Using CSO Abroad

This week’s blog was written by Samantha Rutishauser, senior Communication major at CU-Boulder         

                                                                                

Anyone who has spent a semester abroad, or even those just about to embark on an international journey, knows that there is stress that comes along with the adventure. Anticipating a 4-month departure from your school, your family, your friends, and your country is a huge change. While packing and planning, in the back of your mind are thoughts about the return home and the inevitable question that results: “How am I going to find a job when this is all over?”

The idea of going an entire semester without close proximity to potential jobs and internships is daunting. While they are abroad many students feel helpless in trying to find future employment and end up dismissing the issue until they return home. However, this misconception is risky and completely avoidable. The answer is utilizing online career resources that are available to you no matter where in the world your semester takes you.

CU-Boulder’s Career Services Online, aka CSO, is an online database that posts new and exciting opportunities for jobs and internships available throughout the year. Though away from campus, CU students abroad who sign up for CSO will receive email updates of new opportunities and can use CSO to search and apply for jobs even while they are out of the country. That way when they return home from their semester away this daunting problem will already be taken care. Additionally, counselors at Career Services help students coordinate interviews with potential employers via phone or Skype and provide the resources and assistance students need to feel comfortable interviewing through both mediums.

I spent a semester abroad in Prague last spring. I knew the upcoming summer before my senior year should be spent working, but the longer I waited to start looking, the less chance I had at finding a job or internship. I made it a priority to routinely take a break from exploring my new surroundings to check the Career Services Facebook page, weekly emails, and CSO for any opportunities that struck my interests.

This eventually led me to come across a natural foods company in Denver called Love Grown Foods, looking to hire a marketing intern for the summer. I tailored my resume to the position, wrote a cover letter detailing my interest, and submitted them both through CSO. I heard a response within days and enlisted the help of a career counselor to help me set up an interview that week. We organized a time for me to conduct my interview over Skype with the potential employer. The idea of interviewing via webcam seemed daunting, especially considering the significant time difference between Prague and Colorado. Luckily, CU’s career counselor worked with both the employer and me to schedule a time that was convenient for us both.

After a successful interview and a few days of follow up emails, I heard back that I had gotten the internship at Love Grown Foods and was set to start upon my return home in the summer. Career Services Online made the entire process extremely easy and efficient, despite me being so far away from home and school. In the end, I was able to enjoy my time abroad, and also come home to a rewarding summer job that provided valuable internship experience.

How I got my social media internship

My name is Mindy Rappoport and I’m a Peer Career Advisor (PCA) at CU Career Services. I’m currently a senior news-editorial journalism major who is also earning a technology, arts and media (digital media skills) certificate. My interest in communication ranges from traditional print media to public relations to social networking.

A little over a year ago, I interviewed Elyse Heslin for the Career Services blog. Elyse was a former PCA who had graduated the semester before I started working at Career Services. After graduating, Elyse began working at Room 214, a social media agency based in Boulder. I had stumbled upon their website while I was searching for social media and communications internships in Boulder. I couldn’t help but wonder what Elyse’s job was really like, so I emailed her some questions for her to answer for the Career Services blog post. I was amazed when she replied and told me that part of her job entailed managing “social media communities and online conversations” about such brands as Sanrio (Hello Kitty) and Crock-Pot. Working at a social media agency sounded like an incredible job for someone like me, who has strong research and writing skills and also loves social networking and communication. Once the blog was complete, I sent Elyse the link and told her how interested I was in her line of work. I could see myself going into a similar career after graduation. Elyse replied back with an offer to meet with me to talk about my career interests and learn more about social media marketing.

With graduation just a year away, I needed to hone in on the specific type of communications job I was interested in. I set up an informational interview with Elyse, where I asked her even more questions about her job and what it’s like to work at a social media agency. I left the meeting more ecstatic than ever! Not only did Elyse love communications just as much as I did, but she had landed what I was convinced was my dream job. I immediately scoured Room 214’s website for information about their company and watched every YouTube video they had posted.

Once I completed my research, I emailed Room 214 my cover letter and resume. I hoped that I could show them what a valuable and helpful part of their team I could be. They didn’t have any open positions at the time, but nevertheless I applied because the worst they could say was “no.” After interviewing with Room 214, they extended an internship offer to me and I accepted.

I’ve been working at Room 214 for a little over a month now, and as a social media intern, I conduct research, test Facebook applications that our developers have created (quality assurance), and help manage social media accounts for clients. I love the work I do in the office, and to this day I can’t help but think that if I hadn’t met with Elyse to find out more about her job, I might not have found my place in this growing social media industry.

Simplify your job/internship search: CSO

In between getting settled into a new place, starting classes, attending student group meetings, and tackling homework, many students struggle as they look for jobs and internships during the first few weeks of fall semester.  But finding an job or internship doesn't have to be so challenging with the help of Career Services' free online job/internship search tool, Career Services Online.

"Over 9500 organizations have posted jobs specifically for CU Boulder students and alumni in CSO since 2005," said Cherie Wilcox, Assistant Director for CSO. "Companies range from very recognizable household names--like CBS News, Proctor & Gamble, Warner Music Group, Walt Disney, NCAR, Lockheed Martin, Teach for America--to smaller local organizations from every industry."

Job Search criteria

As of Friday, August 26, 973 jobs were posted on CSO, and of those jobs, 360 were part time or seasonal positions, or internships.  Every year, companies ask CU's Career Services to post internships as well as part time, seasonal and full time positions on CSO, but what good is a potential job or internship opportunity if you don't apply for it?  Sometimes, job or internship opportunities go unnoticed by students and no one ends up applying for them, and it's not uncommon for Career Services to receive calls about once a week from an employer who listed a position on CSO and didn't receive any applications, Wilcox said.  When this happens, Career Services will send the employer a packet of students' resumes that were uploaded on CSO that fit the criteria in the job description, and/or email the opportunity out to students who list a major and/or job preference on CSO that matches the job description.  To maximize the amount of potential jobs and internships available to you, it's important to fill out your CSO profile completely, upload your resume, and actively apply for the posted positions.

CSO is also a great tool for seniors to use as they begin their post-graduation career search in the next few weeks.  Positions posted on CSO can be with companies in Boulder, all over Colorado, out-of-state, and even outside of the U.S.!

So what are you waiting for?  If you're still looking for a job or internship, create a username and password for CSO, log in to CSO on the left side of the Career Services homepage, and start your job/internship search.  New and exciting opportunities such as the ones listed below await you — check them out!

Job ID 29273: Event Assistant for the Emergency Family Assistance Association

Job ID 29169: Marketing Assistant at the University of Colorado's Wardenburg Health Center

Job ID: 28997: Fall Intern at Skiing Magazine

Job ID 28258: Fall 2011 Internship with Warner Music Group

Job ID 27768: Tax & Accounting Assistant with Cline & Associates

Job ID 29193: Technology Development Intern with Simple Energy

Job ID 28339: University Intern - Global Scientific Business with Kimberly-Clark Corporation

If you're having trouble figuring out where to start once you have your CSO profile set up, check out our step-by-step guide to CSO.

Getting the Most Out of Your Professional Experience

So after months of talking about how to land that job or internship with resume, cover letter, interviewing, networking, and social networking preparation, your first day is coming up. Summer is around the corner and you have that summer internship or job all lined up…but now what? Sure, the hard part of finding and being accepted for a position is over, but having a strategy to be a valued employee or intern while learning and having the best professional experience possible is still important!

Being a successful professional is a topic that has been discussed around the country and world by notable experts. After researching a variety of career blogs, websites, and articles here are the tips needed to make the most out of your experience.

1. Be timely and efficient!

Like any interview or important meeting being on time to the job or internship is extremely important! When you establish right off the bat that you are there on time and ready to go – you are subconsciously letting your co-workers know that you care and are ready to go. Starting off the day late can often times negatively affect your performance throughout the rest of your day.

2. Dress for Success

Always dress professionally. Although it is important to dress to the environment you’re in, always remember that you’re the one who is trying to either get a job or move up in the job you’re in. On your first day, take a look at what your superiors are wearing and imitate their level of professional dress.

“When I was an intern at CBS4 News, when talking about professional dress attire, our internship coordinator said, ‘Don’t just be professional, look professional. Remember we already have our jobs, you’re still trying to get one.’” – Brittany Moore

It is ALWAYS better to over dress than under dress. Again, subconsciously by dressing professionally, you are demonstrating to your peers that you are serious and care about what you’re working on.

3. Take the initiative and seek out MORE opportunities

This is probably one of the most important parts of making the most out of your experience. Remember, although you may be working and helping the company, at the end of the day it’s important to keep in mind what YOU’RE taking away from the experience. One of the most valuable and notable things you can have on your resume is your experience – so always be seeking new ways to gain that experience. Take on the mindset that the more opportunities you seek out, the better skills you will gain and can add to your resume.

Keep in mind that during internships, your co-workers and superiors aren’t going to hold your hand and guide you to every possible experience. They have their own jobs to worry about and aren’t going to know what you are interested in learning. Simply ask! Your superiors will almost always be willing to help and show you things, but they won’t know what you’re interested in until you ASK!

4. Find a mentor

Finding someone in your industry you can seek out for advice and questions is an invaluable asset you should always be on the lookout for. Career blogger Penelope Trunk lists in her blog 7 Ways to Find and Keep a Mentor…

1. Identify a potential mentor

2. Have good questions

3. Don’t expect miracles

4. Be a good listener

5. Prove you’re serious

6. Always be on the lookout

7. Give back

To find out more mentorship tips, visit Penelope’s Blog

5. Be trustworthy and dependable

Whether you’re an intern or an employee, the company you are working with has established some level of trust in you. Regardless of whether the company is depending on your confidentiality or your ability to get a job done, trust has been given to you. One of the most important things to learn in the professional world is NOT to burn any bridges. The quickest way to burn a bridge is by losing someone’s trust or failing to get something finished. You never know when that burnt bridge may come back to haunt you. It’s a small world and people talk; you want to make sure they are saying only the best about you!

6. Do more than what is expected!

The best ways to get noticed, build relationships, and gain opportunities is by going above and beyond the expectations. If you are always jumping at opportunities, spending extra time on projects, and helping anyway you can, your efforts will be noticed and could result in great experiences and opportunities. Who knows, you might even be recommended for or offered a job just by putting in some extra effort.

7. Network every chance you get!

Just because you have already landed the job or internship does NOT mean you stop networking – it means you network MORE! Now that you are in the professional environment, it will be much easier to network and build relationships with clients and co-workers. Remember, it’s not just about what you do, but also who you know.

8. Show up ready and excited!

There is something to be said about being effective and efficient while on the clock. Being responsible and getting the appropriate amount of sleep, eating right, etc. will all improve your attitude and ability to perform while on the job. You can’t make the most out of your experience if you’re not in the right frame of mind to do so!

9. Evaluate the company and industry

Remember, you are just starting your professional career and should be evaluating whether that job or internship is what you want to continue doing. Entry-level jobs and internships are meant for testing out the waters and seeing if this industry or job is really what you want to be spending your time doing. You have many years to work and it is important to always evaluate your professional experiences and decide whether or not you are happy with your work.

10. Be on the lookout for portfolio fillers

Whether you are trying to build your resume, website, or blog content, you should always be on the lookout for ways to collect examples of your work. Chances are your future employer will want to see examples of your work. Internships and entry-level jobs are the perfect time to start collecting samples of your work. Additionally, this is a perfect opportunity to ask your mentor or a co-worker you have closely worked with to write a recommendation letter for you. Letters of recommendation will come in handy with future job applications.

Hopefully these tips have made you feel more confident during your professional experiences this summer or in the near future. Don’t forget that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own! CU-Boulder Career Services will be open all summer and invites you to come in, ask questions, and seek advice. For more information about summer hours and programs visit our website.

Boulder-Based Third Street Chai Looking For Motivated Individuals for Marketing and Entrepreneurial Internship Position!

Dylan, Megan, John and Dan

Did you know some of the best chai is made a mere few miles from CU's campus? Have you ever wanted to be involved with a cool eco-friendly company and help with their social media campaigns and sales? Well, here's your chance!

Founded in March of 1995, Third Street Chai, takes care of their entire Chai tea production process, from sourcing to brewing, bottling and packaging--all in house. This Boulder-based company microbrews not only organic chai,  but also iced tea concentrates, yerba mate concentrates, and lemonade concentrates in a state-of-the-art 100% wind-powered plant. The company also composts 100% ingredients with local farmers in Boulder County.

Third Street Chai is firmly committed to sourcing the highest quality Organic and Fair Trade Certified ingredients and to producing the most delicious products possible. They are constantly striving every day to build long-lasting, productive partnerships with their customers, suppliers, and community. The company tries every day to leave the planet a better place. 

Third Street Chai is currently looking for an intern to be their brand ambassador in the local community and to help support all aspects of sales and marketing. Although the primary focus will be marketing support, this position will offer a unique opportunity to learn about all aspects of running a small business.

Third Street Chai's Director of Marketing,
Megan Siegel Jansen, loves to drive the forklift.

Do you want to be a part of this energetic and hard working team? Think you have what it takes to get out there and do fun marketing events, write press releases and manage several social media outlets? A great opportunity like this doesn't come around too often, so be sure to check it out!

For more information on Third Street Chai, visit their website.  Apply for their internship position in CSO by searching on Job #25271. Don't delay--the internship start date is December 15th!

How to Use Career Services Online (CSO)

One of the main questions CU students ask is “Where can I find jobs and internships?” Career Services Online is the answer to this question as well as a resource for many other things. CSO is FREE for all CU Boulder students and alumni. Please use the following explanation to better navigate CSO! (more...)

Find out about opportunities abroad: International Career Panel and Career Services' International Opportunities website

Would you like to find an internship abroad, but don't know where to start? Career Services is here to help you look for the international internship of your dreams!

On November 3, Career Services is providing students with a chance to look into international careers. Career Services is hosting an International Career Panel on Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Flatirons Room in the C4C. Come listen to individuals talk about their international careers and/or their expertise on finding international opportunities and learn about different employment, teaching, or volunteer opportunities abroad. In addition, find out about opportunities in Foreign Services and the State Department. If you're looking for opportunities abroad, this is just the event for you; don't miss out on this helpful panel! For more information about this panel, log on to Career Services Online and search for the event using the "Career Events" search engine.

Answer the following Career Services Trivia Question correctly to enter for a chance to win a free iTunes gift card: (more...)

Career Services is moving to C4C!

Like many other student service offices on campus, Career Services is moving to the new Center for Community building! Career Services' new office will be housed on the third floor on the north side of C4C, and faces Hallet Hall, Regent Administrative Center and Koelbel Business. The new office will open on Monday, October 4, but in order to prepare for the move, Career Services will be closed on September 24, 29 and 30, and October 1, said Lisa Severy, Director of Career Services. (more...)

Get Involved - Find out HOW this week on campus!

Are you looking for a way to boost your resume to the top of that pile of job applications? Look no further! Employers love to see students who are involved in different clubs, activities and volunteer groups; it demonstrates that the prospective employee is passionate about their community, curious about the world around them, and interested in gaining leadership skills.

This week, CU is encouraging that participation by hosting several different fairs as part of Student Involvement Week. Got a break between classes on Wednesday, September 8? Head over to the UMC Fountain area between 11 AM and 2 PM to check out the Student Involvement Fair. Members from over 100 different groups are waiting to meet you, answer your questions about their clubs and help you get involved in something you're passionate about! Ask how you can gain leadership and group facilitation skills. (more...)