JOB CHOICES

FOR SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, & TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS

EXPAND YOUR RESOURCES

The online complement to Job Choices

www.jobweb.com

• Search for top employers of new college graduates

• Get updates on the job market, starting salaries, and more.

• Learn about the best cities for hot jobs.

• Search for career fairs in your area.

• Find additional job-search resources and tools.

EXPLORING THE JOB MARKET

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR CAREER CENTER

1. Confidentiality

2. Freedom of choice

3. Access to all services and events

4. Access to career information

5. Testing information

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM EMPLOYERS

1. Confidentiality

2. Accurate information

3. Freedom from undue pressure

4. Timely communication

5. Fair treatment

6. Testing information

7. Nondiscrimination

WHAT'S YOUR PART

1. Provide accurate information about your academic work and records, including courses taken, grades, positions held, and duties performed.

2. Interview genuinely

3. Adhere to schedules

4. Don't keep employers hanging

5. Accept a job offer in good faith

6. Withdraw from recruiting when your job search is completed

7. Claim fair reimbursement

8. Obtain the career information you need to make an informed choice about your future

HOW TO BE THE BEST CANDIDATE

1. Be honest on your resume and in the interview

2. Have realistic expectations

3. Dress appropriately

Hot Jobs,

                Hot Cities

HERE ARE SOME OF THE HOT JOBS FOR SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY, AND HEALTHCARE MAJORS IN THOSE BOOM TOWNS:

1. Raleigh-Durham, NC (Registered nurse)

2. Washington, DC/Baltimore, MD (Research/non technical; teaching)

3. Austin, TX (Software design/development engineering; project engineering; hardware design/development engineering)

4. Somerset, NJ (Process engineering)

5. Seattle, WA (Sales; software design/development engineering; project engineering)

6. Boston, MA (Research/technical/scientific; consulting)

7. Sacramento, CA (Sales)

8. Phoenix, AZ (Teaching; sales)

9. Denver/Boulder, CO (Design/construction engineering)

10. San Diego, CA (Design/construction engineering; power systems engineering)

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF CAREER FAIRS

• Take time before the career fair to find out which companies will be present.

• Have a game plan and focus on no more than three companies that interest you.

• Prepare a two- or three-line script for yourself.

• Tell the recruiter your name, your class year, and whether you're interested in a full-time, co-op, or internship position.

• Don't ask the recruiter personal questions.

• Don't skirt the GPA issue.

• When you give a recruiter your resume, ask what the next step in the process is.

NETWORKING BASICS

• Once you have identified a good prospect, take the next step and ask for an informational interview.

• Prepare yourself.

• Conduct an effective meeting.

• Ask for further referrals.

• Follow up.

• Create a tracking system.

MARKETING YOURSELF

THE ART OF WRITING JOB-SEARCH LETTERS

• Assessing your abilities, skills, knowledge, interests, preferences, values, and motivations;

• Researching and evaluating occupations, jobs, and employers;

• Defining your work objectives and career goals;

• Writing a professional-level resume;

• Planning and implementing your job-search campaign;

• Interviewing for job opportunities; and

• Choosing appropriate work.

TYPES OF LETTERS

1. Application Letter

2. Prospecting Letter

3. Networking Letter

4. Thank-You Letter

5. Acceptance Letter

6. Withdrawal Letter

7. Rejection Letter

SECRETS TO INTERVIEW SUCCESS

As you research the company, be sure to note the following:

• Names and job titles of key contacts

• Whether the company is privately or publicly owned

• Products and/or services

• Year of incorporation

• Number of employees

• Principal locations and subsidiaries

• Types of customers

• Key competitors

• Sales and profit trends

• Possible future ventures

• PRACTICE

• COMMUNICATE

• EVALUATE

SUCCEEDING ON THE JOB

TWELVE STEPS TO FIRST-YEAR SUCCESS

1. Adopt the right attitudes.

2. Adjust your expectations.

3. Master breaking-in skills.

4. Manage the impressions you make.

5. Build effective relationships.

6. Become a good follower.

7. Understand your organization's culture.

8. Develop organizational savvy.

9. Understand your new-hire role.

10. Develop work savvy.

11. Master the tasks of your job.

12. Acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities you need.

DRESSING FOR THE JOB

1. Wear shoes that are well maintained.

2. Schedule haircuts at regular intervals.

3. Press your clothing.

4. Keep a "business professional" outfit at the office for emergencies.

5. For men: Button your American-cut blazer or jacket when you stand.

6. For men: Wear socks that cover your calves.

7. For men: Wear an undershirt under your dress shirt.

8. For women: Don't wear more than 13 accessories.

9. For women: "Business casual" doesn't give you license to wear short skirts.

10. For women: Don't wear slacks to work if you've never seen top-level women at your organization wear them.

11. For women: Don't wear hosiery and shoes that are darker than your hem.

12. For women: Wear skin-toned hosiery when your business outfit consists of a short-sleeved jacket of dress.

13. Your real taste in clothes comes out on business casual days.

14. Dress for the position you want, not the position you have.

CONTINUING YOUR EDUCATION

APPLYING YOUR TWO-YEAR DEGREE TO A FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM

STEP I: TAKE A PERSONAL INVENTORY

STEP II: SELECT THE COLLEGE AND BACHELOR'S PROGRAM

STEP III: SURVIVAL SKILLS

GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL

• CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR YOU

• WHAT'S REQUIRED

• CONSIDER FINANCIAL AID

• PLANNING IS THE KEY