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GRADUATE SCHOOL?
WHAT ABOUT
pg 5
pg 10
RESUME TIPS?
NEED
HOW CAN
CAREER SERVICES
ASSIST YOU?pg 12
Contents 4 Social Media & Graduate School
6 Cover Letters & Following up
8 Current Company Openings
10 Resume Tips & Sample Resumes
12 Career Services
14 Interview Tips
16 Portfolio Tips & Examples
18 December Graduates
20 Washburn Alumni
22 Washburn Tech
Contributors:
Executive Staff:
Adam Vlach
Brittany Rhoades
Chealsea Howe
Fatima Oubaid
Ryan Ogle
Cynthia Rose
Diego Morales
Kaity Martin
Megan Beck
Samantha Stanley
Adviser: Regina Cassell
A special Thank You to Kent McAnally for
his contributions.
3
The Bod Magazine is produced
by Washburn Student Media. It is
distributed twice a year.
Copyright November 2014.
The Do’s and Don’ts of social media Graduate School Social Media Adam VlachRyan Ogle
On average, students who
have a post-graduate
degree earn 22.3 percent
more right out of school
compared to those who
only have an undergraduate
degree in the same ield.
5
There are a lot of options to consider
after graduating with your irst degree. You could declare a double major and
go after a second bachelor’s, you could
try to ind a job in your ield, you could join the military, you could start your
own business, or you could you could
pursue a graduate degree. There are thousands of graduate programs across
the country.Anna Frantz is a Washburn alumna
who is now pursuing a Master’s in
Library and Information Science
degree at Emporia State University. She attended Washburn from 2009
to 2013. She majored in English, graduating summa cum laude with a
4.0 GPA and was the recipient of the Sibberson award, Washburn’s highest
academic award. She offered to pass along some tips to those graduating
from Washburn who are considering
going to graduate school.
Why did you go to graduate school?
I wanted to better my career
options. After graduating, my
options seemed to be slim, but I
obtained a three-pronged position
at a school. By far my favorite
responsibility was being a clerk at
the library.
I loved recommending
books to students, listening to the
librarians give book talks, and
creating book displays. In order to
be a librarian, you have to have a
Master’s of Library Science, so I
decided to return to school.
What did the process involve as far
as applying? What were the biggest
challenges in applying?
Fortunately, applying to
Emporia State was very simple.
I did not even have to take the
GRE. Probably the only hard
parts were making sure everything
on the checklist was completed
and having professors submit
recommendations on time.
Applying early is key, because
even though Emporia accepts
applications up until a month
before classes start, other grad
schools are not so lenient.
Do you think Washburn prepared
you adequately for grad school?
I do. A lot of the program
at Emporia so far has been
about writing papers, conducting
research, and making sure
references are properly cited.
I felt like I was one of few
people who did not struggle in
transitioning to writing graduate-
styled papers. I learned a lot
in my English classes about
compositions and organization of
information, so I’m very thankful
for that. The only thing I wish had
been different is learning more
about the usefulness of academic
and scholarly sources found on
databases and knowing how much
more beneicial this information is than simply searching for the
quickest, easiest answers on
Google.
What advice would you give those
thinking about grad school?
If you’re not sure grad school
is the option for you, go out into
the workforce irst. Earn some money, earn some experience,
igure out exactly what kind of career you think you’d be happiest
in most.
If you decide continuing
education will help you excel
in your career, then do it, no
matter how late it is in your life
or how pricy it can be. At least
half of the people in my class are
nontraditional students, so never
let age be an excuse in keeping
you from returning to school.
Beyond the bachelor’s Grad student’s advice
4
What sort of things are employers looking for when
checking out an applicant’s social media proiles What are
some of the biggest red lags?
Employers are mostly checking for
inappropriate and illegal behavior. Inappropriate
behavior, though, can vary depending on the viewer
so it is better to be safe than sorry. If a potential
hire freely shares photos of partying or drug use, the
employer may be thinking about how the applicant
represents himself/herself online, and subsequently
how this individual may represent the company.
Having a beer with a friend at Blind Tiger is OK
to post, but stay away from the intoxicated photos.
In terms of Twitter, other red lags that employers look for are unethical, harmful, profane, or clearly
offensive tweets.
What are some ways that an applicant can use social
media to their advantage if they think a perspective
employer is going to check them out?
If you are job searching in a speciic industry, you can share photos, tips, quotes or articles on your
social platforms about the profession. You can show
a little of your personality this way too, adding what
you took away from this link or why you want to
share it with others. It shows employers that you are
interested and invested in your line of work, while
simultaneously expressing your unique character.
As social media has become a marketable skill, would you
recommend including personal Facebook/Twitter proile
on a resume or portfolio, or would it be a better idea to
create a page and use that to brand yourself?
If you are using your social media pages as
personal platforms to market yourself (as a writer,
musician, artist, etc), you could include the links. If it
is a page speciically for personal use, I would avoid including that on a resume or portfolio. It would be a
good idea to direct an employer to your website, if you
have a one [and you should], and include links there
to your social media proiles. It is up to the user whether to create a page to
brand herself/himself. Some people do, and then revert
back to just one proile because it is too much to keep up or is confusing for followers. The personal and
professional divide is also shrinking in terms of social
media. On the other hand, a separate page can be an
effective tool for a speciic business or if you share different types of information for different purposes on
different proiles.
Do you recommend trying to connect with a potential
employer via social media after the interview?
I would suggest writing a thank you email following
an interview. If you do not have the employers email,
you could send a thank you message via LinkedIn or
Twitter if appropriate, but not Facebook since that is
more in the personal realm. It would be best to follow/
like the company you are interested in before you
apply.
How an applicant presents themselves on
social media can be one of the biggest factors
that an employer looks at when deciding who
to hire. In essence, your Facebook proile and Twitter page has become an extension of who you are, not
only as a person, but as an employee. It goes without saying that questionable behavior
broadcast on social media won’t do you any favors. However, a professionally-minded online presence can
help brand you as a standout in your chosed industry.Author Kimberly Bowker, who taught Strategic
Social Media at Washburn, offers some advice on how
social media can hurt, or help, your chances at getting
hired.
• Use proper grammar• Interact with names
in your industry• Represent your (best)
self online• Update and interact
consistently
• Be authentic
• Post negative or ofensive commentary
• Post the hardcore party pictures
• Lie• Hide anything - if it
doesn’t seem right to you, delete it
DO DON’T
Ryan Ogle Ryan Ogle
alumniWe will be here for you long after the dust settles on your old exams
35% OFFAny 1 WU Imprinted Item*
*Not valid with other sales or o�ers
Expires 1/30/2015
Relax and enjoy being
Put away those books for a while
Congratulations!!
Washburn Tech & Washburn University
Graduates!
Following Up
Where a resume should be a short and
sweet delivery of the knowledge, skills
and abilities that you can bring to the
job, a cover letter is an opportunity to show why
you’re the right PERSON for the gig.
“They’ll use the cover letter to get a better sense
of your personality,” said Kent McAnally, director
of career services at Washburn. “The resume is just
a list of facts. You want your cover letter to read
more conversationally than the resume.”
Cover letters should also be unique to the job for
which you’re applying. This is where researching
the employer becomes important. Generic cover
letters rarely result in a phone call for an interview.
“Take the information that you’ve gleaned from
the job description and employer’s website and use
their verbiage,” said McAnally.
A cover letter should consist of three parts. The
irst part should clearly state the position you’re
after and why you are applying. This is also where
you want to hook the employer in with a strong,
attention-getting opening. Think of it like the lead
of a newspaper article. You want that irst sentence to be intriguing enough to keep them reading. A
strong opener goes a long way toward that irst interview.
The second, and perhaps most important section is
where you match what you’ve accomplished with
what you know the employer is looking for. Make
sure to complement and expand upon what you
list in your resume. This is where you can let your
personality shine.
The last paragraph is where you ask for an
interview. Make it easy for the employer to contact
you and thank them for their consideration.
A cover letter should be no longer than one page
and be written and presented in a professional
manner.
Cover Letters
Once the interview is
over, the waiting game
begins. This can be one
of the biggest stressors involved
with job hunting.
While the days following
the interview can be illed with anxiety and the urge to
check in and gauge how well-
received you were (or weren’t)
by the interviewer, no potential
employer has time to be pestered
by applicants.
However, there are a few simple
things you can do to keep your
name fresh in the employer’s
mind without crossing the ine line between enthusiastic and
overbearing.
Within 24 hours of your initial
interview, it’s a good idea to
send a brief, yet polite email
thanking the employer for their
time and reiterating your interest
in the position. This is also a
good opportunity to address any
follow-up information that was
requested during the interview.
A day or two later, sending a
handwritten note (or typed letter
if your handwriting is less than
desirable) that echoes your initial
email can add that personal touch
and show the employer that
you’ve taken an invested interest
in the company.
From there, it’s best to let
things take their natural course.
Companies typically interview
multiple candidates, which
means they’ll need time to
properly review all applicants
before making their decision.
If you haven’t heard back within
two weeks, try following up via
email irst, then with a phone call if necessary. Again, keep things
brief, professional and polite.
If more than two weeks have
passed without a solid answer,
it’s time to accept the fact
you didn’t get the job and
move on.
Be sure to handle
rejection with
professionalism.
You never know
when a new
position could
open up with
the company, so
you don’t want to
risk burning any
bridges.
Post-interview follow-ups can be tricky, yet necessary. But staying on a potential employer’s radar can help land you the job.
Selling yourself with cover letters So you nailed the interview. What now?
Just becuase you’ve graduated and moved on to start your journey through the real world, don’t skip the opportunity to follow up with Washburn’s Career Services department. Graduates can take advantage of everything Career Services has to ofer for up to six months ater graduation. If the job hunt isn’t going as well as you hoped, feel free to come back home for help. Phone: 785-670-1450 Email: [email protected]
7
What do companies want from graduates?
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“Keep seeking out new opportunities
for challenging yourself intellectually
and acquiring new knowledge even after
graduation, not just for your career but to
enrich your life. Don’t think of learning
and knowledge as separate from your
professional career and limited to a
university campus. Your college classes
and professors have helped you to gain
and practice skills in research, critical
reading and writing – but now that you
have graduated, you are free to apply
those skills and explore your intellectual
interests further according to what
interests you the most.”
Vanessa Steinroetter,
Associate Professor, English
Graduate advice from
WU English professor
Want to stay up to date
about what
is going
on around
Washburn?
visit www.washburnreview.org
As college careers come to an end for December
graduates, the time to start looking for better job opportunities will be soon to follow. With competition always in the back of minds during interviews it is hard to know exactly what companies are looking for. Here are some tips to keep in mind during job searches.
he irst tip is skill. Companies want someone who is well-rounded and experienced. Companies are more likely to hire employees if they can perform in more than one area. By having multiple skills it will make a future employee a potential asset to a company. Ater all, with the economy in
a recession, companies hire one person to do a job as opposed to multiple people to do the same job. he best way to build multiple skills are internships and involvement throughout the community.
Another good skill to have is ambition. Companies want employees who will be dedicated to the future of their company. By showing employers that you did the research of their company and believe in their motto, mission statement, goals, future, etc. proves that you not only are dedicated to the job but also could potentially be valuable in future expansions with the company.
Leadership and problem solving are also valuable skills to have. Companies
want employees they can invest time into who can later on hold leadership positions. hey want employees who will solve problems by taking diferent angles and thinking outside the box to get the job done.
he main thing to remember when searching for a career is to know who you are applying for, have multiple valuable skills for the company and show that you are dedicated in the leadership future of the company. Don’t waste a company’s time if you are not invested in what they believe, have the skill they are searching for, or don’t see yourself being a part of the future of the company. Companies want employees who will help innovate their success as a whole.
By Fatima Oubaid
Ichabod Communicator [email protected]
5421 Bod Hill, Topeka, KS 66610
Home (785) 670-0000
Cell (785) 670-9999
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Communication, Expected May 20xx Washburn University, Topeka, KS
Dean’s List (7 semesters)
GPA: 3.54
Related course work: Communication in Service and Sales, Self-management and Self Motivation, Effective Business Communication, Motivation and Emotion, Persuasive Speaking, Conflict Resolution,
Problem-solving in Groups, and Interpersonal Communication in Organizations
Certification: First Aid, CPR
Relevant Experience
Sales Internship, January 20xx - May 20xx The Washburn Review, Washburn University, Topeka, KS
Promoted school newspaper to area businesses
Researched and identified potential client base
Created a five-minute sales presentation and made sales calls throughout the area
Increased advertising by 10% within one semester
Customer Service Associate, August 20xx - May 20xx Wal-Mart, Topeka, KS
Provided outstanding customer service in a national retail chain store
Recognized for service with Associate of the Month award
Focused on increasing sales through advanced knowledge of product information
Manager, WU Swim Team, August 20xx - August 20xx Washburn University, Topeka, KS
Motivated team members through effective team-building activities
Coordinated informal practice competitions
Worked within university to increase awareness of swim team activity
Activities
Chi Omatron Fraternity, August 20xx - May 20xx
Treasurer, 20xx: Kept accurate records of fraternity expenses and represented group at the
state level in two conferences
Actively recruited more than 10 new members to increase participation in group
Coordinated annual charity event raising more than $5,000 for cancer research
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, elected by faculty August 20xx
10 11
Resumes Ryan Ogle Sample Resume
Too much personal information:
Employers don’t need to know things like age,
marital status or political/religious ailiations.
Too much emphasis on personal qualities:
People oten ill the ‘Skills’ section with things
like “I’m a hard worker,” “I’m punctual,” “I’m a
quick learner.” Employers are going to make those
determinations on their own. Your resume should
only outline your hard skills, experience and what
you gained from your education.
No relevant experience or not being able to translate
your experience into something relevant to the job:
Some applicants will see a job and think they would
be a good it, but can’t translate their experience
into something that the employer is looking for.
Internships, courses related to the job and projects
are good substitutes for those lacking in real world
experience.
Resume Killers
Conquering ATS
The Essentials
Your resume can make or break your chances
of landing that dream job, so it’s essential
that every aspect of that document be as
perfect as possible.
In a competitive job market, employers rarely have
more than 30 seconds to decide whether a resume is
worth revisiting or destined for the trash. Only those
that offer a clear and concise outline of an applicant’s
skills, qualiications and experiences will capture the employer’s attention long enough to consider reaching
out for an interview.
Kent McAnally of Washburn Career Services stresses
the importance of following the ‘Three Rs’ of resume
writing – Relevance, Recency and Results.
• Relevance“A resume is not an autobiography, so it doesn’t have
to include your life story,” said McAnally. “It does
have to include things that are relevant to a particular
employer for a particular job. That means that most of
us have multiple versions of our resume because every
employer’s language varies and we want to use the
employer’s language.”
• Recency“Recency is usually not a problem for a college
student or recent graduate,” said McAnally. He added
that experience gained during high school has no place in a professional resume, so focus only on recent
accomplishments. For non-traditional grads who
might have extensive work history, the last 10 years of experience is usually suficient.
• ResultsThe difference between an OK resume and an
outstanding resume is the person who can show results
from what they’ve done. Show that you’ve made a
difference in someway. Use tangible and quantiiable examples when possible. Be sure to avoid making any exaggerated claims when mentioning your accomplishments. This can lead to awkward moments
during the interview and guarantee you won’t be
called back.
Resumes for success Formatting your resume
Formatting and layout is a common struggle
when writing a resume. With the amount of
options out there, inding the appropriate format can be a bit tricky.
For someone in a creative ield [advertising, graphic design, etc.], a creative layout is often acceptable.
However, you should avoid going overboard as you
don’t want the layout to draw attention away from
the content. Others should stick with a more standard
layout, both in terms of order and look.
For help with creating your resume, Washburn Career
Services recommends Resumes for America, which
can help create an effective and professional resume.
The service is free for students and recent grads. The
link can be found at Washburn.Edu/Career.
• Contact InfoList your name (in large font), mailing address,
phone number and email. Make sure your email and
voicemail greeting are professional.
• EducationList your degree title (no abbreviations), month &
year of graduation and the name, city and state from
all universities from which you’ve received degrees.
Also include majors, minors and areas of emphasis.
• ExperienceWhen listing work experience, include the following:• Descriptive position title
• Employer name and location (city/state)
• Description of job duties and accomplishments.
These should be brief statements that begin
with an action verb and do not include personal
pronouns.
In order to streamline the application process, many
employers are now using Applicant Tracking Systems,
a database that stores resumes submitted online and
allows the employer to quickly weed out unqualiied applicants.
When it’s time to interview, an employer will go to
the ATS and will search for keywords from the job
description. Those experienced in online submissions know to include job-speciic terms and industry buzzwords. These applicants are most likely to get
called in for an interview.
The ATS will scan each resume and select those that
use terms relevant to the position. This is why it’s
critical to learn and use the employer’s language and
terminology.
Aside from the essentials listed above, your resume
can also include a number of optional elements. If
relevant to the job, list your GPA any computer skills,
honors or activities that might make you a strong can-
didate. Remember to keep it clear and concise!
Sample resume courtesy of Washburn Career Services
Order your special 150 yearbook in 3 easy steps!
Go to www.washburnreview.orgClick this link
hen order your yearbook.
CAREER SERVICESCareer Services offers many opportunities to help anyone increase their
chances of inding the perfect job or internship
BodJobs & Job search
assistance-Post your resume, search jobs and internships
Practice Interviews
(Mock Interviews)
Career Services also offers opportunities
for class and organization presentations
and networking tips
Resume AssistanceCareer Services
offers help
with resumes
including access to
programs such as Resumes for
America and BodJobs Resume
Creator, and other free
resume formatting programs.
Events that bring employers to talk to YOU
Get your career development started early. Don’t wait until you are a senior!
Follow us on Facebook (WUCareerServices), Twitter (@WUCareerService), and get your LinkedIn proile going!
Having trouble inding a contact? You can also contact Career Services at:
Phone: 785-670-1450
URL: washburn.edu/careerservices. See Career Services to ask about CareerShift
- available only at Morgan 137!
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY
Career Services
also offers days where students can have practice
interviews with
experts and get advice from professionals.
Calendar of Events
Resume Roadshow -Monday, February 16, 10 am to 2 pm
-Get a quick expert appraisal of your resume for the Career Fair.
Spring Career Fair -Wednesday, February 18, 2015 -Students, alumni and community can speak to local and national employers
Spring Education
Interview Day -Wednesday, March 11, 2015 -Teacher candidates interview for job with area schools
Career Fair
Above pictures are from the Career Fair where they speak to many companies that want to talk to students, alumni and staff about em-
ployment and internship opportunities.
BodJobs is constantly updated with opportunities for Ichabods across campus. To see listings: 1. Go to washburn.edu/career-services 2. Click on BodJobs link 3. Log in 4. Search for jobs
Interview Tips
by Pam Foster &
Regina Cassell
14 15
Always have an answer to “why
do you want this job?” It may
seem obvious to you because ater
all you did apply for the job, but
many prospective employers want
to hear a glowing report of their
company and how you will it with
their mission/vision.
Write a handwritten thank you on
the day of your interview and put
it in the mail the next day
Practice wearing your outit to
make sure you are not distracted
by wearing something new.
Make sure you can sit and stand
gracefully.
Remember that you are
interviewing the employer to
determine if you would be a good
it for the job. Research the
company/organization to learn
what their mission/vision espouse.
Review the website to gain as
much information as possible about
the company/organization.
Practice making good eye
contact. Sometimes it can feel
uncomfortable but it’s important
to look at people when speaking
Ask a trusted friend to ask you
questions and evaluate your
answers. Practice working key
information into your answers
Do a Google search and learn
as much as possible about the
company and industry. Work your
research into your answer
Carefully read the position
announcement and write
your cover letter and tie your
knowledge, skills and abilities
to the duties/expectations of the
position. Tell the screeners what
you can do for the company
that will fulill the requirements
of the job and advance the
company’s mission/vision.
Ensure that your resume and
cover letter are error free. A
good resume will be used
throughout your professional
career and you will simply add
credentials to it. Keep your
resume updated. You never
know when the perfect job will
present itself.
As petty as it seems, many
prospective employers evaluate
people on their appearance at
an interview. Dress for the job
you are applying for.
Be on time for the interview.
Practice interviewing. here
are some great websites that
give guidance on how to
answer interview questions.
Always have questions ready
for the interview team. For
example, where do you see
the company in the next ive
years? Does this job line ofer
the potential for promotion?
What do you perceive to be
the biggest challenge in this
position? If placed in this
position, how could I be most
Director of Student Media, Mass Media Lecturer
Equal OportunityDirector
It’s a tough job market out there and graduates
looking for a job in their ield need all the tools they can get. Having an online portfolio can help you move head and shoulders above the rest.
A Forbes article in 2013 said that 56 percent of all
hiring managers are more impressed by a job seeker’s online portfolio than any other type of personal branding and online presence.
An online portfolio can increase what is
distinguishable about you from the others in the pack. There is greater lexibility than what a resume gives you, and you get to add your own personal style. It can showcase your previous work experience and volunteer involvement. “The beneits of a portfolio can be reaped by any serious job applicant, regardless of the industry,” said Nicki Krawczyk, founder of FilthyRich.com.
Pictures speak a thousand words, and portfolios give you that advantage. Do you have a picture of yourself doing volunteer work? Have you done work on a social media campaign? Get pictures from your posts and tweets. Use the most interesting pictures to
draw people in so they want to learn more, but make sure your photos are relevant to your proile. Once you’ve gotten someone’s attention with
pictures, you can lead them to a paragraph that tells a story about what you did at a former place of employment or in your volunteering experiences. But keep it short and sweet--you don’t want to lose them.
Something to remember is that a prospective
employer is looking at you on all your social media platforms. You should Google yourself to ind out what a possible future employer will see besides
“It’s is a good thing to start connecting with people
you already know,” said McAnally. “Start with faculty, employees, classmates and your advisers from student organizations. It is not necessary to connect with only people in your own ield. The idea is to build a network. LinkedIn is valuable for college
students because of the ability to connect with alumni. Ichabods like to connect with Ichabods.”
When most people are searching for a job, they go online to the main job sites and apply but the return rate is very low on these sites. LinkedIn exists because the old adage holds a lot of truth in today’s job market: “It’s not what you know but who you know.”
Getting out into the workforce can be tough, but arming yourself with the best tools will allow you to have the better proile when future employers are looking to hire the most qualiied.
16 17
Creating your
online presence
Cindy Rose your portfolio or Linked in proile. If you want to seem credible, you need to be consistent across all of your social media platforms. As in all your online
sites, your portfolio should be updated and tweaked regularly.
That said about portfolios, a LinkedIn account is a must. Dimo Raychev, creative director for LoSasso advertising agency in Chicago said that if an applicant doesn’t have a LinkedIn account, he would not even consider a hopeful candidate.
“When employers Google you, LinkedIn shows up on top,” said Maria Stover, mass media professor at Washburn University. It’s a very good irst impression to make and a good one to click on, as opposed to Facebook, especially if you haven’t any privacy
settings on your Facebook account.”
Having a LinkedIn
account also “provides
you with a place to house your portfolio,” said Stover. “It also has a place
for you to add people for recommendations. Your
internship should be part of
your story.”Kent McAnally, director
of Career Services at WU said, “LinkedIn is a big thing because it is a way
to do virtual professional networking. It’s how people
get jobs. The basic concept of why it exists is to make connections with people in your ield, and they may be at a distance where it is not possible to meet face-to-
face.”Getting started on the connection process is easy
because LinkedIn walks you through it. One of the irst steps is to upload a picture of yourself.
“You need a good quality, professional looking photo with a good headshot,” said McAnally.
Screenshot courtesy of Kara Protasio.
Kara Protasio is a senior in the mass media program. She will be graduating in
Spring of 2015 with an emphasis in contemporary journalism. All Mass Media students begin working on their
portfolios as freshman in Mass Media Bootcamp.
Portfolio
3 things you should avoid• Typos
• Bland introduction
Be unique and showcase your skills.• Self-focus
Design your portfolio for a potential employer, not yourself.
Professors share wisdom with
“Go forth with the knowledge and skills you have
developed and make your communities a better
place. From your Washburn family we congratulate
you on your achievement and hope that you stay in
touch with us.”
—Linsey Moddelmog,
Political Science Professor
“Don’t use your credit card. Remember Washburn
University and come back often. We’ve enjoyed
having you.”
—Gary Baker,
Professor of Finance, School of Business
“Get your resume in order. It wouldn’t hurt to do
a mock interview to get an idea of what kind of
questions you will be asked. Career Service does
some of that, so give them a call. Get excited that
you’re done with school and ready to move on with
the next phase of your life.”
—Kathy Menzie,
Chair, Communications Studies
Chair, Associate Professor Mass Media
18
December grads Megan Beck and Kaity Martin
“I wish all graduates success and happiness as
they continue on with their next adventure and
hope that they all can share with others what it
means to be a part of the Washburn Tech family.”
—Opal Stone,
Recruitment Counselor
“Clear your mind and insert knowledge and
truth.”
—Michael Evenson,
Technical Instructor, Washburn Tech
“As you consider your time beyond Washburn think
through all the transferable skills you’ve developed
in your classes and outside of the classroom. Often
time employers and graduate schools greatly
value all skills you’ve developed through these
experiences.” —Michael Gleason,
Director Leadership Institutue
Lecturer, Leadership Institute
19
20
Ichabods excelling in the real world
Dan BillenDan Billen
graduated from Washburn in 2007 with a BFA and now serves as the art director for Jones Huyett Partners in Topeka.
Billen started at JHP as an intern during his inal year at Washburn and was soon hired on as a graphic designer
before working his way up the ladder. He initially came to Washburn ater tranferring from KU in the late ‘90s. He returned in 2005 ater leaving to tour with his band, he Billions. Ater leaving rock ‘n’ roll behind, Billen came home to Topeka and to Washburn to pursue a career in graphic design.
Shalyn MurphyShalyn Murphy, ba
2009, is communications and marketing director for Visit Topeka, where she has worked for the past ive years.
Murphy’s job allows her to focus on making Topeka a better place for everyone.
“I get to work on projects every day that bring people and visitors to our city, where they spend money and impacts the local economy,” said Murphy.
“I like that I get to support local businesses by doing my job.”
Faculty members in the mass media department awarded Murphy the Outstanding Student Award for her excellent work throughout her studies. She also served as the editor-in-chief of the 2008 Kaw Yearbook.
“he thing I got the most out of was Student Media. We took real life projects and decided how to cover the topics we wanted to print, and that’s what my current job is all about. And even though there was stress, it was a lot of fun.”
In her current job, Murphy inds herself in a position to hire students, and she has hired a few Ichabods. She says she is impressed when a candidate knows what he or she is seeking from the job because she thinks it will lead to greater job satisfaction.
Once she hires a new employee, she expects an employee to be able to sit down, get to work and inish the job. As a busy professional, she needs people who are able to connect the dots between what is needed and how to get there.
Cally Krallman graduated with a BFA in 1981. She is an artist and the owner of Prairie Sage Studio. his year Washburn honored her as an alumni Fellow, recognizing her as one among those who have distinguished themselves in their careers.
Krallman is a prominent artist who has also written over 500 songs and recorded ive albums. She also won the Kansas 150 Sesquicentennial Art Competition. Krallman went to work as a screen printer for 22 years ater graduating before becoming a full time artist, working in oils and acrylics.
“I enjoy painting ‘en plein aire,’” said Krallman.
Cally Krallman
WHO
WILL YOU
BECOME?
21
Top traits most desired by employers
Notice that the skills you learn in class, such as analyzing data, computer proiciency and writing reports are at the bottom of this list. What employers look for most are skills you learn by working with and around people. his is something you learn in college, but it isn’t taught in a class.
Working as a team and communicating with others is something you’ve been practicing your whole life. Virtually anything you do ater graduation will require you to work with other people. If you haven’t experienced it already, the saying “You don’t have to love each other but you have to get along” is undoubtedly going to become all too real, no matter where you go.
Technical job knowledge, computer and writing skills, and other similar elements will come to you the longer you are at a job. But from day one you will be interacting with people, and the truth is your ability to deal with them and work together will almost always be a make-or-break factor.
Your resume is the irst in-depth look into you an employer will get. Because you are not being verbally questioned, you have time to sit down and think as much as you need to compound all of the positive things about yourself and put them in writing as eloquently as possible.
While many qualities are important, employers deinitely value some attributes over others. he chart to the right lists how highly employers in general rank diferent skills. Be sure to cite as many examples of the more desired skills that you have displayed in the past, even if they are not the greatest accomplishment. You may not have been an assistant manager at a large company while in college, but if you held a leadership position in a student organization or on a sports team, that is a deinite plus!
It is also never a bad idea to ask your current or past employers what they think your strengths are. here is a good chance they notice positive qualities about you that you don’t give yourself credit for simply because you don’t notice them.
In the end, just take your time building your resume.
Adam Vlach
22 23
To give you an idea of how things
are going at Washburn Tech, ive times the expected number of
prospective students showed up to
Washburn Tech’s very irst signing day. Next Feb 19 is when it has
scheduled the next National Letter
of Intent Signing Day, modeled
after the NCAA practice and ready
for anyone looking to start there in
fall 2015. Of course, there’s plenty
of other great news that’s happened
between those two events.
For the unaware, Washburn
Tech offers classes with practical
applications of skill and tangible
results. A philosophy degree won’t
get your car running, but a Washburn
Tech graduate can, if they don’t
already have another of the many
skill sets offered by the institute and
needed by local organizations. From
businesses to hospitals, just about
every career program has positions
available in Northeast Kansas, so
g r a d u a t e s
d o n ’ t
have
t o
travel far.
Everything about Washburn Tech
is driven by practicality. They
launched a new website (witjobs.
net) to bring local employers
closer to students who can become
prospective employees. They began
planning the Advantage Center,
which is designed to connect
students with tutors, mentors, career
planners and other helpful igures. They received a grant to teach
inmates at the Topeka Correctional
Facility, which should translate to
more effective job placement upon
release, fewer chances of recidivism
and as Washburn University
President Jerry Farley said,
“offering all persons the chance
to learn is our core mission.” The
equal opportunity stance, which
began 150 years ago, is an essential
part of Washburn Tech as well.
Of course, few paths to success at
Washburn University are easier than
starting at Washburn Tech. Credit
transfer is a no-brainer, and it can be
a great way to advance the careers
that Washburn Tech helps enable,
like a CNA who is ready to move up
in their hospital. Or an automotive
service technician who also wants
a philosophy degree, since it pays
to diversify specializations. Either
way, the transition from Washburn
Tech to University is very smooth.
All these connections between
students, instructors, employers,
mentors, and career placement
experts, and guests all add up to a
thriving community, where everyone
has more education, experience,
and network ability. Washburn Tech
goes beyond even that to give back
to the greater local community.
They have corporate partnerships
in place to receive vehicles in poor
condition, which the Auto Collision
facility students have for hands-
on learning and restoration. These
vehicles are then donated to nearby
residents in need. This “Recycled
Rides” program institutionalizes
one of those rare situations in which
everybody involved beneits from the experience.
Overall, Washburn Tech provides
its students with an excellent
mix of practical knowledge and
valuable contacts in the academic,
professional and community
circles. As shown by even just its
irst signing day, things are only growing and improving.
The ultimate goal for every
person is succes, but there are many
different paths one can take that lead
to that same goal. Washburn Tech
is one path that will provide you
with countless advantages that you
can take with you on the journey to
success. Just come and ind out.
Chelsea Howe
Successful year points to even brighter futures
Visit Washburn Tech’s new jobs site
witjobs.netIf you’re looking for a job, this is the place to go.
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Business
• Computer & Networking Technology
• Construction
• Drafting & Design
• Health Care
• Hospitality & Human Services
• Transportation
Washburn Tech prepares you for rewarding careers and exciting occupations. You will not only learn
by listening, but learn by doing. Advanced technology, equipment labs and internships provide you
with real hands-on skills and experience. Whether you are a high school student, an adult learner
or a career changer, Washburn Tech offers an affordable and convenient way for you to prepare
for the career you need and the future you want. Check-out the list of ields you can enroll in below:
Washburn Institute of Technology
For more information visit
washburntech.edu/career-programs
Washburn Tech is one of the most afordable ways to get the quality training you need for the career you want.
Connect with a recruiter by calling (785) 228-6315 or
send an email to [email protected] You can
also apply online through washburntech.edu under
Admissions & Financial Aid
Washburn Institute of Technology
5724 SW Huntoon Topeka, Kansas 66604
785.273.7140 or Toll Free 877.588.7140
Washburn Tech can also be
found on these ine social media sites.
Leave a lasting IMPRESSION
he Brick Campaign for Morgan Hall
To order your brick today, visit GiveToWashburn.org/Bricks or call 1.844.424.2263.
8x8 logo paverwith 4-line message
$300
8x8 paverwith 6-line message
$300
4x8 brick with 3-line message $150
Order your personalized brick today to honor your legacy at
Washburn University. Leave a message with your name, or
honor a family member, friend or professor on the brick to be
placed in front of the new Welcome Center and Morgan Hall.