Students and alumni of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University are invited to attend the 2013 Industry/Career Expo on the Daytona Beach campus. The event is on Wednesday, October 9 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Students and alumni, information can be found here. Employers, you can find information and registration instructions here.
Posted by eraucso on April 22, 2013
http://eraucso.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/save-the-date-industrycareer-expo-daytona-beach-campus/
by Kristy Amburgey
With salary being the important aspect of a job offer for the majority of people, the other parts of the employment package often get lost amid the dollar signs. Instead of just seeing dollars, it important to evaluate the other factors of a job offer, in addition to salary, that can have a major impact on your decision to accept, negotiate or reject a job offer. You need to consider all parts of your job offer, including what the company is offering and how the job and commitment will impact you personally.
The company’s job offer and benefits package needs to be thoroughly examined before making any job offer acceptance or rejection decision. Consider these aspects of what the company may offer you to compensate you for your work.
Salary
The bottom line dollar amount is important to evaluate. Know if the salary amount offered meets your needs and coincides with your career progression plans. Understand if you will be paid hourly or if you will receive a specific salary regardless of the hours you put in per week. The dollar amount should be a top priority when making your decision, but don’t forget the many other elements.
Other Financial Compensation
Companies also reward their employees in other ways, including bonuses, awards, commission or comp time. For anyone working on commission or receiving bonuses, know how your employer will withhold taxes on this financial compensation.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is another key part of your job offer. Some employers cover a large percentage of your health insurance while some companies will have you pay a chunk of money. You also need to ask yourself if you like the health insurance plan(s) offered. There is a difference between a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) among others; know the difference and how it will impact you. Dental and vision can be offered but not at all companies, so you may need to spend extra money to get both of these plans.
Retirement Plans
Retirement plans are important as companies often contribute to programs such as a 401k, 403b and other savings plans. Some companies still offer pensions, and others might be involved in IRAs. Stock options or profit sharing are other benefits that companies can offer as part of your retirement compensation.
Other Benefits
Benefits can range from flexible spending accounts to child care discounts and from educational benefits to life insurance. Tele-working can also be a perk to your job package. As you evaluate your offer, consider how each benefit will impact you financially and whether or not it is truly a benefit to you.
Vacation Time and Sick Leave
Everyone needs the option to have time to conduct their personal business, take advantage of a much needed break or stay at home with an illness. If you accrue vacation leave, make sure you understand how much time you earn a pay period. If you get a set amount of time, know if that time increases the longer you are employed by the organization. Another element of this benefit is holiday time off; know what days you automatically have off of work.
Perks
Perks are those extra benefits that can make life more convenient for you. Travel benefits, on-site dry cleaning pick up, a cafeteria with free food, a company fitness center, freebies/discounts and more can be options for your perks package, but you need to decide how important these are to you and if you consider them benefits.
In addition to looking at the job offer and benefits package, you must also evaluate how the new job will impact you in other ways like your personal and professional happiness.
Company Culture
Each company has a distinct culture that can greatly impact your personal satisfaction and growth. Some companies have reputations of being fun and playful. These types of companies often tout their extra perks that make life a bit more convenient, and they like to encourage having fun at work. Some companies are much more serious and conservative in nature. You need to decide what you want in a company culture to better ensure your satisfaction with the environment and your ability to grow within the company.
Work-Life Balance
Finding your ideal work-life balance in a job can be difficult. You don’t want to come across as not willing to put in the work, but you don’t want to neglect your personal commitments either. As you decide on a new job, ensure that you understand the expectations the company will have on your time, specifically your “outside” time. Are you expected to work weekends or evenings, and will this conflict with other obligations you have?
Relocation
Relocation is also an important topic. Will the company help you cover any costs if you must move, and how much will the move cost you personally? Also consider how a move will impact you and your family as you settle into a new community.
Community
If you move to a new area, you need to look at the community in which you will be living and working. Does the community have the amenities that you both need and want? Also remember that the state, county and/or city in which you live may impose additional taxes on you outside of federal taxes.
Commute
Your commute to work affects your work-life balance and has a financial impact on you. How much gas will you need for the week, or how much is your train ticket? Do you have to pay for parking, or does the company cover that? Is there an optional shuttle service, or are you sitting in your car for a long period of time?
As you delve deep in your job and benefits offer, you need to look at the various aspects of your offer package, not just the base salary. While that dollar amount is the easiest way to interpret a “good” offer, you need to also look at how an offer will impact you personally, understanding how the job and job offer fits into your current and future goals.
Do you want to know what other graduates are seeking when looking for employment? Check out the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) article titled, New College Grads Seek Annual Salary Increases Over Healthcare Benefits.
Kristy Amburgey is the Associate Director of Career Services – Daytona Beach campus and currently manages marketing and employer relations for the department. She has been with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for approximately 10 years and with Career Services for nine years.
Posted by eraucso on April 18, 2013
http://eraucso.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/evaluating-job-offers/
Students and alumni of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University are invited to attend the 2013 Industry/Career Expo on the Prescott, Arizona, campus. The event is on Thursday, October 3 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Students, alumni and employers, information can be found here. Employers, you can register here.
Posted by eraucso on April 15, 2013
http://eraucso.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/save-the-date-industrycareer-expo-prescott-az-campus/
by Valerie Kielmovitch
Confidence! This is something that you cannot purchase or steal. You cannot gain it overnight and it cannot be given as a gift. Confidence takes time to acquire through personal experiences, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Gaining confidence begins with inward reflection. Assessing your positive attributes help you portray confidence. In addition, your outward appearance adds to developing a strong self-esteem. The art of having confidence is combining your internal assessments and portraying your traits outwardly. Confidence is an important part of everyone’s life, but it is especially important for those seeking a job or internship.
The job or internship search really shakes even the most confident person. Apply to numerous job postings, interviewing for only a few, and then not getting offered a position can hurt one’s ego. It is important, however, to maintain confidence throughout the job/internship search process because if an employer suspects a person has low self-confidence or low self-esteem, why would the employer want to hire him or her?
Below are some suggestions to keep your morale high during this tough process:
Confidence in a job/internship search comes from knowing that you are following the correct steps. Take time to perfect your resume, cover letter, and other application materials. Practice your interview skills through Perfect Interview (can be found on your main EagleHire Network once you logged in). Use the Career Services advice and resources to ensure you are putting your best foot forward. For more helpful information, please visit our website: careers.erau.edu.
Throughout this process, you must maintain confidence in yourself and maintain confidence that the right position is out there for you. Helen Keller said it best “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
Valerie Kielmovitch has been working as a Program Manager in the Career Services Office at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for the past two years. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida and Master of Education specializing in Higher Education and Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina. Valerie has a diverse background in the field of higher education from residence life to career services.
Posted by eraucso on April 11, 2013
http://eraucso.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/the-art-of-having-confidence/
Christopher Higgs graduated from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering program in May 2011. During his tenure at Embry-Riddle, he completed three internships with Raydon Corporation, The Boeing Company and MWH Americas. He was also actively involved on campus with the Student Government Association (SGA), the O-Team, Omicron Delta Kappa, Sigma Gamma Tau and Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity: Florida Mu Chapter, among others. He is currently working for The Boeing Company, completing his rotations in the Engineering Career Foundation Program (ECFP).
Tell us about the Boeing Engineering Career Foundation Program.
The Boeing Engineering Career Foundation Program (ECFP) is a two year leadership development and rotational engineering assignment that consists of six different four month rotations that span the Commercial, Defense, Research & Testing components at Boeing, whilst exposing its participants to the various stages of the product lifecycle.
What has been your favorite rotation so far and why?
That’s a difficult question to answer. At the point of writing this, I have rotated through five different groups at Boeing, each one providing a fantastic and memorable experience. One of my first groups had me blowing stuff up (stuff being the technical term) with plastic explosives, which ridiculously enough, resulted in a patent application. Another group sent me on a wind tunnel test in Farnborough, England.
If I had to choose just one, I would say my favorite is my current rotation, Sales & Marketing for the North East Asia region. Now this may sound somewhat blasphemous from an engineer, but the Sales arena is truly a confluence of engineering, business and customer interaction, a complex relationship that I find fascinating.
In what ways have your internship experiences helped you to be successful up to this point in your career?
A career does not materialize from nothing; it builds incrementally over time, one block after another. A key cornerstone at the base of that structure is your degree, while another is your internship experience. The internships I undertook while in college were fundamental to my marketability upon graduating; I never would have landed my dream entry-level position in Boeing’s engineering rotation program if I was unable to leverage industry experience during my application. In fact, the Engineering Career Foundation Program only hires from the Boeing intern pool.
To continue my Jenga-esque metaphor, this position is yet another block on which I will continue to build my career…without key pieces, like internship experience, your career (or tower) is more susceptible to toppling over.
Do you have any advice for graduates who may want to consider participating in a rotational program such as the Boeing Engineering Career Foundation Program?
Jenga! Ahem…I will be continuing with this metaphor. Rotation programs are typically very competitive, and the successful job hunting graduate will have several blocks on which to build their application. Again, solid performance in one’s degree program is fundamental, as is participating in internships to build industry experience. A third block, one that I feel made the difference in my application, is nothing new or unheard of. In fact, the first time I heard it was day one of orientation, freshman year… and again every day since: GET INVOLVED!
Companies, like Boeing, look for well rounded individuals; technical expertise 
from your degree and internships is critical, but the differentiating factor tends to be proving leadership at a collegiate level. Whether that is being a part of the Student Government, on the executive board of a Fraternity or Sorority, a project leader for an honor society or some combination of the above, this experience shows that you can operate in a team environment and work with others towards a common goal. That and listen to Mark Lyden’s 7 Steps!
Posted by eraucso on April 8, 2013
http://eraucso.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/alumni-career-spotlight-christopher-higgs/
By Amy Treutel
Pinning. It’s a common word that has spread like wildfire thanks to the up and
coming social media sensation, Pinterest. Pinterest is an image-based social media that centers around virtual pinboards. Users create accounts to follow these online boards, “pin” graphics to their own boards and like and comment on others’ pins. Pinterest is a great platform to begin visually building your personal brand.
Most people who are familiar with Pinterest know it as a way to pin their favorite quotes, dream homes, cute animals, party ideas and cleaning tips. While Pinterest is, in fact, great for pinning all of the above items, let’s consider some options on how to use Pinterest professionally to attract employers and help build your brand.
One important thing to note about Pinterest, however, is it is vital to continuously update your boards to keep your brand fresh. Repin others’ pins and like their boards to help keep yourself relevant. When you find an interesting article while browsing the internet, take a couple of extra seconds and immediately pin it to your corresponding board. That way if an employer is searching for you on social media, they will see you are up-to-date on current events and take an active role in keeping your brand fresh.
As with all social media, it is very important to protect your privacy. Please view the Career Services Social Media Privacy Guide for some tips.
Amy Treutel has a Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management and a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics with a specialization in Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She currently works as the Office Associate and has been part of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Career Services team for over five years.
Posted by eraucso on April 4, 2013
http://eraucso.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/the-new-social-media-on-the-block-pinterest/
Michael Raynard Mayberry graduated from the Worldwide Campus of Embry-
Riddle Aeronautical University in March 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics and minors in Aviation Safety and Management. Michael then went on to pursue a Master of Aeronautical Science in the specialty fields of Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems and Aviation/Aerospace Operations, graduating in May 2012.
Michael is a retired U.S. Navy Combat Veteran who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. In August 2007, Michael joined the civilian workforce at Flightstar Aircraft Services (FAS) as an Avionics Specialist. During his time at FAS, he continued his education path by completing his undergraduate and master degrees. He didn’t stop there. His focus was to use his military experience and college education to land a position in Safety, Quality, or Operations. With the help of Career Services resources, he was able to build a government resume that detailed each career field for which he wanted to apply. Within time, the interviews started coming forth. On August 30, 2010, Michael started work with the Federal Government, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) as an Aircraft Quality Assurance Engineer.
Michael is an active leader in his community of Orange Park, FL. He’s a member of West Jacksonville Church of God in Christ where he’s a volunteer leader of ReSon to Care Male Mentoring Ministry (ages 6-16) and The Men of Distinction (MOD) Ministry. Michael has been married to Michelle for 23 years, by whom he fathered two lovely daughters, RayNiesha and Deja.
Michael also serves as the Florida Federation/North Area Director of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. where he was awarded Upsilon Lambda Chapter New Brother of the Year Service Award in 2004 and Brother of the Year in 2005. He served as Chapter President in 2006 and 2007. Since then he has held numerous chapter executive positions.
With your background in aviation safety, avionics and quality engineering, what career advice do you have for people seeking employment in these areas?
Stay with what you know!! Most military personnel have multiple skills, and it’s quite okay to have multiple skillsets since it gives you more opportunities to land a job. The fields of Safety and Quality have similar backgrounds, so that made it much easier to build my government resume with keywords for the electronic resume systems. My undergraduate studies at Tennessee State University were Technical Aeronautics within Industrial Engineering. The ERAU Professional Aeronautics degree was definitely a refresher in up-to-date studies and programs to prepare me for the civilian sector. Advancing into a master’s program in Aeronautics and Aerospace gave me the opportunity to apply for mid-level career jobs. To sum it all up, the more education and experience you have, the more of an invaluable candidate you are for employment. If you find yourself facing challenges getting employed in one field, customize your resume for another field of study or experience you may have. Any certification courses (such as A&P, ASQ, Lean Six Sigma) that you completed while in the military or college are definitely a plus when seeking employment.
You successfully navigated the federal government application process. What tips do you have for application success?
The federal government resume should be at least five pages, and that can be very difficult for anyone just getting out of college. Prior military personnel can establish a lengthy resume by utilizing their military assignments. I suggest utilizing performance evaluations written in Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) as a key resource. College students should make every attempt to acquire an internship within the federal government. This will get you in the door and establish a federal record. It can take six months to a year to successfully get into the federal government system. It all starts with the resume. If you know someone who is already within the government system, ask that person or contact Human Resources to get a copy of the Job Skillset of your career path. You can also retrieve skillset information from the job descriptions that is within the job announcements on USAJobs. Take advantage of the resources offered by ERAU Career Services.
Networking has been a successful job search technique for you. How have you used networking to obtain employment? What did you do to market yourself to potential employers?
My technique of networking was to compile a list of people I knew within the companies that had my interest. I continued forwarding my resume to each of them with updates and suggestions that were given to me. Each time I received a name via the Industry/Career Expo, internet, telephone, or through referrals, I would add that person to the email when forwarding my resume. It’s good to enter your name into a company’s database so you will be readily available once an announcement posts. I still attend the ERAU Industry/Career Expo and other job fairs every opportunity I get. This is a good way to meet people within Human Resources or representatives from a targeted company. It’s also important to review and update your resume on a monthly basis.
How have your Embry-Riddle degrees opened doors for you?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a well-known, respected university in the aviation industry. Technical skills are in high demand in today’s economy, and a degree from ERAU is priority because of its technical educational studies. Let’s just say a degree from ERAU is priceless.
Posted by eraucso on April 1, 2013
http://eraucso.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/alumni-career-spotlight-michael-raynard-mayberry/
by Brian Carhide
If you peruse some of the pilot forums on the internet for information about 
the impending pilot shortage, many will say it’s a fairytale. In regards to the big picture, there is truth to that perception. In the U.S., we are still in a hiring lag from the retirement age increase in 2007, and a “true pilot shortage” could still be 5 or more years away – if the FAA doesn’t raise the retirement age, again. One major airline’s recent strategic planning has indicated this may be a possibility.
The good news, according to FAPA, a few of the regional airlines have plans to hire a number of pilots during 2013. The majority of the need for pilots at these regionals is due in part to the new crew rest requirements. The other conundrum to pilot hiring in 2013 is the new law that requires any pilot wanting to fly for a FAR Part 121 passenger carrying operation to have an Air Transport Pilot certificate and 1500 hours total time.
Recently in the Career Services Office, I have communicated with several regional airlines interested in developing pipeline and bridge programs with Embry-Riddle. This is a good indicator that the airlines are seeing a need to have a solid pool of pilots and to aid in bridging the gap for flight instructors to the regional airlines. I feel the regional airlines envision a growing increase in demand and a declining supply of pilots, hence the interest in developing these types of agreements with key organizations.
Since 2013 began, companies seeking qualified flight instructors have plateaued, but there are still an abundance of CFI opportunities to be found. I feel those low-time CFIs that are willing to relocate will find some great time building opportunities and gain valuable experience. Because of the way supply and demand is heading, those motivated pilots who reach 1500 hours will have some golden opportunities during an exciting time for the industry.
Smaller companies outside of the regional airlines are also planning to hire during 2013 but on a smaller scale. Operations such as Ameriflight, Cape Air, and XOJet have indicated they are recruiting and interviewing for pilots. The advantage these companies have is the 1500 hour requirement does not affect them. However, it is still a viable career path and a great way to build some flight time.
2013 may not be the year of the grand pilot shortage we have all been hearing about, but pilot hiring will continue to move in a positive direction. In speaking with one of the recruiters from a regional airline, who has been in this industry for over 30 years, about future pilot hiring, he stated, “This is definitely an exciting time for young pilots!”
Brian Carhide has more than 20 years of professional aviation experience. He spent many years as a professional pilot, including experience as a charter and airline pilot. Recently, he has been a leader in guiding young aviators in higher education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Posted by eraucso on March 28, 2013
http://eraucso.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/u-s-pilot-hiring-2013/
A Port Orange, FL native, Heather Owen graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications (minors in International Relations and Homeland Security) and in 2011 with a Master of Science in Aeronautics (Systems Safety specialization). During her time at ERAU, she studied abroad in China in 2008, and she was captain of the Eagles cheerleading team, a sister of Alpha Xi Delta, and a member of Women in Aviation International. She is currently a Safety Specialist, managing the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) for ExpressJet Airlines in Atlanta, GA. Heather is engaged to a U.S. Air Force Reservist and is excited about integrating her career with her fiance and discovering the world together.
Discuss your internship experiences while enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University?
While enrolled at ERAU, I had two international internships; both were professionally and personally defining.
During the Spring 2010 semester, I interned with the Department of State at the U.S. Consulate in Munich, Germany, as a Political and Economic Diplomacy intern. Although not a traditional internship for an aviation major, my internship incorporated my interests in politics, diplomacy, and German culture. During the internship, highlights included meeting Senator John McCain, working as a site officer during the Munich Security Conference, and traveling with the Consul General to aviation industry locations in Nuremburg and Furth. 
Upon my return to ERAU, I spent much of my graduate schooling looking for a career field that would meld my new passions for international diplomacy with my existing one for aviation. During research for my thesis, my advisor suggested the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an air transport-specialized agency of the United Nations. Immediately following my Spring 2011 graduation, I moved to Montreal, Canada, to intern with ICAO in the Air Navigation Bureau – Integrated Safety Management Section. During my internship, I worked with the office to develop and write safety culture sections for ICAO’s Safety Management Manual. I also gained firsthand experience with aviation’s governing side.
How did your internship experience help prepare you for your current position?
My internship with the State Department taught me diplomacy goes far beyond just international politics. I utilize it most during ASAP meetings between my present company, the FAA, and the workforce union. My ICAO internship introduced me to safety reporting systems. I now manage the Aviation Safety Action Program, a non-punitive, voluntary, and confidential safety reporting system for ExpressJet Airlines’ pilots, dispatchers, and mechanics.
What advice do you have for students who want to intern with a government agency?
Interning with a government agency is to participate daily in activities that may have historical significance. Ask to attend any and every meeting. Whether you understand the topic or even the language, it is important and exciting to see how meetings produce or enact policy at the international level. While in Montreal, I listened to a meeting being simultaneously interpreted in six languages; in Munich, the Security Conference had nearly 20 represented languages.
Do not be discouraged that Embry-Riddle is not a “traditional” international relations university. I almost didn’t apply because I felt like I wouldn’t be considered if I didn’t come from Johns Hopkins or Georgetown. However, my boss in Munich said he hired me because my aviation focus could offer a unique perspective to the Consulate. Additionally, he found ways to incorporate my aviation experiences and gave me chances to serve as the consulate’s subject matter expert.
Finally, while pursuing a government internship, be sure to allow ample time for a security clearance. Additionally, response time can be slow from government agencies, so don’t be discouraged if you haven’t heard from them quickly. By the time I received my interview request from the State Department, it had been three months and I had forgotten about it.
What are your future aspirations?
Professionally, I would like to stay within Atlanta’s burgeoning aviation industry for the next few years. Eventually, I would like to relocate back to Montreal and resume working for ICAO in safety. Personally, I’d like to fill the few remaining spots in my passport and run a race in a foreign country.
Posted by eraucso on March 25, 2013
http://eraucso.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/alumni-career-spotlight-heather-owen/
Wishing you a week of fun and relaxation during your spring break!
Posted by eraucso on March 18, 2013
http://eraucso.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/happy-spring-break/
