Careers and Corporate Engagement Partnering with students and employers to build connections for career success

message from the deanAccording to a 2015 study from CareerBuilder, businesses are hiring more employees in a variety of emerging fields, such as cloud, mobile and search technologies; cybersecurity; and managing and interpreting large collections of data. I am delighted to say that we, at the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), are ahead of the game in preparing our students to fill those roles. Our students are poised for success. Our curriculum stresses teamwork and strong communication skills as students tackle real-world problems. The internship requirement builds on this, providing students with valuable hands-on experience before graduation. IST students learn the soft skills required in today’s collaborative work environment that complement their technical expertise, positioning them to hit the ground running as interns or full-time hires. IST’s Office of Career Solutions and Corporate Engagement is here to help you every step of the way, from job postings, to company meet and greets, to interview logistics. They are ready to help you find the perfect student (or students) to meet your organization’s needs. I welcome your input on how we can best guide our students in becoming innovative leaders and dependable teammates and look forward to future partnerships.

Andrew Sears, deanCollege of Information Sciences and Technology

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the office of career solutions and corporate engagement

PREPARE.Fostering professional development through career coaching, résumé reviews, and career-related workshops.

NAVIGATE. Connecting students with employers through career fairs, networking opportunities, and Compass, IST’s job posting system.

SUCCEED.Emphasizing the unlimited possibilities of the future.

We assist companies by: • Providing access to a wide array of valuable and talented students

• Coordinating and facilitating the recruitment process

• Elevating employers’ engagement with students, faculty, and staff through career fairs, workshops, and information sessions

• Facilitating a stronger connection between employers and students in the classroom and with IST student organizations

3Managing Information, Powering Intelligence

internship requirementsIn today’s challenging job market, students benefit from every advantage. The College of IST recognizes the extraordinary value of professional development and engaged scholarship, which is why all IST graduates must complete a minimum of one internship for credit.

Almost 75 percent of our graduating students report completing multiple internships throughout their four years in IST. This experience provides them with hands-on skills, insight, and experience as they are hired into full-time positions.

The Office of Career Solutions and Corporate Engagement continuously seeks to engage new companies to provide internship opportunities for all IST undergraduate students at University Park, other Penn State campuses, and those enrolled at World Campus.

IST student advantages

professional development and leadership programsOne of the most important responsibilities of the Office of Career Solutions and Corporate Engagement is to assist students in exploring their career goals and professional development opportunities. Our team works to provide professional development opportunities through office-led workshops and in collaboration with employers.

We also provide a holistic view of leadership through our IST Diplomat Leadership Academy. This course allows students to explore their personal leadership styles and helps them to become more effective leaders. These students then serve as Diplomats, IST’s student ambassadors.

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• Booz Allen Hamilton• Capital One• Deloitte• EY• GE• General Motors• IBM• JP Morgan• KPMG• Liberty Mutual Insurance

• Lockheed Martin• Lowe’s• Merck & Co.• Microsoft Corporation• PwC• Textron• The Boeing Company• Universal Health Services• UPMC• Weebly

all about employers

a sample of companies that hire our students:

what companies are saying about our students:

Creative problem solvers with phenomenal communication skills. Recruiter from PwC

Accustomed to working in teams from day one. Recruiter from KPMG

Technically sound, personable, with leadership qualities. They understand the ‘big picture.’ Recruiter from Air Products

Versatile. Changes in the technical landscape don’t faze these students because their education from IST prepares them for anything that comes their way. Recruiter from Boeing

Not just pupils who know their coursework: innovative, forward-thinkers who display a high level of competence and professionalism. Recruiter from FedEx Services

5Managing Information, Powering Intelligence

Reported having a full-time position at graduation (including students continuing on to graduate programs)

Average reported salary

Average reported signing bonus 40% of students who were hired received a signing bonus

Since IST’s inception, our student success statistics have been overwhelmingly positive.

of students hired by IST Corporate Associates*44%

My internship has allowed me to apply the knowledge I learned in the classroom to what I am working on. I learned a lot about myself and how I work in business environments and with teams.Alexander Chlysta, IST ’16Internship at Lowe’s Company, Inc, Mooresville, NC

*Interested in elevating your engagement with the College of IST and its students? Ask us about our IST Corporate Associates Program.

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Figures were compiled from 2014-2015 post-graduation survey

of hired students reported that their full-time position followed an internship with that same company

43%

Number of University Park undergraduate students completing internships for credit

308

$15.84106 Number of World Campus students

completing internships for credit

Average reported salary for paid interns

I have learned so much during my internship, and it has given me a new perspective on what I would like to do in my professional career. On a daily basis, I was exposed to many different departments and how they operate. It was helpful in terms of where I see myself in the future.Devin McGinn, IST ’17Internship at the Hershey Company, Hershey, PA

The only way to learn what you want to do is by doing it. Landing multiple internships gave me the opportunity to try out different roles in different companies. This not only let me discover what career I wanted, but gave me a better idea of the working environment I preferred.Krista Krebs, IST ’15, Internships at Boeing and DICK’S Sporting Goods

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ISTatPennState

Produced by the College of Information Sciences and TechnologyOffice of Communications and Outreach

Photos:Emilee SpokusiStock

For more information, contact:

Office of Career Solutions and Corporate EngagementThe Pennsylvania State University104 Information Sciences and Technology BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16803-6822814.865.4509careers@ist.psu.eduhttp://ist.psu.edu

The University is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information, or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University’s educational mission, and will not be tolerated. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to Dr. Kenneth Lehrman III, Vice Provost for Affirmative Action, Affirmative Action Office, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901; Email: kfl2@psu.edu; Tel 814-863-0471. IST U.Ed. 16-07