There are No Wrong Paths

Written by Lauren Lind

Some say that the DWYL (do what you love) mantra will lead to the eventual decline of interest in what you used to be passionate about. Others say that you should find what you love and go with it because when you are doing what you love, it no longer feels like work.

I believe that you should have a passion for what ever you do for a living because it makes your work feel worth the energy. College students are at a pivotal point in their lives. I know this first-hand about what it is like to feel confused about what to be when I grow up. I ruled out grad school for a couple years and I knew I wanted to travel the world and help people. However, I also knew that I was going to have to support myself after graduation. I felt completely overwhelmed, not wanting to make a mistake by choosing one path over another. The truth is, there isn’t really “one” definitive path.  Finally, I have decided that I want to go into the industry that my majors have trained me for, simply because I love the field that I study. There are many types of jobs that advertising and communication can be applicable to, and I have decided to that I want to work in account management, brand strategy, public relations, or marketing. Some people may not feel that they want to go into the industry that their major has trained them for and that is completely okay because majors do not  equal careers.  I think that whatever you decide to do, you should feel passionate about it.

Howard Shultz, founder of Light-hearted Entertainment, attended Career Services Executives Tell All Panel a few weeks ago, and he said, “I tell my kids that whatever they do, they must be passionate about it. If they were to tell me that they want to be a garbage truck driver, then I’d tell them to go and be the best garbage truck driver there ever was.” He described being eager and passionate about what you do as one of the most important factors when entering the work force.

My father has been pilot for United Airlines for the past 30 years and he is one of the few people I know that genuinely love their job.He studied economics in college and originally went into sales. My point is that where you end up will most likely be very different from where you thought you would end up when you started considering your options. As for being worried about choosing the wrong path, keep in mind that there are no “wrong” paths at this point. So far, I have learned that one decision can connect you with people and things that you had never even considered before. Take a leap of faith and follow your instincts.

If you are unsure about what it is you are passionate about here are a few tips from Martha Beck:

•Quit with the “yeah-but” statements. Go with the yeah and get rid of the but. This will open you to infinite possibilities. Think about what you would do if there were no limitations.

•Get enough rest. If your mind and body feel fatigued and like they cannot be excited about life, take care of yourself.

•Do what you had previously considered to be forbidden. Many times the thought of doing something becomes a shutdown thought due to being judged by others, so instead surround yourself with people who support you.

•Follow your dreams even when you are scared. Fear can hinder us, but it can also provoke us to take action. In order to become unstuck, you must stand in the face of fear and embrace it.

Be passionate about whatever you do. Do what you love and love what you do. It is possible. If you are passionate about energy frontiers be sure to attend the Energy Career and Networking Fair on Thursday March 6th at 5:30 p.m. in the Glenn Miller Ballroom!

We'd love to know what you are passionate about Buffs! Tweet @CUCareerServ,  post on our Facebook wall, or leave a comment. 

Hat tip: Martha Beck

When Should You Use a Functional Resume?

Written by Lauren Lind

Chronological resumes are the norm; however, there are times when a functional resume can be more beneficial. What is a functional resume anyway? I wasn’t sure what they were until recently. A functional resume highlights your skills and experience, as opposed to your chronological work history. You might want to consider this option if you are just starting your resume, lack a ton of experience, are changing careers, or who have gaps in your employment history. Be sure to chose a resume format that shows direct correlation between relevance to the job and your skills.

Here are a few tips when writing a functional resume:

•  List your most important skill first (the skill that best matches the job requirements). Be sure to list the most information about this skill.

•Continue listing your skills in the order of their importance to the job.

•List at least 3-4 skills.

•  Write 2-3 bullets on each skill explaining achievements and accomplishments.

• Show growth and progress with your responsibilities.

Here is an example of a functional resume: 

If you need some help writing your resume be sure to stop by our Resumes that Rock! workshop March 4th in Norlin Library room E303 at 5:30-7:00pm.

Hat tip: Alison Doyle, damngoodresumeguide.com, worksmart

Stay Classy CU

Written by Lauren Lind 

Adapting to an ever-changing world can be a difficult task when it comes to entering a job right out of college. Going from 4 years of schooling and a bit of leniency to working a 9 to 5 job can be a shock to many graduates. There are many fantastic skills that we learn throughout those four years at school, however, there are simply some skills that are required for a professional job that we do not learn in class. Developing professionalism skills can help make your transition easier and make you an even more qualified candidate. You may look great on paper, but if you don’t know how to behave on the job, chances are you may not be there long enough to learn. CU is an outstanding university academically, but be prepared to prove to employers that you are serious about working for them.

Here are some key attributes of professionalism that you can work on to help you keep it classy and remain appropriate:

• Specialized knowledge. You can work on this by building expertise in a specific area and staying current with any changes in that area.

• Competency. Work on actively listening to others and observing situations with empathy. This will help to develop your emotional intelligence.

• Honesty and integrity. Don’t be a flake. If you agree to something, stand by your commitment. If you are going to miss a deadline, make sure you have open communication with your boss and co-workers.  

• Respect. Use your manners. It might sound simple, however, sometimes we forget basic kindness and good manners when it comes to dealing with people we don’t like.

• Accountability. Hold yourself to a standard. This also ties in with not being a flake because you want others to be able to count on you. Show up mentally present and with the tools you need to complete tasks.

• Self-regulation. You are the only person who can control your actions and thoughts. Set goals and strive to reach them. Your boss does not want to be constantly nagging you to do your job. If that becomes the case, you might not have a job anymore.

• Image. The way you speak, dress, act, and perform are all very influential upon your image. Your online presence also reflects your image. Be yourself, but remember to be professional in the workplace.

For more information on professionalism, be sure to check out the Professionalism Skills workshop tomorrow, February 25th, in the Center For Community S350 from 5:30-6:30pm. This event will be hosted by Career Services.

Hat tip: Mindtools.com

How to Lose a Job in 10 Days

Written by Lauren Lind

Losing a job can actually be easier than losing a guy in 10 days. Unless you really want to get dumped by your place of employment, do not do the following things:

1.  Consistently roll in late. Punctuality makes a huge difference in the professional world. Being on time shows that you value your job. Everyone is replaceable so make it hard for management to replace you. Start with showing up on time or early.

2.  Show up looking or smelling like a hobo. Don’t skip showering before coming into the office and please save the sweat pants and yoga pants for the gym. Just because you’re a student employee, there’s no excuse to disregard the dress code. Abiding by the dress code and dressing for success is a must.

3.  Spend the majority of your day checking social media, taking selfies, online shopping, or looking up bizarre videos. Needless to say, your boss will notice you staring at cat videos all day long or duck-facing it in the middle of the day. Be sure to give yourself a responsible break in the day to regroup and clear your mind so that you can stay focused for most of the day. 

4.  Have a potty mouth. Dropping F-bombs and calling people female dogs in front of your boss or directed at your boss's face will be sure to get you fired.

5.  Miss deadlines on a regular basis. Things come up and not all deadlines are met; however, missing deadlines weekly and blaming your downfalls on others is not cool. Take responsibility and get work done.

6.  Gossip like a 15-year old girl. Starting rumors and partaking in talking behind co-workers backs is one, mean, and two, a complete waste of time. Drop the drama and act like an adult.

7.  Kill everyone’s vibe. Being the perpetual complainer is not an attractive quality. Debbie Downers and Negative Nancy's are easier to cut than people who are supportive and positive in their working environment.

8.  Lie on your resume. If you can’t really code HTML or don’t really know Russian, you are going to be in deep trouble when your boss asks you to design a website or call a client in Sochi. Honesty can get you far in life.

9.  Date your boss or co-worker. Dating is always a touchy subject in the office. My advice is to steer clear of office relationships to avoid any awkward tension or situations that could end up with you looking for a different job.

10. Cause a scene. Whether you’re at an office party or a work event, make sure you remain professional. If you happen to get ticked off and draw negative attention to yourself, you can say hello to unemployment.

So there you have it Buffs...how to lose a job in 10 days. I wouldn’t recommend doing any of those things if you plan on having good references.

Hat tip: Helen Isbister, George Gurney, Elliott Bell

7 College Jobs That Will Turbocharge Your Resume

By Courtney Rubin

Want to boost your job prospects after graduation? Any part-time work during college can give you an advantage.

"Balancing work and school shows you can manage your time," says Nicole van den Heuvel, director of Rice University's Center for Career Development. "And jobs that aren't glamorous show that you're not a prima donna." But with a little strategizing – and a little luck – you can land a position that will really enhance your resume.

First step: Go directly to the campus employment office during freshman orientation. "You'll be on campus before the upperclassmen. Take advantage of that," suggests Michael Sciola, Colgate University's associate vice president for advancement and director of career services.
[See photos of great college jobs.]
Here are some skills-boosting job ideas.

1. Social media coordinator: This job, which involves using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WordPress and similar platforms to spread the college's or another employer's message, will burnish your communication skills and is likely to make you super-savvy about the latest technologies. Experience could also include data analysis, looking at various metrics that measure viewer engagement, and strategizing how to improve those metrics.
An advertising major at Boston University, Valentina Monte leveraged her "personal obsession" with Twitter by convincing a local pizza restaurant where she worked as a hostess to pay her to do its social media, and getting hired by Procter & Gamble and HBO to use social media to market the brands on campus. Monte, who graduated in 2012, now works full-time for HBO's social media and performance marketing team.

2. Campus brand ambassador: As Monte discovered, the race to grab college students' attention and dollars has companies like General Mills Inc., Google and Coca-Cola Co. hiring on-campus ambassadors to do everything from wear the brand's logo to tweet about the products.
Besides learning sales, marketing and strategy, you'll get a grounding in the products – and the inside track on a job after graduation.

3. Help desk staffer or computer salesperson: You'll pick up tech skills manning your school's help desk, but chances are you'll learn them working in the electronics section of the campus store, too. Because many schools require students to have laptops, the campus store is where the machines are issued. You'll often install software and do minor troubleshooting, plus gain product knowledge that could prove valuable when you're job hunting.
After four years in the campus store at the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill, Sam Hudson, who graduated in 2012, approached a representative at a job fair looking to fill positions at Lenovo. "I said, 'I've been giving out your computers for a couple of years,'" says Hudson, now an account coordinator for the company in North Carolina. 
[Check out hot college majors that lead to jobs.]

4. Office of institutional research assistant: This is the office that surveys students, alumni, professors and parents, which could involve quizzing the freshman class about the first-year experience, asking parents about their education financing plans and gathering alumni perceptions of the school. So any job in this office will offer an opportunity to learn about collecting and analyzing data.
"I think that's one of the best tools any kid can have," says van den Heuvel. "To go into consulting, to go into investment banking, to do so many things."

5. Career center staffer: Any job in the career center teaches customer service and how to interact in a professional environment. "If you work in the career center, you'll learn how to greet people and how to make small talk," says Sciola. "All these little things are so important in getting a job."
Problem-solving and computer skills also will come into play as you help students and employers who are having trouble logging in or who want to post a job. Plus, think of the job-search wisdom you'll soak up and the facetime you'll get with potential employers.
[Learn about the pros and cons of working in college.]

6. Group exercise teacher: Not only can you avoid the freshman 15 – and get paid for it – but also you'll be able to tell potential employers you're a great leader and motivator. You have to "have a good routine to keep a class wanting to come back," says van den Heuvel.
The job also wins you points for reliability; if you're teaching a class of 20, you can't pull a no-show at the last minute. Should you want to teach off campus, plan to get a group fitness certification from the American Council on Exercise or a similar organization. Many campus gyms are happy with their own certifications, which are cheap and painless to get.

7. Chief executive of your own startup: Celeste Currie, a Syracuse University senior, is an information technology major. But thanks to her role as founder of Soulscarf, which sells handmade scarves, she's mastering marketing, problem-solving, networking and taking risks.
"I've learned to pitch in front of important people without getting super nervous," says Currie, who successfully landed her wares in a boutique near school. The job also has taught her about taxes, legal documents and payroll.
"In the classroom you can learn what an LLC [limited liability company] is, but you don't file for one. Knowing what something is and actually doing it are two different things," she says.

This story is excerpted from the U.S. News "Best Colleges 2014" guidebook, which features in-depth articles, rankings and data.

So you want to work in the Digital Field? 10 Best Jobs in Digital Creative Jobs

Written by Lauren Lind

 

Technology is the way of the future. Digital is an ever changing and growing field. If you want to get into digital in some way but aren’t exactly sure what you want to do, check out the 10 job descriptions listed below. According to the Onward Search Salary Guide for “The 10 Hottest Digital Creative Jobs”, the following jobs are the most requested from professionals from Onwards’s nationwide base of clients.

1. Web Developer- A programmer that specializes in the development of World Wide Web applications, or distributed network applications that are run over HTTP from a web server to a web browser. 

2. Web Designer –Uses markup language or web design software and website coding to control the aura and look of a website. 

3. Information Architect – Person in charge of the structural design of shared information environments; the art and science of organizing and labeling websites, intranets, online communities and software to support usability and find-ability; and an emerging community of practice focused on bringing principles of design and architecture to the digital landscape. 

4. UX Designer- In charge of shaping the user experience (abbreviated as UX). UX is how a person feels when interfacing with a system. This includes websites, web applications and desktop software and, in modern contexts, is generally denoted by some any form of human-computer interaction (HCI). 

5. Interactive Designer-Main focus is on behavior. Goal is to help design digital things such as products, systems, environments, and services for people’s optimal use. 

6. Front End Developer- Person in charge of gaining initial user interest. Job is to make the user understand and care. Seek to make clear, easy, fast pages and interfaces and reveal implicit or explicit interconnection to site. 

7. Digital Project Manager-Oversees all aspects of a digital project. Leads the creative concept and technical development of new media advertising products, such as electronic commerce (eCommerce) and promotional websites, e-mail newsletter marketing, rich media, banner advertisements, mobility platforms like phone apps, motion graphics, widgets and social media applications. 

8. Art Director- Supervises and makes the vision cohesive. In charge of the overall visual appearance and how it communicates visually, stimulates moods, contrasts features, and psychologically appeals to a target audience. 

9. Copywriter- Person who writes copy (text) for the purpose of persuasion in advertising or marketing.   

10. Graphic Designer-Uses various methods to create and combine words, symbols, and images to create a visual representation of ideas and messages. Utilizes a combination of typography, visual arts and page layout techniques to produce a final result.

Click here to see a list of the top 20 job markets for each of these jobs and the average salaries.

Hat tip:  Onward Search,  Web Developer, Web Design,  Information Architect, UX Designer,  Interactive Designer,  Front End Developer, Digital Project Manager, Art Director , Copywriter,  Graphic Designer

How Will Drug Testing Affect Your Job Search?

Written By Lauren Lind

How well do you know the laws behind the legalization of marijuana as it pertains to your job search? Smoking and possessing marijuana is still a federal crime and can prohibit you in your job search. “It is important to note that Congress has determined that marijuana is a dangerous drug and that the illegal distribution and sale of marijuana is a serious crime” (www.whitehouse.gov). State laws in both Washington and Colorado support employers, especially in the case of drug testing. Colorado’s Amendment 64 states that the new law does not prohibit employers from continuing to test their employees: “Nothing in this section is intended … to affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of marijuana by employees.” (Halverson ecmweb.com).

So what does this mean for you in your job search? This means that marijuana use can be the reason you don’t get offered a job or the reason you get fired. Medical marijuana use has resulted in the firing of certain employees in Colorado when they have tested positive. If courts ruled in favor of employers under medical marijuana circumstances, chances are courts will rule of favor of employers when it comes to recreational use of marijuana.

The likelihood of getting drug tested depends on the field, but if you are working with machinery, heavy equipment or applying with military defense companies, you are more likely to go through drug testing as opposed to someone who is working as a department store clerk.

Whether you are planning to settle down in Colorado or any other state, be aware of the consequences of testing positive for marijuana on a drug test. If you plan on interning or working at a dispensary consider the consequences for your future aspirations. Even though you may test negative for marijuana, some employers may not hire you due to your affiliation. It’s all about perception and it may not mesh well with their company values. Even if you exclude this information on your resume or application, it will still show up in your background check, so be honest.

Keep in mind that even though amendment 64 passed here in CO, testing positive can cause you to lose your job or not be considered for many jobs.  Is it worth it?


Hat tip: www.whitehouse.gov and Matthew Halverson with ecmweb.com