Archive - 2008

FINCA staff dancing in a Carnival parade

Teresa Roark recently returned from doing a microfinanace internship in Peru. Here's a short summary of what she got out of her internship:

I completed a six-month IE3 internship in Ayachucho, Peru last summer. While there I worked with the microfinance bank FINCA Peru, and their art division FINCA Exports. The internship was an amazing experience. The thing that I enjoyed most about my internship experience was professional development. I was forced to develop a variety of work skills that I continue to use. The internship had little structure, and required a great deal of self-motivation. There were many times that I felt challenged unqualified for the tasks given to me, but the high expectations helped me to rise to these challenges. Since returning to the United States these skills have been a great asset. I have been able to get more rewarding and higher paying jobs that require a higher degree of responsibility. I feel capable of accepting this responsibility and rising to any challenge. » Read more

Tyler Macklin at the ODE did a great job putting together this video about the Fall Career Fair. If you haven't found your way to the EMU Ballroom for one of our fairs yet, check out the video to see what it's all about. Our next fair is the Winter Internship Fair on January 27.

photo by: makani5

This post is part of our Ask a Career Counselor series. Have a question? Ask us!

This week's question:

I was reading the article about moving forward in the face of bleak economic news, however, I believe it would behoove the career center to blog about how to move forward in the face of personal discouragement. In looking for a job I find that there are days when it becomes overwhelming and I get bogged down, not only by the news, but my own personal sense of impossibility. For me, it takes a good run, and I am ready to trudge through more cover letters, internet searches and informational interviews. I realize, however, that there are many strategies for working through this "down" time. I urge you to address this topic. For many people it is one of the largest challenges of the job hunt. Thank you.

» Read more

Most companies consider people their greatest asset. A high premium is placed on those who embrace and encourage curiosity. The most important thing you can convey to an interviewer is why you are interested in their company and their available opportunity. You need to express the value you bring, and the value you will add. Ask yourself, what is my unique ability? Am I passionate about this business and this company? Am I conveying that passion in this interview?

Recruiters and HR professionals know when hiring interns or recent college graduates that they will have limited real work experience. Regardless, all employers want to hire people that are passionate and have initiative. At Waggener Edstrom we value curiosity. We embrace and encourage curiosity at all levels of our organization. So how do you do this? » Read more

photo by zense

You might not realize it, but the customer that you wait on at your job at the neighborhood cafe could be the CEO of the company you desperately want to work for. Some preparation and practice can help you reach out to them in a way that may benefit your job search in the future. Practice interviews are a great way to hone your networking and interpersonal skills in a professional environment.

Setting up some informational or practice interviews can be intimidating, but you will see the results and learn a lot about yourself and what you want to do with your career. Start out with a parent, professor, or friend. Have them ask you basic questions and give you honest feedback. Ask them to tally the number of times you say "um," "like," "you know" or other fillers. Once you've gotten that down, head to the Career Center to do some research and ask if there are any UO alumni willing to conduct an informational interview with you at a company you're interested in. They don't have to be in HR, anyone with a job similar to your interest could be a big help. Or, just call the company up and ask if there is someone you can chat with (hint: do your homework on the company first). Here's your line:

I'm really interested in your company, and was wondering if I could have 20 minutes of your time to buy you a coffee and learn more about what you do there.

You'll be amazed at what this little bit of initiative can do for you. Who knows, you might even end up with a second interview!

The Career Center offers a one-credit class each term called Career Connections that focuses on developing skills for a successful informational interview and job search and gives you access to professionals interested in conducting these interviews. Look for Career Connections under CARC in your course schedule. Find out more about Career Connections.

Get started today. Being proactive is the key to finding a job in a tough job market. » Read more

Perhaps you've had the opportunity to intern this summer and had the best experience ever. Or maybe your internship was a nightmare that resembled something from Friday the 13th. Perhaps you’re thinking it would be a really good idea to share this with other students who are thinking about interning with the same organization—but how?

InternshipRatings.com is a new site that provides the venue for you to rate, research and compare internships in various industries across the United States. Started by two college students in the last year, InternshipRatings.com offers students the unique opportunity to rate internships from their own experience and perspective. Their site is easy to navigate by searching for internship ratings by state, city and/or industry and even company name. Once you identify a city, a list of organizations/employers will then be displayed. You can also easily search for the Top 5 Ratings, Top 5 Worst Ratings and the most Recently Rated internships on their site. Currently, there are five organizations in Oregon rated, two of which are in Eugene. » Read more

Marci Lee is one of the first group of IE3 scholarship recipients. She is doing a medical rotation in Dehra Dun and Mumbai India with CFHI. Here is her most recent note from the field.

It has been three and a half weeks since I have been in India but it seems like a lifetime. I thought it would be difficult to adjust but it has been rather easy. The first week in Than Goan was amazing. We shadowed Dr. Paul who is basically the physician for Than Goan and the surrounding areas in the mountains. Patients will literally flock from five or more hours away to see Dr. Paul. He really let us get a hands on experience with the patients. We listened to the hearts and lungs of babies up to the elderly ages of eighty. He taught us about naturopathy and several plants that he prescribes to his patients. The following weeks were very different.

» Read more

We have recently purchased an online subscription to what we think is the best international career guide for UO students and young professionals--The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas. This website is a comprehensive guide that helps students build global career skills. It offers expert advice for anyone considering going abroad to study, volunteer, intern, teach, travel or work. Discover opportunities, acquire skills and develop the all-important global perspective with this easy-to-use interactive online guide and toolkit, including assessing your International IQ.

Much of The Big Guide Online is concerned with helping you acquire the international knowledge and skills necessary to develop your International IQ. Building your International IQ will substantially increase your chances of finding a job abroad, even when you don’t have overseas work experience. An international employer’s assessment of candidates for overseas work generally has two components: the professional component and the international IQ component. The International IQ component measures your level of international and intercultural awareness. It is possible to acquire this type of cultural and international knowledge without actually working overseas. Your International IQ is made up of your awareness and ability in four areas: » Read more

photo by: wednesday181

The first few weeks of classes are done, and if you're like most students you're already running low on dough. Maybe bills are starting to add up. Maybe you've just had enough of having an empty wallet and not being able to go out on the weekends. Whatever the case, you've decided that you NEED A JOB..and fast.

The thing is you don't know where to look. The places that you know are hiring are asking for resumes and cover letters, both of which you haven't touched since high school. And what about the chance of being asked to do a nerve-racking interview with all those tough questions? » Read more

This post is part of our Ask a Career Counselor series. Have a question? Ask us!

In response to a number of questions we've received lately about the current state of the economy and its impact on the job market, I would like to offer some perspective to assist students as they prepare for future careers.

While buzz words and media footage in the national news have painted a bleak picture and certain sectors have had to significantly downsize, the college employment market for current students and pending graduates continues to show promising signs. As a student today or soon-to-be graduate it is important to stay one step ahead of the crowd. You need to learn to create career options for yourself, use networking to your advantage by meeting with every potential employer you can in the present because when the marketplace does improve, you will be a potential candidate on their mind. » Read more