The Importance of Internships

By Stephanie Larson      

      When you think of an internship, what is the first thing that comes to mind? From my personal experience, it seems people are often apt to think of an internship as a way to get one’s foot in the door with a particular company and something to add to a resume. Although those are certainly benefits of participating in an internship, I really want to highlight the fact that internships offer many other advantages.

         My first internship was with Liberal Arts Career Development (LACD).  This internship helped me to meet new people, make wonderful connections, hone in on my editing and writing skills, and so much more! 

         Just in case you are not convinced to take up an internship, here is a list of benefits that internships offer. This list is from an article titled “Why are Internships so Important” that can be found here. The advantages are as follows:

•               The opportunity to "test drive" a career 


•               Chances to network

•               Establishing relationships with mentors

•               Possible college credit or certification

•               An introduction to the field's culture and etiquette 


•               Accumulating new skills

•               Gaining a "real world" perspective on an occupation

This list is anything but comprehensive. Can you think of any other benefits that were not listed?

Beat the Heat

By Stephanie Larson 

Unless you have found yourself a very cool rock to live under, you are probably aware of the fact that it is very hot out right now. It is so hot that when I stepped outside for class yesterday, my glasses actually fogged up. 

         I don’t know about you, but this heat is terribly detrimental to my productivity.  It just feels too hot to do anything but sleep or swim or, if you are like me and do not have ready access to a pool, stand under the sprinkler.

         As much fun as it is to use this heat as an excuse to lounge around, you really are wasting valuable time that could be put to better use. So, in light of the heat wave, I have put together a few ideas to help you beat the heat and still be productive.

1) Find some place cool. The public library is one of the first places that comes to mind. Most libraries have air conditioning, so you are provided with a cool place to sit and work for absolutely no cost to you. If you want to grab a treat while you work, why not try a coffee shop. Most coffee shops are air conditioned and provide guests with ample space to sit and work while enjoying their drinks. A quick Google search can help you find cool zones in your area.

2) Gather your materials. Now that you have found a place to cool off, gather papers or material you will need to work.  Most cool zones provide you with free access to the Internet, so don’t forget to bring your laptop.

3) Arrive at your cool zone and get to work! Could you ask for a better opportunity to work on your resume, conduct online job searches, or read career articles. Are you one of those people who somehow magically ends up on a social network the moment you turn on your computer? Why not use your cool down time to update your social networks so that they synch with your current career goals? If you are in a social network kind of mood, make sure to visit the LACD Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for some great career advice and job/internship postings. If you are looking to gain insight into career development, why not check out LACD’s career handbook? It can be found on the LACD website and is absolutely free to read.

Stay cool and don’t forget to drink plenty of water!

Don't Panic: Anxiety and Interviews

By Stephanie Larson 

      Do you remember your first interview? I know I sure do! I was 13 at the time, and although I was interviewing for an unpaid volunteer position, the idea of doing something I had never done before was absolutely terrifying.

         I did not experience much anxiety the week before the interview. In fact, I was not at all concerned. I was scheduled to interview shortly after school let out so my mind had the luxury of focusing on summer things. It was not until the day before the interview that the fear set in. I could not get any sleep that night, and when it was finally time for me to get up, I looked awful. And, to make matters worse, I skipped breakfast.

         During the drive to the interview, I fell asleep in the car. By the time we arrived, and my mother had managed to wake me up, my hair, only on one side, was a mess.

         Although I was a mess, I did manage to arrive 15 minutes early. Since I was early, I had to wait in another room until it was my turn. My stomach had started making these horrible grumbling noises, and in the quite of the waiting room, I felt like everyone must have heard it. As I sat there, with my roaring belly, I went over the interview in my head. I thought of all the things I was not prepared for and all the mistakes I could make. By the time my name was called I thought I was going to faint.

         By the time I got into the interview I do not think I could have felt worse. I sat down, and went through all of the formalities of the beginning process of an interview smoothly. I was still pretty nervous at that point. I was shaking so much, I hardly had to physically move my arm when shaking my interviewer’s hand.

         When the interview was over, and I stepped back into my mother’s car, I felt like a great weight had been lifted off of me. I was still tired, but I felt relieved. I had survived my first interview, and it was not as bad as I thought it would be. I wanted the volunteer position, I was able to articulate the reasons why I wanted the position, and I learned as much as I could about the volunteer opportunity to demonstrate that I knew what I was doing.

         In case you were wondering, I did get the volunteer position after all. I volunteered in that position for 4 years (until I graduated high school and came out to Purdue) and loved every minute of it!

         I learned a lot from my first interview, but I think the most valuable lesson had to do with anxiety. Getting yourself worked up is not healthy and will not benefit you in the long run. Take a deep breath, and remember you have made it this far. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat a good breakfast, and walk into the interview confident and prepared. The new Liberal Arts Career Handbook is a great resource to help you organize yourself and feel confident for your interview. The handbook is free, and has interview practice questions, and many other great career resources that can help you feel better prepared for your interview. 

         I have been on several interviews since my first. Some have been for jobs while the majority have been for volunteer opportunities. Although I have never felt completely calm, I have definitely learned to relax and manage my nerves to a reasonable level.

         For those of you who can relate to my experience, here is a good article about how to manage interview anxiety. The article lists different points to keep in mind when you start to feel nervous.

Think Before You Post

By Stephanie Larson 

    Last week I wrote a post about social networks. This post got me thinking about social network etiquette and the best ways to go about balancing your professional career with the fun that comes with social networking.

    According to an article by Miriam Salpeter, which can be found here, about 89% of employers conduct online searches on potential employees. This means that if you are not careful with your social media, every word and picture you post is out there for your potential employer to see.

In order to help others avoid the pitfalls of using social networks, I have compiled a list of the social tips that will help you avoid making mistakes that have the potential to negatively interfere with a potential career.

1) If you have not done this already, you should make your profile private. By making your profile private, those who are not Facebook friends with you are unable to see your posts or photos. Although one would think that the privacy setting gives you more freedom to post as you like, remember that you still ought to continue using proper etiquette. Although you may view your Facebook friends as just that, friends, there is no telling which Facebook friends may become valuable components of your career network in the future. Here is a link on how to make your profile private.

 2) Did you know that you can choose who amoung your friends gets to see your posts and pictures? Jayne, my fellow LACD intern showed me this nifty trick, and although it does require some work, it is very helpful for those who use Facebook for both career and social purposes. Your friends may want to hear that you are in a relationship with Susie, but I doubt those in your career network really care. Here is a link on how to do this. The answer is listed under the section “What are friend lists, and how do I create them?”.

3) Make sure you know your Facebook friends. Although your profile may be squeaky clean, the fact that you are friends with a guy who has a profile picture that features him smoking a bong may be a deterrent for an employer.

4) Before you post a public picture ask yourself whether you would feel comfortable showing these pictures to a well-respected adult or potential employer. I highly doubt you would walk into an interview and hand your potential employer pictures of you in your shortest shorts and lowest cut top, doing body shots at a bar. Why then would you publically post those pictures on the Internet for everyone to see?

5) Use the same logic from point four when you post an update. Would you write that same expletive riddled status update if you knew your professor or potential employer would read it? Probably not. If you feel the need to communicate something using expletives, you should probably just avoid the subject entirely.

5) Do not publically rant about a company, coworker, or employer. This is anything but professional and makes employers weary about hiring you.

6) Censor the information you post on your “About Me” section. Write relevant information that you would use to introduce yourself to others. Think of this page as a way of making a first impression. Would you go up to someone and tell him/her that your interests include getting drunk and smoking pot? Hopefully not! 

For more tips on social network etiquette, make sure to read the article “Social Media Etiquette for College Students”, which can be found here.

How to Work Your Social Network

 By Stephanie Larson        

      This week Google launched its new social networking platform Google Plus (Google+). However, unless you were one of the lucky people to receive an invitation, you will have to wait with the rest of us for the public release of the network.

         Although Google+ is currently limited in its availability, it does not mean that your social networking options are numbered. Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and LinkedIn are just the beginning of a vast list of social networks available to Internet users.

         Although these social media platforms provide an excellent way to keep in touch with friends and family as well as share your personal life, social networks have also become an essential tool in today’s competitive job market.

         Did you know that Twitter can be used as a way to find job and internship listings or that Facebook can be a great way to network with potential employers? I know that before I started my internship with LACD I was completely unaware of the many ways social networks can be used to aid career development.

         I have put together a list of articles that discuss various social network platforms and how they can be used to help with career development. You can find articles here, here and here. If you have not already read it, then also make sure to add Jayne’s blog post “Get Your Foot ‘In the Door’” to your reading list as it provides you with a description of a very nifty social networking tool for Facebook. And, for those of you who want to be ahead of the social network crowd, here is a link that discusses the new Google+ network.

Happy reading! 

The Name Game: How Learning Names can make you a More Appealing Job Candidate

By Stephanie Larson 

      How are you with name recall? To be honest, I am terrible at it. I cannot count the number of times I have forgotten or mixed up the names of new acquaintances. Yet, it seems I am not alone. I have been called “you” so many times that at moments I am tempted to respond by letting out a nice loud “baa” and explaining that I am a Stephanie and not a female sheep. 

         This lack of name recall may all be jest in casual situations, but what happens when we take the situation to the work place? Are names really that important when you go in for an interview, or are they simply trivial things to be thrown aside until you are officially hired?        

       According to an article written by Miriam Salpeter, which can be found here, names hold more importance than we often attribute to them.

      In her article, Salpeter explains that in an increasingly competitive job market learning someone’s name can increase your appeal to potential employers. When employers must choose from a pool of qualified candidates, little things, like demonstrating that you have taken time to learn names of potential employeers, can make a world of difference. 

         According to the author Nicholas Aretakis, who is cited in Salpeter’s article, learning someone’s name can “boost your image, earn you respect and differentiate you”. This, according to the author, is due to the importance names hold for the individual.

         By taking the time to learn someone’s name, you demonstrate your personal investment in the company. Think about it, how many potential employees are going to take the time to learn names of potential employers? Most applicants will be so focused on the interview that they will overlook the little things that make you stand out as an applicant. Don’t get me wrong, the interview is very important, but taking time to do something different, such as learn names can really put you a cut above the rest. 

         The benefits of name recall are not limited to the work force. Salpeter also recommends using name recall during volunteer opportunities, internships, or even networking situations.

         If you are anything like me and need to brush up on your name recall skills, make sure to follow the link to Salpeter’s article. In the article, Salpeter lists a number of helpful ways to learn to remember names so that the next time you meet new people, especially in the work place, you can impress them all by addressing them by their names. 

Changing Perceptions of Higher Education: Do you 'Degree'?

By Stephanie Larson             

           When I think of career development,  a college degree seems to be one of the major building blocks necessary to obtaining the career of my dreams. Yet, according to an article, which can be found here, it seems that the value of a college degree may not be held in as high esteem as it used to be. In a recent report conducted by the Pew Research Center, 2,142 Americans (57% of those surveyed) “claimed that the nation's higher education system does not offer adequate value in return for increasingly high costs”.  When I first read this statement I was shocked!

           I grew up in a family where the value of higher education was upheld in the highest regard. Neither my mother nor my father attended college. They understood the difficulties the job market could present without a degree. Since I was a child, I was encouraged to pursue higher education at all costs. Apparently, my parents were not alone. According to the article, parents have not been greatly affected by this growing skepticism about the value of college. In fact, according to the survey, 94% of parents expect their children to pursue higher education.  This encouragement was not limited to my parents. I cannot think of a teacher who did not encourage me to pursue education beyond the high school level. Therefore, it is difficult for me to imagine where those 2,142 survey participants who do not believe the costs of higher education outweigh the benefits.  

            I understand that I am a bit biased. Like I said, I was raised to value higher education. Likewise, I am a college student, and I would probably not be attending a university if I did not believe that the degree I am earning will be of value. A college degree, in my opinion, is essential for getting the career I want. In a world where even entry-level positions require some kind of higher education, I have a difficult time imagining getting the career I desire with just a high school diploma.  

            I will admit, college is expensive, but I am confident that the value of my education will outweigh the costs. I am not alone in my thinking.  According to the article, 757 of the participants surveyed “were confident that their investment in higher education proved beneficial.”            

            I will not deny that there are cases of people who do not have a higher education who were able to find a great deal of success. But in the end, I am confident with the value of the degree I will earn and, according to the article, it seems most college graduates feel the same way.

            What do you think? Are the statistics about college at all shocking? 

Take The Weak Out of Your Weekend

By Stephanie Larson

           If you were not aware of it already, today is Friday. This means that most of us have two days of sweet respite awaiting us. Although the thought of sleeping in and relaxing by the pool seems more than appealing in this muggy Indiana heat, I cannot help but wonder whether I could spend my weekends engaged in productive activities relating to career development. Therefore, going along with the theme of Jayne’s latest article “Summer Better than Others,” I am going to look for ways to use the weekend in a manner more productive for career development.

            In my quest for an answer, I came across the article “5 Ways to Make a Jobless Summer Productive” written by Katy Hopkins. Although this article focuses on productivity during the duration of the summer, I believe the piece also speaks to anyone looking to increase his/her weekend productivity.

            In the article, Hopkins recommends using the summer to boost one’s resume. Okay, that sounds great, but how? Hopkins provides a list of five tips to increase summer productivity: work on your personal brand, consider community college, tap into your local network, turn a weakness into a strength, and find a mentor.  Summer classes. Check! A mentor. Check! Two out of five is not that bad, but I definitely could spend my weekends working on the other three suggestions. Now, where to start?

            I suppose branding is a great place to begin. Hopkins recommends creating a personal blog. She also suggests using Twitter as a job tool. This sounds plausible. I could definitely spend my weekends updating my social media so that it is at its most appealing for future employers. Hopkins also suggests leaving Facebook as your own personal space used for more casual comments and updates. Although she does not state it, I think it is important to remember that regardless of the fact that you are using it in a casual manner, you should refrain from posting inappropriate pictures and comments on any social media network. A friend once told me that when it comes to social media, even though it is your personal space, you should never post anything that you would not want your parents or a well-respected adult to see.  

            The next productivity tip Hopkins suggests is to tap into your local network. She suggests attending community events where connections may easily be formed. I really like this suggestion and believe it is a perfect way to spend my weekend and have fun too. In fact, it almost seems geared toward increasing weekend productivity.  What better way to spend a weekend than meeting new people and helping to support your community? This would not be a difficult task to accomplish either since many communities, including Tippecanoe County, have wonderful community events, especially in the summer.

            Finally, Hopkins recommends turning a weakness into strength. You can do this by volunteering in you community or participating in activities that require practicing your weakness.  This is a fantastic suggestion, and one I had never considered before reading this article. This suggestion provides a great opportunity to assess your weaknesses. It is important to know your weaknesses because you may be asked about them in an interview. I know when I interviewed for a leadership position I was asked to name one weakness and how the position would help me strengthen it. Such an experience provided a fantastic learning opportunity for me. Therefore, if you have not done so already, sit down and take inventory of your weaknesses. Be prepared to talk about them. Why stop at a simply acknowledgement of those weaknesses? Follow Hopkins’ suggestion and use the weekend to strengthen those weaknesses.

            So, here is my new plan for the weekend: work on my personal brand by updating my blog and Twitter, tap into my local network by attending community events, and turn my strengths into weaknesses by volunteering or engaging in activities that require me to practice my weakness. It is going to take time, but it will be worth it.

            I have my weekend planned out to maximize productivity, but what about you? Don’t let your weekend be weak, beef it up with some of the productivity strategies suggested by Hopkins, or, follow LACD on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates related to career development. If you have any creative strategies to enhance weekend productivity, let me know in the comments section. I would love to hear from you!