Cal Poly Career Blog

What do you want to do when you graduate?  How many times has each of us been asked that question since coming to Cal Poly?  Well, as one student who is finally nearing graduation (3 weeks and counting), I can tell you that what I started out thinking I wanted to do, and where I am at now are two completely different places!  Having gone through the Masters program in Counseling and Guidance, I have had a lot of opportunities to reflect and refine my ideas.  Add to that the fact that the economic climate has forced many of us to re-examine our options, and it is easy to see why researchers are now saying that one of the keys to success in the modern economy is what they call "ambiguity tolerance." This refers to your ability to be comfortable with the uncertainty of your future.  Since there is really nothing any of us can do to predict the future, I have decided to subscribe to the idea that I will just have to be lucky!  Of course, I do believe, as the saying goes, that "luck is when preparation meets opportunity."

How can you best prepare for the opportunities that may present themselves?  The first step is self-awareness.  How clear are you on your strengths/weaknesses, goals, values?  All of these come into play in finding a career that is truly fulfilling.  If you feel you could use some help analyzing your situation, enlist the help of a trusted friend, family member or mentor.  Or come see your Career Counselor (call 805.756.2501, ext. 4 to schedule an appointment)!  Career Services also offers free career exploration self-assessments such as the FOCUS-2 which is available to you through MustangJOBS (login through the Cal Poly portal). This can help you get started thinking about yourself and your needs-- and making your own luck!

Jeans pocket with dollar bills

Calling all dishwashers, babysitters, yard rakers, weeders and trimmers!  Movers! Drivers! Tutors and housecleaners!  Do you need a little extra spending money this weekend?  Check out the local part-time jobs in MustangJOBS, where you can find new opportunities every day.  Whether you’re looking for a long-term part-time job which you can schedule around your classes, or a one-time job to earn some quick cash, you could be helping a local business or community member and helping yourself at the same time. 

Many businesses in San Luis Obispo and the surrounding areas hire Cal Poly students as cashiers, wait-staff, stockers and clerical assistants every year, and the list doesn’t end there.  In addition, some of the elderly in the community rely on young people to assist with transportation for running errands or to and from doctor’s appointments.  Local homeowners seek out Cal Poly students for yard work, maintenance and housekeeping.  And those with experience are always in demand for childcare and tutoring.  Some local employers will even throw in added incentives such as gas money or a free lunch to show how much they value your hard work! 

Though the budget cuts have lessened some departments’ ability to hire student assistants, there are still numerous positions to be found on campus, and these too are listed on MustangJOBS throughout the quarter.  In fact, on-campus jobs become available every week.  Students who have been awarded Federal Work-Study as part of their financial aid package are particularly sought-after since their wages are federally subsidized.  Federal Work-Study jobs are most frequently posted at the beginning of each quarter, but a few of these positions do become available as the quarter progresses.  So whether you are a work-study student or not, there is no bad time to be seeking a part-time job at Cal Poly.

If a job catches your eye, don’t hesitate – call right away.  You’re not the only one interested in finding some padding for your wallet, and most of these opportunities are filling right away, even within hours of being advertised!         

With current economic conditions, the job market is more competitive than ever, and graduating with honors may not be enough to land you that perfect job.  Where employers used to “like” you to have experience, they have now come to expect it.  So how do you get experience when you are going to school to get the education they also require?  Internships, that's how.  Internships are a great way to gain valuable work experience and get an inside look at a company.  They can also help you find the right career path and may even lead to a job offer upon graduation. Below is a story from Shannon Mulhonny, who is a senior majoring in Biomedical Engineering and a student assistant here at Career Services.  She is sharing her experience of her summer internship at a prosthesis and orthotics company in Pleasant Hill, California and how her internship confirmed where she wants to be when she graduates. 

Shannon Mulhonny

“This summer I interned for a prosthetics and orthotics company in Pleasant Hill, California.  I gained valuable experience and exposure to all facets of the industry.  I was able to work directly with patients to make molds for custom orthotics and adjust their existing orthotics.  I also worked in the lab where I assisted technicians in fabricating the orthotics and prosthetics from molds.

Going into this internship, I thought this was the industry I wanted to enter after graduation, and this past summer confirmed that thought.  I worked with a patient who was a police officer in his late 20’s and was involved in an off duty motorcycle accident.  He is now paralyzed from the chest down but is the most happy, enthusiastic person about his recovery and life in general.  We made him an orthotic that locks into place to keep his knees from buckling.  Although he has no feeling from the chest down, he is able to walk with a walker while wearing the orthotic.   Adjustments had to be made daily. At the end of the summer his brace still wasn’t perfect, but through minor adjustments, he was able to stand up and balance with no help or support.  Balancing on your own may seem like a minimal thing to most of us, but to someone that has been confined to a wheelchair for 10 months, it is a great accomplishment. After seeing the impact I had on that one patient’s life, I have decided to become an orthotic and prosthetic practitioner with the military.  I loved everything about the internship and industry and can’t wait to enter it when I graduate from Cal Poly.  The idea of doing something I love and helping others (especially those that have served our country) in the process is such a wonderful feeling. Through my internship, I have found what I want to do with my life.”  

Congratulations!  You came in to Career Services and had a counselor or grad student assist you with perfecting your resume.  You applied for a job (or more than one job) on MustangJOBS that you qualified for and got an interview with the employer when they came to campus.  Hopefully you aced the interview…now what?

Not only is what you say and do and how you present yourself in the interview important, but following up with a thank you letter AFTER the interview is also critical.  Studies repeatedly show that candidates who follow up the interview with a thank you letter will almost always be chosen for the job before their peers.  Sending a customized thank you letter not only gives you an edge, it helps remind the interviewer who you are.  Many recruiters admit that some candidates get lost in the shuffle, but are rediscovered when they receive a thank you letter.

A thank you letter reiterates your strong points.  It reminds them why they should hire YOU.

Here are a few tips on writing a thank you letter:

·         Restate Your Strong Points. Hiring managers state that a thank you note is “literally the last chance candidates have to sell themselves to an employer”. Remind them why you are the best candidate.

·         Impress Them With Your Listening Skills.  State something in the letter that relates to the conversations you had during the interview. Show them you really were listening to them, not daydreaming about what the benefits and compensations are going to be.

·         Be Original.  If you have been to multiple interviews, don’t send the same general thank you letter to each recruiter and only change the names. Believe it or not, they can tell. Make your thank you letter targeted, specific and sincere to the person or people who interviewed you.

·         Thank Everyone.  If three people interviewed you, then send each of them a thank you letter. Not only will they be impressed, but they may show it to each other in an attempt to get the others to want to hire you, too. Just remember to customize each letter. A letter that is not well-thought-out (or the same to each) can only hurt you.

·         Proofread.  Double check and make sure that not only is your thank you error-free, but that you are sending it to the right employer!

Click here to see more thank you letter guidelines and a sample thank you letter.  Remember…it only takes about 10 minutes and a stamp to make a lasting impression!

One more thing on your to-do list?  Maybe so, but it could be one of the most rewarding and fun things you check off today - join a student-run club or organization.  Not only will you be having a great time with your classmates and friends, but you can also be gaining valuable leadership experience and taking part in amazing hands-on projects.  Sure, just keeping up with the coursework from your heavy class load can sometimes be a challenge, but hey, that’s what you’re here for: a challenge!  So why not make it a more rounded 4 years for yourself by taking part in something outside of the classroom or lab – something that will be just as valuable in the long run.  In fact, it could actually be your club membership that lands you a job!  Employers really want to hire well-rounded candidates, and look for students who not only have an excellent academic record but have also been active outside the classroom, who have gained leadership, communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills.  Let’s face it, a club membership looks great on your resume.  Whatever your interests and hobbies might be, chances are good that Cal Poly has a group for you.  There are over 250 clubs to choose from! 

Some clubs at Cal Poly do incredible, far-reaching things, like Engineers Without Borders for example.  In addition to local projects around campus and in the community, members of EWB actually work on international projects such as water purification in Thailand, supplying clean water to a health center in Nicaragua, and using compressed earth blocks to help develop a village in Laos.  EWB is also part of the Empower Poly Coalition, which brings together sustainability related student clubs and organizations.

Clearly there are plenty of clubs and organizations that would complement your major or further your career goals, and you should certainly check those out.  But in addition to the “sensible” choice, you should also consider joining one that is just for fun.  It’s a great way to make new friends outside of your major, and also a great way to have a good time! 

There’s the Rose Float, which has brought together students of all disciplines from Cal Poly SLO and Pomona annually since 1949 to achieve astonishing feats of creativity.  This group actually produces the only self-built float designed and constructed entirely by students, competing against professional float builders (many of whom have development budgets approaching $1 million.)  Even up against these high rollers, Cal Poly Rose Floats have won 46 awards to date!

In closing, check out the salsa club, now that’s what I call fun…. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHjw63fkmUg

 Salsa Dancing

I have known people to enter into life-long, faithful relationships for completely different reasons. Some, because they were so deeply connected and in love with a person that they could not imagine life without them. Others have devoted themselves to a partner because they were compatible – stable, shared values, the same desire to have or not have a family, interests, world view, etc and together life was pleasant and fulfilling (perfect on paper but not emotionally satisfying). And while they may not have realized it at the time - although some did – others have committed to a companion because they were flat out not sure someone better would come along.

I see graduate or professional school in much the same way. Let’s start with the student who decides to go to graduate school to study education policy. They think about it, read about it, and take every policy class possible – it’s the passion around which everything else rotates. All you need is love.

Another student makes a well-researched decision to pursue an advanced degree in Engineering Management. It’s practical, a perfect match for their research experience, opens doors to leadership positions and increases salary potential, making the quality of life they’ve dreamed of possible. It works - but maybe the passion's not there. Nice house, precious kids, good job…what more could they want?

And then there’s the shot-gun student who goes right into a low-tiered MBA program because a. they’ll never go back if they don’t go now; b. the economy stinks anyway, so why not put off the inevitable and hang out in grad school for a while or c. there’s nothing they really want to do… there’s always a chance the MBA is exactly what they’ve been looking for. Right? The friends and family say “way to go”, “I hope you’ll be very happy” knowing all the while their friend/brother/roommate has jumped without looking.

The desire to love and be loved can color our view of a relationship. Similarly our desire to know where life is headed; to experience financial stability; to answer others’ questions about our plans and to feel successful can make grad school look like the best option when in fact, we haven’t thought about life “on the other side.” Will med school, law school, a PhD, MA or MS usher us into a career we truly love? Can we live hand in hand with that degree until death do us part? Through sickness and health? Can you live with the people (siblings?), the leadership and politics (in-laws?) the trials and celebrations (birth and loss) that come with the field (life commitment) you are considering? Most importantly, are you deeply connected, in love?

Love and grad school, grad school and love. Both huge commitments. Both questions of the heart. And though we can’t help with the romantic kind of decisions you’ll make while you’re here at Cal Poly, our Career Counselors can help you with the life-planning kind – like whether or not to pursue an advanced degree. Regardless of the reasons you’re considering graduate or professional school, we “get” the dilemma. We won’t tell you what to do, but we’ll listen and ask some crucial questions – then help you apply once you’ve decided/if you’ve decided it’s the right move for you. We’ll even say “way to go”…and mean it.

For the last many years, it has been so much fun to watch Cal Poly students in action!  No group of people has made things happen more amazingly than Cal Poly interns, Co-op students and of course graduates.  Things like: preparing to make  prosthetics for wounded soldiers, designing sustainable environments, and working at the White House as a correspondent intern for CNN are only a few of the hundreds of remarkable accomplishments of our determined, energetic students! 

But ugh!  Looking for a job in today’s job market has been dispiriting for this feisty crowd and feelings of discouragement have dashed their hopes.  Or have they? 
Feeling the way you feel about not getting a job or having to settle for less than what you really want is okay.  It’s normal.  But alright already!  What you are going to do about it?

Moving forward is the key. 
And just how do you do that? 
By taking baby steps… and celebrating each success!
1. Let’s say your resume gets you a phone call.  Wow – that’s a success!
2. Then the phone call gets you an interview.  This is a good thing.
3. And, the interview gets you a site visit.  Celebrate good times!
4. And then the site visit gets you an offer! Yahoo!  You’ve got a job!

This will take time, of course – but be brave and strong willed (and develop an action packed strategic plan) like:
1. Find at least two new jobs each week that you qualify for and are excited about.
2. Customize your resume to match the job you are applying for.  Include qualifications you have that support the employer’s corporate vision, line of business, operations and values.
3. Follow up with employers.  Send thank you notes or emails thanking them for time spent with you.  If you have not heard from an employer you are interested in, contact them again after three or so weeks and let them know you are still interested in a position.  Send them an updated resume.
4. Come on people!  Where are all those snappy dressers?  Knock their socks off!    No matter what anyone tells you, first impressions count BIG TIME.
5. Come see your Career Counselor for help and encouragement. 
6. Call 756.2501 x4 to set up an appointment.

Last spring I had a career counseling appointment with a student who I’ll call “Jill.”  She was about to graduate, and she had a very specific job in mind.  Jill wanted to get into medical or pharmaceutical sales.  We discussed the importance of networking, especially when job searching.  Think about it--how many times have you heard that someone learned about a job opening or was hired because of who they knew?

After graduating, Jill took a job in sales at a health club.  It was a step in the right direction toward her ultimate career goal, but it still wasn’t the job she was hoping for.  Then one evening, Jill was at a country concert.  She casually struck up a conversation with the man seated next to her.  He was a doctor.  Not only was he a doctor, but he was the owner of a medical imaging center.  Guess what…he was looking to hire someone to market and sell his business’ preventative imaging services!  Long story short, Jill was invited to come in and interview that week.  She went through a series of interviews and was offered the position!  Did Jill just get lucky?  Absolutely not.   Jill was very intentional about actively networking – at all times.  Jill’s preparedness, her willingness to step out of her comfort zone to talk with others, and her ability to communicate all led to this opportunity (combined with a little serendipity too, of course).

You never know where your next networking opportunity may crop up, so you must always be ready to engage others and tell them a bit about yourself.  Whether it’s a family friend, the lady you see on the bus every day, or some random guy at a concert, networking opportunities are everywhere.  Take advantage of them.  If someone tells you, “hey, I know a woman who works for [insert name of your dream employer here],” don’t be shy…ask to be introduced!  Make networking work for you.  Just remember to abide by two golden rules of networking:  1) thank people and 2) respect their time.

Nowadays we have an additional tool to help us network: online social media.  Of course the Internet shouldn’t replace face-to-face networking, but sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn can assist your networking efforts.  They make it simple to access a wide range of people quickly and easily.  LinkedIn is especially useful because it is specifically designed for professional networking.  In fact, Career Services even has its own LinkedIn group to facilitate career-related discussion and professional networking within the Cal Poly SLO Community.  Check it out!

Using social media for networking is a huge topic.  It’s more than I can cover in this one blog entry, so if you’d like to learn more, come to Career Services workshop “Career Networking Using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn” next week.  We’ll be discussing how to effectively utilize LinkedIn and other social media to get ahead in your job search. Join us Tuesday, November 3rd  from 11 a.m. until noon at Career Services (124-117).  I hope to see you there!  In the meantime, remember that sometimes it IS all about who you know.

Have you thought about volunteering lately?  Maybe you don’t have a car or think you lack the time commitment needed in order to volunteer.  Look no further as there are flexible volunteer opportunities right here on campus and leads to the surrounding community.
 
Cal Poly Cat Shelter:  Do you miss your little Fluffy, Snowball or Muffin?  Well, Cal Poly has a cat shelter  right here on campus with 40 + cats that could use your love and attention.  The CP Cat Shelter started in 1992 as a Senior Project and has evolved into a shelter that has taken in hundreds of feral, stray, lost and abandoned cats, and healed them into adoptable, affectionate pets. Volunteers are needed to help clean, feed and socialize these cats and kittens making them ready for a good home.  They have many fundraising events where you can put your marketing and sales abilities to good use.  Contact Edie Griffin Shaw to get started.
 
Organic Farm: The Cal Poly Organic Farm is an 11 acre certified organic farm where you can experience and explore organic and sustainable farming and gardening techniques. How cool is that?  They have a program called “Friends of the Farm” with a variety of volunteer opportunities including farm work, fundraising, and community outreach.  On a side note, I participated in the Cal Poly Organic Farm Community Supported Agriculture Program where I was able to enjoy the benefits of these fresh fruits and vegetable weekly, check it out.  

Student Life and Leadership:  Cal Poly’s Student Life and Leadership Community Services offers ten diverse programs including: Raise the Respect, which promotes world peace and human rights, and the Beyond Shelter Program, which helps serve local homeless adults and children.  Other programs include Environmental Council, Youth Programs, and Senior Services.  All you need to do to get started is fill out a 30 second Volunteer Interest Form.
 
Volunteering has many benefits.  Not only will you be contributing to a meaningful cause while working with like-minded people, you will also be enhancing your organizational and time management skills while gaining valuable public speaking experience.  These are all transferable skills to your resume and career, as well as your everyday life to just be a better you. We all know how important volunteering is, but I think the importance lies in finding where your passion and heart is leading you, as that will provide you with the most fulfillment and greatest ability to give.

Question:  Have you volunteered before and if so, did you include it in your resume?     

Oh, and one last thing. Check out my photo below.  That’s Salvador.  I adopted this loving cat from the CP Cat Shelter while volunteering.  Maybe your loving cat is waiting for you!

 Adorable Cat

Fall Job Fair

Wednesday & Thursday, October 14 & 15, 2009

Location: Chumash Auditorium

Networking: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Interviews: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 

Whether it’s a career position after graduation, an internship/co-op while you’re in school or just exploring potential career possibilities, there’s something for everyone at the job fair.  This is your opportunity to:

* Distinguish yourself and stand out from other candidates

* Meet face-to face and make a connection with hiring managers and recruiters

* Get first-hand information about a company/organization

* Become more knowledgeable about career opportunities

* Strengthen professional networks

* Polish your interview skills

* Land an internship or full-time job

For further information, log on to my.calpoly.edu, click on MustangJOBS and look under “Events.” You can also view employers attending, search job descriptions, RSVP to the event, and submit your resume in advance.

Make sure you use the tip sheet and attend the job fair workshop. With a little research and preparation the job fair can provide you with the opportunity to make valuable contacts.