Is There Graduate School in Your Future?

Next week offers a virtual smorgasbord of workshops and admission panels for the UCSB student planning ahead for possible graduate or professional school culminating on Thursday’s Annual Graduate Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside in the Arbor Mall. Most students can see the participant list of more than 80 graduate and professional business, education, law, medical, psychology programs by going to our web page at http://career.ucsb.edu under “Career Fairs”. Students might also wish to sort their options by going to the website http://gradschools.com.

Our staff is proud to have such a diverse and outstanding line-up for everyone. We work hard to pull in leading admission representatives to give further details on admission strategies, scholarships and financial aid options. We also team up with our local area Kaplan and Princeton Review test preparation services to give details for GRE, LSAT, GMAT, and MCAT. Most students do not realize that GRE and GMAT are now computerized so there is flexibility when you sign up and take either of these tests. Nor do students know that scores are good for up to five years after you graduate in case you decide to wait. Our Reference Letter Service is also good for five years after you graduate. We strongly suggest you solicit letters from your professors and/or TAs before you leave us this December or June. This way you won’t have to worry if these individuals will remember you one or two years out. Details are also on our webpage at: http://career.ucsb.edu/rls/index.html#at (more…)

Hungry for Careers?

I enjoy stopping at tables of employers hungry to hire bright UCSB students. Besides the free pens, mugs and Frisbees, one often discovers that you are speaking with a fellow Gaucho now on the other side helping out those who want to follow in their footsteps.

In this digital day of on-line applications, it’s nice to connect a personal face with an organization, and feel encouraged that maybe you too could find a corporate home beyond UCSB. While the information overload can be overwhelming, at least there is hope of what next steps are needed to get a foot in the door. This year’s fall fair will host almost 60 different companies ranging from Amgen to Enterprise Rent-A Car or Verizon Wireless to Peace Corps and Teach for America. Twenty-four companies offer internship programs, the single best way to test drive a career and prove yourself worthy of an offer upon graduation. (more…)

Greening Your Career

The other night I stumbled on Ken Burn’s PBS six part series on our National Parks: America’s Greatest Idea (See http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/about/). Having rafted down the Grand Canyon Colorado river after a hike down Angel’s steep trail, and having witnessed the magical fairy like quiet when the Sunday night rain turned into fluffy snow flakes inside the floor of Yosemite Valley after crowds disappeared, I had no idea how precarious or impossible these amazing encounters with nature might have been had it not been for the foresight of John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt. The agonizing struggle of the Hetch Hetchy Dam in 1913, a debate that still continues today. The “utilitarian” view of Gifford Pinchot of the “greatest good for the greatest number” versus Muir’s spiritual preservationist desire to save earth’s sacred canyon valleys. Such are the complexities and amazing opportunities of balancing “open spaces” with population and economic demands. I was inspired and hope that this career series can help you find your pathway in this critical time of global warming and climate change. As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” (more…)

Skills Employers Want and New Graduates Lack: Bridging the Gap

I read an article recently about a 2009 survey conducted by the National Association of College and Employers. In it, employers rank ordered the following as the skills they most want in their new hires:

• Communication skills
• Strong work ethic
• Teamwork skill
• Initiative
• Analytical skills
• Computer skills
• Flexibility/adaptability
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Technical skills

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Polish Your Résumé

A week or two ago, the following cover letter was emailed to me:

Hi Michael,

My name is Sarah Parrish I am a current CLU graduate student, I talked to you over the pnone in regards to the Student Peer Advisor position, but as I am no longer a UCSB student I do not qualify.  Attached you will find my resume as you have reuested.  I hope we can work something out.  I would like to volunteer or intern if at all possible.

Hours of Availability: 8:00AM to 11:30AM  Mon.-Fri.

Thank you,

Sarah Parrish

CLU graduate student

Oh my gosh!
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E-mailing Your Cover Letter and Résumé

E-mail communication has become increasingly popular in the job application process. Professional e-mail is very different from casual email or instant messaging. First, here are some general tips:

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Do I Have to Write a Cover Letter?

Students often ask me this question.

It is the wrong question.

You should be asking “Can I write a cover letter?” (more…)

Applying for Jobs

The next few weeks will be devoted to helping you put together a dynamite application/cover letter/résumé package. Typically this is your first introduction to an employer, so you want the package to be pitch perfect and to stand out from the crowd. When employers are receiving 70 to 100 applications for a single job, making yours stand out is critical.

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