UAlbany Peer Career Bloggers

Welcome to our UAlbany Peer Career Blog! This is a student run blog documenting individual career development through school, work, and post graduate plans. Through sharing our own experiences, we are here for advice and encouragement as you proceed... Stop by the Office of Career and Professional Development for career-related services such as career counseling, mock interviews, job/internship search assistance, and resume and cover letter critiques. Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

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Why you should become a Peer Career Advisor (PCA)

Being a PCA is more than critiquing #resumes & cover letters, its about being a #Peer Influencer. By assisting your peers in their career development, not only are you teaching them how to assemble a stronger, more detailed resume and cover letter, you are instilling hope. 

Often times, students will come to a PCA seeking advice and answers to career-related questions. What I mean by that is, sometimes students will ask questions like “I’m an English major but I don’t know what career I can pursue once I graduate. Can you help me?” In this case, no resume/cover letter critique is necessary. In this instance, you suggest a resource your peer could use such as, http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/. It is a site that helps you connect majors to careers. 

Or you might encounter a situation like this... 

In this case, you would want to talk to the student a little bit more about why they’d want to change their major, before you offer any advice or recommendations. Afterwards, you can point the student to a career counselor and advise them to make an appointment as soon as possible or you can tell them to see an academic advisor. 

As a PCA, I’d like to think of myself as a compass. Sounds weird, I know but once you put it in into perspective, it makes a lot of sense. Students will come to you for directions. They can ask for direction on how to revamp their resumes, how to write a cover letter, or even how to conduct job and internship search. PCAs are the bridge to career-related resources and results. 

Becoming a PCA was one of the best choices I’ve made during my undergraduate career. Its a very rewarding feeling when a students tells you that they got the job/internship that you critiqued their resume/cover letter for. 

If you are interested in leadership, building a sense of community, or genuinely love providing others with the necessary tools and resources to succeed, then becoming a PCA maybe the right choice for you. 

APPLY via Handshake by searching “Peer Career Advisor”, by April 14th!

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5 Tips for Nailing the Job and Internship Fair

Hey #UAlbany! The Job and Internship Fair is on Tuesday, February 21st. It will take place at SEFCU Arena from 12-5pm. There will be over 130 employers willing to network with students of ALL majors. Many students may not know what to expect or how to prepare for the fair, especially if they’ve never been to one before. Don’t worry, here are some tips for nailing the Job and Internship Fair:

1. Do your research.

I cannot stress this enough! Doing your research on the employers that are attending the fair is the best thing you can do. I strongly suggest that you do research on the employers you want to meet in particular. Having prior knowledge on employers will allow you to optimize the couple seconds you will get when you get to tell them your elevator pitch. You’d be able to quickly show why you’re interested and what you can offer to the company. You can find a list of employers attending the Job and Internship Fair on the ‘UAlbany Events Guide App (Available on iOS and Andriod) or via Handshake: https://albany.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/726/employers_list

2. Dress Professionally

Dress professionally and appropriately. Dress as if you were going to go to a job interview. First impressions count and at the Job and Internship Fair, the first thing employers will notice is what you’re wearing. If you need some outfit inspiration, google “business attire” or “professional wear”. If you do not own a suit, there are other alternatives. Ladies, I suggest wearing black dress pants, a black blazer, and black flats. You can pair that up with a nice blouse underneath. Men, you should definitely go for a suit and tie but a black pant, dress shoes and blazers can work as well. Dress to impress, it will show your professionalism and responsibility! 

3. Prepare an Elevator Pitch

What is an elevator pitch? According to the University of California, its a brief 30 second speech that communicates to an employer, who you are, what you are looking for and what you can bring to the company or organization. It’s called an elevator pitch because it should last as long as it takes for someone to ride from the bottom to the top of a building in an elevator. This is why doing research on employers is so important, that way you’ll know what the employer and company wants/needs.

4. Prepare your Resume

Giving an employer your resume at the Job and Internship Fair is the last impression you can make on him/her. They will have that resume to look back at, especially when they’re considering potential employees or interns. If you need help updating and revamping your resume, I suggest you come to the Office of Career and Professional Development (CPD) in SL-G50 to see one of the Peer Career Advisors (PCA) for a resume critique. PCAs are available for Drop Ins Monday - Friday from 9-5pm except the day of the Fair. The office of CPD will be closed that day. Stop by! After your resume is polished, print multiple copies to hand out to employers.

5. Be Yourself

Last but not least, be yourself. Being true to who you are will show employers your authenticity. It will set you apart from the hundreds of students that will attend the fair.

GOOD LUCK!

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Overload! (Tyler)

Don’t Stress!

As you prepare for your final exams, try not to stress too much about them! Stress will only damage your overall performance, so make sure you take breaks often. With that being said, try to give yourself an adequate amount of time to review your material.

But most of all, get enough sleep and eat right! Don’t let hunger or sleep deprivation become an obstacle that limits you from killing that final and receiving an A. If you stay focused and limit things that have potential to become distractions, you’ll be sure to score high on your exams. Don’t forget, after these exams you get to go home! 

There is always light at the end of the tunnel.

“Light at the End of the Tunnel” by John McCullough

Ace those exams!

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The Bittersweet Journey to Finals -Diandra

I know. I know. You must be thinking, “How can finals be sweet?!”

Well, the answer is that although finals week is fast approaching, that means the semester is almost over, Christmas is around the corner, and we’ll have an actual vacation with no homework to do!

Don’t be a Grinch! The key to making it through finals is having a positive mindset. That may be easier said than done but it is not impossible. Pacing yourself and organizing your time is the secret to success, I should know since this is my third year of experiencing the wrath of Finals.

During my freshman year, while I was a Business Administration major, all of my finals consisted of exams. And now that I’m an English major, all of my finals consists of papers. A lot of people think it’s easier to have papers as opposed to exams but let me tell you my friends, that is not true! I’m equally stressed as any of my fellow peers.

If necessary, go to office hours or the Writing Center. Take the initiative and the steps that will ensure you success. For those of you stressing and procrastinating, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Be organized, be mindful, study hard, prioritize, and everything will fall into place. Only two more weeks until you can binge watch Netflix all day!

May the curve be ever in your favor! Just kidding, you got this! We got this!

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The Countdown Begins- Amanda

I hope everyone had a good first week back from break! Next Wednesday is officially the last day of classes. This semester has definitely gone by quickly. I hope everyone is getting prepared for their various of finals, papers, and projects that are heading their way. 

Finals week or I should say final week(s) is a time that mostly all students dread. With all the all-nighters and various assignments anyone can understand why. I just wanted to say that it is okay to be stressed, but just remember to take breaks to keep your energy up.

Just remember that it will all be over soon. Realize that you have done this before and that you will get through it again. If you are a freshman, it is okay to feel a little overwhelmed, it’s completely natural.

Each one of has what it takes to succeed this semester. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Even when the situation doesn’t look the best, know that there is a next time. You have to continue working for the best person you can be. We got this!

Hope everyone has great weekend!

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Survival Kit (Jacob)

Have any of you read the book The Hatchet?

If you have or if you fell asleep in you 5th grade class, I’ll give you a quick Sparknotes version of the book. Brian, a 13-year-old boy gets into a plane crash and has to survive on a deserted island all by himself. With just a hatchet, rifle, and an emergency transmitter to his name, he is forced to survive on his own, overcoming struggles that we take advantage of on a daily basis (i.e. starting a fire from scratch, building shelter for himself, etc.). 

Luckily, we aren’t on an island all by ourselves, we are here at UAlbany! And I am going to share with you some of the personal items in my survival kit to complete this semester on a high note. 

1. Maintain a positive attitude: Remember there is no amount of work that is too much to overcome

 2. Keep an open dialogue with your professor: Hopefully you have a relationship built already, but don’t stress if you don’t. They are there to help! Stroll into office hours and ask for help with your studies and see if there is some extra credit that will help that report card of yours. 

3. Know your schedule: Map out a plan of what your week will look like and allocate the proper amount of time for every part of your schedule down to the last minute (including those trips to the vending machine).

4. Keep going to class: Skipping that 8:45 economics lesson seems like a really good idea when you are rubbing the crust out of your eyes in the morning, but keep grinding and you will be rewarded with review notes and hopefully some hints on the exam ☺ 

I will leave you with two quotes that you should carry with you during your studies that can be found in The Hatchet. 

“The most important rule of survival, which was that feeling sorry for yourself didn’t work.”

“That's all it took to solve problems - just sense.” 

See you on the other side!

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Final Motivation (Tyler)

Well, December is finally here. Can you believe it? The semester is finally coming to an end. Thanksgiving was a well deserved break, but now we have entered the final push. The last hurrah.

Here’s some tips to prep for finals:

1.)    Take a moment to map out a plan of attack for finals week. Lookup your finals schedule, and list them on a calendar that you will see every day. This will remind you of your deadlines and keep you motivated to do something about it!

2.)    Spend at least an hour a day to look over the material for your tests. Instead of cramming the night before and wasting your last few munch money cents at the vending machine at 1:00am, study in little sessions throughout your day! Trust me, it all adds up.

 3.)    Reward yourself. After studying for a bit, play some video games or scroll through social media. Do whatever you enjoy doing! These natural activities make a difference when it comes to studying.

 4.)    Meet with your professors. Ask them “what is the best way to prepare for your exam?” This will impress your professors, since you took the time to personally ask them. It’s their exam, so the more you know from them, the better!

 These little tips can be of HUGE aid when finals arrive at your doorstep. I wish you all the best of luck!

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Thankful for my job -Diandra

Last but not least....I’d like to share my gratitude for retail.

Everyone that has worked retail can tell you, it is not always sunshine and daisies but then again, what job is? 

Most college and high school students typically work retail because it is an entry level job that typically doesn’t require prior experience.  Although working in sales can be bittersweet, it is a great way to gain experience and professionalism.

The key to retail is providing customer service. Putting the customer first can be a humbling experience.

Working in sales exposes you to different environments, people, and situations. By working in retail for the last 3 years, I gained time management, organizational, and interpersonal skills. I can apply each of these skills to my academic and professional career.

Overall, I’m thankful for my current and previous jobs in sales for all they have taught me and the growth and maturity that I have gained as a result.

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Thankful for Professors - Mikala

Professors are some of the most resourceful people on this campus. In the big lecture centers it is easy to get lost in the swarm of students.

Something that seems to never cross students’ minds is that your professors were students not that long ago. Another thing that is important to remember is if you are taking a class for your major, they are more than likely to be interested in the same field that you are interested in.

In general, professors are very approachable people.

In my personal experience, I am thankful for my neuropsych professor, Dr. Wagner. As an athlete, I have had to miss quite a bit of class, and she has always accommodated time in her schedule to review and teach me the missed lectures. When I went in to office hours for the first time, I was very nervous. I was very unsure of what to expect. I am embarrassed to say it took me until my senior year to visit a professor for office hours. After meeting with Dr. Wagner, I realized it was one of my biggest mistakes in college.

I am thankful with the connection I made with one of my professors. If you have not become close with a professor already, I really encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and go into office hours.

Also you never know when you may need a letter of recommendation.

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Education is key- Amanda

Thanksgiving is over. I hope everyone had a wonderful day with their family and friends. As it is the day after Thanksgiving, I have to say I am thankful for my ability to obtain an education. 

Being an African American woman, I know there are people somewhere across the world who look just like me are not given the opportunity to have an education. As college students, we all complain about work and being stressed. There are people our age who would love to be given the opportunity to learn about anything if they were just given a chance. 

I’m grateful that I was able to pick a major that makes me happy because I never wanted to feel that regret. I’m happy that I have the opportunity to celebrate what I love and acquiring knowledge that has helped me grow as a person.

As this semester comes to a close, and finals week approach, I have to say I’m grateful for all the struggles that accompanied me along the way.  No matter how big or small they have helped me become the person I am today.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!

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Thank You College Breaks! -Tyler

Thanksgiving is almost here! For most of us college students, this will be the first time going home since our departure in August. I will be honest, I have been waiting for a home cooked meal far too long. Before we travel back to our domains, take some time to reflect on this semester. What are you thankful for? Has college solidified what home means to you?

I am thankful for college breaks. Think about it, we are finally able to unplug from the everyday burden college has on our lives! We are finally able to see our family after months of separation, and have almost a week of NO STRESS!

Also, college breaks give us the opportunity to catch up with old friends from high school. I love catching up with my old gang, sharing stories about our semesters so far as we relax in front of my Nintendo WiiU.

Who loves going to bed without setting an alarm clock? Me! College break offers a time to yourself which means sleep, and more sleep!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday, and enjoy your time off!

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Thankful for my Uncle Rob  -Diandra

Do you have that one family member that is always there for you? Some of us may have more than one, as do I but I’d like to take a moment to thank my uncle Rob.

My uncle Rob has supported through every single decision I’ve made during my college career.

He graduated from Buffalo State in 2000, unlike my other uncles (I have 6), he was the only one to dorm during his college career. He has always been a wealth of knowledge for me. Also, the fact that he is the youngest of all my uncles and graduated college most recently, always made him easy to relate to.

Although he has lived in Georgia for most of my life, that never stopped him from being present. Once I became a senior in high school, he turned his attention to me and made sure I was on the right track, whether that meant talking to me on the phone for hours or emailing me information and advice.

He helped me with applying to schools, editing my college essays, and the worst part of the college application process, the FAFSA.

Now that I’m a junior, whenever I reflect on decisions I’ve made during my college career thus far, I always remember what my uncle told me,

“Don’t tell yourself "no”, let someone else tell you.“

Every time I’m in a situation where I’m unsure, nervous, or doubtful in terms of my career development, I use that piece of advice as a mantra.

So thank you uncle Rob for showing me that I should always look at everything as a limitless opportunity for growth and prosperity.

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Teammates - Mikala

I am thankful for volleyball.

What a stereotypical athlete response… but in reality, I have learned so much from the 11 years that I have dedicated to it.

 There are so many aspects that I am thankful for in volleyball: the coaches, the life lessons, the hard work, the competitiveness, etc...

However, today, I am the most thankful for my teammates.

This season, I have been surrounded by the best teammates I could ever imagine.

Together we have danced, traveled, laughed, cried, and laughed until we cried. However, at the end of the day we always remain focused on our overall goal… a conference championship.

Today is the end of our journey for the America East title. I could not be more proud of every single one of these girls…. Let’s go Danes.

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Thankful for Diversity- Amanda

I grew up in Manhattan, more specifically Harlem.  Most of my friends were either black or came from a Hispanic background, that was the community I grew up in. It wasn’t until my freshman here at the University at Albany that I really experienced different cultures and actually living with them. My roommates freshman year were Chinese and Israeli. Then I also had four other suite mates that were of different ethnicities: Guyanese, Korean, Jamaican, and Portuguese. This was the first time I was exposed to so many different cultures at one time. There were points where we didn’t get along, but the fact we all came from different backgrounds never ceased to making living together interesting.

We are all currently students who will eventually enter the workforce, and will have to interact with people who are different from us. My roommate who is Israeli became one of my closest friends here and my roommate during my sophomore year. We have so much in common. Since we came from different backgrounds, our conversations were always insightful. I begin to realize that within differences there are similarities.  I’m grateful for the diversity at this school. There are so many different ethnicities here, it truly makes you realize how big and small the world is. 

I remember that during the spring semester of my freshman year, I brought back ‘bun and cheese’ which is a common dish that is eaten during Good Friday in my culture and my roommate brought back Matza crackers from her culture.  We exchanged dishes and it was a wonderful moment for me. I love being exposed to new perspectives, trying new foods, and learning. Now being a junior here, I am thankful for my experience freshman year and being placed within a diverse group of individuals. Everyone is different, but then we are also the same. Coming to college has allowed me to become more open and aware of the people that I meet and interact with every day.

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Thankful for Google (Jacob)

I dare you!

Go to your Google search history and see the last 3 things you’ve looked up. I’ll share with you what I found.

The last 3 questions I asked on Google are as follows:

1.      Where is the cheapest barber in Albany?

2.      What is the best Black Friday deals in Roosevelt Field?

3.      Why is Fanduel considered gambling?

 From those questions I realized two things. The first is that I really care about how I spend my money and the second is that I rely on Google on a daily basis more that I recognized.  Without giving it a second thought, I tracked that I used this search engine more than a dozen times in a day. It’s scary to think that I go to Google more than I drink water in a day. It’s a funny comparison but it’s true.

And you know what, I am really thankful for the two founders of Google, Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Although they will never see this, I hope that one day they do. Despite the countless hours I wasted asking Google meaningless questions, (like what are the best dates to bring a girl on or where can I buy the latest Shark Tank invention), it has benefited me in more ways than one. The ability to further search information on my career in the business and entrepreneurial field from my fingertips in my dorm is incredible. This past month I have been able to look for winter jobs in Long Island for winter break and apply for internships for the summer. The fact of the matter is that the path to my career would not be the same without this company.

 There really are googol amounts of ways that you’ve helped me, both in my personal and academic life, and I can’t thank you enough!

  �

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A Thankful Opportunity  (Tyler)

In college, there are many paths to explore. New and exciting experiences await us every single day.

I am thankful for opportunities. Throughout our lives, we have the ability to choose which roads to venture. With each chance we take, we have the potential to reach a whole new level of fulfilment, success, and even happiness. The same goes for chances that we don’t take, where instead we have potential that may never be achieved. Sometimes, these chances come to meet us square in the face. Others are hidden behind problems we face. Even hard work and dedication carry opportunities.

At the end of the day, it’s you who makes the decision whether or not to grasp that chance. You have a choice, take it or leave it. Each day is met with opportunities that can improve yourself, but sometimes you must step out of your comfort zone.

My advice to you is to recognize these opportunities. Big or small, you will learn from them. The worst feeling in the world is regret, stapled with the words “what if?”

I want you to take a chance. Go up to that stranger and introduce yourself. Go to that networking event to meet new people, expand your circle of influence. Attend that workshop to better your portfolio. Why not? Be different!

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Thankful for the CPSP Program -Diandra

Thanks to the Community and Public Service Program (CPSP), I'm able to intern at the Office of Career and Professional Development (CPD). The CPSP program allows students to volunteer or intern at an organization while receiving credit for it. Students who participate in the program have a variety of on and off campus organizations to choose from. You have the choice of fulfilling 60 or 100 hours of community service at the organization you choose. Although you get to choose which organization you want to complete community service with, that doesn't mean the organization will be willing to work with you. What I mean is that you need to make sure you are choosing an organization because you are genuinely interested and eager to learn. Organizations can be selective when choosing interns or volunteers. Without the CPSP program, I wouldn't have been exposed to the services CPD has to offer students. Although CPD is prevelant on campus, I never took the initiative and bothered to learn more than what I saw on flyers around campus. So far, I've learned so many skills I can apply to my professional development and desired career. I've learned how to use Adobe Dreamweaver, how to conduct job and internship searches, how to market on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, and much more. By interning at CPD, I've been exposed to the PCA track of Middle Earth. By observing the PCA's at work, I generated an interest in becoming one. Editing and critiquing resumes will definitely help me further develop my skills as an editor. If I'm lucky, I can begin training as a PCA next semester. Either way, I'm grateful for the opportunity. I strongly recommend that you consider taking part in the CPSP program or Middle Earth. Both programs will provide you with opportunities that can help you grow as an individual and make your career path a little clearer.