*Abrakadabra JOB!*

As a Peer in Career, I feel it is my duty to talk about one of the most awkward aspects of career development: networking.

So, I realized an important networking lesson even when I was applying for a scholarship: I wrote the primary essay, had my transcript mailed – I had all that time-consuming stuff completed. And then letters of recommendation. I didn’t realize this until I was forced to ask my professors to do something for me – but our professors are our best networks who actually do want to help us out (even if it is disguised in brutally difficult exams). Besides going to office hours (yes, I admit, it can be tedious), it is so important to maintain conversation after the course, too. It might be nice to drop by and pay a visit to a professor who was interesting and even got to know you somewhat. Invite your professor out for coffee and, heck, they ‘re likely/they might even pick up the tab.

If the concept is a nebulous one for you, Wasserman hosts a bunch of networking how-to seminars, which I highly recommend for anybody who might find themselves being overly conscious when making “connections”.

Stay in touch, for networking purposes, needs to be more than just something we say to wrap up conversations. So, stay in touch. Seriously. --Lokesh

Many people have questions about working abroad during their study abroad experience. Is it possible to work without a working visa? How does one get in touch with the right contacts? How well do I have to speak the language? How does one get paid, once a job is actually acquired?

These are all great questions. Perhaps the answer lies in internships. Many study abroad programs provide services to help students find and pursue internships. While studying abroad, be sure to get in touch with your the abroad office. I know they will be more than willing to help. Unfortunately, these internships will most likely be unpaid, but they are still a great experience to have and put on your resume. Additionally, doing an internship at a larger organization or company gives you the opportunity to improve on your language skills while still working in an environment where English is most likely used.

In all of NYU's abroad sites there are many opportunities for one to acquire an internship in any field you are interested in. For instance, I am going to Shanghai next semester. I plan to talk to the internship liaison at the abroad office so that I can receive help in acquiring an internship at a company that bases in Shanghai. My Gallatin concentration looks at both economics and politics. I am excited to try to find an internship at a Chinese company which will give me the opportunity to learn about how private companies can function and work within a government that has partial ownership of their assets. I think it will be a very informative experience.

If you are planning on going abroad definitely get in touch with the Wasserman Center before you leave. They are a great resource that could put you in touch with the right people at your study abroad site.

Hello again!
You know, one of the reasons why extracurricular activities are such strong resume builders is that the skills learned in these clubs can be applied to ia future job or career! From my activities, I have learned a lot about presenting ideas, marketing, and networking! I realize that many of the skills I learn by taking on leadership positions are hard to find in the classroom setting. First of all – event planning: from gathering speakers to catering, planning for each event is an experience that builds off the one before. And then – running the event: for me, at least, most of my classes (science and MAP requirements) do not provide the public speaking experience I may gather from being a presenter in an event. One of my first presentations as a Peer was to do a Q&A about international opportunities Wasserman provides to NYU students to the International Relations club. While I was confident because I did all my research, I did get a little nervous when our laptop-projector was not working, but we were able to improvise and run the meeting smoothly! That points out another very important asset: quick-thinking. Being able to trouble-shoot on the spot is an ability all employers strive to seek out from their prospective employees.

I hope to apply these soft skills towards my career goal, which is to become a physician-scientist. Being able to speak confidently on-the-fly is a skill that physicians need in order to impart confidence to their patients. Just as important is being able to act on the spot to take an unforeseen obstacle and work around it. Honestly, there was no way I could have predicted I was going to experience and gain all these things through my extracurricular activities – but I do guarantee you that you will come out with rich experiences. And the best time to get involved is now!

Later,
Lokesh

Hi all, it’s me again. Now that I have started working my new summer job, I can’t help but think back on my interview when I first met my current boss. He displayed himself as an easy-going, just get-the-job done type of guy. And, when it came for me to first start my work, much like I expected, this quality manifested itself in him as a disorganized yet flexible manager. I was able to anticipate both the flaws and pros of working with a manager like him. I expected that it would be difficult to quickly have a fixed schedule in place, but I also knew that he would be understanding boss.

This experience was a good reminder that the interview presents an opportunity for you to judge how well you anticipate yourself adjusting to a particular work environment. The paper job description rarely reveals anything about the work atmosphere or the type of supervisor to expect.

It is easy, especially now that everybody is looking for a summer job, to get so caught up in wanting the job that you forget about considering your fit in the workplace. Being able to predict the work environment will prepare you for your possible future career. Therefore, to make the most of your interview, it is important to remember that you are also the interviewer; be ready to read between the lines, gather information, and ask questions. Here are some helpful questions that you may want to ask during an interview:
1. What would you say is the biggest challenge that this workplace presents?
2. What’s your supervisory style?
3. Can you describe an ideal employee?

Many of us have been told by those listening to our unemployment woes to make sure to visit the Career Fair to secure a part-time or full-time position. Many of us may have even taken extra steps to ensure that we are the most presentable we can be to employers: revising the resume one last time, buying a suit that fits just right, and even practicing your elevator pitch with your Mom over the phone. We walk over to the fair, pumped and excited and expecting the employer to fall at our feet, bedazzled by our meticulous preparation and outstanding credentials.
However, I never realized how absolutely frightening it is to visit the career fair as a job-seeker. Add to that the stress of that annoying statistic, claiming only so many graduates will be employed this time next year, as well as the vast number of students waiting to visit the same employer you had planned to speak to. It is enough to make you feel like all the preparation you did was for nothing.

Not true: you are neither helpless nor a victim of circumstance. It is a matter of re-assessing your approach. Here are some tips I picked up during my experience:

1. Focus on getting that contact information more than anything else, if you happen to be in a big crowd with other students waiting to speak behind you. Once you have it, you can email them to follow up on your conversation, and maybe ask for an interview.
2. Being selective in the employers you choose to visit is key. Plan to do some research before the career fair so that you can make a greater impression on the employer when you speak to them.
3. Be confident! And if you can’t, fake it to make it. Confidence makes you seem more appealing and attractive as a candidate. More importantly, if you can “fake” it, chances are you will be able to internalize your confidence, and embody it.

Last year, you juggled an 18-hour credit load, an E-Board position, your sorority, and still managed to have a social life. You’ve held down cool internships before and loved it! Now, you’re ready for something a little more serious—something with more responsibility, more hours, and more opportunities. Don’t you think it’s time to take on a formal internship?

This semester, I had the wonderful opportunity to intern at The Clinton Global Initiative (yes, I got to meet Former President Clinton!). Although I had to endure a pretty difficult application process as well as an incredibly large time commitment, I am really excited about everything I have been learning.

How do I find “formal” internships?
CareerNet is a great resource for NYU students! If you haven’t signed up for a CareerNet account, make sure you visit the Wasserman front desk soon. But make sure you also do a quick google search. Sometimes you can find some pretty interesting opportunities on company websites.

How do I apply to a “formal” internship?
“Formal” internship programs typically have more demanding application processes. Instead of just sending a resume and a cover letter, you might also have to write an essay and multiple letters of recommendation. Make sure you do your research well before-hand so that you aren’t rushed right before the deadline.

What should I expect from a “formal” internship?
“Formal” internships typically require a much larger time commitment. But don’t let the “20 hours a week” requirement make you run the other way. It can actually be much better. You’re in the office more frequently so you’re more available for pressing last-minute projects, as well as long-term projects. Sometimes, “formal” internships offer opportunities for continuing education in the form of a “Brown Bag Lunch Speaker Series” or Intern Events (like going to see the taping of a show). With these sorts of internships, there is typically a more set time period (a semester or year-long cycle).

Check out these awesome internship opportunities on CareerNet:
*For privacy reasons, we could not publish the titles or descriptions. But for more information, all you have to do is log onto CareerNet!
CareerNet ID: 780435, Deadline: 11/15/09
CareerNet ID: 780460, Deadline: 10/31/09
CareerNet ID: 780201, Deadline: 4/14/10

Best of Luck,
Nadine <3 :) ;P

I find it a bit ridiculous that I am a senior in college and I am still dealing with senioritis. Well, “senioritis”.
As a senior in high school, I knew I would get into college. It was simply a matter of applying. In the manner of many overachievers, the issue was really getting into the best college I could. In any case, I had a plan of action, and I knew how to get there.
This time around, I am filled with a type of anxiety I suspect will only increase as I get closer to graduation. Deciding it would be better after all to delay my application to law school, I will be entering the job force for the first time as a full-time employee. In many ways, I know this is the best decision for me. I am still uncertain of the type of law I would like to practice (perhaps even questioning whether or not law is a field I would like to pursue). Getting a job that allows me to develop transferable skills that I will need to use in law school (writing, analyzing, etc.) will help me make that decision, as well as allowing me to start paying off those pesky student loans. At least, those are the reasons I recite to my dad when he asks me (again and again) why I did not just apply to law school right away.
I’ll be honest; I am terrified. I am so terrified of not finding a job that I am paralyzed with inaction. It is a type of “senioritis” no one talks about, the kind you encounter when you graduate college and realize that you may not have a job lined up right after graduation. And it is only magnified by our worldwide recession, which makes me a bit resentful of future graduates who will not have to deal with it upon graduation (Class of 2013, I’m looking at you!).
Now that I’ve identified the problem, I have shifted to overdrive to combat it. Even if it’s only looking at NYU CareerNet or simply talking to someone about possible employment after graduation, it’s something. Now I know that if I do graduate without a job lined up, it won’t be because I didn’t try.

I recently had a job interview that didn't go as perfectly as I had hoped. I thought I would share my experience in a post. Here are a few of the things that I should have remembered:

Prepare you resume according to the job! (I was applying for retail and didn't list all my retail experience).

Emphasize all possible relevant skills. If you don't have a lot of relevant experience, spin your other experience so that it it seems, perhaps, more relevant than it actually is. (i.e., I am a Wasserman PIC, so I could have mentioned in the interview how being a PIC has helped to improve my customer service skills).

Reiterate your excitement about the position. Even if you do not see the position has helping you to build towards any future career goal, make sure to show how excited you are anyway.

Illustrate how your unique skills could help you in the workplace (even if these skills don't seem directly related). (i.e., if you are conversational in a foreign language, you could say that you have the ability to communicate with a specific clientele).

Always smile and look agreeable. You want to let the interviewer know that you are comfortable and enjoying yourself.

These are just several of the many things you should do during an interview. For more information, set up an appointment to meet with a counselor at the Wasserman Cetner.

If you’ve been following my previous posts, you are probably aware that I am approaching my full-time job search with some trepidation (to say the least). After all, how many of the part-time jobs and internships I found in the past three years are simply due to luck?
Maybe luck is the wrong word. It implies that these opportunities simply fell into my lap from the all-knowing and supreme deity of Career Development. Is it a coincidence that when I ask my friend if there’s an opening at her office for an office assistant that there happens to be one? When I ask for help finding a leadership position from my career counselor, and she happens to know of a great opportunity, is it luck? If I express intent to do an internship that is related to my field of interest to the same said counselor, how lucky am I that she just happens to know of someone in that field and connects me with one such internship? I doubt it, and not just because I am cynical and tend not to place much faith in, well, blind faith.
In all the above situations, I asked for help. I took a proactive step towards finding opportunities. Many times, I forced myself to ask for help when I felt I could not do it alone. I applied to many work-study positions on NYU CareerNet without ever hearing back, leading me to ask my friend for assistance. Similarly, my career counselor was able to connect me to many resources of which I was not aware, most notably the opportunity to become a Peer Educator-in-Residence for the Wasserman Center. This experience gave me the confidence to reach for more opportunities, such as applying to become a Resident Assistant, and I am proud to say I am. Asking for help takes courage, and not the obvious courage that you imagine will surface when someone is being beaten up in back alley. I mean the quiet courage that you need to go after the job you want, and eventually, the career you desire.
You are probably thinking, “Wow, she could have used the half hour she spent writing about luck to actually do something about her job search.” Yes, that is true and I agree. This entry is for those who are less confident about their job search, like I am, sometimes. OK, most of the time. Hopefully, you'll realize that an act as simple as asking a question can create a lot of opportunities for you.

So you qualified for federal work-study, or maybe you just want to work near campus … now what? On campus jobs are a great way to be close to school, earn some extra money, or get some money from the government for school.

Luckily for us, NYU is a huge hirer of students, and Wasserman makes it very easy for students to connect themselves to on campus jobs. Here is a great guide Wasserman provides for everyone who wants to get on campus job.

NYU CareerNet is a great place to look for on-campus jobs, and you can even narrow your search specifically to filter only on-campus jobs!!

Another quick note – Wasserman posts paper listings of On Campus jobs in the Wasserman Center for Career Development. Just walk straight into the center and right before the restrooms there is a giant wall of job postings for your perusal!!

Happy job hunting!