December 16, 2022
In today’s world, communication takes many forms and continues to evolve. While email is a mainstay in many business operations, one mode of communication is still widely used—the phone […]
October 20, 2022
Confidence is contagious. Showing confidence in yourself sets the tone for a positive work day for you and for those around you–especially if you are in a position of leadership such as a team or project leader. On the other hand, if others sense insecurity in you, they may have doubt in their own abilities and possibly feel like they won’t get the support they need from you. Portray yourself as the kind of leader you look up to. Others will appreciate and thrive under leaders who are sure of themselves. In addition to having an impact on others, your self-confidence will benefit your personal and professional development. You will feel more comfortable taking risks, trying new things, and you will grow as an employee. How do you build confidence? Know the difference between self-esteem and self-confidence. These are two different concepts despite the terms sometimes being used interchangeably. Self-esteem is the feeling of one’s value toward themselves. Self-confidence is a sense of capability […]
September 9, 2022
Fall semester is a busy time for high school seniors prepping for college: SATs, ACTs, college applications, college tours, and AP courses. Once you receive that acceptance letter from your school of choice, your first instinct might be to sit back and lighten the load until graduation. It is important to take a deep breath and enjoy your last few months of high school; however, just because your college admission is set in stone doesn’t mean your resume should be left untouched until you apply for a job. While the fall is overwhelming, it’s a great opportunity to talk to your academic counselor about fitting an internship into your spring or summer schedule. Even just a few months of experience before beginning your freshman year will provide you with skills that can have an impact on your future professors, coaches, employers, and most importantly – you. Here are a few benefits of landing an internship between opening that acceptance letter […]
August 10, 2022
An unpaid internship: You may be asking, Why would I do that? We asked one of our summer interns about her recent internship experience and what she took away from it. Q: You were an unpaid intern this summer. How do you feel about doing work without getting a paycheck? A: First of all, I want to say that my internship was an incredible experience. I interned with a local advocacy organization and had a wonderful mentor who taught me a lot. I viewed the internship as more of a learning experience. I had a set number of projects and tasks to complete, but even though I was able to contribute, I felt I was learning a lot. As far as being unpaid, the experience itself is more valuable than a paycheck. Q: In what ways was being an unpaid intern worth more than working a part-time job during the summer? A: Actually, I was able to do both! My […]
July 6, 2022
When you start career exploration, you will likely begin to brainstorm about a career area based on what you are best at. Finance might draw your attention if you are good with numbers and have high math scores in your class. Exceptional spatial skills may turn you toward architecture or engineering. Technical skills are essential in the workplace, but other skill sets need to be considered. How well do you communicate with a group? Can you multitask? Can others rely on you for important responsibilities? When you start career exploration, you will likely begin to brainstorm about a career area based on what you are best at. Finance might draw your attention if you are good with numbers and have high math scores in your class. Exceptional spatial skills may turn you toward architecture or engineering. Technical skills are essential in the workplace, but other skill sets need to be considered. How well do you communicate with a group? Can […]
June 8, 2022
As a recent high-school or college graduate, you may have little or no experience. This is why it’s critical that the experience you do have is presented on your resume in a way that makes an impact. Most prospective employers won’t consider moving forward with an applicant whose resume appears sparse, weak, or not compelling. What can you do? Avoid overused or weak language and instead, convey your experience in a way that shows off the work you’ve done. Use these quick fixes to transform your resume from dull to polished. Examples of words and phrases that don’t belong on your resume and what to use instead. 1st Person/Personal Pronouns: The first-person pronoun “I” Is implied and does not belong on a resume. Using it is repetitive and takes up space. Instead, start statements with an action verb. Use: Researched data about city demographics. NOT I researched data about city demographics. Responsible for/Duties included: These phrases are passive and overused. […]