By Kevin McCallAs Marist College student Josh Seligman ’24 led a tour to prospective students and some of their family members one fall afternoon, he did not realize that he was playing a key role in developing a new opportunity for some of his peers in the Computer Science program. Seligman’s strong communication skills and professional demeanor during the tour resonated so strongly with one of his guests, that it spurred a pilot internship program with Canon Business Process Services (CBPS) recently completed by Charlie Schmitz ’22 and Alex Badia ’22 in their final undergraduate semesters. A Visit to Marist College Andrea Oriel, Chief Human Resources Officer at CBPS, began to visit colleges with her daughter Allegra this fall. While Allegra was still undecided on her major, both her and Andrea visited the Marist College campus on a Sunday in September 2021 because they were impressed by the variety of liberal arts programs Marist offered. When the tour group stopped near the Hancock Center, which houses the Marist College School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Seligman customized the tour to the Oriel’s and his other guests by speaking about his own experiences his classes and touching on other highlights like the Marist/IBM Joint Study Program. The details Josh provided sparked Andrea Oriel’s curiosity. “I went to visit Marist as a mom, not a head of HR,” Andrea Oriel said. “The School of Computer Science and Mathematics was very in touch with what businesses are doing today. It was more relatable than strictly theory. I knew that they were teaching real world skills and that was attractive to me.” “Josh talked a lot about his work at his internship and I started asking him more technical questions about what the students were doing,” Oriel continued. “That’s when I realized the program he was going through and what he was learning would be viable within Canon Business Process Services.” Tour Guide in the Making Seligman’s outgoing personality and thirst for knowledge inspired him to become a Marist College Ambassador. “Whatever school I ended up at I knew I was going to be a tour guide,” Seligman said. “I wanted to be able to give back to the school by helping out other prospective students.” Seligman spent his first semester in the Marist Ambassador program learning the ropes of becoming a tour guide in the Marist Ambassador program. He began giving tours in Spring 2021, his second semester as a Marist student. Seligman leads about 12 campus tours per semester, most of which take place on weekends. Seligman stressed the importance of having conversations with your guests during their tour rather than having him do all of the speaking. “I always make sure to leave enough time for questions because I want (the guests) to engage with me so I can help them in their college decision,” Seligman said. “Even one answered question could go a really long way.” A Pilot Program After returning from her visit to Marist College, Oriel had a meeting with other CBPS executives, to pitch the idea of a new internship program. Their goal was to create a paid, virtual opportunity customized toward two students’ interests and pair them with a CBPS business team lead who could act as both a supervisor and mentor. During the developmental stage of the program, Director of Human Resources Adrienne Reese met with the Marist College Center for Career Services employer relations team to discuss recruitment and building a relationship with Marist College. CBPS works in the information technology services management sector to help its clients become more agile while improving workplace experiences and business performance. The company description states that the organization aims to “leverage its people, processes, technology resources and analytics to enable clients to maintain and improve their business operations in sustainable ways over the long term.” To achieve its mission, CBPS outsources Business Transformation Services, Document Services, and Workforce and Workplace Services to its wide range of clients in fields such as banking, healthcare, insurance, life sciences, manufacturing, oil and gas and the public sector. “The digital transformation services division in Canon, even prior to the pandemic, was a topic, challenge and need for so many businesses and we’ve seen that intensify over the past couple of years,” Director of Corporate Communications Kenneth Neal said. Neal said the interns in the pilot program would get a feel for not only how CBPS serves it clients, but also the clients’ desires for leveraging their own digital technologies and approaches to problem solving. Marist Students Get More Exposure and Experience In late 2021 Reese began interviewing candidates for the new CBPS internships, which were designed to be entirely remote. She said two students in Marist’s five-year bachelor’s-master’s programs, Charlie Schmitz ’22 and Alex Badia ’22, stood out due to their maturity and eagerness to learn. “They were educated on what Canon does and carried themselves very well,” Reese said. “They seemed ready to absorb as much as information as possible and I felt like they really wanted to be with Canon.” Schmitz will receive his bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Systems in May 2022 and his master’s in Information Systems in 2023. Both degrees will include concentrations in Business Analytics and Information Systems Management. Schmitz said his internship at Canon differed from his previous internship with GTel, a telephone, internet, and television provider serving a single county, in terms of exposure. “Interning at Canon has been interesting because most of my previous experience came from working with small businesses,” he said. “But Canon is a big organization so I have spent a lot of time with larger groups of people.” At the start of the internship Schmitz wanted to gain more experience with programming. “I came into Marist having no coding experience at all and it can be hard to rationalize what a software engineer does day to day or at different companies unless you try it out yourself,” he said. “Now was the time to push myself to experience the many different fields in the tech world.” Alex Badia completed the internship as part of his bachelor’s degree program in computer science with a software development concentration. He will also earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in May 2022. Although Badia had previously been a software engineer intern with Safe Flight Corporation, he sought to improve his fluency in programming languages at the start of the internship with Canon. “I wanted to be able to work on a meaningful project and apply my experiences with back end or front end development of an application that the company needed either internally or for a client,” he said. Badia worked on technical aspects of CBPS applications using programming languages like C and .Net. Schmitz, on the other hand, interned on the management side of Canon. He worked on programming that would identify and fill gaps within the organization’s strategic plan. Some of his frequent tasks included project management and product management. Both students were even able to work with a client based in the Philippines as part of the internship. Badia said that through the internship he learned that Canon is a more complex corporation and he hopes more of his peers get a chance to intern with the organization. “At first I thought Canon was mainly a camera company, but now I see it’s more than just that,” Badia said. “They have a lot of opportunities and are growing more than I realized. Hopefully Charlie and I can set the standard and show the company what Marist students in the computer science program are capable of.” “A Launch Pad” for a New Collaboration For students who want to intern at a large corporation, Schmitz recommends you put yourself out there as much as you can and ask for assistance when you need it. “It can be hard to get to a point where someone wants to look at your resume and interview you,” he said. “So it’s important to do things like get your resume reviewed in career services and do personal projects to make yourself stand out right now while you’re in college.” Oriel said Schmitz’s and Badia’s participation in this pilot internship program could be “a launch pad” for a collaboration between Marist College and CBPS. She remarked how Josh’s preparation and thorough tour was instrumental in creating the CBPS opportunity for Marist students this past spring. “(As a tour guide) you’re an ambassador of your school and you never know who you might meet,” Oriel said. “You don’t know your audience and sometimes your abilities shine through and open doors for your university.” While representing Marist College, Josh said he will continue to put his time and energy into showcasing the opportunities his institution has helped him earn. “It just shows that you have to put your all into giving the tours because you never know who is going to be in your group and what they can do for the college,” Seligman said.
0 Comments
By Lauren Kazemekas '24 If you have gone through an interview, it is very likely you were asked “What is your greatest weakness?” This question can be difficult to answer at first because you want to show the interviewer you are a strong, well-prepared candidate for the role. But framing your weakness into something you're working on will demonstrate your ability to overcome obstacles and grow personally and professionally. Here are some examples of common weaknesses that you can reference to show a potential employer you are working on transforming your deficiency into a skill. Focusing Too Much on Details Attention to detail is usually a desirable trait. An employee who produces high quality and accurate work is valuable to any company. But if you are preoccupied with minor aspects of a project, attention to detail could become a weakness because it hurts your ability to meet deadlines. Explain to the employer that you can help the company avoid small mistakes with your keen eye for reviewing and editing. Make sure you also address that you are trying to look at the bigger picture when necessary. Overcommitment A lot of people struggle with saying yes to too much additional work, especially from colleagues or clients. You want to help and impress everyone around you, especially if you’re just starting in a new role. But taking on more work can be overwhelming when the work detracts from your primary responsibilities such as meetings that are already built into your schedule. Trouble saying no can reveal that you have not established boundaries. Talk about how you are learning to say no when you have to, but are still willing to help your colleagues because you want them to succeed. Asking for Help In any role you will come across points where you are stuck on how to move forward. So it’s important to ask your colleagues or supervisor for assistance or clarification on next steps. While you can search Google or You Tube for information on how to use certain software, asking for direction on something like the format of your content and aspects of information to include in your research or report will help you get ahead of potential mistakes and avoid having to re-do assignments. It's a good idea to mention you are working on this particular weakness by not putting off asking for further assistance when directions are unclear to you. Working with Ambiguity Employers are impressed by people that are able to define and reach goals without constant direction. It is important to talk about how you are trying to approach ambiguity by coming up with your own creative steps and solutions to achieve a common end result. Demonstrating how you are correcting your own weaknesses will show your interviewer that you are proactively taking steps to continuously learn and develop your own work style. Make sure to look carefully at the position description to avoid bringing up a weakness that is an essential or required aspect of the role. Use these examples of weaknesses to help you discover areas where you can improve and describe an actionable plan for addressing them in your next interview.
Follow These Instagram and TikTok Accounts for Career Advice
By Lauren Kazemekas '24
I know you spend a lot of time on social media. So why not make the most of your down time that you spend scrolling through Instagram or TikTok? If you are looking for your first internship, searching for a full-time job after graduation, or seeking additional education, here are some profiles to follow for professional development tips.
Instagram Accounts to Follow
As seen in Vogue, @netwerkmovement provides free resources and sound networking advice for young professionals. The NetWerk community also has a blog, shop, testimonials, and partnerships for followers to interact with. I really enjoy how this account organizes its posts and provides really helpful information that I will use in my future searches.
A good follow for fashion majors, @glamobserver is a fashion career advice platform with a ton of rich content. The creator, Giada Graziano, is featured in Forbes 30 under 30 and is the author of Your Fashion [Dream] Plan. Giada provides tips on how to get a summer internship in fashion, shows you how to write a thank you email, posts graphics made from inspirational quotes, and features historical information about well-known fashion companies like Dior.
@internshipgirl posts internship opportunities for students in communications, computer science, human resources, finance, environmental science, and many more majors. The creator also posts tips for LinkedIn profiles, interviewing, and more information. You can also follow @internshipgirl on TikTok. I came across this TikTok account on my For You page.
@graduateclub supports students after graduation with advice to boost confidence, create a CV, and answer tough interview questions. I think this account provides the greatest variety of advice. There is also a Graduate Club blog with more resources and previously recorded Q&A sessions for you to check out.
Author and content creator @tiffany.uman is a career strategy coach who helps young professionals reach their goals. Her posts include tips and tricks for interviews, salary negotiation, and even aspects of well-being in the workplace such what to do when youâre overloaded with responsibilities or signs you are lacking confidence at work.
TikTok Accounts to Follow
University of Illinois graduate David Paykin (@davidpaykin on TikTok) posts career tips on many different topics. From resume and interview advice to salary tips, his posts can provide really helpful information to launch your career. He has nearly 2 million followers.
As a marketing manager in the tech industry, Shoshanna Davis started @thefairyjobmother on TikTok to post career advice with an emphasis on interview tips and general career guidance. This account is also popular on Instagram with more content that I personally love!
With more than five years of experience in human resources, @janellknowsmoney provides useful advice about pay and negotiating salaries with recruiters. Her account goes into specific questions you should ask regarding the type of position for which you are interviewing.
Film director and editor @erinmcgoff is a creator based in New York City who posts career advice. Her videos cover topics like interviewing and creating a resume for film majors.
âThe career advice content produced by these creators on Instagram and TikTok is easy to watch, brief, and can make your time spent on social media more productive. By Lauren Kazemekas '24Before jumping into a full-time job it can be difficult for you and other college students to have a consistent source of income. Side hustles are part-time gigs that can help you make extra money and develop new hobbies or skills. There are a variety of side hustles to choose from depending on what interests you. They are great additions to your class projects, extra-curricular activities, and other responsibilities. Side hustles have become more common in the last few years. According to Zapier.com, “Among Americans who have a side hustle, two-thirds (67 percent) of people started it within the past three years, and about 3 in 10 (30 percent) people started in 2020.” With this trend in mind, here are a few remote and in-person side hustles that you can start today. Taking Surveys and Testing Websites In their free time some students participate in surveys online and get paid for their feedback. Although it could be time-consuming, taking surveys can usually be done on any device at any time. There are also many websites and applications that will pay you to test their platform. UX and UI designers at companies want to make their digital resources easy to use and your insight can help them with their processes. Before you begin this kind of side hustle, make sure the website or other platform is trustworthy. For example, you should not have to pay a fee before taking any surveys or participating in other kinds of software testing. Starting Your Own Blog or Podcast Creating a blog or podcast is an excellent way to creatively express yourself. Making money off your content can be challenging at first, but there are possibilities. Starting an outlet like a blog or podcast is especially beneficial if you are studying journalism, broadcasting, or a similar communications discipline. Once you create a large following with your blog or podcast you should explore partnering with other brands to advertise their products to generate some kind of revenue. Reselling Items Many students find themselves with old textbooks or old clothes that they do not need any more. Selling these items on Facebook Marketplace or other specific platforms like Mercari, Depop, Poshmark, and other outlets can turn into a side hustle. Sofia Bonvegna ‘24, a Fashion Merchandising major at Marist, started thrifting items and selling them online. She has an Instagram account, @relovedbysofia, with over 18,000 followers where she posts clothes and sells them for a discounted price through a bidding system. These are some items Sophia has sold through her Instagram account. Photos courtesy of Sofia Bonvegna. “Buying one of my items gives people an opportunity to give a piece of clothing another chance rather than it being sent to a landfill or being non-recycled,” Sofia said. “They can feel good about their purchase long after they buy it. There's something special about giving it a new home.” Sophia said her side hustle did not only inspire her in her fashion studies at Marist. It also taught her how to attract an audience, target consumers, and manage her time. Through her Instagram account Sophia made money and also developed a deep passion for thrifting. Photography College students can freelance in different areas to make money. People might need your assistance with graphic design, video editing, and even photography on occasion. Marist student Yasir Olenja ’24, a Gaming and Emerging Media major, aspires to become a professional photographer. He gets paid for shooting various Marist College sports teams and charges his own rates for other clients. Yasir said he gets more out of taking photos than just financial compensation. “Photography brings me peace,” he said. “My problems leave my thoughts and it's just me and the camera. It also opens up countless opportunities to form new relationships and travel doing what I love.” “Photography has taught me patience and to look at the smaller things in life. Life is a story and you create the narrative”. To see more of Yasir’s photography follow @yazshoots on Instagram.
If you have a passion and want to take it to the next level, consider turning it into a side hustle. You can tutor, do food delivery, or even start dog sitting. The possibilities are endless! By Lauren Kazemekas '24In my last interview, the company started the conversation by prompting me to walk them through my resume. I admit that at first I had trouble figuring out exactly how much information to give them when I replied. But, to my surprise, I gave them pretty good insight into my background. It’s important to paint a compelling picture of yourself and summarize your resume during an interview rather than rehashing the whole document. Here are some tips to keep in mind when discussing your resume during an interview. Familiarize Yourself with Your Resume
Since your resume will be tailored to each position you apply for, make sure to be familiar with the correct version that you submitted to the company. During my virtual interview I referred to a copy of my resume that I had on my laptop. If your interview is in person, it could be helpful to have a hard copy of your resume in front of you for reference. Prior to the interview make sure you can relate the experiences listed on your resume to the tasks you will need to carry out in the position. Perhaps you need to refresh your memory on a job you held more than two years ago. In any case, go over the resume carefully so you know the exact content. Elaborate on the Bullet Points You can figure out what parts of your resume or skills to emphasize by doing some research about the role you applied for. Demonstrating that you have similar past experiences with different software or programs can help you stand out during the interview. Let’s say a full-time job requires proficiency in Microsoft Excel. It would be ideal for you to talk about a time you created or organized a spreadsheet and were required to use pivot tables. For a skill like problem solving it would be good to discuss a scenario where you were faced with an unexpected challenge and how you overcame it. Discuss Projects and Their Outcomes The interview is your opportunity to talk about projects or achievements within a specific experience or position that you didn't have room to list on your one-page resume. Perhaps you assisted in the development of a marketing campaign that resulted in a 10 percent increase in revenue for the company. Expand on this by highlighting your contributions to the campaign such as developing a plan, collaborating with external vendors, and holding focus groups with target audiences as part of your market research. Use the discussion in the interview to your advantage and dive deeper into your specific impact. Provide Statistics and Data Walking through your resume with your interviewer gives you the chance to reveal more facts and data about your work history. For instance, if you received a nationally competitive scholarship that had only 10 scholars out of more than 500 applicants make sure to cite these numbers. Bringing up selective awards or honors will help you “humblebrag” to the employer. Connect the Dots After you have communicated a filtered and refined version of your resume, make sure to conclude by talking about what you hope to learn or gain in your next role. Don’t be repetitive, but rather expand on the environment in which you want to demonstrate your skills. It's always appropriate to talk about your soft skills when you’re interviewing for your first internship or job. I hope "Walk me through your resume" is now a request that you're prepared and eager to answer. Remember to highlight all elements of yourself and truly demonstrate to the employer that you have the abilities and background they are searching for. |
AuthorInformation on the latest professional development trends and advice, plugs for Marist College Center for Career Services events and initiatives, and stories from your Marist peers. Content is produced by Marist students for Marist students. Categories |