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World of Work: Alli Morse ’12, State Street Bank

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IAlli Morse

Alli Morse ‘12
Project Manager/Business Analyst
State Street
Major: Mathematics

What are employers looking for?

During senior year of college family, friends, professors, and fellow students are all asking the golden question: “What are your plans after you graduate?” For some students, it’s a question they love to be asked because they have an answer. Maybe it’s graduate school, a full-time job, or traveling throughout Europe for a summer. But I would argue that for most students, it’s a question they dread. Come December of my senior year, I fell into the latter category.

After ruling out graduate school and the trip to Europe, due to the damages it would cause on my bank account, I began looking into ways of incorporating my math skills into the business world. I knew I wanted a large, global and reputable company that would allow me to develop as a financial professional and grow within the company.

After a lot of research and submission of online applications to multiple companies, my friend recommended looking into State Street. With hopes of networking with State Street colleagues, I attended the annual UVM Boston Career Networking Night. After giving my well-planned spiel to a Senior Vice President from State Street, she gave me her business card and told me to follow up with her offline. The next day, I emailed all alumni with whom I connected, including the SVP from State Street. The next thing I knew I was headed into Boston for “Informational Interviews.” After four hours of draining interviews, including an unsolvable math problem, I left One Lincoln Street thinking I would never get a job there. But I was determined to continue on my search.

The next month I dedicated to my job search, which consisted of networking with people at both State Street and other financial institutions. For the most part, many people never responded but I was persistent which, in the end, was key. Over a month after my visit to State Street in Boston, I received an offer from State Street within SSGM ERM Department. It turned out I had key competencies they value. I graduated Cum Laude in May 2012 and in June I moved to the North End in Boston and started at State Street.

I am currently a Project Manager/Business Analyst for the Risk Management department within SSGM. So, landing a job after graduation is possible! It takes time and effort. While beginning your search, here are some tips from a lead recruiter at State Street to assist your efforts.

Wanted: Socially Responsible Employer

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Ethics Street SignIt is common knowledge in today’s society that corporations worldwide face a fundamental struggle: the struggle to find a balance between profit and ethics. The question has always been- can a company be successful and ethical?  This is an incredibly important question for the general public, but it is absolutely crucial for the college student and/or recent graduate who is searching for employment. Where do corporations’ ethics and socially responsible practices fit into the job search process? How much do ethics matter to today’s young workforce?

A tool has been created to gauge the social responsibility of a corporation called the Corporate Social Responsibility Index. This index takes into account three broad domains of social responsibility when ranking corporations:

1.)   Citizenship- How does the corporation contribute to the overall wellbeing of the community which it is a part of? What about to the Global community?

2.)   Governance- How is the business run? Is the company transparent with its stakeholders?

3.)   Workplace- How are the employees treated? Are the wages fair? Does the corporation invest in their employees’ career development?

The idea that young adults today are becoming critical, socially responsible future employees is becoming a growing area of interest for researchers. In fact, the manager of the Careers and Employer Relations Office at the University of Sydney, Rosemary Sainty, has dedicated the majority of her work to helping college students choose ethical employers. She has created a resource to get college students thinking about ethics and their future. So start thinking! What will make the difference when you choose your future employer?

Dilbert Comic

~Sam, Career Peer Advisor

Make the Most Out of Your Internship Experience

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Illustration of Two People Shaking Hands

So you’ve landed an internship—great! But what can you do to make this a valuable, learning experience? Here are a couple of tips to consider:

1) Ask questions.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially when you are confused about a task you were given or if you are merely curious about the culture of the organization. Asking questions will enhance your experience at an internship and will allow you to learn more about the company. Not only that, but maintaining a curious mind will also allow your supervisor to realize your interest and potential within the business beyond your internship program.

2) Connect with your coworkers and boss.
Have conversations with the people you work with—it’s a great way to learn more about the company you are interning at and also a great opportunity for you to network and make connections! Ask them about their college experience, career path, hobbies, job search process, tips and advice they may have for you—anything you deem being worthwhile and beneficial to your own, personal growth and career path. Along with that, share your own passions, experiences, and dreams with them. Let them get a glimpse of who you are as an individual and form those relationships.

3) Get excited and have fun!
Get excited, be motivated, and stay hungry for more knowledge and assignments! Also make sure to have fun while you’re at it!

With all these in mind, remember to make the most out of your internship experience!

~Michelle, Career Peer Advisor

What Employers Want

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Employers and Students at Job Fair

So you want a job or an internship.  You have worked hard, polished your resume and ironed your job fair shirt.  So now what? What is the secret to what employers really want?

Keep to the basics.  Employers seek people who present themselves well, are well informed and are interested in being actively involved.

Here are a few strategies on sending the right message at the fair and afterwards:

Prepare: Know who is coming and with whom you want to talk and share your resume & skills.

Dress: to signal you want to work and be taken seriously.

Practice: introducing yourself, your skills and interests.

Positive & Personable: Remember employers are people. Start a conversation and show your interest in what they do for a living.

Follow Through: Persistence pays.  Collect business cards and follow up via email or LinkedIn.

It is all in the conversation!  Keep learning, practicing and exploring the avenues for your job journey.

~Holly

To Go or Not to Go: Considering Graduate School

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Sunset Crossroads

There are lots of reasons why people choose to go to graduate schools and pursue advanced degrees.  Deciding to go is a complex decision that involves the outlook for increased earnings and deepened learning in a field of study.  Although there are a plethora of reasons why to go, we’ll explore a few good reasons why not to go to graduate school.

An article called “The Five Worst Reasons to Go to Grad School” provides some useful tips for when to avoid graduate school.  Here are the five reasons, paraphrased:

1.  To Fill a Personal Void

You are more than your degrees.  Graduate school is great for people who find their zest from studying particular topics in-depth but doesn’t tend to be an effective patch for the holes in one’s life.

2.  For bragging rights

Graduate school is a hefty undertaking, and it will take time and money.  There are cheaper ways to obtain a positive reputation.

3.  Buying your way into a network

You will join a new network if you go to graduate school, but you are likely already a part of many networks (including the UVM community) and these will grow throughout your career, with or without graduate school.

4.  It’s the only way to get a job

Some jobs do require advanced degrees and some prefer them.  But there are lots of career opportunities for people with Bachelor’s degrees.  Employers want dedicated and skilled workers, and those skills can be developed in a plethora of ways.

5. It’s what to do when you’re lacking direction

Graduate school is not the place to discover your life’s path or career journey.  The strongest graduate school candidate’s know what they want to study and why.  Not with meticulous detailed measure, necessarily, but enough to have a vision for where the process might lead.

Ultimately, the decision to go to graduate school should be based on much reflection and consideration and it is yours to make.  To learn more about the ins and outs of considering and applying to graduate school, visit the Career Services website.

~Ashley Michelle

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