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How Do You Prefer Your Shrimp? Choosing a College Major

By career

In the movie Forrest Gump (1994), Forrest befriends Bubba, a soldier with a passion for shrimp.  In a scene from the movie, Bubba explains the many ways shrimp can be prepared:

Just like the many options that exist for preparing shrimp, there is a wide array of possibilities for college majors.  You will invest much of your time and energy into the major of your choice, so it should be something that excites you.  Additionally, you probably want to know that the major you choose will lead to gainful employment that keeps you satisfied beyond your years in the classroom.

You should feel empowered to study what you love, in spite of the myths that exist that may make it scary to do this:

Myth: You’ll never get the job you want unless you pick the “right” major.
Truth: Students across all academic disciplines land exciting jobs every day!

Myth: Everyone in my life will disown me if I choose the “wrong” major.
Truth: While your choice of major may prove to be shocking to others in your life at first, you will find encouragement and support from others throughout your process.

It is important to explore your options.  UVM has a very rich, diverse curriculum and faculty and staff who are here to support your learning.  You can also research possible majors and career outcomes by using the resources offered by Career Services, and outside resources (such as MyMajors.com).  You should gather as much information as you need to make your decision comfortably and confidently.

If you are a current UVM student and want to talk more about choosing a major, please come to drop-in hours at Career Services, L/L E-140, Monday- Thursday from 1-4, or at the Davis Center on Tuesdays from 11-1, in Rosa Parks Place.

~Ashley

Internship of the Month: Vermont Public Radio

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VPR

Intern: Cody Searles, ’11
Major: English
Internship Title: Classical Music Intern
Company: Vermont Public Radio
Website: www.vpr.org
Current Postion: A&R Coordinator, Putamayo World Music

Briefly tell us about the organization you were with: Vermont Public Radio is Vermont’s source for independent non-biased news, information, music and cultural exploration. Specifically, VPR Classical presents classical music with interesting historical background and hosts live performances of local musicians.

What did you like best about this internship? What was most challenging? The people. I was able to get a lot of guidance and experience through their instruction and patience. The most challenging part was to be self-sufficient and accurate. Especially working inside a massive database, I had to be thorough as well as productive. Being able to answer my own questions through critical analysis of previous work and entries was a key skill in order to be successful at my internship.

How did you gain credit for this internship? Through EDSS 239! It rocks! During my final semester at school, I had a serious revelation while sitting in the first week’s classes of an elective–it was senseless to take a class I didn’t care for rather than intern at a place which could extend beyond graduation. In retrospect this was a life-changing decision as I am now employed right out of school partially because of my decision to stay involved in internships in the music industry rather than take a “filler” class.

What impact did this internship have on your career direction? It had a massive impact. I transitioned from VPR to interning at Putumayo World Music at the end of the school year and into the summer and then was hired as A&R Coordinator. The work I did at VPR and the people there greatly influenced my abilities to fill this position. Basically, I could not be where I am now without my previous internship experience.

What advice do you have for students searching for internships? Aim high and apply, even if you think you can’t get the internship. You never know until someone tells you no. Once you get one, work hard! It’s worth it. And get credit! It is awesome to be able to lighten the class load and get real-life experience simultaneously.

Savvy Seniors: Assess and Priortize

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Autumn Road

Imagine yourself, nine months from now: cap on your head, diploma in your hand and ready to transition away from UVM and towards your future.  If the picture is a little fuzzy after the cap and gown part, you’re not alone.   We’re here to help you think about what’s next and how to get there, each step of the way.  Follow the Savvy Seniors Blog Series this year to inspire and motivate you to prepare for life after UVM.

To get started, the first thing to do is Assess and Prioritize. Before you dive in to gaining more great experience this year, or researching careers, or even honing your resume, step back and think for a moment about all you have already done.  Which activities, classes, or part-time jobs have you particularly enjoyed? What have you leaned about yourself here at UVM? What do you really care about? What are you good at?  Reflecting on your previous experiences will help you make good decisions about your post graduation goals and how to spend your final year of college.

Imagine where you want to be next summer, and use this year to make small, steady steps towards that goal. To get started, check out this article from Quintessential Careers:   So You’ve Graduated College….What’s Next for You?

We’re here to help! Come to Careers and Coffee to pick up your Senior Packet and Plan, including the Senior Checklist, and chat with a career counselor about your unique situation. Careers and Coffee: Wednesday, Sept 21, 3-5pm.   See you there!

~Kala

From Chicago to Burlington: Reflections on a Summer Internship

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Each summer, the University of Vermont’s Career Services office hosts a NASPA Undergraduate Fellow as an intern in our office.  The students in this program are interested in careers in higher education and are given the opportunity to learn more about the field by obtaining internships at campuses across the country.  This summer, we were fortunate to work with Christina Smith, of Loyola University Chicago, and you can read excerpts from reflections on her experience below:

christinasmith

I was an ’11 summer intern for the University of Vermont’s Dean of Students office. I found my way to this position as a student at Loyola University Chicago because I became very involved on campus. Through my involvement on campus I found the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP), which is a program for undergraduates that want to go into the field of Student Affairs.

I am interested in Student Affairs because I want to bridge the gap within the African American community between men and women. I want to become a person that works at a university and empowers black men and women to come to college and actually graduate. I came to UVM for the summer for an internship that will give me experience within the Student Affairs field, and it has done exactly that.

Being in Vermont for the summer has broadened my horizons to the different places to live in America and how that affects a campus climate and the people who work on that campus. UVM has become a place where I learned that when I make decisions in life, I need to not only weigh the benefits it has for me personally and professionally, but I also need to think about how that decision will impact me and my happiness. Working at UVM for the summer was the best decision for me, it changed me personally and it offered a safe space for me to explore my professional goals.

~Christina

Effective Approaches to Your Job Search

By career

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

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