Aside from watching 24 hours worth of A Christmas Story and being caught up in the initial glee and eventual boredom of Winter Break, many of you will be applying for internships or jobs during this time away from HC. If you’ve been through the application process already, you know Cover letters mark a critical piece in the internship/job hunt. Along with your resume, cover letters set the tone between you and your potential employer.
So in the spirit of theChristmas (& job hunting) Season, we’ve included a sample cover letter fromElphadora Elf,a college senior looking to apply to Santa’s workshop. Just like us, Elphadora is seeking a job in this rough economy… she’s even willing to relocate to the North Pole! How does your cover letter shape up to hers??
While you plow through your finals hyped up on caffeine and glimpses of motivation, don’t forget about Career Planning! Our Career counselors are available for appointments until the end of the semester, especially as you start applying and interviewing for internship and job positions during Winter Break. So in the spirit of the holiday season, Career Planning decided to pen our own version of the “12Days ofChristmas.” Have a happy holiday & we’ll see you in Hogan 203 soon!
♫♬On the ___ Day of Christmas, HC Career Planning gave to me….
…And come visit us in Hogan TWO-O-THREE. ♫♬
So it’s Thanksgiving Break: the time for food, family and football. (YES FINALLY!) During this needed break
Tom on the Job!
from the Hill, we venture to guess you might hurl mashed potatoes at the face of the first person to mention school or careers. Since no one wants leftovers seeping into their pores, we’ll set aside the career strategies and tips for a few days.
….However, we did want to share with you the little known fact that some TURKEYS HAVE RESUMES TOO!
So in the spirit of the holiday, take a look at Thomas Turkey’s resume and see how yours shapes up in comparison!
Next up in ourAlumni Guest Post series:Priscilla Lam ’12 discusses her role as a clinical research coordinator in the Center for Neuro-Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute!
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Priscilla Lam ’12
I could not have been more ecstatic when I received a phone call from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, MA) during senior week with an offer to be the new clinical research coordinator in the Center for Neuro-Oncology. Without any hesitation, I immediately accepted the job offer even though I was informed that the start date of my job would be June 4th (exactly 9 days after graduation!). Everything felt like a whirlwind, but I was very excited to begin a new chapter of my life in Boston.
It is hard to believe that I have been working at Dana-Farber for over four months now. Dana-Farber is an outpatient clinic that is directly connected to Brigham and Women’s Hospital (inpatient). I absolutely love working here. Sometimes it feels like I never left Holy Cross because I work with three other Holy Cross alums in my department and I am constantly running into Holy Cross grads from all years working in various disease centers at Dana-Farber.
The responsibilities of a clinical research coordinator differ slightly depending on the disease center. In Neuro, the majority of the patients I work with are Glioblastoma patients. I am responsible for knowing several clinical trials and being familiar with protocol requirements. Our primary responsibility is data entry and management. We are responsible for entering medical/surgical history information, lab values, concomitant medications, adverse events, etc. in the database for each clinical trial participant for sponsors to review. We have monitors (a representative hired by the sponsor, usually from a pharmaceutical company) come in once a month for every clinical trial to review our data and ensure that all data are properly documented and captured. They issue queries and we are required to answer these queries in a timely manner. Research coordinators are essentially the primary point person between the industry sponsor and the research team at Dana-Farber. We also have regulatory responsibilities such as submitting Serious Adverse Event reports to the Dana-Farber Internal Review Board and the industry sponsor. Other duties include preparing research tubes/kits and flow-sheets for nurses, shipping samples, requesting pathology, scheduling clinic visit appointments and MRIs, [and] communicating with patients, ordering labs, being in attendance when physicians screen/consent patients for potential trials, reviewing provider notes to ensure that there is proper source documentation for data, and organizing/prepping patient charts to be ready for monitor visits and future audits.
Most of the research coordinators work in the Longwood Galleria offices while clinic is in the Yawkey Building. Every day is different. This is not a typical 9-5pm job. Things come up spontaneously and each day is completely unpredictable. Generally, clinic days tend to be busier because that is when our patients come in for visits. I learn something new every day. This job can be challenging and demanding at times, but overall very rewarding. It is interesting to see research from a clinical perspective and being part of the research care team is fulfilling.
Clinical trials give patients a sense of hope. Clinical trials investigate specific experimental drugs not yet approved by the FDA and explore novel cancer therapies, as well as implement standard of care treatment in hopes of finding new and effective treatments for patients.
My favorite part of this job is being a contributing member of the research team and having the opportunity to experience full clinical exposure. I also take much pride in being able to work at an institute that offers state-of-the-art treatment for patients, with renowned physicians and experts on brain tumors, and a team of compassionate individuals consisting of neuro-oncologists, researchers, nurses, and PA. I could not have asked for a better place to be after graduating from Holy Cross. Everyday, I find myself inspired by patients, their families, and the support and care that clinicians provide to patients. This job has definitely helped reinforce my dreams of pursing a future career in medicine. I cannot thank the Holy Cross faculty, staff, and alumni network enough for opening my eyes to the opportunities that can be had working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Dana-Farber.
Connect with this story?
Learn more about careers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute here.
Holy Cross students are undoubtedly the ambitious type, but what does it really take to build a successful career in the “real world”? This week Career Planning will be hosting the panel, “How to be a Successful Alumnus.” As a companion to our workshop, HC Career Counselor Megan Chester discusses some key tips to making your career successful…. Enjoy!
Entering the world of work and achieving alumni status is an amazing accomplishment, but landing a job is only the first step. Maintaining professional success once you leave Holy Cross is vital to the longevity of your career path.
First impressions are lasting and all situations require that you put your best professional foot forward. Attend meetings and sessions fully prepared. Write your ideas and questions down and complete your contribution to the best of your ability. Before emails or documents go to your boss, clients or colleagues, be sure to thoroughly proof read your work. Do not forget to dress the part, clothing attire is part of the office culture. No need to break the bank on a new wardrobe, but you will want to update your closet with a few basics such as slacks, button-up shirts and a pair of sturdy dress shoes.
A new work setting comes with new co-workers. You can pick your friends, not your staff members. Throughout your career, you will encounter personalities that will challenge you. Find ways to develop positive working relationships by learning the strengths of those you work with and how you can achieve company goals together.
Your first job will not be your last job, networking never ends. Create a LinkedIn profile and join Holy Cross and industry affiliated groups. Building relationships within your industry will allow you to move up in your career path. The friendly staff in the Career Planning Center can help you create your profile and teach you how to effectively network online.
For more about forging your successful career, come to the How to be a Successful AlumWorkshop at 4 PM in Hogan 403 on Monday November 5, click here for details.
Since today you will be especially conscious of your wardrobe choice, this is the perfect opportunity to review the art of business wear. Although we trust you won’t walk into an interview dressed like a Halloween pumpkin, it’s always helpful to have a refresher session on the basics of dressing to impress.
For an interview, the general rule of thumb is “you can never be too overdressed.” You have a short period of time to be assessed by a potential employer, so dress like you want the part five times over. While you want to convey professionalism through your dress, you don’t want to be remembered for your outfit. (You want to be remembered for your qualifications!) This means veering away from loud colors and statement jewelry. Go back to the basics!
What exactly are the basics for an interview?
Women:
Conservative Dress/Knee-Length Skirt or ironed business slacks with a blouse
No LOUD colors (in your outfit, jewelry or on your NAILS)
Limit the perfume & jewelry
Keep your hairstyle simple and professional (Tie out of your face to avoid playing with it during an interview- it’s distracting!)
Simple heels or flats (This is not the time for fashion forward stilettos!)
Outside of an interview setting, it is still important to dress professionally in the workplace. However, you must also feel out your work environment and look to your coworkers to see what the norms are. Someone working on Wall Street will undoubtedly be expected to dress more formally than someone who works at the more business casual Google office. However, for the first few days of your internship or job, lean towards overdressing.
Although it may seem like we are trying to quash your self-expression, there are many ways to dress professionally and still incorporate your own style.Also remember that dressing conservatively does not mean you cannot be stylish! For great workplace style tips, check out the following sites:
Women: Marie Claire at Work here (includes how to be “business chic,” what to wear as a fragrance at the office and more!)
Men: Check out GQ’s “A 10-step GQ Guide to Nailing Office Style” here
Ready to Dress for Success? Good.
Now feel free to change back into your Pumpkin costume, after all it is still Halloween!
You have one page to prove yourself. Although that sentence may seem a little harsh, a resume does essentially mean fitting and appropriating all of your accomplishments into one 8×11” page. Understanding that you have limited space begs the question, “What do employers look for in a resume?”
Of course there are the basics: Education, Relevant Work Experience, Volunteerism etc. However new research by the National Association of Colleges and Employers suggests eight out of tenemployers value and seek leadership skills on a candidate’s resumes. Thus, instead of over-involving yourself in campus activities to bolster your resume, hone in on your genuine interests and pursue a leadership position in one of those activities. The age-old notion of “quality over quantity” still applies!
NACE also highlightedNINEother qualities that employers sought in their applications. Check out the below picture to see all 10 desired attributes and think about how these qualities fit into your resume. Since resumes are ever-evolving documents, make changes that reflect these ideals.
While you definitely want to focus on developing desirable skills and experiences, don’t forget the basics rules either:
No typos: When there’s limited space, the details count! Always proofread your work AND have someone else check it as well.
Action Verbs:Under your experiences, choose action words to strengthen your descriptions. Make sure you use the right verb tense too!
Relevant Experiences: Although you may be really proud of your ability to make triple chocolate brownies from scratch, that fact should remain far outside the purview of your resume! (Well unless you want to be a baker…) Remember your goal is to snag an interview, so keep it relevant.
One readable page: For college students, your font size should be between 10 –12. And just in case you forgot… Resumes are ONE page documents!
For basic resume guidelines, check out HC Career Planning’s Resume worksheet!
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If you have quick questions about your resume, come to Career Planning Drop-in hours every day from 1-4pm or log on to Crusader Connections for Virtual Drop-ins every Monday from 7-9pm!
….just because everyone needs a laugh on a Friday, check out the “150 Funniest Resume Mistakes, Bloopers and Blunders” here.
You’ve probably been encouraged to take advantage of college resources on many different occasions in your academic career. However, it is not always clear how or which programs are best suited for you.
In this installment of “What’s in Hogan 203?” we will reacquaint you with the services and resources offered virtually by the Career Planning site. The mentioned sites are definitely worth taking a look!
First on the top right corner, you will find our“Self-Help Guides.” These packets will take you step-by-step through the process of developing your Resume, writing a Cover Letter and learning more skills to help you score your dream internship or job. This is the place to start learning how to develop your professional profile, while avoiding a major faux pas.
All of these guides are also offered in print inside the Career Planning Center- Hogan 203.
In the top left hand corner, we offer Powerpoints of our“Online Workshops.” These resources focus on more specific situations, such as the different types of interviews you may encounter. While the first section centers on more general advice, this is the place to look for tips when you’ve narrowed down the companies you’re applying for OR if you’ve already scored an interview.
Step 2: Crusader Connections
Before going through the “External Links” section, head over to Crusader Connections, where we post a TON of internship/job opportunities. To access these, sign in and familiarize yourself with CRUSADER CONNECTIONS. Throughout your job search, Crusader Connections will be your best friend… if you know how to navigate it. For a full Crusader Connections tutorial, check out last year’s blog post.
Step 3: External Links
Now it’s time to tackle the bottom section of“External Links.” All of these links provide helpful information about potential career paths or current internship/job opportunities. Look confusing? We’ll break it down for you….
Still not sure where your career path is heading? (P.S. No one really does)
We are excited to announce that our Alumni Guest Post series is back for the 2012-2013 academic year!
First up:Will Brown ’11will be sharing his experiences as a Physics teacher with Teach For America!
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Will Brown ’11
When I look back at my four years at Holy Cross, many things stand out to me: long hours in class and science labs, long hours studying in Dinand, long hours working at Kimball, and long weekend nights with friends. I enjoyed all of those things, but the one aspect of Holy Cross that truly became a part of me was the idea of being “Men and Women for (and with) Others.” I took advantage of every opportunity I had to serve alongside the marginalized and oppressed. I was one of those people who fell in love with the spring break immersion program. I went to New Orleans my freshman year because I wanted to help others. I quickly learned, however, that the beauty of a life of service is not what you can do for others, but what you can do together. The individuals that I met, both from Holy Cross and the local communities, convinced me to broaden my perspective and go out into the world.
Fast forward a few years, and I am now a second-year Teach for America corps member serving as a physics teacher San Benito High School in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, the area of land alongside the Mexican border. As someone who was a biology major in the health professions program, I often get asked, “Why Teach for America? Why not go to med school?” Medical school is still my target destination, but I did not feel ready at that time to jump in. Instead, I opted for a short break from school and settled on joining one of the many service organizations that are available (Peace Corps, JVC, Americorps, etc.). Teach for America recruits high-performing college graduates with strong leadership qualities to teach in high-needs schools throughout the country. We go through an alternative teacher certification program and undertake continuous professional development throughout our two-year commitment. This makes it an excellent option for those individuals (like me) who realized very late that they have a passion for teaching, and also those individuals who would like a strong support system as they begin their teaching careers. Although it is not faith-based like the immersion trips, TFA appealed to me because it allowed me to work daily with students who have ambitious hopes and dreams for their futures, but who have also been written off by many as incapable of reaching those goals or, worse, not worth the effort.
The past year and a half has been a constant challenge. The old joke that “those who can’t do, teach” has certainly been proven false. I have worked harder during the past year and a half than I ever did before. My school day runs from 7:45 to 4:16, and then I stay at school most afternoons grading, preparing for future lessons, or organizing extracurricular activities. During my first year I taught three 90-minute chemistry classes and one remedial class for students who needed to pass the state exam. This year I am teaching physics. I find myself constantly relearning things I have forgotten since college. Most nights I am exhausted, and just like at Holy Cross I cannot wait for each weekend to come around so I can relax a bit. I love taking the time to go out to my students’ football games (yes, it really is like Friday Night Lights) or volleyball games and see them excel in something that they love. It is also a fun and easy opportunity to meet students’ parents and influencers.
All of the time and effort is worth it, though, when you see the fruits of you and your students’ shared labor: having Juan look up at you from a problem set and say he finally understands; seeing Mel’s face light up in wonder and amazement when a science experiment works like magic; or seeing a student who has failed multiple times in the past finally rise up and succeed. Those simple, joyous moments remind me why I chose teaching, why I chose Teach for America.
If you are interested in applying to Teach for America, make sure to get in touch with one of the recruiters from the Boston office. TFA works in 46 different rural and urban regions throughout the country from Boston to Hawaii and everywhere in-between. Check out the website to see detailed information about each of the regions. You can make yourself a more attractive applicant by taking on leadership positions on campus and developing your organizational skills, as these are two of the organization’s focal points when looking at applicants. Also, speak to people who are currently teaching in the public school system: there are many things I was unaware of that happen behind-the-scenes. There is a lot more to school than just teaching classes.
I want to leave you with my greatest moment in the classroom so far. One of
Will & Myriah
my students from last year, Myriah, had not passed the state science exam since she was in 8th grade. As a senior, she needed to pass that test to graduate. She was in two science classes with me, for a total of 135 minutes each day, all year long. Myriah had her confidence beaten down, but we knew that she could do it. One month before graduation, on her last chance, she finally succeeded in passing the science exam. She was going to walk across the stage and graduate with her class! I remember many things about that night: My mom and sister were at a Brad Paisley concert, and Johan Santana threw the Mets first no-hitter, but I will always remember the ear-to-ear smile on Myriah’s face as she lined up to walk across the stage. Tears welled up in my eyes as a student sitting near me said, “I didn’t think Myriah was going to graduate.” The tears began to run as I responded, “Well, she did.” In that moment, I knew that I was where I needed to be. I knew that joining Teach for America was the right choice for me.
FALLBREAK is finally upon us! While we would never dream of undermining the importance of sleeping, watching re-runs of Law & Order SVU and mulling over this year’s Halloween costume options, we know Fall Break also provides the opportunity to maximize your internship & career search. Here are some quick tips for you to tackle over break:
Research: Whether you are applying for an internship or full-time position, researching companies before you apply is essential. Many corporate websites feature a “Career” section, so take a look at what kind of positions are available and what qualifications they require. Also, check out our very own Crusader Connectionsto see what positions are available to you. (We post A LOT of jobs/internships for you!)
It’s October, Buy a Costume:No we don’t mean for Halloween…yet… Rather, invest in some staple business outfits so you are ready to roll for upcoming interviews or networking events.
Seniors –Apply!Those words may have left a bad taste in your mouth that even apple cider can’t fix, but it’s finally time to start applying. Many employers (especially in finance or other companies with training programs) set their deadlines in early October! So keep searching and sending out your resumes & cover letters! P.S. You’ve got this.
Polish:One can never proofread their resume too many times. Bonus: If you’ve had prior professional experience, develop a portfolio of work you’ve done to bring to interviews.
…..Alright, break open the bag of Candy Corn. You deserve it.
