Break is officially over... and while it was amazing it was way too short if you ask me. While my friends were going on exotic vacations or starting spring training, I was at home, most likely sleeping (let's be honest here). The recouperation was absolutely necessary as I enter what promises to be my craziest term to date here at WPI. IQP preparations, HU&A practicum, job searching, are quickly piling up on top of the normal courses and activities. I guess that is to be expected and is part of the love/hate (but mostly love) relationship I have with WPI. I mean if I didn't love keeping myself busy I probably would stay in my room bored out of my mind most of the time.
As for the job search, I am thinking that I am not going to pursue an internship this summer. As it stands, I am going into my Junior year and I have other obligations over the summer that would conflict with a full time internship. I am hoping to return to my previous job for the latter part of the summer, but we will see how all of that goes when we get there I guess.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
I never thought I would be an engineer. Sure I was pretty good at Math and Science and always had fun doing the weird science projects in Junior High, but I always thought I was stronger in English. Maybe I am, I'm not too sure, but I do know that I want to DO something, change something, impact something in some way, and to me that is what engineers do.
I chose to major in Mechanical Engineering for a few reasons. One being I like the flexibility with the major and the vast assortment of positions available for MEs. The other being I really really really like physics but want a major that is more hands on. Mechanical Engineering just seemed like a natural fit. I love the fact that as a sophomore, I still have the option to go into anything from BioMechanics, to Robotics, to Aerospace, to Design. It leaves open so many possibilities and gives me a chance to decide what I want to do without the added pressure of making a decision immediately. Not to mention the fact that I feel that it is a secure field that is ever changing and evolving.
I think the most important part of choosing your major is not only following your heart but trying to think about what type of job you want to have once you enter "the real world," whether you want a job designing things, researching, programming, testing, creating, or whatever, chances are you can find a major that is a perfect fit for what you want to do. For those of you who are unsure of your major, whether you are deciding between two, have absolutely no idea what you want to do, or just have some questions about your current major, the CDC has quite a few resources from self assessments, to major panels, to counselors who can walk you through every step, the CDC can make your decision much easier.
I chose to major in Mechanical Engineering for a few reasons. One being I like the flexibility with the major and the vast assortment of positions available for MEs. The other being I really really really like physics but want a major that is more hands on. Mechanical Engineering just seemed like a natural fit. I love the fact that as a sophomore, I still have the option to go into anything from BioMechanics, to Robotics, to Aerospace, to Design. It leaves open so many possibilities and gives me a chance to decide what I want to do without the added pressure of making a decision immediately. Not to mention the fact that I feel that it is a secure field that is ever changing and evolving.
I think the most important part of choosing your major is not only following your heart but trying to think about what type of job you want to have once you enter "the real world," whether you want a job designing things, researching, programming, testing, creating, or whatever, chances are you can find a major that is a perfect fit for what you want to do. For those of you who are unsure of your major, whether you are deciding between two, have absolutely no idea what you want to do, or just have some questions about your current major, the CDC has quite a few resources from self assessments, to major panels, to counselors who can walk you through every step, the CDC can make your decision much easier.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Let the interviews begin...
So it is that time of year again... the time when we all start realizing that summer is closer than it seems and we need to figure out what we are doing, in short find jobs. The interview process is beginning and I am not sure where I am going to start. I've gotten a few emails so far from the CDC with jobs that I specifically qualify for, and I must say a few of them look like great opportunities, I just really want to stay close to home for the summer, and most of them would require me living fairly far away. That being said I still think I am going to apply for those positions and see what happens, who knows maybe I just need to be more open to different possibilities. I guess we'll find out!
Also, if you happen to be starting to look at jobs and consequentially interviews, and are nervous or have any questions, stop by the CDC any time and you can find all sorts of resources, or set up a mock interview to not only get practice interviewing but also you can review your interview to see your strong points and see areas you might want to improve. It's a great opportunity especially if you have never been in an interview before because you'll be more prepared when you start having interviews with companies.
Anyways best of luck to you all!!
Also, if you happen to be starting to look at jobs and consequentially interviews, and are nervous or have any questions, stop by the CDC any time and you can find all sorts of resources, or set up a mock interview to not only get practice interviewing but also you can review your interview to see your strong points and see areas you might want to improve. It's a great opportunity especially if you have never been in an interview before because you'll be more prepared when you start having interviews with companies.
Anyways best of luck to you all!!
Friday, February 6, 2009
About the Career Fair....
So another Career Fair has come and gone and I have to say I had incredibly good intentions for this week. But school got in the way and my labs ran long so I didn't get a chance to check out the fair. Career Fairs are in my opinion one of the greatest ways to get your foot into a company, give them a face to match to your resume before you sit for an interview. All that being said, if you just so happen to be like me, don't give up hope for an internship or full time position! Keep checking in on your JobFinder account because there are new positions posted everyday. I know a few of the companies I am hoping to intern with over the summer have yet to post their positions, but I am going to keep my eyes open for any opportunities that may come up. I'll keep you up to date on my quest.
And now it is time for my shameless plug... I have far too many friends who are Juniors or Seniors asking me how to get started on their resume... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come in and visit the counselors at the CDC, even if you think you have no relevant experience to list on it, they work miracles let me tell you (yes Freshmen and Sophomores I am talking to you the "but I haven't worked before" excuses don't cut it as you have more experience than you know, it all depends on how you look at it.)
On a similar note: JobFinder is another resource I know a lot of my friends have yet to discover, or else they set it up and forgot about it. If you have yet to set up your account, go here and go to the link in the middle of the page to set it up. It only takes 2 minutes and is utterly painless I promise you. If it has been a while since you used it and have no idea what your email address is, stop by the CDC and they can reset it for you, AND give you information on the best ways to utilize your account. In addition to job postings there are also useful handouts and podcasts to help you in your search.
I hope you all had a good time at the Career Fair!
And now it is time for my shameless plug... I have far too many friends who are Juniors or Seniors asking me how to get started on their resume... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come in and visit the counselors at the CDC, even if you think you have no relevant experience to list on it, they work miracles let me tell you (yes Freshmen and Sophomores I am talking to you the "but I haven't worked before" excuses don't cut it as you have more experience than you know, it all depends on how you look at it.)
On a similar note: JobFinder is another resource I know a lot of my friends have yet to discover, or else they set it up and forgot about it. If you have yet to set up your account, go here and go to the link in the middle of the page to set it up. It only takes 2 minutes and is utterly painless I promise you. If it has been a while since you used it and have no idea what your email address is, stop by the CDC and they can reset it for you, AND give you information on the best ways to utilize your account. In addition to job postings there are also useful handouts and podcasts to help you in your search.
I hope you all had a good time at the Career Fair!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Career Fair Preparations
The career fair is less than a week away, and there is oh so much to do. In theory by this point, I have re-touched my resume, researched the companies attending, and perused the job opportunities available but per usual I have procrastinated. I guess I just keep thinking that the summer is still quite a few months away and that I have all the time in the world to figure these things out....... :-) well I can dream right? Luckily, the CDC has a ton of resources that will make my life a whole lot easier.
I just have to say that I really like my resume. Before the fall career fair I got it critiqued by both the CDC counselors and by a recruiter, which gave me a few different perspectives on it, and now I just have to find a way to squish a few more details onto the page and then I think I'll be golden as far as that is concerned.
The research shouldn't really take too long either, because I can check out which companies are attending the career fair through JobFinder, and look up their profiles to see what majors they're looking for. If you go into the fair prepared with some form of a plan, it will make the whole process go so much smoother, think of it like shopping on Black Friday: you need to plan out a path and see which stops you want to make along the way (ok that made more sense in my head but you get the analogy). The layout of the fair is not available til the day of the fair, but I figure if I know where I want to go, I can determine the rest of my plan of attack before heading in.
I'm really not positive on what type of job I am looking for, which I think is the biggest hurdle I have to overcome before the fair. I am a Mechanical Engineering major, and I have had an awesome internship in the past, but I wasn't doing the type of work I hope to do when I graduate (which I'm still unsure of). I have my eye on either alternative energy or robotics, but in reality I just want to get as much experience as I can at this point. I'm going into the career fair with an open mind and I'll let you know how it goes!
Other than that I just think I need to find an iron and then I think I'll be good. Here's my random tip for the day: bring some type of small bag to the career fair, you'll thank me later and you won't loose those crucial business cards.
Good luck and thanks for reading!
I just have to say that I really like my resume. Before the fall career fair I got it critiqued by both the CDC counselors and by a recruiter, which gave me a few different perspectives on it, and now I just have to find a way to squish a few more details onto the page and then I think I'll be golden as far as that is concerned.
The research shouldn't really take too long either, because I can check out which companies are attending the career fair through JobFinder, and look up their profiles to see what majors they're looking for. If you go into the fair prepared with some form of a plan, it will make the whole process go so much smoother, think of it like shopping on Black Friday: you need to plan out a path and see which stops you want to make along the way (ok that made more sense in my head but you get the analogy). The layout of the fair is not available til the day of the fair, but I figure if I know where I want to go, I can determine the rest of my plan of attack before heading in.
I'm really not positive on what type of job I am looking for, which I think is the biggest hurdle I have to overcome before the fair. I am a Mechanical Engineering major, and I have had an awesome internship in the past, but I wasn't doing the type of work I hope to do when I graduate (which I'm still unsure of). I have my eye on either alternative energy or robotics, but in reality I just want to get as much experience as I can at this point. I'm going into the career fair with an open mind and I'll let you know how it goes!
Other than that I just think I need to find an iron and then I think I'll be good. Here's my random tip for the day: bring some type of small bag to the career fair, you'll thank me later and you won't loose those crucial business cards.
Good luck and thanks for reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
