October 2011 Archives

From Lynne in Career Services:

Practice your elevator speech and learn about interesting government agencies and nonprofits at....

Minnesota Government & Nonprofit Career Fair

Visit with representatives from city, county, state and federal government agencies and, new this year, nonprofit organizations!

Date Friday, October 21st, 2011

Time 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Location Coffman Memorial Union, Great Hall

View participating employers at www.mcucsa.org/govjobfair.

FREE admission for U of M students and alumni!

Be sure to bring your U Card and copies of your resume!

Sponsored by the Minnesota College and University Career Services Association.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and educator. Disability accommodations are available upon request.

I came across this article about "The 10 Worst Mistakes of First-Time Job Hunters." While it's geared toward undergrads, the article is full of great reminders of things to make part of our daily habits as graduate students of a professional program. Here are some of the top tips:

• Start early - be on the look-out for opportunities from the beginning of your grad school career and start on your career action plan now
• Network! This school has tons of events to attend that community leaders speak at and attend. Outside the Humphrey are even more chances to network. And a great way to network is...
• Have an internship, part-time job, and/or graduate assistantship that will build your resume, AND
• Get involved in career-related extracurricular activities (read those emails from your fellow students for some ideas on what to get involved with)
• Act and look the part - dressing professionally at school ensures that you're prepared if a networking opportunity presents itself unexpectedly, and helps your professors and contacts know you mean business and have your act together
• Identify, document and learn to talk about your skills and achievements. You are building your resume up every day in the projects and work that you do. Learn to communicate it in ways that show others how you might contribute to their work.
• Use the Career Center. They are a great resource!

These are simple things, but things that can go undone most of the time. The trick is to make your "job search" a part of your every day habits to make sure you have the opportunities when you need them.

Did you know you can order business cards with Humphrey School formatting? It's true! I ordered cards for myself last year and had to order more this year because I went through them all!

Business cards are a great way to give your contact information to professionals you meet, helping you keep in touch and making you look professional. They are handy for events, conferences, informational interviews and other events and meetings you attend. My biggest use for them has been to include one in hand-written thank-you notes I send after interviews I conduct for career information, internship interviews or class projects. They make a great impression!

Here's how to order them:

1. Go to the West Bank Copy Center in the basement of the Social Science tower. To get there, take the Gopher Way through the basement of the Humphrey Center toward Heller, Blegen, and Social Science Halls and Wilson Library. Pass rows of lockers and take a left through the glass doors at the end of the hall. Take a right toward Social Science Tower. Pass the elevators and on your right is the copy center. Congratulations - you found it!

2. Ask to order student business cards for Humphrey School students. The person will have you fill in your contact info into their template.

3. Pay for the cards with cash or check

60 cards = $15 + tax (this is how many I ordered and it was more than enough for one year)
120 cards = $20 + tax
180 cards = $30 + tax
240 cards = $35 + tax

4. Pick them up after one business day

These business cards have a basic U of M - Humphrey School format. It's an easy and affordable way to have some printed.

Some students have decided to design their own to make theirs more creative - maybe they are a dual-degree candidate or have other information they want to share about themselves, like a tag-line, or want to have a fancier design. This option is better for some, but may be more expensive. I can connect you to students who have gone this route for advice about getting them designed and printed. Email me for more information if this is of interest to you.

Please let me know if you have any questions about how - or why - to order business cards.