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.

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

Successful Before 30 - Blake Mycoskie

By: Maureen Corbett

To continue my blog series that follows professionals who achieved success with a liberal arts degree before turning 30, I’m going to point out a common thread between all these individuals. The past several blog posts have all featured driven people who can’t seem to keep their talents confined to one industry. I’ve featured actors who moonlight as rappers, government officials with TV talk shows, and an advertising agent whose passion lies with art and design. Today’s successful individual is no different. His name is Blake Mycoskie, but you know him as the creator of TOM shoes. Despite the fact that he has worked for and even founded a variety of companies during his young life, Mycoskie never fails to keep his passion for helping others at the heart of his work.

Mycoskie began his career as a dual major in philosophy and business at Southern Methodist University in Texas. After he graduated, Mycoskie launched his first successful business, EZ Laundry, in 1995. The company originally targeted SMU students who had no access to on-campus laundry or dry-cleaning services, but grew to eventually employ over 40 people, expanded to three universities, and generated nearly $1 million in sales.

After he sold EZ Laundry, Mycoskie gained experience in a variety of areas. Between 1999 and 2005 he founded an outdoor billboard company called Mycoskie Media, co-founded the cable network Reality Central, helped launch the driver’s education website DriversEdDirect, and was a contestant on the show The Amazing Race. Then in 2006 at age 30, Mycoskie started the organization Shoes For a Better Tomorrow, which was later renamed to TOMS. Since its beginning TOMS was an immediate success. Mycoskie was inspired to create TOMS because of the poverty he witnessed in Argentina during The Amazing Race, and was one of the first professionals to engage in a newly discovered business practice called social entrepreneurism. This for profit company operates on the one-for-one business model: for every pair of shoes sold, TOMS donates a pair to children in need. Today, TOMS has donated over 10 million shoes and operates globally in over 1,000 stores.

For Mycoskie, even the success of TOMS shoes can’t make him stop his attempt to serve others. He has since launched TOMS eyewear which operates in the same fashion as TOMS shoes, and has also recently published his first book Start Something That Matters. For those students who want a career path that allows them to help others, Mycoskie is an excellent role model who shows that creativity and determination can get you anywhere in life.

Sources:

http://www.toms.com/blakes-bio/l

http://www.inc.com/magazine/20100601/the-way-i-work-blake-mycoskie-of-toms-shoes.html

Successful Before 30 - Kristina Krkljus

By: Maureen Corbett

Think your art degree or communications major won’t get you anywhere in life? Think again! 29 year old Kristina Krkljus received degrees in both fields at the University of Central Florida and is now a successful senior art director at the advertising agency TBWA/Chiat/Day.

 Upon her graduation in 2007, Krkljus held several internship positions including working at YPB&R, Y Partnership, and Crispin Porter+Bogusky. From these positions she obtained experience performing tasks such as media planning, rebranding, and developing marketing campaigns. During this time Krkljus also attended Miami Ad School and obtained her graduate degree in Art Direction in 2009. Since then, Krkljus has seen nothing but improvement and success as she climbed up to corporate latter.

Krkljus has had the opportunity to work all over the United States. She has experience working for TeamOne, whose claim to fame was the development and huge success of the Lexus brand. She also worked to develop the brand Levis for the public relations firm Edelman Digital, a branch from the world leading PR firm Edelman. Now, at TWBA/Chiat/Day in Los Angeles as the senior art director, she's an instrumental leader on brands such as Pepsi, Adidas and Crate&Barrel.

Krkljus’ greatest successes include the development of two Super Bowl commercials, working with David Beckham to create Pepsi ad campaigns, and landing on Forbes 30 under 30 list. A self-proclaimed hippie, she’s inspired by nature and her success comes from keeping her life in balance. Krkljus is an ideal example for students who are looking to find success in the art world, and her drive and creativity are key factors in her success. For Krkljus, the only place to go from here is above and beyond.  

To read more about Krkljus, visit these sources:

http://www.luerzersarchive.com/content/show/id/119

http://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinakrkljus

Successful Before 30- Ronan Farrow

By: Maureen Corbett

For all you political science majors out there or anyone who is pursuing law school, Ronan Farrow is someone you'll want to know. The son of Woody Allen and Mia Farrow, Farrow's resume includes jobs such as activist, journalist, lawyer, former U.S. government advisor, and soon-to-be TV host. And all at the ripe age of 26.

Farrow graduated Bard College and Yale Law school, and received a Rhodes Fellowship to attend Oxford University and pursue degrees in politics and international relations. He got an early start to his career by being the youngest college graduate Bard College has ever had at the age of 15. By 17 he was a UNICEF spokesperson, where he worked as an activist for women and children caught in turmoil in Sudan. He has written and published many articles regarding America's lack of support for the African Union, and spoke out passionately about the need to assist the poor. Many of his articles have been published in noteworthy newspapers and magazines such as The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and The Guardian. Farrow has worked with several U.S political figures, including Barack Obama as an advisor for humanitarian affairs in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as Hilary Clinton as an advisor for global youth issues. He is also set to host the talk show "Ronan Farrow Daily" on MSNBC in late February.

Farrow is an example of someone who took his passion for helping others and turned it into a career. His political science based degrees gave his a solid foundation to be successful in this area and be successful at everything he's accomplished. Any Purdue students who are interested in studying policy, or even just want a career that will help others in some small way, should try to channel Farrow's ambition and use his success as inspiration.

Sources used:

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sudan_30546.html
http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2014/feb/02/ronan-farrow-young-blue-eyes
http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/10/18/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-ronan-farrow-that-will-make-you-feel-horribly-unaccomplished/

Successful Before 30 - Kevin Systrom

By: Maureen Corbett

Today’s successful businessman is Kevin Systrom, the CEO and co-founder of Instagram. With a net worth of over $400 million, most people would say this entrepreneur and software engineer has his life made. But getting to where he is today took a lot of determination and hard work, something Systrom thinks is essential for any success story.

This now 30-year-old Standford grad got his undergraduate degree in management science and engineering. While these degrees are not offered in Purdue’s college of Liberal Arts, I’ve chosen to feature Systrom because Purdue offers a B.A. in Economics which is closely correlated to what Systrom studied at Stanford. After graduation, Systrom got his first internship at the startup Odeo, the company that eventually gave birth to Twitter. He then spent two years at Google before eventually starting his own company to work on developing Instagram when he was 27. Within 14 months of its launch, Instagram turned into one of the most popular social networking sites in the world with over 15 million users.

Systrom claims the secret to his success was making the app user friendly. He said that while working on the project, he really wanted to focus on making Instagram easy for everyone to upload photos and make them beautiful within seconds.

“The lesson I’ve learned is that you need to make sure to always cut what doesn’t work, cut the stuff that isn’t popular, and focus on continually improving your product and your focus.” Systrom said in an interview with the online blog KissMetrics.

To learn more about Systrom and his successes, check out the following links below:

http://landing.newsinc.com/forbes/video.html?vcid=23824180&freewheel=91218&sitesection=forbes

http://blog.kissmetrics.com/kevin-systrom/

Successful Before 30 Blog Series--Donald Glover

By: Maureen Corbett

Today is the day I launch my first blog series. As a veteran blogger for the Liberal Arts Career Development office, I have found it increasingly difficult to discover new and interesting topics that students are interested in. I took some time to think about it, and I realized that one thing I enjoy reading about is people with similar backgrounds and interests as me who have grown into hugely successful people.

So for the next several blog entries, my theme will be centralized around the idea of “Successful Before 30.” I plan to feature young entrepreneurs and successful business men and women, all who have Liberal Arts degrees. The goal is that by discussing their achievements and triumphs, that I can convince students who may think Liberal Arts degrees are a waste of time and money that there are always ways students can succeed in their careers.

The first lucky winner is Donald Glover. While he barely makes the cut having just turned 30, this comedian/writer/actor/rapper accomplished most of his current career successes before he was 25. He began in 2006 at New York University pursuing a degree in dramatic writing, where he used the internet (mainly YouTube) to broadcast his talent. He pursued rapping recreationally, and was a member of a sketch comedy club that eventually became a YouTube sensation. Glover’s big break however was getting hired by Tina Fey to write for the show 30 Rock while he was still an undergrad.

As Glover advanced, he became most well-known to the public as the beloved character Troy on NBC’s show Community. He has also pursued a career in the rapping and record producing industry, performing under the stage name Childish Gambino. Glover has already released two successful albums, and continues to pursue his musical career.

What students can learn from Glover is the importance of standing out. In an interview with Forbes, Glover talked about how he constantly thought about what he could do to make a unique impression and offer something that nobody else could. His ambitions helped motivate him to begin writing scripts while he was still in high school, and he claims he thanks the internet for successfully promoting his brand. He’s one to never give up on a dream he’s always had, and encourages other students pursuing similar interests to become as unique as possible.

To learn more about Glover’s success or watch his full interview with Forbes, follow the links below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXyFXSQaPy0

http://noisey.vice.com/blog/donald-glover-childish-gambino-interview

Winter Break Career Opportunities

By: Maureen Corbett

As winter break quickly approaches, many students are looking forward to 16 hours of sleep per day and not ever moving from their parents couch. But in order to get ahead, there are several key opportunities every student should take in order to boost their career confidence and develop more professional skills.  

1.       Fill out applications

Don’t waste time thinking about how you should probably start planning your summer, take action! Set rules for yourself (“After every TV episode I watch, I’ll fill out another application.”) and hold yourself accountable. This is the best way to see results.

2.       Job Shadow

Contact a local company in your area that has a field you’re interested in, and ask if you can work with them for a day. Informational interviews are another good way to get your foot in the door; they not only provide you with more information about the industry but they show potential employers that you have vested interest in reaching your career goals.

3.       Network with Family and Friends

It’s not considered cheating if you use someone you already know to get you a job or internship, it’s actually very smart! Talk to your friends, your parent’s friends, and any family members to see if they either work in a field you’re interested in or if they know anyone who could help you out. Use these resources to the best of your ability.

4.       Recharge Your Batteries

Don’t be afraid to take a break and relax! You just survived a difficult semester, a little R&R will help you feel refreshed when you get back to school in January and ready to hit the ground running again!

What Goes In My Portfolio?

By: Maureen Corbett

The simple answer would be: your best work. But what does that mean? As a Public Relations student, I've struggled with the idea of a portfolio for most of my college experience. Portfolios have become an expected artifact when attending interviews, but I don’t necessarily have fancy and flashy design projects to show off like an interior design or graphic design student would have. This puts me in a difficult dilemma, but luckily, there is an easy way to overcome this challenge. 

If you’re building a portfolio for the corporate world, here are few items that would serve as good items to include:

1.       Writing samples

Include blogs you've written, class papers you’re proud of, or even sample emails written to a professional. Written communication skills are an essential task employers want to know students can accomplish, so make sure to show off your best work.

2.       Photographs

Sometimes the work students do doesn't produce a tangible product. If that is the case, have a friend document you performing a task and make sure to include it in your portfolio with a brief description. Examples would be photos of you public speaking, interacting with professionals, or working a large campus event.

3.       Budgets

Did you work on a project that required you to keep track of funds? If so make sure you include a copy of your budget in your portfolio. This will show employers that you know how to manage details and stay within your budget, which is a great skill to be able to master in the professional world.

4.       Website Screenshots

Do you manage a social media account? Have you reorganized content on a company’s website during your last summer internship? If so, this information belongs in your portfolio. Take a screen shot of the page you helped create, and make sure to include important information such as when you worked on it, who you were targeting, how many viewers it reached, etc. Data points such as this will stand out to employers. 

Creating the Ultimate Business Card

By: Maureen Corbett

Even in this day and age when LinkedIn is a huge resource and online connectivity is readily available to almost everyone, business cards are still an integral part of one’s professional life.  Having one as a young professional can not only help you stand out among your peers, but it’s a great tool to have your contact information passed along to the right people who could hire you for a job/internship.

However, the idea of creating a business card can be daunting. Especially for those of us who wouldn't call ourselves creative, coming up with a logo that represents one’s professional brand is something most people would shy away from. Not to mention it can be difficult to decide which of your many modes of communication you want to include. Although the task may seem difficult, creating a business card is easier than it seems and has many rewarding payoffs. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1.       Enlist the Help of a Professional

If visual design isn't one of your strengths, utilize your extra resources. Whether it is a friend in graphic design, your co-worker who has an eye for color, or a professional who designs business cards for a living, having a second opinion can never hurt. Search for local businesses in your area that specialize in design and ask if they are willing to help.

2.       Keep it Simple….

Only include the information that is absolutely necessary. Don’t include your email address from 7^th grade or your MySpace account that you haven’t looked at in years. Take the time to think about how you prefer to connect with people and include that information. Do you have a website or an online portfolio? Feel free to include that information as well. Just make sure you don’t overload your readers with too much information to the point where they don’t know  the best way to get in touch with you.

3.       …But Try to Stand Out.

Be visual. Play with different shapes, lines, color, etc. Use creative embossing techniques or print your business card on non-traditional media (ex: different textured paper, wood, metal, etc.) Think outside the box. Try and think of ideas that will spark conversation when you hand it to a potential employer

4.       Add Your Personality

Think about the type of work you want to accomplish and try to embody that in your business card.  A business is a small trace of yourself that you can leave with a professional to make a final impression, so make sure you are well represented.

If you want more tips regarding how to create the best business card, check out these links below:

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/71900

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/159468

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224000

What You Need to Know Before Attending an Info Session

By: Maureen Corbett

It’s becoming more and more popular for companies to host info sessions. There are many reasons for this, some being that it is a way for companies to provide more details about their business to interested students than they would be able to at a career fair. Attending a job information session is a great way to show your interest in being employed with that specific company, as well as learn more about the industry. If you are planning on attending an info session soon, here are some key things you need to know before you show up:

1.       Dress Professionally

You don’t have to wear a suit like you would to an interview, but it is definitely essential to dress in business casual attire. You are meeting employees of a company you are interested in working for, so it is important that you make a good first impression. Conduct some research on the company’s culture before you decide what you’re going to wear. For example, if you are attending an info session for a company in the fashion industry, take the opportunity to show off your own sense of style.

2.       Come Prepared

Print off your resume, practice your handshake, and make sure you’ve spent at least 15 minutes prior to the info session browsing the company’s website. While these employers don’t expect you to know very much about the company, having some background knowledge will help you ask more informed questions.

3.       Take Notes

You’re not going to remember everything the employees talk about in the info session. Make sure you write down important deadlines, any tips they give you, and contact information of the people you meet. This is another great way to show them that you are interested in pursuing a position within the company.

 

4.       Use it as an Opportunity to Network

If the situation allows, make sure to personally introduce yourself to one employee after the info session is over. Take the time to express your interest in the company. Let them know why you think you would be a good fit for the position and ask any additional questions you may have. Hopefully you’ll stand out enough to land yourself a job!

Online Job Application Tips

By: Maureen Corbett

Like many young and eager Purdue students, I attended the Krannert Career fair last week in search of my next summer internship. During my time there I found a reoccurring theme throughout all of the companies I talked to. Every single recruiter told me that while personally handing them my resume, I also needed to apply online in order to be considered.

Applying online for a job can be a tricky thing to do. I always feel that once I hit the submit button, my resume disappears into cyberspace never to be seen again by anyone, let alone an employee at the company I’m interested in. According to an article in US News written by Miriam Salpeter, almost 50% of businesses today use an applicant tracking system to screen resumes and filter out possible employees from those not qualified. In order to make it through this ATS system, here are a few tips and tricks to help you get your online resume noticed:

1.       Read the job description

The ATS systems will automatically filter out any applications that don’t match the qualifications needed for the job. Make sure you fully read everything that is required of the specific position and make sure you fit the criteria before deciding whether or not to apply.

2.       If reapplying, only create one user profile

If you try to resubmit your application or apply for a different position within the same company, make sure you don’t create multiple accounts. This can cause confusion with the system and ultimately lead you to get looked over.  Make sure to remember your password and reuse the same account information if applying again in the future.

3.       Attach a cover letter

Sometimes a cover letter is more carefully read than a resume. If the application site offers the option to attach a cover letter, make sure to do it. Use this as an opportunity to vocalize your skills and interest in working for that specific company.

4.       Tailor you resume

Take a second look at the job description and make sure to include the same “action verbs” they use in their language. ATS systems will search your resume of these key words and flag you if you match the description. Also, make sure you take the opportunity to fill out all information in the application, not just the sections that are required. This further demonstrates your interest in the company and shows you’re dedication to providing all available information possible. 

For more information and additional tips, visit: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/07/11/the-9-best-tips-for-submitting-an-online-job-application

Read the Job Description

By: Maureen Corbett

It can be discouraging for students to apply for what seems like hundreds of jobs online, and still never get so much as a phone call or an interview. However, according to an article written by Hannah Morgan on Youtern, it’s not the quantity of jobs applied for but rather the types of jobs applied for.

In her article, she discusses that the most important part of responding to a job posting is taking the time to actually read the job description. She talked about how most job seekers only spend an average of 60 seconds reviewing a job description before deciding whether or not to apply for the position. This can lead to problems such as:

1. Applying for positions you are not qualified for
2. Submitting your application in the wrong format, to the wrong person, or after the deadline.
3. Excluding additional information requested by the employer, such as a reference list or college transcripts

Luckily for you, there is an incredibly easy way to fix this problem: take the time to read about the job you’re applying for! Recruiters will appreciate the time you spend and your effort will definitely shine through in your application.

To read Hannah Morgan’s full article and to get inside tips on what company recruiters are looking for in job seekers, follow this link: http://www.youtern.com/thesavvyintern/index.php/2013/09/02/want-the-job-invest-time-reading-the-job-posting/?utm_source=the-savvy-intern,-by-youtern&utm_medium=gazetty&utm_campaign=09-05-2013

Three Companies Taking Marketing to a New Level

By: Maureen Corbett

The theme for this semester’s new LACD interns is “Making the Common Uncommon.” Here in the Career Development office, we've been brainstorming ways to turn our everyday services and resources into uncommon tools that will help empower students to grow themselves professionally. A countless number of companies try to do this on a daily basis, but only some succeed at truly standing out among the crowd. Read on to learn about a few that have done it right, and how LACD can apply these techniques to better serve Liberal Arts students:

Sephora

This well-known makeup company recently launched a mobile marketing campaign with the intention of seamlessly integrating their online and offline shopping experience. They've created a groundbreaking mobile app that provides services their customers didn't even know they wanted. They've taken makeup to a whole new level by equipping their staff with iPads, saving their customers' purchases history, and effectively incorporating technology into the shopping experience. LACD can build off this idea by providing services to their students that are innovative and effortless.

                                        Walgreen's

For me, picking up a prescription at the pharmacy has always been an intimidating process. I feel like something always goes wrong, whether I forget when a refill is due or my insurance information isn't up-to-date. This past year Walgreen’s recognized that I am not the only customer of theirs who feels this way, and decided to make a dramatic change. They developed mobile refill technology and created a whole new store layout which brought pharmacists out from behind the counter and made them more accessible to patients. In a similar context, applying for jobs and editing resumes can be a scary and intimidating process for some students. LACD can learn from Walgreen's by becoming more accessible to students and developing ways to more efficiently cater to the needs of those who are nervous about beginning their career paths.

                                                      FedEx

The launch of their We <3 Logistics campaign portrayed FedEx as a behind-the-scenes company that takes care of all the simple business problems to help companies run more smoothly. In the same way, the LACD office conducts behind-the-scenes work for students looking to develop their professional lives. We want to do our job so well that students can easily use our services and resources to go out and be successful and do what they do best.

In summary, great things are in store for next semester in career development! We are all geared up and ready to take our work to a whole new uncommon level. 

How to Write a Press Release

By: Maureen Corbett

For all my fellow PR students out there, the idea of writing your first press release can be daunting. The first time I had to write one was when I was an intern at Advocate Condell Medical Center. I was a pre-com student who had just finished my freshman year of college, and I had no other experience in this area other than basic communication theory that I had learned in my introductory courses. I was told that the press release I had to write would be published on all the local news media outlets, so naturally I felt quite a bit of pressure about performing this task. In order to alleviate my readers from feeling the same stress I experienced, here are a few basic tips that will help make your first press release a hit.

Layout

Check out my first press release above! While it may look quite boring and simple to the average viewer, there are several key elements to writing a press release when it comes to its design. First, you have to make sure that the proper contact information is at the very top. You can't forget to include the name of the company you work for, and a title that accurately explains the main idea of your press release. The date and your company's logo are also must-haves when creating the layout of your first press release.

Intro Paragraph

This is the most important part of a press release. Think about it this way: if someone were to only read the first paragraph you had written, you want all the important information contained within the first few sentences. Make sure to answer the questions "Who?" "What?" "Where?" "When?" "Why?" and "How?" right away so your audience knows exactly what you are talking about right from the beginning. Try to make this as concise as possible, your readers are busy people so give them all the facts they need to know and nothing more.

Cut Out the Fluff

In my previous writing courses, I was always taught to use descriptive adjectives and imagery to capture my audience's attention. Forget all that for a press release. Make sure you stick strictly to the facts. Your readers are interested in your press release for its information purposes, and they can draw their own conclusions about the topic later. 

Boilerplate

This is a short, 2-5 sentences summarizing the press release. It could go into more detail about the author (which in this case it you!), the details about the company your work for, or include more information about who should be contacted with comments or questions. Every press release has a boilerplate and most companies have a uniform template that is always used, so make sure you talk to your boss first about what they want included. 

With these quick tips, all your fears should be alleviated when writing your first press release! As a PR student you will probably write thousands of press releases in your life, so be prepared to master this skill in no time at all.

So What Are You Going to do With THAT Major?

By: Maureen Corbett

If someone would give me a nickel for every time I've heard the questions, "You're studying Public Relations? Why are you at Purdue then, only engineers go there. What kind of job will you even get with a degree like that?" then I could probably quit school and retire right now. The fact of the matter is that if you are a Liberal Arts student, you are going to have to battle typical stereotypes such as:
     1. No one hires Liberal Arts Students.
     2. Liberal Arts students don't make money.
     3. Liberal Arts students don't have any useful skills.

I am here today to tell you that everyone single one of these stereotypes in a complete myth. So relax, and read on. I promise that anyone, whether they are an art, education, theater, english, or philosophy major, as long as you market your skills correctly and play the game right, the sky is the limit when it comes to success.

Liberal Arts Students Get More Promotions
It's true, according to a New York Times article written by Edwin Koc:

"A longitudinal study conducted several years ago by the National Center for Educational Statistics found that the wage differentials that existed between career-oriented majors and academically oriented majors were all but eliminated within 10 years after graduation. Liberal arts graduates frequently catch or surpass graduates with career-oriented majors in both job quality and compensation."

This should be reassuring to every Liberal Arts student out there. If money is an important factor in your decision to pursue a specific major, this statistic shows that Liberal Arts degrees provide students with the opportunity to surpass their counterparts in science and engineering. "How?" you might ask. The following section will explain why.

Liberal Arts Students Have Better Skills
Here is an infograph with data taken from a University of Phoenix study that shows the top most marketable traits that employers today are looking for in new graduates.

All these skills are easily obtained by any Liberal Arts student because these are the skills your professors are instilling in you in the classroom. When a company is looking to hire a new leader, they want a well-rounded, determined individual who can work well in teams and has the capacity to think critically and solve problems. Skills such as these are incredibly marketable in today's society because more and more employers are recognizing all the capabilities Liberal Arts students have to offer. The more diverse and adaptable you can be, the more opportunities will be available to you with a major everyone else thought was a waste of time. 

Take all this information to heart and think how you can use it to land your dream job. With evidence and statistics like these, you won't even bat your eye the next time someone tells you that your major won't allow you to be successful. With the tools to market your strongly-desired skills, the possibilities for your future career is endless!

Career Expo Success

By: Maureen Corbett

The Purdue LA Career Expo that took place last Thursday was a career and internship fair that I have been working on planning for the past several months. It is an exciting feeling to see all your hard work and effort come together and turn a project into a success. Not only did I have a fantastic time working on this project, but I was also able to watch myself grow and learn an assortment of new skills that will eventually help me down the road in my future career. Here are the highlights of what I learned as the project manager of this event:

1. Recruiters Love Food
And I mean, lots of food. We tired something different this year and instead of giving each recruiter a meal card so they could use to eat in the Union, we ordered a fantastic spread and kept it right in the ballroom where the event was taking place. The idea behind this was that the recruiters didn't have to leave their booths for extended periods of time. An added bonus was that they were allowed to invite students to come eat with them, which allowed them to network with and even interview potential new candidates for positions within their company. The main point behind this story is that my team tried to think outside the box, and this turned into a successful idea which led to the overall achievement of this event. 

2. Teamwork is Everything
While I was the project manager for this event, it would have been impossible for the Expo to be successful without the astounding assistance of every other intern that participated. I was so grateful and proud of how each team member stepped up to the plate and helped out in any way that they could. Everyone attended the event for as long as they possibly could, the overall attitude that was displayed was friendly and encouraging. This reminded me of how important it is to surround yourself with people you can count on, and I was very happy with the work that everyone put in. I learned that you can't do everything on your own, but with the help of some amazing people, you can accomplish a lot more.

3. Plan for Disaster, But Hope For the Best
 I had to remind myself that even though I had been preparing for this event for several months, there was always the possibility that things would not go the way I had planned. What if the food didn't arrive, or we were missing the required number of tables for the companies? Because I knew this ahead of time, it allowed me to think of back-up plans in order to solve problems that might arise. Luckily nothing disastrous occurred, and because I went into it with this attitude I know I would have been able to remain cool and collected if something had gone wrong.  

4. Smiling Goes a Long Way
An overall positive attitude can change the whole environment of an event. Everyone who participated in the Expo that day was extremely friendly and hospitable, and I believe this was a strong reason why the Expo and Career Week were so successful. Having a positive outlook on life and the willingness to be friendly and personable will help you achieve things you never thought you could.

How Music Can Boost Productivity

By: Maureen Corbett

When I was younger, my mother always made me sit quietly at the kitchen table and work on my homework. Her justification for this was that I needed as little noise distractions as possible in order to properly focus on my work. While I had always assumed this to be true, the other day I read an interesting article in the New York Times that contradicted what she had taught me, especially in regards to music.

This article talked about the benefits of listening to music while one works, as well as several ways music can increase your productivity. Here are some interesting findings discussed in the article:

Music is Healthy for Your Brain 
Studies have proven that listening to music causes your brain to release more dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate your attention, cognition, and feelings of happiness. This will put you in an overall better mood and allows your brain to operate more efficiently. Music therapist Theresa Lesiuk also performed studies that found that listening to music keeps your mind from wandering, helps you complete tasks quicker, and stimulates more creative thought.

Genre of Music is Important
Pick music that you like! Studies suggest that as long as you are moderately skilled at your job and like what you are listening to, chances are you will become a more efficient worker. Lyric-less music may be slightly more effective, so perhaps you should try breaking away from your typical music preferences and listen to instrumental music, such as classical or jazz tunes.

Respect Workplace Etiquette 
The article touched on the fact that while music does bring many benefits to your work performance, in many cases there may be some negative consequences as well. Some co-workers find it distracting to have a loud radio playing while they are trying to focus and would prefer to work in a quiet environment. Others might perceive headphones as a rude way to block out the noises your coworkers make throughout the day. So before you start jamming out to your favorite songs at work, check to make sure you have to approval of everyone in the office.


Still interested and want to read the whole article? Follow the link below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/jobs/how-music-can-improve-worker-productivity-workstation.html?_r=0

Internship-Search Resources

By: Maureen Corbett

If you haven’t started doing so already, you’re behind on the hunt for your perfect internship this summer. Internships are essential professional experiences that help build your resume and allow you to acquire unique skills that are pertinent to your field of study. Not only can an internship teach you what you do and don’t want in a career, but it can give you the opportunity to network with successful professionals and help you build key relationships. I could go on for days about how important it is to gain internship experience before you graduate, which is the main reason why if you haven’t already started looking for one, you better start as soon as you are done reading this blog. Internship searching can be daunting, but with the help of a few resources you will be well on your way to landing the dream job-experience you've always wanted.

1     1. The Purdue LACD Website

The Career Development website has an internship and job-posting tab that will lead you to a plethora of internship information that is readily available to Purdue LA students. The LACD team posts information regarding the requirements of these internships and jobs, as well as contact information and how to apply. The website also contains links to fantastic websites that help you search for internships and full-time employment opportunities, as well as information about upcoming career fairs and company information sessions that take place right on campus.

2       2.  Professional Pathways Newsletter

Every month the LACD team emails out a monthly student newsletter to all liberal arts students containing career related information. This almost always includes newly-posted internship opportunities.  If you missed an email, the LACD website always features the latest edition, so students have no excuse not to read it.

3      3.  Glassdoor.com

Unsure of whether or not you even like the company you are applying to? Glassdoor shares company reviews, salaries for different positions, and interviewing strategies for thousands of businesses across the country. It is a great resource that will provide you with information that students can’t necessarily find in a simple internship details description.

4        4. IndianaINTERN.net

Want to stay in Indiana this summer? This site had thousands of internship openings all across the state, many of which go unfilled every summer. Create an account and start applying now!

5        5. CCO Express

The CCO Express website has endless resources and tools that will allow you to find your perfect internship in a heartbeat. One if its most impressive features is notifying you when new positions in your field open up and make the application process incredibly. Still unsure of how CCO Express works? Attend the “Making the CCO Work for You” workshop during Career Week in February. More information to follow! 

How to Utilize Your Winter Vacation (Professional Style)

By: Maureen Corbett

As winter break is quickly approaching, I'm sure I am not the only college student who can't wait to run home, jump into my favorite pair of sweatpants, and not leave my bed until January. As tempting as this might sound however, there are much more useful things you could be doing with your time. One goal that every college student should have over this break is to develop yourself more professionally. Here are some useful tips to help you get the ball rolling:

1. Search for Summer Internships
Don't wait until April or later to start looking for a position over the summer. Post companies will already have hired students and won't be interested in taking on anyone else. So while you are doing nothing over break, make sure to make a list of places you would be interested in working and start filling out some application.

2. Update your Resume
Your resume is almost never complete. There are always ways that it could be improved or tweaked. So utilize your time the next couple of weeks to really work through it and make sure it is the best it can be. Have your friends and family look over it, or take it to a professional and get their opinion. Your resume is your main tool that can help you market your abilities to potential employers, so make the most of it.

3. Volunteer Locally
Community involvement is extremely important in today's work force. Volunteering your time to an organization you are passionate about can show employers that you are not afraid to go the extra mile. It is a great thing to be able to put on a resume, and it will also make you feel like you did something productive over break.

4. Network
Reach out to professionals in a field that you are interested in. Ask if you can do field research or job shadow an employee for a day. This will allow you a peek into the every day life of that profession and help you get a sense of if this is the right job for you. There are other ways you can network as well. Create a LinkedIn account or update your existing one. The more people you know, the more possibilities that are potentially available to you in  the future.