Download Alumni Employers Give Career Advice

Alumni Employers Give Career Advice
Below are Employment Suggestions from alumni who are members of WIN – our
database of alumni who volunteered to give career assistance to current students.
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Be innovative, creative, and enthusiastic.
Need to be open to new opportunities, a direction that you might never have considered
previously.
Go to Career Services to get your resume reviewed.
Do an internship in any field of interest.
The best advice that I could give would be to never eliminate any career opportunities that may
be presented to you. I can say that because I find myself in a career that I may not have
entertained if I was not pursued for employment by St. Lawrence Cement. I could not be more
pleased with where I am personally and professionally and Salisbury afforded me that chance to
excel by building an educational foundation for success.
Internships are the best way to gain contacts in a particular field you are interested in. Internships
afford people the opportunity to be at the right place at the right time if a position opens up as
well. Most internships are not paid and don't let that deter you from taking it. Work as a
waiter/waitress at night while you intern to pay the bills. Being able to place the internship
on your resume is invaluable and will give you the advantage when an employer is hedging their
bets on you since they figure you already know what you are getting yourself into because of the
Internship experience.
I am willing to answer questions regarding my job at AALLP. Arthur Andersen currently recruits
students from SSU for internships and full-time employment - you are welcome to call me for
details or with questions. Big 5 accounting opportunities are quite possible for SSU Accounting
Students with good grades, involvement in the community, and a high level of motivation!!!
Have a good resume, and solid references. Make sure you research the company or institution
you are applying to.
Developing good organizational and customer service skills will carry you far now matter what
field you are trying to get into.
Internships, internships, internships.
Continually update your resume; you never know when you may need it! Keep your interviewing
skills polished as well.
It is very valuable to be known as a nice, honest, straightforward person on the job. Always treat
your co-workers with the same respect that you expect for yourself. -Don't ever give up, even
though the search may be long and tiring! -Keep an open mind -- you never know when you
might stumble upon a job that may be perfect, even though it sounds like "a company I wouldn't
want to work for."
Be yourself in an interview. Sometimes it is not only your skills and knowledge that gets you a
job. Sometimes your credibility and personality are very important as well. Don't be phony.
-Never settle until you've found a work environment where you are comfortable and satisfied.
Join professional organizations. Volunteer in community programs. Go for the job, not the
current salary.
Develop a marketing plan for yourself. Study hard and do internships. Read a lot. Do volunteer
work for your professors to learn more.
Be persistent. Don't wait to be pursued.
Network, Network, Network and start job search as early as possible.
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If your thinking about a career in banking, a call center environment would be a good start
because every card member communicates in their own way. You develop the ability to solve a
problem in a short time
Intern or volunteer in Marketing Communications Dept.
If interested in manufacturing, go to www.asq.org and join the American Society for Quality.
The site has a job posting/listing for members.
Do what you love!
Don't get frustrated.
Always choose a career that fits with your personality. If you do what you love it is never
considered work!
Gain as much as technical understanding and exposure as possible in your field of choice. Never
underestimate the importance of personal networking.
Flexibility is important in diverse workplaces. Continuing education keeps professionals
informed of new strategies and ideas.
Degree in a shortage area, such as special education is a good thing to have if you desire a
teaching position.
Learn what software is most often used in your field and put in lots of time with that software,
learning its intricacies. That time investment will always pay off.
Networking is everything. You will be surprised where you will meet people that can be
influential in helping you get your next job. Use this network and go to any SSU event that helps
you network.
Don't let money be the motivating factor for accepting a job. There is no amount of money that
will make up for a job that you don't enjoy.
Find something you are interested in.
It would be very helpful to have some business/managerial classes - something I learned the hard
way!
Look high and low, sometimes the best jobs out there are right under your nose, sometimes you
have to dig deep. Never give up in searching for what you really want. Be flexible and able to
adjust with the changing times. Never stop learning, or you will lose out to the competition. Be
resourceful.
Get good grades at SSU. It makes the job-hunting process much easier.
Keep a current resume. Have other people critique it constantly. Ask for advice.
Get into a good company to get your feet wet. Go to a place with a recognizable name and a
good reputation. Start wherever you can. I started at Johns Hopkins as a temp, and within 5
months, I earned a great position working for the Vice President of Johns Hopkins University
and Hospital...talk about connections.
Try to get an internship or professional experience in your related field prior to graduation.
Continue networking even after accepting a position.
If you want to work in the entertainment industry, you just have to get out there and do it. It takes
time and patience, but hard work as well.
Develop a good marketable resume and post it on the internet. The harder you work, the luckier
you get.
Send out Resumes to all companies regardless of a strong interest. You never know until you
meet the other employees.
Develop mentoring relationships.
Use contacts to your advantage; people are most always wanting and willing to help.
If you want to practice law in Maryland, try to get an internship with a Maryland Judge as early
in your law school career as possible.
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For students in accounting: Always keep your options open. Do not eliminate firms strictly
based on the fact they are not a big five firm. Sometimes a smaller firm can offer you better
opportunities to gain experience and advancement, as well as a less stressful working
environment.
Never be afraid to pursue what you love, professionally and personally. Pick your niche and
focus on it full-time. Being the jack-of-all is only valuable on the surface, be the
master-of-one!!
Internships are a key to success.
Volunteer in schools as much as possible to see first hand how schools are run.
Start early and do allot of contact work. Start early, explore many areas, and meet as many
people in the business world as possible. You never know when you might be able to use their
knowledge.
An internship while still in school is a must! It will get your foot in the door early. Specialize in
one area that you are comfortable with and enjoy doing. The tech industry is too broad and
changes too fast to try to keep up with it all! Do one tech job and do it well! Good luck!
An internship while still in school is a must! It will get your foot in the door early. Specialize in
one area that you are comfortable with and enjoy doing. The tech industry is too broad and
changes too fast to try to keep up with it all! Do one tech job and do it well! Good luck!
Trust in your instincts.
Be aggressive and keep a solid head on your shoulders.
Network as much as possible. Go on as many interviews as possible, it helps to learn what to
expect. Try to do as much related experience as possible.
Be prepared for the interview - research the company and the position you are applying to.
Don't be intimidated into accepting the first offer you get, hold out until you know you found the
right job.
Don't try to chase a dollar bill. Do what you love & the money will follow. Don't live your life 2
days out of 7. Live, life 7 days out of 7! Listen to your heart.
Make as many networking contacts as you can while you’re in school and once you’re out of
school.
Never stop striving for your dreams--It took me 8 years to achieve a full time job with the Army
National Guard. If I had stopped trying, I would not be doing what I love today!
Get summer job relating to your field of study or a get into a cooperative program between the
school and various participating businesses.
Get with a company that hires aptitude and then trains you once you start.
Resume building can start in college by having a good GPA and by being active in student
organizations, team sports or other extracurricular activities. However, internships are a great
way to build your resume with solid work experience and to open up opportunities when you are
ready to begin your career.
Be completely prepared for your interview. Constantly update and improve your resume
Diversify yourself from the competition. Attend every career fair available. Send a thank-you
letter the same day as your interview.
Make sure you love what your doing for a living. If the courses you're taking in college don't
excite you, chances are the profession won't either.
The D.C. area has numerous free job placement services for professional and administrative
positions.
Go to the career center on campus, they can really help with the job search process.
Gain as much practical experience as possible through internships, volunteerism, paid jobs, etc.
Maintain short and long term career goals, and reevaluate them often.
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Do an internship for academic credit in the field that you wish to go into. That is the best way to
know whether you are making a career decision that you will be happy with. Study hard for any
graduate school entry exam, and get into the best school you can possibly goto.
It will have a tremendous impact on your career path. The first year of law school is very
difficult, but the next two are much better. It is crucial to keep up with the reading assignments.
Participate in extra-curricular activities. Get internships over the summers. Make contacts in your
interest fields.
Don't settle for the first job that offers a position. Ask allot of questions, so you are informed
about the exact position in question. Research every company you interview with. Learn and
get as much experience in the classroom that you can. Find a mentor and learn as much as you
can from that person. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Networking is the most effective way to
find out about new positions.
Study the humanities.
In the IT field experience is the key. Find some place to get your foot in the door and go from
there.
Use your contacts. Everyone needs help now and then. Take advantage of the career counselors
at SSU. That's how I landed my job! Go over your resume with a fine-toothed comb - then do it
again. Get opinions from professional with experience in resume writing - not from your friends.
Know Excel; take advantage of the one year MBA offered at SSU.
Get as much hands on experiences as you in as many areas as possible. Nursing is so versatile
and has so many wonderful areas to work in it takes awhile to know where ones strengths or
where one may really enjoy working.
For elementary ed. majors take the additional math and computer courses. Technology training is
a definite plus.
Find out what truly interests you and find a job doing it.
Never think there are no jobs for people with Psychology degrees. Be creative in thinking about
what your abilities are. Never give up! Apply at Hospitals, residential Placements with agencies
serving the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, out patient counseling/treatment and
anywhere that people skill are best utilized.
Intern to gain knowledge and contacts.
If you are interested in a computer-related career and want to talk to someone about what some
of the options are, and how they play out after school, give me a call, I will be happy to give you
my 2-cents.
Work hard, be enthusiastic, be willing to learn and always be willing to give of yourself so others
can benefit.
Start your job hunt early. It is never too early to start networking.
More and more I'm realizing that degrees are only part of the picture...it's all about contacts and
personal relationships. As the saying goes "Be careful of the foot you step on today as it may be
connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow!"
While in school volunteer as much as possible in related field of interest to get as much exposure
as possible. Join clubs and meet people so you can begin networking.
Find something you like to do.
Professionalism is a must! Think of where you would want to live and then pursue a career in
that area.
Do not settle for the first or highest paying position offered to you. Remember that quality of
life issues are far more important than monetary rewards when choosing a career. Also, start
looking for that job NOW!! It’s never too early to start prospecting. The job you really wanted
could have been filled yesterday while you were Ocean City!!
Join a social Fraternity or Sorority as College courses provide you with the methods and the
Greeks provide you with the social skills necessary to compete in the boardroom.
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Opportunities are always available. You never know where one experience may lead you.
The more you know, the more you're worth. Don't concentrate on one specific thing in an area of
work. Knowing more than one programming language, for instance, makes you more marketable
and therefore worth more.
Be sure that you pursue something that you truly enjoy doing.
Take advantage of training opportunities provided. Volunteer for special projects at work.
For students looking for a career in any field I highly suggest internships. Public Relations is a
field that has grown immensely since my graduation. There are lots of opportunities out there
Be persistent.
Be diligent in your research and confident in your capabilities.
Set up informational interviews as a way to learn about prospective careers!
Be involved in as many activities as you can without overwhelming yourself. Read, read, read!
Make sure you do what you WANT to do; anything else is just not worth it!!!!!