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Senior Series: What’s Your Story?

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uvm_fountain

Imagine your life unfolding and your career direction taking shape as an interesting tale with a happy ending. What do you see as the major plot points? Is it a story of knowing your dream job from the time you were 5? Or is it longer and more complicated, filled with exploration and discovery? As you create the story of your life and work, the questions will be answered. You will make choices, open one door and close four others. You will choose a path that will by necessity mean you haven’t chosen other opportunities. You will experience FOMO in a big way as you decide to take that great professional job in the city, and not join your friends traveling and skiing for the next six months, or vice versa. Continue reading “Senior Series: What’s Your Story?”

Effective Approaches to Your Job Search

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You may have heard that looking for a job is a job in itself.  Although it is unlikely that anyone is spending 40 hours a week or more on their job search, there is some truth in this statement.  Looking for gainful employment can be tiring and hard.  However, being proactive in your search can help alleviate some of the stress.

Recently, Kathy Kristof of CBS MoneyWatch, took to her blog to highlight some helpful tips from Susanne Goldstein’s new book, “Carry a Paintbrush: How to Be the Artistic Director of Your Own Career”:

  • Brand Yourself- figure out what you want to be known for and seek out employers that fit your desired identity
  • Think Backward- research companies of interest, not jobs; you’ll be more marketable when you can demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the employer
  • Use Your Friends- networking is key; let others know you’re searching and ask for leads
  • Market by Fives- informational interviewing is a great way to learn more about your field and grow your network; talk to 5 people and ask each of them to refer 5 more- you’ll have greatly expanded your network in no time and will probably find job prospects along the way
  • Be Relentless- keep up the stamina; times are tough but a strong will goes far

These are some excellent nuggets to carry with you in the job search as you move forward in your own process.  For more helpful tips, visit the University of Vermont’s Career Services website.

~Ashley Michelle

paintpalette

#socialmedia and Careers: Developing Your Social Media Presence

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Here in Career Services, we’ve been talking a lot about our online presence.  Social Media has increasingly become a major force in today’s job market.  Employers are using Twitter and Facebook to post open positions. Job seekers and long time professionals are connecting in special interest and industry specific groups on LinkedIn. Interviews are being conducted on Skype and we have yet to see how emerging technologies like Google+ will factor in.

While we’re excited about the ways that we use these platforms in our office, we’re also eager to work with you on how to create and manage your own social media presences.  Even though most students are engaged with some type of social media at this point, have you considered how you might use these mediums as tools in your job search and career process?

Career Sherpa developed a 3-part series earlier this summer highlighting some of the strategies that can be most effective when developing your social media profile, including:

There are so many social media outlets in today’s world and these are just sampling of them.  Regardless of which you choose to participate in, it’s important to make social media a tool in your career toolbox.  By developing your own social media presence, you can make intentional decisions about your image and stay current in the ever-changing world of work.

~Ashley Michelle

socialmediabandwagon

World of Work: Trevor Mullen, '96, Product Development Manager for SKLZ

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Trevor Mullen '96

Trevor Mullen, ’96

Product Development Manager for SKLZ
Carlsbad, CA
ww.sklz.com

Major: History

How would you describe what you do on a typical day to someone who is unfamiliar with your field?

In short, I make functional equipment for people who play sports. What that really means on a day-to-day basis is that I work at identifying new product concepts and seeing them through from start to finish. I begin with our professional athletes and evaluating the potential financial viability of products they suggest. If a concept has a real opportunity to satisfy a need and there is a void in a marketplace, then I work with our designers to take a product from a concept to an actual package of drawings and specifications that a factory can interpret. I work directly with factories in Asia and have prototypes and actual samples made, with lots of changes through out in order to have a working model. During that process, I am also working closely with our sales and marketing teams to see which major retailers and international distributors will be taking the products, and then working on building content (videos, instructions, positioning) to add value to the product in the package.

I manage a division of a company that makes functional fitness equipment and this process is replicated across 50 or so different active products. It takes a lot of organization and familiarity within this field.

What advice do you have for students searching for jobs or internships in your field?

Realize that when you start out, your job is not going to be glamorous. You may be in a field that you love, but the actual job might not match your dreams. If you find yourself getting frustrated with the day-to-day responsibilities, be patient and think about your career over the long term.

Ask yourself if you want to work for a big company or a start up. They both have pluses and minuses with regards to your early career. Read a lot of books and articles about the companies and jobs you are looking to work at. Remember that the market is very competitive and if you don’t have direct experience, then you have to rely on your knowledge to stand out.

What three words best describe your work environment?

Busy, Demanding, Exciting.


What is your favorite part of your work? Most challenging part?

Working with professional athletes and building new product that doesn’t exist anywhere else. Keeping up with emails and small communications. The little details kill me.

How did your time at UVM, both in the classroom and out of the classroom, prepare you for your position?

The biggest thing I got out of my time at UVM that I use all day every day is managing deadlines and learning how to communicate effectively. I also learned how to collaborate in a group dynamic, while both listening and contributing. UVM’s class sizes really enabled me to practice and learn this skill.

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