answering recruiter questions, practice your elevator speech, etc. We’ll also have Career Guides, listings of the companies who will be at the Career Fair and more resources.

See you all next week at one of THE networking events of the year at Northwestern! Go ‘Cats!