IN THIS ISSUE

NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY COMPETITIVE EDGE

OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES, DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

VOLUME 20, ISSUE 1 WWW.NCAT.EDU/CAREERSERVICES SPRING 2014

The

What’s New in Career Services?

Orientation Webinars

Online orientation sessions were held for the first time this academic year during evening hours and on some Saturdays to assist students with OCS registration. It proved to be successful for students who were unable to attend during office hours Contact the office for available dates/times (www.ncat.edu/careerservices).

New Satellite Location

New Academic Classroom Building Lobby – Mondays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Students are invited to stop by for a resume critique or to discuss career-related information.

Other satellite locations include:

Webb Hall Library – Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Craig Hall Lobby – Wednesdays, 1 – 4 p.m. College of Engineering – Thursdays (fall 2014 semester)

Services Provided and OCS Staff 2OCS Registration Process 3Top 10 Career Strategies for Freshmenand Sophomores 4The Total Package for you and yourcareer 5Tips from Employers that are Hiring 6Your Future Career Awaits You 8Graduating Students: Develop YourCareer Like a Flower 10Top Employers for Liberal Arts Graduates in 2013 11Reflections of a Co-op 12Summer Internship Helped AlumGain Employment 15Congratulations Graduates! 16Attention Returning Students 16

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT OCS . . .

The 2013-14 graduate responses to the Student Employment/Graduate School Survey included the following comments:

• Thank you for the endless opportunities made possible for me by the OCS.• OCS was always awesome. I will have a job soon (found through OCS) and graduate school is in my futur plans. A big

thank you and AGGIE PRIDE to all of the OCS Staff.• The services OCS provides are excellent. I would like to say thank you for providing them although myself and others

neglected to take advantage of them. I am beginning to see how important and vital those services are to my career; and once again, I thank you.

• The services provided by OCS are invaluable. I participated in resume reviews, interview preparations, even mock interviews.

• Participating in OCS’s offerings gave me the confidence to interview well.

Take advantage of your Office of Career Services. Report employment (summer intern, co-op, permanent) and graduate school acceptance by completing the survey on the OCS website at www.ncat.edu/careerservices.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY OCS

• Online AggieLink Account• Summer, Co-op, F/T and P/T Career Opportunities• Career Fairs, Job Postings, Resume Referrals, and E–Leads • Career Search Methods• 24/7 Career Website Resources• Employer Networking Opportunities• Web-based Career Spotlight Videos• Career Exploration, Planning, and Assessments • Workshops, Seminars, and College–to–Career Programs• Career Leadership Development Conference• Business and Dining Etiquette Programs • Resume Development / Critiques• Interview Preparation (Virtual and Face-to-Face)• Career Counseling / Coaching. . . And so much more!

Visit www.ncat.edu/careerservices for a full list of services.

Computer access for career research

Five Career Fairs

Workshops / Seminars

WWW.NCAT.EDU | NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY

OCS STAFF

The Office of Career Services has a staff of professionals, who are qualified and prepared to assist A&T students with career skills development and the job search.

Joyce EdwardsExecutive Director ofCareer Services and Experiential Learning

Carolyn MarkAssociate Director

Cynthia DowningAssociate Director for Counseling Programs

Pamela Basheer Assistant Director for Experiential Learning

Marketta KingScheduling Coordinator

Zeb TalleyCareer Counselor

Denise BurstonCareer Counselor

Tiffany Jones Administrative

Support Specialist

OCS WEBSITE

Students currently enrolled in a degree-granting program and graduates of the university may register with the Office of Career Services (OCS). There are two types of registrations: (1) limited and (2) full registration access.

An individual with limited registration access can engage in the majority of the services provided by OCS, except career opportunities (outlined in the full registration description). An individual with full registration access can participate in ALL activities including on-campus interviews, resume referrals, job postings (as long as the requirements outlined by the employer are met) and special programs.

Limited Access Registration

1. Attend orientation either in the OCS (Murphy Hall, Suite 101 or online via Webinar). Sessions are held in the office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Each lasts approximately 45 minutes. An RSVP is required. (Contact the OCS for webinar schedule.)

2. Update or create a profile in AggieLink (includes the personal, academic, privacy consent and password sections. Opt into the text messaging alert system to receive IMPORTANT announcements from OCS).

OCS REGISTRATION PROCESS

3. When all of the above steps are completed, you will receive a congratulatory email notification of acceptance for registration with limited access.

4. Once all of the above steps are completed, you will receive a congratulatory email notification of acceptance for registration with full access.

For more details on how to RSVP, visit the OCS website at www.ncat.edu/careerservices; click ‘Students,’ then click ‘How to Register.’

Full Access Registration 1. Complete all of the steps for Limited Access Registration above. 2. Complete InterviewStream, which is a web-based virtual mock interview practice tool. It is located at www.ncat.Interviewstream.com. 3. Develop a résumé and schedule an appointment to have it critiqued by an OCS staff person, who will make any necessary corrections, approve and upload it to AggieLink. Bring the résumé on a flash drive or save it to an email account for access during the appointment. Hard copies cannot be approved during the visit.

AggieLink

InterviewStream

Résumé

You control your career destiny! Just going to class and picking up your diploma after four years doesn’t cut it. You need to become active on and off campus. Becoming marketable to employers or graduate schools is a four-year job. Here are the top 10 things you can do during college to make yourself marketable at job-search time. In fact, if you do all 10 of these, you’ll be unstoppable:

1. Keep your grades up—Employers and graduate schools want candidates with good grades. That will probably never change. Doing well academically not only proves that you have a good knowledge base, but indicates a strong work ethic—a trait that employers value.

2. Identify your interests, skills, values, and personal characteristics—The first step to clarifying your career goals is to go through a process of self-assessment. Visit your career center and take advantage of the self-assessment instruments it has to offer.

3. Actively explore career options—You owe it to yourself to find a career that enriches your life, not one that brings you down. Actively exploring careers means talking with professionals in occupations of interest and observing professionals on the job. Your career center probably has alumni and other volunteers who are willing to talk to you about their careers. Also, attend any career expos, career fairs, and career speaker panels that are offered.

4. Become active in extracurricular activities and clubs—Active involvement in activities and clubs on campus is highly valued by employers and graduate schools. Joining a club is fine, but becoming active within that club is what matters most. Become a leader, hold an office, or coordinate an event. You will develop your skills in leadership and teamwork—skills that recruiters covet!

5. Get involved in community service—It’s important that you begin to understand and appreciate the importance of giving back to your community, and that you live in a larger community than your college or hometown. Typically, students look at community service as a chore. After they’ve served, however, it’s usually one of the most rewarding experiences they’ve had! Recruiters love to see that you’ve volunteered to help in your community.

6. Develop your computer skills—Take advantage of the computer courses and workshops your college offers. You can also learn a lot by just experimenting with different software packages on your own. Finally, you should learn how to develop your own web page or web-based portfolio. There are many web-design software tools that make it real easy to develop your own web page! Contact your college’s information technology office to see how to get started.

7. Develop your writing skills—Over and over, company and graduate school recruiters complain about the lack of writing skills among college graduates. Don’t avoid classes that are writing intensive. Work at developing your writing skills. If there is a writing center on campus, have them take a look at your papers from time to time. Remember, the first impression you give to recruiters is typically your cover letter or personal statement.

8. Complete at least one internship in your chosen career field—More and more, internships are the springboards to employment and getting into graduate programs. Many recruiters say that when they need to fill entry-level jobs, they will only hire previous interns. In addition to making yourself more marketable, internships also are a great way to explore careers and determine whether or not certain careers are for you. When you work for a company as an intern for three to four months, you get a really good feel for whether the field (and company) is one in which you want to work day in and day out!

9. Gain an appreciation of diversity through study abroad, foreign languages, and courses—We are now, more than ever, working within a global work force. For you to be successful at work and in your life, you must stretch yourself, and learn about people and cultures different than yours. Take advantage of the wonderful study-abroad opportunities and the courses relating to diversity. This is your time to travel! Most people find it harder to take time to travel as they begin their careers and start families.

10. Use your career center all four years—Your college career center can help you throughout your entire college career. Here is just a sampling of what your career center can help you do: •Choose your major and career direction•Explore career options•Obtain an internship•Write a resume and cover letter•Develop your interviewing skills•Identify your skills, interests, and values•Develop a job-search or graduate school plan•Connect you with prospective employers (career fairs, on-campus recruiting, and more), and•Connect you with alumni mentors.

Remember, you control your career destiny. Don’t wait until your senior year to start realizing your goals. Your career train is on the move. Jump on board now so you can reach your destination!

Top 10 Career Strategies for Freshmen and Sophomores

By Bob Orndorff. Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Tony Murphy Plant Manager N.C. A&T ‘88

Lauren Hughes Shift Supervisor

Clemson ‘12

Elizabeth Rhue Account Dev Manager

Clemson ‘05

The Total Package for you and your career Sonoco Products Company (www.sonoco.com), headquartered in the small town of Hartsville, South Carolina, really is “The Total Package.” As South Carolina’s largest company and a global packaging leader, Sonoco is always looking for top talent. One avenue to employment, solely dedicated to college graduates, is Sonoco’s Management Trainee Program. This program offers college graduates extensive in-plant training opportunities and manufacturing experience with the potential to become a plant manager upon completion.

One of the reasons that college graduates are eager to join Sonoco’s Management Training Program is due to the company’s diverse culture. Tony Murphy, a recent hire to Sonoco and a North Carolina A&T graduate, has “been impressed with how Sonoco values its people and diversity of thought.” Murphy is a site manager for one of Sonoco’s flagship plants in its Thermoforming Division. As a site manager, he ensures that Sonoco is providing a safe work environment for all employees, makes sure employee development is a focal point for his managers, fosters a culture with continuous improvement, and builds a manufacturing center of excellence delivering world-class results in safety, quality and productivity. Murphy describes his experience thus far at Sonoco to be “both exciting and very rewarding.” Murphy is also “looking forward to a long career with Sonoco where he can contri-bute to its success, and in turn be rewarded with continued personal development and growth.”

Built around the philosophy that, “People Build Businesses,” Sonoco is a company that truly cares about its people, providing them with amazing growth opportunities. Elizabeth Rhue, a nine-year employee of Sonoco, says “the people are genuine, the management team really cares about us and our successes, and every door is an open one. I have been given opportunities and have been to places I’ve never imagined. With Sonoco involved in so many formats of packaging and having so many different functional areas, there are multiple opportunities for me to continue to grow.”

Lauren Hughes, an Industrial Engineering major from Clemson University, began as a Management Trainee with Sonoco and is now a Production Shift Supervisor. Hughes believes that “having a training program after college with your first full-time job helps you learn and provides you with a solid base before moving on to your job.” Hughes desires to be in a manufacturing leadership role and feels that Sonoco is the perfect place for her and anyone else with the same desire. “The

Management Trainee Program has given me exposure to all facets of Sonoco’s operations: safety, quality, production and logistics, customer interaction, leadership, task management, and people development.” That truly is “The Total Package” for any employee.

Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of approximately $4.9 billion, the company has more than 19,900 employees working in 335 operations in 33 countries,

serving many of the world’s best known brands in some 85 nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the 2013/2014 Dow Jones Sustainability World index. For more information on the company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com.

We want to hear from you. If you are interested in learning more about Sonoco’s Management Training Program and becoming a member of the Sonoco team, please visit Sonoco Careers at www.sonoco.com/careers.

Sonoco is a member of the N.C. A&T University/Industry Cluster.

The best job-search advice comes from the employers that are hiring. If you take the time to follow this advice, you’ll be better prepared than your competition for your application and interview. Here are some things you can do to aid in your job-search success:

Research the Company•What products or services does the company produce and sell?•Where is it located?

Learn something about the company with which you want to interview. Read its website and its annual report. Search for news stories mentioning the company. Use this information to customize your resume and cover letter for the position you want. Impress the interviewer by knowing something about the company.

Perfect Your QualificationsA high GPA is important. It means you know the subject matter. However, employers are looking for people with “soft skills,” too—skills you can learn through extracurricular activities such as leading a team, taking part in a group task, or organizing a volunteer project. Employers want to find communication skills, a strong work ethic, teamwork skills, initiative, the ability to relate to co-workers and customers, problem solving skills, and analytical skills.

Get ExperienceYear after year, the majority of employers taking part in a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) say they prefer to hire job candidates who have pertinent experience. For college students, typically, relevant experience is gained through an internship.

In fact, an internship can be the “foot in the door” to a job with many employers: NACE surveys show that newly hired employees often come from the organization’s own internship program.

Build a NetworkWhether you get the job you want—or even hear about the job opportunity you want—could easily depend on who you know.Here’s where you will find people to build your professional network:

•Business and professional social networking sites•Professional associations (online and in person)•Career fairs•Company information sessions

Apply OnlineFew employers want a paper copy of your resume in the mail. Many employers want to receive resumes and job applications through their websites.

Here are tips to keep your resume from getting lost in a company’s database of applicants: •Load your resume with keywords: Add job titles and specific skills—especially those that are specific to your field.•Use jargon and phrases specific to your field.

Make Career Services Your BFFWhat is it worth to have someone who is in daily contact with potential employers show you how to write a winning cover letter, critique your resume, practice interviewing with you, connect you with people who are working in your field, and give you access to thousands of job opportunities? Find the career center on your university or college campus today. Employers use this resource to find new hires, so shouldn’t you be there?

Say Thank YouStand out among candidates. Send a thank-you note to each recruiter you meet at a career fair; to the employer who practices a mock interview with you; to a hiring manager who spends a few minutes interviewing you for a job; to anyone who serves as a job reference.•Keep your message short and confirm your interest. “Thank you for the opportunity to discuss [name of the position] at XYZ Company.”•Spell the recruiter’s name and title correctly.•Send your message immediately.

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

•Your school’s alumni network•An internship or co-op program•A student professional organization•Faculty contacts•Employee referrals•Parents of friends who work in your field

•List the names of companies you’ve worked for or interned with: recruiters may look for their competitors’ names.•Post your resume on professional niche websites.

•How well did the company do last year?•What activities by this company have been in the news lately?

Tips From Employers That Are Hiring

CAREER COUNSELING PROGRAMS

CAREER & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

The 2014 Career and Leadership Development Conference and Pre-Conference Etiquette Dinner will be held April 4-5, 2014. The theme is “Designing Your Tomorrow”. This conference is designed to enhance the career and leadership skills of students. It includes keynote presentations, breakout sessions (facilitated by employers or community representatives), networking, and an awards ceremony. The event not only has proved to be beneficial and enjoyable by the students, but the employers as well.

Pictures on this page depict activites from the 2013 event.

Student Registration

Friday Night Etiquette Dinner

Door prize Winners

Workshop and keynote speaker attendance (above and below)

Do you need an internship or Cooperative Education (CO-OP) opportunity? Is your college life as you know it almost over? Are you ready to get your career started…why wait? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this article is just for you. There are three key concepts that you should keep in mind that are critical in shaping your professional career.

30 Seconds or LessCareer day is finally here and you are in full panic mode! What do I do? What should I wear? What do I say? No worries—take a deep breath and let’s start with the first concept. One of the most important things to remember is that you have a limited amount of time to sell yourself to the recruiters that you will meet during the career fair. There are several reference articles stating the average recruiter takes six seconds to review a candidate’s resume and the candidate has another 30 seconds or less to sell him/herself. This is not a lot of time, but it is enough time to leave an impression.

How do you leave an everlasting impression, so you ask? As you may have heard many times, make sure you are neatly groomed and dressed for the occasion. In most cases, you should dress business professional; but business causal can be a preference as well. Men should have a business suit (preferably black or blue), shirt, tie, and dress shoes or pressed pants, shirt, tie, and casual shoes as an alternate. Women should have a business suit (preferably black or blue), shirt/closed blouse, and closed-toe shoes or pressed pants or an appropriate length skirt, and close toe-shoes as an alternate.

Verbal and non-verbal communication are a VERY important part of how you are perceived. Be sure to greet the recruiter with a firm handshake, speak clearly, make direct eye contact, display proper posture, articulate your words and ideas, and use complete sentences. So now you look and sound professional, but how do you look on paper? Since you have your appearance in order, it’s time to make sure your resume is up to date.

Your resume tells a story about you. A well-crafted resume may determine if you are considered for a job position or not. Make sure your resume reflects you and highlights your accomplishments that paint a holistic view of you. Your resume should include the basic fields such as, name, contact information (address, telephone and email), major, GPA, expected graduation date, work experience and accomplishments. A little secret is to show how your courses are related to your specific work experiences and accomplishments. Once you have reviewed and spell checked your resume, print 10-20 copies, along with a few business cards.

Now it is time for you to shine as you prepare to walk into the career fair and perform for your 30 seconds of fame in front of the recruiter or future employer.

TIP – If you already know what employers you are interested in, do your research. You can use this to your advantage to make sure your

speech is in line with the goals of the company. This will make you sound knowledgeable about who they are and what they do. The Office of Career Services (OCS) is a great resource to get help on how to professionally dress and build your resume. Remember, your first impression is your lasting impression.

Numbers that Reflect YouYou have finally impressed the recruiter with your attire and vocal skills. Now, do your underlying numbers reflect you? There are a set of numbers that uniquely identify you and your character to a potential employer. They are your grade point average (GPA) and your credit score.

Your GPA is important because it is a tool used to measure your academic competence and to distinguish competitive candidates from one another. A low GPA does not mean you are incompetent, but to an employer it may appear that you did not work as hard or dedicated yourself as others. DO NOT let this hold you back. Most jobs require a minimum GPA (typically 3.0) before considering an applicant for a job. This minimum should be what you strive for. As a candidate, you have to remember that you are competing against others at your school as well as other schools where employers recruit. If you show the recruiter that you are proficient in your course work, then you may have added yourself to the interview list.Another important number is your credit score. Employers use this number to measure your sense of responsibility and trustworthiness. The credit score rates your history on repaying loans you have taken from lenders. Car liens, credit cards, and student loans are just some of the major factors that affect your credit report. Bills such as rent, cell phone, and utility bills can also be reported if not resolved. To avoid the probability of a bad credit history affecting your ability to get a job, consider paying your bills on time. Get a free annual copy of your credit reports at www.freecreditreport.com; start a rainy day fund for emergencies (i.e., begin saving $5 or $10 a week, building to $500); and remain aware of what is on your report by reviewing often.

If you have any discrepancies about your credit report, contact the lender and receive suggestions from them on getting the discrepancy resolved. (A good credit score ranges from 660-900). If you have no credit history or score, talk with your parents about the best way to start.

Keep a GOOD GPA AND CREDIT SCORE as these numbers are extremely hard to improve once they have decreased, and they can keep you from gaining employment. For instance, in order to obtain a federal security clearance, an applicant must go through a thorough investigation. One key area evaluated is your credit history. Managing finances well is an important part in your life; so from this point forward, be sure to take control and make sure the NUMBERS THAT REFLECT YOU are the best

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YOUR FUTURE CAREER AWAITS YOU

WWW.NCAT.EDU/CAREERSERVICES | OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES

Your Future Awaits You, continued

The Company you KeepBeing in the wrong place at the wrong time or hanging with the wrong crowd can seriously impact your future career opportuni-ties. There are several things that may seem fun now that can keep you from having your dream career later. Most employers run a background check before making a job offer to a candidate.

A major factor causing college students to lose or delay the process for a job offer is the use or selling of illegal drugs (i.e., marijuana), as well as substance abuse (i.e., over the counter medicine and alcohol). If you are serious about having the dream career and you are engaging in ILLEGAL activity, it must STOP NOW! At a minimum, most federal agencies caution candidates who have used illegal substances within the last 12 months to not apply.

In addition, as a job candidate, you should be mindful of the friends you interact with on a regular basis. Surround yourself with friends who are of good character and sound judgment. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can get you into legal trouble based on association. Legal trouble will leave an everlasting footprint like those you create when using your social networking sites online. Be mindful of everything you post and say on your favorite social media site because nothing is ever DELETED! At the same time, you never know who is watching you. Most employers conduct Google searches on potential candidates. There is nothing wrong with social media sites; but remember—there is a time and place for everything. As you become a professional, there are social media sites to consider.

Expand your network outside of your friends because the best company you can keep is your faculty members’ staffs, advisors and alumni. When references are needed, you want to be able to turn to your professors, advisors and alumni to vouch for you. Be sure to establish and maintain these relationships during your college days and after. In return, you should be proactive and try to excel in all that you do.

Throughout this article, we have provided key advice to help you do well in obtaining an opportunity to be successful. When on your journey for a dream career, be proactive because you are responsible for your actions and we wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.

Remember, the Office of Career Service is the best place on campus to get started. It offers services and programs that can help with many issues related to your career…USE IT, because it’s THE COMPANY YOU KEEP!

___________Written by:Steven Cook, Jamaal Davis, Sturhonda James, and Richard MessickNational Security Agency, University/Industry Cluster Members

ecently I was challenged with the task of re-planting the shrubs and flowers in front of my home. The previous shrubs and plants

were dead, lacked growth, and vitality; because while they were planted with great intentions, they were not properly cared for and maintained. While visiting the local farmer’s market, the lady from whom I purchased the seven shrubs and 13 flowers indicated during the purchase that I had a great task ahead. As a novice to planting and gardening, I simply thought she was making reference to the number of items that I purchased. I responded by stating that I was certain I probably bit off more than I could chew with 20 flowers to plant. Thinking that was her thought regarding the comment that she made, she stated something very profound. She said, “Young man, I’ve been in the gardening business for over 40 years and I’ve seen many people make all kinds of purchases to enhance their yards.” She continued on by saying “What is most disturbing to me is that many make purchases with great excitement and intentions to grow their products and cultivate great gardens, but few put in the work necessary for consistent, constant growth.” Then finally she said, “Remember this……the most critical times for these plants is when you first plant them and what you do after they grow.” She said, “Whatever you do to get them to grow - like watering, seeding, trimming, mulching, and soiling - you must continue to do well after you see signs of growth if you want them to continue to grow.”

ow we manage and develop our careers is exactly the same. When most individuals begin a career or

new job, the process is filled with excitement and anticipation. People are typically driven with intentions and actions that say to everyone that they’re going to do whatever it takes to produce growth and success. The

beginning, or the “purchase” period, is always a very exciting period of time because anything that is new to us usually excites us. However, what happens weeks, months, or even years down the road is the removal of the excitement that comes with the newness of the career or job; and that excitement can easily be replaced with complacency, lazi- ness, and an aloofness that says that what I have is now being taken for granted. While it is important to begin careers with a sense of purpose and excitement, it is equally impor- tant that the middle period of those careers be catered to with the same sense of urgency and excitement as it was when it was first earned. In other words, whatever it took for you to win your career and first job is what it will take to keep that “career flower” growing. Complacency and comfort are the enemies of lasting careers and professional development; and those attitudes yield actions that often inhibit growth and success, which may kill the roots of the planted flower – your career. Therefore, it is vital that any graduating student who is involved in career and professional development understand the necessity of consistent care and maintenance to produce

career growth. The same passion, vigor, and effort placed into the planting of the flower (your career) is the same passion, vigor, and effort that is required to see consistent, stable, long-lasting growth.

o, how do we accomplish this constant growth and development? Here are five gardening-related tips that were

shared with me that should be considered when attempting to produce consistent professional growth:

1. Always ensure the planting area is clean. When developing your career, you are involved in a new, fresh start. It’s important to remove old, past careers or roles that could hinder your development in your new role.

2. Consider where you are planting, and ensure it’s an area that is capable of growing your flower. Not every job offer is a good offer. Make certain you are starting a role with an organization that is capable of adding to your growth and development, not diminishing it.

3. Prune your flowers often. A cut here and there shapes your plants, reduces poor growth, and encourages better growth. Your circle of colleagues in any career role is critical; and unfortunately, everyone who works with you is not cheering for you. Pay close attention to the relationships you form while on the job, and never become afraid of cutting away those relationships that hinder or completely negate career and profes-sional growth.

4. Water your flowers often. As a professional, you should constantly be engaged in learning. It is through continued learning that you will experience growth – learning is to career growth as water is to flowers. Without a desire or effort towards learning, there can be no growth; and your plant (career) will eventually die.

R

H

S

Graduating Students:

Develop Your Career – Like a Flower

Grow Like a Flower, continued

5. Avoid too much sun and light – it will help your flowers grow, but too much can kill growth as well. The attainment of accolades and recognition during your professional and career develop-ment is an out standing thing. Receiving such acclaim can boost morale and provide the confidence necessary to continue producing positive career results. However, never allow your accolades or recognition to consume you. Remain humble, focused, and determined. This will keep you driven, and will provide the fuel neces- sary to continue pressing forward.

Top Business MajorsFinanceAccountingBusiness Administration/Mgmt.Management Info SystemsMarketing

Top Science MajorsMathematics (incl. Statistics)ChemistryPhysics

Top Communications MajorsCommunicationsPublic Relations

Top Liberal Arts MajorsPolitical SciencePsychology

Top Engineering MajorsMechanical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringComputer EngineeringChemical Engineering

Class of 2014 Job Outlook

(National Association of College and Employers)

Employers in educational services and government hired the most new liberal arts graduates from the Class of 2013, according to a new report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

NACE’s January 2014 Salary Survey—the final report on starting salaries for the college Class of 2013—found that employers in educational services paid their new hires salaries that averaged $39,440.

These liberal arts majors primarily filled teaching positions—in institutions ranging from elementary to postsecondary schools. Federal, state, and local government agencies also accounted for a large portion of the jobs for liberal arts grads. Salaries from these employers, for positions such as managers, bailiffs, and correctional and police officers, averaged $39,896.

Also among the top employers for 2013 liberal arts graduates were those in healthcare and social assistance (counselors, and human resources and social workers; $34,536); professional, scientific, and technical services (market research analysts, marketing specialists, paralegals, and legal assistants; $37,686); and information (artists, writers, authors, and editors; $34,100).

The first report on starting salaries for the college Class of 2014 will be published in April.

Figure 1: Top Employers for Liberal Arts Graduates*

Source: January 2014 Salary Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers. All data are for bachelor’s degree graduates.

*Includes the following majors: criminal justice and corrections, English language and literature/letters, history, liberal arts and sciences/general studies, political science/government, psychology, social work, sociology, and visual and performing arts.

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Top Employers for Liberal ArtsGraduates From the Class of 2013

Zeb Talley, III is a Certified Job and Career Development Coach for the Office of Career Services at North Carolina A&T State University.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

Reflections of a Co-opby Pamela Basheer, Assistant Director for Experiential Learning

Robert RameyMechanical Engineering Major

Classification: JuniorCo-op Employer: Toyota

Robert is currently on co-op assignment with Toyota Motor & Manufacturing Indiana, located in Princeton, Indiana.

He began looking for a co-op after hearing about the Spring Career Fair. The first step was researching the companies that would be attending and making a list of the ones in which he had an interest. Next, he attended a few Career Services workshops, which prepped him for interviewing with prospective employers.

Once Robert reached the career fair, he spoke with a representative, who looked at his GPA and then asked a series of questions, including why he selected mechanical engineering as a major and why he wanted to work for Toyota. One qualification that was important for the interview was interpersonal skills – being able to properly sell yourself to the representative. In addition, they talked for a few minutes about goals, related experience and his interests. Well – Robert soared over the first hurdle. He was invited to interview the next day.

Upon reflection of what may have made him stand out to the recruiter, Robert initially felt that the representative was a bit put off by the fact that he did not have as much experience as other candidates. However, he confidently assured the representative that he was very eager to learn new things and would strive to achieve higher standards. The recruiter seemed impressed that he was determined and driven by a desire to learn and also indicated that he liked how relaxed Robert was – he maintained good business composure while still coming off as cordial and open. Finally, Robert spoke about some leadership roles he had taken in school and at work.

The decision to co-op with Toyota was based on the great things he had heard about Toyota – they are a very friendly company, take good care of their employees. In general, Robert felt that this would be a good professional environment in which to learn and build a foundation as an engineer. Their cars are very innovative and he wanted to be a part of the engineering process that gave Toyota the name of a reliable manufacturer.

In a nutshell, his experience included several projects:

• Creating a weld map for the robots that required analyzing data from other engineers • Using CAD programs to create a map specifying where the robots should weld to• Managing the installation of a new roof line.

(continued next page)

The overall goal was to integrate the new line without affecting current production. This included many smaller projects in order to make the process work properly. He worked with many groups to identify, investigate, evaluate and resolve potential problems and hazards that would arise. This included making sure all of the robots were meeting the necessary standards, making counter measures for all inferences between the car parts and robots. In addition, he had to effectively relay information between the groups involved on new production.

Through this co-op experience with Toyota, Robert indicated that he has learned a lot about himself. He realizes that he still has a lot more to learn and how he needs to go about learning them – such as responsibility and accountability. He has gained an understanding of the conditions in which he operates the best and that sometimes tough decisions must be made based on wants versus needs. However, the most valuable lesson learned is that in order to improve and truly leave this co-op a better person, he had to be in charge and mentor himself – not look to others for direction but use their guidance to internalize and act on it to manifest something better. Finally, he stated that he has learned that change is not a “one time” thing. In order to grow, he has to repetitively practice what he has learned, so that words such as professionalism, responsibility and integrity come habitually.

Professionally, Robert says he learned that he needs improvement with his presentation skills. This has been a great learning experience just to see the dynamics of the office and industry.

When asked what advice he would give to students who are preparing to search for a co-op assignment, Robert stated that “students should heavily research what they would like to do for full-time employment in order to get an early start on gaining the experience needed.” “Another piece of advice is to relax and be yourself when communicating with employers. During interviews, employers mainly look for how you carry yourself and evaluate whether you are someone they would like to work with. So, there is no need to put on a facade or stress. Much practice and preparation will also help eliminate stress.

In closing, Robert indicated that he is really enjoying this experience. It has been challenging and great at the same time. He strongly encourages all students to have at least one co-op before graduation.

DID YOU KNOW? …• According to results of the National Association of College & Employers NACE 2013 Internship & Co-op Survey, employers again reinforced that internships and co-operative education programs are an essential component of their college recruiting programs. Note that 48% of the interns and 56.5% of the co-ops were offered full-time jobs with the employing company/agency.

• An ounce of experience can be worth a ton of research — especially when it comes to exploring careers. Internships are one of the best ways to get that experience and to test a career choice. And later, when it’s time to get a job, internships attract employers.

(Internships: Previewing a Profession by Elka Jones / U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov)

At first glance, you see a train gliding through a pristine forest.

But look a little closer and you’ll also see America’s goods

moving efficiently to market, creating less pollution while taking

thousands of truckloads off our congested highways. It’s just

another example of how Norfolk Southern is carrying America

into the future. For information on our Management Trainee

opportunities, please visit us at www.nscorp.com/careers and

learn how you can be a part of the Future of Transportation.

can you find your future in this picture?

www.nscorp.com ©2010 Norfolk Southern Corporation.

the future of transportation.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP HELPED ALUM GAIN EMPLOYMENT

Tesila McNeil2008 Grad - Chemical Engineering

I was a Chemical Engineering major and had heard from upper classmen about the importance of securing internships or co-ops to build upon my classroom learning and to set myself up to be very marketable for permanent positions upon graduation. I took that advice seriously and began to plug into the Office of Career Services (OCS) as a freshman. The staff gave me an orientation to the services and resources that were available. I found the career fair events to be a great opportunity for me to speak one on one with company representatives and learn about their products or services as well as how I could fit into their organization as an engineering major. Nothing takes the place of having a face to face interaction with a recruiter.

I also remember coming into the OCS on a weekly basis to learn what companies would be interviewing engineering majors for summer opportunities. I made it my business to frequently sign up for on campus interviews. Utilizing these services, led to me obtaining a summer internship with Champion International after my sophomore year and with Procter and Gamble after my junior year. As I interviewed for permanent positions on campus, I was invited on several company day visits which led to multiple job offers. By the end of the fall of my senior year, I accepted a full-time position with Procter and Gamble.

I am grateful for all of the services and support that the Office of Career Services provided to me. I encourage all students to take full advantage of them.

Tesila McNeill, PMP

Project Manager, Resource Management

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is an AA/EEO employer, and it is an ADA compliant institution; thus, facilities are designed to provide accessibility to individuals with physical disabilities.

The Competitive Edge is a publication of

The Office of

Career Services.

Suite 101 Murphy Hall336-334-7755

email: ocs@ncat.edu

www.ncat.edu/careerservices

NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY

1601 East Market StreetSuite 101 Murphy HallGreensboro, NC 27411

calendar FALL 2014 EVENTS

CAREER AWARENESS PROGRAM• Kick-Off – September 2-5• Career Fair – September 10• Interviewing – September 11

ON-CAMPUS RECRUITINGOctober 1 – November 21

NATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT MONTH• Kick-Off – November 3-4• Etiquette Dinner – November 20

HEALTHCARE CAREER FAIR November 6

Graduate & Professional School Day• Information Session – November 11• Career Fair – November 12

Check the OCS website daily for updates. (www.ncat.edu/careerservices)

Congratulations Graduates! Did you accept a position? Were you accepted into graduate school? The university would like to hear from you regarding your employment plans. Please complete the survey located at www.ncat.edu/careerservices. Upon completion, receive an A&T lapel pin as a token of our appreciation (available in Career Services beginning April 21). Your name will be entered automatically in a drawing for a prize (Samsung Galaxy Note 3, expansion drive, Canon PowerShot SX230 with Wifi capability and memory card).

Attention Returning StudentsUse your summer time to get ahead of the fall rush. Update your AggieLink account information and resume in order to take full advantage of the fall interview schedules (available September 1), workshops, and special programs. If you haven’t registered previously with the Office of Career Services, update your resume and be ready to schedule a resume critique session.

The old adage is true: the early bird gets the worm!