Donna Laroya, University Relations Specialist for Geisinger Health Systems, stopped by on Tuesday, Feb. 28 to talk with Keystone College students about internship opportunities.
Several students stopped by to speak with Donna. If you are intersted in the internship program at Geisinger, please visit http://www.geisinger.org/professionals/intern/index.html.
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Want to know where some of your classmates are getting experience outside of the classroom? Here’s a sample:
Kathleen Roland
Junior Communication Arts and Humanities Major
Video Intern at WBRE-TV
Ben Arsenault
Senior Sports and Recreation Management Major
Assistant Athletic Director Intern at Lackawanna Trail School District
Nicole Borowski
Junior Sports and Recreation Management Major
Athletic Assistant Intern at Riverside Jr./Sr. High School
Steve Keating
Senior Communication Arts and Humanities Major
Marketing Intern with Mercer Arts & Letters, LLC (Virtual Internship)
Anthony Cacciamani
Junior Business Major with a minor in Human Resources
Executive Assistant Intern at Synergist Technology Group, INC.
Are you taking part in an exciting internship this semester? Let us know! We’d be happy to feature you.
Please stop by the Career Development Center for help with finding your next internship experience.
Welcome back, Keystone College! The spring semester is upon us, which means we will be quite busy here in the CDC with internship/job search assistance, as well as help with applying to graduate school. The spring semester also brings back the annual Sodexo International Internship Program!
The Sodexo International Internship Program is completely unique to Keystone College. Each year, two students are chosen to participate in an overseas internship within the corporate workings of Sodexo. Students live and work in a foreign country and get one week to take a pre-planned vacation.
Worried about the cost? Students who participate in the program receive substantial financial aid, which typically covers airfare and accommodations. Participants should, however, have money set aside for living expenses, as well as the week’s long vacation.
In the past, students have worked in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, England, and France. International work experience looks fantastic on a resume, and it also allows for new opportunities to learn about language and culture. Students who have participated in the program have also been offered jobs within the Sodexo company. This is not a guarentee, but the networking opportunity is equally rewarding.
Have we convinced you yet? If not, stop by the Career Development Center for information on past student experiences and to get connected to current students who have participated. Also, keep in mind that ALL majors are welcome. Sodexo will place you based on experience in many different areas.
Applications for the 2012 Sodexo International Internship Program are due Friday, Feb. 10th in the CDC. This includes a cover letter, resume, two letters of recommendation, a 3-page essay, and portfolio. Don’t worry. It’s not as overwhelming as it sounds. The staff in the Career Development Center are standing by to help! Stop by, or contact the office at 570-945-8312, or by e-mail at cdc@keystone.edu to schedule an appointment.
For complete details about the program, visit http://www.keystone.edu/cdc/jobsinternships/sodexointernationalinternships.dot
As advisement for the spring semester begins, consider what EXPL or internship credits your major requires. If you have not yet taken part in one of these opportunities, talk with your advisor about your interests. Then, stop by the Career Development Center for assistance in placing you with the right company/organization. To aid in this search, consider the following list of local companies that are always looking for reliable interns.
WVIA, Pittston, PA. Interns can work in a variety of areas at this non-profit, including broadcasting/radio, fundraising, planned giving, public relations, and more. Contact Sarah Marie Polk at sarahmariepolk@wvia.org for more information.
The Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA. Paid opportunity for students interested in research and writing pertaining to area development. For more information, contact Kate Wassel at wassel@institutepa.org.
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Scranton, PA. Positions are available in communications and graphic design. Contact Christina Hitchcock at chitchcock@scrantonchamber.com for more info.
The Abington Journal, Clarks Summit, PA. Interns can work as news reporters or photographers at this weekly newspaper. For more information, contact Kristie Grier, editor, at kgrier@theabingtonjournal.com.
The Scranton Cultural Center, Scranton, PA. Interns are needed to assist with marketing, writing of press releases, graphic/ad creation, and more. Contact Amy Dickerson at amyd@scrantonculturalcenter.org for more info.
Positive Results Marketing, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA. Positions are available in sales, web programming, and graphic design. For more information, contact Byron Read, President/CEO, at byread@aol.com.
The Vintage Theater, Scranton, PA. Interns can work in a variety of areas, including event planning, public relations, business management, volunteer coordination, and more. Contact Theresa at theresa@scrantonvintagetheater.com for more info.
The Everhart Museum, Scranton, PA. Areas of work include curatorial, education, and public relations. Visit www.everhart-museum.org/about/employment/ for more info.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA. Interns will gain sales and management experience through this paid opportunity. For more info, visit https://us-erac.icims.com/jobs/47786/job.
Sherwin Williams, Scranton, PA. The internship involves learning all aspects of store operations, as well as management trainee experience. This is a paid internship. Visit http://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SHERWIN&cws=1&rid=3131 for more information.
This is just a small sampling of the many opportunities that are available for EXPL, internships, and co-ops. For more assistance, stop by the Career Development Center, or call 570-945-8312 or e-mail cdc@keystone.edu.
Welcome to October. Along with the changing colors of the leaves and the overabundance of pumpkin flavored food and drink, the month offers a celebration of a field that is starting to gain the respect it deserves.
This month is designated as Careers in Student Affairs Month. What exactly is student affairs? Student affairs encompasses are very large field that includes departments such as admissions, residence life, student support services, career development, and much more. In a nutshell, a career in student affairs is basically a non-faculty, staff job on a college campus. These professionals work every day to ensure that students on any given campus are having the best possible experience.
Is a career in student affairs right for you? Consider what types of activities you enjoy on campus. Are you involved in student activites? Do you hold a work-study position in a staff office? Are you a residence assitant? If you are currently taking part in any of these functions, you are involved in student affairs! If this is the type of work or activity that you enjoy, you may want to consider making it a career.
A career in student affairs does not neccessarily require a specific degree related to higher education administration. Here at Keystone, members of our student affairs staff hold varied degrees in education, criminal justice, social sciences, art, and more. Some student affairs positions, however, do require an advanced degree. If you are interested in pursuing a gradute degree related to student affairs, NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education offers a directory of programs at schools across the country.
To celebrate this month dedicated to Careers in Student Affairs, stop by an office and thank the staff for making your experience on campus a great one. A career in this field requires passion for the job and a dedication to the mission of elevating student life to its highest potential. So, thank you to the staff of admissions, residence life, communter life, student activities, student support services, career development, diversity, campus ministry, and all of the other staff members that help to make every day at Keystone one filled with success and fun!
Greetings and welcome to the fall 2011 semester!
I am thrilled to be back at Keystone and am especially happy to be back working in the Career Development Center. I hope to continue to find the most up-to-date and useful information related to career development and share it with you. To begin, I’ll share with you the story of my summer.
This summer I had the pleasure of being an itern for the first time. From the end of May through August, I was a reporting intern at The Abington Journal, a weekly newspaper located in Clarks Summit. This experience allowed me to apply the skills I had learned in my journalism and feature writing classes in a real work setting. I wrote a wide variety of stories that included event previews, personality profiles, and reports on township meetings. I did a lot of my own photography as well. By the end of the summer, I had written three stories that were featured on the front page of the paper. I also received a stipend upon completion of the internship, which was a wonderful surprise to me.
I came away from this internship with new experiences, a sense of acomplishment, new contacts, and an even bigger respect for a profession that I have always admired. I now also have a portfolio filled with published work that I can show to potential employers in the future. I am looking forward to completing another internship next summer as well.
If anyone else was an intern this summer, I would love to hear about your experience, whether it be positive or negative. Reply to this post with your story and let others know what it was like.
I hope that everyone is ready for a successful and exciting semester! Enjoy the long weekend, and we’ll see each other again next week.
As the semester draws to a close, many graduating students are wondering what to expect during the job search. Where are the jobs? What can I do to make myself marketable to an employee? How do I get the job I want in the least amount of time?
The first thing to do is SLOW DOWN! Searching for employment is all about patience. In most instances, you are not going to be hired overnight. Positions in certain fields open up at a variety of times, so it’s best remain calm and keep your eyes and ears open. The job search takes time, so you need to be willing to wait it out.
While conducting your job search, realize that you are an entry-level employee. You are most likely not going to be hired for the desired position in your field. Instead, look at what skills you possess and match those skills to “starter” jobs. For example, if you wish to work at a newspaper, look for desk clerk jobs. I recently attended Journalism Boot Camp at the University of Scranton and found that the majority of professionals teaching the sessions started out as desk clerks. Remember, entry-level jobs are your chance to show an employer what you have to offer to a company. If you make a good impression, more doors will open.
If you order to obtain one of these positions, you need to be able to market yourself. Think of yourself as a product that you want your employer to buy. How can you make yourself “buyable”? Brush up your resume. Join professional networking sites such as LinkedIn. Learn what your strengths and weaknesses are and figure out how to showcase your skills and experience. If you are called in for an interview, don’t let the employer do all of the talking. Sell yourself! Tell him or her why you are the best candidate for the position.
Still searching? Persistence is key! If you send a resume to an employer, be sure to follow up. Let them know that you are still interested in a position. If you are turned down for a job, contact the employer to discuss why. If you are posting your resume on websites, follow up on who is searching your profile. Don’t just sit there and wait for a job to land in your lap. Don’t wait for an employer to call you. Employers are looking for enthusiastic individuals who take initiative, so apply these qualities to your job search.
Above all, remember to believe in yourself and persevere. The economy may be slow right now, but there are jobs out there. More than that, there are jobs in your field! Your first job may not be the job you want, but it can be a stepping stone to a great career. Are you ready to put yourself out there and show enthusiasm and persistence? If you so, you are on the right track to entry-level employment!
For more information on the job search, please visit the following resources:
http://www.quintcareers.com/job_reality_checks.html
The NPEC Employment and Internship Fair was held on Wed. March 30th from 12-4 PM at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Although only a sophomore, I decided to attend the fair to see what this type of event was all about. Plus, it never hurts to network!
After signing in, I was relieved to find that the fair was not as huge and intimidating as I had imagined. Employers, for the most part, were very friendly and eager to talk to students who were interested in their respective companies. As a Communications major, there were not many companies in attendance with positions geared towards my skills. However, employers were still willing to talk to me and were pleased that an underclassmen was taking the initiative to attend such an event.
If you are planning to attend a career fair, I would strongly advise researching the companies in attendance prior to the event. Although most of the employers were happy to answer questions, some did seem to expect prosective employees to already have a sense of what the company was all about. Also, prior knowledge will save time if you already know who you want to talk to before you arrive.
I was able to make between 8-10 connections during my less than an hour at the fair. One company even took a copy of my resume. The employers that I spoke with were also very generous in supplying material regarding their company and available positions. After attending this fair, I have 3-4 possibilities for new internships that I did not have before.
Overall, attending the NPEC Employment and Internship Fair was a rewarding and educational experience. I would highly recommend that all students, particualrly juniors and seniors, take advantage of a career fair when the opportunity arises. Remember, it never hurts to network!
The NPEC Employment and Internship Fair will be held on Wed. March 30th from 12-4 PM at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. The fair is FREE to Keystone students and alumni, and transportation will be provided.
Are you thinking about attending this fair? What can you gain from this experience?
Whether you are looking for a full-time position or an internship, attending a career fair has many benefits. First, career fairs make for excellent opportunities to network. As you walk around the job fair and talk to employers, you are making connections that could be beneficial in the future. Second, career fairs are safe practice for professional skills. You will have the chance to dress professionally and learn how to interact with professionals appropriately. Finally, attending a career fair could land you a full-time position or internship with a company!
What should you do before the career fair to prepare? First, make sure that your resume is in tip top shape. Students planning to attend the NPEC Fair MUST have an approved resume. The Career Development Center will be holding resume review sessions March 23-25 from 11:30-1:30 outside of the cafeteria on the 3rd Floor of Hibbard. If you can’t attend one of these sessions, contact the CDC to make an appointment.
The CDC will also be holding the “Navigating a Job Fair” workshop on March 22nd and 24th from 1:30-2:30 in the CDC Computer Lab (Ward Hall 105). During this workshop, students will learn how to dress and what to say in order to impress employers at a job fair. You may also want to check out this article from QuintCareers about career fair “do’s and don’ts.”
Want to know who will be at the fair? Check out this list of companies that will be represented, and research them to find out which ones interest you the most. When you are at the fair, make sure to talk to as many employers as possible, even they aren’t hiring in your field. Remember, networking never hurts!
Whether you are looking for full-time employment, an internship, or networking, attending a career fair is beneficial. Don’t miss the NPEC Employment and Internship Fair on March 30th from 12-4 PM at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Remember, it’s FREE to Keystone students and transportation will be provided. So, print out that resume, get it approved, attend the workshop, pull out your dress clothes, and enjoy the fair!
I am constantly striving to find out what students can do while in college in order to be successful in today’s job market. On every website and in every article that I read, the same idea continues to emerge. I realize that students are constantly barked at with this same idea over and over, but it’s because it’s SO true: EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO GET A JOB!
Today’s job market is tough, terrifying even. That’s not a secret. The secret seems to be what one can do about this problem. College graduates are finding it increasingly difficult to find entry-level jobs in their field. How does one gain an edge? Easy! Take part in one or more internship and co-op experiences while in college!
Imagine you are an employer looking through a stack of resumes. If you go through a hundred resumes that all look the same, how are you going to find the best one? It’s easy to weed out those with lower GPAs and lack of skill sets. There are now two resumes left that look nearly identical. However, one of these resumes lists relevant job experience, and the other does not. The one with no experience is going to get tossed.
Need more proof? Look at the statistics! According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2010 Student Survey, 42 percent of graduates with internship experience who applied for jobs were given an offer. Of those who did not have internship experience, only 30 percent received an offer. Even the pay rate for these students was different. Those who had internship experience had starting salaries of about $7,000 more than those who did not.
Aside from the reasons the job market says internships are neccessary, interships are also highly beneficial in other ways. An article from Quint Careers talks not only about why students need an internship, but also the general benefits of an internship. Among the benefits that the article discusses are: possible college credit, application of learned classroom skills, confidence gain, and professional development. On top of all of that, an early co-op or internship can help students see what their desired field is really like before it’s too late for a change in major.
Are you convinced? Do you want an internship? Search through this blog for valuable links to internship searches. Log-on to College Central Network to post a resume and/or portfolio and search for internship opportunities. Stop by the Career Development Center for help with finding the best internship experience. It’s up to YOU! If you want to be successful in your field after graduation, get ready to be an intern now and gain that edge that’s required in today’s tough job market.