Topic 5: Professional Opportunities and Job Skills
Introduction:
Hi again everyone, it’s Sunshine. I have managed to accomplish a lot in 4
years. I am a student leader at UCF, on my 11th executive board this year
serving as the President of the Caribbean Students' Association. I am a LEAD
Scholars Graduate. I have been involved with URSA (housing RSO), SGA, BFDC,
CSA, John T. Washington Honor Society, FACES Modeling Troupe, Greek Life, Campus
Activities Board, etc. I serve on two committees, SDES VP SAC working with Dr.
Ehasz and the Online at UCF committee with Dr. Tom Cavanaugh. I was on the 2011
Royal Homecoming Court. I traveled abroad to France during summer 2011. I am
doing research with a faculty mentor. I have externed at Disney World. And I
currently have an internship with UCF Athletics for photography. I was also a
transient student at Valencia for two semesters. I have also been recognized
with over 10 awards for my leadership and involvement and am currently Woman of
the Year. Sounds pretty cool right? Yes it is, I have had an amazing college
experience and have gained a lot of skills I plan to use in graduate school and
my career.
This week’s
objectives:
1.
Understanding how Professional
Opportunities influence college experience
2.
Assessing Job Skills
gained at UCF
3.
Taking
advantage of UCF opportunities
4.
Finding
an activity you wish you had taken advantage of
Talking Points:
1. How
have you used your interdisciplinarity in your professional life?
2. What
has been your professional history?
3. What
are your strongest and weakest job skills?
4. What
can you do to develop and improve upon your weak skills?
5. Identify two professional clubs or
organizations that are useful to your chosen career.
6. How
have internship or externship helped your professional development?
7. Discuss
your personal philosophy concerning your professional life
8. How
is or isn't this philosophy interdisciplinary?
9. How
have your career goals altered?
Links to Opportunities
UCF
KnightLink: Connection to employers through Career
Services http://www.career.ucf.edu/categories/Students/87_13.aspx
Marketing
Internships: College of Business Administration http://www.bus.ucf.edu/marketing/?page=1767
UCF Office of
Student Involvement:
400
plus Registered Student Organizations http://getinvolveducf.com/
Agencies
in OSI: Late Knights,
Multicultural Student Center, Campus Activities Board, Homecoming, Knights of
the Roundtable, Volunteer UCF, Knight-thon, Knight-Cast
Order of Pegasus: https://publishing.ucf.edu/sites/sdes/News/Pages/OrderofPegasus2012.aspx
Disclaimer: there
is a plethora of additional opportunities for leadership and career experience,
but all are not listed here.
Activity: List one opportunity you have used or wish you
had used and how did it or could it have benefitted your college experience and
future career goals?
Wow that is a really impressive college resume Sunshine! The one area that I need to get more involved in here at UCF is certainly clubs and organizations. Not only does involvement build personal skills such as responsibility, communication, and networking. It also is a key factor for resumes. Often times employers will look to see how involved you were extracurricular and will base employment off of that.
ReplyDeleteThat's the one thing I regret not doing much of throughout my college career. I have some extracurricular involvement under my belt but not as much as I'd like. It hold quite a bit of substance when it comes to the validity of a resume.
DeleteYeah, I agree with you as well Matt. I have spent a lot of time working to make sure I could pay for classes and stay afloat, but I haven't had much time spent around "involvement" in any of my studies. It really is a great think for a resume, as opposed to showing, "hey I can hold a job, and I have had many jobs." It says, I have done this before, or this is very similar.
DeleteThank you Mark for the compliment.
DeleteYes, employers are very interested in collegiate leadership experience. And since you are in Cornerstone, I'm sure you still have time to get involved on campus. Definitely contact the Office of Student Involvement to find an organization you can become a part of. Whether it be honors, academic, major related, fraternity or a hobby...any organization can build those skills you mentioned earlier.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteYou are totally right! Involvement is very important. I definitely think it will stand out to future employers. Also as you said it is beneficial for networking. Sometimes it's about who you know rather than what you know, so being more involved and meeting more people will certainly be helpful. :)
-Ashley Card
Mark
DeleteI agree also, outside involvement whether it be organizations, volunteer services, or internships, they all help you step up your game to be able to compete with others in the job arena. The only thing is that many students have all to do with keeping up with class and team projects, so that is an added burden to them alot of the times.
I think if you can manage extra outside activites go for it, and if not then you will find another way to stand out in the crowd.
One other part of that I have learned over the past two years, it's not just what you know, or who you know, but WHO KNOWS YOU! If someone can connect you or recommend you to a position or internship you have a better chance of getting it versus asking someone on your own. It makes you more credible as a student because you come highly recommended.
DeleteSunshine, you have certainly kept busy. How did you find time to balance all of that?
ReplyDeleteOne area that I wish I would have gotten more involved in was with student organizations. I never really did much in that respect and, as a result, don't have many contacts left from when I was at UCF full time. I know people now who went to UCF 20 years ago and still have dozens of people they continue to network with. I'm sure I would be able to create more opportunities for myself now had I been more engaged then. I'm so close to finishing and do school entirely online now I don't tink I'll have an opportunity to fix that.
Cheers to you. That's great!
Jason
DeleteIt sounds like we are in the same boat, at least to a degree. I am also in this position realizing I should have already been part of more groups. I guess its never really to late to join a few though. It may not be the most important thing, but the benefits of involvement far outweigh the cons.
Jason
DeleteThat is a great entrepreneual thought, you could start an all online community for UCF to network, there are many on campus organizations but I don't recall hearing of any online that could work for those like you and me who are mostly online.
I also applaud Sunshine for her community participation, I know that I have no time between job, family committments and homework but would love to be able to be involved as well.
Nathan
DeleteThat's a great idea. Now that you've mentioned it, I'm pretty surprised that there is not a resource like that geared towards online students. It seems like such a logical system to have in place. Great thought.
Online education is definitively something that is growing, so I see more resources geared at online students happening more and more in the future. I am sure offline groups are a great thing to join though as well, and I hope to be able to join more in the future. As for now, I am hoping to just be able to get into classes next semester as well, haha.
DeleteThat is one of the things that I regret about how my situation has turned out. It would have been nice to take fuller advantage of my first tenure at UCF in joining clubs or intramural sports when I lived on-campus with student loans paying my way. Now that I'm fully into my career working 40+ hours a week in a stable job in corporate environment, it makes it just that much more difficult to go out and do much of anything during the week.
DeleteBalance came from my level of commitment. I do not take these positions or opportunity lightly. I treat everything like a job and I don't want to be fired so I perform to the best of my ability. I think a lot of student leaders fail to recognize that. Academics obviously are my number one priority but I love being involved and impacting the campus. We all can be apart of the change on this campus.
DeleteAs always, we are to choose three Talking points to speak to and post ?
ReplyDeletelaura
DeleteActivity: List one opportunity you have used or wish you had used and how did it or could it have benefitted your college experience and future career goals
That is what you are to respond to.. hope that helps
What has been your professional history?
ReplyDeleteI started off in high school as a cheerleading instructor. Since then, I have worked in the retail industry since my freshman year at UCF. I have worked at Bebe, Juicy Couture, Apple, Henri Bendel, and even for the Orlando Magic. I have been fortunate enough to hold various positions. Starting with your typical sales associate, I have also been a wardrobe stylist, specialist (at Apple), and even an inventory specialist. During my four years in the retail industry, I have also worked in visual merchandising, completing floor sets and window displays for many of the stores I have worked in.
Devin McGhee
Devin,
DeleteWow it seems like you have had some pretty awesome opportunities in the last few years. All of that knowledge should certainly be beneficial down the line for you. It also will show true range to prospective employers. Cool stuff.
Devin
DeleteIt seems that you've had an interdisciplinary approach to everything you've done so far. I'm sure working in different industries has opened your eyes up more to what you want to do long term as well.
Great question. I have worked as a Peer Advisor in the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies for the past two years, also receiving a promotion after three months. I also have internships, externships and study abroad opportunities all under my belt. I have worked for other offices on campus as well.
DeleteI have been able to do all of these things over the course of 4 years, so if any of you are transfer students, you can still accomplish a lot in two years.
And Devin I agree with Matt, you definitely incorporated a lot of different experiences into your jobs and you seem very creative. What are your professional goals?
How have internship or externship helped your professional development?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have not participated in an internship, working all four years of college has helped my professional development significantly. I feel like working in various stores has helped me not only gain work experience to build my resume, but aid me in becoming well-rounded. Although I did not like every job, I was able to take something from each one. Whether it was learning how to be or not be as a boss, or learning not to pick up bad habits in the work place, I learned something in each job. The biggest lesson I have learned thus far is how to deal with and "manage" people. If you learn how to manage people in your life, that will take you a long way, even if you aren't necessarily happy with your current occupation. Patience and understanding are key.
Devin McGhee
While learning how to deal with people is very important, I don't believe "managing" people is an appropriate term to use for the other. In business situations, you should form an acquaintance with those you work with. Manage sounds negative. Try to be friendly and polite when dealing with difficult people because it will make you the bigger person.
DeleteHow have your career goals altered?
ReplyDeleteWith the more work experience I gain, and the more I mature, I realize it is not as easy breaking into the fashion industry. As a freelance wardrobe stylist, work is a little bit more difficult to find. It is not like you clock in to a job everyday and get paid regardless if whether or not the store is busy. The work is not always consistent when starting out in this industry. Therefore, my career goals have altered slightly because in order to maintain, I need a permanent job (for now), with styling being my side focus until I am financially stable enough to take the risk of not having another job and depending solely on my consulting firm to maintain.
Devin McGhee
Devin
DeleteI really enjoyed your journey, I feel like you definetly have things under control and are focused in your path. I agree that being fresh to any industry presents alot of difficulties, and most are not able to step into the position they would like to have but must work towards that goal.
Good luck in persuing your passion, and I know you will find your way as you are already on the right road to your passion.
Devin
DeleteI completely empathize with you on having to have a full time job while establishing yourself sufficiently enough to chase your dream/true goal. Just stay persistent and focused. I'm sure you'll succeed with whatever you plan on pursuing.
Devin
DeleteIt seems like we may have faced a similar dilemma. I earned a film degree and took a little over a year off to work in the industry. While I did find more than enough work to maintain my lifestyle, it quickly became apparent that if I was to stay in the industry longterm it would forever be a freelance job. That lack of consistency is a scary prospect. As a result I determined that going back to school made sense.
While i have not given up on my goal of working in film, it had to be put on the backburner for now. A tough choice, but perhaps the right one.
For you I would say never loose sight of your own goals, but also take solace in the fact that you are making the mature choice to take a full time job, and also complete your education.
Mark, I definitely understand the "scariness" having a freelance job in film. I have had several co-workers and such that have been film majors and have helped on a few sets myself. Most of them never really know they have a set job where they will get paid at any point. They just show up and work all the time hoping to get some kind of recognition with payment. Hopefully you will be able to find a job that allows you to be able to use your interdisciplinary degree around the film industry as well. That might land you someplace you really enjoy, and that is all we can ask for I suppose haha.
DeleteDevin,
DeleteSmall businesses usually face a lot of speed bumps along the way to stability. I suspect one of the problems you're having is the lack of a ready to bite market. I imagine that it is difficult to market your product to prospective buyers to show what sets your line apart with so many box stores out there having seemingly endless celebrity designers to take up shoppers' attention spans and money.
Good things come in time, so if this is what you truly want, don't put it too far on the backburner, but you are right in prioritizing your current financial situation. If you go broke, you'll never get the chance to invest in your own business.
Devin
DeleteI'm the same way with my guitar playing. I'd like to make a long-term career out of playing guitar, but as of right now, like yourself, my focus is on banking money and finishing school. Once stable, I plan to take my passion that's been sitting in the corner even further. Focus on what you're doing to get to that point and it'll all pay off in the end.
What has been your professional history?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately most of my experience doesn't fit under my intended career path. For a while I worked for my parent's company as an “executive assistant”. During my high school career, I was a member of the Business Professionals of America which assisted in learned how to properly act in a professional setting. They taught me a few things like how to effectively write a resume. The second job I had was as an IT intern at DeVry university. In order to pass this special program that I was in, I had to complete an internship in an information technology setting. My last career was as a team member of Jamba Juice, a smoothie place. That definitely didn't help me get closer to my goal. Sometimes this week I have an interview for a position at GameStop. That will be a lot closer to my goals.
~Rachel Tobier
Good luck with your inveterview this week. GameStop may not be the most glorious of positions for someone with dreams to be a game producer, but it is still in the industry and you will have a lot more in common with your coworkers, and you'll still get insider experiences in the industry too.
DeleteWhen I worked for Circuit City's Firedog, I went to a bunch of Intel sponsored events exclusively for tech retail workers. It was a blast.
How have your career goals altered?
ReplyDeleteI have been through a ton of changes of career goals. Of course, when you are a kid you want a fun job. I first wanted to be a magician. Next it was a whale trainer. In middle school, I settled on being a teacher. When I entered my freshman year of high school, I was having second thoughts. I wanted to do something I would absolutely love. One thing my father always told me was that it's important to do what you love. My favorite activity at the time was video games. That was the turning point of my major career goals. At first, I wanted to be a 3D artist. I had to reevaluate my goals due to my skills. I finally settled on being a producer and I intend to see this through.
~Rachel Tobier
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteList one opportunity you have used or wish you had used and how did it or could it have benefited your college experience and future career goals?
ReplyDeleteOne thing I wished I followed through with was the Visual Arts division of Digital Media. I would have enjoyed myself a lot more then just the normal DM path. What held me back was lack of confidence in myself. I used excuses such as not having a car to drive to the off-campus classes when I could have just taken the public buses. That part of the major would have furthered me in my career goals. It also would have given a foot in the door to my chosen graduate school. Since I did not take this opportunity when I could have, I will just have to work harder.
~Rachel Tobier
I am sorry you feel that way, and I can totally relate. I did not commit to auditioning for the Dance Minor because I psyched myself out. But now that you know this about yourself, you can begin to find ways now to incorporate off campus workshops into your knowledge base before you graduate or even afterward.
DeleteRachel
ReplyDeleteYou have come along way, and while you wish things could have been different, you can still go back and take classes in the area of Visual Arts. You are never to old or to experienced to learn. This will just add more ammunition to your educational path.
Sometimes we hold ourselves back because it is not time for us to move forward, sometimes if we push to get ahead the struggle is harder, I am sure that you will find your niche in your area of passion. It just takes time. Be persistant, try to further yourself by job choices and any additional education that they may offer.
Good luck in your future career path and educational choices