FOCUSing on the Perfect Major for You!

Are You in Love… with Your Major?

Did you come to college excited and eager about your major but have now fallen out of love? If you answered yes to this question… are you now stuck and unaware of what major is the perfect match for you? If so, have you taken the FOCUS Career Assessment?

The FOCUS Career Assessment is a tool you can use to help you with your career exploration. It provides assessments in five areas: work interests, leisure interests, skills, personality and values. After taking these assessments, the program will match you with numerous careers based on the results from the test.

If you are a Georgia Southern University student or alumni, then this assessment is available to you for free! You can find the link at Georgia Southern’s Office of Career Service’s website. After taking the FOCUS, it is highly recommended that you schedule a meeting with one of our Career Advisors. Our advisors at the office can interpret your results so you can fall in love with the major or career that is perfect for you.

Career Educator

Sharol Miller

From PowerPoint to Prezi

Many students grew up learning the tips and tricks to all the Microsoft Office programs including PowerPoint.  I remember learning it as early as 5^th grade and now it’s almost ingrained into me.  I sometimes think I could close my eyes and still have the ability to create a PowerPoint presentation.

Last summer my eyes were opened when I started my new job here at Career Services.  Could it be, there was a new, potentially better presentation tool out there?

It seems like every one has seen the same presentation over and over…and over.  With “Prezi, a free and easy to use presentation tool that enables you to create visually engaging and unique presentations with little technical knowledge, this is no longer the case,”(forbes.com).  It’s easy to create these twisting, turning and eye catching presentations for your class or business presentations. 

Have you tried it yet? If not, I suggest you check it out.  It’s a free tool, there is free training and once you learn it is free fun!

Ashley Salim

Career Educator

http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2011/03/23/stand-out-from-competitors-with-prezi-presentations/

What Should I Wear to My Interview?

One of the most questionable aspects of preparing for a job interview is what to wear. Every semester, students spend hours contemplating and considering what they should wear to their interviews. As a Career Educator at the GSU Office of Career Services, it is always surprising to see what students believe is interview attire and hear what their idea of business professional clothing encompasses. At Career Services we recommend to all students that if they will be interviewed, to always dress in business professional attire which primarily includes a dark suit-and-tie sort of ensemble, however, other sources would argue otherwise. According to a CBS News article about how to dress for success, interview attire and on-the-job clothing should vary depending on the respective industry. The article argues that there has recently been a shift in rules when it comes to how to dress when going to work.

The article also mentions statutes to live by when it comes to making a first impression:

·         Before you meet with someone from the company, know their dress code and it is also advisable to know the company culture

·         Dress one step up from the current employees. For example, if they wear suits with no tie, you should wear a suit with a tie to appear slightly more professional

·         Make sure that your clothes look well pressed and your shoes look presentable 

 

·         Everything that can be groomed such as hair, facial hair, and nails should look

The previously mentioned rules are worthy to live by and will help in making the best first impression possible when it comes to attire, but also remember to bring confidence and a positive attitude with you as well.


Shayla Frinks
Career Educator

Social Media and Your Career

Social Media is arguably one of the most prominent and effective forms of staying connected to friends and family near and far. Over the last few years, social media has grown tremendously. Over 845 million people worldwide are active users on Facebook. Over 200 million people are active twitter users. This being said, what you choose to post to your social media website may positively or negatively affect your professional profile.  

A recent study shows that most managers look at the social profiles of potential employees during the hiring process. According to various professionals, information posted online is virtually impossible to retract. Now take a minute to think about any information that you have ever posted online. This may include information that you have posted in a blog; on Facebook; Twitter; Pinterest; even things that you may have posted on your old MySpace page, or Tagged account. Unless the information was posted on a secure network, once you post information online, anyone can choose to save and repost your information. It can then be manipulated in any manner.

 Before you get too anxious, let me ease your worries. Think about the type of information you have on any of your social media websites at this very moment. You may not be able to change what you have posted in the past, but it will certainly not hurt to clean up your profiles today. Below is a list of things that you should take into consideration when posting to your online profiles:

1.  Confessionals – Have you ever had a bad experience with a boss or co-worker? This is not unheard of. You may not be compatible with everyone you come in contact with. You may even hate your job. However, it is important that you keep any feelings you may have about these situations to yourself. These are not things that you need to share online. Many employees have been fired for posting negative comments about co-workers, supervisors, and companies.
2.   Personal Life – Have you ever heard the saying, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?” This may have been the case twenty years ago. With today’s technology, it is not. Being selective in the type of information that you decide to post about personal vacations is key to a nice, clean profile. Be very selective in the language that you use on your social websites as well. You never know who may be watching.
3. Picture Perfect – A picture may be worth a thousand words, but depending on the one you choose to add to your page, you may have to come up with a thousand reasons for why you chose to post it. For this point, we will focus on my three R’s. Recognize any inappropriate pictures that you have on your profile. Realize that in many cases, these pictures could be the first impression that an employer has of you. Remove any picture that may affect your chances of getting a job in your profession.

There will always be a certain level of risk involved when posting information on a social media website. By being aware of your privacy settings and being thoughtful in what you post, you can be sure that your social media websites will not be a hindrance to your potential career opportunities. 

Keisha Francis 
Career Educator

How to be a "Remarkable" Employee

These days, it’s not enough to put in average effort. Competition is so stiff in many fields that you have to stand out to get ahead. But how? Jeff Haden of Inc.com lists the following as qualities of remarkable employees. Some are innate character traits but the rest are attainable through effort.

1.       They ignore job descriptions.

·         Good employees take initiative. Many employees are tentative to step up and some even cling to the description of their position as a shield to avoid extra work. To stand out you should do what it takes to get the job done, within boundaries of course.

2.       They’re eccentric…

·         Though eccentric is a personality trait, you can stand out by being yourself.

3.       But they know when to dial it back.

·         Good employees contribute to a positive work environment by maintaining a positive attitude and realizing what is and isn’t appropriate based on the situation.

4.       They publicly praise…

·         Praising the hard work of your peers strongly contributes to great work environment.

5.       And they privately complain.

·         Good employees understand some things need to be discussed and recognize the appropriate time and place for it.

6.       They speak when others won’t.

·         Good employees know when other members of a group need further explanation or help on an issue

7.       They like to prove others wrong.

·         Successful employees (and people in general) are highly driven and motivated.

8.       They’re always fiddling.

·         Good employees recognize there is always room for improvement.

Great employees aren’t born great; they have to grow into it. Anyone can become more successful by focusing enough effort and energy. If your goal is to reach the top of your career, it is possible.


Landon J. Latham
Career Educator

The Benefits of Job-Shadowing & Tips for Shadow Day

Are you interested in shadowing a professional in the job you would like to obtain after college? If so, you should consider job-shadowing. Job-shadowing is the best way to learn what the average day is like in the shoes of the professional you soon will be.

If you already have a job shadowing opportunity lined up, here are a few tips from the article, “Getting the Most Out of the Job-Shadowing Experience,” to help you on your shadow day:

• Dress as you would for a job interview for the certain company you are shadowing or the  level of dress that employees of the company wear on a daily basis
• Arrive on time and be polite, courteous, and enthusiastic
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions and bring a notepad or tape-recorder to record the answers
• If the professional you are shadowing attends a meeting, ask them if you can sit in
• Be open to meeting as many people as possible
• Be observant to everything!
• Ask the professional you are shadowing for a business card, remember this person is now a valuable member of your network

These tips are great and you can learn more if you stop by Georgia Southern’s Office of Career Services. At the office, you can also learn how to sign up for a job-shadow experience.

Job-shadowing is a great way to find out if the career you have chosen is right for you so take advantage of the opportunity and get out there and observe!

Sharol Miller

Career Educator

Illegal Interview Questions

As a Human Resource Management major, I felt that it was quite fitting for me to mention the CBS News article that I stumbled upon that explains illegal job interview questions that everyone should look out for. These questions will typically only come up when you are interviewed by interviewers that are employed by small companies or interviewers that are interviewing for a business that they opened themselves. The reason for this is because large companies and corporations will normally have a well-trained human resources staff that has already been trained on how to conduct an interview appropriately. According to the CBS News article, there are only a few characteristics that are protected when it comes to interview questions.

The protected characteristics are as follows:

·         Race

·         Color

·         Sex

·         Religion

·         National Origin

·         Birthplace

·         Age

·         Disability

·         Marital Status

If an employer interviews you and asks any questions that are directly related to the previously mentioned characteristics, it may be an illegal question. Although employers may feel limited in their questions because of these protected characteristics, there are ways they can frame questions so that they are not illegal. For instance, rather than asking “Do you have kids?” an employer can ask “Are you willing to relocate or travel for this position?”

If an employer asks one of these “banned” questions, there are different ways that you can handle the situation. Always be sure to keep a respectful attitude and address the problem in the most appropriate way possible. You do not have to respond to those types of questions and it is perfectly OK if you refuse to do so.

Shayla Frinks
Career Educator

To Be or Not to Be…How Getting Involved on Campus Can Benefit You

Could switching to Geico really save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance? Is State Farm really there for you like a good neighbor? Are you really in good hands with Allstate? My answer: I do not know. Good thing for you, I am not here to insure you. I am however, here to assure you that being involved with various activities while here at Georgia Southern University can dramatically increase your chances of landing a job upon graduation.

Being involved on campus has numerous benefits.

• Firstly, it makes transitioning from high school to college a lot easier. For many, entering an educational establishment right out of high school with over 20,000 students is a huge transition. By getting involved with campus activities, you are more likely to meet students in a relaxed environment, which is healthy. This will assist with easing the tensions that come with the huge transition from high school to college.
• Getting involved will allow you to meet new people and establish friendships with students who share similar interests to yours. Being around students who share your beliefs, interests and values will help reinforce your established values. This network can also serve as a place of comfort and support. Ultimately, building friendships will enhance your overall college experience.
• Involvement increases student retention rate. Studies show that retention rates in college are influenced by not only academic factors, but by non-academic factors as well. There is actually research suggesting that students who have an adequate balance between the two, ultimately do better both academically and socially than students who do not.
• If you are looking for cultural enrichment and exposure to diverse groups of people, you will find exactly what you’re looking for! Being involved will expose you to all types of people; some who have beliefs unlike your own. This will expand your thinking and teach you how to deal with people who are dissimilar to you.
• College is all about networking. Being involved on campus allows for all types of networking opportunities that you probably could not receive anywhere else. Take advantage of it!
• Last but certainly not least, being involved will ensure that you have ample to put on your resume! It has been said that your college days are the best days of your life. So go ahead; enjoy it all! Before you know it, you will be sitting behind your laptop applying for graduation. After this, you will be applying for jobs; real life jobs in your field of expertise. 

Wouldn't you like to have a resume that speaks highly of your skills and experience? After all, your resume is the one time you have to sell yourself on paper. If you can manage to impress an employer by just one sheet of paper, you can land an interview! Once your “foot’s in the door”, so to speak, you can use your charm and years of Georgia Southern education to get you the job! To be involved, or not to be. You choose.

Keisha Francis

Career Educator

States Will Return to Hiring; Federal Government Will Stop

A hallmark of the poor economy of the last few years has been a significant loss of government jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Over the past 12

months, the sector has lost 276,000 jobs, with declines in local

government; state government, excluding education; and the U.S. Postal

Service.” Contrary to what many Republicans claim, government, including the federal, state, and local level, has shrunk considerably in the past few years. This has held back the economy, especially the labor market. However, that may be ending.

The main reason behind state and local government job losses has been declining tax revenues due to the poor economy. Because most states are required to balance their budgets every year, jobs have been lost to seemingly unending budget cuts. But that may be changing. Tax revenues have started to increase, even in states like Michigan, a picture of poor economic health for much of the last decade.

With the economy looking on track to recovery, budget cuts (and job losses) at the state and local level should end and employment is likely to grow. This is good for many students who will be looking for jobs in the next few years, as governments employ a diverse set of workers. The federal government is another story. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the federal government to shed more jobs than any other industry over the next decade. That makes sense considering the dire need to lower the federal budget deficit and keep the national debt from increasing too much.

Overall, government employment is good for the economy and for workers. It provides many with steady, benefitted jobs they may not be able to find in the private sector. The future picture is mixed, however. Those considering working for government should be aware of the future of the industry.


Landon J. Latham
Career Educator

4 Ways Exercise Relieves Stress

Stressed about school or work? Not enough time to work out? Make time, it is proven that exercise relieves stress.

Instead of attentively listening to the lecture in class, you are making a to-do list in your head about everything you have to do when you get home. Your brain becomes overloaded. To make it worse when you get out of class you stop at the convenient store and rack up on sugar, energy drinks, and your favorite caffeinated beverage. Then you go home, pull out the books, and suddenly crash -- your alarm wakes you up at 8 a.m. the next morning. Does this sound familiar?

Exercise Provides Energy

If it did, don’t worry there is a cure for this stress -- EXERCISE. In the article, “Exercise to Relieve Stress,” BeachBody confirms that if exercise was a drug, it would be the most powerful medication on the earth. So drop the 5 hour energy shots, and become energized by the release of your own endorphins.

Exercise Relieves Stress

Triathlete and LA-based fitness trainer Erica Nemmers states, “Exercise releases hormones into the body that allow people to bring balance into their lives and focus better on everything they do. It is the natural remedy that brings the body into homeostasis in a hectic world that constantly threatens to throw us out of that balance." After 20 minutes of exercise your body releases these endorphins which can lower your stress level.

Exercise improves the immune system and sleeping habits

Exercise is also known to improve the immune system and sleeping habits. With that being said, you can save your sick days for a planned vacation and you can sleep soundly (hopefully without nightmares about the next meeting with your boss or your next big test).

Whether you are still a college student or have a full time job, exercise can benefit your overall wellbeing. Don’t the let the stress or lack of time interfere with you hitting up the gym, running with your dog, or working out in your own living room. Instead, make exercise a priority in your life so you can improve your mind, body, academics, and/or work.

**Remember to consult a doctor before beginning any exercise program!


Sharol Miller
Career Educator