Help! What do I put in my resume?

“Can I see your resume?” “Bring a copy of your resume!” “You need a resume!” “Update your resume!”
How many different messengers in your life have shared one of these “helpful” comments as you prepare for an internship or job search, or finish a grad school application?  Don’t let the questions cause you anxiety, instead stop by one of the upcoming workshops on campus on April 18th (whether you’re a current student or an alumni) to have your resume reviewed by a local employer.
“What a great experience for your resume!” “Don’t put that on your resume.” “Your resume is too…!”
Distill the advice that comes your way from family, friends, and colleagues and hear recommendations directly from Human Resource professionals from companies that frequently recruit at DU.
Prepare:
Begin a resume or update an existing resume
Bring:
A paper copy of your resume OR a digital copy of your resume on a laptop or other device that you can look at and review with another person
Expect:
You will sit down with an employer who has volunteered their time to help you with your resume. They will give you 10-15 minutes to point out strengths in your resume, suggest updates, and answer your questions!
Get ready to mingle at the Careers with A Cause event or apply for your next position!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Category Archives: Bad Habits

By Chemeketa SBDC

A wealth of current research tells us that the most critical factor in controlling undesirable turnover and increasing retention of talented people are the skills of managers. People join companies but they leave managers. Satisfied employees are critical to the success of your business. If they’re not happy on the job, customers are not happy being with them.
So what do you do when you have an employee who is just not happy? Every business can have “the glass is half empty” person on the lookout for something to go wrong. You can recognize them — they spend the majority of the day in a negative slump and critical of everything from projects to people.
The “it will never work” attitude also can devastate your company morale. You may start to notice that other employees — once happy, motivated people — are starting to gossip and criticize. When it comes down to it, negativity is like the flu: It’s contagious. It’s also expensive. Negativity costs companies millions in terms of productivity and profitability.
So how do you deal with an employee whose negativity is starting to rub off on other people? Our first instinct may be that the person’s behavior is just about their “bad attitude” and ignore it. Not a great idea. This can actually fuel the fire by setting a culture of negativity. In fact, if we do nothing about the negativity — we are condoning the behavior and subsequently, endorsing it. You do need to take some action.
Often at the heart of a “negaholic” attitude are fear and uncertainty. Change is the biggest single cause of workplace negativity. Even if that new billing system is for the better, people will automatically ask themselves: What am I losing? For employees, change automatically equals the loss of something comfortable — and they will resist it.
Here are some simple steps for quelling the office critic, paraphrased from some great work by Chris Penttila, a freelance journalist.
1. Understand change from the employee’s perspective. Employees can put up with change as long as they can talk openly about it. Remember most negative people don’t know that they’re negative because no one ever tells them.
2. Find the fear, then focus on solutions. Teach negative employees to focus on offering solutions, not just criticism. Turning the griper into a solution provider gives them a genuine avenue to contribute.
3. Do some coaching. Work with the negative person on improving their attitude. Chances are, these people are complaining because they think they have good ideas that haven’t been heard.
Ultimately, employers can work too long and hard with some negative people when it’s better just to cut your losses, recognizing a bad fit. If there’s no improvement after three to six months, maybe it’s time to let them go (legally, documented, etc., of course).
After you let a negative person go, talk with employees about the future of their workplace. It can be the perfect opportunity to take the pulse of your company culture.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Report: Lack of Cybersecurity Skills Are Leaving Companies Vulnerable

Photo: Flickr
Information technology managers in today’s workplace are finding it difficult to protect their networks as a lack of cybersecurity expertise is leaving companies open to attack.
A report by Intel Security, “Hacking the Skills Shortage,” interviewed 775 IT decision makers involved in cybersecurity at their organization or business. The study points out that 82 percent of the participants reported a lack of cybersecurity skills at their workplace. One in three said the shortage makes them prime hacking targets, and one in four said it has led to reputational damage and the loss of proprietary data via cyberattack.

A Lack of Cybersecurity Skills in the Workplace

The report is based on research from tech market research firm Vanson Bourne. Respondents represented the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Mexico, and Israel.
Other findings:
  • More than three out of four (76 percent) respondents believe their government is not investing enough in cybersecurity talent.
  • High-value skills are in critically short supply, and the most scarce being intrusion detection, secure software development, and attack mitigation. These skills are in greater demand than soft skills in communication and collaboration.
  • A majority of respondents (53 percent) said that the cybersecurity skills shortage is worse than talent deficits in other IT professions.
  • Respondents ranked hands-on experience and professional certifications as better ways to acquire cybersecurity skills than a degree.
  • Countries can change this shortfall in critical cybersecurity skills by increasing government expenditure on education, promoting gaming and technology exercises, and pushing for more cybersecurity programs in higher education

3 Ways to Improve Your Career and Professional Life

Early January is time for New Year’s resolutions that typically focus on health and happiness. These promises we make to ourselves usually revolve around eating better, working out at the gym, and making an effort to be kind to others. Rarely is one of our resolutions to ask for a raise, look for a new job, or find joy in our professional life. But maybe it should be.
This week, the New York Times published a piece, “The Best Time to Retune Your Career? It’s Probably Right Now,” with advice on improving your professional life.

On Asking for a Raise

How should you approach the talk with your boss?
“You’ve got to go into these discussions with a clear sense that this is something you have earned, not a gift from your boss,” said Kenneth N. Siegel, an industrial psychologist and the president of the Impact Group, a leadership consulting firm. “Focus on what you’ve earned, not what you deserve.”

On Finding a New Job

Finding job satisfaction may require more than a higher salary: It might mean packing up and taking your work elsewhere. Quitting can be the first step toward reinvention. The Times reviewed three books that encourage unhappy employees to walk out the door and start again. The process may be a struggle, but these books point to success stories.

On Finding Happiness at Work

If you aren’t happy at work, don’t assume things will naturally get better. Instead, according to Stanford professors, Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, take the initiative to explore changes. Their process, described by Steven Kurutz in an article in September, is experiential — they urge trying new things and add that failure is part of the exploration. If the first step feels like a good fit, the authors say, take it a bit further
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

An Internship in South Africa Gives Business Student a Global Perspective

(Photo: UVM’s Grossman School of Business Dean Sanjay Sharma with student Will Nedds)
UVM senior Will Nedds completed a two-month summer internship with Reciprocity, a South Africa consultancy that aims to optimize the contribution of the private sector to social and economic development.
Nedds, a student at UVM’s Grossman School of Business, is majoring in business administration and economics, with a concentration in finance and entrepreneurship, and minoring in computer science. Nedds was one of 21 UVM students who participated in international summer internships facilitated through UVM Continuing and Distance Education’s global team. Nedds found the Reciprocity internship through Connect 1-2-3, one of the four internship organizations working with UVM CDE.
We talked to Nedds about his global learning experience and his enthusiasm for social enterprises.

Reciprocity is located in Cape Town, South Africa. Could you describe the work you were doing during your internship?

One of my roles at Reciprocity was taking graduate students visiting from other schools — including the University of Toronto and London Business School – to meet entrepreneurs working in townships around Cape Town. These are micro-entrepreneurs, making dollars a day, in places like Gugulethu and Khayelitsha.
The Reciprocity team and the students worked together to make recommendations to the entrepreneurs. For example, we met with a man who had a mattress company and learned about how he runs his business. The man sells mattresses out of a shipping container and runs an electronic repair shop on the side. In this case, we recommended that the man increase the size of his shipping container and buy a second one. We also advised him to stop his side business to provide better focus.

Can you describe the economic climate in Cape Town and the townships?

While I was living in Cape Town, it was typical to hear insults and dismissals lobbed at township residents, such as “They are thieves, they are lazy, and they do nothing but live in squalor and spend government checks on flat-screen TVs to install in their corrugated metal shacks and power with stolen electricity.”
uvm-global-internships

One of the townships near Cape Town.
While I certainly was not in the country long enough to confirm or deny these assertions, my firsthand experience with township residents flew directly against these accusations.
The township residents I met worked incredibly hard, in spite of their meager lifestyle. Those who were employed worked as secretaries and pharmacists and custodial staff in the city. Those who owned their own businesses operated restaurants, fruit and vegetable stands, or spaza shops, which are informal convenience stores. The area was alive with people working to make a living for themselves with whatever skills they had.

Reciprocity focuses on the “Base of the Pyramid.” This term — developed by C.K. Prahalad and UVM Professor Stuart Hart — encompasses the more than four billion people — approximately 60 percent of all humanity — who earn $8/day or less. Why is the Base of the Pyramid movement so important to you?

I’m interested in income equality and how poverty affects the overarching economy. The Base of the Pyramid embraces a business approach that focuses on products, services, and enterprises that serve this population in a way that is culturally sensitive, environmentally sustainable, and economically profitable. Probably the largest of the projects that Reciprocity took on during my tenure was a research study on social enterprises in Zambia, South Africa, and Malawi.
A social enterprise is a term for a company that has a social mission, but does so through a sustainable, for-profit model. For example, let’s say there’s a solar company that sells lights to rural communities for close to cost as a way of increasing access to safe and clean artificial light. A business like this has a mission to improve the lives of others, but at the same time recognizes that good work takes resources to make it a sustainable reality. This is one of the guiding principles of UVM Enactus, where I currently serve as president.
The group is a community of student leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. What I love about our organization is that it harnesses that entrepreneurial spirit for the sake of building sustainable initiatives to help others. At the moment, one of our projects is helping the Vermont Hindu Temple find ways to share Hindu culture with the Vermont community, while at the same time building viable revenue streams to cover its costs.

What do you enjoy most about economics?

I love economics because it’s the science of choice. Every decision you make, from the moment your eyes open in the morning to the moment they close at night, is fueled by reasoning, weighing options, and identifying the choices that will benefit you the most
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Five tricks to preparing your Personal Statement, from the Admissions Committee

It’s early November, September LSAT scores have arrived, and if you plan to matriculate in the fall of 2017, you are probably deep in the work of law school applications. If you’re like many students, the part of the application you dread most, and may even be avoiding, is the personal statement. This blog offers some guidance to help you through that process.
Last week, admissions representatives from Berkeley Law, Northwestern Law, USC Gould School of Law, and Texas Law were on campus speaking with AU students about the admissions process, and turned to the topic of Personal Statements. If you weren’t able to join them, here is a taste of what they shared.
First, the basics. Follow the directions. This includes responding to the exact prompt posed, the page limits, the specific information requested, and any other guidance. Don’t cheat with tiny fonts – admissions committees are wise to that trick. They will use your personal statement to judge your writing skills, for sure. They will also use it to assess your judgment, decision-making, and ability to read and follow specific instructions.
Now that you have the formatting down, consider the statement itself – what you will share, how you will share it, and what it will tell admissions committees about you. Use this moment to be genuinely introspective and tell a story – your story, in your own words. Think of your life as a path. You don’t want to write about where you are now on the path, or where you plan to go next. Instead, consider your backstory. How did you get where you are now? Avoid starting your statement with a quote – the best stories are in your own words and voice, not someone else’s.
Give the admissions committee the opportunity to get to know you beyond your LSAT score. Don’t repeat your transcript or your resume in narrative format. Instead, share how you got here from there. Write in more depth about that experience from your resume and why it matters. Explain how it has become part of your story.
Treat your personal statement as if it is an admission interview. Answer the questions you wish they would ask. Share something new that the admissions committee can’t learn elsewhere in your application. This is your chance to make your case for admission and to communicate what law schools should know about you, but otherwise won’t. 
Avoid answering questions asked elsewhere – for example, if there’s a supplemental question that asks Why Our Law School? don’t use two paragraphs of your personal statement to explain that. Use the optional questions as clues to what is best covered elsewhere. Each part of the application is a chance to enhance the committee’s sense of who you are, and how you will fit into their community of scholars. Use each and every piece you can to your best advantage. And when you have done that, hit Save, and walk away.
 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

How to Develop Strategies to Create College Campus Sustainability

Renewable electricity. Fair trade. Racism. Gender discrimination. Composting.
As more colleges and universities are increasing their commitment to sustainability, higher industry professionals are looking to develop and implement innovative practices on campus.
In June, UVM will offer the Campus Sustainability Leadership Professional Certificate, a five-day program where participants can find strategies for achieving sustainability goals on campus.

Campus Sustainability at UVM

UVM, which ranked number three in the 2018 Top 50 Green School survey by the Princeton Review, is a national leader in campus sustainability.
After expanding its recycling efforts in the early 2000s, UVM introduced composting to the campus in 2009 and banned the sale of plastic water bottles in 2013. Two years later, the University introduced a sustainability course requirement for all undergraduates.
The University has also taken steps in recent years to address social issues. UVM created an Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the University offers gender inclusive restrooms and housing. UVM gives students the opportunity to select their own identity and choose a pronoun for themselves.
Tatiana Abatemarco, PhD, teaches in the UVM Environmental Studies program and is a lead faculty member in the Campus Sustainability certificate program. She says this year’s program will go beyond the environmental focus of sustainability to also highlight social sustainability.
“Sustainability encompasses economic, environmental, and social issues,” Abatemarco says.“But the social piece has been downplayed in the sustainable community, and the University is trying to tackle that. Racism, classicism, gender discrimination are topics we’re going to build on this year.”

Creating College Campus Sustainability

Participants in the program will spend time on the UVM campus and also explore other locations during field trips to Champlain College, a small private college, as well as Shelburne Farms, a working farm and leader in sustainable education.
“Our program offers a compact experience and brings participants to a campus that has been working on these issues for decades,” Abatemarco says. “The program creates a lot of networking opportunities. Students network with each other and have exposure to people in the physical plant, as well as to educators and people from outside UVM. At the end of the week, people leave with big tool box, including many connections.”
Thomas Kovacs, a professor of meteorology at Eastern Michigan University, attended the Campus Sustainability Leadership Professional Certificate in 2018. He found the networking aspect to be one of the most rewarding parts of the program.
“Networking with other students and getting exposure to others to learn how they got started and how they received funding was very valuable,” says Kovacs, chair of the President’s Commission on Sustainability at Eastern Michigan University.
In the UVM program, participants will:
  • Develop a plan to address a specific sustainability issue on campus using Design Thinking principles
  • Explore funding options for clean energy projects on campus and socially responsible investing in higher education
  • Learn about specific design and planning issues for sustainable building practices
  • Exchange ideas with other sustainability professionals from across the country
  • Discuss partnership opportunities and leveraging community organizations
  • Develop skills as a systems thinker and learn new approaches for applying systems thinking to problems
  • Participate in site visits, lectures and panel discussions
Abatemarco says UVM is an ideal place to offer such a program as the University has set a positive example using sustainable practices. For example, 100 percent of undergraduates are required to take courses in sustainability, 100 percent certified renewable electricity is purchased for campus, and 13 campus buildings have attained LEED certification.
“My hope is that participants in the program will hone in on a specific goal to take back to their individual campus,” she says. “Most of all, I want them to answer the question, ‘What fits in with my line of work and what am I excited about?’”
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

How to Look Like a Successful Entrepreneur

When you are trying to get a new business off the ground, it is not enough to just think that you are going to succeed. You need to feel like you are going to succeed, and in order to do this, you need to put yourself into a special mindset, and have the appearance of a successful entrepreneur, even if you are struggling. The more successful you look to others, the better your chances will be of actually succeeding, because people are going to naturally gravitate to you. Here are some tips to help you look like the most successful entrepreneur in the world.
  1. Love what You Do – If you don’t love what you are doing, chances are that your business is not going to be a successful one. You need to really want to be doing this. Many people don’t realize just how much work really goes into being an entrepreneur, and the most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who are happy to be going to work every day and not dreading it because they hate what they are doing.
  2. Take it Seriously – When you are an entrepreneur, there is only one person who is completely responsible for your business at the end of the day, and that is you. So, you need to take your business very seriously. Sure, you can have fun and enjoy what you do, but you also need to really believe in what you are doing in order to be able to make others really believe in you as an entrepreneur.
  3. Look Good – “While not everyone is going to be movie star gorgeous, you can still strive to always look your best, which includes taking care of your teeth so you have a great looking smile,” says Dr. Ella Dekhtyar from Broadway Family Dental. Always dress the part, and flash a winning smile at everyone you meet. When you look great and appear to be confident, this is going to attract people to you and your business. If you look dumpy and rarely smile, people are going to check out your competition instead.
  4. Ask for Help – It is true that no man is an island, and no man stands alone. Everyone needs help at one time or another, especially when it comes to starting a new business. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. It doesn’t make you look incompetent or like a failure. It shows you as someone who really cares about their business, and wants to make it as great as they possibly can. It also shows that you are willing to take and use advice, and that you have an open mind.
  5. Fake It – You are not going to be a success in everything, and there are going to be failures. But, no one has to know about those failures. Even if you are still in the struggling new stages of your business, don’t let it show. Fake it, and no one is going to know the difference. In fact, the more you fake it, the more your personal attitude is going to change to fit what you are trying to convey to the rest of the world.
  6. Remember Your Customers – A business is only as good as its customer base. If you are not respecting the customer, they are not going to respect you, and they will not see you as someone who they want to do business with. Everything you do for your business, including policies, payment options, hours of operation, warranties, etc. must focus around the customer. Without customers, there is no business, period, and you aren’t going to be seen as a successful entrepreneur.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

12 Tips to Crush the Career Fair

Exploring career options in your major? Seeking an internship for the summer? Researching your options for after graduation? An alum looking for a career change?
If so, the career fair might be an excellent event to attend. Whether you’re an alum, undergraduate, or graduate student, there’s something for you at our career fairs. Our career fairs are for everyone!
Our Winter Career & Internship Fair is coming up on Wednesday, February 20 from 3-6pm in the Ritchie Center Concourse. We hope to see you there!
Interested in attending the career fair but aren’t sure what to expect? We’ve got you covered!
Here are twelve tips to crush the career fair and walk away with career options, a lead on a fun internship for the summer, or clarity on life after graduation.
1. Identify your goals for attending the fair.
What’s your goal for attending the career fair? Are you exploring career options, seeking an internship or job, hoping to build your network, or a mix of all three? Mindset and strategy are two of the most important aspects of preparing for a career fair. By identifying your goals for visiting the fair, you can come up with a more effective strategy for before, during, and after the fair.
2. Who’s coming to the career fair?
Be sure to visit Pioneer Careers and click on the “Events” page to find more information about our upcoming career fair. It can be helpful to browse the list of employers to get a sense of who will be attending and which tables you might want to visit when you get to the fair.
3. Make a list of employers you plan to connect with.
Take your research one step further and get familiar with the company website and available opportunities for internships or jobs. You don’t have to visit every employer at the fair, but you want to make the most of the time you have at each table. If questions arise while you’re doing your research, be sure to bring them with you!
4. Have your personal introduction ready.
“Tell me about yourself” can be a challenging question to answer, whether you’re at a career fair or an interview. Come prepared to rock your personal introductions; this article might help you get started on crafting the perfect pitch.
5. Dress the part!
Business professional dress is typically expected at a career fair, so be sure to plan your outfit in advance. Not sure what to wear? This article gives a great rundown of professional attire and navigating authenticity in what you wear. Need something to wear? Visit our Career Closet, located in the Hub!
6. Craft (and revise) your resume.
You’ll have the opportunity to meet a handful of recruiters at the career fair, and many will instruct you to visit Pioneer Careers or their company websites to apply for open positions. While you might not be applying for something in the moment, it’s always a great idea to have an up-to-date resume that you’re proud of for after the fair. Our Career & Peer Advisors can help!
7. Know what to bring.
Be sure to bring a notepad and pen to jot down quick notes, leads, or insights. It might also be useful to have a few copies of your resume on hand; you never know if you’ll need it! If you have a name tag or business cards, it never hurts to bring them along.
8. Ask insightful questions and gather business cards.
As you visit each table, be sure to bring the list of questions that you’ve been working on in anticipation of the career fair. Be sure to ask for a business card toward the end of the conversation so you have the recruiter’s contact information for follow up.
9. Be creative.
Don’t see your program of study or industry of interest represented at the fair? Be sure to keep an open mind, as you never know who a recruiter or employer might be connected with. Find organizations that are close to your interests and visit each table. It might not be a bad idea to ask who they know at the company, and who they might be able to connect you with. Sometimes, finding that first point of contact can be the most challenging part of networking and a referral can be so useful!
10. Your peers are a resource.
While the career fair is primarily meant for students and alumni to network with employers, be sure to connect with your peers as well. Whether it’s a new face in another graduate program or an alum who is seeking a career change, you never know what you might learn from fellow attendees.
11. Enjoy the moment!
While career fairs can be intimidating and frenetic, take some time to enjoy the fair. It’s an excellent opportunity to talk with interesting people, learn about career fairs and practice for your upcoming interviews!
12. Be sure to follow up.
Did you meet some awesome alumni and employers at the career fair? Be sure to send them a quick thank-you note for meeting you, and reiterate your interest in the company. A thank-you note can go a long way towards building your connections and identifying opportunities. If you were asked to apply for an internship or job online, be sure to do so!

An Evening with Arrow Electronics!

Are you interested in building a relationship with one of Denver’s top companies and leading employer? Looking to engage in an opportunity to connect with top executives (CIO and others) and learn more about an immersive summer internship program? Then join the University Career Center for An Evening with Arrow Electronics on February 15th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm in Maglione Hall (5th floor) of the Sie Complex! Enjoy a night filled with great conversations and connecting to Arrow executives and employees to learn more about their company and summer internship availability. Did we mention there will be a free dinner?! Want to learn more about all the great benefits to engaging with the global company that is Arrow? Check it out here!
There are so many benefits to making meaningful connections with an employer in this setting, no matter where you are at in the career and internship search!The world will be different in 5 years and so will you. Arrow is innovating and looking for students that possess the talent that can operate in a world that doesn’t quite exist yet…the world of 5 years out.
Arrow is so very excited to meet YOU! It is with great excitement that we invite you to join us, your faculty, and Arrow Electronics for a great evening around delicious food and great conversation to build your connections and make a meaningful difference with this globally engaged and innovative company. Space is limited therefore, RSVP is required. Please do so through the Pioneer Careers events page. If you have any questions about the event, please contact bella.gullia@du.edu.

Milestone 4: Launch Your Future

You are the sum of your experiences and now is your time to shine! Create your personal, professional narrative and learn to articulate your DU story in a compelling manner for any interview.

Why Is Interview Preparation Important?

After an employer has read your application, the interview is a chance to get to know you more personally and have a conversation about your professional qualifications, past experience, and possibilities in the role and organization.
By preparing for the interview ahead of time and practicing your answers, you’ll be better able to recall a detailed answer packed with details about your skills and abilities during the interview.

Events and Activities to Complete this Milestone

Attend an interview coaching session, practice your interviewing skills, or attend an Alumni Career & Professional Development Event to complete this milestone. Sample events and resources include:
Practice Interview with a Career Advisor | Schedule at www.du.edu/pioneercareers or by calling 303.871.2150.
InterviewStream | Log on and practice your video interviewing skills without even leaving your home with this online mock interview platform available to ALL students at daniels-du.interviewstream.com. Email your recorded interview to career@du.edu for feedback!
Pioneer Connect | pioneerconnect.du.edu
At this site, you will find thousands of alumni career volunteers that are eager to support your career success. Sign in to research alumni volunteers in your field of study that are happy to provide career support. Request an interview coaching meeting with an alum to learn about the most common interview questions for your field and to get tips for your industry.
The Art and Craft of Telling Your Story: Interview Skills 101 | Various Dates
Learn how storytelling can be an effective strategy for interviewing success at this interactive training.
For a full list of career events and pre-registration, log on to Pioneer Careers at www.du.edu/pioneercareers

Already Have Your Post-Graduation Plans Secured?

Congrats! DU is committed to supporting your professional success throughout your life. Launch your future by attending the DU Young Professionals and Alumni Career Development programs intended to help you have a successful transition to life after DU!
For more about Alumni Career & Professional Development visit:

Should I Go to Law School? Four Questions to Help You Decide

There are a few important questions you should ask yourself in deciding if law school is the choice for you. Some of them are philosophical, and some are practical. All of them are important, but this fir  st one is essential…

Do I want to be a lawyer?

Before you decide to attend law school, ask yourself: do I actually want to practice law? That is the core of the profession – representing clients. If the idea of working with clients doesn’t excite you, then this might not be the right career for you.

Why do I want to go to law school?

Be honest. There are many reasons people attend law school.  Some have always known this was their path. Some have friends and family telling them they will be a great lawyer. Maybe someone, somewhere, told them, if all else fails, you can always try law school. Whatever your motivation, you should be able to identify it. That’s the only way to decide if law is the right choice for you. Before applying to law school, seriously consider your interest in becoming a practicing attorney and how that balances with the cost, the employment prospects, and the minimum three-year intensive academic commitment required to graduate.
REASONS to attend law school include knowing what lawyers do (and wanting to do it) and having a sense of how prepared you are for law school and the practice of law.
REASONS to keep considering your options include not knowing what else to do after graduation, making your parents happy, thinking it sounds like fun, or planning to figure it out later (when you get to law school, or after graduation).

Am I in it for the paycheck?

If you answered the first or second questions with Maybe, I’m not sure, or No, but the salary…, keep reading. Even if you score the job that brings that check you dreamed of, if you don’t love (or even like) the work, you may find you aren’t long for the field, but you might still be paying the loans from that JD.
Many students are drawn to the legal profession by the promise of future income. But like any career path, your decision needs to include more than the salary prospects. A law degree doesn’t guarantee of a high salary. According to a Washington Post article from April 2015, “nine months after graduation, a little more than half of the class of 2013 had found full-time jobs as lawyers, down from 77% of 2007, according to the most recent data from the American Bar Association and the National Association for Law Placement. Those who did find jobs had starting salaries that were 8% below the 2009 peak, averaging $78,205 in 2013.” In recent years, bar passage rates have also declined creating a challenge for new graduates hoping to begin their legal practice.
Doing your research will go a long way in helping you manage your salary expectations. Look at the employment statistics and average salary for students from schools you are likely to attend (based on your GPA and LSAT – if you have taken it). Factor the specialty you wish to practice, and the region.

What do I know about the practice of law (In other words, have I talked to any lawyers)?

Answering this question requires you to research and talk to actual lawyers.
Current law students and pre-law advising can help with your law school application, but lawyers – those practicing law every day – are the ones who can help you decide if this is the path for you. They can tell you how much their legal education cost, what they actually do on a daily basis, how many hours a week they work, how much they make, and what they like (or don’t) about their careers. You should ask about personal attributes needed to be successful in a legal career and the impact of a legal career on personal lives. If law school still sounds like the right plan for you, you can ask for advice about where to go from here.
Learning about the practice of law from lawyers (as many as you can, from different practice areas) will spotlight the different career paths in the legal profession, and which might be right for you. You may notice that lawyers with very similar experiences may have very different thoughts on their careers. Ask them why. This is your chance to get a feel for what type of people like what types of legal jobs (e.g. litigation or public interest law), and what that might mean for you. Thinking proactively about your potential place in the legal profession will help you in choosing a law school, finding funding for school, and planning your job search.
You may not know any lawyers firsthand, or they may all be relatives or family friends. Talk to them, and lots of other lawyers, also. If you don’t know how to begin, making an appointment to see the pre-law advisor in the Career Center is a great start.

What’s next?

Now that we’ve talked about the philosophical questions, if law school still sounds like the thing for you, consider meeting with your Career Advisor to discuss the practical considerations of applying for and funding law school.
 

Meet Beth! A First Generation Student & Career Advisor

Beth is one of the newest additions to the Career and Professional Development team! She was kind enough to share her advice and experiences as a first generation undergraduate student.
 Tell us a bit about yourself.
 I am currently an Assistant Director for Career & Professional Development at DU. In my role, I serve as a career advisor for Daniels undergraduates, Economics majors, and students enrolled in the Learning Effectiveness and Disability Services programs; I am also charged with creating non-traditional mentoring and job shadowing opportunities for all DU students.
Born and raised in Illinois – corn fields not Chicago – I went to a small liberal arts college, Bradley University, which happens to be similar to DU in many ways. My bachelor’s degree is in Marketing with a minor in Professional Sales; however, I started out as an Art Photography major and changed to Business in my Sophomore year because they eliminated Photography as a major. I worked full-time throughout college, so I wasn’t very involved on campus, but I was part of a student volunteer group for most of my academic career.
I moved to Colorado for the mountains, so I love the outdoors! I don’t love the cold, though, so I’m not a fan of winter sports, but I love hiking and water activities, and this year, I plan to learn how to rock climb and go white water rafting. I’m also a self-proclaimed foodie and mixologist, so I love to cook and entertain whenever I can.
Fun Fact: I love my job, but this is likely not where my career path ends. In my 15 years of working, I have been a bartender, receptionist, retail manager, financial advisor, marketing communications specialist, event planner, catering business owner, graphic designer, and operations manager – and in some respects, I loved all of those roles. It’s not that I didn’t know what I wanted, but each successive position helped me refine what I wanted professionally, build my skills, and meet new people who helped me along my journey. My career path has been neither straight, nor easy, but it has all built on itself to get me to this wonderful place where I can still see a whole world of opportunity in my next 40 years.
What were your experiences with Career Services during undergrad?
Although I had a part-time job in my school’s student center, where the career center was located, I had no idea they were there as a resource. I met with my career advisor one time in my senior year when I was required to do it for my graduation degree audit. In that 30 minutes, I cannot remember leaving with anything of specific value. To the best of my knowledge, I don’t remember any of my classmates talking about using the career center, either. I went to one employer information session, Humana, and ended up interviewing there for several positions. Ultimately, I decided I didn’t want to move to Kentucky, so I removed myself from the process. Overall, my experience with career services was non-existent, so now I joke that my career path is an attempt to make up for the support I didn’t get and help students realize all the exciting possibilities in the workforce to create their own careers.
What advice would you give current students on their career journey? 
I have SO much advice that I want to share about career development, hence my career choice. I like Buzzfeed-style lists, so I’ll try to make it less boring with a list, but just know there is a lot more where this came from!
7 Pieces of Career Advice I Wish I Had Received as an Undergraduate
  1. Your major does not define your future – No one expects you to know what you want out of the rest of your life when you’re 18-22 years old. Enjoy your academics, but get some life experience, too, and be open to change.
  2. Take some time for self-assessment and understand what YOU want out of a career – don’t base life decisions on what your parents want, what will be easy for you, or what you think will make you a lot of money. And by the way, self-assessment is a lifetime process that you should engage in regularly.
  3. Don’t stop looking for a job you love until you find it (and you may find it multiple times in your life). It’s possible to have a job that is not just a paycheck.
  4. Ask for help– whether it’s an introduction to a hiring manager, an informational interview, or just advice through a challenging time. People are generally good and want to help, but they can’t help if you don’t ask.
  5. Listen– Be genuinely curious about others and how they got to where they are today. You’ll probably find that no one is where they planned to be, but that’s often a great thing! Learn from other people’s missteps, so you can avoid unnecessary challenges.
  6. Create your own personal Board of Advisors– There is a misconception out there that you will be matched with or find one mentor that will be your source of advice for everything. You may have one person you talk about finances with and another about career development and another about personal matters. Find experienced people with whom you connect and trust, and allow them to be your advice specialists.
  7. Treat the job search like dating (but never ghost an employer!) – I read an acronym a long time ago in a book called The Success Principlesby Jack Canfield and it changed my life. SWSWSWSW – Some Will, Some Won’t, So What, Someone’s Waiting. When you hear a “no”, move on. There are millions of other opportunities waiting for you out there – go find one that fits!
Students have their own Career Advisor specific to their major (yes, even undeclared students have an assigned advisor). To make an appointment:
  • Log onto PCO (Pioneer Connect Online) http://du.edu/pioneercareers
  • Create an account
  • Click the “appointments” tab to see the availability of your Career Advisor
 Any questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
 Look out for more blogs in this series coming Spring 2018!

Feel Like a Fraud? It’s Probably Imposter Syndrome…

Do you ever get performance anxiety doing a task under the watchful eye of someone else?
Do you only really feel like you’re doing well at school or work when you’re receiving positive feedback?
Do you constantly worry about appearing ‘useless’, or that people might find out you’re not as capable as they think you are?
If you do, then you’re likely suffering from a touch of imposter syndrome, but you might be surprised to know that, ironically, you are not alone in feeling like the odd one out!
According to the International Journal of Behavioural Science, a staggering 70% of us will experience impostor symptoms at some point in our lives, and it is an increasingly common phenomenon as Generation Z transition from school into the workplace. According to NY magazine, anxiety among the millennial generation sits at an 80 year high, but it appears to be on an upward trajectory.
Imposter syndrome – or impostorism – is the belief that your achievements are more to do with fluke, error or overestimation than talent and merit. This makes itself known in an inherent fear of being outed as a fraud, leaving many people feeling anxious transitioning into the work environment.
‘When I won the Oscar, I thought it was a fluke.
I thought everybody would find out, and they’d take it back.’
–  Jodie Foster
Research from the University of Salzburg has revealed that Imposter Syndrome directly impacts our ability to negotiate a fair wage, compete for promotions, participate in group discussion and make bolder decisions which lead to more fruitful careers. Statistically, sufferers receive smaller salaries, hold lower-level positions and experience less overall job satisfaction against non-sufferers.
Although more prevalent amongst women and minority groups, the affliction does not end there, with notable sufferers including the likes of Denzel Washington, Emma Watson, Will Smith, Maya Angelou, Chris Martin, John Steinbeck and Lady Gaga.

How Do I Overcome I.S.?

  • Strive to Engage More
I.S. sufferers need more validation than most. That means we naturally seek the approval or praise of others, however in doing so we grant them the power to completely make or break us. By trying to slowly interject your own ideas and perspectives into discussions, you are able to empower yourself whilst also demonstrating a value which will help to counter the odd feeling of fraudulence.
  • Redefine Your Idea of ‘Competence’
Often we uphold a long list of criteria of what makes someone ‘competent’. Failing at a task first time around doesn’t make you a failure. Asking for help doesn’t make you incapable. It is because we equate one with the other that we judge ourselves so harshly. Try to consciously hone a resilience which means that external events don’t impact your sense of self, but instead become a learning experience. Jump straight back on the horse, and treat yourself with compassion.
  • Remember It’s an Indication of Intelligence
There is a proven correlation between anxiety and high IQ. Those that deconstruct ideas, analyze and think deeply are more alert to finding flaws (both in themselves and their surroundings) so make remarkable troubleshooters – their insight can actually be far more useful than that of their more confident peers. In actuality, the fact that they feel fraudulent at all is the very reason they are an extremely valuable addition to their respective teams. As was asserted by Charles Darwin, ‘Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.’ Take comfort in your self-doubt – it means you’re more than deserving of being exactly where you are right now. You earned it.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Delegation Vital to a Business’ Growth

One of the harder chores that a business owner faces is delegation. While there may be immediate gratification when someone takes a task off your overwhelmingly full plate, the fact is that once you feel the relief, you may very well begin to question whether it has been done as well as you expected, as fast as you could do it, or even done right.
No one can do everything alone. We know that intellectually. But whether we can accept it personally is another step. Delegation is vital to the growth of a business. It is also important in developing the sills and abilities of your staff. It allows you to groom your staff for higher-level positions and to take increasing important roles in decision-making.
While delegation, the assignment of part of your work, is the reason you add staff, often we don’t fully understand that with delegation also must come authority and accountability. Three steps are generally needed for the delegation process to be successful.
First you must assign responsibility to someone. You must ask someone to do a job or perform a task.
Second, you must give that person the authority, the power, to accomplish the task or job. This may include the power to get specific information, order supplies, authorize expenditure and make some decisions.
Finally, you must create accountability, the obligation to accomplish the task. (Note that while you can create accountability – you cannot delegate it away. You remain accountable to your business. If your staff fails to complete the job – you are accountable.)
Communication, good communication, is the key to successful delegation. First you have to know what you want to accomplish and you need to clearly communicate the task or project. If there are any absolutes you also need to let you staff know what they are and how these absolutes must be accomplished. You need to think of the tools (including information) the person will need and let them know where they can access these tools. You should be very clear about the expected outcomes, deadlines and deliverables.
And then you need to get out of the way. And remember, it is always a learning process. If you cannot afford mistakes, you cannot avoid training. Set your staff up for success, not failure.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1