The end of the academic year is right around the quarter. You may have a job or internship lined up that will start this summer. If you’re about to enter the workforce for the first time, there’s probably a lot running through your head and some butterflies in your stomach. Thankfully, there is no shortage of good advice out there on how to excel at your new job or internship by working hard and getting noticed. This particular article will focus on another important aspect of workplace success: Understanding your environment. Here are some tips that will help you make a sparkling impression on your coworkers and avoid some rookie mistakes too.
Be Yourself
Starting a new job or internship can be rough. Maintaining that confidence that got you hired can be a challenging thing. Take comfort in the fact that you were hired because your interviewer believed that you are capable and that working with you would be enjoyable. So let your true colors shine. That being said . . .
Watch & Learn
Take some time to understand how things get done and what makes people tick. Feel out the culture of your workplace before making any rash moves. Take cues from your coworkers about what is expected. This can be something concrete, such as noticing how formally people are dressed, or something more nuanced like figuring out what kind of jokes are appropriate. A lot can be learned through simple observation.
Be Aware of Interpersonal Dynamics
You may be new, but most of your coworkers already have firmly established relationships with one another. Don’t make assumptions that you can talk to another employee in the same manner that someone else does. Remember what I mentioned earlier about figuring out what jokes are appropriate? Teasing between superiors who have known each other for years might be acceptable, but chiding from an intern could be seen as disrespectful. Pay attention to these important interpersonal dynamics when deciding how to interact.
Know When to Apologize
You might make a mistake. You might offend someone or cross a line. At times like these, apologize. Fitting in with a new group of people is always a learning process, whether you’re in an office or not. Showing this consideration and courage will go a long way towards building the kind of relationships you are hoping to foster at work.
Find a Friend
Sidling up next to someone who understands the company culture can be helpful, if you have developed an appropriate level of trust. When you befriend someone in the office, consider asking for advice about how to navigate situations with other coworkers. Always frame these conversations in terms of learning how to work with people more effectively, rather than suggesting that anyone is difficult in any way. Never gossip and remember to maintain your professionalism at all times.
Ultimately, success will come at your job or internship if you can relax and enjoy yourself, and try to learn as much as you can. Whoever hired you had good reason to do so, and they see potential in you. Your coworkers generally want you to succeed and will understand when you don’t know something yet. Remember that you’re just getting started as a young professional, and most people will be understanding of the fact that you’re new and still figuring things out. After all, everyone’s been there at some time or another.
And if all else fails, just remember to be polite and smile!
Cat Saunders is a UCSB alum who works as a Vocational Counselor in the Santa Barbara area. She can be found at www.catsaunders.com.
How to Attack a New Internship
So, you’ve landed an internship. If you’re a senior, that’s good – use this time to gain some experience before heading into the real world. If you’re a junior, you’re well ahead of the game. If you’re a sophomore, stop it. Entering the real world is no easy task. It’s the first step of many you’ll take along your career journey, and there are things you can do to make sure the first step is a good one. Here are five suggestions I’d give in order to do that:
1. Walk in Stupid
As I walked inside Wieden+Kennedy, the advertising agency in Portland where I’d my first post-collegiate internship, I saw these words prominently displayed in the lobby: “Walk in Stupid. Everyday.” These are words to live by. On your first day, forget everything you’ve been taught in school. Tell yourself you don’t know anything. Tell yourself you’re here to learn. Be a blank slate.
Many times I’ve seen new interns start, and they instantly interact and behave like they’ve seen and heard everything already. They act as though this internship, the one they just got, must be exactly like a class they took junior year. As though they don’t need to listen to anyone because they already know how it goes. While school does prepare you for work, each company has its own process and way of getting things done. Thinking you “already know” that process inhibits you from actually learning it.
Be open. Be willing to learn. Be willing to be taught everything over again. Ask to be taught. Asking won’t come back to hurt you. You got the internship for your future potential. Not for the knowledge you might already have. Be a blank slate, don’t assume anything and you’ll be fine.
2. Be a Sponge
Listen and remember everything.
Have you found yourself in a meeting where important decisions are being made? Pick out the people you admire and study their communication style, their body language, and their leadership techniques. Soak in everything they do and replicate that successful behavior in your work.
As an intern, you’ll be exposed to many more tasks, projects, meetings, and environments that you might not see as an entry-level worker later on. For example, I did much more meaningful and interesting work as an intern at Wieden+Kennedy than I did at the actual job I got afterwards.
Soak up all that experience. Have it form the foundation of your skills and expertise. To this day, I use many tools that I acquired during my internship and many of the lessons I learned during those three months to guide my decisions today.
3. Go Above and Beyond
One of the biggest complaints I hear about interns: “They just sit there.” In all honesty, as an intern, this is an easy thing to do. As a life-long student, you’re used to sitting at your desk and waiting for the teacher to tell you to do something. If she doesn’t say anything, then, holy moly, it’s a free day!
Not in the real world. If you have nothing to do, find something to do. In the office world, your teammates, bosses, supervisors, and directors are often too busy to even tell you how to help them.
When I started my internship, I was shown my desk by HR, someone from IT came by and turned on my computer, and that was it. I sat there. My entire team was so busy they didn’t notice I arrived! So I stood up, walked over to my boss and, with a smile, said “Hi, I’m here!” and asked what I could do. I got to work.
When you get your first assignments, go above and beyond what’s expected. If you’re told to find five examples of competitive advertising campaigns, find eight. If you’re told to forecast the next five months of the budget, forecast eight. If you’re told to write the introduction of the upcoming project brief, write the entire thing.
Turn in what you were supposed to (don’t ignore direction), but always include that extra work you did in a separate section of your response. Tell your boss that you went ahead and took a shot and completing the entire project. Say “I know it’s more than you asked for, but I thought I’d give it a try. Do you have time to read over my extra work and we can see where I can improve?” Completing things on your own and initiating your own projects will only help you. Even if your boss doesn’t look at it, they’ll know you tried.
4. Get to Know Everyone
If you want to be hired by the company you’re interning for, you have to make an impression. You have to make sure everyone knows your name. Near the end of my internship, the HR director went around and asked everyone I worked with, even the slightest bit, about how I did and what they thought of me.
At the beginning of my internship, several other interns and I knew we had to get known. We wanted to make sure people knew our names and told the HR folks how hard we worked and how fun we were to be with. Our intern group created a blog and uploaded original content depicting the “daily life” of a Wieden+Kennedy intern. We taped a monthly talk show and posted it to the site. We wrote original blog posts about the challenges we faced and how we planned to overcome them. I also joined the company softball team. I played basketball during the Friday lunch hour with guys from work. Other interns and I hosted a party and invited the office. We said hi to everyone.
We made our presence, our creativity, and our personalities known. That’s one of the most important things you can do as an intern (depending on what industry you’re in, of course).
5. Have Fun
People want to work with folks they enjoy being around. As an intern, being fun and easy-going is nearly as important as being smart. Companies, across all industries, want to hire people benefit the organizational culture. If you’re stressed out all the time, you snap at people and act frazzled, people will see it. If you get angry when accepting direction, get annoyed when someone is teaching you something, or get prickly under pressure, people will assume you can’t handle real-world responsibilities. It might not be true, but your outward body language says otherwise. Remember, entering the real world should be fun! You’ve worked hard in college for this opportunity. Enjoy it!
Show others that you’re passionate, driven and enthusiastic. Don’t get unnerved by making mistakes – you’ll make a lot of them. Don’t get bothered if someone tries to teach you something for the hundredth time – take advantage of it! Relish the opportunity to prove yourself.
Have fun. Walk in Stupid and be a sponge. Make friends and work hard. Do all that, and you’ll be successful. Trust me.
Cody Corona is a Marketing Coordinator at Rockstar Games, a leading developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. Previously, Cody helped lead integrated advertising campaigns for Old Spice and Denny’s restaurants. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2010 and currently lives in New York City.
Follow Cody on Twitter: twitter.com/codycorona
Or Visit his Webpage: http://www.codycorona.com
Join the LinkedIn Skills Academy!
Spring quarter is just around the corner! Career Services is gearing up and we want you to know about all breaking news first. This is your chance to participate in our LinkedIn Skills Academy, a four-session series that gets you ready to network professionally online. Space is limited, so don’t wait.
Alexander Lyte is pursuing a B.A. in Economics and participated in the LinkedInSkills Academyduring Winter 2013. Check out what he has to say about the Academy:
“LinkedIn is a tremendous resource for finding jobs and internships. After attending the LinkedIn SkillsAcademy my profile looked great. I connected with a number of different companies, and found many of job listings I’m interested in. I also connected with former co-workers in a professional context, and got great recommendations from previous employers. The Academy really helped me advance my professional image, and reach out to the organizations I care about.
LinkedIn personalizes the online hiring process by allowing you to connect directly with employers, profile to profile. At the LinkedIn Skills Academy, you learn how to tailor your profile to the career you want. You learn how to build a great profile, find companies you like, and get involved with them. I recommend the LinkedInSkills Academyto any student entering the modern job market. It’s more than just a resource; it’s a path to success.”
Register by March 22, 2013 and the first ten students will be accepted to the academy! The academy sessions will meet April 8 (Mon), 10 (Wed), 15 (Mon), and 17 (Wed) from 4-5pm. Contact Brittany Manzer at brittany.manzer@sa.ucsb.edu or (805) 893-4640 with any questions.
Tanya Smith is a senior at UCSB. She had some fears that most college seniors could understand. She was worried about getting a job after college. She was worried about whether she could be competitive with a degree in liberal arts. But now Tanya has accepted a full-time job offer from Macy’s for a position in their Executive Development Program. How did Tanya land that job? To learn more about her success, Tanya was interviewed by Career Services so that other Gauchos could benefit from her experience and knowledge.
How did you find out about the position?
Because I majored in the liberal arts, I worried that I had painted myself in a corner when it came to career options. I figured that I would become a junior high teacher. In October I went into Career Services to have my resume edited. At Career Services, I met Lily, who was extremely complimentary of my accomplishments; she urged me not to settle and told me that I would be a perfect candidate for a corporate training program. She also convinced me to research the various companies coming to the Career Fair. The only company I loved that had a renowned executive development program was Macy’s.
What did the application process look like? What efforts did you make before turning in your application materials?
The application process was incredibly time-consuming but definitely worthwhile. I think that the application process began the minute I shook hands with one of the Macy’s representatives at the Career Fair and turned in my resume. A 3.5 GPA was a prerequisite for the position. I turned in a polished resume and came prepared with questions to ask at the Career Fair. Afterwards, I was invited to attend a virtual information session online (we had the opportunity to ask questions) and then afterwards I was invited to attend an information session on campus (followed by a meet and greet with Macy’s employees). I had to complete a few surveys and an additional job application online which tested my critical thinking skills and analyzed my personality. Afterwards, I was invited to sign up for an on-campus interview, and that was followed by an off-campus interview in Los Angeles.
What did you do to prepare for your interview?
I spent an entire day preparing for my interview. I reviewed the interview tips on the Macy’s website and also browsed through feedback on the website Glassdoor. Interestingly enough, a few of the practice interview questions from the Macy’s website ended up being asked during my on-campus interview. I made sure to have specific questions to ask about the company and about my potential to grow in the company. I reviewed about 50 practice interview questions (which I drew both from the Career Services pamphlet and from the Internet.) I made sure to have several stories ready to illustrate my strengths.
What did you wear and bring to your interview?
I wore a gray and black professional dress and shiny black flats. My dress was conservative but I also made sure that it was quite stylish since I was applying to work with a company that is an established leader in fashion.
What was the interview like?
The on-campus interview consisted of two parts; the first part was a “coaching exercise,” in which I was asked to take on the role of a department manager and to analyze the potential of my associates. I had to decide which sales associate I wanted to make an investment in, and had to explain how I would connect with that associate to help them reach various sales goals. There was really no way to prepare for this part of the interview. The second part of the interview was a basic behavioral interview, during which I was asked traditional interview questions. I especially liked that my interviewer asked me questions that made the interview feel like a conversation. He was not merely reading off a list.
After my on campus-interview, I was invited to a two-day, all-expense paid interview in Los Angeles. To prepare, I read a book on store management while I was on the train; I also invested in two new interview outfits. I was put up in a beautiful hotel room (which I had all to myself!) The first day was quite casual. We received gift bags, attended an information session, and went out to dinner together. The other students being interviewed came from across the country; everyone was extremely friendly and put-together. Many of our interviewers attended the dinner and were present during the first today, so I kept in mind that they were constantly taking notes on us. I was nervous, but I made sure to act confident. I smiled the entire time and made some great friends. The second day was extremely long but exciting. We had an individual coaching exercise, a group exercise, a traditional behavioral interview, and then another interview with someone from HR who used our responses to the behavioral questions we had answered prior to the on-campus interviews to ask us questions catered to our unique personality traits.
What were some interview questions you expected?
I expected to be asked about my strengths and weaknesses, and also expected that the interview would begin: “so tell me about yourself…” I was wrong. Nonetheless, some of the interview questions were expected. For instance, I knew I would probably be asked to talk about why I wanted to work for Macy’s and I also knew I would probably be asked about a time that I had resolved a conflict. I had answers ready to those sorts of questions.
What were some unexpected interview questions? How did you handle that?
I did not expect to be asked, “Tell me about a summer internship or a summer job that taught you how a business works.” I had worked an internship the previous summer for a nonprofit organization, the National Student Leadership Conference, as opposed to a traditional business. I handled this question by racking my brain to see what this organization had in common with a corporation and recognized that the NSLC attracted students because it was great at advertising and also because it prided itself in excellent customer service. As a result, students continued to come back and the organization continued to expand to new sites, as any corporation would want to do. Rack your brain and don’t panic if you get asked something you didn’t expect to be asked. Make sure your answers show skills that you can transfer over to your new place of employment.
What follow up did you do after the interview?
I sent personal thank you emails to both of my interviewers after my on-campus interview. The man who conducted my behavioral interviewer offered to be a resource to me if I needed any help in the future, and so as soon as I was invited to the on-site interview in Los Angeles, I called him and asked him for some words of wisdom. He gave me great confidence and also told me I was the only student who had reached out to him. He seemed impressed. I spent time on my thank you emails and asked someone to proofread them. At the on-site interview in Los Angeles, I met about ten top Macy’s executives. I asked all of them for their business cards and sent them personal thank you emails the next morning to stand apart from the other students applying for the EDP Program.
What do you attribute to your successful job search?
Career Services played an instrumental role in my successful job search, because they gave me the information I needed to pursue a job that I really wanted. At the same time, I attribute my hard work throughout college to my successful job search. College is only four years so you might as well take on as many responsibilities as you can and to work as hard as possible to make yourself stand out in this difficult economic climate. I showed my interviewers that all of my various commitments made me someone worth investing in. For instance, I used my experience as a Division I athletics to show that I was industrious, self-driven, and worked at a fast pace. I used my job as a spin (indoor cycling) instructor to show that I am confident and know how to inspire people. I used my role as co-president of the Italian Club at UCSB to show that I am a leader and that I know how to work with others. I used my GPA and my jobs as a library assistant, exam proctor, and tutor to show that I am extremely well-balanced. Working hard in college really pays off and the more experiences you have, the more you will be able to bring to the table in an interview.
What role did Career Services play in your job search?
Career Services played a key role, because Career Services was the place where I was told I had potential – that I had a promising future. I went to Career Services to have my resume critiqued, to conduct a Mock Interview, and even to partake in my first interview with Macy’s. Career Services is a great resource to all of us and it is something that we should definitely take advantage of while we have the opportunity!
What advice do you have for other Gauchos looking for employment?
I hinted at this earlier, but more than anything I would say to take on as much as you can during college. If you manage your time well, you can make it work, and it will make you a much more viable candidate once you jump into the job search. If you are a senior, no matter how good a student you are, I think you need to realize that your future career is more important than your academic work. If you need to skip a class or skip a few readings to prepare for an interview, you should do it. Why would you spend more time preparing for an exam than an interview? Finally, draw on your strengths and act confident, but don’t pretend to be someone you are not – it will show through. Just be the best version of yourself. Invest in nice interview clothes – look clean, polished, and well-put together. If in doubt, err on the edge of looking too conservative.
Tanya Smith is a senior at UCSB. She is an Honors student majoring in Italian Studies and double-minoring in History and Education. She recently accepted a full-time job offer from Macy’s for a position in their Executive Development Program.
My Successful Experience with Informational Interviews
During my fourth year at UCSB, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. My experience working for UCSB Conference Services the summer after my third year taught me that I really enjoyed working with people. The instant gratification of solving guests’ problems provided a sense of accomplishment and left me excited to go into work each day. So mid-summer I ditched my former aspirations of going to Hollywood and instead applied to the new Marriott Courtyard opening in Goleta.
Applying to Marriott was an eye opener. I went to Career Services and met with one of the counselors to polish my resume and cover letter and sent in my online application for the Guest Service Representative position. Two weeks later, I got a friendly rejection e-mail. Over the next two months, I applied for other job openings at the same location with the same result. To Marriott, I was a faceless applicant in a sea of other faceless jobseekers. Understandably, I began to stress out about my future. Clearly I needed to skill up and find a way to stand out.
Career Services saved me. But really I saved myself by using the resources available to me as a UCSB student. I picked up a Career Manual in the Career Resource Room and read about the importance of informational interviews. An informational interview involves talking with a professional to get a first-hand idea of what lifestyle his career allows. “That is great,” I thought, “but I don’t know anyone in hotels, and even if I did, I wouldn’t feel comfortable interviewing someone.” Weeks passed and I continued to research what skills hotel companies look for when hiring front desk receptionists. I asked everyone I knew if they had a friend or family member in hospitality. In the meantime, I took a private acting class on Sunday nights to keep the possibility of going to Hollywood alive. My acting partner mentioned off-hand that his partner was the Regional Financial Director for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Wow! Opportunity stared me in the face, and I could not let it pass. I asked my acting partner if I could meet with this man for coffee to talk about his experience in hospitality. He said, “Absolutely! He would love to.” It was that easy.
The informational interview led to great things. I met with this man at a Starbucks® on State Street and asked him questions like, “How did you get started in the industry,” and, “What lifestyle does your career afford?” He answered each question in great detail, and we talked for about an hour and a half. I expressed my eagerness in pursuing a career in hotels and thanked him for his help. At the end, he revealed that part of his responsibility was to look for promising future hires for the company, so he offered to take me on a tour of the Four Seasons Biltmore in Montecito and introduce me to the management staff. I was ecstatic! A month after the tour, I got an e-mail from the HR representative of the Biltmore asking me to apply for a part-time front desk receptionist position! Four interviews later, I got the job.
I learned that personal connection is crucial to obtaining a desired position. My chances with Marriott were slim because I was a stranger. Would you invite a stranger into your home to work for you? Not likely. My tour of the Four Seasons made me a familiar face, and I got that tour by getting outside, meeting new people, and asking for advice. I found that people tend to be flattered when you ask them for their expertise—so don’t be afraid to ask!
Daniel Russell is a Career Peer Advisor at UCSB Career Services and a Front Desk Receptionist at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara in Montecito, CA. He currently studies History at UCSB and is due to graduate in June 2013.
Visit Daniel on LinkedIn.
Only 3% of College Career Centers Score Top Mark on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Certification Assessment
OUT for Work’s Annual LGBTQ Career Center Certification Assessment Results Released
Washington, DC, December 5, 2012: Overall, career centers in higher education are gradually improving in providing services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) students. However, OUT for Work’s 2013 Career Center Certification Report indicates there is still much work to do with only 3 percent of the career centers surveyed earning an A+ Gold ranking.
The newest findings are based on a comprehensive assessment completed by 158 career resource centers in higher education. The assessment is intended to gauge the current career tools, available resources, and programmatic efforts accessible to LGBTQ students through campus career centers. Career centers may earn an A+Gold, Gold, Silver, or Bronze certification ranking based on their responses from the annual assessment.
See http://issuu.com/outforwork/docs/2013_cccp_report/1 for all findings of OUT for Work’s 2013 Career Center Certification Report. [Note: All university and college career center leaders are encouraged to contact OUT for Work to learn more about the annual assessment, and to ensure they participate in future years.]
While modest, results show incremental progress over last year’s scores. Twelve career centers surged from Bronze level to Silver and nine from Bronze to Silver level in just one year. This suggests that the awareness, consultation, and resources provided by OUT for Work enhances awareness and expertise. ColgateUniversity’s Center for Career Services, TexasStateUniversity’s San Marcos Career Services, University of Maryland College Park’s University Career Center & The President’s Promise, and WashingtonUniversity in St. Louis’ Weston Career Center- Olin Business School each received the A+ Gold level of certification.
General findings show:
- 85 percent of the career centers assessed provide tools, resources, information and/or advice to students on finding LGBTQ friendly employers;
- 77 percent of career centers at community colleges provide students with guidance on ‘coming out’ on a resume; and
- 14 percent of career centers assessed have a designated staff member serving LGBTQ students.
“This year’s report goes above and beyond in the area of providing a narrative and statistical data in regards to the state of career centers in higher education serving the LGBTQ student population,” stated OUT for Work’s Founder Riley Folds.
Current and future students, academic institutions, as well as employers are all encouraged to use the report as a means to support the needs of LGBTQ identified students. OUT for Work also works closely with employers to ensure that assessment results are included in their campus recruitment strategies. Further, the organization is committed to strengthening the tools, resources, and programs that career centers provide to their LGBTQ students by offering expert consultations, training opportunities, and resources to career center staff.
About OUT for Work: OUT for Work functions as a complementary component in the total educational experience of LGBTQ college students; helping effect change in the development, evaluation, initiation, and implementation of career plans and opportunities. The nationally recognized nonprofit organization is dedicated to educating, preparing, and empowering LGBTQ college students as they transition from academia to the workplace.
Lean on Alumni to Land a Job
I went to college so I could get a job.
I took some interesting classes at UCSB, yes, and I enjoyed learning new things, but the entire POINT for me attending school was to get a job afterward.
Yes, I went to a lot of parties, I learned how to surf, made tons of friends, experienced plenty of new things, but I wouldn’t have applied to UCSB in the first place if I didn’t think it would help me start my career.
I spent four years at UCSB, and I, in fact, get the job I wanted. Now that I’ve done that, here’s what I‘ve learned: The greatest benefit of a college education – the part that will help you the most in finding a job – is the people you meet.
It’s not the classes, it’s not the chapters you’ll read, it’s not the projects you’ll do, it’s not the papers you’ll write. It’s the people you’ll meet.
Think about it:
- There are thousands of UCSB Alumni that work at interesting and impactful companies all over the world. Gaucho grads love to help graduating seniors get their career started.
- At UCSB, you learn directly from professors, graduate students, coaches, mentors, and administrators that have been published in academic journals, have won Nobel Peace Prizes, have worked with Fortune 500 companies, have created brilliant advertising campaigns, have written books, coached Olympians, and much more.
- At UCSB, you’re surrounded by motivated, smart, attractive, athletic, and hilarious students that all want to succeed. As students, you can help each other get ahead.
- UCSB has great internship and career services programs that connect you with the Santa Barbara community – an engineering, business, advertising, design, and entrepreneurial hotbed.
Each point above is an avenue that will lead you to a job, trust me.
These benefits are granted to you only because you go to UCSB. There’s no way you’d meet any of these people had you not gone to college. You can take classes any time (e.g., University of Phoenix), but forming strong connections with the great people you’re rubbing elbows with… that can only be done now.
Take advantage of the opportunity you have, the time you have, the access you have, and form a broad and meaningful network of people that can help start your career.
Below is a breakdown of how you can benefit from the four groups I’ve mentioned above:
UCSB Alumni
When I was a senior, I was dead-set on working at an advertising agency in Los Angeles.
In order to be hired by one, though, I needed to get an interview. Sending blind resumes to “Apply Now” websites is a dead end, so I needed to meet people working at the companies I wanted to join.
It’s much easier to be hired by a company if you know a few people there. They’ll say good things about you, they’ll pass along your resume, they’ll tell you about job openings not listed on the website, and they’ll introduce you to the HR recruiters.
You may think it’s impossible to meet people who work at Merrill Lynch, TBWA/Chiat/Day, ESPN, Google, and Tory Burch, but it’s not. Look for Gauchos that work there. They do… you just need to look.
Gauchos form instant bonds. We’ve shared the same crazy experiences, lived in the same crappy apartments, and have taken the same tough classes. Those similarities form very strong connections; they build trust. Graduates will think “they know you” before ever meeting you.
Students, take advantage of that.
To get your foot in the door, have a fellow Gaucho open it for you. They will. I have, for Gaucho seniors, many times. As you progress along your career, there will be UCSB graduates all over the world that can help you. Don’t forget that.
Professors and Grad Students
I’m a product of the UCSB Writing Minor Program, the Technology Management Program, SB Media Group, and the Recreational Sports Department. I had the honor of meeting dozens of accomplished, successful, well-connected, and caring professors that, as Gauchos, are willing to help students build a great future.
For example, my Writing Minor professor helped me land my first internship at an advertising agency in Santa Barbara. She also wrote several recommendations for me, which got me into the advertising training programs that, later, lead to my opportunity at Wieden+Kennedy.
Your professors, especially at the upper division level where classes are smaller and teacher-student interaction is greater, want to help their students. If you show commitment, energy, and are genuinely interested, they will.
UCSB Students
Early in college, very few of us know what kind of career we want to pursue. It’s hard to decide! If you don’t have any experience, or don’t know too much about a specific industry, it’s even more difficult.
But your friends might know what they want to do. Say you’re a senior, and you’re roommate is preparing to take the LSAT – ask her about it! Find out what she’s learned about law school, ask her about what being a lawyer is like, learn about the requirements for that kind of career.
While I was at UCSB, I didn’t know what job I wanted, but I saw my roommate, who was aggressively pursuing admission into law school, knew exactly what he wanted. I admired that devotion, and envied that sense of direction.
My junior year, my roommate helped me get a position at the internship he had, at the Santa Barbara Superior Court. It was an invaluable experience (I learned I didn’t want to be a lawyer), and it wouldn’t have been possible unless I relied on my friends for opportunities.
UCSB Career Services
Santa Barbara is full of smart people, both on and off the campus. It’s easy to meet the smart people that work on campus — just attend office hours, volunteer for research projects, etc.
UCSB Career Services is your direct link to the smart people off campus. They have people trained to help you get an internship. They have connections with professionals in all sorts of industries all over the city, the state, and the country. They ask graduates like me to work with students like you, to get them jobs.
They even bring recruiters on campus to talk directly with you and help you find a career.
Don’t miss this opportunity. Meet people. Have a Gaucho open a door for you.
Ask yourself what your goal is. What’s the point, for you, of being at UCSB? Mine, ultimately, was to find a good job.
If that’s your goal too, then start now and meet everyone that you can. You never know who might be in a position to help you in the future.
Cody Corona is a Marketing Coordinator at Rockstar Games, a leading developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. Previously, Cody helped lead integrated advertising campaigns for Old Spice and Denny’s restaurants. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2010 and currently lives in New York City.
Follow Cody on Twitter: twitter.com/codycorona
Or Visit his Webpage: http://www.codycorona.com
