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Savvy Seniors: Resume Writing- Some Things to Consider

By career

KSV logo

Drafting a resume can be daunting, but if you’re not going to take the time to do it well, don’t bother at all. Competition is tough out there, so get it right.

Here are a few things to consider:

Limit the experience you include

Only include the most relevant work experience, the stuff that pertains to job your trying to get.  Each application you write should be tailored specifically to that position.

Make an impression with your verb selection

When describing work experience, choose verbs that pack a punch. Such phrases as “worked on,” or “contributed to,” won’t impress. Lead with something that allows your work to stand out like “ designed,” or “implemented.”

Typos are your worst enemy

Granted we all make mistakes, but no hiring manager is going to be impressed if your resume is ridden with spelling errors. It pins you as careless, even lazy. Take the time to check, double check and triple check your work.  And it never hurt to get a second pair of eyes to go over your stuff.

Formatting is imperative

Are your margins even? Bullets lined up? Have you included dates and headings in a consistent way? Is it easy to read and visually appealing? Be mindful of all these point. Your sloppiness will be noted.

Join us for the next Senior Workshop with special guest the HowardCenter to learn more about how to make your resume shine!

SENIORS LUNCH + LEARN: RESUMES 2.0

Thursday Oct. 10 12 – 1 PM, Career + Experience Hub

~Alexa Mucklow, Social Media Associate
Kelliher Samets Volk

Taking the Grad School Search Offline

By career

Facebook is Killing Meaningfull Communication comic

When students come to the Career Center to discuss their graduate school search, we find that the conversation frequently starts from one of two places. Either students are looking for tools to begin their online search or have researched some programs online and are not sure what’s next.

There is undoubtedly an important role for the Internet in any graduate school search, but there’s an equally important place for conversations with admissions representatives that can help to illuminate information that will not soon be found on a school or program’s website.

It can be scary to consider talking to someone who may ultimately be evaluating your application, but you also want to equip yourself with as much information as you can get before making the all too important decisions about which schools to apply to and which school to attend.

Also, there are real advantages to having a phone or in-person conversation with an admissions representative. You can use such a conversation to express your interest in their program, which may give your application a boost. And by preparing ahead of time and demonstrating high levels of professionalism, you can further impress your schools of interest.

Unsure what type of questions to ask as you continue your graduate school search process? Here are a few ideas to get you started. Continue the conversation by speaking with a Career Counselor during our Drop-In Hours at the Career + Experience Hub in the Davis Center.

~Ashley Michelle

World of Work: Maya Thomas ’11, GIS Specialist, Civil Solutions

By career

Maya Thomas

Maya Thomas ‘11
GIS Specialist
Civil Solutions, a division of ARH Engineering
Hammonton, NJ
Major: Environmental Science (RSENR)

How would you describe what you do on a typical day?

I work with spatial data and create maps – lots of maps. Most of our clients are local governments (counties and municipalities) and we provide mapping services for them. For example, we take data from tax maps and convert it to digital data so clients can look at it on the fly on our web service or on their own GIS software.

What motivates you to go to work everyday?

I really love GIS! I love seeing the things I map everyday. I drive on the roads I add to my road maps, I pass by the buildings I digitize, and I learn about new municipalities in New Jersey every day.

What advice do you have for students searching for jobs or internships in your field?
Work on as many GIS projects as you can in your coursework. Incorporate it into your research and internships. Connect with your faculty to find out about internships. From what I’ve seen, certification (different from certificates!) is important in this field. Whether a certification is from GISCI, Esri, ASPRS, or other organizations, start thinking about ways to prepare for those exams or applications. And, of course, network! Both my full-time jobs after college were gained from building connections. 

Describe your best day at work.

My best day at work is when I have tons of different projects to do. Mapping out a survey site for colleagues here, creating road maps there, updating parcels over here, and maintaining the web mapping service over there. The day goes by quickly and I feel so accomplished by the end of the day!

Savvy Seniors: Top 5 Mistakes that College Seniors Make

By career

Drawing a map

Welcome to your final year at UVM! Those who have gone before you have the wisdom of hindsight: knowing what they wish they had done differently.

Here are some mistakes that you can choose to avoid:

1) Waiting until March to think about what you want to do after graduation.
2) Not taking advantage of Winter Break for networking and informational interviews.
3) Not articulating your skills and strengths and just hoping that employers will magically see your potential.
4) Procrastinating on polishing your resume and sample cover letter until there’s a really good opportunity you want to apply for.
5) Not taking advantage of opportunities to continue to get career experience throughout your senior year, i.e. internships, campus leadership, volunteer etc.

Wondering how to avoid these mistakes and start your senior year off right?

Join us at Careers and Coffee, the kick-off event for a year-long career series especially for seniors! Because how you start your senior year will help determine how you finish it.

Careers and Coffee Thursday, Sept 19th, 3-6pm at the new Career + Experience Hub in the Davis Center Room 100!

~Kala

The Hub is here for YOU!

By career

Career + Experience Hub watermark

Have you ever encountered the issue of needing to have experience to get experience? New grads are sometimes surprised by job descriptions for entry-level positions that include a depth of experience and skills. Fortunately, UVM is committed to helping you prepare for life after college and a rewarding career.
This fall UVM is introducing a whole new concept in student services.  At the Career + Experience Hub, it’s easy for you to learn about and pursue a wide range of opportunities, including:

  • Internships
  • Research
  • Jobs
  • Study Abroad
  • Service-learning
  • Leadership
  • Fellowships
  • Volunteering

The Career Center and campus partners are working together to share knowledge and resources to make it easy for you gain the skills you need and have the experiences you want.

Whatever your interests and passions are, come to the Hub to get started on finding an unforgettable experience, just right for you and your goals!

The Hub opens Monday, September 9, 2013!
Davis Center, room 100, down the hall from Brennan’s

Monday-Thursday: 10:00 am-6:00 pm, Friday: 10:00 am-3:00 pm

~Kala

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