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Undergraduate Career
Connection
UnderGraduatE Newsletter
Spring 2013, Issue 8
how will you show up in your job this
summer?
Director’s Corner
Rachel Loock, Director of
Undergraduate
Programming, Office of
Career Services
Welcome to the last issue of
Undergraduate Career Connection
for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure
of attending the Smith School
Women’s Society’s (SSWS) Second
Annual Women in Business Panel.
Five panelists from different sectors
and industries shared their career
insights and experiences with
approximately 30 students. Their
advice was especially timely as
students move into internships and
full time employment this summer.
Some of the advice shared included
the following:
Showing up eager and ready to
work. Make sure you’re engaging
with co-workers fully—making eye
contact (not distracted by texting,
etc.) and listening. Deborah Berman
from Keller emphasized that you’ll
learn more by listening than talking.
She also emphasized the importance of
taking initiative in pursuing new
opportunities (asking to be assigned to a
new project) and to ask for and being
receptive to constructive feedback.
Contribute value to the projects
assigned to you. If you’re
contributing value, your boss and others
who work with you will be more likely
to be your advocate, according to Erin
McCahill, from Vocus. Karissa Getz,
from Aerotek, Inc. had this to say,
“don’t be that person who just shows up
for a pay check.” With regard to seeking
out mentors, it was suggested that most
people want to help and are willing to
answer a few questions. Rather than
asking someone to be a mentor, a better
strategy might be to start off with, “Can
I ask you a few questions?” Karissa also
encouraged students in the audience to
take on and volunteer for projects that
would stretch their skills—even if this
seems scary at first.
Seek out new opportunities Beverly Hanson Jo from Deloitte and
Erin McCahill, encouraged students to
seize the opportunity to work abroad if
possible. Both stated that they learned so
much working in another country where
they were able to learn about
themselves, cultural differences and
working outside of the U.S.
Dress the part – While some work
environments are more casual than
others, panelists stressed the
importance of always dressing
professionally, especially if the
organization is client-based.
Additionally, it was suggested that if
you aspire to management level
positions, dress for the position you
hope to attain. Your attire is noticed.
Your work and your appearance speak
volumes about you and your brand.
Uh-oh, I’ve made a mistake—now
what? Own up to it. Come clean and
apologize to your boss and others
whom this may impact. While it is
human nature to feel bad, it is
important to reflect on what you have
learned from the experience and move
on. With every project, conscious
reflection to examine what went well
and where there is room for
improvement will help you to
continually grow and add value as an
employee.
Wherever you are working after the
semester ends, have a great summer!
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Mark Your Calendar – Important Dates for Fall
NABA Annual Awards Banquet
2013
September 3
Classes Start
September 12
Career Fair Etiquette/Personal
Branding
September 16, 17, 18, 19
Employer Resume Reviews
September 20
Undergraduate Career Fair,
Riggs Alumni Center
September 24
Accounting and Business
Yinka Akingbade, President, NABA, presents award
to Pam Engle, BB&T, NABA sponsor and valued
OCS recruiting partner.
Association Accounting Fair
September 26
Interviewing for Success
September 27
AkPsi Consulting Career Day
September 30-October 4
terpAMA Marketing Week
October 8
Careers in Finance
October 11
Supply Chain Industry Day
October 15
Careers in Media
October 24 & 25
SUSA NYC Trip
October 29
Careers in HR, Management &
Ray Ruiz and Hayley Ford from KPMG are
recognized by NABA for their sponsorship.
Consulting
October 30
Retail Professional
Development Day (tentative)
For more information, please visit HireSmith.
NABA recognizes Kelsey Indorf from PWC.
SPRING 2013, Issue 8
Seniors – Please complete the Graduation Survey
If you are a senior graduating in May, please complete the survey at the link below. The survey takes
approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Information collected on the senior survey allows us to highlight the
success of our graduates! Data collected is also used to maintain statistics that are requested by recruiters,
prospective students, faculty, parents, and alumni. The Smith School of Business is also required to report this
data to media ranking services (e.g., Business Week, U.S. News and World Report, etc.) and the University.
Students who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a free Apple iPad, which will
be awarded later this summer.
http://ter.ps/SmithGrad
Please note that information reported on this survey will remain confidential. Information is reported in
the aggregate. Individual student information is not shared with third parties.
If you are still seeking a job or post-graduation opportunity, the Office of Career Services is here to
assist you. Please schedule an appointment with one of the career coaches via HireSmith or stop by VMH 2520
during walk-ins, (everyday, from 12-2 pm) to meet with a career coach. No appointment is required.
Thanks in advance for completing the survey. Congratulations to the Class of 2013!