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Question of the Week #6: Is it too late to look for summer internships after exams?

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Is it too late to look for summer internships after exams?
–  Paul Riley  ‘15

Thanks, Paul! A lot of students have the same question on their minds—so, I think your question is very timely and important.

No, it is NOT too late to look for summer internships!  Although some of your friends have already secured summer jobs, a lot of industries and companies are still actively recruiting students for summer positions.  With that being said, you still need to begin looking as soon as possible! Though internships can still be found, application deadlines vary. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity because you didn’t know when the deadline was! Here are my quick tips on how you can START your internship search now.

  1. Make a list of your interests. What do you like to do? Where do you want to work? Before you start looking, you want to have an idea of the type of opportunities you are looking for.  Also, remember to keep your options open. Instead of looking for only paid internships, also look at unpaid opportunities. Set on staying in the U.S.? Why not research international internships, too? Don’t box yourself in too early.
  2. Check out the Online Resources page on the Career Services’ website. This is a great one-stop portal to a list of industry search engines that can help your internship search.  Of course, TigerTracks and UCAN should be your first stop. Make sure to register for both and start scouring the sites looking for positions that interest you. Try keeping track of each position’s deadline and needed materials. Some postings may require references, writing samples, or a link to a portfolio of some sort. Make sure you know what needs to be submitted and when!
  3. Ask around! Ask people you know about current opportunities they may have heard about. You never know who has information about available internships.  Take the time to email friends, family members, former employers, professional contacts, alumni or even professors you know and ask them to keep you in mind if they hear of any potential internship opportunities.
  4. Follow and like the Career Services Facebook and Twitter pages. We are constantly posting about career events, advice, and opportunities specifically for Princeton students.  You’ll also be reminded about our upcoming Career Services events such as our Summer Internship Fair and Nonprofit Fair, which will both take place on Feb. 15th from 11 am – 3 pm at Dillon Gym.
  5. Make an appointment with a career counselor. Our career counselors are here to help you at whatever point of the internship search stage you are at. They can help you make a customized plan and search strategy. They can also review your resume, cover letter, or interview applications. Go to Career Services website or call us at 609-258-3325 to schedule an appointment today.

 

Question of the Week #5: What are some ways I can get in contact with people whose careers I’m interested in?

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“What are some ways I can get in contact with people whose careers I’m interested in?”
– Chengcheng Gui ‘14

Great question Chengcheng! I think it’s great that you are already thinking about how to network and make connections with people of interest in the professional world. As a junior, you are making the right strides towards developing and building your professional contacts. Here are my quick tips on how you can find and make lasting connections with those in careers that are of interest to you.

  1. Ask people you know to refer you.  One of the best starting points for any networking endeavor is by asking people you know to connect you. Try asking family members, close friends, or coworkers if they know anyone in the field or profession that might be willing to talk to you. Getting personal referrals is always a benefit when making connections. Be specific about the kind of contacts you are looking for. You might be surprised to see how many people you are already connected to.
  2. Reach out to Princeton Alumni. Princeton alumni are always willing to help fellow tigers! The Princeton Alumni Careers Network is  a great way to find contacts in careers that are of interest to you. Through Tigernet, you can access the alumni directory and find potential connections. Use the “custom search” tool to search for employment information. Or, use the advanced search features in LinkedIn to identify Princeton alumni working at particular organizations
  3. Try setting up informational interviews at organizations in your field of interest. Most professionals love to talk about their career paths. If you don’t have a contact, look for one via searching by company name in the advanced search section of LinkedIn. Or, visit company websites or perhaps call companies directly to ask for the contact information of someone in the role or department you might be interested in. Explain that you are a college student who is looking to find out more about career paths in the field and that you would like to schedule an informational interview.  Be flexible, accommodating, and most of all, respectful of the individual’s time. Interviews can be held in person, on the phone, or via e-mail or Skype! Prepare a list of questions in advance. Don’t try to sell yourself or ask for a job during this meeting. Instead, focus on learning more about the individual and their field. Afterwards, be sure to send a thank you note and mention one or two specific pieces of advice you were given and how you will act upon those in the immediate future. One tip for making sure the relationship moves forward is to mention that you will be sure to keep in touch regarding your progress.
  4. Follow and Engage with professionals on social media. Social media is a great way to connect with people that you want to get to know. For example, you might want to follow industry leaders and professionals on Twitter and engage with them, too. You’ll be surprised by what happens. Let’s say they post a really great article. I recommend replying to his/her tweet with a personal response.  You might say “Thanks for sharing this. As someone who is really interested in this field it was good to learn something new!” Or, you might as a specific follow-up question such as “What did you think about _______(be specific if you can)?” is a great conversation starter.  Finally, why not mention this person in your own personal tweet. Once, on Twitter, I mentioned a particular company in a tweet and the CEO responded to me asking to know more about what I had learned about the company. I followed him and thanked him for his response. He ended up following me back! Other great sites to utilize are Facebook and Linkedin! Great networking contacts are available on social media so make sure you are utilizing it to your advantage. Check out this advice about using social media to make professional connections.
  5. Attend career fairs and employer presentations. Career fairs are great ways to connect with recruiters, hiring managers, and already-established professionals in different industries. When browsing booths, make sure to get the contact information from recruiters and make sure to reach out to them after the fair! Employer presentations and information sessions are also great ways to make connections. Not only do you get to learn more about an organization of interest, but you get to personally meet those who work there. Again, always do your homework in advance and come prepared with questions!
  6. Join professional organizations.  Most careers and industries have one, so make sure to do your research and try joining one today. Many of them offer mentoring programs, conferences, job boards, and other resources for their members. Plus, some even have special membership rates for students. For a list by industry, visit the “online resources” page.

Chengcheng, I hope this information was useful to you. There are so many ways that you can connect with individuals in careers that interest you. It’s all about keeping your options open, being creative, and doing the necessary legwork that is required to start building those relationships. For more advice, check out the Networking section in Career Services’ Career Planning Guide!

Question of the Week #4: I have interviews coming up. What’s the best way for me to prepare?

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“I have interviews coming up. What’s the best way for me to prepare?”
– Amina Yamusah ‘13

Great question, Amina! I am so glad that you asked this question.  Preparing for interviews is an absolute must!  You never want to go into an interview unprepared. Interviewers will pick up on this and will certainly not be impressed.  Even the most qualified job applicants can be turned down because of their lack of preparedness for what the interview will entail. Here are some important steps that you can take so that you will be adequately prepared and feel confident on the day of your interview!

Research the organization.  You should walk into an interview with some basic knowledge of what the organization does, how well it is doing, and its standing within the industry. Look for interesting facts about the company as well current news, recent press releases, and stock trends.  It will be beneficial for you to find out about the company’s newest products, projects or services. I also recommend connecting with the company via Facebook and Twitter. This is an easy way to find out how the organization is engaging with the public. After you do this, identify two key facts you can bring up during the interview and at least two questions you have for the company. Make sure to write them down on a piece of paper that you can bring into the interview. Don’t try to memorize them (you may be nervous and forget all the cool stuff you learned during your research).  Finally, you should know why you want to work for the organization you are interviewing for. Many interviews often start with the question “Why do you want to work here?” Take some time to synthesize all that you have learned about the company. What interests you the most? Create a two- liner that encapsulates how your skills, talents, and experience will ultimately serve as a future asset to the organization. 

Be prepared to talk about yourself.  Employers want to know about you–as a person! Take a few moments to jot down information about your education, work experience, and key strengths that really make you unique.  When talking about your education, highlight some of your academic experiences, mention memberships, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles you might have held. Talk about a topic that you are passionate about. Show how your experience thus far has helped you grow this passion.  Remember to let your personality shine through!

Know how you fit in.  Employers are looking for the best fit for their organizations. Some of the ways that you can find out how your personal qualities might align with that of the company you are interviewing for is by evaluating the employer’s mission statement.  Think of personal qualities in yourself that match their company values. Make a list of three personality traits that you will be sure to highlight in the interview. Oftentimes, interviewers ask interviewees how they will be an asset to the organization. If you already have a list, you’ll be one step ahead.

Match skills with job description. Make sure to review the job description for the position you are applying for before you interview. Reflect on the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities that the employer is looking for you. Comb your resume and past experience for examples that show how you are qualified for the position. An easy way to do this is by creating a list of employer requirements, followed by a “prove- it” statement that highlights your unique selling points for each employer requirement. Make sure these examples are specific. Also, you might want to prepare stories that showcase how you handled a unique situation, problem, or objective. Be sure to include the actions you took to resolve this problem and the results accomplished. Accomplishments should be quantified whenever possible. Also, remember to note any special recognition or award you received because of your work!

Set up a mock interview.  The career counselors at Career Services are a great resource for you to practice all of the above.  Our counselors will meet with you and conduct a “mock” interview. Afterwards, they will give you feedback and advice on what steps you can take to sharpen your interview skills. Make sure you set up an appointment with one of our counselors, if you haven’t already.

I hope you find this information useful, Amina. Good luck with your upcoming interviews!

(The information above contains excerpts from the Pre-Interview Worksheet written by Eva Kubu.)

Not Another Facebook Update!

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When Facebook suddenly changed to timeline, there was widespread controversy. Some liked the double-picture spread. Others were concerned that the change would make it far too easy for viewers to access the early years of your Facebook history. And who wants their middle school pictures open to the public?

Now it’s not just Facebook that’s changing. LinkedIn has also recently altered its format to a new, more visually streamlined profile format. But before we hem and haw over social media changes, let’s take a look at the details. This format may just work to your advantage.

So what’s different? First thing you’ll probably notice is that your picture is much bigger. While the photo slot is still square-shaped, it will be all the more noticeable when viewers land on your page. As always, make sure it’s professional! Additionally, the layout of your information will no longer appear like a print resume converted online. In fact, it will read visually a bit like the Facebook “About” section. The logo of each company you have worked for will appear next to its title.  Each category of the profile (i.e. “Experience,” “Education,” or “Organizations”) will be headed in dark, all-capped font. And next to each heading will appear its own logo.

Second, to the right of your profile you’ll see something called “Profile Strength.” This is a measure visible only to you that will tell you how competitive your profile is on LinkedIn. While this measure is mostly based on completeness of your profile, there’s another way you can strengthen your profile with another new LinkedIn feature.

Now, at the top of your profile any viewer can see your activity feed—did you connect with a new person? Post a status? Update your photo? This feed is a good way to show your connections, what you’re up to, and the more you come up in the news feed the better. Aim for adding something to your profile about once a month.

Another key change is your new ability to “follow” thought leaders—a similar system to following on Twitter or subscribing on Facebook. Take a moment to research the top thinkers in your field. This feature will help keep you up-to-date and also help others learn a bit more about your interests and aspirations.

My overall impression is optimistic. Because of the easy on the eyes layout, people who view your profile will better be able to remember you. Sounds fair enough. See for yourself. For more information on building your best LinkedIn profile, visit Career Services social media page.

Question of the Week #3: How can I find an internship over the summer as a sophomore?

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“How can I find an internship over the summer as a sophomore?”
– Nonny Okwelogu ‘15

Great question, Nonny! First of all, I want to let you know that it is not too late to find a summer internship as a sophomore! Sophomore year is an interesting time to be a student. This is the year when you are narrowing down your major choices and finding out what you really want to focus on during your future here at Princeton. Don’t limit yourself, per se, but take this year to really explore the range of opportunities open to you as a sophomore. You may find that many of your junior friends have already secured summer internships or are well on the path to securing one. Don’t let that discourage you. Career Services has many resources that will help you find an internship that fits you. Here are some resources here at Career Resources that you can utilize in your internship search!

  • Attend the Summer Internship Fair/Nonprofit Fair on February 15, 2013, from 1-3 pm in the Frist Multipurpose room. There will be a host of companies in attendance that are looking for eager future interns such as yourself. This will be a great time to network with professionals and learn about opportunities that are available to you. Not sure how to prepare for the fair? Click here for a link to our website that can help you prepare for the fair!
  • Create a profile on TigerTracks and start searching for internships there! TigerTracks is Princeton’s online system with current postings of internships, fellowships, and full-time jobs. Alumni and employers who are seeking candidates from Princeton are encouraged to post here.  In addition to searching for postings, you can research employers, upload and store application documents, apply for positions, and sign up for on campus interviews.  I encourage you to make the most of this tool!
  • Sign up for an account on UCAN, a shared online system just for internships! Its postings are geographically diverse and include opportunities that you may not be able to find on TigerTracks. As someone seeking an internship, it is in your best interest to sign up today and start checking out the internships being posted.
  • Check out the Finding an Internship webpage on the Career Services’ website. This page lists all the steps that you can take to really prepare for finding an internship. Some of the tips include:
    –  Identifying internship programs in a variety of industries
    –  Preparing a cover letter and resume
    –  Talking directly with employers
    –  Reaching out to and connecting with alumni…. and much more!
  • Check out the resources by industry page of our website for specific links within your area of interest.  There are dozens of industries listed and hundreds of helpful resources.
  • One of the most critical things that you should do is make an appointment with a career counselor as soon as possible. They can help you plan an internship search strategy that is specific to your needs. If you have a specific area of interest, try meeting with a career counselor who specializes in that area. For example, Abbey Racelis is our arts and nonprofit counselor, and can help you find out about opportunities available in these fields. Make sure you schedule an appointment online or call our office during normal business hours at 609-258-3325. Our counselors are here to help you no matter what step of the process you are in.

Nonny, I hope you found this information to be very useful. I wish you the best finding an internship! I know you can do it!

Review of Maisha Walker’s IMAGINE Series Talk

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Guest Blog Post by Vivian Gao ‘15

Looking at Maisha Walker (Class of ’94), one would not expect to hear that she was anything but confident in her career path; with her warm, infectious smile and enthusiastic attitude, she appeared every bit the successful entrepreneur who loved what she did.  But this had not always been the case, as Walker revealed to a group of students during her recent talk at Career Services as part of the Imagine series.  As a French major who graduated without an idea of where she wanted her career to go, Walker shared that she tackled the job-search process post-graduation armed with only a pencil and the NY Times Classified Ads. Now, Walker is the Founder and President of Message Medium, a digital marketing agency that helps new and reinvested brands create dynamic and profitable presences online.

Walker started off her story with a funny anecdote from her senior year at Princeton, during the time of year when students start flocking to Career Services clean-shaven and in business-suited hoards.  Walker laughingly recalls how she flagged down one of the girls on her way to an interview (“which probably wasn’t the nicest thing, now that I think back on it”) and asked the girl what she was interviewing for.  Upon hearing the response “consulting and investment banking,” Walker admits that she had no idea what the fields were at the time, and by the time she realized that she actually found the “amorphous field of business” interesting, all the deadlines for applications were already past.  This story perhaps serves as a gentle reminder to students on just how common it is for students not to have life planned out upon graduation. Later Walker would go on to work at Morgan Stanley as an Analyst for 3 years, before a long string of various jobs she took on before ultimately finding her passion for marketing and digital media.  This served as further evidence that your career path is not always a straight line and that there may be many twists  and turns on the road to finding your passion.

Maisha Walker ’94 was the guest speaker for Career Services’ IMAGINE Speaker Series. Walker delivered a talk for students about her unimagined career journey on November 28th.

In her talk, Walker emphasized to students the importance of reaching out and striving for perfection, from her experiences with connecting through Princeton’s alumni network (post-graduation) and getting an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, to messing up a large-scale project because of carelessness in working with Excel.  And, although not directly, Walker demonstrated how optimism was the biggest contributor of all to success: throughout the experience of being unemployed and even being fired, Walker maintained that she was determined to continue exploring different career fields and learn from her mistakes.

In her current capacity as head of a digital marketing agency and the creator of the blog “The Internet Strategist” for Inc. Magazine, Walker has plenty of advice for eager students looking to network, use social media to build their online image, and land the perfect job.  But at the heart of the question of “how do I find my ideal career?”, Walker seems to advocate the old fashioned method: if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!  I really enjoyed hearing this honest, upfront, and personal talk from an accomplished alumna like Ms. Walker (you can watch her talk here) and look forward to hearing from future Imagine Series speakers this spring.

 

Question of the Week # 2: After seniors graduate, what kind of access do they have to Career Services’ resources?

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“Once seniors graduate, how much access do we get to Career Services’ resources?”
– Diana Li ‘12

Great question, Diana! Have no fear, Career Services will still be here for you once you graduate. Career Services is here to help you as a new alum and even when you become an experienced professional in the process of redefining or changing your career. In this blog post, I’ll identify the key Career Services resources that will be available to you as a new alum once you graduate in 2013.

  1. Career Services Appointments.  You will still be able to make Career Services appointments to meet with career counselors. You can either have an appointment in person or make an appointment to have a phone or Skype conversation with a counselor. Counselors are able to help you at whatever stage of your career.
  2. Another great resource that is still available to alum is our great Pre- Law Advising.  Our prelaw advisor is available to help you with all your law school questions and needs. You can make an appointment to speak by phone or in the office.
  3. Access to Tiger Tracks Alumni Portal.  As an alum, you still have access to Tiger Tracks, our online job-posting portal–however, you will now have access to the “alumni portal.” In fairness to each graduating class, the student portal is available only while you are an active student. This is why it is important to take advantage of the all of Career Services’ resources now, while you are still in school. After graduation, you will be allowed to access job postings that have been designated for alumni.
  4. Alumni Careers Network.  All Princeton alum have access to the Alumni Careers Network. This is a great Internet database of alumni who volunteered to offer career advice for students and fellow alumni. It is actually one of the most popular resources used by students and alumni. There are over 4,600 alumni volunteers worldwide. In an email introduction, you should mention that you found their name on the ACN and ask if they would be available to answer a few questions you had about their industry, organization or role. Be sure to have specific questions and to thank them in advance for their time and consideration.
  5. Credentials Files. Career Services offers a file storing service for your letters of recommendation and can send them out upon your request. This service is especially convenient for those applying to several schools with letters from multiple recommenders, or for those students and alumni who intend to apply in future years. Students and alumni who are interested in applying to any kind of graduate or professional school, as well as fellowships, scholarships, and special nominated internships should consider using this service. Please note,  The Credentials File Service is only for letters for graduate and professional schools—not employers. Your file will be maintained free of charge while you are a student at the University and for one year after graduation.
  6. Website. One of the greatest resources Career Services provides is its fabulous website—chuck full of helpful advice and resources! Log on to  www.princeton.edu/career and explore the site. There is so much career- related advice and resources directly on the website that can help you answer any career question you have. You can access this site from anywhere, which is why it is so great. In particular, you should browse the career resources under “links by industry.”
  7. Career Services Events.  If you are ever in the Princeton area, you are always welcome to come to any Career Services event or panel, including our annual career fairs.
  8. Alumni Partnering. One of the greatest things about being a Princeton alum is the opportunity to give back to the Princeton community. Here are the ways that you can be involved with Career Services post graduation. Click here for more detailed information.
  • Join the Alumni Careers Network to volunteer to help students and alumni with career advice and networking opportunities
  • Host a Princeternship. Want to take a Tiger under your professional wing? Princeternships are a great way to partner with current students and help them figure out what career is right for them.
  • Speak on Career Panels & Attend Networking Receptions. We actively seek alum to come back to campus and speak at our Career Services panels and networking events. Don’t forget about us when you graduate!

Diana, I hope I have answered your question. As a fellow senior, I think a lot of students might be wondering what happens after graduation. I would encourage you (and all seniors) to set up an appointment with a career counselor asap to review your job search strategy and make sure you are on track before we enter our final semester here at Princeton (if you haven’t already done so!).

It’s Career Services’ 100th Birthday!

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It’s somebody’s Birthday! Career Services is having its centennial celebration this year, and you’re invited to the party.

The office, founded as the “Self-Help Bureau” in 1912, has passed through some significant changes over the last century, but one thing has remained the same—its commitment to students. Throughout the years the office has served students and alumni in a feat that has helped land students in hundreds of thousands of jobs. Today, Career Services is a staff of 16 full-time professionals plus student workers and volunteers. Together they are responsible for putting on an informational event nearly every day, around five job or internship fairs yearly, meeting with around 50 students a day, reaching out to hundreds of companies and organizations, organizing the hustle-bustle of job and internship interviews throughout fall and spring, and much, much more.

Today more than ever, Career Services thrives to have a close relationship with the students it serves. Whether it’s meeting with students for counseling sessions, hearing feedback on events, engaging with students of all classes, or publishing student reports on Princeternships, Career Services has taken recent strides to incorporate student voices. In recent years, Career Services has been bringing students into the office—this time behind the desk. Student workers greet you at the front and make sure the office’s busy schedule runs smoothly. Student interns help take care of communications and graphic design for flyers and promotions. Career Peer Advisors help underclassmen with the job search and help plan and run informational events in residential colleges. Student volunteers lend a hand at major events as well. And bloggers (like me) research and report the latest buzz in Career News.

“Student feedback and input is essential for Career Services so that we can effectively tailor our events to meet their career needs,” said Eva Kubu, Manager of Communications and Outreach at Career Services.

On a personal note, working at Career Services has provided me the unique opportunity to communicate between the office and my peers. I can certainly vouch for the resources that Career Services offers, but most often I find myself persuading my friends to go see a career counselor–“So and so is really great with this particular field–and she’s a great person, too!” It’s rewarding to know that my work is helping keep my friends and classmates informed and up-to-date on the many professional opportunities that await them. It’s especially inspiring to me as I watch friends come in for interviews in Career Services, find their dream internships, head toward fulfilling, meaningful jobs, or go to a great grad school after graduation. I just think, all their hard work paid off–if they can do it, the rest of us can, too!

Come celebrate Career Services’ birthday by taking advantage of several important commemorative events this year.

Alumni Connections Student Networking Event
6 p.m. March 4, 2013, at Prospect House.
All students are invited to register for a chance to speak with over 40 alumni across many different industries.

Summer Internship and Nonprofit Career Fairs
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at Dillon Gym
Come learn about the many job and internship opportunities available to you—and speak directly to employers.

Upcoming: A reception is planned for April, in which Career Services will host alumni participants in the “Princeternship” program. In addition to honoring the Class of 2013 as the 100th graduating class that Career Services has assisted, the office will host an open house for alumni during reunions.

Still curious about Career Services history at Princeton? Check out this super cool infographic as well as the University homepage article to learn some rather surprising anecdotes from your university’s job search history! And most of all—keep that student feedback coming in! You can e-mail me at career@princeton.edu.

Question of the Week

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Can Career Services help me find career opportunities other than the ones posted on Tiger Tracks? – Jason Warrington ‘13

Such a great question, Jason! Career Services offers a host of ways to find out about career opportunities other than the ones posted on Tiger Tracks! In fact, our website is the number one place to go if you need more help with finding opportunities. Check out the following tips. I’m sure they’ll help out a lot!

  1. Use the Career Services website to search job opportunities by INDUSTRY at http://www.princeton.edu/career/about_us/online-resources/by-industry/.  This is a great resource to browse different opportunities depending on the industry you are interested in.
  2. Create a professional LinkedIn account. LinkedIn is a great resource for college students and alumni to build professional networks. It can also be used to learn about industry trends and research potential employers and opportunities. LinkedIn users can subscribe to job boards and groups. For example, I am subscribed to a social media job board. Whenever there are new postings, I get a customized email notifying me of “jobs I may be interested in.”  Our career counselors can help you set one up!
  3. Attend Career Services Events. Each semester Career Services hosts more than 100 programs and events. Attending these events is a great way to find out about opportunities that are not on TigerTracks. Events range from career panels and alumni speakers to company presentations and career fairs. Even more, they are a great way to network with other students and professionals who may be able to connect you with more opportunities. Check out our event calendar today!
  4. Alumni Networking.  One of the best ways to learn about career opportunities and to receive career advice is to get in contact with our wonderful Princeton alum! The Alumni Careers Network (ACN) portal is a great way to search alum by industry and profession.  There are over 4,000 volunteers worldwide who can be used as a resource when considering a career or for general networking within a specific field.
  5. Make an appointment with one of our career counselors who can provide customized job search strategies for each of the students they see.  Visit Princeton.edu/career for online scheduling or call our office at (609) 258-3325 to make an appointment today!

As you can see, Jason, TigerTracks is not the only Career Services’ resource that you can use to research career opportunities. It’s actually just one of many. Remember, the job search is a process and Career Services is here to help you.

If you have a question about Career Services you would like answered, feel free to contact me at recampbe@princeton.edu and I will do my best to assist you!