#julia eger

[ocsharvard]

One of our bloggers reports from the recent Careers in Africa panel, sharing nine tips for work in Africa—and beyond! Panelists included Freeman Awindaogo, MPH ’14; Lydia Hsu, EdM ’14; Laura Melle, MPP ’15; Seni Sulyman, MBA ’14; and Kerry Williams, MPA ’14.

Here are nine things you must know if you want to go into a career in Africa: 

1. School is just a toolkit

A diversity of degrees is good for any post-graduate career. But don’t forget the other skills that can be even more important — can you learn quickly? Can you work well with other people? Can you think on your feet?

2. Have a vision

It’s critical to have a general vision of what you want to accomplish in your career. With a vision you can basically sway in the wind. You can take different skills from different jobs and apply them to get to where you want to be.

3. Embrace the awkward

In Africa, it’s going to be awkward to begin to assimilate to an entirely new culture. Don’t shy away from that. Use the language barrier to your advantage. Ask questions that push the boundaries, think of everything as a cultural exchange. Go in with an open mind.

4. Be flexible

For those considering fellowships, there is a lot of flexibility and opportunity to structure your time the way you want it. You’ll have the opportunity to meet so many people outside of your bubble. Enjoy this flexibility, even if you don’t necessarily have a plan.

5. Explore beyond the city

Sometimes, living in a smaller community outside of the city can be a better expatriate experience because you can work more directly with members of the community. Living outside the city is often a better way to integrate into the culture.

6. Be aware of your impact

If you’re going out in the world to “do good,” be aware that your good intentions might have unintended consequences. Spend time listening and looking at what’s going on around you.

7. Watch out for corruption

Be extremely careful about the company or organization you’re working for, and who runs it. Make sure you do your research before you start because corruption can be a huge issue.

8. Don’t stick to your plan

You’ll find out that it’s not about having a plan, but it’s about life’s plan for you. If you try to follow a path, you’ll just fall off of it. Branch out. Expect the unexpected.

9. Write home

Even if your work is based in Africa, you have a responsibility to educate people in the United States about what’s happening in these countries. Help spread awareness of what you’re working on.

OCS adviser Loredana George welcomes guest panelists.

Regional cuisine enjoyed during the event.

Julia Eger, ’14

Careers in Africa was cosponsored by: The Office of Career Services, The Committee on African Studies, Harvard Africa Business Investment Club (HABIC), and Harvard African Student Association (HASA).

[ocsharvard]

OCS recently hosted three experts in humor. Bill Braudis (a TV animation writer), Kelly Dooley (an improv actor), and Caitlin Durante (a stand-up comedian), offered the following tips for a career in comedy: 

1. Have a wide variety of sample jokes. You never know when someone might need extra jokes, and that could be your big break. Have two or three scripts ready, and maybe fifty jokes. 

3. If you want to be a stand-up comedian, start with open mics. Always expand on old jokes. You need to have a strong core, and then build upon it.

4. If you have a five minute spot, you should have ten minutes of material prepared. Know your jokes well, and write new ones constantly.

5. In the beginning, accept that you're not going to make much money. But eventually, you’ll meet people who book shows. Find an agent to get you paid gigs.

6. Live in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, or Boston. A place like Boston gives you the opportunity to make mistakes and learn before you go to a bigger city. LA is better for sitcoms and films. New York is skewed more toward stand-up.

7. If you can make a room full of comedians laugh, then you know you’re on the right track. It’s hard to make comedians laugh.

8. Finding your “voice” will take awhile. You have to be comfortable with yourself. Your voice isn't something you can consciously develop; it comes organically over time.

9. If you publish on YouTube, share only a small snippet. While it's important to have an online presence, keep most of your material private. You want people to know you’re funny, but don’t want to give it all away.

Julia Eger, ’14

[ocsharvard]

If you want to work in a career in opera, don’t expect a typical daily routine.

“I try to have as many gigs as I can handle at once without going totally crazy,” said Grace Laubacher ’09, a set designer in New York and a panelist at last week’s OCS event featuring careers in opera. “No one day is the same. One day might involve a concept meeting with a director, working through a piece and figuring out what we’re doing with it. Other days I might have meetings about specifics, like figuring out how tall a single stair is going to be on a set. A lot of what I do is collaborative, but a lot is working on my own finding out how to articulate what’s in my mind and what to do with it.”

Andrew Altenbach, an opera coach and music director at Boston Conservatory, divides his days across his various positions. “I try to spend the morning hours studying the actual art itself, when my mind is the most open and I am the most creative. Later, I’ll coach singers one-on-one and give them feedback on language and tone – and make sure they’re singing Mozart like Mozart. I usually have rehearsals for opera in the evenings, and write a lot of emails at night,” he said. “So much of what you do to carry on your career in this industry is to stay in touch with people, keep continuing to do upstart stuff. There’s this huge administrative component that is always mixed in that you don’t always think of.”

“You have to ask yourself questions like: what is your plan? What is your mission going to be? What are you going to say yes to, and what are you going to say no to?” she said. “Not everyone has a strong enough mission in this field to make a living off of it. Is that going to be criteria for what you say yes or no to? Time is an important resource.”

“Keeping that steady pipeline going is really useful,” panelist Graham Wright added. “But there’s a certain point when you’re extending yourself too far and not giving your best anymore because you’re committed to too many things. Remember that people will get over you saying ‘no’ because you’re overwhelmed, but if you say ‘yes’ and you don’t perform well, they won’t forget that.”

With this in mind, networking is key for this industry. “One way to get more work down the pipeline is to work on having a big network full of people that will be thinking of you when they hear of a position opening. I once wrote to someone regularly for three years and never got a response; things don’t always pay off in the short term,” Andrew said. “But other times they really do. Making these connections along the way and thinking about how your connections connect you to others is crucial.”

Finally, it’s important to keep every project in perspective. “One of the things I’ve learned to start doing is not to think about every individual project but about each project fulfilling a part of my work as a whole,” Grace said. “Be open to as many opportunities as possible that will build a picture of your work and build a network. You just never know in five months, a year, or five years what the people you meet now are going to be doing.”

  Julia Eger, ’14

[ocsharvard]

Writing is an essential skill. It’s something that you learn at an early age, and, to some degree, something that plays into any job. So if you want to work in a career that focuses on writing, you face a double-edged sword: there are a lot of options out there for you, but it can be hard to choose. 

At OCS last week, panelists came together to discuss their various careers that incorporated their writing skills – from social media to reporting to public relations. 

“In college I always thought I ought to be a lawyer – I knew what I should do, something that would make money,” said panelist Nate Tobey, who now works in social media at FRONTLINE. “Then I took time to think about things I really loved that nobody required me to love: movies and television. I applied to PBS publishing, and now I work at FRONTLINE.”

Erin Caron, who works in public relations at the Greater Boston Food Bank, studied public relations in college and knew that she wanted to use her words in media. A regular day for her is coming up with talking points and speeches for her CEO, talking about press releases with PR team, and chasing down statistics.

“And my typical day is coming into the office, taking a look at my to-do list, and promptly throwing it in the recycling bin,” she added. “There’s a lot of unpredictability in my work – keeping up with what’s in the news that day and how that could affect an event with have, etc.” 

Across the board, flexibility and the ability to think on your feet is a key factor regardless of position. 

“I basically work in a field that is ADD. Social media is an embodiment of ADD,” Nate said. “Trying to sort through thousands of tweets is kind of intense. And it’s hard to turn FRONTLINE’s in-depth stories into 140 character tweets. In my particular job, the biggest downside is that I don’t get to interact too much with people in the real world. I spend a lot of time engaging with them online, but I spend a lot of time in front of a computer.”

“Flexibility is really important. But what I love about my job is getting to write something and have it be read and shared by people, knowing you're making a difference,” Erin said.

“As a reporter, you have to have a thick skin. You have to be prepared to be rejected from a pitch, or not feel bad if a source doesn’t want to speak to you,” David said. “But I love getting to meet people, getting to know their stories. And I enjoy trying to figure out how to structure a narrative, recreating an interview for a reader in the way you want.”

Regardless of what you’re writing, knowing your audience is essential to connecting with them and making an impact.

“In social media especially, engagement strategy is key. What would get people to share this with their family or friends?” Nate said. “You have to know what they want.”

You have to know your audience and how to get their attention,” Erin said. “I could sit at my desk all day and write a great speech, but that doesn’t mean anyone will be receptive if I don’t understand who I’m writing for.

“In order to read people and connect to an audience, a lot of reporting is just listening to whoever you want to connect with, not just hearing what they're saying,” David said. “You have to work to pick up on social cues and nonverbal communications. And you have to have a willingness to take risks at the right time.”

With so many careers that emphasize writing, in the end, it is about choosing what feels right.

“It’s very important that you know what you're actually passionate about. What you're passionate about is what you will do well. If you're not passionate about something, you'll feel like you're walking on a treadmill going nowhere,” Nate said. “Doing the work to figure out what you really love is so essential for your career choice.”

  Julia Eger, ’14

[ocsharvard]

Over 11% of Harvard students go into education directly after graduation. That's a big percentage. But with so many different pathways to get to the classroom, how do they all get there?

For the first time at OCS this past Thursday, a panel of teachers came together to discuss how they began their teaching career. 

There's no "one path"

Some teachers don't expect to go into education at all, but just find themselves drawn in by a cause. 

Others know from the beginning. "I always thought maybe I wanted to be a teacher, because I had some extremely influential and phenomenal teachers throughout my schooling," said Erik Berg '89, who currently works as a teacher at John D. Philbrick Elementary School. "Public schools are one of the few venues in which people in all walks of life -- at their best -- come together. It's a very fundamental job, what a teacher does -- I like to think about making a change in the world 22 kids at a time."

Alternatively, student-teaching programs are a popular kind of trial run to help you determine if teaching is right for you. Ann Cheng '12, who now works at Community Charter School of Cambridge, first got involved in teaching by participating in the Harvard Undergraduate Teacher Education Program (UTEP) while at Harvard. "The biggest 'pro' of this whole experience has been student teaching with UTEP, and getting to spend a year in the classroom letting a teacher show me how to do things," she said. "Teaching is an art and a profession in the way being a lawyer or doctor is, so I feel really lucky approaching it in a way like this." 

It isn't easy

Like panelists Deanna Vasilakis and Molly Bryson, Erik entered into the teaching sphere through TFA, which he described as a difficult experience. He cautioned against jumping into programs like TFA if you don't have much teaching experience and are not entirely sure of your decision. "There is so much you don't even realize you have to learn, but I would really encourage you all to think about if you want to do teaching for a career."

"But jumping to the front of the classroom as a 22-year-old with really little teaching experience is a struggle," added Deanna, a TFA veteran who now works in Uncommon Schools. "What's worse was looking at my students knowing they deserve the absolute best, and knowing I might not be able to give that to them because I didn't have a lot of experience and wasn't getting a lot of support."

"When you're motivated by and choosing to navigate poverty, it brings a ton of additional mental and emotional challenges -- like watching students that you love have to work so much more than their affluent peers to have access to the same things," said Molly. "But this is the most purposeful thing I have been a part of. I think we [TFA] still have a lot of room to grow and I want to be part of it."

Despite the challenges, panelists unanimously agreed that at the end of the day, the struggle is always worth it. 

"I think of myself as an artist with my medium being people," Ann said. "It is incredibly emotionally hard work. But it is so rewarding."

  Julia Eger, ’14

[ocsharvard]

Student Blogger Snapshot: Advertising, Marketing, & Public Relations Expo

Considering a career in communications? OCS has gathered the biggest names in Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations for the annual AMP Expo this Friday from 2-5pm. While there are 20+ organizations set to participate, here are the top ten organizations our student blogger's AMPed to see!

NutraClick What it is: A technology-enabled, digital marketing company that builds natural health brands. Fun fact: In February, NutraClick rebranded from the name Hungryfish Media; it has grown from two to 220 employees, and launched six distinct fitness brands.

Burson-Marsteller What it is: A leading global public relations and communications firm. Fun fact: The company is primarily known for its crisis management services and political lobbying. In 2010, Burson-Marsteller helped save the Dutch Broadcasting Orchestras from budget cuts by organizing "flash mob orchestras."

Hill Holliday What it is: One of the top marketing agencies in the country, with more than 850 employees in the country. Fun fact: In 2013, Hill Holliday was ranked the 14th largest Advertising Agency in the U.S. with estimated revenue at $184M. Recent work includes TV spots for Bank of America, Cadillac, Dunkin Donuts, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and The Partnership at Drugfree.org.

Pandemic Labs What it is: A Boston-based social media marketing agency dedicated to helping brands navigate the ever-changing world of new media to create marketing success. Fun Fact: The Pandemic Labs blog reviews the social media strategies of various brands and organizations, including The Nerdist, Odwalla, and the Obama / Romney campaigns. 

The Ad Club What it is: The trade association for the New England marketing & communications industry; the Ad Club presents over 30 events and programs every year. Fun fact: At their annual Rosoff Awards event, the Ad Club gives scholarships to students in Boston Public Schools who show an interest in the advertising community.

Tribal Vision What it is: A marketing consulting firm whose mission is to help small and mid-size companies market smarter. Fun fact: In June, Vice President and Partner of TribalVision Damien Cabral was announced as the winner of the 2013 Providence Business News 40 Under Forty Award.

Vistaprint What it is: A company that empowers 15 million microbusiness and consumers annually with affordable, professional print and digital solutions. Fun fact: Vistaprint is the 6th largest public printing company and has offices in 12 countries, including France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Jamaica.

Weber Shandwick What it is: A leading global public relations firm with offices in 81 countries around the world. Fun fact: For their United Nations Foundation Sustainable Energy for All campaign, Weber Shandwick created a powerful communications plan that led to a 45% increase in social conversation around sustainable energy.

4A’s What it is: An American advertising agency trade association. Fun fact: Founded in 1917, 4A's membership produces approximately 80 percent of the total advertising volume placed by agencies nationwide.

Julia Eger, ’14

[ocsharvard]

Ahead of Its Time: Celebrating the Weissman International Internship Program

From left to right: Naimonu James '14, Mateus Falci '14, Harriet Weissman, Paul Weissman '52, and Li Murphy ‘15.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Weissman International Internship Program, a program that has provided financial support for close to 600 students’ summer internships since its inception in 1994. It was designed to offer an exceptional opportunity for professional and personal growth through a combination of work, observation, instruction, and cultural immersion.

Faculty members, Weissman program alumni, and members of the Weissman family gathered at the Faculty Room in University Hall this past Thursday to celebrate the program’s success and growth over the past 20 years, and to honor Paul AB ’52 and Harriet Weissman for their incredible dedication to enhancing the summer experiences of Harvard undergraduates.

From left to right: Harriet Weissman, President Drew Faust, and Paul Weissman '52.

579 interns have benefited from this program since 1994 – on six continents and in 87 countries. The Weissmans are known to serve as “adopted grandparents” to the students who receive funding from their program, meeting with these students in the spring before they embark on their journeys and again in the fall to hear how their summer experience has changed them.

“It gives Harriet and me tremendous satisfaction to have gotten to know close to 600 undergraduates since we started this program,” Mr. Weissman said. 

“These interns are so inspirational, and indeed make us feel optimistic about the future, because these students and those before them are going to be integral to the future,” Mrs. Weissman added. “I have to look to the people at OCS who have done such a great job of implementing and supporting this program.”

Dean Jay Harris also spoke at the event to thank the Weissman family.

“It's very rare for something 20 years old still to be fresh and speaking to a young audience,” Dean Jay Harris said. “The Weissman program was very much ahead of its time. There was a kind of passive resistance at the time of having students going abroad, but the college has caught up to their vision. Now we look to promote international experiences.”

Ultimately, Dean Harris added, students in the Weissman program are rewarded for being risk takers. They go off to places where their typical support system is not in place, where the unexpected is expected -- and they have to figure things out on their own. This is certainly true for Weissman interns Li Murphy ‘15, who spent eight weeks in Kurdistan working with migratory beekeepers; Naimonu James '14, who spent her summer working in Malaysia at a contemporary art gallery; and Mateus Falci '14, who spent the past summer as the first-ever international intern at a film production company in Brazil.

To honor the Weissmans for their past 20 years of generosity and service, program alumni bestowed Paul and Harriet with an engraved display of 87 flags from the 87 countries in which the Weissman interns have traveled. 

Julia Eger, ’14

[ocsharvard]

Boston Globe Career Trek

Students got a special tour of the office by Emily Sweeney, a staff reporter who specializes in suburban news. “It’s never a dull moment here,” she said. “I cover everything from clown conventions to local fires.” She is one of 100 staff reporters that write regularly for the Globe.

Perhaps the visit to the newsroom wasn’t as chaotic as it is in the movies – no phones ringing off the hook, and no papers tossed in the air – but the office did boast some surprises, including some Boston memorabilia like a World Series ring and a samurai sword that the office had collected along the way.

The tour highlighted the office’s media lab, which experiments with Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and works to keep the office on the pulse of changing technology and social media. With a large open space with large windows and lots of desk space, the lab has a startup vibe with the motto: “you can’t predict the future, but you can show up for the present.”

The lab has a large display of an Instagram feed that instantaneously populates photos with a #Boston hashtag; since the lab is centrally located within the building and has such large windows, every employee walks past and notices the lab at least once a day. One of the employees who works in the lab, Chris Marstall, explained that there are ways social media are making newspaper irrelevant because people are directly reporting their own news via social media. The Instagram display in the media lab is a reminder of the evolving form of news.

Students on the trek also got to enjoy an extensive conversation with regional editor David Dahl about the future of the newspaper. David also touched on the shift in the way the Globe has begun publishing news – for instance, they publish news 24 hours a day on their websites, Boston.com and BostonGlobe.com. These two digital forms of their website are variants of each other: Boston.com is non-subscription based and more entertainment-driven, where BostonGlobe.com is subscription based and offers more traditional news.

“We are trying to continue to grow readership and engagement with audience,” David explained. “We have been preoccupied with making ourselves digital on multiple platforms.” This means interacting with readers on Facebook and Twitter, and getting story ideas from social media platforms. Social media is a lot of work, but by attempting at face-to-face and hand-to-hand interaction, The Boston Globe is working to get user content and engage on a new level with readers – and students got to witness the revolutionary endeavors of this historic publication firsthand.

Julia Eger, ’14

Learn more about newsroom staff and careers at The Boston Globe.