Month: May 2020

FLLinNZer visit 24 March 2006

It was great to have a 3005/2006 Flexible Learning Leader in New Zealand visit on 24 March. Cathy Gunn from Auckland university spent an afternoon with several of us from Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin College of Education and the University of Otago. We gathered at HEDC at University of Otago.

We were a small group of seven, gathered to share our enthusiasm about flexible learning. Cathy facilitated the session really well, making sure she found out what we wanted to share with the group right from the start.

My interest was in how people found working on collaborative projects, and I made the point that there were two groups of people when the ECDF funding was announced by TEC. Those who were already working together collaboratively e.g. Jenny, Dawn and I at UoE, DCE and OP, and those who scurried together into consortia so they could get the funding.

My question was why everyone was reinventing the wheel instead of working together, for example on flexible learning and eLearning strategies.

The afternoon included a mix of show and tell – essay writing information literacy module, Cathy\’s online assessment module, Leigh\’s open networking sites. There was lots of discussion and the time flew by very quickly. we had a good talk about the pros and cons of SCORM, and Jenny explained about the pitfalls they had discovered on the information literacy project. SCORM actually inhibits reusability features by imposing stringent standards. I should have recorded what she said because its feeling vague right now.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Types of Internships for Communications Majors

With their ability to communicate effectively in almost any situation, communications majors are some of the most sought after candidates in all sorts of professional fields. With so many opportunities available, you might be wondering how to find a job that’s a good fit for you. The best way to do that is through an internship where you can get exposure to a specific field or position.

Here are some of the best internships for communications majors:

Marketing intern

As a marketing intern, you’ll assist the marketing team with projects and find out how marketers help brands connect with their audience. During your internship, you’ll be taking on a number of tasks such as collaborating on blog post ideas, developing social media strategy and writing email copy. As a result, you’ll be gaining lots of hands-on experience and also getting exposed to all of the different elements involved in crafting a successful marketing campaign.

Editorial intern

From sharpening your SEO skills to shadowing an editorial meeting, an editorial internship can be a great and enriching experience. Depending on the type of company you intern with, you could be writing blog or news articles, learning how to research and fact-check news stories, or learning the ins and outs of copy editing and AP style.

Public relations intern

As a public relations intern, you’ll assist the PR team with campaign strategy, pitches and handling client relationships. You’ll also likely get to attend publicity events including sporting events and product launches. Best of all, you’ll learn the basics of writing a press release and assisting in the development of a full-scale PR campaign.

Content marketing intern

Content marketing internships give you direct exposure to drafting content for the company website, as well as copy for ads and blog posts. In addition, you’re likely to also get hands-on experience with other things such as managing social media accounts. Best of all, you’ll get to sit in meetings where ideas for new content are developed.

Social media intern

As a social media intern, you’ll engage your company’s followers, commenters and readers, while also attempting to grow the community. From coming up with funny memes to post on Instagram to crafting a great Snapchat story, a social media internship is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about engagement and about how to use social media as a powerful tool for business.

Copywriting Intern

As a copywriting intern, you’ll be trained in researching, drafting and editing copy for all types of content including blog posts, news articles and email campaigns. You’ll also learn how to match your writing style to a specific brand and fine-tune your copywriting skills. This internship is a great opportunity to get a feel for what’s required to thrive as a full-time copywriter.

Broadcast intern

A broadcast internship is a wonderful opportunity to learn the ins and out of working for a TV or radio station. From shadowing staff to fact-checking, researching and assisting with different aspects of production, you’ll be getting exposure to the whole world of broadcasting. Best of all, internship experience in broadcasting is essential and valued when it comes to applying for full-time jobs in the field after graduation.

In addition to the critical skills communications majors develop during college, they also benefit from the more specialized hands-on experience that can only result from an internship. By taking on one or more internships during your time in college, you’ll be able to learn more about your options and find a career path that’s right for you.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is a Communications Major and is it Right for Me? 

If you are looking for internship in above categories then Eduindex News will welcome you. Write mail to career@eduindex.org or visit job opening page at https://eduindexnews.com/tag/work-with-eduindex-news/

What is a Communications Major and is it Right for Me?

Do you enjoy talking to people and figuring out what makes them tick? Are you an outgoing person who is comfortable connecting with diverse groups of people and getting your message across effectively? If you answered yes to these questions, then being a communications major might just be for you.

The modern age and future in journalism and mass communication is about use of communication and information technology. With the digital onslaught suddenly the power has landed in the hands of a media person. The overall perception of a media person in a khadi kurta, black rimmed thick glasses and a loose bag with a pen has blown. Now emerges a person who is young, savvy, smart and up to date and has an access to a load of gadgets that will give an IT person a run for its money. 

What is a communications major?

A communications major is a major designed to teach you about effective communication and how to apply it to fields like media, law and business. Coursework for this major is very similar to coursework for related majors such as public relations, advertising and journalism. As a communications major, you’ll be taking a broad range of classes including marketing, sociology and business as well as more traditional communications classes like media studies and journalism.

Is it right for me?

Majoring in communications means having a broad understanding of how this field impacts others such as business and media. Here are some key questions to ask yourself before embarking on this major:

Do I feel confident in my writing and communication skills?
Do I like studying a broad range of subjects including sociology, psychology and media studies?
Am I able to handle and incorporate criticism and feedback from my professors and peers?
Am I good at multitasking and working on multiple projects and subjects at once?
Will I dedicate myself to getting internships and jobs through college that will further my level of experience?

What can I do with a communications major?

Since communications is a broad major with significant overlap to other majors, there are plenty of available career options. Some of the most common ones include:

  • public relations
  • journalism
  • law
  • marketing
  • copywriting
  • … and more

What do communications majors earn?

Salaries for communications majors are as varied as the career paths they take after graduation. While public relations specialists can expect to earn starting salaries between ₹40,000-₹45,000, entry-level salaries for attorneys start at ₹55,000-₹60,000 and quickly go up from there.

Digital Media Marketing Internship

EDUindex News invites job application for the post of Associate- Digital media for the year 2020. As a part of the Eduindex News Communications team, your involvement will focus on digital media planning, strategy, management, monitoring and optimisation.

Other support activities will include internal communication with relevant team members for Newsletters, Community Engagement Programmes, events at IIHS, and representing the institution for different forms of outreach.

Eligibility
  • A graduate degree with a major in Communication or English, Social Sciences or Management or an equivalent Post Graduate degree with graduate degree pursuing students will also be considered;
  • Excellent command over English, and proficiency at writing for digital media;
  • The ability to write with precision and attention to detail. Knowledge of the local language will be an added advantage;
  • Experience working with digital platforms for content management, social media management, analytics and serving online ads. The list includes but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Hootsuite, Google Analytics, Search Console, WordPress and Google Ads;
  • An understanding of the basic analytics of each digital marketing platform to create meaningful reports for stakeholders;
  • The ability to establish Key Performance Indicators and track them through commonly used tools;
  • The ability to learn and adapt in the ever-evolving world of digital media is a must for this role.
Responsibilities
  • Planning and strategising for social media
  • Managing paid online promotions – such as, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Search, Google Display, Content platforms like Taboola and affiliate websites and groups;
  • Deriving budget from stakeholders and ensuring alignment to campaign goals;
  • Liaising with different teams to obtain content as per the campaign requirements in a timely manner;
  • Creating analytics reports
  • Supporting activities for website optimization;
  • Travelling to other locations for live social media activity to support institutional events as and when required;
  • Providing digital media training
How to apply?

If you are interested to explore this opportunity with us, please fill the online application form by clicking here. (You can also click on the “Apply Now” button at the end of the Job Description displayed on the website).

Contact

Email: career@eduindex.org

Eduindex News, New Delhi, India

Virtual Marketing and Communication Intern

Description

Virtual Marketing and Communication Intern

Job Employer Name: Eduindex News, New Delhi

Category: Marketing

Number Of Openings: 2

Job Description:

This internship is now virtual, and work can be done from a remote location. Preference is given to those with an academic requirement for an internship.

Eligibility:

You must be a college graduate, enrolled in an Undergraduate or Graduate degree program at the time of the internship.

Preferred Majors:

Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Film/Video, Social Media Studies or Digital Communications Preferred Grade Levels: Undergraduate Junior, Undergraduate Senior and Graduate level but all college levels will be considered.

Duration: Our Internship Program typically runs for a specified 4-to-24-week duration

This is a part-time position, 20 hour per week.

You’ll directly support the mission of the organization, which is to share information, protect the brands reputation, and engage in conversations that inspire people to participate in Eduindex News events.

Your projects may include: Learning how to develop communications and media relations strategies. Being exposed to various facets of communications including social media, public relations, media relations, video, and photography. Developing, writing, editing and proofing press releases, web stories, and event scripts.

Special Skills Required: Strong writing skills with experience writing, formatting, and posting clear content.

You’ll support the effective use of marketing intelligence to better communicate with our supporters, raise more money/revenue, and more. Your projects may include: Creating, monitoring, and curating interesting and effective content for social media platforms.

Developing Marketing Strategies to advance the mission of EDUindex News. Learning the policies and procedures of working with social media in a professional collaborative environment. Creating and designing flyers for advertising. Special Skills Required:

Marketing statistics, data targeting, and experience with HTML or any data programming language is preferred but not required. Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills. Familiarity with Web Analytics and data interpretation preferred.

You’ll serve an integral role conveying the work of Eduindex News to the organizations constituents by assisting in social media management, tracking, and community engagement with multiple social media accounts. Your projects may include: Creating, monitoring, and curating interesting and effective content for social media platforms. Producing digital content to promote and raise awareness of EDUindex News values, content, and activities on social media.

Special Skills Required: Strong writing skills, with experience writing, formatting, and posting clear content. Strong Photography/Videography skills with intermediate to advanced proficiency in Photoshop, iMovie, and Adobe Premiere Pro strongly preferred. What You’ll Learn You will enjoy a collaborative work culture committed to the diversity of our people, programs, and services.

You’re learning and development will include: Leadership Teamwork Relationship Building Organizational Management Volunteer Engagement, Management & Administration Cultivation of Cultural Competence and Inclusion Being involved in projects critical to the day-to-day work of our organization. Access to subject matter experts in the fields of Nonprofit Management, Nonprofit Fundraising, Organizational Management, Communications, Social Media, and much more.

Skills

public relations, press releases, imovie, media relations, social media management, social media, writing, editing, web content, adobe premiere pro, advertising, journalism, communication, adobe photoshop, community engagement.

How to Apply

Send your application to career@eduindex.org

Criteria for Evaluating Web Tools and Apps

I\’m often getting asked what my criteria are for choosing the tools, apps and resources that I feature on my blogs and in my teaching and do be honest I don\’t really think about it that much. I look at so many sites and apps that I just get a feeling when I see something that I think will work.

As that isn\’t a very satisfactory answer to give people I decided to start exploring my own criteria for what influences my choice. I ran a workshop on this topic at IATEFL 2013 on looking at apps and how we can evaluate them.


I came up with a number of \’first impression\’ criteria that I think I apply before even thinking about \’how\’ I will use the app / tool.

Here is the presentation / workshop recording



You can download a copy of the presentation from here: Evaluating Web-based Tools

Please feel free to browse the list and add any \’pros\’ and \’cons\’ for anything you think I\’ve missed.


powered by tricider



I hope you find these criteria useful as a starting point for your own reflections on why you choose to use certain apps and not others.

Related links

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Aatamnirbhar Bharat implies a confident, self-reliant and caring nation

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal today held meeting, through Video conference, with the industry and trade associations. This was the fifth such meeting since the lockdown with the associations, to assess the impact of Covid-19 lockdown and subsequent relaxations on their activities, and take note of their suggestions to put the economy back on tracks.

The meeting was attended by the Ministers of State for Commerce and Industry Shri Som Parkash and Shri H.S.Puri, and Officers of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Among the Associations, the meeting was attended today, by CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, PHDCI, CAIT, FISME, Laghu Udyog Bharati, SIAM, ACMA, IMTMA, SICCI, FAMT, ICC and IEEMA.

Addressing the associations, Shri Goyal said that Futures is ours to choose- it would be better to be ready and start working for the Post-Covid period, with good ideas, firm implementation plans, and to make India a world power. Talking about the Prime Minister’s adage of ‘Jaan Bhi, jahan bhi’, the Minister said that worst for the economy is over. Things are looking up, and revival is in the air. He said that the steps taken by the Government under the Aatmanirbhar campaign will help the Nation fight the economy.

The Minister said that Aatamnirbhar Bharat will not be inward-looking, closed or anti-foreigner. Rather, the concept entails a confident, self-reliant, caring nation which takes care of all the strata of the society and nurtures development of all parts of the country. Shri Piyush Goyal said that in the last three decades post-liberalization, the country progressed but the focus was city-centric. The rural and backward areas remained deprived, forcing millions of people from there to migrate to cities for employment and opportunities. He said that Aatamnirbhar Bharat will inculcate the spirit of oneness among 130 crore citizens of India. It will support Indian companies He said that it is very anguishing to note that even for several routine items like furniture, toys, sports shoes, we are importing. This is despite the fact that the country has technical prowess as well skilled manpower. These things need to change.

Shri Goyal called upon the industry to make efforts in this regard, by thinking about sustainable, out-of-the-box ideas. He said the fight against the Covid-19 can’t be undertaken by the Government alone, it is the nation’s fight and all stakeholders have to play an important positive role. The Minister assured the Associations that their suggestions are duly examined, and due and timely action is taken on the rational, genuine demands.

Locust swarms sweeping across northern India, control operations stepped up

Amidst a wave of locust swarms sweeping across western and northwestern India, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DAC&FW) has stepped up locust control operations in the affected States of Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. As of today, there are active swarms of immature locust in Barmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Bikaner, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Sikar, Jaipur Districts in Rajasthan and Satna, Gwalior, Seedhi, Rajgarh, Baitul, Devas, Agar Malwa district of Madhya Pradesh.

crop field under rainbow and cloudy skies at dayime

At present 200 Locust Circle Offices (LCO) are conducting survey & control operations in close coordination with District Administration and agriculture field machinery of the affected States. Locust control operations are in full swing in coordination with State Agriculture Departments and Local Administration. In Rajasthan 21 districts, in Madhya Pradesh 18 districts, in Punjab one district and in Gujarat 2 districts have undertaken Locust control till now. For effective control of locusts beyond Scheduled Desert Areas, temporary control camps have been established in Ajmer, Chittorgarh and Dausa in Rajasthan; Mandsaur, Ujjain and Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh and Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.

So far (till 26.05.2020), control operations against Locusts have been done in 47,308 hectare area in total 303 places in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh by LCOs in coordination with District Administration and State Agriculture Department. 89 fire brigades for pesticide spray; 120 survey vehicles; 47 control vehicles with spray equipments and 810 tractor mounted sprayers have been deployed for effective locust control, as per requirement during different days.

Usually, the locust swarms enter the Scheduled Desert Area of India through Pakistan for summer breeding in the month of June/July with the advent of monsoon. This year, however the incursions of locust hoppers and pink swarms have been reported much earlier because of presence of residual population of Locusts in Pakistan which they couldn’t control last season. Since 11th April 2020, locust hoppers and from 30th April, 2020, the incursion of pink immature adults has been reported in bordering districts of Rajasthan and Punjab, which are being controlled. Pink immature adults fly high and cover long distances during day hours from one place to another along with the westerly winds coming from the Pakistan side. Most of these pink immature adults settle on the trees during night and mostly fly during day.

Concerned over the early attack of locust swarms this year, the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar chaired a meeting with the pesticide manufacturers and all related stakeholders on 6th May, 2020 to review the preparedness for locust control in the affected States. Following directions of the Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar, a video conference was conducted under the chairmanship of Secretary (DAC&FW) Shri Sanjay Agarwal was conducted on 22nd May, 2020 with the District Administration and District Agriculture Officers of locust threatened districts of Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh along with the representatives of NDMA.  Locust awareness literature, SOPs, approved pesticides and awareness videos were shared with the States in the meeting. Earlier, a video Conference was held on 5th May, 2020 with the Principal Secretary (Agriculture) and DMs of the locust prone districts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Punjab under the chairmanship of Secretary, DAC&FW to review the preparedness and further coordination with the locust States for taking necessary action.

On 11th March, 2020 a High- Level virtual meeting on Desert Locust in South-West Asian countries was held at the office of the FAO representative in India. Representatives of four member countries (Afghanistan, India, Iran and Pakistan) and the Plant Protection Division of FAO, Rome also participated in the meeting. The MoS (Agriculture & FW) Shri Kailash Choudhury and Secretary DAC&FW attended the meeting. It was decided to hold the virtual meetings of technical officers of member countries every Monday via Skype and nine meetings have so far been held. Advisories have been issued to the States of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab regarding the locust attack and necessary measures to be taken for effective control and pesticides that are to be used for effective Locust control in the cropped area.

Currently Locust Control Offices have 21 Micronair and 26 Ulvamast (47 spray equipments) which are being utilized for locust control. On approval of the Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar, supply order for additional 60 sprayers has been placed to M/s. Micron, United Kingdom. e-Tender has been invited for the empanelling agencies to provide services of drones for aerial spraying of insecticides for effective control over tall trees and inaccessible areas. Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved “Conditional exemption to Government entity (DPPQS) for use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System for anti-locust operations” on 21st May, 2020 and in accordance with this order, two firms have been finalized through tender for use of the drones for spray of pesticides for Locust control.

Meanwhile, supply order for procurement of additional 55 vehicles has been placed to strengthen the control potential. Adequate stock of Pesticide is being maintained (53,000 litres Malathion) with Locust Control Organizations. Under Sub-mission on Agriculture Mechanization, assistance for 800 tractors mounted spray equipments has been sanctioned for Rajasthan costing Rs. 2.86 crores. Also, under RKVY sanction for hiring of vehicles, tractors and for purchase of pesticides has been issued for Rajasthan worth Rs. 14 crores. Under RKVY sanction for purchase of vehicles, spray equipments, safety uniform, android application and training has also been issued for Gujarat at a cost of Rs. 1.80 crores.

As per FAO’s Locust Status Update of 21st May, 2020, the current situation remains extremely alarming in East Africa where it is an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods. New swarms will migrate to the summer breeding areas along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border as well as to Sudan and West Africa. As vegetation dries out, more groups and swarms will form and move from these areas to the summer breeding areas along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border. Good rains are predicted during the first half of June along the Indo-Pakistan border that would allow egg-laying to occur.

 

During 2019-20, India witnessed a massive locust attack which was successfully controlled. Starting from 21st May, 2019 till 17th February 2020, a total of 4,03,488 ha area was treated and locust was controlled. Along with this, the State Agriculture Department of Rajasthan and Gujarat coordinated Locust control in cropped areas of the State. During 2019-20, Control operations were done in 3,93,933 ha area of  11 districts of Rajasthan; 9,505 ha area in 2 districts of Gujarat and 50 ha area in 1 district of Punjab. Senior Locust Forecasting Officer of FAO who visited India on 16-17 January 2019 also appreciated the efforts of India in Locust control.

Everyday Locust Control Organizations and District Authorities and State Agriculture Department officials with control spray vehicles of LCOs, tractor mounted with sprayers and fire tenders, are undertaking Locust control operations in early morning hours. The immature locust is very active and their mobility makes it difficult to control the swarm at one location and it takes 4 to 5 days of control at different locations to control a particular locust swarm.

Locust is an omnivorous and migratory pest and has the ability to fly hundreds of kilometers collectively. It is a trans-border pest and attacks the crop in large swarm. Found in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, they inhabit some 60 countries and can cover one-fifth of Earth’s land surface. Desert locust plagues may threaten the economic livelihood of one-tenth of the world’s human population. Swarms of locusts in the desert come to India from Africa/ Gulf/ South West Asia during the summer monsoon season and go back towards Iran, Gulf & African countries for spring breeding.

In India more than 2 lakh square kilometers area comes under Scheduled Desert Area. Locust Warning Organization and 10 Locust Circle Offices (LCO) of Government of India are situated in Rajasthan (Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Phalodi, Barmer, Jalore, Churu, Nagaur, Suratgarh) and Gujarat (Palanpur and Bhuj) are responsible for monitoring, survey and control of Desert Locust in Scheduled Desert Area in coordination with State Governments.

How to Pay Back Your Federal Loans after Graduation

If you’ve recently graduated or finished school, it’s likely that you’ve used some federal student loans to help pay for tuition.

If you’ve recently graduated or finished school, it’s likely that you’ve used some federal student loans to help pay for tuition. Now that you’re no longer in school, those loans will soon go into repayment.

Here are five tips to help you prepare for paying back your student loans:

1. Take advantage of exit counseling

Exit counseling provides information to borrowers about their specific federal loan situation, such as balance, interest rate, monthly payment amount and loan servicer. You can access exit counseling services by logging into your account at studentloans.gov. The system will ask you to enter some personal information, such as your income and family size, and will then provide you with estimates for different repayment options. In addition to this, you can learn how to make payments, what to do if you’re having trouble making payments and tips for financial planning. Keep in mind that if you have any private student loans or debts directly with your school, they will not be shown in exit counseling or in your federal student loan account.

2. Contact your servicer

Your federal student loan servicer is available to help you determine which repayment option is the best fit for you and your current situation. The servicer may also ask you questions about your income and family size, which allows them to determine payment plans and if you would qualify for deferment or forbearance options. Depending on which payment plan you choose, you may be required to fill out paperwork and provide income documentation. If so, your servicer will send you the document and assist you with any questions you might have. You can find your federal student loan servicer, or servicers, through exit counseling or by creating an account with the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). If you have more than one servicer, it’s important to contact each servicer.

3. Review your repayment options

When federal student loans first enter repayment, they are typically placed on a standard plan. This plan is strictly based off of a student’s total loan debt and paying off the balance in 10 years. These payments can be quite high and are often unaffordable. Luckily, there are different options for lowering or temporarily postponing your payments. You can also learn more and choose a payment plan that best fits you through the U.S. Department of Education. 

4. Update your contact information

If you move to a new address or get a new phone number or email address, remember to update your contact information in your account. Loan servicers need to have your current contact information on file in order to send you updates about upcoming payments and notices about your account. It can be easy to fall behind on payments if you’re not receiving statements, so make sure this section is up to date.

5. Understand your other educational debts

In addition to your federal student loans, you may have private loans or loans directly through your school. If you receive a bill or statement about a debt, don’t ignore it. Call your school immediately to find out more information.

Understanding and regularly checking on your federal student loan debt is a good way to make sure your loans stay in good standing. If you can’t afford your monthly payments, contact your servicer to look into other options.

Also, remember that you never have to pay for help with your student loans. Herzing University’s Alumni Support Center can help you with all of your federal, private and school debts.

thoughts

bahtings
In the JISC Innovating e-learning online conference Stephen Heppell had a Powerpoint with a list of creative assessments i.e. equivalent to a 1500 word essay – things like creating a video clip, moderating an online discussion etc. I believe this sort of assessment would shake the foundations of our educators. We are about to launch a new course in planning and designing for eLearning and intend to model options like this to our staff.
The other issue is not just about getting students to work creatively, but how to get staff to collaborate using tools such as blogs and wikis.

The arrival of Leigh Blackall, a very innovative programme developer is very timely for our institution. he is an advocate of open source solutions, and open networked learning. I am learning so much from him by just being open to a new way of doing things. He is also taking this approach with other staff, some embrace it and others back off.

Some are fearful of information being put “out there” even i have have to admit to this. Leigh has been here only a few weeks and already has staff podcasting, blogging and using wikis. with this confidence we can now take this to our students….sometimes we just need a push and a shove..oh and i really like his idea of learner-generated content and I’m going to try it out in the flexible design course.

For me it is a breath of fresh air and really enjoyable having someone on the same wavelength. I just hope as an institution we can keep him. I wouldn’t like to see the shine lost from a gem like him.

How to Get Ready for a Career Fair. Plus 5 Questions to Ask Employers

Follow these tips to make sure your visit to the career fair is worthwhile and leads to meaningful employment.

Have you been to a career or job fair yet? Think it’s too early because you are still in school? Think again! College career fairs are an excellent way to meet employers, explore different positions in your field, and sharpen your professional networking and interview skills.

Follow these tips to make sure your visit to the career fair is worthwhile and leads to meaningful employment.

Before the career fair:

Preparation is key. Many students receive job offers at career fairs if they take it seriously and put in the work beforehand. Before you attend a career fair, make sure you:

1. Polish up your resume. This is your ticket to the big event. Work with your career coach to make sure you are representing your skills, experience, employment gaps or any other hard-to-explain topics the right way on your resume. Then, print off a dozen copies (or more) to hand out at the career fair. Plan ahead for how many companies you would like to speak with and how many representatives they may have, then add a few extra copies as needed.

2. Use your network. Hopefully by this point you already have a standout LinkedIn profile, but if not, it’s a good time to get in the game. Career fairs usually advertise the companies that plan to attend. On LinkedIn, you can look up those companies, see what connections you have there, and connect to hiring managers or recruiters. You can also use LinkedIn to research open positions at the company, and see if there are any that you would be interested in or qualified for.

3. Do your research. There’s no reason to stop your research at LinkedIn. It’s a good idea to spend some time browsing each company’s website to better understand who they are, what their mission is, and if you believe you would be a good culture fit for the organization. Make a list of all of the companies you would like to meet with and make note of topics you could bring up in a discussion with their recruiters. Make sure you prioritize who you would like to spend time with — you might not get to them all, especially if one asks for an impromptu interview!

4. Plan your outfit. Professional dress is incredibly important at a job fair. Every discussion has the potential to turn into an interview, and you want to dress the part. This means looking sharp and well-groomed. Men should wear a suit, or at minimum a collared shirt and tie. For the ladies, skirts, dresses, business suits, professional blouses and close-toed shoes are always impressive. Make sure you are covering any tattoos and your clothes are wrinkle-free.

5. Practice your interview skills. Picture yourself stopping to chat with an employer. The first thing you might be asked is, “Tell me about yourself.” What do you say? How can you brand yourself as the best candidate for the role in less than 30 seconds? Again, this is where your career coach can really help you get on your A-game. They can help you rehearse your responses to common interview questions, and come up with an elevator pitch that showcases your skills and who you would be as a future employee.

During the career fair:

It’s important to make a good impression during your discussions with employers, but you also want to make sure you get all the information you need about the company. Here are five questions you should pan to ask.

1. Ask about open positions. You want to frame this question in a way that shows you did your research beforehand. For example, you could ask, “I noticed you had an opening for an RN in the ICU. I would love to know more about the details of this position. What specific skills are you looking for in a nursing candidate?” Asking those follow-up questions will show how well-prepared you are and how serious you are about applying.

To continue the conversation and guide it in a positive, yet investigative way, here are a couple of additional questions you should ask:

2. What do you love about working here?

3. Is this a growth position or a replacement position?  These two questions will give you insight into the culture of the unit, team or department, which you cannot easily get from the website. If you had a LinkedIn connection who worked in this department, these are also questions you could have asked that person before the career fair. Asking specific questions about the position and the company help you stand out as a candidate but also allow you to learn more about the employer and gauge whether it would be a good fit for you. Lastly, ask a couple of questions that move you forward to a more formal interview or job offer.

4. How soon are you looking to hire?

5. What would the first 30 days on the job look like, if I were offered the position? Asking these questions helps the employer envision you in the role and what it would look like to move you forward. Make sure you give them your resume, possibly a cover letter and/or business card and make sure you take down their information. If the employer has printed job descriptions or any material to give you about the company, take it and review it. These pieces of information will be key for your formal interview.

After the career fair:

It’s always best practice to send a thank-you note after an interview. The same goes for career fairs. Emailing a quick thank you and summary of the conversation to people you talked with makes a big impact, and could help continue the discussion going forward. Send an email as soon as possible, ideally that night or the next morning.

Lastly, I cannot stress enough how much networking will help you in the long run. Chat with everyone on your priority list at the career fair, and add them to your LinkedIn network. You might not be ready for a job right now, but you never know where that connection could take you in the future.

As you continue your job search, it’s a good idea to meet with some of your peers who will be or are in the industry. They can be a valuable source of information and give you first-hand insight into what it’s like to work at a particular company or within a certain role. Get their cards and add them to your network, too.

I know it seems like a lot, but let’s break it down once again: Career fairs are incredibly important for landing your dream job. In a world of electronic Applicant Tracking Systems, this is your ticket to stand out among your peers by being READY. Take time to get your resume in shape, polish your interview skills and attire, and flex your research skills before getting to the career fair – and don’t hesitate to make an appointment with career services as you prepare. Call (866) 508-0748 x 240 or contact us via email.

At the fair, make sure you ask questions that show you have been researching the company and why you are the best fit. Have the confidence to ask about next steps and get the contact information of the recruiter or hiring manager. Best of luck!