The Observer, December 8, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 13
Just in CASE...
... your need some career advice over break
A month away from the busy grind of school and activities is an excellent time to do some career planning. The Career Center encourages you to take advantage of downtime during winter break and focus on your future career. Your break is an opportune time to explore employers, internships/jobs, career fields and graduate schools, and network with alums or other contacts. As spring semester nears, check out the programs and events we have planned for you on our website, http://studentaffairs.case.edu/careers/. Listed below are career-planning ideas you can explore over break.
Visit or call the Career Center (206 Sears).
Our office will remain open though Friday, Dec. 22, and will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 2. Starting Tuesday, Jan. 2, we will continue regular business hours Monday-Friday 8:30a.m.-5p.m. You can schedule a phone or in-person appointment. We can critique resumés, assist in assessing career and major opportunities, help plan a job or internship search, assist in graduate school preparation...and a whole lot more!
Investigate career and major opportunities.
The Career Center has a number of assessment tools to help you clarify major choice, identify career goals, and define interests and skills. Schedule an appointment to take the MBTI and Strong Interest Inventory. You can also visit "Research Majors and Careers" found on our website, http://studentaffairs.case.edu/careers/student/majors/. We recommend exploring the "Vault Online Career Directory," "D & B Million Dollar Database," and "What can I do with a major in…?"
Conduct an informational interview.
One of the best ways to explore various careers is to interview people who have jobs of interest...and most people enjoy telling others about what they do. When calling someone to request an informational interview, be sure to make it clear that the purpose of the interview is to gather information about the profession, not get a job. For more information on informational interviewing, visit http://studentaffairs.case.edu/careers/alumni/network/informational.html.
Write a resumé.
Resumé writing is a continuous process. Prepare a draft resumé using the Career Search Guide, http://studentaffairs.case.edu/careers/student/services/doc/csguide2004.pdf. Have your resumé critiqued by the Career Center during or after break.
Accelerate your job and internship searches into high gear.
It's often said that searching for a job is its own full-time job. Of course, while school is in session, who can devote all that time? That's why winter break is an excellent time to buckle down on that job or internship search by exploring various opportunities and resources. Please visit the "Student Section" of the Career Center's website, http://studentaffairs.case.edu/careers/student/, and explore "Gaining Experience," "Preparing for a Job Search," and "Applying for Jobs."
A must-see winter break movie to inspire your internship/job search is called "The Pursuit of Happyness." This movie tells the story of Chris Gardner, a homeless father who used an unpaid internship at Dean Witter to start a better life for him and his family.
Prepare for the Graduate School Application Process.
If more education is in your future, winter break presents a terrific opportunity to research the available programs. For juniors, this may be the time to find out which schools offer programs of interest, whereas seniors may use this opportunity to visit campuses you are considering.
