2019 Summer Internship Award Program

The Summer Internship Award Program through the Career & Professional Development Center is now live and ready for applicants. The Summer Internship Award Program is designed to increase the ability for students to participate in internship opportunities that are unpaid. Internships may be on or off the DU campus. The deadline to apply is 4/19/19 @ 5 pm. Filling out an application will make you eligible for any of the below internships for which you qualify!

Sturm Family Foundation AHSS Summer Internship Award – 10 Awards at $3,400 each
CAHSS Internship Awards – $3,000 each
Denenberg Family Internship Award for International Internships – 4 awards at $2,500 each
Unpaid Internship Award – 8+ awards at $2,500 each

Submit your application through Pioneer Careers Online. Click here to check out the requirements and apply. You may also find the application by selecting “OCI and Job Listings” on Pioneer Careers Online then searching for “2019 Summer Internship Award Program”.

Please contact Stacey Stevens (stacey.stevens@du.edu) with any questions.

Finding the Right Internship Is Your Way To Success

Internships could be the experiences for the students that give them a chance of getting familiar and expert with the working environment. For interns it is a way of enhancing their skills for professional goals. It is not necessary that internship matches with the field of study, it just relates with the aims and objectives of the students. It would be preferable for success to choose the right internship by anyone, the type of internship that must clarify learning objectives of student in accordance to the career goals. Internship gives a chance of experiencing the professional workplace of concentration without stable and guaranteed assurance.

Reason behind popularity of Internship:

Mostly college students join the internship programs and the reason behind joining this parade is obvious: they feel fear to get slapped by the professional life after completing their graduation degree through a cold and aggressive employment market as degree of the student does not give assurance of reputable job. The right internship gives foundation to the recommence. Companies are now bound with bandwagon of internship for evading the faults in appointing staff. The ways by which right internships can improve and instigate the career life is given through the points that benefits interns.

It offers the interns to get profitable understanding in the field of study:

Being a student you just find the things by reading about them but being an intern you do them as a field work. At this stage you learn to apply your educational skills being in different surroundings and that must be the aim of anybody’s internship.

It identifies possible professional paths:

Through examining the field of company and the way how they work will help the interns for selecting designation for their self. Learn the ways being in internship period and make yourself capable of selecting the post for yourself.

It helps to get connected:

Being an intern, one can improve its networking by meeting to those who can support in professional progress. Connecting with others will offer the interns to enhance their understanding about the professional field and will give them a good reference for future occupational lead.

It enhances professional recommendations after Graduation:

A result of study conducted by National Association of Colleges and Employers reflects that 35% of the organizations select interns as permanent workers. Organization’s priority is selecting the ones that have experience and interns are best choice for them.

It makes easy to get into real world:

Internship makes ropes for the fresh graduates for getting into real world, it suggest them the things that companies want from employers as well as how they are required to perform for getting the perfect job.

It assists to expand manageable knowledge:

Skills are the main issue in any or every field. By completing the internship programs you can focus on expanding manageable knowledge and skills that relates with the professional field and workplace purpose. The right internship gives you the knowledge that is more than your education and will benefit you in future.

It let interns to develop societal skills:

Existing in the field, that absorbs knowledge more than the studies of books with the perspective about expression processors. It also includes societal skills like cooperation, communicating with the co-workers and gives knowledge of what to say and when to say. Internship suggests the ideas of handling conflict.

These are the benefits of doing the right internships as it secures the future life and suggest all the techniques for developing the skills related to the working environment.

Author Bio:

Angela Cathy works as a proposal writer for dissertation writing firm. She takes active participation in blogging platforms. Her areas of interest in writing include research, survey design and data analysis.

Milestone 1: Map Your Path

There are many ways to trace the path of your career journey. One such way is to create a resume or CV to serve as a map depicting where you’ve been, and also provide ideas about where you’re going.

Your resume or CV is your career development foundation. Starting early gives you a solid base to construct your academic, internship, and career goals as you move through your time at DU. To get started, identify your current skills and experience to complete an approved resume or CV. Then, continue working with your career advisor to pinpoint your strengths and interests.

What is a resume?

A resume is typically a 1-page document that gives an overview of your past experiences, a snapshot of your skills, a framework to identify what you’d still like to learn and do, and so much more. A basic resume includes information about your education, your work and volunteer experiences, and your skills and certifications. Resumes are highly flexible and tailored to the position or opportunity to which you are applying.

What is a CV?

A CV is a type of resume that is often expected for academic positions. It is similar to a resume, but includes catefories that are more relevant to an academic setting such as research experience, teaching experience and publications. All relevant information is included meaning that the document can often be quite long.

Why is creating a resume or CV important?

Nearly every job or internship you apply to will ask for a resume or Cv, so the sooner you get one started, the easier it will be to apply to that perfect internship.

Events and Activities to Complete this Milestone

Start your resume or CV and have it reviewed to complete this milestone. There are a number of opportunities to have your materials reviewed here at DU:

Sample resources to help you write and edit your resume include:

Career Advisor & Peer Advisor Appointments | Schedule at www.du.edu/pioneercareers or by calling 303.871.2150

Drop-In Hours | Stop in for help without an appointment. Times are listed at www.du.edu/career

Pioneer Careers | www.du.edu/pioneercareers
Have your resume reviewed by a professional and then simply load your resume into your Pioneer Careers account to receive one last round of resume feedback via email.

Sample events to help you secure your internship or professional experience include:

Resume Review Day
Bring a draft of your resume to for a review or stop by for tips to get started. Watch the calendar of events for future dates!

Internshipalooza
Get tips for finding internships AND have your resume reviewed on the spot!

More Than the Registration Fee: Reasons to Invest in LSAT Prep

here is a lot of conflicting advice out there about the best strategy for taking the LSAT – how long to study, how many times to take the test, and even about how “good” a predictor it is of anything at all. The one thing everyone seems to agree on? The LSAT is not just a test; it’s an investment. And it’s an investment that can significantly impact how much you pay for law school down the line. One major theme that emerged for hopeful law students who attended The True Cost of Law School: Budgeting Beyond Tuition on April 6: Invest in a quality LSAT prep program.

You’ve probably heard that law school admission is based on two things: LSAT and GPA. Of the two, many admissions officers will say the LSAT score is their priority in assessing how aid will be distributed. This is also true for merit-based aid. As the number of law school applicants has dropped, schools have begun to compete more actively for the best-qualified applicants – often using merit-based financial aid as incentive to attract those applicants. In this competitive environment, the higher your LSAT score, the better your odds not just for admissions, but also for scholarships. According to Benjamin Leff, professor at American University’s Washington College of Law, a three-point bump on the LSATS can mean the difference in thousands – or tens of thousands – of dollars in financial aid. Consider scholarships in India which is a very good alternative.

Another reason to commit your time and your money to preparing for the LSAT? It’s an opportunity to spend small (relatively – compared to law school tuition down the line) early in the process and figure out if law school is right for you. Though it’s often debated, research suggests that the LSAT is a key predictor of bar performance. Law schools often claim that your score is the most consistent predictor of how well you will do the first year in law school and on the bar exam. If studying and then sitting for a test like the LSAT isn’t something you’re willing to do, consider how you’ll handle the three or four months of studying you’ll eventually need to commit for preparing to pass the bar and become a practicing attorney.

For the budget-conscious law school hopeful, investing $1500 or more in an LSAT prep program might seem like a lot to ask. Be creative, and use all of your resources. Above the Law suggests online options like podcasts and videos, which may cost nothing. The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) makes available (for free) Official Prep Materials, including sample questions with explanations, old tests, and videos. There are even free apps you can download to practice exam questions, connect with instructors in a community forum, and more. However, even if your hope is to get your LSAT prep for free, Above the Law still recommends that you invest in real LSAT materials to use for practice. At a minimum, take your LSAT prep seriously. Don’t try to take the test cold, or with only minimal preparation. Look for high quality test prep materials with strong reviews from actual test takers at every price point.

If you decide to enroll in a commercial preparation course, do your homework – before and during the class. Talk to others who have taken the same course at the same location, ideally with the same instructor. Be skeptical of any course that makes outrageous claims about raising your score. Commit to the program – showing up for the classes is not the same as participating and will not be enough to improve your score. You’ll need to devote significant time outside the classroom to master the material. And lastly, ask about discounts or scholarships. Though not widely advertised, some of the larger prep companies provide discounts to students with demonstrated financial need.

Most importantly, remember that becoming a lawyer is embarking on a career, not just finding a job. Taking the LSAT is one of the earliest steps in beginning your legal career on solid ground. Take it seriously, and invest your resources accordingly.

Careers in Education & Training Beyond Teaching

Do you love the idea of being in the field of education, but know that being a K-12 educator is not for you? There are many ways to take your passion for teaching and training and put that to work in other types of settings. Below are a number of ideas to get you started with links to more information. This is not meant to be comprehensive, but a sampling of ideas to get you started!

Training & DevelopmentMany organizations hire staff members to identify the skills needs of staff members and develop relevant training to ensure that employees have the necessary tools need to do their jobs. Delivery can be done through online training, or through in-person delivery and can include a wide range of topics.

For more information about this field, check out the Association for Talent Development

Academic Advisor/School CounselorAcademic advisors and school counselors help students with planning their academic paths, developing the skills needed for academic success, support students through academic adversity and conduct trainings on a wide array of topics to support student success.

For more information about this field, check out NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advisors or the American School Counselor Association.

Career Advisors/Career Coaches/Career Counselor

Career coaches help individuals reflect on their unique strengths, personality, skills and life experiences to help clients identify a career path that will be a great match. Additionally, many career coaches support clients in achieving those goals by teaching them effective strategies for job searching, resume writing, or interviewing.

To learn more about this field visit the National Career Development Association.

Technical Trainer

Technical trainers teach others how to use a specific technology. They become experts in a software system and/or technology and train customers how to effectively use the product for their business needs. They may do live trainings and/or develop recorded training materials that clients can reference at any time.

To learn more about being a technical trainer in the biotech industry, visit the Life Sciences Trainers and Educators Network. For software training, check out the Professional Association for Computer Training.

Work for a Company or Nonprofit with an Educational Focus

There are numerous educational for-profit and non-profit organizations that would benefit from your passion for education! Within those organizations there a wide spectrum of roles that would benefit from your passion for education and training. These range from fundraising, communications, volunteer coordination and more.

Resources for an Organized Job Search Process

If the job search process stresses you out enough to need a hot pink straight jacket and sparkly helmet, then listen up. Finding your next job does not have to be such an arduous task, at least not when it comes to organization! Below, I have listed a variety of mobile applications and websites to help you better organize your lists of jobs to apply for, professional contacts to reach out to, and interviews to make. Utilize these websites to rid yourself of the difficulties of bookmarking every job search you’ve made and stressing yourself out over where you placed an important note or job-specific document. An organized job search process lies ahead!

Mobile Applications

Available for both Apple and Android phones

JibberJobber

Pros: Very straightforward application. On the application, you can add contacts, companies, jobs, and action items which can be viewed on the application’s calendar and set reminders for.
Cons: You are not able to search for jobs within the application or save jobs directly from another website. It is also not the most aesthetically pleasing application.
Overall: I highly recommend this application as a job search organizational tool. It is simple and has a variety of features available. Indeed, everything must be entered manually, but it is easy to use and available for both major cellular platforms.

ZipRecruiter

Pros: Simple and fast to use. It allows you to search for a job using an aggregated listing of more than 100 job boards and save it; it will tell you the salary, about the company/organization, and if you can apply via the mobile application for most jobs. It can also send you daily emails or notifications for jobs you may be interested in. You can also upload your resume and bookmark jobs that you can apply to later on your computer.
Cons: It does have limited features as it can not be used to organize jobs, contacts, etc.
Overall: It is a good application for job searching. The notifications can be somewhat annoying, but that feature can be turned off. It does not allow for one to organize their job search process well, however.

LinkedIn Job Search

Pros: Links with LinkedIn account and allows for easy job search by title, location, industry, or key word. It does have a limited organization feature in that you can categorize jobs by “viewed, saved, or applied.”
Cons: Its organization features are very limited.
Overall: This applications best feature is that it links with LinkedIn. It is great for job searching but very limited in its possible use as an organizational tool.

Trello

Pros: Can be used as an organizational tool as it acts like Pinterest. Allows for an unlimited number of tabs and things to be added to it for organization.
Cons: It only has the options of “doing, to do, and done” for its overarching categories to which anything can be added.
Overall: While this application can be used for organization, it is not an application dedicated solely to the job search process. It would require a person to come up with categories and anything they want to enter themselves.

Available for Apple phones ONLY

Jobaware

Pros: You can search for jobs nationwide or by city through an aggregated list that takes job listings from sites such as Indeed. It syncs with your LinkedIn account. You can track jobs easily by either dream job, second choice, third choice, etc. For each job, you can enter whether you have done research on it yet, if sent individual resume, had an interview, take notes.
Cons: It does not have a designated spot to enter contacts or upload resumes.
Overall: I highly recommend this application for Iphone users. Besides the pros already mentioned, its best feature is its learn tab that allows you to learn about what to include in a resume/cover letter, interview prep, negotiation strategies, etc.

Rake

Pros: Allows you to track jobs and enter information manually, such as title, company, location. It also allows you to add a to-do list for each position and gives you examples of things to do for each position like add a cover letter or deadline to apply by. You can categorize jobs by saved, prep to apply, and applied. You can also set reminders to do things for jobs as well.
Cons: No way to search for jobs and save within the application and does not have a designate spot for contacts, but this information can be entered in the job manually.
Overall: This is a good application with a lot of features. Its only major downside is not being able to search for jobs within the application itself.

Websites

Jobhero

URL: Gojobhero.com

Pros: Can link up with LinkedIn. It is simple to use as a job can be searched for and a job from any site can be saved to it. You can also enter a variety of information for a job such as due date, contacts, or documents specific for each application. You can also upload general documents and categorize jobs by “interested, applied, not interested.”
Cons: Not available on a phone.
Overall: I highly recommend this website for job search organization. It is easy to navigate and has a variety of things that can be added to each job application.

JobTrack

URL: Jobtrack.io

Pros: This site is strictly for organization. It requires you to enter the company you’re applying for, operated by Glassdoor, which allows you to view different ratings of each company such as company culture or career advancement opportunities on a scale of 0 to 5. You can categorize jobs by interested, applied, have an interview, expired, etc. Depending on what point you are in applying for each position, it will ask if you want to add specific information such as an application deadline or interview date. For each application entered, you can also add specific contacts or documents.
Cons: It does not have a job search feature and can take a bit of time to figure out how it operates.
Overall: I highly recommend this website if you are strictly trying to organize jobs. It allows for specificity amongst each application. Additionally, it as a very unique feature in that it will run an analytics test so you can see your rate of how many interviews you have, etc. Once you understand how to navigate this site, it is a great organizational tool.

Starwire

URL: Starwire.com

Pros: Can sign up for job alerts if desired or text message updates about the status of an application. You can sign up to see where you stand in comparison to others who work there, according to Glassdoor. It is simple to use as a job search tool that connects to LinkedIn and you can manually enter applications and add a simple statement such as “I have an interview” of what point you are in your search.
Cons: It is limited in its features in comparison to other sites.
Overall: This is an above average organizational tool that does allow job search as well. Its functionality is somewhat limited though in that you can only add simple statements for applications.

The Ideation Challenge and YOU!

Take advantage of an amazing opportunity to gain practical experience in your field while simultaneously working with incredible companies and employers. Apply for Arrow Electronics Ideation Challenge! This innovative experience will give you the opportunity to work in small teams with students from all majors across campus to collaborate together to imagine and design the next steps for the SAM Car’s technology and evolution.

The Ideation Challenge will take place April 29th from 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. By participating in the program, you will get to showcase your skills and capacities to executives from Arrow Electronics, DaVita, Southwest, AirMethods, Charles Schwab, Ball Corp, Gates, 9NEWS, TerumoBCT, HomeAdvisor and Denver Public Schools. The event will conclude with a networking reception from 4-6 p.m. In addition to submitting your findings from the challenge, your resume will also be included in a portfolio for Arrow Electronics.

Fifteen years ago, doctors told Sam Schmidt, a former Indy Racing League driver who crashed during a practice lap at the Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando and severely injured his spinal cord, that he would never move his arms or legs again; he was now a quadriplegic. Naturally, driving was no longer an option. In 2013, after years of Sam being a businessman and owner of his own motor sports company, Arrow Electronics’ engineers determined to make Sam’s dream of driving again come true.

Arrow engineers designed the Semi-Autonomous Motorcar; SAM. SAM is designed to restore independence, control, and a sense of accomplishment to qualified disabled drivers. The technology breaks down barriers and opens new physical and emotional horizons. Developing the infrared camera system was only the first step…

Why not take advantage of such an innovative, cool, and practical opportunity to work with students from all discipline areas while simultaneously network and work with employers and executives from these great companies?! The deadline to apply is April 15th. Please follow http://daniels.du.edu/ideate/ to apply today!

Do Homework to See How Labor Costs Measure Up

What are your labor costs? It’s an excellent question for any business owner, and one that should be asked on a regular basis. This number also should be tracked over time to understand trends and inform you when corrective action needs to be taken.

As your company grew, you probably added staffers to perform specific tasks — naturally. When you started, you might have had a one-person office that answered the telephone, kept the books, did the correspondence, billing, etc. As you grew, you may now have a bookkeeper, receptionist and a customer service representative. The same increase is likely on a manufacturer’s production floor or a retailer’s sales floor or a service company’s staffing patterns. And, on the surface that makes sense. Where once you had five employees supporting $50,000 in sales, you might have 50 staffers handling $3 million.

But a true test of your productivity is the percentage of the cost of sales that your labor requires. On a direct basis — the actual cost to produce or provide your service/product — the number should remain about even, and go down as you gain efficiencies with increased size. Restaurants, for example, often have labor costs that run around 30 percent. Service businesses, on the other hand might exceed 40 percent.

After your best cost level has been established, you need to make sure you keep within your goal. If you don’t know the average for your business, check with your industry association. If you have historical records, compare your actual costs with industry averages.

You would then compare your cost of labor to your revenues. For example, if the 5 employees cost you $12,000 supporting $50,000 in sales you have a 24 percent cost of labor to sales (12/50). But then you added full-time staff, managers, production, sales help, etc., for a total of 50 employees for total payroll of $1.2 million to support the $3 million in sales. Your cost of labor to sales has risen to 40 percent (12/30). That increase from 24 percent to 40 percent is the area that should be analyzed. There may be good reasons for it, but the key thing is that you know and understand the facts and the reasons behind them.

The raw numbers can be misleading or masking a management decision that needs to be explored. We need to be comparing percentage of increase (or decrease) of expenses to sales and personnel expense is a critical area for small businesses to consider. If you decide that you must “retrench,” be sure that you are working with all the facts.

Marcia Bagnall is Director of the Chemeketa Small Business Development Center and instructor of Small Business Management Program . The Small-Business Adviser column is produced by the center and appears each Sunday. Questions can be submitted to SBDC@chemeketa.edu. Visit the SBDC at 626 High St. NE. in downtown Salem or call (503) 399-5088.

Are You Underpaid? 7 Signs You May Be

52% of working Americans feel they are underpaid. This, according to a recent Gallup Poll. Naturally, there are those that permanently believe they are underpaid, even though their salaries are in line with their skills and positions elsewhere. But, there are also people who are genuinely underpaid, and they should know that – after all, they may want to take some action, by pressing for a raise even looking for positions somewhere else.

If you suspect you may be underpaid but are not sure, there are some pretty clear signs, if you know what to look for. Here are seven of them.

Your Own Research Shows Higher Salaries for Similar Positions

There is a lot of college writing on the topic of average pay, most of it categorized by career field. You can do your own research – the Bureau of Labor Statistics is a great source – it even provides wage statistics by geographical regions of the country, which is certainly a factor as you compare salaries. If you discover that your pay is below average, you do have some “ammunition” when it’s time for annual raise considerations. Particularly in small companies, a boss may not even know that employee salaries are not comparable.

There is High Turnover at Your Current Company/Organization

If everything else is pretty good at your place of work – people get along; people like their supervisors; the overall climate is good – but still the turnover rate is high, it is possible that people are leaving for more money elsewhere. If you are close to one or two others and feel comfortable asking, find out if being underpaid is the reason.

The Company Has Grown More Profitable, but You Aren’t Sharing in That

Most organizations like writing services that start small and have original employees will reward those employees when the company succeeds and takes off. If you are not sharing in your company’s success with higher pay, then it’s time to have a conversation with your boss or start looking for a new place. There are lots of custom writing services that can help you with a resume.

You Have Been Given More Responsibilities but No More Money

Companies downsize. And, often, they do so by not replacing those who leave. They simply delegate those tasks to the remaining employees. If you have been the “victim” of such a practice, you need to speak up – diplomatically, of course. Your moderate raise will certainly not be anywhere equal to the cost of the employee that left.

You Find a Posting on Your Company’s Website with a Higher Salary

Believe it or not, this does happen. And then you have a choice to make. Do you confront your boss, do you stay silent, or do you just go out, get some writing help with that resume, and start looking? This will be a major decision, not to be taken lightly, of course. Still, there is no harm in finding out what you are worth in the marketplace. If nothing else, it will be something you can use to negotiate a raise, especially if you are otherwise happy where you are.

You Believe You are Underemployed

A lot of college grads are working at Starbucks. This has become somewhat of a joke, but it is true. They are underemployed – not using the knowledge and skills they acquired through school. And even though many of them probably wrote for money on the mob marketplace in their business courses, here they are.

A recent PayScale survey resulted in 46% of respondents stating they were underemployed. And this is a conversation you should have with yourself now. You may have been originally hired below your skill level, and many do, in order to get in with an organization or at least get a job related to their career fields.

But what has happened since then? Have there been openings that you are qualified for but are not getting? If this is happening, then you are both underemployed and subsequently underpaid. And your prospects are not good where you are.

Here may be your solution: Keep your current position and begin a strategy to market yourself. You may want to try some consulting work in your field on the side; certainly, you should make the effort to re-brand yourself, and that will probably mean some homework help or assistance with your resume.

You Have “Settled”

Job security is an important benefit, especially during times of economic downturn. And certainly, after the economic crash of 2008, many employees saw job security as their highest priority. That may have been true for you, too. It is now 2017, and the marketplace is opening up. Your skills may a bit rusty over the past nine years. So, what have you done to make those skills more current? If your answer is nothing, then you have some work to do. Part of getting paid what you believe you are worth will involve you. If you take steps to get additional education and training, make sure that your employer knows what you are doing. And when you complete coursework or training, announce that to your superiors. Make your career goals known as well.

Many believe they are underpaid; some in fact are. If you discover that you are, you need to make a plan to change that. That plan may include a serious conversation with your employer; it may include upgrading skills and talents and it may mean a new job search. The one thing you don’t want to do is sit and “stew.” You will become resentful and unmotivated. And that is good for no one.

Pay Equity – Don’t Settle for Less

During the most recent election cycle, pay equity was a hot topic. It should be. In September 2016, the National Committee on Pay Equity reported that based on 2015 U. S. Census data, women currently make 79.6% of what their male counterparts earn. Women’s median earnings were $40,742 while men’s were $51,212—and this reflects a 1% increase over the prior year. While any improvement is cause for celebration, 1% means it will take quite some time before women earn as much as men. The numbers encompass women at all levels of their careers. In fact, the higher the income women earn, the greater the disparity.

These facts can be depressing. And who wants to wait until retirement for the wage gap to disappear? In the meantime, besides supporting legislation and societal change, women can and should negotiate for the best total compensation package possible.

Step One: Knowledge is Power. Know what you are worth. This improves your bargaining position. It is more difficult for an employer faced with hard facts to decline your request than one presented with a vague statement like, “I don’t think I’m paid fairly.” Although employers guard this information closely and often discourage their employees from sharing wage and salary information, there are other resources. Check with your professional association for salary surveys, look on current job boards for similar job descriptions to see what other companies are paying or use GlassDoor, a tool available through DU that publishes salary information.

Step Two: Advocate for yourself. Once you know what you should earn, demonstrate your value. Itemize the tasks you do, the skills you bring to your work and call out your successes. Keep a file that holds the compliments you’ve received from customers or coworkers. Quantify how you’ve helped your employer’s bottom line: How much did you increase sales? What new projects did you start? List the new customers/clients you manage. Emphasize the things your employer cares about most.

Step Three: Ask for more than you want. If you start with a request for $10,000 more annually, you can bet your boss will assume there is bargaining room. If you want $10,000, ask for $15,000. You can always bargain down; it’s harder to ask for more later.

Step Four: Get creative. Think about this from your employer’s point of view. Even if your department had sharp growth last year, if company profits were stagnant, there may not be much money available. (By the way, still start by asking for dollars.) When your supervisor tells you this, don’t leave the negotiating table. You already demonstrated why you are valuable to the company. Follow up with alternates to increased salary. For example, could you have more paid vacation? Will the company fund an advanced degree or certificate? Can you work remotely part of the time? Would you like a better office? What about a paid parking space? Can you take on different or new assignments you would prefer? Can the company contribute more to your 401(k)?

Step Five: Don’t give up. If you don’t get what you want the first time, tell your boss you would like to revisit the issue in three, six or nine months. In the interim, don’t hesitate to look at other jobs. Having another offer can provide the leverage you need. On the other hand, you may just decide that the grass is greener elsewhere. Be sure to negotiate your job offer, too, so you’re exactly where you want to be from the start.

Don’t accept the status quo – negotiate yourself into a better wage. If these steps don’t work, consider leaving and finding an employer who appreciates you and the value you bring to the company.

If you want to learn more about Pay Equity and steps to improve your position, join the DU Women’s Professional Alliance on April 4 at 6:30pm here on campus. Register here.

Ready, Set, Start Your Business

Are you ready to start your business? Not sure if you have everything in order or you don’t know what you don’t know? Begin your business the right way.

This course covers the essentials needed to start a small business. Learn about:

business structure
business registration
licensing
taxes
miscellaneous rules and regulations

The information presented can help you eliminate mistakes before they happen. This fast-paced class is the perfect first step!

Time: 12:30 – 2 pm
Location: Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry, 626 High Street NE, Downtown Salem
Cost: $49
Registration and Information: 503.399.5088

About Chemeketa SBDC

We provide the tools and environment for small business owners to make great decisions.

View all posts by Chemeketa SBDC →

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A Geochemist Finds Her Element with Craft Beer

Penny Higgins is a vertebrate paleontologist and geochemist who loves to brew beer. Penny, who lives outside of Rochester, New York, hopes to eventually open a craft brewery with her husband. She recently enrolled in the UVM Business of Craft Beer Program to figure out how to make her dream career a reality.

We talked to Penny about why she loves brewing beer, what she is learning from the UVM program, and her 10-year plan to open a brewery in rural upstate New York.

When and why did you start brewing?

Penny Higgins

I started brewing maybe three years ago. It was on a whim. I enjoy beer, and I thought I might try brewing some. It was good, so I kept on brewing. One of my favorite things is to brew beers to honor the host cities of the big geoscience meetings each year. I’ve brewed a chili lager for a meeting in Houston, Texas, that wound up being too hot for me to drink. My favorite beer that I ever brewed was a Baltimorphic Complex, honoring the Geological Society of America’s annual meeting that was in Baltimore last year.

Are you thinking about changing careers and opening a microbrewery?

I’m not sure if a career change is coming soon, because I really enjoy my work. I’m a vertebrate paleontologist and geochemist with research focus on ancient climate. However, the paycheck that comes with my job as a research associate at the University of Rochester is dependent upon the whims of major funding organizations, like the National Science Foundation, and the administrators of the university. I’ve held this job for almost 12 years now, but there’s no guarantee that I’ll continue to be employed even for another year. Should I lose my current job, opening a microbrewery may be my next career move. Starting a microbrewery is part my husband’s and my ten-year plan. In ten years, we want to be in a position where we could lose our jobs and still be able to support ourselves financially without having to move. Operating a brewery might be the way to go.

Why did you enroll in the UVM Business of Craft Beer Program?

I started in this program to explore the realities of operating a craft brewery. Would it be possible to start a brewery and continue my job at the University of Rochester? Or would I have to leave academia and do a complete career shift? When I began the UVM course, I had planned on keeping my job and running a brewery on the side, but since taking Fundamentals of Craft Beer course, I’ve realized that probably isn’t realistic. If you ask me now whether I will definitely start a brewery, the best answer I can give right now is a hefty “I don’t know.”

How did you learn about the UVM Business of Craft Beer Program?

I learned about this from Brew Your Own magazine. There was a story on opportunities to learn more about brewing. The UVM program caught my eye because it was about how to run a brewery, not just how to brew beer. As a geochemist, brewing beer is just another kind of chemistry. But the business end of things…that might as well be explained in hieroglyphics. I had talked to a few people about the art of running a brewery, but I knew what I needed was formal coursework. This program was perfect.

What has been your experience taking an online course at UVM?

I’m completed the Fundamentals of Craft Beer course and plan on enrolling in the Business Operations course this fall. This is my first online course experience. It has been a little strange to me because it’s been many years since I was last a student and now I teach at the university level myself. In general, I’ve enjoyed the experience. I particularly liked that each module was arranged to go each week from Wednesday to Tuesday, giving us already-have-a-full-time-job participants the weekend to get our homework done and still have time to review other students’ posts.

Are you finding the coursework challenging?

The work itself was interesting and challenging. Were I not so darn interested in the material, I might have considered it difficult, based upon the time and energy I had to put into it. In the end, I wish I had more time to work on the exercises and respond to my peers’ posts. I really enjoyed the interaction and got a lot out of it. The estimate of 6-10 hours a week of coursework was spot on, but you could easily spend a lot more time.

Why would you recommend the program?

The UVM craft beer program is perfect for anyone who is considering starting a brewery but lacks business experience. Sure, there are books out there. But at least for me, formal coursework with instructors on-hand to answer questions helps accelerate the learning and allows you to avoid big mistakes. Plus, it also puts you in contact with some important names in the craft beer industry, which can potentially give you a boost when getting started.

What is the craft beer scene like in Rochester?

Craft is going crazy in Rochester. There are currently more than 10 craft breweries in Monroe County, which includes Rochester and the greater metropolitan area. I live about 30 miles east of Rochester in Wayne County. Though it is about the same size as Monroe County, there is not a single brewery of any kind in Wayne County, although there is a cidery and a winery. Because Wayne County is less populated and largely agricultural and industrial, that may explain why there are no breweries. My hope is that I can open a brewery that taps into the rural culture of where I live. We’ll see if I still want to do that after finishing the UVM course.

UVM Alumna Finds New Beginning in Public Health Program

Kelly Clements ’14 worked in the quality assurance realm of the food industry before deciding to pivot in a new career direction. The Vermont native, who majored in Nutrition and Food Science at UVM, recently returned to her alma mater to pursue a UVM Master of Public Health degree.

We talked to the first-generation college student about the connection between public health and food, shifting her career focus, and her plans after she completes the UVM online public health program.

After graduating from UVM, you worked in quality assurance in the food industry. What made you decide to shift gears and pursue a graduate degree in public health?

I was not feeling that I was making an impact in people’s lives. Lab work, passing audits, and making sure product labels meet regulations are all great, but I was feeling extremely unfulfilled in my career.

What interests you most about the connection between public health and nutrition?

We’ve all heard the saying that nutrition can be the safest medicine or the slowest poison, and I agree 100 percent. I think a lot of the barriers to good nutrition, especially in Vermont, come down to lack of nutrition education and resources. For example, my family once lived 13 miles from the nearest grocery store in an area classified as a food desert. This is reality for many people in rural Vermont that I am passionate about improving. Everyone deserves easy access to affordable, healthy food.

You’ll complete the Master of Public Health Program in 2018. What are your plans after you earn your degree?

My goal is to get a job in environmental health, epidemiology, or nutrition/wellness.

Why did you return to UVM for your master’s degree?

Mostly familiarity. In-state tuition was a big draw, and the program’s online aspect was also appealing since I am working now and the flexibility fits my schedule. UVM feels like home and I know where to go for resources that I need. So far, the program has been amazing and my professors are extremely helpful, whether it’s through email or in person.

What inspires you?

My family. I was the first generation in my family to graduate from college and will be the first to earn a master’s degree. My incredible parents have been behind me every step of the way and every decision I’ve made—good or bad—so I want to do well and make them proud.

What career advice do you wish you had received as an undergraduate?

To start planning early and to figure out exactly how to search and apply for jobs. I graduated with no plan at all and feel like I floundered for a few years before researching public health and beginning this program. Now I am so much more focused on my goals and building my future personal and professional life. As a result, I’m getting great grades and seeing things fall into place

How to Avoid the Most Common Management Mistakes at Work

Photo: Steven Depolo/Flickr Creative Commons

Management consultant Chris Holmberg of San Francisco was recently interviewed by First Round Review on the most dangerous leadership pitfalls. Holmberg shares a 15-minute practice on how to avoid common management mistakes by focusing on “the it, the we, and the I.”

Here’s an excerpt from the First Round Review article:

Holmberg hones in on the mistakes that ensnare some of the most promising people he’s met. Most importantly, he offers a simple daily exercise that can free people to see their growth and failure in a whole new light.

These are the questions you can ask yourself to methodically revisit your day:

The It: Did you execute your work — the emails you wanted to write, the strategy document you owed your boss — the stuff you had on your list at the start of the day? Did you do the things that were important and not just urgent?

The We: Did you add value to the lives of the people you interacted with? Did they walk away with more knowledge, energy, goodwill, help, a better understanding? “It’s not asking whether you made people happy,” says Holmberg. “That’s not always the goal.” You want to make sure you communicated clearly in a way that added value for them and met goals for you.

The I: How did you manage your own energy and mood? Self-care measures like working out, eating well, and sleeping enough are just as important as anything you do in the office. Ironically, those are the things most startup leaders drop first, and yet the “I” is the foundation of leadership. You can’t help others if you deplete yourself. Startup execs commonly become overly focused on the ‘It’ and moving forward at the expense of the ‘We’ and the ‘I.’

More Than the Registration Fee: Reasons to Invest in LSAT Prep

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About Chemeketa SBDC

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When and why did you start brewing?

Are you thinking about changing careers and opening a microbrewery?

Why did you enroll in the UVM Business of Craft Beer Program?

How did you learn about the UVM Business of Craft Beer Program?

What has been your experience taking an online course at UVM?

Are you finding the coursework challenging?

Why would you recommend the program?

What is the craft beer scene like in Rochester?

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After graduating from UVM, you worked in quality assurance in the food industry. What made you decide to shift gears and pursue a graduate degree in public health?

What interests you most about the connection between public health and nutrition?

You’ll complete the Master of Public Health Program in 2018. What are your plans after you earn your degree?

Why did you return to UVM for your master’s degree?

What inspires you?

What career advice do you wish you had received as an undergraduate?

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These are the questions you can ask yourself to methodically revisit your day:

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