Signing Out: Final Thoughts of a Seasoned Intern

By: Maureen Corbett

I didn't realize until today that this would be my last LACD blog ever. I recently decided that after three years working in the career development office, it is time for me to move on and gain different experiences. Its a bittersweet moment, and puts a lot of pressure on me to write one final blog. I've chosen to use this time to review the two most important lessons that LACD has taught me and thoughts that I wish to pass on to future interns:

1. Success resides outside your comfort zone. 
When I started at LACD, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. I was a freshman (who had only ever held one menial job) on a team of all seniors, some of whom had 2+ internships. I had never cold-called a company, written a budget or managed any sort of team; I had hardly even written a professional email. But what made me most successful in this situation was my willingness to learn. I recognized that I was completely out of my comfort zone and new that I needed to be as adaptable and flexible as I could. If I had never accepted this position, I would never have grown into the person I am today. I have learned so much from LACD about project management, leadership, and working in a team. Its because I tried something I was unfamiliar with that helped me gain the professional skills I have today. So future leaders of the world: don't be afraid to try new experiences just because they seem scary. You never know where they will take you.

2. It takes a supporter to make a good leader. 
When I started working for LACD, I looked up to all the other interns for direction and guidance on the projects I was working on. Now that I have grown into a senior intern and the Career Week project manager, I think I am able to recognize what I need to do in order to support the other interns and be the leader that our team needs. Its because I've held positions as a supporter that have helped me become a successful leader. I also learned how important supporting roles in teams are. Sure, I was the project manager of Career Week and responsible for its success, but if I didn't have a team of fantastic interns behind me helping me with the logistics, there is no way I could have accomplished what we were able to do. While I supported my team, they were also supporting me. I believe that in order to be a successful leader, one needs to recognize the potential in others and be humbled by the fact that we need others to help us in order for the team to be successful. Without a strong team, this past year wouldn't have gone as well as it did.

Lastly, I'd like to thank everyone who I've ever worked with in LACD. Without you I would not be the person I am today or have as many amazing experiences. It has been a pleasure working with everyone. I can't wait to see what life has in store for me in the future.

Work Abroad to Travel the World

Written by: C Raven Anderson

As young adults entering or soon to be entering the professional world, it is often overwhelming deciding what you want to do, where you want to live, and for whom you would like to work. These decisions are often the most difficult to ask. Another thing that is often on the minds of young adults, during this time, is dreams of traveling the world.

These dreams could be as simple as wanting to visit a single country or as complex as wanting to visit as many countries as possible. Traveling the world, would be without a doubt, amazing. It would open you up to new opportunities as well as new ways of thinking, but for a lot of young adults traveling the world is too expensive as soon as they graduate from college.

One option, that is often overlooked, is for young professionals to work abroad. This is a great way for young adults to get experience in their field as well as quenching their thirst for adventure and travel. A great resources for you to use to find jobs abroad is Purdue's Career Wiki. Follow the link below to look at all of the opportunities abroad. Expand you horizons and opportunities by taking an adventure!

http://wiki.lib.purdue.edu/display/Career/Purdue+University+Career+Wiki

Ace the Interview

Written by Shelby Oyer

Ahh the dreaded interview. By this point in life, we've probably all been there. For most people (like me), the job interview can be incredibly stressful. In order to minimize this stress and ace the interview, it's important to properly prepare yourself. 

Here are just a few tips from Ashley Jacobs, a columnist for Wise Bread, on acing the interview:

1. Know Where You're Going
Be sure to get an address and directions of the interview location. If you can, drive by where you'll be having your interview a few days in advance. This is especially helpful if you're interviewing for a large company with multiple buildings if you aren't positive exactly where Building A is, for instance. 

2. Hygiene
Make sure you take plenty of time before your interview to do your hair (this goes for you too, gentlemen), shave, put on makeup, spritz cologne/perfume (but not too much!), etc. Also, be sure to dress the part. Research the company culture and dress a step up from what you think is expected. It's usually better to be overdressed than under-dressed. 

3. Research the Company
Know what the company does, their mission statement, any major events, and other things of the sort. This can be used in an interview to show the interviewer you have a genuine interest in the organization.

4. Be Early
Leave yourself plenty of time to get to the location of the interview (which you've already mapped out and/or driven by). Arriving around 15 minutes early will show that you are responsible and respective of the interviewer's time. Early is on time, on time is late, late is...well, don't ever be late!  

5. Resume Prep
Be sure you take a final look over your resume beforehand. Triple check it for grammatical errors and make sure it highlights the appropriate skills and experience for the position you're interviewing for. Bring multiple copies with you to your interview. 

6. Watch Your Nonverbals
There is much more to your interview success than just the words you say. Don't be fidgeting with a pen or bouncing your leg up and down. Look the interviewer in the eye and give them a firm handshake upon meeting them. Act confident and you'll feel confident. 

7. Be Prepared for Certain Questions
Think through some popular questions (and perhaps some unusual ones, too) and prepare your answers ahead of time so you're not caught off guard. Check out this excellent list of the 64 toughest interview questions.

8. Have Questions
At the end of every interview you will be asked if you have any questions. Come prepared with a couple of questions and ask any that arise during your interview. Here's a list of 30 questions you should and shouldn't ask. 

9. Take Notes
It's a good idea to have a pad of paper and a pen along with you to write down any questions you may have, as well as any answers to questions the interviewer gives you. I recommend investing in a nice portfolio. These have a pad of paper as well as room for a pen, business cards and the resume copies you'll take with you; plus they help you look professional. Something like this:



10. Follow Up
It's a good idea to get the business cards of the individuals interviewing you at the end. This gives you their contact information so you can send them a thank you within 24 hours, either by email or snail mail, depending on what you feel is most appropriate for the company culture. This shows you were appreciative of their time. 

Always remember that interviewers are looking to see how you fit in in their company. So be yourself! Preparing ahead of time will help you be able to relax and be confident so your personality can shine through and land you the job. 

To see Ashley's complete list of tips, click here. 

The "Cold" Email That Will Land You a Job

Written by Sarah Hornsby

Networking is extremely important nowadays because a lot of the time knowing the right people can help you get that job.  Well, what do you don't have any connections with the business or company you want to work for?  According to this article written by the Prepary, you should send a "cold" email to someone with the business or company of your choosing.

Before learning about how to write a good cold email, it's important to know what a cold email is exactly.  The Prepary explains that a cold email is simply "reaching out by email to someone you do not know."  Cold emails serve a variety of purposes, including reaching out to network with one another or to just simply meet up with each other.  However, the primary purpose of a cold email is to "express interest in a job that you are both passionate about and qualified for," according to the article.  

Here are the components to an effective cold email, according to the Prepary:

1. You are offering something to the recipient versus asking for something.

If you are qualified for that public relations assistant job, know a ton about the company, and are dying to work there, you reaching out is helping them solve the problem of needing to fill that job.

2. It's personalized and thoughtful.

With today's resources, even if someone is a complete stranger, they will likely still have an online presence.  Understanding their work history via LinkedIn, reading a blog post they wrote, or finding some other way to relate to them will help your outreach.

3. It's respectful and not entitled.

There is nothing worse than someone demanding to meet with you or coming across as arrogant.  I don't even know you, remember?  So that's the first way to get me to the delete button.

To read in more detail about how to write a good cold email, click on the link below:

http://www.levo.com/articles/career-advice/how-to-write-a-cold-interview-that-will-you-land-you-a-job

Successful Before 30--Callie Schweitzer

By: Maureen Corbett

Callie Schweitzer is the youngest professional I have yet to feature, but her age does not diminish her accomplishments. If anything, it enhances them. Schweitzer is the 25 year old Director of Digital Innovation at TIME Magazine. She is also an award winning journalist whose work has appeared in TIME, The New York Times, Mashable, The Huffington Post, People magazine and The Daily Muse to name a few.

Schweitzer began her career by receiving a BA in journalism from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. During her time here Schweitzer was involved in a variety of experiences that provided her with professional work. She worked as the Editor-in-Chief of Neon Tommy, an online news site hosted by her university and the most frequently visited online university publication in the U.S.  Schweitzer also was copy editing intern at the New York Times as well as a writer and reporter for People magazine.

When Schweitzer graduated in 2011, her career took off. Upon her graduation Schweitzer took a position at Talking Points Memo, a liberal web-based political journalism organization, where she worked her way up to Deputy Publisher. Afterwards she took a position as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Vox Media where she handled branding tactics for websites such as SB Nation, The Verge, and Polygon. She now holds her newest position at TIME, and all these experiences combined have allowed her to win two Hearst Journalism Awards.

Schweitzer’s career is far from over, and it can only be expected that she will continue to grow as an influential woman in the world of tech and journalism. To follow Schweitzer’s career and learn more about her, visit the links below.

http://www.callieschweitzer.com/bio

http://www.businessinsider.com/30-important-women-30-or-under-in-tech-2013-4?op=1

Types of "Smart" in the Workplace

Written By: C Raven Anderson

Have you ever wondered how you and your strengths are going to fit into an organization? Well, I recently saw an infographic that breaks up the different types of "smart" and how they fit into an organization. This to me was an incredible find, because I have been scoffed at when someone found out I was in the college of Liberal Arts. As a Liberal Arts major, I have been looked down upon because my degree is "easy" or someone doesn't have to be "smart" to graduate. This is entirely false.

I have had to work my butt off the entire time I have been at Purdue University. Just because I am not good at math or science does not mean that I am not "smart", and it does not mean that you are not "smart" either. We, as Liberal Arts students, have different skills and strengths. We have the smarts when it comes to being creative, using linguistics,  and our interpersonal and intra-personal skills.

Knowing how to use your skills and strengths to your advantage is key to your success. If you persevere and take the time to invest in your future you will be successful! Check out the infographic, that I mentioned earlier, to see where your "smart" fits in at the workplace!


http://theundercoverrecruiter.com/intelligence-fit-workplace/

5 Factors of a Strong Work Ethic

Written by Shelby Oyer

I’m going to be honest with you: lately, my work has been struggling. As I get closer to graduation, my list of to-dos seems to grow longer each day. Working two jobs, applying for summer internships and scholarships, being an officer in three organizations and having a full course load has taken its toll on my work. I’m sure many of you can relate to the feeling of being overwhelmed.

It’s time to get back to focusing on a strong work ethic.

A strong work ethic is crucial for everyone, not just those who are struggling like me. A work ethic is a “set of moral principles an employee uses in his [or her] job.” Focusing on improving yourself in these areas below will help you succeed in not only your job but in your classes, as well.

           1.  Integrity

Integrity is “adherence to moral and ethical principles” (www.dictionary.com). Having integrity will foster strong, trusting relationships with your boss and coworkers or classmates. When people are aware of your moral standards, they can trust you to give feedback or to do ethical work.

2. Responsibility

A strong sense of responsibility will you get you far in all aspects of life. When you feel personally responsible for your actions or work, you will take the time and effort to do that work to the best of your ability.

3. Quality

Keep your emphasis on the quality of your work. Take the initiative to go above and beyond to do the absolute best you can do rather than skidding by with doing the bare minimum. This will show others that you’re reliable and a hard worker.

4. Discipline

Have the discipline to get your work done on time. Stay focused on your goals and the completion of tasks. This will show people your determination and dedication.

5. Teamwork

You will be required to work with others during your lifetime, both in your career and in school. Having a strong sense of teamwork will allow you to achieve your company’s or group’s goals smoothly and while being able to respect your team members.

Read Amelia Jenkins' full article on work ethic here.

Handling the Business Side of Design

written by Tanvir Rahman

Many people dream about owning their own business one day and many designers have that dream. Most designers however, fail to realize just how much goes into owning and running a business. Here are some things to think about, not only for designers but everyone, when starting your own business.

Education

Designers tend not to be prepared for the business side of things after they get their degree so it is good to do some research and get educated on what starting a business is like. Looking into training is beneficial such as coursework in math, drawing up contracts, marketing to gain clients, and customer service.

Do it All

When you have a startup business you will find yourself in more than one job. You have to take care of your employees, clients, and networks. HR manager, customer service rep, sales manager, and social media marketer are examples of some things the boss has to do when starting up. It is important to realize that many of your skills are going to be called upon.

Marketing

One of the most important parts of starting up your own business is how you market your business. Designers are lucky because they can create many marketing materials themselves eliminating the need to outsource. Even if you are not a designer there are still many easy and useful ways to market yourself. Building your social media a great and quick way to build your brand and get it out to the world and best of all it is typically free. Networking goes a long way and building relationships helps spread your name around. Referrals and recommendations can really boost credibility and client retention.

Starting a business can be scary but making the right preparation can help greatly. Owning a business is great for designers but they many are not as prepared as they should be. With the right knowledge and preparation it should much easier to handle the business side of design. 

reference: http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/handling-the-business-side-of-design/