1. Loans are not free money: you do have to pay it back w/ interest. Only take out loans when necessary, not to purchase a new car or clothes. Apply for the Pell Grant, it works in your favor and doesn’t have to be repaid. For more info go to http://www.a-studentloans.com/pell_grants.html
2. Freshman year is the most vital year in college; it determines whether or not you will be there next year, so take it seriously.
3. Before signing up for a course with a professor that you don’t know, find out about the professor on RateMyProfessor.com. This site really helps!!! It gives you tips on whom to and not to take for a particular course.
4. Books: Most schools have a program where they loan out books to you instead of you having to purchase one. You can find out about this in your School’s Student Services Department. Find out what courses you are going to take ahead of time, that way you’ll be the first to sign up for the book loan. Remember; first come – first serve and books are limited.
5. Withdrawals: It’s not a bad thing to withdrawal from a course so don’t be afraid to use it. It’s better to use it then to fail the course and regret it later on. If you had a bad semester, get a Pardon. That way the school will wipe out that entire semester on your transcript and you’ll have a second chance. This is usually permitted once per student so be wise!
6. HBCU, Private Schools, or State Universities? In my opinion go to a State University and here’s why:
A. It’s usually well known and the tuition is cheaper
B. It’s better to go to an integrated school in lieu of an All-Black school because it determines how you will well work and fit with people of other races.
C. If you are a minority going to an All-Black school financial aid, scholarships, and grants WILL BE LIMITED!! It’s been rumored that most HBCU financial aid doesn’t kick in on time.
D. Most Resources and Connections are Limited at HBCU. State schools usually have more resources that are funded by the state and it’s free. With most Private institutions you will have to pay for these resources.
7. Going to school near home or away from home: In my opinion it works better in your favor if you go away from home because you become an independent. You learn how to live on your own
8. With a 2.0 GPA can I still get scholarships? Yes! You can get scholarships for being the first one in your family to go to college, Living in low-income housing, being left-handed, the city you live in, minority, ect. When I was in H.S. an Asian kid was awarded several scholarships because he was Asian, had a twisted upper lip, and was left handed. You don’t have to fret if your GPA is closer to a 2.0 and you don’t play sports: It’s all about how you write your letters to convince them that YOU deserve the scholarship more than anyone else.
9. When in Doubt: Not everyone graduates on time, and not everyone is certain of what they want to do after graduation, or if he/she is in the right major. To help you better decide be real with yourself. Find out what really interest you. If you like fashion or Reality TV maybe you should major in Communications, Marketing, Film, or Marketing. If you love to read magazines maybe you should major in Journalism. Don’t major in something that doesn’t interest you or just because the pay seems ok. Chances are you’re going to either Hate your job or
10. INTERN-INTERNS: make sure that you get an internship before your senior year. This way you’ll get hands-on experience and can decipher whether or not this career move is the right one. Also, getting an internship is the best way to get your foot in the door. This usually determines whether or not you’re going to have a job after graduating. Keep in mind that the job market isn’t looking too hot right about now so do yourself a favor.
11. FRATS/ SORORS: Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the Brother/Sisterhood but make sure that you’re joining for all the right reasons. Do not join because you think that the organization is going to help you find great jobs after graduation: WRONG!!!! Most of my friends are in Greek Organizations and I haven’t heard 1 say how they received a job hookup from them. It’s basically there to help your college social years; nothing more nothing less --- so don’t expect the world from them either.
12. Last but not least; RECOMMENDATIONS – get in real good with a professor that teaches a course in your major. This way you can have a professor as a referral and what better resource to have then someone who knows this stuff. For instance, my cousin majored in Accounting and got in good with an accounting professor (at a community college). Not only did she refer him but she helped him land a job with well-respected Fortune 500 Accounting Company Straight after graduation from a 4yr university. Don’t ever underestimate your resources. He could’ve been working as a tax accountant with H&R Block but instead he’s traveling the world to audit major companies and making boucoupe $$ at that. Go figure

Posted by Suzanna G on November 30, 2006 at 6:38 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

One of the most important lessons I learned in my early job search this last summer was to ask the right questions as soon as possible. I learned this the hard way.

After joining Careerbuilder.com and Monster.com, the most prolific job websites, I was getting very frustrated. I wanted to work in either publishing, advertising, or marketing. By marketing, I meant creating ad campaigns for clients. And all I was getting were random emails from insurance companies. Then I got two phone calls from two different advertising companies in the Chicago area. Unfortunately, I can't name them here, but they rhyme with PU Gymports and Spictory Spomotions. The companies heavily advertise in both Monster and Careerbuilder, looking for entry-level candidates to take on junior account executive positions.

After a preliminary interview, in which they ask you a lot of questions, and you try to get an actual answer about what the job actually is, they send you home and say they'll call if they want you to come in for a second interview. I'm presentable and have an IQ above a frog, so of course they both called me. (Actually, my IQ is 138 i.e. college professor.) I went in for a second interview first with "PU Gymports" in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. The following week I was scheduled for a second interview with "Spictory Spomotions." On the phone, I was told to bring more copies of my resume and dress very nicely as I was going to be meeting some very important people. They also told me to wear shoes I could walk in, as we would be doing a little walking around.

I got to "PU Gymports" 15 minutes early as all good little job-seekers should. The small reception area was full of other smartly dressed, intelligent, fresh graduate job-seekers. The women were dressed very well, many with high heels above 2". I (thank goodness) had chosen to wear flats per the "walking around" advisory. Many of the men were in formal suits; essentially, everyone was dressed to impress. We heard rowdy chanting from inside the interior office, apparently a little team encouragement to make us think that working there would be fun. Over 40 minutes after the second interview should have begun, the regional president came out and spoke to the fifteenish people in the reception area. He said that there were only three spots open, and that they could afford to be very selective in choosing the right candidate. He then explained that we would be paired up with someone who was currently in the job position we would be attempting to land, and spend the day with them.

I was paired up with a young woman, another recent college graduate. She'll remain nameless. I went out with her to her car, as she said we needed to go on some calls to clients. Her car was dirty and filled with cardboard boxes full of stuff, and, another person! A young black woman, who will also remain nameless. I sat in the front passenger seat and my "interviewer" started up the car. We drove away from "PU Gymports" and my interviewer started giving me the talk about how their advertising reached a larger audience than tv, radio, and newspaper combined. Long story short, it turns out I was being recruited to manage solicitors. Door to door salespeople. The lowest of the low.

The young black woman who was being managed by my interviewer quit after an hour of going door to door to business locations in Polish town trying to sell "promotions" for well-known home renovation companies and children's entertainment companies. I didn't blame her. What shocked me was that instead of driving her back to "PU Gymports," my interviewer gave her a choice. Either call someone to pick her up, or she would drop her at a bus station. So the young black woman was left on the side of the road, not really sure where she was.

My interviewer said we had to continue and that she had a quota to meet. She explained to me that she was still going through a 16 week training program, which included doing the soliciting herself. They never called it soliciting, just promotions. I told her I wasn't interested in the job. She said fine, but she had to continue until the work day ended at 6pm. Or, I could call someone or she could drop me at a bus station. I said that clearly wasn't going to work, I had left my car back at the office and my roommate was at work. At 1:30, I asked when we could stop for lunch. The woman who had called me about the second interview said that meals would be covered, including dinner with the executives at the end of the day. That was a lie. We stopped at a sandwich place and I had to pay for my own food. My feet were getting blisters over the toes and the top of the foot from all of the walking up and down paved and unpaved sidewalks and streets. I began to literally hobble, and I couldn't just stay in the car while my "interviewer" went into car shops, factory plants, electronics stores, even cafes where she solicited customers and waitstaff. She said that "NO SOLICITING" signs were a welcome mat and that the current manager probably would like us.It was embarrassing, and on top of it all, she was TERRIBLE at it. I think she sold maybe two things that whole day.

When we got back to the car again at 2:30 after another terrible jaunt up and down (BTW she had on black running shoes and a pantsuit, clearly dressed comfortably for the amount of walking she had to do; I still shudder to think of the other girls in that reception room with their stiletto heels) I spoke with her. I offered her $20 and a full tank of gas if she would simply return me to my car immediately. I told her that I didn't want this job, that I was in pain (I showed her the blisters) and that I thought it would be out right MEAN to force me to accompany her for another 3 1/2 hours, when I had no other choice. After calling back to the office and speaking in some sort of numbered code to tell them that I didn't work out, she said fine. She said she couldn't take my money, but when we were almost back to the office, she said she would take the free gas if I still wanted to offer it. I said fine. I was furious, and I wanted to slap her silly, but of course I didn't.

When I got home, I could barely walk up the three flights of stairs to my apartment. I spent the next day calling Spictory Spomotions to tell them I had re-evaluated the industry and was no longer interested in employment with them, and watching tv on the couch, my red hurting feet up on a pillow.

Please don't let this happen to you. A reputable company will answer your questions completely, honestly, and candidly. If someone is on the phone with you, dancing around your questions, or if you get to an interview and realize at the end that you STILL don't know what the job description entails, get out! If what happened to me happens to you, call the Better Business Bureau.

Posted by Sarah V on November 29, 2006 at 2:00 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

This is picking back up on my previous resume blogs. I took a look at my CollegeGrad.com newsletter today, which focused on where college students should send their resumes. I wish I had this newsletter before I graduated from college back at Tech (Florence-Darlington Technical College). Since I didn't, I thought it was important to share it with all of you in college or either going back to college.

According to my newsletter, the first place to send your resume is your school's career center. This should be done as soon as possible at the beginning of the first semester in your final year. There are three reasons why. The first is that the majority of campus career centers establish a set of paper or electronic resumes to be sent out to potential employers. Reason number two is that your college will send your individual resume to employers who ask for those resumes of prospective graduates in a given major. The list of employers includes some who are pre-screening candidates for on-campus interviews. The last reason is that normally, you won't be able to sign-up for on campus interviews without completing the second step.

Where should you send your resume to next? It should be the Internet. But CollegeGrad.com says not just to any place. Their advice is to post it to "CollegGrad.com, the # 1 entry level job site, where it will get noticed."

http://jobs.CollegeGrad.com/JS/Form/SignUpForm.asp

Posted by William F on November 29, 2006 at 12:13 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The following editorial is in no way related to internships. It only has to do with the fact that I had to write it for my Communication Law class and wanted to share it with everyone. I hope you approve:

It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

"There's No Business Like No Business," sung to the tune of Irving Berlin's "There's No Business Like Show Business" came under fire for being too closely related to the original song.

Cole Porter's "The Last Time I Saw Paris" became "The First Time I Saw Maris," a satirical piece about baseball players becoming advertising a pitchmen - a topic that's as timely now as it was over 40 years ago.

Richard Rodgers had a stake in the outcome of this suit as well, quiet as it's kept in the transcript of the trial.

It's probably safe to say that most people who have read Mad magazine have no idea about the legal precedent that was set because of Mad's zany, irreverent humor, especially the song parodies called "Sing Along With Mad."

Interestingly, it was Mad magazine's use of song parodies that landed it in court back in 1961 when a group of music publishers filed a $25 million law suit against Mad (E.C. Publications to be exact), according to wikipedia.org, for copyright infringement.

The suit was filed on behalf of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers and contended that "only a song's composers retained the right to parody that same song," and that Mad magazine committed copyright infringement when it parodied songs by the plaintiffs.

The suit eventually became legal precedent, which stated "the exclusive rights granted to copyright holders, which are 'to print, reprint, publish, copy, and vend the copyrighted work; to arrange or adapt (the work) if it be a musical work; to perform the copyrighted work publicly for profit if it be a musical composition.'" The court ruled that Mad magazine infringed on none of these rights when it satirized popular American culture with lyrics intended to be sung to the tune of plaintiffs' songs. This precedent, like Mad magazine, has stood the test the test time.

A series of lawsuits were cited in support of the plaintiffs claims against Mad magazine founders William Gaines and Harvey Kurtzman, who used the songs to satirize all forms of pop culture and American life. Sometimes they borrowed from popular songs at the time, like "When I Was A Lad" by Gilbert & Sulllivan, which they did with the songs of Berlin, Porter and Rodgers. The plaintiffs didn't think they were funny and argued that because the tunes had the same meter and time as the original songs, Mad infringed on the composers' copyrights.

With two exceptions, the cases of "Always" and "There's No Business Like Show Business," because the songs played on the same vocal hooks - i.e. the word always in the song "Always" and the word business in the song "There's No Business Like No Business" - the court sided with the defendants.

Because the lyrics to Mad's parodies made use of the same hooks as the originals, like in the chorus "there's no business like no business," the court felt that copyright infringement had occurred. In the case of the other songs, though, the court felt that the words were so far removed from those of the original compositions that no infringement took place.

The plaintiffs disagreed in an appeal, saying that the lyrics of Mad magazine's parodies were "counterparts" to the composers' lyrics. In one of the cited cases (Wihtol v Wells), the composers argued that the defendant's song had the same title as the original and, according to the Seventh U.S. District Court, the defendant "had the plaintiff's work in mind, if not in hand," at the time that he wrote his own work.
Although the defendant argued that he did not have the plaintiff's work in hand or in mind at the time of writing his own song, the court found the similarities between the two more than coincidental and found in favor of the composer. In another case, comedian Jack Benny was accused of copyright infringement when he satirized the movie "Gaslight" in a sketch he called "Autolight." In the Benny case, the court found in favor of the plaintiffs, saying that Benny exceeded the latitude of license in that he copied not only the plot but also even some of the movie's dialogue verbatim for his sketch. Several other cases were cited by the defendants as proof that Mad magazine committed the same offense as the previous defendants. In those cases, however, the defendants had copied the plaintiffs' works and, according to the courts, sought to capitalize on the popularity of the plaintiffs' original works. In those cases, the courts disagreed with the notion of "fair use."

Since Mad magazine changed the words of the songs it borrowed, the court argued that no infringement occurred. It deemed that "the subject matter of the defendants' lyrics ... is completely different from that of the plaintiffs." "I've Got You Under My Skin," for example, became "I Hit You Hard Upon The Skin" and refers to fraternity hazing.

Two elements caused controversy over whether it's parody or satire. According to Merriam-Webster, a parody is "a literary or musical work in which the style of an author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule." According to the court, Mad didn't parody the plaintiffs' lyrics, but satirized various "aspects of modern life" at that time. Merriam-Webster defines satire as "a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn." Because Mad used original words and ideas, the court disagreed with the plaintiffs that Mad magazine had committed copyright infringement.

In another suit, Leo Feist v Song Parodies, Inc., popular songs were parodied in Popular Parody Hit Songs and Hit Parade Parody Songs magazines. The defendants used subject matter that was similar to the original compositions and even paraphrased some of the lyrics, therefore, the court found the defendants guilty of copyright infringement. The defendants in the Feist case actually attempted to pass their works off as works created by the plaintiffs, which only increased the severity of their crime.

Since Mad did none of this with their satirical pieces, the court found in favor of the magazine, except in the cases of "Always" and "There's No Business Like Show Business." Because the plaintiffs disagreed with this decision, they took it to the U.S. Court of Appeals and lost not only the seven songs the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court awarded in favor of the defendants, but the two excepted songs as well. Still dissatisfied, the plaintiffs appealed to U.S. Supreme Court, who refused a writ of certiorari. The lower court's ruling in favor of Mad magazine stood firm, making it an unlikely champion of First Amendment parody and satire publishing.

Had the ruling gone the other way, satirical pieces like "I Just Can't Wait To Use This Thing," which appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, satirizing Kim Jong Il's eagerness to test his nuclear bomb capabilities, would not now be allowed. And shows like "In Living Color" and "Mad TV" couldn't have had as much fun satirizing not only today's pop culture, but also sometimes the artists who wrote the original songs. And where would "Weird Al" Yankovic be without precedent-setting Mad magazine? Although the precedent set by the Irving Berlin et al v E.C. Publications allows him to parody popular songs without permission, Yankovic asks anyway. He thinks its better to maintain a good working relationship with the artists whose work he parodies, says his Web site.

Posted by Candice Arnold on November 28, 2006 at 3:17 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Once again Judi Perkins offers advice that is aimed at job seekers but also pertains to students looking for quality internships. Her advice is simple, really. Learn as much as you can about the company where you want to intern, and be prepared to answer questions like "Why do you want to work for this company?" Perkins advises against giving a me-focused response that explains what the company can do for you and how it can help you advance your career. Instead she says that you should tell the interviewer what you can do for the company.

She recommends telling the interviewer what you have learned about the company and why it seems like a good fit for you. She also says that getting specific helps, too. Choose experiences of your own that relate to the company and the position you're seeking. Add your own personal motivations and interests and any other information you may have acquired from your recruiter, friends, former interns or the ad the company posted.

Know who you are and what you want, Perkins says. This is especially important for college students looking for internships. When you choose the companies where you want to intern, think of it as a potential place of employment. Also think about what you can offer the company, and don't be afraid to tell the interviewer in a positive, confident manner. An internship, after all, is really a temp assignment with the potential to become temp-to-hire.

In essence, when you start submitting resumes for internships, be like the Boy Scouts of America: "Be prepared."

Posted by Candice Arnold on November 28, 2006 at 9:30 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I was just looking at The Professional Post and scanned the article on noncompetes. This is an interesting subject. While this piece of paper may secure you a job, it sounds like risky business to me. After all, I believe most people want to have the opportunity to advance in their career, not be held back. And suppose the job becomes to stressful, or you have issues with the personnel; you are bound to the company. Any employee should have the right to take a look at other jobs, which allow him or her to move up the ladder of success. When you work hard, that effort should put you in the best position to succeed, right? It's simple; competition is a part of our world and makes it exciting. If a company wants you to sign a restrictive covenant that doesn't give you the chance to make a move ahead when the time is right, it may cost you in the long run. Companies want to protect their inside information, but I guess we have to ask ourselves what is best for us. I don't think a noncompete is for me, but who knows what the future holds.

I would love to hear your comments on noncompetes!

Posted by William F on November 27, 2006 at 11:21 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

Last week I went in for an interview with a temp agency. I went through a friend of the family, but treated my meeting like a real interview. It turned out that the interview was not really a strict one. I think I learned more about the woman interviewing me than she learned about me. It was a very laid back interview that I had no reason to be nervous for. Though I'm sure looking and acting professional was the best thing to do, I do not think that for this particular circumstance it was necessary.

Right now my Creative Memories business is finally picking up. Most of my business is through my family, but now that I'm back at home I can tap in on my connections here. Since I will not be staying here for a long period of time, I'm a little sad that I know that I can build a successful business here and not in NY. Once I get back to the empire state I will have my car so that it will be easier to get my business started along with getting a job. I have been doing quite a bit of volunteer work, which will help me in the long run.

At the local YMCA I've volunteered to start a newsletter for the Black and Latino club to promote their club and help them with their writing. I am considered their editor, which will help immensly with getting experience with publishing. I've recently come across a publishing summer program at the University of Denver that I think that I will try to apply for. My hopes of becoming an editor are still floating next to my new business.

Right now I can positively say that I'm living day to day business wise. Because of all my moving, it is hard to get a permanent job. Personally, I'd rather go back to school and get my masters, but that's a whole other story.

Posted by Allison C on November 26, 2006 at 11:30 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I am currently working on achieving my Master's degree in Magazine Publishing in order to become a successful editor at a consumer publication. My main motivation for pursuing this degree was the genuine enjoyment I experience when composing an article with the intent of publication. It never really occurred to me with any intensity that what I should really be trying to make a go at is a career in freelance writing.
Freelancing can be quite a scary profession to undertake. Not only are you basically your own boss and therefore responsible for making sure you meet all deadlines and get the work done, but you are in complete control of your income. After my time being jobless and not knowing how I was going to come up with money for the rent, the idea of not having a steady income is a bit intimidating. It also concerns me that because I would not be directly attached to any particular magazine or publishing house that I would have to pay out of pocket for medical insurance. All of these concerns seemed to override my desire to write.
Of course, becoming a freelancer is also an extremely time consuming endeavor. It's like a never ending job hunt because you consistently have to "apply" for new jobs at various publications. You, in essence, have to continually sell and promote yourself. I actually do work on occasion as a paid freelance writer, mostly for NV (New Visions in Business) Magazine. In fact, I just finished a feature length article for the publication regarding three entrepreneurs who somehow find the time to give back to the community. I was even commissioned to execute the interview for the cover story. Here's the thing, though. NV always assigns me article topics: I never have to pitch a story idea. On the positive side, NV keeps coming back to me because they know I'm reliable and can write pretty well. That is the hope of every freelancer; to find a publication that keeps coming back to you for work because they like your style.
Recently, in my Magazine Publishing class, a professional writer came in to speak to the class regarding how to make a living at freelancing. He's written several successful books and countless magazine articles. I actually learned a lot from listening to him break down the process of freelancing. It was like suddenly coming across a thorough job description for a position you were initially clueless regarding the credentials. Now, with my newfound illuminated gaze upon the world of freelancing, I feel much more confident about pitching a story idea to a publication. I now even have a better idea of what stories might fit different magazines. Our guest speaker was also kind enough to e-mail me some sample query letters (letters sent to a magazine or literary agent trying to pitch a story idea). With these samples in hand, I will have a variable blueprint for success as a freelance writer.
My dream is still unwavering and I feel confident that I will someday become an Editor in Chief of a consumer publication. I now have renewed confidence regarding my ability to procure a living by writing articles for publication. I know I'll deal with a lot of rejection; such is the way of life in the world of publishing. The more I try however, the more likely I will meet with success by steadily submitting query letters. It's all about building up your writing portfolio and your freelancing reputation.

Posted by Morgan S on November 26, 2006 at 6:33 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Shifting gears right now. I decided to try and go for another bachelor degree. Columbia College Chicago and Emerson College have publishing degrees, so I'm trying those two. I don't know where my life is going right now. The job with the United States Postal Service ends Dec. 1 which doesn't make sense since we're Christmas casuals and they're letting us go before Christmas. If I don't get into any of those schools, all I'll have left is my other job (which doesn't pay much like USPS) and then I'll feel like I'm stuck. It seems as though my future depends on if I get into one of those schools. This isn't what I expected for myself when I was in college. I thought I would have my dream job by now and living happily, but now, I don't see it. They're calling my generation the "Boomerang Generation" because as soon as we graduate from college, we head right back home. I think it's because we can't find any employment in the field of our choice and staying at home with the parents insure security until they get tired of having the kids back home.

I feel lost and I have no sense of direction as to what to do now.

Posted by Rebecca N on November 22, 2006 at 11:50 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Once again new to the job-searching lifestyle I have been running into an issue which I had never thought about- being "over qualified".

In my 25 year life I have been fortunate enough to experience many things, international travel, post-secondary education, and employment, volunteer, internship and paid. However, I did not think for a moment that any of these experiences would deem me over qualified for anything.

I am beginning to wonder whether this is just the new term employers use for candidates that they do not feel are right for a position. If this is the case, employers I would much rather know the real reasons why you did not choose me for a position. I would like to know how I can improve my resume, my interview skills and how I could become the kind of candidate you are looking for in an employee.

On the other hand, if I am truly "over qualified" why wouldn't an employer hire me. Is ther any problem in hiring someone like this, who may be able to help your company more than you could imagine. I could potentially be your best employee, coming up with new methods to make things more effective and therefore more productive.

In all honesty, perhaps employers are doing me a favour and realizing, for me, that I would not be satisfied in the position that they have to offer. But, I think that's a decision that I should be able to make for myself, if i'm so "over qualified".

Posted by Kate M on November 22, 2006 at 12:51 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Yet again I am referencing a newspaper article for my blog. Although this could pertain to an internship, I think it's more appropriate for people who are working full time. It's an article about the right way to resign from a company. Written by Judi Perkins, the article lists the dos and don'ts of letter-of-resignation writing.

Perkins says the letter should be brief, stating only that you are leaving the company and when. She says it's okay to write a line or two about what a pleasant experience you had working for the company, if this is true, but advises against writing anything that indicates how glad you are to be hitting the bricks. She also advises against saying why you're leaving, where you're headed or what your new salary will be. In keeping with not crowing with joy about leaving the company, Perkins also says you should refrain from saying how sorry you are to be leaving, too.

Perkins goes on to say that the letter should be hand delivered and that you should make a special appointment with your boss to do so. She says that you should shake hands and briefly reiterate verbally what your boss will be reading in your letter.

Finally, she says resist any offers made by your employer to keep you there. Perkins says, it's unprofessional for the employer to make a counter offer and, it's equally unprofessional for you to accept. Besides, it's only a ploy to keep you around until a replacement can be found, Perkins continues. She says it's better to repeat that you will be leaving the company and on what date. This way, you leave on your terms and still on good terms.

With 25 years of recruiting under her belt, I think it's safe to take it on faith that this woman knows what she's talking about. In all those years, she says, "I have never seen an accepted counter offer work in favor of the individual. It might be a month, or six months, but eventually, your next departure from the company will be on their terms, not yours."

Whether you're a college student doing an internship or a recent college graduate looking for entry level employment in your chosen major, it's a good idea to keep Judi Perkins' advice in mind. You never know when you might need or want to leave a company.

Posted by Candice Arnold on November 19, 2006 at 12:16 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Not too long ago, I saw a headline for a newspaper article about neatness at work. I didn't read the article, but it got to thinking about past assignments. As a temp, I have worked in a variety of office settings, and I can only remember one instance where neatness was issue. The company actually sent out a mass email about proper attire. The guys were wearing their clothes a little too loosely and their shirts were untucked. The girls were a little too revealing.

I mention this as part of my internship blog because your internship is a trial run with a company you may want to work for after graduation. Bearing this in mind, be very mindful of the dress code. Wild hair and flip flops are great on campus, but not at work. Some places allow women to wear open-toed sandals, but I haven't yet heard of any that condone flip flops however comfortable they may be - not to mention the fact that in some places they can be dangerous. Of course, neatness isn't only about how you're dressed.

Having good penmanship is also important no matter where you work. If you have handwriting that others consistently say is difficult to read, you might want to correspond by email as much as possible. Then there's the condition of your work station. If your desk is disorganized, not only will you not be able to find anything, no one else will either. This could be important if you have a day off and someone else has to cover for you.

It's always a good idea to consider all aspects of neatness when doing an internship. Since you're with the company on a trial basis, people around you will be watching everything you do. Someone who is neat, tidy and organized stands a much better chance of finding an entry level job with the company of his choice than someone who is not.

Posted by Candice Arnold on November 19, 2006 at 11:36 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Tansformational Leadership versus Transactional Leadership:

I was recently interviewed for a publication called DISTANCE EDUCATION REPORT, which is primarily read by distance learning administrators regarding one of my research papers, and below is a quote I stated for that interview. The statement talks about leadership styles and which I believe works best.

“A DL leader is one who should be a transformational leader versus a transactional leader. In other words, those who lead by force, "dangling the proverbial carrot," threats, fear, reward and punishments, and an economic transactional type of relationship cannot lead well in the new DL environments. Those who lead by promoting change, establishing an environment where inspiration, creativity, ideas, and team purpose are at the forefront will be the best match for successful and competitive DL initiatives. The most successful management style is that which inspires and motivates others to action, creativity, and change rather than an inferior management style of leading via threats, fear, defensiveness, and status quo.”

The management style that works best for me as a "green" (True Colors personality test), is transformational leadership rather than transactional leadership. I know it is difficult to find such an environment and leadership style. Yet, I am most interested in working in an environment with a transformational leadership style based upon my personality and career/academic interests. Since I am a "green," I am more of a visionary versus a task manager, and I prefer moving ideas forward rather than task managing daily operational activities.

The Punk Rock PhD
Lisa Marie Portugal
ThePunkRockPhD.com

Posted by Lisa P on November 18, 2006 at 3:32 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Hi,

This is my first entry in this blog. I guess I will start off by telling a little about myself. I have two bachelor of science degrees. The first is in Social Work with a minor in Psychology. The second is the one that I just recently completed in May of this year and is in Journalism with a minor in History. I completed both of these at a university in Michigan. The first degree was completed as a full-time student, I commuted and worked at part-time jobs. The second was completed on a part-time basis as a full-time employee of the university. Our university paid for staff member's tutitions if you worked for the university in the capacity of a staff member full-time. As an employee, you were only responsible to pay for fees. This was a great benefit and one that I greatly appreciated. I worked clerical and administrative jobs while going to school. All were at the university, except for my first job at 18 at a retail store and an adminstrative assistant position at an information technology consulting firm during the brief period between my two degrees.

Okay, now the reason for having two bachelor of science degrees ... I know, I used to ask the question, "Why someone would want to complete a second bachelor's degree? Why not just go on and get your master's?" Well, I really wanted to switch fields. In fact I pretty much made a mistake in choosing the Social Work degree. Great field, but not for me .... I always was fascinated by the journalism field, print media specifically. I also have always had dreams of attempting to write fiction one day. So, I felt the field of journalism was a great choice for me. I knew it from the start. The only thing I can say is pure stupidity and not following my gut instinct made me choose my secondary major choice, thinking I needed to reach out to others, to really challenge myself. Of course, this is a great field and I respect it and those who work in this field. There are so many non-profits out of there in need of dedicated social workers. I just knew that this field was not for me. My heart was always going to be with writing and the writing field and I didn't want to look back and say, "If only ...." So, I decided to complete this degree and complete the second bachelor's in Journalism on my own. My parents were great parents and paid for my first degree. The second degree was me, finally an adult, living on my own and "making it" on my own. The working full-time and going to school was VERY challenging, but I finally completed it. By the way, I decided to go the second bachelor's route as my school did not offer a master's degree in this major and I think it did work out best overall. I also have to add that even though the Social Work field was not what I ultimately did as a career, I can't imagine my educational background without it. I really benefited from the content of that program and I am really grateful for it.

Flash forward to my life today as I sit here typing on my computer to all of you ... I am 28-years-old and married to an Army nursing student. We have been together for 10 years this December, married for a little over one year. We are living in Augusta, Georgia while he completes his Nursing program at Fort Gordon, GA. He will receive his LPN in January '07 and has dreams of being a Physician's Assistant. He is currently Army Reserves, but is trying to transfer to Active, ROTC so that he can continue on with school. We are moving near family in Florida after his graduation. Sorry to give you all of this detailed information, but it is hard to explain my current position in the world of post-graduation job hunting without explaining our circumstances. I came here in June 2006 to join him here in Georgia. We had been living in two separate places, miles and miles apart, since he started training in November 2004. I tried to find a job here in Augusta while still at my job and going to school in Michigan. I started talking to a large administrative recruiting firm here in Augusta, but that was my only lead. I have never done this before and it was VERY scary, but I decided to give my notice so that I could finally move and continue my job search in person in Georgia.

Well, needless to say, I have been unemployed since my arrival here. I tried working with the large recruiting firm here, but nothing happened, no leads. They seemed impressed by my resume, but I was not impressed by their customer service skills and no jobs became available. So, I gave up on them and tried searching on my own and applying for temporary jobs through other staffing agencies. I was only looking at temporary jobs. Several people suggested that I search for a permanent job, but if I had actually secured a job right away, I only had 6 months to work. I am a person who is very truthful and I just couldn't lie to an employer, I would feel too guilty. Everyone kept urging me to look out for myself and go out there and apply for the best opportunities. I wanted a great opportunity, but I just have to be truthful, it is just intrinsic to who I am as an individual.

The hard part about this situation is only being in one place for a short amount of time, something I have never done before. This is the difficult thing of the military lifestyle. Especially if you desire any type of career. But, I believe that I will be able to continue my journey in my career, I may have to be very creative, but I will continue to be optimistic. We plan to be in Florida for some time, so that is a good thing.

So, of course, yesterday I get a call in regards to an open position from a local staffing agency. Of course! I had been switching my concentration on job searching from this area to Florida, since we only have a few months left here, plus the holidays are coming up .... I am currently playing phone tag with the agency. I want to have dialouge with them in regards to if this temporary opportunity would work with my current plans. It most likely will not work out, but I feel the need to get some more information regarding this opportunity. It is an administrative assistant position, but at this point, it would be work.

I really desire to get out of the administrative assistant rut and try to get into a media related field. I prefer print media but anything related would be wonderful. I hope this will occur when we make this next move. I should add that I am trying to add to my very limited journalism experience. I briefly wrote for my university paper for the features section. I was very proud of my work, but I only had three articles while there, I waited too long to start writing for the publication.

I look forward to reading other posts on this site and am excited to be involved! I am sorry this entry was so lengthy!

Posted by Amy M on November 17, 2006 at 8:45 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

As a graduate of private, liberal arts institution I expected things. Great things. The first and most important thing I expected was to have little trouble finding a job; the second that said job would pay me a fabulous salary as I'd been told by those alumni who'd been so cleverly hand picked by the administration as shining examples of success.

Not so my friends. It's daunting and ultimately humbling to come out of school and be making much less in a year than what one year of education cost you. The point here, however, is that you can't be intimidated by this fact. The best thing to do is take every opportunity you have to achieve you goals both professionally and financially. I have a full time job, but I do freelance writing on the side--it helps pay the bills, but it also helps forge some very important connections--after all, how do you think most people end up with those killer high salary jobs?

Posted by Jennifer W on November 16, 2006 at 8:00 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

For anyone out there who may have a finished resume, but might still be uncertain of it, you could consider having someone else review it. This week's CollegeGrad.com newsletter says to have a person in your chosen field of study examine your resume. By doing so, you will have a chance for it to be reviewed for the proper use of buzzwords, keywords, and other industry terms (if you used any). However, it should be noted not to have a format review, if at all possible. The reason being you will probably end up with different people suggesting too many formats for you to choose from. The best idea is to keep it simple by using a conservative format.

Once your resume has been reviewed, this person may be able to provide a boost to your job search as one of your first network contacts. You might ask him or her to recommend multiple contacts for your job search based on your resume. As a result, you accomplish two tasks in one meeting.

Posted by William F on November 15, 2006 at 10:39 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I feel like Jimmy Olsen from Superman. Not because I'm an excitable sidekick to Lois and Clark, but rather because I finally got to don the proverbial press hat. This past Wednesday, I was asked to attend a press event at the Franklin Institute here in Philadelphia. The corporate partners for the King Tut exhibit, which will be premiering at the Institute in February of next year, were distributing several free tickets to the Egyptian retrospective to local school children.
Of course, the day started off with a gigantic rainstorm, which I had to navigate through to get to the event. Upon my arrival, I made sure to take the time and squeeze any excess water off my clothing and hair. I dug out my handy dandy reporter's notebook, which had been given to me by one of my uncles. When the doors were finally open, I was initially just happy to be inside where it was warm and much more dry.
Each of the contributors to the exhibit had a representative say a few words before the tickets were handed out. The kids even got to accept the tickets while wearing King Tut headdresses. I took several pictures as well as notes for the web blog I knew I had to compose. Once the event was completed, I hoped in a taxi and headed back to the office. I labored over my synopsis and had a little bit of trouble uploading the pictures, but in the end, it all came together.
Covering the event was very exciting for me because although I have written countless articles and conducted numerous interviews, I had never formally covered an event as a member of the press core. That experience was exactly why I wanted to intern at a magazine. I feel more confident regarding my reporting abilities and it is always nice to have something to show for it. I think Jimmy Olsen would concur.

Posted by Morgan S on November 14, 2006 at 8:40 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

So, here I am. I'm still looking for that "one" job that I've been waiting for since I graduated college, but at least right now, I've calmed down quite a bit. I'm currently working for an attorney which, even though it's only one day a week, I'm still getting experience. I am grateful that I've been given this opportunity. I have been devoting some of my time applying for jobs, wherever I may find them: in the newspaper, Internet, friends or co-workers, etc. and the other half of the time I am relaxing about where I am as far as a career. I've come to the conclusion that I'm not doing myself any good if I'm constantly stressed out about finding another job. Until something better comes around, I need to be focused and concentrate on doing the best that I can at the jobs I have now. I'm hoping that if I don't fret over finding a job that I really want, it will come before I even know it. I have taken a business writing course and now I am searching for jobs in that field of writing. If any of you know where I might be able to apply, given this certificate, please let me know. I have a few ideas, but I would like to hear some others.

Posted by Jill E on November 13, 2006 at 2:38 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

Last week, I updated my resume focusing on areas I discussed in prior blogs. You might remember my dialogue on the objective, summary statement, and grade point average pieces of a resume. I ended up changing my objective, making it more specific; I also added a summary statement. Before revising my resume, I had only included my overall GPA, not my major GPA. This was something I corrected thanks to my CollegeGrad.com newsletter on GPAs. In addition, I edited out some information I felt was not quite as important to employers when looking at my resume. Now, it is about one page. After the changes were made in my Word document, I copied and pasted my new resume to all the websites where it has been posted.

Now, I can't wait to see if these changes to my resume will pay off. I will keep you posted.

Posted by William F on November 13, 2006 at 12:03 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Recently, I read a newspaper article by employment counselor, Bob Lankard, who gave a list of suggestions for how to really shine as a "superstar job candidate" by paying attention to certain key factors when applying for a job. Although this is directed at job seekers, I thought it could easily be applied to internships as well. What better way to show that you are the best candidate for the position than by completing the application process as if you had done it a thousand times before? Lankard offers the following suggestions:

Follow directions - according to Lankard, this is seen as a test by employers. Lankard suggests reading every application carefully before filling in any information.

Think like and employer - When encountered with a section like special skills, Lankard suggests asking yourself what skills you would want if you were on the other side of the equation, then answer accordingly.

Keep records - Keep track of the names of all the places where you applied for jobs. It's also important to list the names and telephone numbers of the contacts at each place, as well. This can save a lot of embarrassment.

Neatness counts - Lankard suggests printing neatly so the employer can easily read the information. If you have access to an type writer, I would say, go ahead and type in the information.

Fill in blanks - Don't ever leave any field blank, Lankard, says, even if it doesn't apply to you.
Put in N/A or draw a line across the field.

Applications & Resumes - Lankard says it's important to supply a resume along with the application because employers use these documents differently sometimes. He also says that your resume can be used as a selling tool. Finally, he advises against writing "see resume" in the job history field on the application. Lankard says it's a bad practice that could lead to trouble if for any reason the application and the resume became separated.

Avoid exaggerating - Lankard says exaggerating on your resume can come back to bite you in the butt later, so, by all means, present yourself in the best possible light, but stop if you find yourself venturing into the Land of the Lie.

Posted by Candice Arnold on November 13, 2006 at 8:17 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

Last month - yes, I've been extremely remiss in my duties here - I listed 15 traditional fields where journalism/mass communications majors could find internships or entry level jobs after graduation. As Ms. LaRose pointed out in one of her comments, newspapers are going out of business across the United States, so those opportunities are dwindling. Still, sometimes when a door closes, a window opens. That's how I see the 22 related fields listed below:

Arts/Theater Management
Captioning for the Hearing Impaired
Consulting
Institutional Communications (non-broadcast): to include communications/media created by corporations, colleges/universities, government, military and nonprofit organizations
Distribution and Duplication
Education: crisis communications, media training, teaching, conducting workshops and seminars
Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers
Language Translation Services
Law: media and entertainment
Marketing and Sales
Media/Communications Facilities Design and Installation
Political Communications
Professional and Trade Organizations
Rides/Simulations: amusement parks, museums, science centers
Research: audience analysis, business, library, film, and video and film stock libraries
Satellite Related: direct broadcast satellite, video conferencing
Still Photography
Talent: actors, newscasters and weather casters, on-camera spokespeople and voice-over narrators
Trade Magazines, Newsweeklies, Publications, Awards, Conferences and Marketplaces
Training and Development
Video Games

That's quite an extensive list, with a whole host of possibilities for students looking for quality internships or recent college graduates looking for entry level jobs in media. I may have mentioned this before, but I think it's worth mentioning again, technical writing is in high demand these days, so if a student is able to find an internship doing technical writing, give it a try. You just might like it.

Source: Seguin, James Media Career Guide 5: Preparing for Jobs in the 21st Century

Posted by Candice Arnold on November 11, 2006 at 11:59 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

This is a similar title to the CollegeGrad.com newsletter I received last week. The author talks about how job candidates try to "stretch the truth" in order to make their resumes more enticing. A warning suggests that corporate recruiters are specifically paid to screen out any dishonest people. Once the actual truth comes to the light, potential workers are then disqualified from the hiring process. The author says a "white lie" is still a lie; it is as bad as exaggerating the truth. In other words, doing either one of these things on your resume is grounds for being exempt from getting the job you want.

An example is also pointed out regarding a recent college graduate who wanted to emphasize his experience with computer language by listing it on his resume. Some calls came back, however, along with letters refusing him once it was discovered that he had no basic understanding of the computer language. Subsequently, he was denied opportunities that he probably would have had access to.

So, remember that your resume should be truthful, not fictional. While it is important to stress the positive, do not attempt to impress someone with false information.

Posted by William F on November 8, 2006 at 11:56 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

Last week, my CollegeGrad.com newsletter talked about listing your grade point average, or GPA, on your resume. I had already done so, but the information was rather helpful. The newsletter said it is easy to decide whether or not to include your GPA on your resume. If your overall grade point average is a 3.0 or higher, list it. If your major GPA is 3.0 or better, but your overall one is lower than 3.0, list it as your "major GPA." Both GPA's can be listed on your resume if both are above a 3.0 and your major resume is a least three-tenths higher than your cumulative one. Here is something I should have known before I listed my grade point average on my resume: always round your GPA to the nearest tenth. Do this, even though your school's Registrar's Office may round it to the nearest hundredth or thousandth.

If you do not list your GPA on your resume, you should have a good reason as to why you missed that 3.0, according to my newsletter. However, if you are an undergraduate in this situation, don't be discouraged; you may still have a chance to pick up the slack from not keeping up with your grades from the start. Good luck to everybody!

Posted by William F on November 3, 2006 at 12:52 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I apologize for the length at which I have been idle on this service. Just when I felt like I was starting to get a good series of interconnected logs going, I was accepted to a notable school in Boston, MA, and unfortunately, this service was put on the back burner while I relocated. I am ready to begin my postings, though, and I have developed quite a good ideas that you will see put into words over the coming weeks and months. As for now, though, I will simply give you an update as to my situation.
In my future postings, you can expect a fictional narrative of life as a contractor, a fictional narrative of life as an employee, a further exposition of my freelance experience and my dealings with businesses who hire contractors, and a detailed analysis of the tactics I used to net my current position with a Boston publishing service. If I can bring to bear my analytical nature, I will also attempt to provide you with an explanation as to why the exact same tactics worked so beautifully in Boston and failed so miserably in Dallas. I promise you that I do not have the answer to that question now.
On to the update!

As a few of you know, after I graduated with my fuzzy liberal arts degree, I enjoyed unemployment in Dallas, TX for not quite a full year. My attempts at securing employment included a long list of worthwhile tactics, but they never resulted in my end goal: an entry-level job that related to publishing.
I circulated my resume on all of the Web sites and other locations that had any possible link to my desire. Monster, CareerBuilder, CollegeRecruiter, and many other general interest sites housed my resume and facilitated my submission to a number of local and not-so-local companies. I visited a number of offices around the greater Dallas metroplex, and in November I toured New York and Boston scrounging for anything -- even a mailroom position -- that might get me started. Alas, my enjoyable situation continued.
My scrounging in New York did net me a freelance copyediting position. While that source never contributed to my livelihood, it did give birth to a new idea: I made a database of publishers (again, both local and not) and began to call them one by one. Cold calling is a scarring business, and I would admire any salespeople who succeed at this miserable venture if I didn't feel so dirty everytime a potential employer answered the phone. But I did call and call again despite my disgust, and I landed two noteworthy positions: a freelance proofreader and a freelance editor. I still have one of them.
During all of this fun, I applied to the college I am now attending. I was wait-listed until near August, and I had given up hope of being accepted and began to work for a coffee distributor. I tied up nearly 100 hours of my week either freelancing or bartending. I barely met my ends.
I did get accepted, as I noted earlier, and let me tell you: Boston is a treat. After scrounging for whatever I could get in Dallas, I hit the Boston market expecting much of the same. I was pleasantly disappointed. Within two weeks of hitting the ground I had netted over eight interviews. I only made it to five before receiving three reasonable job offers. I am not a full-time copyeditor and a full-time graduate student. In addition, I'm new to town and working on the friendship thing. I've had two addresses so far, and it looks like I'll have to relocate again come May. Oh, the busy busy world of the young professional.

So, two cheers for Boston. It's a dream come true.

Posted by Greg F on November 2, 2006 at 9:36 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I have been known, on occasion to take on quite a lot of responsibility. It's not that I'm gluten for punishment or anything so dramatic as that. I just want to help out others when they are in need of assistance. The other motivation behind my near overextension is that I do not want to pass up a good opportunity when it comes my way.
The way I figure it; we can always learn something new or get better at what we are already good at. Practice does make your abilities sharper and more refined. In my case, I always jump at the opportunity to write an article especially if it involves conducting an interview. I had agreed to write an article for NV New Visions in Business Magazine, who I had written for numerous times in the past. Over, the weekend, I interviewed the last subject for my feature article. I had conducted an extensive and extremely pleasant interview with one of the subjects for the piece almost two weeks earlier. My editor came to me and asked for a favor. She was not going to be able to conduct the interview for the cover piece and wondered if I could handle it. I agreed and also took the time to interview the subject for our cover story the same day as the aforementioned interview.
I finally finished writing and rewriting the 2, 000 word feature on Halloween of all days. The piece was due to my editor on November 1st, so I made it just in time. I was relieved to get it done because I felt worn out. I was looking forward to a break, when another opportunity presented itself. I got asked to write another piece for the local arts & entertainment publication, Ticket. I really enjoy writing for Ticket, but with the turnaround time for the article, I had to start working on it right away. I'm trying to schedule the interviews for tomorrow and will hopefully compose the piece by the middle of next week. It's officially due on November 10th.
So, what have we learned? Every chance you get offered is definitely worth considering. Even if you're already an ace at something, you can always get better. Besides, you never know whom you'll end up meeting as a result of taking the extra initiative. Networking can happen when you least expect it.

Posted by Morgan S on November 2, 2006 at 9:00 AM | Leave a Comment (1)