Time Is Of The Essence
by Office Of Career Services
In the last edition of The
VOICE we discussed career plan
ning for the freshman and sopho
more years. In this final installment
of a 2-part series, we will address
the junior and senior years.
Waiting until the last minute
to begin planning your career will
likely have dire consequences. Go
ing to and performing well in your
classes alone will not guarantee
you employment upon graduation
or ensure that you have the skills
needed to be successful in your
desired career
Furthermore, with the job mar
ket still weakened by a recovering
economy, time is of the essence.
In this 2-part series, the Office of
Career Services will help you cre
ate a career plan that will ensure
your preparation, as well as build
and develop those skills needed in
reaching your overall career goals.
The Junior Year; Gaining
Career Experience
• Start considering options for
after graduation: Career and/or
graduate/professional school
• Research career options
and decide which ones are most
appealing
• Conduct informational inter
views with professionals in your
chosen career field
• Continue building practical
experience through employment,
volunteer work, internships and
co-ops
• Seek leadership positions in
campus organizations to develop
and strengthen organizational,
public speaking, writing and other
relevant skills
• Identify and research com
panies of interest. Seek out those
attending career fairs and informa
tion sessions and establish contact
with representatives
• Visit the Office of Career
services for job listings, employer
and graduate school information
and company literature
• Participate in mock inter
views and polish your interviewing
skills
• Seek internships and co-ops
that will assist you in gaining valu
able work experience
• Begin networking- make
contacts and keep a journal of em
ployment possibilities and contacts
• If considering graduate study,
identify possible schools and
request admissions information.
Prepare for and take admissions
exams
• Update and develop an effec
tive resume and have it critiqued
by the Office of Career Services
• Read the newspaper and
watch the news often. Keep up
with current events
• Attend ALL activities spon
sored by the Office of Career
Services
The Senior Year: Career/
Continued Education Seeking,
Job Search/Transition to Work &
Continued Education Activities
• Update and develop an effec-
tii/e resume and have it critiqued
by the Office of Career Services
• Become actively involved in
on-campus recruitment sessions:
interviews, information sessions
and resume referral services
• Attend all activities spon
sored by the Office of Career
Services
• Visit the Office of Career
Services for job listings, employer
and graduate school information
and company literature
• Identify companies who do
not interview on campus, research
them and network to establish
contacts
• Plan and design your own
individual job search strategy - the
Office of Career Ser/ices is your
first line resource
• Participate in mock inter
views and polish your interviewing
skills
• Take all of the graduate
admissions exams needed for
admission to graduate/professional
school
• Network.. .Network...
Network!!
• Join professional associa
tions and become actively involved
• Continue developing related
work, leadership and other skills
necessary for your personal career
objectives
The Office of Career Ser
vices would like to remind you
of our upcoming career-related
events:
Feb. 25 — CIAA Career Expo
in Charlotte (Registration required;
Office of Career Services; SBE
Suite 230)
March 25 — Spring 2010 Ca
reer & Cooperative Education Fair;
1-4:00pm in Cape! Arena. PRO
FESSIONAL DRESS REQUIRED.
For more information, contact
the Office of Career Services at
672-1098.
Aspiring For Research
by Brensha Williams
As a college student^ conducting undergraduate summer research can be as important as
getting good grades. For students considering graduate study, participating in an undergradu
ate summer research program gives you the added edge necessary to successfully apply to
and complete graduate school. Graduate admission committees and prospective employ
ers may put more emphasis on research experience than on grades or GRE scores. Many
colleges and universities across the country offer an array of summer research programs to
match your abilities and interests. Moreover, students usually receive a generous stipend and
undergraduate course credit.
Danielle Fortune, a junior biology major and FSU-RISE scholar, knows first-hand the
importance of conducting undergraduate summer research. Danielle participated in a summer
research program last summer to become more competitive for graduate school. “Participat
ing in summer research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln gave me
hands-on experience in a research laboratory. It was important for me to do
summer research to make me more competitive when I apply for graduate
school and give me the understanding of what it’s like doing research twenty-
four seven.”
According to Inside Higher Ed, an online source for higher education
news, fields in the areas of science, technology engineering, and mathemat
ics are statistically the least diverse. In both academics and the workplace,
these fields have fewer women, African-Americans, Native Americans, and
Latinos. Diversity in the STEM (Science, Technology Engineering, and
Mathematics) fields is crucial.
FSU programs such as FSU-RISE, FSU-HCOP, Optimum, FICAMS, NC-
LSAMP and the McNair program encourage diversity in the STEM majors
by engaging students in professional development and research opportuni
ties. Professor and FSU-RISE director. Dr James Raynor, highly suggests
students consider undergraduate summer research. "Students should apply
for summer research programs because they expand your knowledge of sci
ence, students gain research experience, and become more competitive for
nationally recognized graduate schools.”
Many undergraduate summer programs range from eight to twelve
weeks between May and August. Stipends range between $2,000 and
$5,000, depending on the program and length. Additionally many schools
cover the costs of housing, transportation, food, and other expenses.
Furthermore, students can meet other students with similar interests and
conduct study at other places besides their home institution. The experience
itself is invaluable.
If you’re interested in summer research now is the time to start looking for opportunities.
The best way to get started is by performing a search on the internet or by asking faculty
members about research opportunities. According to WebGuru, an online tool used to assist
undergraduates in finding research opportunities, students shouldn’t wait to be approached
about undergraduate summer research. Students should reach out and find these opportuni
ties where they exist. Additionally, many professors at FSU have opportunities for students to
conduct research throughout the academic school year. It made a huge difference for Fortune
and she says it can do the same for others. “Everyone should participate in an internship
pertaining to their field of interest. It gives you the opportunity to determine if this is what you
really love to do.”
Danielle Fortune
photo by Monique Vaughn
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