F E ATU RE S
7
March 18, 2011
Getting ahead ef the pack: tips far jeh seekers
By Andrew Glass
Staff Writer
Whether you are a graduating senior
searching for a job or just looking for the
perfect internship or summer job, you
might be feeling lost and overwhelmed.
Instead of pulling your hair out in frustra
tion, try these steps to help you get through
the difficult process.
Preparation
"The most difficult part of a job search
is ensuring that you are clear on what you
want to do for a living," said Kyle Kiser '06
in an e-mail interview.
According to Alan Mueller, director of
The Career Development Center, a great
way to start is through "career deconstruc
tion."
Find your dream job and then research
it: read books and websites. Find someone
who is working in your dream job. Talk to
them, ask to see their resume, find out how
they got there, and what the job is really
like. Find the major that will help prepare
you for the job you want.
"Try to pick up some hard skills," said
Carl Simon '07. "Take practical classes while
at Guilford."
One of the most important facets of
preparation is hands-on experience.
"Employers operate in the skills-based
world," said Mueller. "Employers are very
tuned-in to what skills you have."
This is where internships and volunteer
experience really factor in. Find opportuni
ties to develop the skills potential employ
ers are going to want from you.
The Search
Use Google to search for job openings.
"Search engines are definitely the way to
go," said senior Jillian Farnham, who has
applied for over 20 jobs.
Type in the job you want and see what
comes up. Use job search websites such as
Careerbuilder.com. Visit the CDC and use
their resources as well.
"Do not be afraid to e-mail or call people
them so you can learn more about their job
and the industry.
"The good thing about informational net
working and interviewing is you are getting
your name out and you are connecting with
people who are doing what you want to
do," said Career Coordinator and Advisor
Teresa Fitzgerald.
The Application
The majority of job applications require
both a cover letter and resume. Search out
"One thank you card could make the difference between you
and the next four candidates."
Alan Mueller, director of the Career Development Center
you know in the field (to find open posi
tions)," said Simon.
Networking is also helpful. Knowing
someone already in the field or company
will help when it comes time to apply.
"It is not common for a person to get
hired from applying online or blindly send
ing a resume," said Kiser. "Use any and
every network contact that you have avail
able to you."
A less well-known, but no less useful
form of networking is informational net
working. Start by finding someone in the
career you want. Call and ask to meet with
free templates online when drafting yours
or visit the CDC for personalized feedback.
"Cover letters are different for every (job
application)," said Farnham. "People have
to show why they are interested, not just
how they are qualified."
When writing a resume, it's often best
to place relevant experience first and then
other experience, letting the employer know
your best qualifications at first glance.
If you get an interview, one of the
best things you can do is to relax. Give a
strong handshake, maintain eye contact,
and answer thoughtfully to all questions.
Think about answers to common questions
beforehand, especially the "tell me about
yourself" question. Ask questions about the
company as well.
"A person in a management position will
be far more impressed that you are asking
thoughtful, relevant questions than they
would be if you memorized their stock
price or the CEO of the company," said
Kiser.
Make sure to send a thank you card after
the interview.
"One thank you card could make the
difference between you and the next four
candidates," said Mueller.
The Decision
Once you've gone through the applica
tion and interview process, be sure to talk to
mentors on how they have dealt with rejec
tion. It will help you know how to bounce
back if the answer is no.
If you are accepted, you should do more
research.
"Extensively research the company and
have a few questions to show them you are
serious," said Farnham.
Once you decide on a job, differentiate
yourself from your coworkers by building
skills they may not have, such as computer
or language sldlls.
If you are rejected do not let it get to you.
For every one person accepted, there are
dozens who are rejected. This is why you
have to apply to more than one place.
"I found that people who did not get dis
couraged, who were confident and positive
were more successful," said Simon.
Life Before Guilford: Nancy Daukas
By Sage Donpineo
Staff Writer
On the day that Associate Professor of Philosophy Nan
cy Daukas turned six, John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
"That's when I realized how big the world was," Daukas
said. "Everything came to this standstill ... there was no
birthday party that year."
Daukas was born in Germany because her father was in
the service. When she was a year old, her family moved to
the suburbs of Hartford, Connecticut.
"It was a traditional upbringing," said Daukas. "Every
summer for two weeks my family would go to the beach."
After graduating high school, she went to Swarthmore
College in Swarthmore, Penn., where she met her partner
Eric Downing and realized her passion: philosophy.
"I walked into a philosophy class, and by the end of the
class, I was hooked," said Daukas.
After a year, she got what she called "California Fever."
After transferring to UC Berkeley, she bought an old VW
Beatle and drove it across the country with Downing.
Daukas lived in California for 12 years, finished her un
dergraduate degree in philosophy, and took a couple years
off. During that time, she managed an open-air produce
market.
"California, said Daukas, "was where I belonged."
"The light, the landscape, the social environment... it's
just a really great place to be. You just live outdoors. I like
to run, hike, swim in the open water, and it's a great place
for that."
While at UC Berkeley, Daukas was a teaching assistant.
One night she saw a startling scene at a Grateful Dead
concert.
"One of my students, who was having a rough semes
ter, climbed up on stage, threw herself onto (the keyboard
player) Brent Mydland's arms, and received a full-on
mouth kiss from Brent," said Daukas. "One of the roadies
picked her up, threw her onto his shoulder, and carried
her offstage. The next time I saw her (in class), she was
beaming."
While living in California, Daukas traveled with Down
ing throughout Europe, staying mostly in Germany, Italy,
and Greece.
"It was exciting to be somewhere totally new," Daukas
said. "I was born in Germany, and even though we left
when I was a year old, I had felt this pull towards it."
After they came back, she started graduate school (still
at UC Berkeley) in 1982. She and Downing moved to Cam
bridge, Mass., in 1995, where she finished her dissertation
I Associate Professor of Philosophy Nancy Daukas
converses in her office on campus. (Left) Daukus perches with
her daughter Jessi at the top of a slide in Belmont, Mass.
on contemporary responses to Cartesian skepticism.
She married Downing in 1989, and their daughter Jessi
was born in 1990.
"We've been together since we were 18,",Daukas said.
While in Cambridge, she and Downing were looking
for teaching jobs. Daukas received an offer at Guilford,
and her partner found a position in Chapel Hill.
"I would have never guessed that I would have ended
up in North Carolina," Daukas said. "I am so lucky. I have
family scattered in the most beautiful places."