Career Development Blog

Looking for a job or internship? Your first place to look should be Crusader Connections, the Career Center’s online recruiting portal. Students may use this system to apply for full-time employment and internship opportunities.

There are dozens of internships and jobs available on Crusader Connections for students of all class years and majors. According to Pamela Ahearn, Director of the Summer Internship Program, “Employers are reaching out to our office daily to advertise their open positions. They are specifically targeting Holy Cross students for these opportunities.” While some positions are restricted to specific class years or to the  Summer Internship Program, many are not.  Search the site to see what opportunities may be of interest to you!

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Directions for using Crusader Connections

The URL for Crusader Connections is:
https://holycross-csm.symplicity.com/students/

Note: Your password to log in to Crusader Connections is not the same as your Holy Cross Novell password. When you log in for the first time you will need to use the password automatically generated by the system and sent to your email. If you forgot this password or require a new one, send the Career Center an email at careers@holycross.edu and we can provide you with one.

Build your Profile

– Click on My Profile tab in top navigation bar, complete required fields, and choose Save Changes & Continue
– Click on Personal and update contact information, class year, etc . Save changes.

– Click on Academic and update.  Save changes.

– Click on Privacy Settings and update (Choose ‘yes’ for faster notifications of job postings.)

Upload Necessary Documents (resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript, etc.)

– Click on My Documents tab in top navigation bar

– Click on Add New at the bottom of the page

– Enter a document title in the Label field

– Click on Browse button, select a file to upload and then click the Submit button

– Repeat  steps 1-3  for over documents

Apply for Job

– Click on Jobs/Internships tab or the Employers tab in the top navigation bar.  (For fewer results, choose Crusader Connections Jobs)

– Use the Keyword search

– Click on the Apply button

– You will be directed to find your Necessary Documents in the drop-down

– Highlight the appropriate name and Submit the required documents

– A green screen will appear to indicate that you have successfully applied to the job.

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Interested in applying for a position you found? Stop by the Career Planning Center‘s drop in hours, M-F 1-4pm to have your required documents checked out!

Easter break is one of gems of Holy Cross: how many other schools do you know which get almost a whole week off? The weather is finally good (usually), the semester is almost over (finally), and it’s the perfect opportunity to start advancing your career (say what?!).

That’s right.

Think about it, none of your friends will be home for the week and there’s a finite number of times exploding Marshmallow Peeps in the microwave is exciting (approximately the same number as Peeps you have). Take advantage of this free time to do a little career advancement!

Some ideas:

Search: Still no internship or job? There are dozens of internships available on Crusader Connections right now waiting for you! According to Pamela Ahearn, Director of the Summer Internship Program, “Employers are reaching out to our office daily to advertise their open positions. They are specifically targeting Holy Cross students for these opportunities.” While some internships are restricted to students in the Summer Internship Program, many are not. Search the site to see what opportunities may be of interest to you!

Job shadow: Real people don’t have the week off. Maybe you hit it off with a local HC alumnus you found in the Career Advisory Network or your mom’s coworker’s husband’s best friend has what sounds like your dream job–ask if you could shadow them for a day. There is no better way to learn if you’ll like a job than to try it out!

Volunteer: Still having withdrawal from your Spring Break Immersion Trip? Volunteering is a great way to spend your free time. Food pantries and soup kitchen always need extra help around the holidays, but think outside the box about opportunities which could play off your interests. Environmental Studies concentrator? Join in restoring a park for a day. Love to draw? Create some cards for a nursery home. Check out idealist.org for more ideas.

Clean up Your Resume: …You do have one, right? If so, take some time to edit it and make sure your most amazing achievements and interests are listed. Don’t have one? Write one! You’ll need it eventually. Use this easy-to-follow guide and don’t forget to bring it by Career Planning after break for some one-on-one advice.

Reward: After all of your hard work, you deserve to take a break with your family and to relax with some Cadberry Eggs, Starburst Jelly Beans or Marshmallow Peeps!

(Image via)

Interested in  career in international affairs?  Jump start your global career at the Foreign Policy Association University (FPA U).

According to the program website, FPA U “provides internationally minded individuals with the tools they need to realize successful careers in global affairs. Established by the renowned Foreign Policy Association, FPA U offers specialized seminars, networking opportunities and invaluable access to insider information for the next generation of global professionals.”

Seminars are offered in New York City, Washington D.C. and Boston. Register for seminars online (links provided below). Discounted packaging pricing available; please contact fpau@fpa.org for details.

Spring 2012 seminars include:

Global Careers Boot Camp

• Where are the jobs? Discover a variety of international opportunities
• What degrees, internships, and training programs are best?
• How do I break into the field? Networking & application guidance

NYC April 18 | DC May 3

 

Landing a Job in International Development

• What are the current jobs in development?
• What’s the deal? Field work vs. Headquarters, salaries, lifestyle
• What are employers recruiting for right now?

NYC April 17 | DC May 1 | BOS May 15

Opportunities in International Exchange & Education

• What kind of jobs are out there? Examine this dynamic field
• Who’s hiring? NGOs, think tanks, government, schools & more
• How do I get an edge? Networking, resumes, successful interviewing

NYC April 24 | DC May 2 | BOS May 16

Breaking into Global Finance

• Explore career options in finance & banking worldwide
• An insider’s view on networking, training, & landing the job
• Leveraging your finance background into exciting opportunities

NYC April 25

All seminar attendees receive:

• Course-specific FPA U Tool Book
• Automatic enrollment in the Foreign Policy Association’s Global Jobs email alerts
• Free half-year digital subscription to Foreign Affairs Magazine
• Light food and drink during networking session

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Foreign Policy Association University FAQ’s:

Who should attend?
Professionals, recent graduates, and students considering or preparing for a global career, looking for the insider track on how to break into the field.

What will I learn?
Each specialized course explores career options, where the current jobs are, the hiring process, and how you can distinguish yourself within a competitive market.

Who are FPA U instructors?
Our courses are led by professionals from dynamic backgrounds who are experts in their field. They bring international experience, career development, recruiting know-how, and tailored guidance to each seminar.

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For more information or to apply for FPA U, please see visit www.fpau.org.

Have a question about a job or internship posting?
Looking to get your resume checked?
Need a cover letter critiqued?
Want to do it all from the comfort of your room?

Virtual Office Hours with Career Planning
Every Monday night, 7-9pm
April 16th – May 21st, 2012

How does it work?
Log on to Crusader Connections
Click on “Chat with an Adviser” on the home page
A box will pop up within which you should enter your
name & email along with your question

No advance sign up is necessary!

What do Lady Gaga, Steve Jobs and Warren Buffet have in common?  Their success stories all contain wisdom for undergrads starting out in the real world! Read on for some best tips from some of the best success stories.

The following article is originally from HerCampus.com and has been modified  for this blog.

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1. Steve Jobs: “You’ve got to find what you love.”
You’ve heard it time and again: find something you love and pursue it. Steve Jobs was taking a risk when he dropped out of Reed College and started Apple in his parents’ basement, but three decades later, he found himself at the top of a multi-billion dollar company that probably produced your computer screen. In his 2005 commencement speech at Stanford, Jobs didn’t speak so much about talent or resources or GPA, but instead told the graduates “to have the courage to follow your heart and intuition… everything else is secondary.”

2. Jennifer Hudson: Success is rarely instant.
Try to remember way back when American Idolactually mattered to the public and Jennifer Hudson was a contestant. She was eliminated before she even reached the top six singers of season 3—and yet, in the long run, she managed to outperform most of the show’s winners from every season. She’s won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Dreamgirls, released a Grammy-winning debut album and landed several more roles in movies like Sex and the City and The Secret Life of Bees. Learn from Hudson’s story and don’t give up just because you weren’t noticed right away; keep working hard and you’ll earn recognition.

3. Mark Zuckerberg: Build and keep a solid network.
Creator Mark Zuckerberg has not only created an extensive network for the world, but for himself as well. Soon after finishing his sophomore year of college, he made connections with technology moguls like Sean Parker of Napster, Peter Thiel of PayPal, and Steve Chen, who later co-founded YouTube. And while Facebook was a smart idea to begin with, these people gave Zuckerberg the tools to materialize it and build the entrepreneurial empire he has today. Keep your eyes open and don’t be afraid to meet new people.

4. Barbara Walters: Keep your personal and professional lives separate.
Regarded today as a journalism icon and one of the world’s most influential women, Barbara Walters has dealt with the drama of marrying and divorcing four times, suffering three miscarriages, and raising a daughter off camera.  Walters kept it classy and managed her personal life without letting it interfere with her professional life, a skill that can help anyone’s career.

5. Barack Obama: No barrier is unbreakable.
No matter your political standing, you’ve got to admit that President Obama has made history by breaking the race barrier in the White House. Take his story as proof that you can take your career as far as you’d like it to go—no matter who has or hasn’t done so before you.

6. Warren Buffett: Be modest.
Warren Buffett has bragging rights others can only dream of: a net worth upwards of 60 billion dollars, a position as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and a standing as one of the wealthiest and most successful businessmen in the world. But despite his legendary status among investors, he is known and admired for his personal frugality, a career lesson we may not immediately consider but one to keep in mind. Buffett has nothing to prove and gets a lot of respect for his attitude. Celebrate your achievements, but skip the boasting. Your success will speak for itself.

7. Lady Gaga: Give back.
This year Lady Gaga topped Forbes’ Celebrity 100 and scored the eleventh spot in the magazine’s World’s Most Powerful Women list. Not only is she a favorite in the entertainment industry, but she is also quite the philanthropist. Gaga has become involved in various charities and benefits for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, HIV/AIDS, United States immigration laws, and LGBTQ discrimination. And while the main function of Gaga’s philanthropy is benevolence, she has also broadened her fan base and gained respect from the public for her generosity. What’s the lesson here? It’s okay to be ambitious, but don’t forget the human side of things. Keep others in mind and they’ll do the same for you, too.

Source.

Environmental Services is one of the most important and diverse industries in the employment market.  Learn more about how you can make your passion for the environment not just a cause but a career.  Four Holy Cross Alumni will return to discuss their experiences pursuing a career in the variety of job opportunities that exist in this important industry. Returning alumni include:

Pat Austin ’77
Engineer Supervisor – Division of Water Supply Protection, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

Paul McManus ’81
President and Owner of EcoTec, Inc.

Christina Imrich ‘07
Program Officer, Conservation Leadership Programme Wildlife Conservation Society

Lindsey Konkel ’07
Worcester based environmental journalist.  Published in Reuters, Environmental Health News, Scientific American, and OnEarth, the magazine of the Natural Resources Defense Council

It’s easy to get caught up in the doom & gloom outlook on the economy, especially without a job offer in hand.  However, there are employment opportunities available across industry lines.  Many companies are still hiring and some, like the 22 listed below, in large volumes.

This list was compiled from listings on careerpath.com. According to the site, they are all looking to hire now, so stop by drop-in hours to polish off that resume and cover letter soon!

1. Starbucks
Number of jobs: 13,000 (retail) 400+ (professional services)
Sample job titles: Retail, information technology, supply chain operations and finance

2. Amazon.com
Number of jobs: 3,000+
Sample job titles: Software development engineers, product managers, operations managers, and communications and product marketing managers

3. The Boeing Company
Number of jobs: More than 500; expects to onboard about 11,000 people

Sample job titles: Engineering, airplane manufacturing, cyber security and intelligence and business functions like finance

4. Citibank
Number of jobs: 2,500
Sample job titles: Customer service, personal banker, home lending specialist, business development officer — commercial banking

5. Adventist Health System
Number of jobs: 2,500+
Sample job titles: Allied health professionals, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, registered nurses

6. Time Warner Cable
Number of jobs: 500+
Sample job titles: Direct sales reps, customer service reps, technicians and IT and engineering

7. State Farm Insurance
Number of jobs: 2,600
Sample job titles: Actuarial, agency department, banking, claims, creative services, customer service, information technology/systems, legal/litigation, public relations/communications, underwriting

8. Deloitte
Number of jobs: 3,300
Sample job titles: Client service professionals in all business segments including accounting, assurance and advisory, risk, tax, strategy, financial, technology and human capital

9. URS
Number of jobs: 4,300
Sample job titles: Engineering, logistics/supply/procurement, business operations/admin/IT, construction, project/program management, aviation, environmental/sciences, health and safety/homeland security operations and maintenance

10. ADP
Number of jobs: 2,000+
Sample job titles: Sales, implementation, JAVA development, client services, HR

11. T-Mobile USA
Number of jobs: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Retail sales, business sales, corporate and technology

12. Humana Inc.
Number of jobs: 2,200
Sample job titles: Various, including sales, pharmacy, nurses, physicians, service operations, IT

13. Bridgestone Retail Operations
Number of jobs: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Retail sales managers, service managers, automotive technicians, master technicians

14. Universal Health Services
Number of jobs: 1,500+
Sample job titles: Accounting, allied health, education, executives (CEO, CFO, CNO, COO), food and nutritional services, healthcare–rehab, ICU, IT, L&D, nursing and office/clerical

15. Koch Industries
Number of jobs: 1,000
Sample job titles: Engineers, IT, operations

16. Black and Veatch
Number of jobs: 500
Sample job titles: Mechanical and electrical engineers, project managers

17. Advanced Technology Services
Number of jobs: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Manufacturing maintenance technicians — field service representatives

18. Burns & McDonnell
Number of jobs: 300
Sample job titles: Civil and environmental engineers, project managers

19. Gentiva Home Health and Hospice
Number of jobs: 1,800+
Sample job titles: Home health and hospice registered nurses, home health and hospice LPNs, nurse management, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants, single site and multi-site operation management, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, sales executives

20. USA
Number of jobs: 320+
Sample job titles: Install technicians, customer service, IT tech

21. Certified Payment Processing
Number of jobs: 366
Sample job titles: Sales/account management

22. Bayada Home Health Care
Number of jobs: 300+
Sample job titles: Nursing, assistive care, therapies, medical social work, rehabilitation, hospice, non-clinical support and marketing/sales

(Original source.)

Since 1980 SEO has provided underrepresented college students of color with paid summer internships leading to full-time jobs. More than 30 years later, Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans are still underrepresented in many top entry level jobs.

SEO Internships are open to underrepresented undergraduates of color who will graduate from a 4-year accredited U.S. college or university. SEO internships are open to ALL majors. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA without exception.

Please review the following website for more detail by program/internship area:

http://www.seo-usa.org/career/applicant-resources-3/eligibility

Eligibility is based on graduation date not class standing or credits. (When in doubt consider the date after which you would be available to start a full-time job or law school.) SEO defines class years as follows:

Sophomore – Will have one more summer in addition to the SEO Summer before graduating

Junior – Will graduate in the winter or spring after the SEO Summer (after one or two semesters)

Senior – Will graduate before SEO Summer Begins

There are opportunities for international students as described below. International students must have an F-1 visa and remaining CPT or OPT work authorization

Junior international students with F-1 visa and CPT or OPT remaining are eligible for Asset Management, Investment Banking, Sales & Trading and Technology (Banking).

Sophomore international students are only eligible for Technology (Banking).

Qualifications: Minimum GPA 3.0. Class 2012, 2013, and 2014 ALANA students.

To Apply: Please apply directly to organization website: https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=seo AND apply via Crusader Connections at https://www.holycross-csm.symplicity.com/students Please indicate in your cover letter to which internship you are applying.

Deadline: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 no later than 11:59 p.m. EST

For more information please visit http://www.seo-usa.org/career/