Category Archives: On The Job
Job vs. Career: The Choice is Yours
The path to finding a career winds through many twists and turns, before it brings passionate and successful purpose into your life. Everyone sets out on this path with a distinct plan about how they envision their future. But to their amazement, where they end up is far from where they started. Maybe you didnât get your dream job right after graduation and didnât move across the country like you planned. Donât give up! Remember that your journey is your own. Different opportunities will present themselves along the way, maybe in the form of part-time jobs or a chance to volunteer. Itâs important to know how these different jobs can help you realize your full potential and lead you to a fulfilling career, no matter how laboring it may seem. You should know when to move on and challenge yourself for something greater. There is a distinct difference between a …
Job-Ready Prep for College Students
Whether you are a bright-eyed freshman or a senior counting down the days until graduation, itâs never too late to learn the best techniques to prepare for the real world. And by real world, I mean the world outside of your dorms, where meal points disappear and your class schedule turns into a full-time work schedule.
When itâs time to transition from campus to career, students should understand that although a college degree can boost your earning potential and improve your resume, it is only a small part of the employment equation. Hiring managers look for applicants who not only have the skills necessary for the job, but also whether the applicant would be a good fit in their company culture. They look for professionalism, confidence, self-motivation and willingness to accept challenges. Many of these qualities arenât a pre-requisite for your diploma, but are learned through practice and experience. Internships, …
Intern to Employee: I Said Yes to Success!
Many students have the same goal, to obtain full-time employment following an internship — whether that be transitioning from intern to employee with the same organization, or bringing their experience to another organization. In my case, it was a modified version of transitioning from intern to employee.
In January, I started my first college internship as a marketing intern with Indiana INTERNnet. The next few months I learned about the marvels of internships, while gaining first-hand knowledge and experience. As the end of spring semester approached, I was offered the opportunity of interning for the summer. I decided to decline the offer and explore full-time employment opportunities elsewhere. Little did I know, opportunity would soon knock again from Indiana INTERNnet.
Once my internship ended in May, the search for a full-time career was in full swing. Let me tell you, it is tough out there for a recent graduate. In …
Intern to Full-Time Employee: What Does it Take?
Internships arenât just for gaining real-world experience in your desired field. They are more than just programs to receive college credit, too.
Interns have an especially advantageous position within a company that has potential to turn into a full-time offer. Itâs best for interns and employers to sit down at the beginning of their experience to discuss some goals they wish to accomplish with each other. If full-time employment is a possibility at the end of the internship, interns can treat their 10-12 weeks as an ongoing interview. Here is some more advice on how you can be remembered as the rock star intern who turned into their next full-time employee.
Be dependable. Employers want to see that you are arriving on time to work, successfully hitting your deadlines, and ready to help out whenever needed. Pay attention to detail and do your work consistently well. Network with your co-workers. …
Doâs and Donâts: How to Make the Best of Career Fairs
August is slowly creeping around the corner.
Instead of being bummed out about school starting, get excited for what lies ahead! For students, this is prime-time career fair season. During the fall months as you prepare to head back to campus and get situated, itâs important to iron your blazers and dust off your networking skills.
When I was in school at Indiana University, whether I was a freshman or senior, I took advantage of career fairs every semester. I learned about job opportunities that were offered in my community and made valuable connections. A few even landed me a part-time job on campus.
Whatever you are looking for, career fairs are a great place to start. Here is a rundown of some doâs and donâts to keep in mind:
DO:
Your research! Look at what companies are attending the career fair first and narrow your options down to maximize …
Angelique Cassell: Making an IMPACT
Indiana INTERNnet celebrated internship excellence on Feb. 3, 2016, at the 10th Annual IMPACT Awards luncheon. Though the event is over and the winners have been announced, we are continuing to celebrate the nomineesâ successes.
These are their stories.
Angelique Cassell is a recent graduate of Calumet College of St. Joseph.
 Indiana INTERNnet: How did you become interested in banking?
Angelique Cassell: I was first introduce to banking when I volunteered to job shadow at Centier for a school project. I was intrigued to learn that banking is more than just money safekeeping. There I met with the vice president of HR, and she explained how they are very active in the community.
I applied to become an Enterprise Expansion Opportunity Network (EEON) Associate for internships, and when I learned about the opening at REGIONAL Federal Credit Union, I was so excited. Here is a company dedicated to providing great …
Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills: What Matters the Most?
Throughout our young adult life, weâve experienced many victories â from years in formal schooling to tribulations that come along with navigating between different jobs, friends and personal strategies of success.
These countless learning experiences began at a young age with critical decision making and problem solving in the classroom. We grasped these understandings over time and their effects rippled throughout our adolescence and beyond, shaping our perceptions and personality. When the time comes to enter into the real world and search for a job after graduation (and it will come sooner than you think), you will be called upon by future employers to explain what skills and assets you possess naturally or those youâve picked up along the way.
As students, many of us tend to focus on the hard skills we possess that correlate with our natural capacity for intelligence, our chosen degree or academic accolades. We willingly …
Intern-to-Hire: Ben Gerig
Ben Gerig is a 2015 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a mechanical engineer at Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company. He completed several internships with the firefighting and fire protection equipment manufacturing company before being hired full-time upon graduation.
Indiana INTERNnet: What attracted you to intern at Elkhart Brass?
Ben Gerig: My girlfriendâs father at the time (now father-in-law) worked at Elkhart Brass as the Production Control Manager. After my freshman year in college, he offered me a paid internship position with the promise that after interning in his department that year, I would be able to intern in the engineering department the following year.
IIN: What learning experiences and projects did you have during your internships?
Gerig: While interning in Production Control the first year, I learned a great deal about how a company runs and how the different departments within a company interact. My major responsibilities …
Setting (and Achieving!) Internship Goals
Whether youâre a student preparing for your first internship or fifth, one of the best ways to begin a new career experience is to set goals.
This may seem like a simple task, but setting aside time to create legitimate objectives can improve your enthusiasm and outcomes during an internship. Breaking down goals into three areas will make it even easier.
Here is a great place to start:
Industry-specific goals These goals are set with the intent to apply theory-based knowledge from your classroom directly to your tasks and projects during the internship. Learn new industry skills and the techniques that other employees know best. Absorb the language of the business and be ready to be a hands-on learner. If you are in marketing, maybe youâll learn design and Photoshop. If you are in informatics and computing, perhaps youâll learn Java or coding. If you are learning a new software …
The True Value of Internships
As spring semester is coming to a close, reality is setting in. Graduation is near (or has already passed for some of you), and the stress is overwhelming. School-project deadlines are approaching, upcoming final exams, and the biggest struggle of all: job searching.
If you havenât started searching for jobs, do it now! For months I have been stalking Indeed, CareerBuilder, Charitable Advisors and various organizationsâ websites for available positions. The biggest issue Iâm having is a lack of experience/education.
Iâve started thinking maybe Iâm just picky or aiming too high. A position of Assistant Director could be a leap for a recent graduate, but it somewhat matches my ideal job description. Could there be a person in a level below the assistant director who could be promoted and Iâd take their spot?
My biggest regret in college is only participating in one internship. If I had known I would …
Interview Preparedness Guide
An interview can cause stress and panic. You may spend hours on Google searching for what to wear, what to ask during the interview or what to do after the interview. Hereâs a guide to help you prepare for an interview and reduce your stress level.
By preparing your interview outfit in advance, you can help ease the morning stress of worrying about what youâre going to wear. Also, this gives you the opportunity to iron, hem, sew on buttons or lint roll your outfit. What youâre wearing to the interview should correlate with the organization youâre interviewing at. A corporate law firm is going to have a very professional dress code and you should wear a neat suit. However, for a more relaxed organization you may consider losing the tie. If youâre unsure about what the company dress code is, do some research on its web site …
Graduation in GIFs
May is the month of graduation! Students will proudly don their caps and gowns while hoping they donât trip on the stage. Hereâs a collection of GIFs to help prepare you for that special day.
The pride of completing your degree
The satisfaction of completing your degree is hard to beat. Youâve spent years attending classes, studying, working on projects and stressing over exams. Now, youâre hard work is being rewarded by a diploma. You should feel proud of yourself, graduating is a major accomplishment. As Kelly from The Office would say, âYouâre, like, really smart now.â
Thinking about continuing your education?
This is a question youâre going to hear a lot when you graduate. âWhat is your next step?â âAre you considering graduate school?â It can be a difficult decision. You should weigh your options and decide what is best for you. If youâre like …
The End of Spring Semester According to âNew Girlâ
Each April brings a lot of stress to college students. It signifies the approaching end of the spring semester. The characters of New Girl seem to understand the stress of college at this time of year.
Letâs be honest, a college student is usually stretched for time anyways. As finals are approaching, time becomes more strained. Trying to find a few minutes to eat can seem impossible. Just remember, food and water are essential to human life.
The spring semester brings prospective students to campus to tour the grounds and crowd the line at the coffee shop. If youâre in the thick of finals week, these fresh-faced young people may seem foreign to you. Just remember, you were once in the same position they are in, and one day they will be in yours.
At some point, youâre going to realize what …
Write a Compelling Internship Posting, Part III
Summer internship season is quickly approaching. This is Part III of a three-part series on crafting internship postings that will attract qualified candidates on Indiana INTERNnet and elsewhere.
The first part of this series provided general tips for posting an internship, the second part highlighted the strengths of a well-written internship posting. This post will feature the use of keywords and promoting an internship.
Many students search for internships using keywords, therefore if you want your internship to be seen you should plan accordingly. For example, if a student is searching for a public relations internship they may use keywords such as communications, public relations, public affairs, community outreach and marketing. By including these keywords, the internship will be easier for candidates to find.
The best place for keywords is in the internship title. However, be selective with the words you choose. Decide which term best describes the internship and …
Write a Compelling Internship Posting, Part II
Summer internship season is quickly approaching. This is Part II of a three-part series on crafting internship postings that will attract qualified candidates on Indiana INTERNnet and elsewhere.
The first part of this series provided general tips for posting an internship. Read the full entry here. This post will highlight the strengths of a well-written internship posting. While you examine the internship posting take notice of the position title, organization biography, keywords, dates, responsibilities and qualifications.
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Indiana INTERNnet Marketing Intern Summer 2016
Description
Indiana INTERNnet is a business-education partnership between the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana employers and Indiana education institutions to promote the quality and quantity of internship opportunities statewide. www.IndianaINTERN.net serves as the stateâs online matching system connecting students and employers for internship opportunities.
Indiana INTERNnet is currently offering a paid summer internship to assist staff members with internship activities. Internship will last approximately May to August 2016 …