Merry Christmas!!

Hello everyone! I am sure most of you are already headed out to see the fam and spend some time at home. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

*Check back after the new year for more blog postings featuring topics such as diveristy in the workplace, resume building, networking, etc. See you next year!*

What can I do with my major?

Do you have a major already picked out? Are you still looking for what you want to do for the rest of your life...or at least the next few years?Now that you're taking all these classes pertaining to your major, what can you do with it anyways?

Do these questions sound familiar?

Check out this site below to view detailed information about your major!
This page gives information about everything you want to know about your major, plus it gives extra links and sources where you can find even more fun stuff about your future career! Check it out!
http://www.careers.siue.edu/majors/majors/default.html

Career Portfolios...continued....

Welcome back! Did you all have a great Thanksgiving weekend and partake in all the weekend festivities such as eating too much, laying around, watching football, taking a nap, waking up early Friday morning, tackling fellow shoppers...ya know-the good stuff!?

Now that you have the basics of a Career Portfolio (look below), let's look at what else is included in a Career Portfolio.

Here are some great tips!
- Make it stand out!
- Use a dark-colored binder. (Professional looking)
- Your name should be easily found on or in it.
- Use page protectors on all or none of the pages. (don't pick and choose which pages get protected...just cover them all or nothing)
- Your resume and other documents that you create should be printed on bond, watermarked paper.
- Remember, details matter! (Employers notice the little things!!)

Inclusions:What else should be included in a Career Portfolio?
- Award certificates, participatory certificates, newspaper clippings in which you are featured, samples of your best work, letters of appreciation, letters of thanks, etc. (remember not to over do it...the employer doesn' t need EVERY newspaper article or certificate you have. Save the Kindergarten Student of the Week award for something else)
- Anything that highlights your character, involvement, or skill should be included in your portfolio.
- Mini portfolios can include items that pertain to a theme. For example, a management student's portfolio may include items from management classes, activities, events, etc.
- A master portfolio should include everything you would ever want to show someone. You might choose to just use pieces of it for meetings with potential employers.

When should I present my portfolio?
In an interview, you can mention it during the conversation, or the interviewer might ask if you have one. If not, take a few minutes to spotlight it. Don't be shy!
Once again, back to the rules of networking: honk your own horn because if you don't, chances are no one else will!

And finally...Be Creative!

- Put some of your work on the web! This makes it easy for a hiring manager to quickly review your work.
- Include pieces of your written work in your portfolio. Many times, employers will want to see how well you communicate in writing.
- You might consider having a few photocopies of the important pieces of your portfolio to leave with the interviewer.
- The format of a portfolio varies by industry. For example, a CIS student may need an electronic portfolio to showcase some of his or her abilities.
- The only rule about portfolios is to make your portfolio work for you and for the position you're seeking. Include only information relevant to the position you are seeking and to what the company is looking for in a new hire.

Now you are ready to shine!!! Be proud of your accomplishments and make your Career Portfolio show off your strengths & achievements!! Good Luck!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!

TEST your turkey knowledge!!

http://home.aristotle.net/Thanksgiving/trivia.asp

Creating a Career Portfolio

What is an Impressive Portfolio?
A Career portfolio is designed to "flaunt your stuff" like Dwight is here in this picture! I can just see him using this in his career portfolio. An impressive portfolio catches the eye and helps the viewer form a good impression of you in their mind. It showcases your style and your personaility and an impressive portfolio can help you get an intervew, a job, and recognition.


Where do I begin?
To begin your Career Portfolio, here are the essentials you will need: Resume, Transcripts, & Letters of Recommendation.

Resume:
1) Do not title it "Resume." Obviously, it is a resume!
2) Feature your name in bold or make it stand out in some way. Your address and phone number should be easy to find.
3) Highlight your long-term career goals, your educational level and institutions attended, your relevant employment experiences, and other activities.
*Put down what you think the employer wants to see...and what pertains to the job you want*

Transcript:
A potential employer views your transcript as an indication of your efforts to learn presented material. (yes, your grades in college DO matter) If it does not portray a positive image of you, consider leaving it out of your portfolio.

Letters of Recommendation
Obtain the most impressive letters you can. Request letters from people who are able to comment positively on your character, scholastic ability, extra-curricular activities, and professionalism. Allow ample time for your references to write quality letters; do not ask someone to write a letter over the weekend or even in one week. Give your reference a date in which you need it by..and don't make that date the same as the application deadline!
Send thank you notes to your references and maintain between three and seven letters of recommendation so you can pick and choose!

*Check back for more information about Career Portfolios!*

Career Development Checklist

Happy Wednesday everyone! To boost your Career Development, here is a link for checklists of each year of college. Your first year checklist should include assessment and major exploration while the sophomore year focuses on career exploration. Third year focuses on gaining experience so you know what to do in the working world and the last year of college is all about JOB SEARCHING and landing that awesome first job!! Follow this link to find a Career Development checklist for your year in college and get on the right path to a great career! Remember that DSU Career Services has great job fair opportunities and oncampus interview for all of our students seeking full time jobs or interships. Again, let us know if you have any questions or require any assistance!

http://www.heidelberg.edu/studentlife/careerdevelopment/students

Source: Heidelberg College

Transferable Skills!

As you begin your job search, it is important that you know your own qualifications. Over the years you have developed many skills from coursework, extracurricular activities and your total life experiences. All this time you were building job skills!!...Who knew?! A prospective employer expects you to be able to apply the skills you have learned in college (except the possible "inappropriate skills") to the work environment.
This online quiz has a list of five broad skill areas which are divided into more specific, skills. You need to rate the skills indicating your ability in each area. It then gives you detailed results about the five categories. Ready to check it out...Here you go... http://www.d.umn.edu/kmc/career_transfer_survey.html

Source: Knowledge Management Center, MN

Veteran's Day

So Veteran's Day is coming up and to celebrate both Veterans Day and unofficial Billy Ray Cyrus Day, we found a very fitting video to honor the Veterans while remembering Billy Ray Cyrus's glory days.

Enjoy the following video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzXxWTpC1CM

Career Exploration

Happy November everyone! Turkey day is coming up soon...Are you excited??? WE ARE! The month of November is dedicated to Career Exploration. So whether you are looking for a major or have one picked out, exploring your own self and your career is always beneficial. We'll be covering topics such as career exploration, self-evaluations, personal values/interestes, etc. so check back often!!!

Take this preference quiz to see which type of jobs would be interesting to you. When you see the results at the end, click on each job category to see a list of jobs that you might be interested in. My results actually kind of suprised me..it was interesting!!!

Here's the link: http://jobsearch.gov.au/CareerQuiz/careerquiz.aspx

Good Luck!!

PS...Did you see the snow yesterday??? Sledding season is coming!! yes!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

I found this fun video on YouTube that ties in our theme of the month, interviewing, and Halloween! ENJOY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5BdskI6hjk

P.S. Note that interviewtrue.com has been converted to interviewstream.com - a site where you can practice interviewing with your webcam!

When Your Interviewer is a Freak

What do you do if you end up seated across the desk from an eccentric person? You may feel a bit uncomfortable with his or her unorthodox approach. While your first instinct is to think that you don't want the job if this person is representative of the company, give the firm the benefit of the doubt and focus on yourself, not the interviewer. Just be yourself and say what you came to say.

The mute.
This is the person who doesn't seem to know what to ask you. He or she looks at your resume and can't formulate any questions or reach any conclusions. You get very short responses to any questions you ask. It's clear that you are going to have to help this person through the interview. Break the silence by saying "Why don't I start by giving you an overview of my experience?" Then head into your core messages.

The chatterbox.
This person runs on and on, busily talking about what she does, what the company does, the corporate climate, his life history, blah, blah, blah. The good news is that you are learning some things about the company and the work environment; the bad news is that the person is learning nothing about you. While it's best to let this person blab on, when he or she takes a breath, be prepared to inject your key messages. You might say, "This is great information, I see where my experience as a brand manager at XYZ can help the company reposition its product. For instance..." Now, you can become the chatterbox.

The quirky questioner.
This person goes beyond the expected questions such as: tell me about yourself, what are your strengths and weaknesses, where do you see yourself in five years. He or she may ask something completely out of left field like: "Did you buy that suit just for this interview?" "Do you like clowns?" "Do you think women make good managers?" "If you were a cloud, what kind would you be?" If you think the recruiter is just odd but harmless, dodge the question with a laugh and bridge to a point you want to make about yourself. You could say, "That's an interesting question, when I think of clouds it reminds me of dealing with corporate change. In my previous position I spearheaded a task force to ?" If the question is simply inappropriate, it's OK to say so.

The close talker.
Straight out of Seinfeld, this person has a different idea of how much space to leave between the two of you. If it's making you crazy, fake a cough and back up your chair. Try to find an excuse to adjust your seat by dropping your pencil or getting up for a minute to look for something in your briefcase. When you return, re-adjust your chair. If this isn't possible, try leaning into the interviewer's space. Sometimes this will cause the person to back away. If you can't create a buffer zone, don't let it bother you, consider the closeness as intense interest in you and stay focused on your key messages.

Whatever screwball behavior you encounter, take charge of theinterview. Put the question you want to answer on the table thenanswer it. You came to talk about yourself. If you can relate atleast one interesting example of how you solved a problem, achieveda goal or contributed to a team, you may actually engage theinterviewer in a dialog about you. After the interview, follow up with a brief thank-you letter that reiterates the key messages your intergalactic interviewer may or may not have heard.

DSU STUDENT EMPLOYMENT SURVEY

http://www.stellarsurvey.com/s.aspx?u=b817542f-7958-47a0-a036-2a6688e2ad2e

The Do's & Don'ts of Phone Interviews!!!

Phone interviewing has become increasingly popular over the past few years. For applicants, the goal of a phone interview is to secure an in-person meeting. For recruiters, it's to narrow their list of prospects. You can increase the odds of passing this initial screening if you follow our advice:

DO:

Do give accurate and detailed contact information in your cover letter so your interviewers can easily connect with you.

Do ensure that household members understand the importance of phone messages in your job search.

Do know what job you are interviewing for.

Do practice, if possible. Have a friend call you to do a mock phone interview so you get the feel of being interviewed over the phone. When being interviewed by phone, do make sure you are in a place where you can read notes, take notes, and concentrate. If you cannot devote enough time to a phone interview, do suggest a specific alternate time to the recruiter. It’s often best to be the one who calls back so you can be mentally prepared.

Do consider keeping some notecards or an outline in front of you to remind yourself of key points you want to cover with the interviewer. You don’t want your responses to sound scripted, but you don’t want to fumble for important points either. Do also have your resume in front of you so you can remember highlights of your experience and accomplishments.

Do ensure that you can hear and are being clearly heard.

Do consider standing when being interviewed on the phone. Some experts say you’ll sound more professional than if you’re slouching in an easy chair.

Do consider dressing nicely for the phone interview. It may sound silly since the interviewer can’t see you, but you really will project a more professional image if you’re dressed for the part instead of wearing, for example, a ratty bathrobe.

Do mimimize distractions. Flushing toilets, clamoring dishes and barking dogs sometimes interrupt phone interviews, recruiters report. Some experts recommend not using a cellphone.

Do create a strong finish to your phone interview with thoughtful questions

Do followup with a thank-you letter.


Don't

Don't feel you have to fill in the silences. If you’ve completed a response, but the interviewer hasn’t asked his or her next question, don’t start babbling just to fill in airtime. Instead, ask a question of your own related to your last response.

Don't panic if you have special needs. If you are hearing-impaired, for example, phone interviews are still possible. Don't snuffle, sneeze or cough. If you can’t avoid these behaviors, say “excuse me.”

Don't chew gum or food, or drink anything noisy

When in job-hunting mode, don't have a disproportionately silly or long greeting on your answering machine or voicemail.

Source: http://www.quintcareers.com/phone_interviewing-dos-donts.html

INTERVIEWING, INTERVIEWING, INTERVIEWING

Get VERY helpful interviewing information here...

http://www.rileyguide.com/interview.html

The above website touches on the below interviewing subjects:
Interviewing Advice Addressing Problems Improper Interview Questions After the Interview Variations on the Job Interview Interviewing via Video Conference

Happy Interviewing!!

dsunews.com

Do you have your RSS feed set up on dsunews.com? If not, do so asap to get the latest information from Career Services right in your email!!

Here is how to do it:
Go to www.dsunews.com
Click on RSS Feed (on top)
Choose which news feeds you want
Copy the website within the address bar
*For Career Services News the address is http://www.dsunews.com/component/option,com_rd_rss/id,7/ *
THEN go into your email account
Click on Tools, then Account Settings
Click the RSS Feed tab and then click NEW
Next, paste the address you copied above
Finally, Click ADD and CLOSE and you GOT IT....
You will see an RSS Feed folder within your inbox!

Top 10 Spooky Jobs

With Halloween fast-approaching, thrill-seekers in offices around the country are crafting creative costumes to wear to work, spooky cube décor and ways to frighten their co-workers while they're chained to their desk on their favorite day of the year. If you wish Halloween was year-round, consider one of the following 10 spooky jobs to keep you looking over your shoulder every day.

Coroner: Why it's spooky: Coroners observe corpses and investigate the cause, time and manner of death, mostly when it happens under unusual circumstances.

Scary salary: $35,866*

Ghost hunter: Why it's spooky: Ghost hunters use scientific tools to measure and collect evidence of paranormal activity in areas that are said to be haunted. Teams of these people are called paranormal investigation teams. Salary information is not available.

Mystery writer: Why it's spooky: Mystery writers need the creative mind to develop scary plots, suspenseful story lines and twisted characters to comprise compelling novels for their readers.

Scary salary: $45,442

Mortician: Why it's spooky: Morticians (also known as undertakers) oversee all funeral arrangements for the deceased, including details of body preparation for viewing and preparing the body itself.

Scary salary: $42,284

Witch doctor: Why it's spooky: Witch doctors are healers through magic and witchcraft. They believe illnesses and injuries are caused by magic and witchcraft and so they are best treated that way.

Scary salary: Salary information not available.

Embalmer: Why it's spooky: Embalmers prepare corpses for burial or cremation by washing, drying and disinfecting the body; releasing excess air from the lungs; draining blood from the circulatory system and replacing it with embalming fluid and applying cosmetics to create a more lifelike appearance.

Scary salary: $34,791

Crime scene cleanup: Why it's spooky: Crime scene cleaning crews sanitize and clean the aftermaths of crimes on all levels, from murders to domestic violence.

Scary salary: $35,000 average starting salary; can increase to $75,000 or $80,000 based on markets with higher violent death rates.

Grave digger/Cemetery worker: Why it's spooky: Grave diggers work in cemetaries digging graves before funerals, oftentimes working late into the night or early morning hours. Cemetery workers assist in the upkeep of grave and memorial sites.

Scary salary: $33,601 for grave diggers.

Obituary writer: Why it's spooky: Obituary writers are responsible for writing summaries of the lives of the deceased for such publications as newspapers, magazines and Web sites. Scary Salary: $42,150

Crematorium technician: Why it's spooky: These technicians incinerate corpses and collect the ashes to give to family and loved ones.Scary salary: $35,000.

So, are any of you changing your majors yet??

INFORMATIVE VIDEOS

Check out these videos I found on CollegeGrad.com...

http://www.collegegrad.com/job-search-videos/

Dos and Don'ts of Interview Silence

You're at a meeting or job interview. You've just answered a difficult question or made an important point and are met with an unmovable silence. Oh geez!! You wait, growing a bit uneasy, but the room remains deafeningly still. What would you do? Don't panic!! Remember, some people use silence as a test to see how you respond under stress. And if you actually did goof, remaining calm will do more to defuse the situation than a stream of chatter.

Knowing what to say is important. Knowing when to stop is vital. To keep from talking yourself out of a job remember these Do's and Don'ts...

Do your homework beforehand. Anticipate questions that are likely to be asked and prepare brief (two minutes or less) compelling answers to each.

Don't spend time talking about dates, chronology or other information readily available on your resume unless asked to do so. (The employer can read...he/she will probably find it annoying that you keep talking about things they can see right in front of them)

Do pause briefly before answering a difficult question to gather your thoughts. It not only helps you organize what you want to say, but will make you appear more sincere. (Answering too eagerly or soon can make you sound fake or insincere. Make your answers stellar by taking a few seconds to ponder what you want to say)

Do pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues from the others in the room to gauge their reaction and adjust your responses accordingly.(If everyone is looking at you funny, you might want to redirect your answer...)

Do bring along a portfolio of successful projects (if applicable to your line of work) so that the interviewer can see and get a feel for what you can do and ask about the projects which interest him or her.

Become comfortable with silence. Sometimes silence is golden. Remember, eloquence is saying the proper thing... And then stopping!

from careerbuilder.com

What NOT to do in an Interview...

Please don't do this in an interivew. Check out this link and you will see why this lady did not get a call back from her interviewer. Not impressed.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EOJRuMQs7k

10 Nightmarish Handshakes to Avoid

To avoid making a bad first impression, losing a business deal or simply embarrassing yourself, take advice from careerbuilder.com's 10 terrible grips to avoid:

1. The “macho cowboy”… is the almost bone-crunching clasp many businessmen use to shake hands. What are they trying to prove, anyway? There’s no need to demonstrate your physical strength when shaking another person’s hand.

2.The wimp… is usually delivered by men who are afraid to “hurt the little lady” when shaking women’s hands. Modern female professionals expect their male counterparts to convey the same respect they’d show their male colleagues.

3.The “dead fish”… conveys no power. While there’s no need to revert to the macho cowboy death grip, a firm clasp is more powerful than one that barely grabs the hand.

4. The “four finger”… is when the person’s hand never meets your palm, and instead clasps all four fingers, crushing them together.

5.The "cold and clammy"… feels like you’re shaking hands with a snake. Warm up your hand first before grabbing someone else’s.

6. The sweaty palm… is pretty self-explanatory, and pretty gross. Talcum powder to the rescue.

7. The “I’ve got you covered” grip… happens when the other person covers your hand with his or her left hand as if your shake is secretive.

8.The “I won’t let go”… seems to go on for eternity because the other person won’t drop his or her hand. After two or three pumps, it’s time to let go. “It’s a lot like a kiss – you know when it’s over,”

9. The “southpaw”… happens when the person uses the left hand to shake because the right hand has food or a drink. Always carry your drink and plate with your left hand to keep your right one free for meet and greets.

10. The “ringed torture”… occurs when the person’s rings hurt your hand. Try to limit the number of rings you wear on the right hand to only one or two and be mindful of any that have large stones.

INSTEAD....Here are three steps to a proper handshake:

1.As you’re approaching someone, extend your right arm when you’re about three feet away.

2.Slightly angle your arm across your chest, with your thumb pointing up.

3.Lock hands, thumb joint to thumb joint. Then, firmly clasp the other person’s hand – without any bone crushing or macho posturing. Pump the other person’s hand two to three times and let go.

What Not to Wear

Top 20 Wardrobe Malfunctions
by http://www.careerbuilder.com/.

*I'm not sure what these boys are trying to do in these pictures but...it's definately NOT working...and they won't be either if they wear this to an interview!*


No one needs 'Queer Eye's' Carson Kressley to tell them that wearing shoes to an interview is a good idea, but could you be guilty of one of these top 20 fashion faux pas?

1. Carrying a backpack or fannypack instead of a briefcase or portfolio: Some image consultants suggest women ditch their purse, too! (umm...were fanny packs ever cool?)

2. Sunglasses on top of your head or headphones around your neck: Be sure to remove all your "transit gear" and tuck it in your briefcase before entering the lobby (don't forget to remove all your Madison Metro transit gear before heading into Heston Hall)

3. Too-short skirts: Forget what some of those gals on 'The Apprentice' are wearing. Your skirt should cover your thighs when you are seated.

4. The wrong tie: Ties should be made of silk, no less than three and a quarter inches wide with a conservative pattern. Image consultants say the best colors are red or burgundy. (leave the Vikings tie at home buddy...save if for Sunday)



5. Overly bright or large-patterned clothing: With the possible exception of creative fields like advertising or computer programming, it's best to stick with navy, black or gray.

6. Heavy makeup on women (or any makeup on a man) (umm...is make up on a man an issue?? ahh....)

7. Earrings on men: In fact, men should avoid wearing any jewelry unless it is a wedding ring, class ring or metal watch. (save the bling bling for later)

8. More than one set of earrings on women

9. Facial piercings, tongue jewelry or visible tattoos (you might think that giant tatoo of a scorpion is pretty sweet...but trust me...no one else does...especially your employer!)

10. Ill-fitting clothes. Few people can wear things straight off the rack. Spending a little extra to have your garments tailored is a worthwhile investment.

11. Long fingernails, especially with bright or specialty polishes. Nails should look clean and be trimmed to a length that doesn't leave an observer wondering how you keep from stabbing yourself. (ewwww....)

12. Unnatural hair colors or styles. Remember, Donald Trump was a billionaire well before he began wearing a comb-over. If you're balding, try a close-cropped cut like Bruce Willis or Matt Lauer. (agreed...comb-overs are never cool)

13. Short-sleeved shirts, even worse when worn with a tie

14. Fishnets, patterned hosiery or bare legs (no matter how tan you are). Women should stick with neutral color hosiery that complements their suit. (save the fishnets for the club...wait...who wears fishnets anyways???)

15. Men whose socks don't match their shoes, or whose socks are too short and leave a gap of flesh when they are seated (guys...this fashion error screams DORKY!!! please match your socks...we'll be more than glad to help if you find you need assitance in this area)

16. Rumpled or stained clothing: If interviewing late in the day, try to change to a fresh suit beforehand.

17. Scuffed or inappropriate footwear, including sneakers, stilettos, open-toed shoes and sandals (save the flip flops for the beach)

18. Strong aftershaves, perfumes or colognes: Many people are allergic to certain scents. For a subtle fragrance, use a good quality bath soap. (believe me...no one wants to remember you by the way you left their office smelling)

19. Belts and shoes that don't match: Shoes and belts should be made of leather or leather-like materials and the best colors for men are black or cordovan. (its kind of like the socks...they should match)

20. Telltale signs that your wearing a new suit. Remove all tags and extra buttons -- and remember to cut off the zigzag thread that keeps pockets and slits closed! ( oh geez...just make sure you look good!)

Don't be a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen. (Remember what happened to Janet Jackson??? Do I need to replay the event?) Plan and lay out what you're going to wear several days before the interview, so you'll have time to shop or get garments pressed and cleaned.Save "innovative" or revealing garb for the club (or your couch) and strive for crisp, clean and professional. Remember, you want the interviewer to be listening to what you're saying, not critiquing what you're wearing.

Can you talk the talk?

I know...I know....Everyone hates quizzes. However, here's one that will actually be useful! With all the interviews taking place in our office (and off campus for those of you pursuing part time employment) we want you to be prepared. Take this quiz and see if you know what to say to impress you potential future employer! The best thing about this quiz....It's not graded!! What more could you ask for? :)
http://resources.monster.com/tools/quizport.asp?file=admin_support_virtual_interview

AHHH! INTERVIEWS!!!!!

What do I expect in an interview... What do I wear...I have no idea what this company is about...What if I get nervous...Interviews are so awkward...what if they dont' like me...What if I'm late...What if I don't know the answer to a question...Oh no! I have a coffee stain on my shirt... and my socks don't match...

Does this picture look like you when you hear the "I" word? Don't be scared! We've got you covered! Career Services is dedicating the month of October to the word "INTERVIEW." We will answer all your questions and give you excellent tips and advice for acing your next interview!! With all the on-campus interviews going on, it never hurts to be too prepared for your next interivew. Whether you're looking for part time or full time positions, having a great interview is your key to success!!! We'll cover all the topics mentioned above and more!!!...but your on your own about the coffee stain and the mismatched socks

Happy October! Check back daily for more interview information!!! Also...let us know any questions you have about interviews-we would love to talk about what our students want to know!

Transfer and Non-Traditional Student Insight from Mona

We have the opportunity to have an intern in our office for two weeks during this Fall semester. Her name is Mona Singer and she is working on her Masters degree at SDSU; she received her Bachelors degree from DSU. She began her college experience at DSU as a non-trad student and wanted to offer some insight to those of you who are non-trads or transfer students to DSU. You will see periodic postings written by her. ENJOY!! NOW for the first one....

Written by Mona Singer

Here in this small part of cyber space I would like to offer you the transfer or non-traditional student an opportunity for finding tips on finding careers and perhaps share an embarrassing story that could lead to advice.

First things first; do you realize that there really is a difference between a job and a career? Think about it:
A career is something that you want to do, that you can not wait to get up in the morning and get to, it challenges you and excites you. It is something that you have planned for, studied for, and strengthened your skills for.
A job is only working to receive a paycheck; and while it does involve having skills, knowledge and promotions often times you find yourself looking in the mirror and realizing that it is only a job and that at least it does pay the bills, right?
So, obviously if you are reading this blog and you are taking classes here at DSU than you are on the path towards obtaining your goal of having a career. Congratulations!
You are now finally on the right path and doesn’t it feel exciting knowing that sooner rather than later you will have the career you have dreamed of?
Here are a couple of tips I would love to share with you, these are tips that I have learned as I have walked that same path you’re on…
Use this time here at DSU as more than a learning tool; take advantage of your professors and actually learn from them. Now hold on, what I am referring to is watch how they conduct themselves professionally. You have to be able to speak professionally, not with a ‘whole bunch a slang’, carry yourself professionally, no slouching! You have to be professional and what better place to learn this than in your classes?
Learn to take criticism because at your chosen career you will receive criticism. Criticism is not meant to harm you but rather to correct and build your strengths. As your writing your papers and you are proof-reading learn to walk away from the paper...to give yourself a break of an hour and come back clear-minded, this will allow you to find the mistakes you may have missed if you had done the proof-reading right away.
What does all of this have to do with Career Services and Internships? Simple. Each tip is meant to lead you towards success the same as the Career Services and Internship office. By utilizing your every minute here on campus and than utilizing the Career Services and Internship office you will be more than prepared to have your career.

Heather's Birthday!!

Hey everyone! Today is Heather's birthday so stop in to Career Services and wish her a Happy Birthday...AND sign up for upcoming On-Campus Interviews and visit our Resource Room to prepare yourself and show potential future employers just how awesome you really are!

~Happy Birthday Heather!~

DSU NEWS IS AWESOME!!

Make sure you constantly check out dsunews.com for the latest happenings in Career Services and on campus!!

POP QUIZ!!!!!!

All work and no play? No way! Take a break from your day and see how tech savvy you are!!...

"How tech savvy are you?" QUIZ
http://www.verybestcoffee.com/smooth/quiz2.aspx

WHAT IS IN ROOM 206 HESTON HALL??

...IT'S THE CAREER SERVICES RESOURCE ROOM!!! Exciting, huh?!?!? So what exactly is in the Resource Room you ask?....

1. VIDEOS...We even have a TV/VCR combo...ready to go back to the VHS era?!?!?
"How To Make a Job Fair Work For You"
"Telephone Courtesy Pays"
"The Career Connection"
"Interviewing"

2. BOOKS....YES, the Resource Room is a cool place to hang out and read!!
Topics include:
Resumes
Cover Letters
Interviewing
Salary Negotiating
Tips for the 1st Job

3. MAGAZINES...You are free to take one with you or stay and relax while you read!!
Job Choice Magazines:
For Science, Engineering & Technology Students
For Business, Liberal Arts Students
Diversity Edition

4. LOTS OF COMPANY INFORMATION...Learn about the company before you interview!
...It will knock their socks off!!

5. SEVERAL PAMPHLETS

6. GRADUATE SCHOOL INFORMATION...Just Do It - Take the next step!!!!!!

COME VISIT MONDAY - FRIDAY BETWEEN 8-5
PLEASE stop into Room 206C FIRST to let us know you are here to explore!! THANKS!!

Madison's "Major Attractions"

So now that school has officially consumed your life for a couple weeks, let Dwight offer you some more ideas of fun things to do around Madison. Here are some of Madison's "major atrractions."

*Prairie Village: Located a couple miles west of Madison, Prairie Village is a living history museum created from turn-of-the-century buildings moved from around the state to create a community that never was. You can take your friends camping and tour the village and go back to the"good old days." You’ll also find a gift shop, daily carousel rides (yay!) and train rides (sweet! train rides) during special events. From the Steam Threshing Jamboree to Railroad Days, Prairie Village has some pretty cool stuff to keep you occupied and away from your homework. Sound interesting? Check out their website at http://www.prairievillage.org/.

*Smith-Zimmermann Museum: Bored during your break from classes. Take some time to venture into the Smith-Zimmerman Museum located right on DSU's campus! And...admission is FREE!

*Lake County Speedway is just a few minutes south of Madison on Hwy 19. Race fans can head out to the track every Saturday night at 8 p.m. for the excitement. Bored on Saturday night? Head on out to the races and hang out with your friends. Pick your favorite car and see if they win! Want more information, visit the website at http://www.husets-speedway.com/lakecounty/index.htm.

* The "Giant Buffalo."He has a mullet and he's probably the biggest buffalo you'll ever see!! The super cool buffalo is located on the intersection of HWY 34 Bypass and Washington Ave. Getting your picture taken by the buffalo is a must for all college students. :)

Did we miss any "major attractions" in Madison? Let us know!

How to Become Familiar with Your College Town

When I moved into the dorms my freshman year of college, it was only the 2nd time I had ever been to Madison...and the only place I had been was on campus. So when I needed something, I had no idea what to do or where to go. And although I am embarrassed to admit this...I did get lost in Madison..but it only happened once! We advise that new students to DSU know where the local grocery store, gas station, pharmacy, and hospital(it's right by campus for those of you who aren't exactly aware of your surroounding) are located. Trust me, you will need all of these places sometime in your college career. And of course there are other important places to know about such as the "cool" places to eat/hangout, the coffeeshop, the dollar stores, etc. Here are some tips for getting to know Madison...

*Ride your bike or walk around town to familiarize yourself with Madison street life (umm...but don't expect too much...we sometimes have to make our own street life).

*Read the local papers and magazines to find out what's happening. You're an adult now so its okay to watch the news and see whats up in the world other than just DSU happenings. It's easy to get wrapped up in just your campus life....but be aware of what's going on in the world. (It will make you look smarter too)

*Go to community events, concerts and sporting events. College towns love to see college students out and about supporting their community so check out some stuff going on in Madison....plus community events usually mean free or cheap food for college students.

*Shop at the local stores. Downtown Madison has several shops that have almost anything you neeed. There are also stores such as Pamida, Lewis, Dollar General, Family Dollar, etc. if you feel the need for a shopping spree with your friends.

*Visit places like coffee shops, the post office, breakfast joints and bars where the locals hang out. It's always fun to get to know the locals!

*Get involved in the community....volunteer, join a sports league, music group, community organization or church, or just participate in random activities around the community. Getting involved around town helps you feel more "at home" while at college and those activities can really make your resume look stellar!

I Want A Part Time Job...

Still looking for a part time job? Are you still looking for that "perfect job" or maybe you found one but don't know how to apply or take the next step.

Setp 1. Decide on the type of job you want or need- consider the type of job, the location, the hours, and the pay. Remember that not all part time jobs are glamorous, but hey...they pay the bills, teach you transferrable skills (time management, customer service, etc.) and keep you looking forward to graduating and landing your dream job! :)

Step 2. Complete a self-analysis. What are you good at? (keep it professional) What skills do you have? What do you have to offer? And remember, employers don't care that you can play video games for 24hrs straight or drink two cases of...Mountain Dew (or your preferred choice of beverage) in one night. It's just not relevant in the job world. I recommend SIGI. It's an awesome program that helps you identify what you're good as well as strengths/weakness. The link is located on our website so check it out!!!!

Step 3. Create a resume. Resumes can be scary and confusing but it is always good to have one on hand! Need help with your resume?? WE CAN HELP!!! Contact Heather at 256-5155 or heather.muller@dsu.edu or just stop in (Heston Hall 204) and we'll get you started!!

Step 4. Okay, you've found the job you want to apply for. Take all the appropriate application materials (this usually includes a general application, company application or resume-depending on the employer). Our office has applications for all the business in the Madison area as well as the General 510 Job Application. Stop in to grab whatever you need!
When dropping off your application to the employer make sure to introduce yourself, shake the employer's hand, make eye contact and dress appropriately- sometimes employers like to interview applicants on the spot. Remember, first impressions are very important! I highly recommend not wearing your favorite pair of sweats and your ratty old baseball cap...and you should probably shower. (just a suggestion)

Step 5. You're done with that part. Now it's just waiting to hear back from the employer for an interview or to hear if you've received the position. If you haven't heard back from the employer for some time, don't be afraid to call and check on the status of the position you applied for. It shows that you are truly interested in the job.

For a complete listing of open part time positions in the area visit our website at http://www.departments.dsu.edu/career/. Dont' forget- Heather or Crystal are here to answer any questions or concerns you have about part time job employment! Let us help you find a job that works for you!

SWEET WEBSITE!

I came across the following website today...

'I Am Next'...where college and university students are going!
http://www.iamnext.com/

It has a channel specific to Careers and everything else from academics to dealing with issues in your personal life. I also recommend the Fun channel...The Question Lady definitely has an interesting job!! Not gonna lie...I was very anxious to find her answer to this question a student asked titled 'Belly Buttons'...submitted by Confused, "I have a horrible dilemma. My brother has an outie belly button. I have an inny, and so do both my parents. Is it possible that he's not really related to me?" ...LOL

You will also find our favorite University (DSU, duh!!) under American University Listings!!

Bored??? Let Dwight help you find something to do...

Looking for something to do??? Well, it looks like Dwight also needs something more fun to do as well... Here's some things around the Madison area that you (and Dwight) can try...

For the outdoorsman (or woman) there is a variety of things to do....

Visit the SD State Parks near Madison and visit Lake Madison or Lake Herman! Enjoy a weekend camping trip with friends or just hang out with the fishies for the afternoon and go canoeing, boating, or kayaking, skiing or swimming. Don't forget to show off your fishing skills and reel in a "big one!"

If you want to just hang out in Madison, try one of the several parks for a game of baseball, soccer, basketball or tennis. Up for a game of frisbee golf? West Side Park has a course for you to demonstrate your "mad" frisbee skills. Don't forget the skating rinks and picnic shelters too! For those true animal lovers, the Madison area is home to several bird species! So if you find you need a break from all the homework and computer games, Birdwatching is always an option! :)

If you're more of an Indoorsman (or woman) check out Cherry Lanes & the West Twin Theatres - they are located right next to each other on West Hwy 34. Take your pick between the two movies showing (Yup...that's right...two choices) and then bowl a few games right next door.

Check back for more information on the Madison area "attractions" in the future!

NEW TO MADISON?

Have you been wondering what the town of Madison has to offer? Here is the site for you...
http://www.madison.sd.us/.

It even has the current weather conditions!! EXCITING!

In addition, National and Sports News! ......................
Interesting National News for today...Boys set cockroaches on fire, Burn Down Grandparents' House! No worries...no one was hurt in the blaze EXCEPT the creepy cockroaches! RIP Cockroaches.

Much better than what could have been listed....
...Britney Spear's performance on the MTV VMA's. Ummmm.......????????

NEW STAFF MEMBER!!

We would like to introduce Mr. Dwight K. Schrute as our newest (unpaid) Student Employment Office employee! He has a lot of opinions so you will get his view on several important employment issues in the months to come!

A little bit about Dwight....Dwight is an entrepreneur of a very important beet farm, one that has been in his family for generations. In addition, he is the Assistant (to the) Regional Manager at Dunder Mifflin.

Of course, this comes from Crystal and my infatuation with "The Office" which airs every Thursday...new season starting September 27th!! And Season 3 is fresh on the shelves as of Tuesday!!

A few words of wisdom from our new (unpaid) employee, Mr. Schrute...

Whenever I’m about to do something, I think “would an idiot do that?” and if they would, I do not do that thing.

Find out if you are a "Dwight" in your work setting at....http://www.brainfall.com/test21_1.php.

Top 5 reasons why you may not have checked out DSU Career Services...

No matter where you are in your education, it is never too late or too early to check out DSU Career Services Office.

Top 5 reasons why you may not have checked out DSU Career Services...
5. It is your senior year and you think it is too late....SOLUTION = It is never too late! DSU Career Services Office has an average of 50 companies that come to campus to interview our students for full-time and internship positions. Ideally all students should start using the DSU Career Services as a resource at the beginning of their college career.
4. You don't want to take the stairs....SOLUTION = ELEVATOR
3. You may not have checked your DSU Pluto email....SOLUTION = Check out dsunews.com!!
2. You are not currently interested in seeking employment...SOLUTION = You can find other valuable resources on our site, such as SIGI - a self-assessment with in-depth and up-to-date career information that is easy to use and provides students with a realistic view of the best education and career options for their future success.
1. You are waiting for you schedule to ease up...SOLUTION = Interactive 24/7 website at http://www.departments.dsu.edu/career/default.asp.

WELCOME!!

Hey! DSU Student Employment/Career Services would like to introduce our new Blog - Day In and Day Out with Crystal and Heather! Crystal Hieb (current DSU student/Student Employment Office Assistant) and I (Heather Muller-Student Employment Coordinator) are here to inform you on important employment/career information such as interviewing, resumes, and networking; basically EVERYTHING employment/career related. Not only are we going to inform you BUT we will put a fun and sometimes interactive twist on it!! Hope you are ready to learn AND have fun! We will have a "theme" each month and teach/entertain you as we go. BUT please feel free to ask any questions, at any time, that you may have regarding employment/careers, (our contact information is below). In addition, feel free to contact the rest of our Career Services "family" - Marie Lohsandt, Director of Career and Internship Services, and Janelle Nielsen, Career Services Senior Secretary, in Heston Hall - Room 206 or at 256-5122.

ENJOY!!

September: Introduction to Career Services and Madison
October: Interviewing
November: Career Exploration
December: Diversity in the Workplace
January: Job Fair
February: Networking
March: Resume
April: TO BE ANNOUNCED
May: "What's Next" - Entering your Career

Heather Muller
Student Employment Coordinator
204 Heston Hall
heather.muller@dsu.edu
cheather4jobs@hotmail.com
Facebook (DSU Student Employment): SEARCH Heather Muller
MSN IM: cheather4jobs@hotmail.com
(605) 256-5155

Crystal Hieb
Student Employment Office Assistant / DSU Student
204 Heston Hall
hiebc@pluto.dsu.edu
ccrystal4jobs@hotmail.com
Facebook (DSU Student Employment): SEARCH Heather Muller
MSN IM: ccrystal4jobs@hotmail.com
(605) 256-5155