Campus Involvement: Step 1 in Building your Professional Network

by Amy Treutel

Amateur Astronomy Club

Embry-Riddle boasts an overwhelming number of student clubs and organizations.  When first starting school here, it is oftentimes difficult to narrow down with what exactly you want to get involved.  With so many options, how do you even begin to choose?  And why even bother getting involved?

The answer to the first question is easy.  Ask your friends, co-workers, and roommates what clubs and organizations they’re in or they’ve heard are interesting.  Listen to what students are talking about in class to know what clubs are most active or do the most interesting things.  Stop by the Student Activities Fair and see what catches your eye.  Don’t just join an organization because you think it will look good on your resume or you think it’s what you’re supposed to be doing.  You won’t be committed to the organization and being a member won’t end up benefiting you.

That brings us to why you should get involved while you’re here on campus.  Besides Embry-Riddle being your home for the next four years, it’s a stepping stone for beginning your life.  The friends and connections you make in the organizations you’re a part of will carry through your entire life.  This is the beginning of building your network!

Oftentimes in organizations, you have the opportunity to meet industry professionals, attend conferences, or get involved with professors on campus.  These opportunities all translate into skills that will be useful in the workplace.  You’ll have the chance to get comfortable talking with professionals while still in a student setting where it’s okay to make mistakes; you can learn from watching other people.  Attending conferences is another good way to network and learn how to present yourself in a professional manner.  Getting involved with professors on campus opens up a whole new set of doors for you.  Many professors used to work in the industry and still have many contacts that could be useful to you later down the road.

Even if the organization you decide to become a part of doesn’t have such vast opportunities, it’s still important to get involved and truly be part of something about which you’re passionate.  Being a part of The Avion isn’t necessarily going to directly help you in getting a job as an Air Traffic Controller, but what it does give you are the experiences you need to become a successful job candidate.  Your speaking, writing, and presentation skills will develop and improve drastically, and employers will notice the activities that are on your resume.  They’ll be a great conversation piece during your job or internship interview, and who knows, that just might be the key piece you need to seal the deal.

So get involved and get involved in something that is interesting and exciting to you.  It’ll provide for a great relief when classes get stressful, and all the while you’ll be building skills and experiences that will fit in perfectly on your resume.  You get the best of both worlds.

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by eraucso on April 19, 2012  •  Permalink
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Alumni Career Spotlight: Suzanne (Robinson) Kearns

Dr. Suzanne Robinson Kearns, DB 2000/2002

Dr. Suzanne Robinson Kearns, DB 2000/2002

Suzanne Kearns is a professor who teaches Commercial Aviation Management students at Western University in Ontario, Canada. She is also a licensed airplane and helicopter pilot. She holds a Helicopter Pilot college diploma along with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science and a Master of Science degree in Human Factors and Systems Engineering both from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Additionally, Suzanne holds a Ph.D. in Education, specializing in Instructional Design for Online Learning. She has extensive experience as an instructional designer and is passionate about innovating human factors and aviation safety training.  She is the author of e-Learning in Aviation, a book published by Ashgate in 2010 and a new iPhone app called m-Safety.

What have you been doing since you graduated with your MS in Human Factors & Systems in 2002?

I graduated with my BS in Aeronautical Science in 2000 and my MS in Human Factors & Systems in 2002.  Shortly after graduating I was hired full-time as a professor at Western University, in their Commercial Aviation Management program, teaching human factors and aviation safety.  After I was hired I began my PhD in Education, with a specialization in Instructional Design for Online Learning, which I completed in 2007.

Since 2007, I have written two books: Canadian Aviation, which is a textbook for university students who are new to the aviation industry, and e-Learning in Aviation.  I have also published four academic journal articles in The Journal of Human Factors, The International Journal of Aviation Psychology, and The Collegiate Aviation Review.  My current project is the development of a smartphone app that delivers pilot safety training, called m-Safety, which will be on the Apple App Store mid-April.

I have been married to Michael Kearns since 2004 and have three children, Katelyn (6), Sam (4), and Andy (15 months).

What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

The biggest highlight of my career so far has been the publication of my e-Learning in Aviation book.  This book was published by Ashgate, a highly respected publisher in the aviation industry.  With Ashgate, you have to submit a book proposal and sample chapter which is put through an external review before the publisher agrees to publish your book.  Then comes the hard part – you have to do all the research and writing, which took me about 9 months.

After the book was published, I made connections throughout the industry with people who had read the book and were interested in collaborating.  It’s quite the experience to have people approach you, after having read your book.

What advice do you have for students and graduates who are interested in teaching in a university setting?

Teaching in a university setting offers a lifestyle with unparalleled flexibility.  I always dreamed of being a pilot, as I started flying airplanes and helicopters when I was 15, yet it was not until I completed an internship near the end of my ERAU bachelor’s degree that I realized how challenging the lifestyle of a professional pilot can be (as you are away from home so much).

I did not dream of becoming a professor, but I am very glad that my path led me here.  As a professor, your workload is distributed 40% teaching, 40% research, and 20% service.  The teaching requires about 6 hours of lecturing a week, plus office hours and grading.  The fun part of the job is the research, as you get complete flexibility over what you decide to explore, and it’s something you can do from home.  My interests led me initially to e-learning and now to mobile learning, which I think has enormous potential to improve aviation safety.  The service component of my job includes running the admission process for our aviation program and sitting on several university and industry-level committees.

For students interested in teaching at the university level, the best advice I can give is to consider whether or not you are interested in research.  It’s not obvious from the outside, but a professor is expected to spend just as much time conducting research as teaching.  Universities place a very high value on academic publications, such as books and journal articles.  As a student, if you want to work in a University, the best thing you can do during your studies is to try and get one or two papers submitted to journals and published.  The saying in the academic world is ‘publish or perish’, which means that if you don’t conduct research and produce publications it’s unlikely you will survive in the academic world.

How have your Embry-Riddle degrees opened doors for you in the course of your career?

My ERAU degrees have opened up many doors in my career, beginning with the ability to get a Master’s degree.  What I mean is that in Canada, most pilot education is at the 2-year college level.  I am an example where it is hugely valuable to have a 4-year university degree in aviation, as it allows you to build upon that education.  In my case, it allowed me to get a Master’s degree and eventually a PhD.

Also, unlike other academic disciplines (such as history or calculus) there is a very “real-world” component to aviation research.  I need to stay on top industry-happenings and trends as well as the academic literature in my area.  Having a degree from Embry-Riddle has given me the foundation upon which to build my career.  I absolutely would not be where I am today without the education I received from ERAU.

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by eraucso on April 16, 2012  •  Permalink
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6 Ways LinkedIn Can Help You Manage and Advance Your Career

By CareerBliss

CareerBliss is a leading online career community that offers salary information, job reviews, and advice articles to help users find career happiness.

So you’ve created a LinkedIn profile  – you listed your work and education experience, uploaded a photo, wrote a personal summary. That’s pretty much it, right?

Not so fast.

With some 65 million users in the U.S., LinkedIn can be a powerful tool to advance your career – but you have to be an active user to reap the benefits.

Consider these six ways of making the most of LinkedIn.

1. Be a Follower

Is there a particular company you want to work for? Chances are it’s on LinkedIn. Search for companies that you’re interested in and then opt to “follow” them. Being a follower is a great way to keep track of changes and developments in a company (and the more you know, the better you’ll do come interview time), scope out open positions, see who works for the company, and see who else follows it. You can also get yourself noticed by prospective employers by commenting on their posts.

2. Network Through Groups

Whether you’re interested in aerospace or zoology, there is a LinkedIn group for you. Groups are a great place to network with like-minded professionals and stay abreast of the latest trends in an industry.

And when you’re part of a group, you can contact other members directly, whether or not they are in your professional network – so groups are a great way to build new relationships and expand your professional network. Here’s a tip: Don’t join so many groups that you aren’t able to participate in each one a few times per week.

3. Be an Active Participant

LinkedIn is a great platform for getting noticed as either an authority in your field or an up-and-comer to keep an eye on. Contribute to industry discourse by commenting thoughtfully on other people’s (and company’s) posts and share relevant articles and blog posts with your network and groups. If you keep a personal or professional blog, use LinkedIn to drive more traffic to it.

4. Get Introduced

LinkedIn’s introduction feature can help you expand your network and connect with key contacts at companies. If you have a second or third degree connection, you can request that one of your first degree connections introduce you.

When you click on your connection of interest, there will be an option on the right of the screen to “get introduced through a connection.” Choose that option and follow the instructions. Using the introduction feature increases your odds of making the new connection.

5. Get Recommendations

Recognition from other colleagues speaks volumes. LinkedIn’s recommendation feature lets you reach out to connections and ask them to sing your praises (or at least say you did a solid job when you worked with them).

Go to the profile tab at the top of your LinkedIn page and choose “recommendations” from the dropdown menu. From there, you can send requests to connections to comment on specific positions you’ve held. Tip: It’s OK to recommend a connection in exchange for a recommendation, but if all of your recommendations are reciprocal, they will carry less weight.

6. Find a Job – or Get Found

Click the “jobs” tab at the top of a LinkedIn page, and you’ll get a list of open positions LinkedIn thinks you might be interested in based on your education, past jobs and profile information. You can also set up job alert emails. Recruiters and companies also use LinkedIn to find job candidates – so make sure to keep your profile updated and relevant.

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by eraucso on April 12, 2012  •  Permalink
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Alumni Career Spotlight: Razia Nayeem Oden

Razia Nayeem Oden, DB 2003

Razia Nayeem Oden graduated from Embry-Riddle in 2003 with an undergraduate degree in Human Factors. She then continued her education at the University of Central Florida, obtaining a MS in Modeling and Simulation and a Ph.D. in Human Factors Psychology. Razia has obtained vast experience over the years through internships, a fellowship, graduate research, and full-time positions working in a variety of disciplines such as systems engineering, human factors psychology, and research.

What have you been up to since your graduation from Embry-Riddle? 

After graduating in the spring of 2003, I went straight to graduate school that fall. While in school at the University of Central Florida, I worked in two different research labs in the Psychology Department and completed an internship at NAWCTSD (Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division). The last two years of grad school, I worked for a DoD contractor and conducted my dissertation through a contract with the US Army RDECOM. I graduated in the spring of 2008 with a Ph.D. in Human Factors Psychology, and since then, I’ve completed a post-doctoral research fellowship with the Army Research Laboratory and worked at a couple of small DoD contractors.

You have experience in systems engineering, research, and human factors psychology. What has been the highlight of your career so far? 

The most rewarding thing I’ve done thus far is work on products that make it to the military. I love working with the military because I can’t think of a more worthy population to help with Human Factors design principles. In research-oriented careers, often R&D efforts never make it out to the field. The thing I have enjoyed the most so far is seeing products I designed actually get deployed to train and support Warfighters immediately.

What led you to decide to pursue your Ph.D. in Human Factors Psychology? 

After somewhat stumbling into Human Factors at Embry-Riddle, I really came to enjoy it. I decided to pursue a Ph.D. because I saw the usefulness of human factors across a lot of different disciplines. I view human factors as a toolbox with a range of techniques that could be applied in a variety of settings. When you go through a Ph.D. program, particularly the dissertation phase, you really become an expert in the field, and I wanted to get as much education and experience as I could so I could make a difference in human systems design.

What advice do you have for Human Factors graduates getting ready to begin their respective careers in the field? 

The best advice I can give someone starting out in the field is to try to gain as wide a range of experiences as possible. I would encourage new graduates to work on as many different projects as possible so they can find what they enjoy the most and which areas best match their skills. In addition to different projects, I think it’s very helpful to work in multiple industries to get different perspectives on how human factors is used in varied settings.

What are your plans for the future? 

I would like to do more design work across a range of products, as well as broaden my skills in areas like ergonomics. I obtained a Project Management Professional certification last year, so I plan on doing more project management while retaining my technical skills and being involved in day-to-day project activities.

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by eraucso on April 9, 2012  •  Permalink
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Education without Experience…Think Again!

by Sally Richards

Natalie Spencer at NASA Glenn Research Center

We tend to retain…

10% of what we hear

15% of what we see

20% of what we see and hear

40% of what we discuss

80% of what we EXPERIENCE

Co-op/Internship IS EXPERIENCE!

Experience is the best teacher. Most of us are familiar hearing this American idiom.  An internship experience combined with an excellent Embry-Riddle academic education makes for a first-rate candidate in any job market.

But you’ve been thinking about graduating without any practical work experience, without real world experience, without hands on experience. THINK AGAIN!

“I just want to graduate in 4 years.”

“I didn’t have time to apply to companies…I was so busy with my classes.”

“My parents just want me to finish school as soon as possible.”

“I just want to get out of school and start making money.”

“I’m tired of going to school and just want to start working in my field.”

Are you guilty of any of these thoughts?  Although these plans can make sense for some individuals, the plan to do an internship will prove to be more valuable. Don’t skip doing a co-op/internship because you’re in a rush to graduate.  You’re going to be out of college for most of your life.  If you graduate with less experience than your peers, your job search may be tougher and you might regret it.

The reality is, “Do you have an offer on the table for a full-time career opportunity when you graduate?”  If not, an internship experience will help you gain that competitive edge over other students when applying for full-time opportunities.

You already planned to spend 4 or 5+ years to earn your college degree.  Wouldn’t an additional 4 months of experiential education and time spent working with professionals in an industry/organization environment actually add an additional component to your value as a future candidate?  Wouldn’t the experience make you stand out from the crowd in the recruiting process?  You can see how academics and practical experience are intertwined.  You will understand concepts better from both perspectives, therefore making you a better student and a better employee.  Those few months of practical experience can favorably impact your classroom studies and future career since an internship experience will allow you to build your contact network and provide positive reinforcement.

Employers want to hire graduating students who have career-related work experience during college and experience that exposes them to professionalism and to how skills and ideas are applied in the real world. Think of it this way; you will already have a professional experience in industry and have the ability to work in a team environment towards a common goal.  Employers will see you have already made the transition from student to professional and will not have to start from the ground up.  You have already attained the next level and saved the company money in training costs.

When other graduating seniors are still having their resumes critiqued, and going through the “7 Steps to Use when Applying Online,” or attending Career Expo, just think, you may already have been hired by the company where you did an internship.  Now you can spend your last semester concentrating on achieving superior grades in your final classes and projects.

Do you have a dream job or dream company in mind that you want to work for?  By successfully completing an internship, you have just put yourself in a category above all other graduates with a similar academic skill set and diploma whether they are from Embry-Riddle, Purdue or FIT.  You have EXPERIENCE.  In an interview, you now have real industry projects and situations to talk about with that company’s hiring manager.

Participating in a Co-op or Internship experience can open doors to the world.  As an intern you may have the good fortune of attending meetings with the executive board…can you believe it?  A special benefit of your internship could include a connection to the decision makers of the company.  How else could you have gotten this opportunity as a college student if you were not participating in the company’s internship? You are getting experience in a corporate culture, building your network and making contacts with industry leaders, all important pieces to a successful career.

A former intern sums it up best. “The fundamentals and theories are important and essential for getting any position, but experience is also necessary.  While I am aware that most students do not want to postpone graduating a semester later than originally anticipated (I was one of those people not too long ago), it is completely worth it!  You go to school to get a job—if you’re being offered job experience while you are still in school—there is no reason to decline it.  I have many friends who were extremely successful in school, but they have graduated and cannot secure a job because they lack experience.  An internship gives you exactly that!”

If:  Education + Experience = Excellent Candidate; Then: Education + Internship = Success

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by eraucso on April 5, 2012  •  Permalink
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Co-op/Intern Spotlight: Brian Smith

Brian Smith, Senior, BS AE

Brian Smith, a senior in the Aerospace Engineering program, still has two months left until graduation, but already has a full-time job offer thanks to his rotational four-semester stint as an Engineering Co-op at Gulfstream Aerospace. With over a year of experience working in various areas (Powerplant/Environmental Control Systems, Advanced Composites Technology, Structural Testing, Stress Analysis) within the company, he also has a sense of what he wants to do with his Embry-Riddle education. When Brian isn’t in Savannah, he works both in the Career Services Office as a Student Assistant and as a Teaching Assistant/Peer Mentor in the Department of Freshman Engineering at Embry-Riddle.

Tell us about your co-op experience at Gulfstream.

My experience started at the Industry/Career Expo during my freshman year, where I found Gulfstream at their booth winding down on the second day.  I grabbed the requisite freebie (a Rubik’s cube), and asked them what they did.  I heard about their products and their co-op program, and he told me to apply back the following year, which I did and landed the job.

When I got there, nearly everything was taken care of for me.  Lodging, work schedule, orientation, etc.  They told me where to go the first morning, gave me a map to get to the check-in, and walked me through the location with the rest of the first-time co-ops and got me situated in my office.  And every semester for me was as smooth as can be.

My semesters were spread across 4 different departments, each of which made me feel as an integral member of the team. They went to great lengths to give me meaningful work and left me to do independent work while doing their best to be available as a resource for help.

However, as each department (ECS & Powerplant/Adv. Composites/Structural Test/FEM & Stress Analysis) knew that I had experience in prior semesters, my responsibilities grew.  I was looked to and referenced to incoming co-ops as a resource for information in the co-op world and expected to be more competent as my job tasks became more in depth and directly affected tasks of the full time engineers.  The point of mentioning this is how with this company, and most of the others I’ve heard tell of, utilize their co-ops as critical members of their project teams. You should expect to have responsibility and a direct effect on your company.

In what ways has your co-op experience impacted your college experience?

College has become both easier and more difficult.  Easier in that with first-hand knowledge of aircraft and manufacturing methods in the real world, you can understand some of the things a professor says that would normally pass over your head.  It also makes it easier to organize and run class projects, as the experience you gain in teamwork in the workforce very easily translates to classroom leadership.

However, it can become difficult in that some things you learn in school are in no way relevant to the actual work you will likely do outside of school.  This is a true fact, and though some people will object vehemently to this, in my experience it is 100% true.  However, keeping the mindset where you’re “learning to learn” can help get you through those harder classes.

On the whole, there is nothing better to help your college career than a co-op. Confining yourself to a classroom is a quick way to a sheltered outlook, and nothing is more unappealing to a company than someone who is a drone and cannot think; they have computer programs for that.

What would you say to students who are on the fence about doing a co-op or internship?

I would say definitely make space in your college plan to do at least one internship if possible.  It can be fit into a summer, and the experience you gain far outweighs any cost you may incur; you’ll likely be paid.  There are no genuine reasons I can think of to not do one. At worst, you find out if the actual job is something you won’t enjoy and move on before burying yourself under a completed degree.  At best, you lay the foundations for your dream job and have security in your final semesters knowing your future is secured all while being more knowledgeable in class and likely a bit richer.  It’s a no brainer.

Is there anything that you would do differently if you had it to do all over again?

I would have done more to learn about the physics of aircraft and structure than looking like the noob that I did at first.  A bit of eagerness and more independent study on aircraft physics would have gone a long way.  It places you a bit behind the curve of where full time engineers are, but it’s possible to catch up.

Go in enthusiastic, be open to new ideas and be prepared to swallow your pride.  No matter how smart or clever you think you are, there is someone you will work with that will blow you away.  Be prepared to accept other ideas and have yours shot down, and don’t take anything personally.  It is the bottom line that is cared about most, not feelings.  But by meeting this different perspective head on and embracing it, you will go a lot further both professionally and socially.

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by eraucso on April 2, 2012  •  Permalink
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Conference and Event Preparation: A Student’s Perspective

by Krystel Parra

Going to a career-related conference can be intimidating at first. You are surrounded by the industry’s elite and many potential employers. So how do you act in this type of situation?

As a student, the first conference I attended was Women in Aviation. Before the conference, I made sure that I had the right attire with me and was dressed appropriately. I wore what I would wear for a job interview, which ultimately gave me confidence. I had business cards with me just in case.  When I arrived, I was shocked that there were so many people who loved aviation just like I do. Women in Aviation hosted seminars, receptions, banquets, and booths showcasing various aviation-related companies. Initially it was hard to decide where to go and when since everything was happening at the same time. I made a schedule of events by prioritizing which was of most importance to me; that way, I didn’t miss anything that was related to my career and passion.

Next I made my way along the booths and made sure I talked to every company. I introduced myself and told them what I was looking for: an internship or co-op in Aviation Safety. Normally, they would direct me to the right person and give me their business cards. I would then proceed to give them my business card just so they would remember me and put a face with my qualifications. After I left their booth, I wrote a short description of what we talked about on the back of the business card. I was able to email everyone and remind them who I was, what we talked about and thanked them for their time. I also asked if there were any positions available and to please let me know. Besides good etiquette, emailing potential employers allowed them to remember me after the conference was over.

Additionally, during the conference we had many dining events where we were seated with people we had never met. Because we were seated with strangers, it gave us the opportunity to network during the meals. For example, while attending the last banquet, I sat next to a recruiter who had worked for numerous companies. She said that she loved to help people get jobs by letting them know for what the companies were looking. Throughout the night she gave me a few tips on how to land my dream job. This was what she said to me:

  • Do not be intimidated by the recruiters. They are happy to help you because they are looking for people who are compatible for the job.
  • People in higher positions are normally more open to students because they themselves have reached success and are willing to help others.
  • Join LinkedIn and talk to people online who are in your career. You may one day meet them in person, and you already have previous discussions on which you can build to help you stand out.
  • Have an updated resume and business cards. The business card will allow the employer to remember you after you left. So as a student, make sure the business card provides your name, contact information, major, graduation date, and internship experience. Your business card should be like a mini-resume.
  • Join nationally recognized organizations that are related to your field of study, such as Women in Aviation.

At the end of the dinner, she had enjoyed our conversation so much that she promised to introduce me to Gulfstream, a company for which she recruits. Talking to the recruiter gave me insight into the perspective of recruiters and what they were looking for in candidates. I started to implement these techniques.  Already, my connections have broadened.

I realize that every conference is an opportunity to meet great people who share the same interest and have connections that may help me get started on my career; therefore, it is always best to put your best foot forward because, as the saying goes, “it’s not what you know, but who you know.”

Krystel Parra is a an undergraduate student in the Safety Science program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She works as a student assistant in the Career Services Office and is currently interning with Larsen Motorsports as a Safety Specialist Intern. Krystel also serves as an ambassador for the Embry-Riddle Women’s Ambassador Program.

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by eraucso on March 29, 2012  •  Permalink
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Alumni Career Spotlight: Joe Gibney

Joe Gibney, DB 1998

Joe Gibney joined Signature Flight Support more than 12 years ago and has held multiple roles within the company.He is presently in London as Vice President and Managing Director for the company’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa businesses. He earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1998, where he also served as a Presidential Fellow. 

What challenges face upcoming graduates as they transition from a college environment to the work place?

Given the current economic outlook, many companies are scaling back and not hiring.  In addition, there are lots of experienced people in the market right now.  New graduates are competing against people with significant work experience.  That makes it really important to have internships, co-ops, or past experience on your resume.  Most importantly, take the time to create relationships with people at your target companies.  This, along with good recommendations from people respected in industry, will help to open doors.  In general, but especially in this market, you need people “on the inside” pulling for you.

What recommendations do you have for candidates seeking to find international employment?

In general, unless you come with the right to work in a particular country, i.e. have an existing visa or work permit, gaining international employment can be very difficult.  Assuming this box is checked, language skills, unique knowledge or something else which differentiates a candidate will make all the difference.  The key is to ask yourself what you bring to the table that someone “in country” cannot bring.

What characteristics do you consider when interviewing someone?

I consider hiring the right people to be the single most important contribution I (and any business leader) can make to the success of the organization.  I take hiring, and thus interviewing, very seriously.  A candidate should know about the company in question and have done their research.  He or she should ask intelligent and probing questions, both to demonstrate some knowledge as well as to communicate intellectual curiosity and the desire to learn.  Basic communication, analytical and technical skills are a given – if a person can’t mark up a document in Word, perform basic analysis in Excel, or put together a coherent PowerPoint presentation, he or she is not equipped for any business role these days.  I also want to see evidence of passion, commitment, teamwork, a career plan, etc.  Lastly, a person needs to have good “fit” with the organization, share the organization’s values, etc.  I look for people who can excel in their present role, but also have the ability to grow with the business.

How has your Embry-Riddle experience helped you to advance to your current position?

Embry-Riddle was excellent preparation for my career in business aviation.  The MBA program gave me broad exposure to business, from accounting and finance, to marketing, analysis and strategy.  I can honestly report that I have used almost every course in practice.  In addition to the general business curriculum and aviation coursework, Embry-Riddle provided great exposure to the industry (reference my comment above about developing relationships with industry in order to get your “foot in the door” with a good company).  An Embry-Riddle degree is seen as a good pedigree and indicates not just educational attainment but also a passion for the business.  I certainly made the right choice going with Embry-Riddle for my graduate level education.

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by eraucso on March 26, 2012  •  Permalink
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Happy Spring Break, Students!

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by eraucso on March 19, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on March 19, 2012

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Are Life Choices Job Choices?

by Kristy Amburgey

Life throws many choices at you every day.  Some of your decisions will be simple while others will be challenging and thought-provoking.  Some choices affect little in your life, and other choices have long term impact on you.  As a job seeker and professional, you have to consider what happens at the intersection of life choices and your career path.  When do your life choices become job choices?

If there is one absolute that we can all attest to, it is that the choices you make in life follow and impact you.  This concept rings especially true in your work life and your job search life.  Really, any decision, both major and minor, you make could affect your future ability to obtain employment and remain employed.  Your life choices could become job choices at any point in time in any situation.

What do these life choices as job choices look like?  It could be anything from how you dress to how you present yourself.  It could be a passion you have, where you worked, what you did in your past or what you did not do in the past.  It could be an event in your life documented on social media, or it could be how you act when confronted with any of these choices.   Concrete examples include showing a poor attitude at work, visible tattoos or piercings, dress that challenges the industry standards, pictures of you in an irresponsible position, listing a controversial organization/club on your resume, bringing religion into the workplace and more.  More serious life and job choices can include financial decisions, decisions that challenge social and professional obligations, choices that put you in conflict with the law and decisions that compromise your integrity and reputation.

Bringing up such a sensitive topic might seem slightly out of place in the career services realm, but this area is one in which you have to be aware.  You need to have an understanding of your industry as some career fields are more conservative than others.  As you interview for positions, you need to know that employers evaluate you, not just on your skills and accomplishments, but on your fit within their team.  Remember that companies often do background checks, and these can include things such as driving records, financial history and your internet presence.  Security clearance and reference checks may bring up topics that affect you, while any indiscretion, perceived or not, may impact your hire-ability.

On the other hand, you don’t want to lose yourself and your values.  We are not asking you to change for the sake of a job, and we don’t want you to live in fear of making a mistake or making a poor decision. We all have made life choices that may not have panned out for us as we wanted or expected.  That is ok.  What we want you to take away from this is that you need to be cognizant about the decisions you make and how those choices could impact your future in a positive or negative way.  We ask that you take time to evaluate your decisions to understand how they might fit into your job search and professional growth plan.  We want you to understand that some life choices you make now may affect your future career options.  It is a tall order to ask you to think about your future as you make all your decisions.  We know that family, values, beliefs, passions, and stability are just as important in the decision-making process.  We ask that you stop and add one more point of evaluation to your decision process.  Please think about how your life choices might impact your job choices.

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by eraucso on March 15, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in General, Job Search Advice
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Posted by eraucso on March 15, 2012

http://eraucso.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/are-life-choices-job-choices/

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