A great poem just came my way. It's too good not to share. Here it is --
An Autobiography in Five Chapters
1) I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost — I am hopeless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
2) I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I’m in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
3) I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I see it is there.
I still fall in — it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is MY fault.
I get out immediately.
4) I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
5) I walk down a DIFFERENT street.
~Written By Portia Nelson
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Who am I and what do I want to do with my life?
Trying to decide on a major and not making much progress? Really don’t know where to start? Well, do we have a deal for you?!?
Spend an hour with a counselor in Career Services and walk away with some great information to help you explore potential majors, careers, and jobs.
One of the resources we offer is a card sort. Color coded in bright colors, the Vista card sort helps you clarify your interests, skills, values, and traits. The result is helpful information in itself, but you also end up with your Holland Code –a great tool to help you identify majors and occupations matched to your personality.
Your fellow students tell us they find the card sort valuable. Comments include:
“I liked it. It helped me figure out who I am.”
“This was fun. It was kind of an eye opener. I have to interview next month for a promotion—I always struggle with ‘here are my skills’. Here is my answer right here.”
What are you waiting for? Call 978-3435 to schedule an appointment. Come play cards. . .
~jan
Spend an hour with a counselor in Career Services and walk away with some great information to help you explore potential majors, careers, and jobs.
One of the resources we offer is a card sort. Color coded in bright colors, the Vista card sort helps you clarify your interests, skills, values, and traits. The result is helpful information in itself, but you also end up with your Holland Code –a great tool to help you identify majors and occupations matched to your personality.
Your fellow students tell us they find the card sort valuable. Comments include:
“I liked it. It helped me figure out who I am.”
“This was fun. It was kind of an eye opener. I have to interview next month for a promotion—I always struggle with ‘here are my skills’. Here is my answer right here.”
What are you waiting for? Call 978-3435 to schedule an appointment. Come play cards. . .
~jan
Friday, June 10, 2011
Twenty Great Questions to Ask in Informational Interviews
Thinking you might like to give informational interviewing a try, but aren't sure what to ask? Look no further for sample questions:
Tell me a little about your background. How did you get started in this field?
Why did you decide to work for this company?
What do you do during a typical day?
What is your favorite aspect of your work?
What is your least favorite aspect of the job?
What are the rewards and frustrations of this field in general?
What sorts of changes are occurring in your occupation?
How is the outlook for employment in this field?
What degrees, skills and experiences are important for someone entering this career?
What courses and past experiences proved the most valuable for you in this job?
How is my experience so far for entering this field? What else should I do?
What are the typical entry-level jobs?
What can you tell me about this company’s atmosphere and culture?
What is expected outside of work hours in terms of availability, social events, etc?
How flexible are dress codes, work hours, work locations, and job schedules?
How has your job affected your lifestyle?
How long do people typically work in their jobs here?
What would be the next step in your career?
How are salaries in this line of work?
What other fields or companies do you think I should research?
Some of these questions should get you started. You will think of other questions you want to ask as you talk with your interviewee. And, one of your questions can always be "Do you know someone else it would be helpful for me to talk with?"
I hope you get out from behind your computer and meet someone face to face. Give informational interviewing a try!
~jan
Tell me a little about your background. How did you get started in this field?
Why did you decide to work for this company?
What do you do during a typical day?
What is your favorite aspect of your work?
What is your least favorite aspect of the job?
What are the rewards and frustrations of this field in general?
What sorts of changes are occurring in your occupation?
How is the outlook for employment in this field?
What degrees, skills and experiences are important for someone entering this career?
What courses and past experiences proved the most valuable for you in this job?
How is my experience so far for entering this field? What else should I do?
What are the typical entry-level jobs?
What can you tell me about this company’s atmosphere and culture?
What is expected outside of work hours in terms of availability, social events, etc?
How flexible are dress codes, work hours, work locations, and job schedules?
How has your job affected your lifestyle?
How long do people typically work in their jobs here?
What would be the next step in your career?
How are salaries in this line of work?
What other fields or companies do you think I should research?
Some of these questions should get you started. You will think of other questions you want to ask as you talk with your interviewee. And, one of your questions can always be "Do you know someone else it would be helpful for me to talk with?"
I hope you get out from behind your computer and meet someone face to face. Give informational interviewing a try!
~jan
Friday, June 3, 2011
Get out from behind that computer
Get out from behind that computer and meet some people!
A great way to meet people and learn more about careers and jobs is to conduct informational interviews.
Important to remember is that an informational interview is not a way to get a job or job leads. An informational interview is to get information only: information regarding the other person’s job, career path, education.
Why would you want to talk with someone regarding their job, career path, education? To get ideas for your own job, career path, education, of course. And, to have the opportunity to add a person to your professional network.
Why would someone want to take time out of their already hectic schedule to talk with you about their “job, career path, education”? I don’t know for sure, but my assumption is people like to talk about their work and want to help other people – especially people just starting out.
Know someone working in a job that sounds interesting to you? Give them a call. Ask for 15 minutes of their time to come in and visit with them about their work. On the day of the meeting, dress nicely in professional dress, arrive on time, leave when your 15 minutes is up, and send a thank you card.
Or, have an interest in a career but would like to talk to someone actually working in the field? Call WSU Career Services (978-3435). We’ll help you find someone to talk with. And. . . we’ll even give you sample questions for your informational meeting.
Until next week --
~jan
A great way to meet people and learn more about careers and jobs is to conduct informational interviews.
Important to remember is that an informational interview is not a way to get a job or job leads. An informational interview is to get information only: information regarding the other person’s job, career path, education.
Why would you want to talk with someone regarding their job, career path, education? To get ideas for your own job, career path, education, of course. And, to have the opportunity to add a person to your professional network.
Why would someone want to take time out of their already hectic schedule to talk with you about their “job, career path, education”? I don’t know for sure, but my assumption is people like to talk about their work and want to help other people – especially people just starting out.
Know someone working in a job that sounds interesting to you? Give them a call. Ask for 15 minutes of their time to come in and visit with them about their work. On the day of the meeting, dress nicely in professional dress, arrive on time, leave when your 15 minutes is up, and send a thank you card.
Or, have an interest in a career but would like to talk to someone actually working in the field? Call WSU Career Services (978-3435). We’ll help you find someone to talk with. And. . . we’ll even give you sample questions for your informational meeting.
Until next week --
~jan
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