Author Archives: Rebekah Wilson

About Rebekah Wilson

English and American Literatures major at Middlebury College, Class of 2014

Why you should apply to be a Peer Career Ambassador

I know, it’s not really required of me to make a speech, but I had some Big Feelings about why you should apply for the PCA position, posted below.

The first time I’d been to the Center for Education in Action — or Adirondack House at all — was to interview for job as a Peer Career Ambassador. (Spoiler alert: this job.) It was the Fall of my sophomore year. I’d never been to Drop-In hours. I’d never heard of Drop-In hours. I’d never logged into MOJO. I tried once, during J-Term of my freshman year, when everyone on my hall was freaking out like a 1920s disaster film about their summer plans (because of INTERNSHIPS!) but it tried to make me answer one of those spam-prevention prompts and I was like “eh.” Plus, I felt about “career guidance” the way that many people do about therapy. I was convinced that I didn’t really need it, that it was for strugglers, those incapable of navigating life on their own. I had turned 21 within four weeks of coming to college as a freshman and held a full-time job during the two years I took “off” before school. (I paid ELECTRIC BILLS, okay? I was an ADULT. It was REAL LIFE, deep in the trenches.) I was like, “Career planning? I got this.” (Spoiler alert: I did not have “this” as much as I thought I had “this.”)

Getting this job might have been one of the better things that happened to me during my first two years at Middlebury. This might be one of the best student jobs on campus. This is a super biased claim that I can’t really back with, you know, “science,” but I do know that the people I work with are really, really nice; I get to work on some pretty great and self-directed projects; I get paid to write and research career advice. (Blog! I get paid to blog! It’s not real life). Plus, it always smells like cinnamon in this office. (Seriously, why does it? Tracy, Annie? Is this your doing?) And at the risk of sounding super dramatic, working here has changed the way I access resources on this campus and view the EIA as an ally in my “personal career journey,” and, ironically, I’ve come to treat Drop-In hours exactly like therapy. Because they kind of are. Therapeutic, I mean.

Click here to view the Peer Career Ambassador description, and to submit your application by Friday, February 22, 2013.

Senior Febs: We’re hiring! Apply to be an EIA Peer Career Ambassador

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We’re hiring for the Peer Career Ambassador position at the EIA! Check out this job description (below) and some reasons I think you should apply in the post above.

Job Description:

Provide and create outreach opportunities to further the early engagement of Middlebury students in the Career Education process.

Serve as a Drop-Ins adviser for first-time visitors to the Center/First-Year students: demonstrate sign-up for/use of MOJO; introduce sample resume(s) and cover letters; assist with MiddNet registrations; make referrals to Career Services counselors for follow up meetings.

  • Actively support the Career Education programs and initiatives at the Center for Education in Action
  • Collaborate with other Peer Career Ambassadors (PCAs) and staff to effectively strategize and publicize overall Career Services events and programs.
  • Develop and deliver peer-to-peer workshops and focus groups for first-years and sophomores in the Commons residences
  • Market Career Services/EIA services and events, capitalizing on the Commons residential system
  • Contribute to blogs and/or newsletters that outline essential goals and internship/ career timelines that are relevant to the FY and Sophomore experience
  • Provide administrative support to Career Education programs as needed
  • Assist the Associate Director as required with new career education initiatives
  • Perform outreach to targeted campus organization(s) and attend or lead Career Services outreach events when needed, including some nights and weekends
  • Assist Career Services staff with various in and out-of-office tasks as necessary

The ideal candidate will demonstrate enthusiasm for the goal of engaging Middlebury students early in the process of career education and bring excellent interpersonal skills, writing ability, organizational talent, and the capacity to work independently to the position.

Juniors or Super Seniors (’13.5) familiar with Career Services resources and in good academic standing to work 6-8 hours/week while classes are in session for the spring semester and beyond.

Education and Training

  • Enthusiasm for and experience with the mission of career education
  • Knowledge of and experience using Career Services resources
  • Experience with marketing and promotion
  • Proven leadership ability
  • Reliability and organizational know-how
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Willing to dress appropriately for professional office work.

Click here to submit your application with attached resume and a cover letter by Friday, February 22, 2013.

Beyond the kitchen: careers in food

“It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we cannot straightly think of one without the others. So it happens that when I write of hunger, I am really writing about love and the hunger for it, and warmth and the love of it and the hunger for it… and then the warmth and richness and fine reality of hunger satisfied…it is all one,” wrote M.F.K. Fisher in The Art of Eating.

We all love food, but wow – M.F.K. Fisher really loved food. Her writing dwells heavily on its nurturing power, its ability to heal, sustain, and unite – physically and spiritually. During the 1930s, when Fisher began writing, the food justice movement was almost nonexistent. Today, food justice, a variety of initiatives that aim to increase access to nutritious and sustainable food, is thriving. If you share Fisher’s passion, there are so many paths to make a career out of food – beyond the kitchen.

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A case for giving a year

City Year is an AmeriCorps program that employs young people in a year (or two) of national service as tutors and mentors in public schools around the country. In light of the upcoming application deadline on November 15, City Year alum Rebekah Wilson ’14, shares some insight on the two years she spent with City Year in Seattle, WA before coming to Middlebury.

I first found out about City Year in the fall of my senior year of high school, while researching gap year options online. It’s been five years since then and I have a hard time conceptualizing exactly what prompted me to apply in the first place, but I remember looking at the application with an overwhelming desire to do something big. Yes, something good. Yes, something interesting and challenging and altruistic that would look attractive on my resume and hopefully broaden my college prospects. But mostly I was attracted to the idea of something larger than me that would sweep me up out of the small alcove of the world I had grown up in and land me on a different a shore, a shore that would involve an understanding of social justice issues on the ground level and a sense of what could be done about them.

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Top interview mistakes millennials make — and how NOT to make them

Check out this article from Forbes highlighting some 5 faux pas that millennials (yup, that’s us) tend to make in job interviews. Yikes. Are you embarrassed on behalf of our generation? I’m a little embarrassed. Don’t let this be you, I guess.

So now that we’ve covered the don’ts — here are some dos. Check out this article, also from Forbes, for tips — specifically for millennials — on giving a better interview.

Career role models: from Indiana Jones to Steve Jobs

A recent article in Fast Company makes a case for Indiana Jones as the ultimate contemporary career role model — specifically in the business world, but also as a figure of thick-skinned “work-adventure” balance, fresh thinking in a bureaucratic system, and spontaneity. “Dr. Jones should be teaching business, not archaeology,” says business and entertainment writer Tom Teodorczuk. “We can all learn a good deal from his exploits in Raiders of the Lost Ark–whether or not our job requires us to bring a bullwhip to work.”

Another popular figure of American moxie, ingenuity, and perseverance has retained global popularity as a career role model, even after his death in 2011. The Times of India reported last month that, according to a recent survey of British adults and children, Steve Jobs was the number one reported career role model, winning out over Barack Obama and British entertainment icon Simon Cowell. Just over 16 percent of kids ages 8-15 named Jobs as someone whom they aspired to be like.

Deadline for ECCD Boston EXTENDED to TOMORROW, Oct. 11!

The deadline to apply for Eastern College Career Days in Boston has been extended to TOMORROW, Oct. 11, (by midnight).  ECCD Boston, a day-long interview event with multiple employers, will take place on Friday, Nov. 2, at Back Bay Events Center.

To apply, register online through the ECCD website (NOT MOJO) to interview with Boston/New England employers for jobs in fields like Communications, Education (certification not required!), Law, Travel, Marketing, Sales, Economics Research, Consulting, Banking, Investments, Science, Technology, and Mental Health/Human Services, and more.

If you are selected for an interview, you will be notified by the participating employer. Please note that is event is for Seniors only — only currently enrolled students who will graduate in 2013 are eligible to apply for positions.

To register, apply, and see a current list of participating employers, click here.

Keep checking MOJO for a complete list of upcoming opportunities and deadlines!

Questions? Contact Dana Barrow, barrow@middlebury.edu or ext. 5546

What to EAT before an interview

There are a few givens when it comes to job interviews that we can probably all agree on. Maybe don’t get four hours of sleep the night before an interview. Maybe don’t drink five shots of espresso that morning to cover up the fact that you got four hours of sleep. Maybe don’t bring your best friend to hold your hand in the lobby because you’re shaking/crying hysterically from sleep deprivation/over-caffeination. (Ideally, of course, we would all get at least eight hours of sleep, drink one standard-size cup of coffee and be sitting in the waiting area for the interview fifteen minutes early, hands clasped neatly over a tasteful Ann Taylor slacks/blazer combo. Ideally.)

But did you know that even the food you eat before your interview might give you a leg up? I know what you’re thinking. Ugh, more advice on how to be perfect. Show me the science! Is this blog post sponsored by Weybridge House? But seriously, it’s actually pretty logical. When we eat well we tend to feel well and when we feel well we tend to do well — especially in times of stress. Check out this article from LinkedIn for suggestions on what you might want to eat before an interview. (Hint: Maybe don’t pass on the quinoa fennel saute in Proctor?)

Midd ranked one of the top contributors to TFA

Middlebury was recently ranked one of the country’s top contributors to Teach for America’s 2012 corps, tying with Williams College in the Small Schools division. Fifteen graduates from Middlebury’s Class of 2012 went on to serve with Teach for America, joining over 10,000 corps members serving in classrooms across 46 regions around the country. Check out the rest of TFA’s contributor rankings here.

To find out more about applying to TFA, visit www.teachforamerica.org.

TYPEFOCUS Unplugged: Workshop for you this FRIDAY!

So you took the TypeFocus assessments and got some results. Maybe your results totally jive with the way you already viewed your tendencies, strengths, and values or maybe you’re completely confused about what they mean and you’re freaking out. Maybe you’re feeling curious/cranky/weird/excited. Okay, great — now let’s talk it out and embark, as Susan Walker, EIA Career Adviser says, “on the fascinating project of making this information work for you.”

This Friday, we’re holding the first in a series of informal workshops where you can get some guidance from EIA staff on how to interpret your results AND use some of the other features that TypeFocus offers.

Make sure to bring your results and/or your laptop and your questions/feelings. Can’t make it on Friday? No worries — we’re scheduling more of these workshops at different times throughout the fall.

See you there:

TYPEFOCUS Unplugged: Workshop
Friday, September 28
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Hillcrest 103

Revising your resume? The Editorial Style Guide makes things so much easier!

The hardest part about drafting or revising my resume or cover letter always seems to come down to the small details. Do I have an academic advisor or an academic adviser? Am I interested in the nonprofit field or the non-profit field? Did I intern with the US Department of Education or the U.S. Department of Education? (Actually, neither, but I would like to! Call me?) I inevitably end up Googling my query and settling for faceless internet advice from someone on Yahoo! Answers named Bart who claims to have done “research” on the subject.

Boy, I sure do wish I had known that there was an Editorial Style Guide available on the Middlebury website that breaks down all that stuff I’ve Googled! (Wait — googled?) Have a question about capitalization, abbreviation, foreign expressions or split infinitives? Wondering if it’s sacrilegious to hyphenate “Middlebury?” (It’s not — provided it “improves the spacing of the printed document.”) Good to know, right?

More on LinkedIn…

Twenty-three of you showed up for our LinkedIn workshop this afternoon. Yay!

In case you didn’t make it to the workshop, check out these top three tips from Tim and Tracy on how to build a great student LinkedIn profile:

1. Craft an informative profile headline

Your profile headline gives people a short, memorable way to understand who you are in a professional context. Think of the headline as the slogan for your professional brand, such as “Student, National University” or “Recent honors grad seeking marketing position.” Check out the profiles of students and recent alums you admire for ideas and inspiration.

2. Pick an appropriate photo

LinkedIn is not Facebook. If you choose to post a photograph — and we recommend that you do — select a professional, high-quality headshot of you alone. That means no party photos, cartoon avatars, or cute pics of your puppy.

3. Show off your education

Include information about all institutions you’ve attended. Include your major and minor if you have one, as well as highlights of your activities. It’s also appropriate to include study abroad programs and summer institutes. Don’t be shy — your LinkedIn profile is an appropriate place to show off your strong GPA and any honors or awards you’ve won.

Download the rest of the tips here (How to Build a Great Student LinkedIn Profile) and learn more about LinkedIn here.

Still want to learn more? Mark your calendars for the next LinkedIn workshop on Nov. 5th.

Local venture opportunity for a senior who loves snowboarding!

Seniors who love to snowboard – looking for a venture opportunity right out of Middlebury?  Alumnus Matt Whitcomb ’93 has approached us to forward the following:

Village Skate & Snow is looking for a business partner (rather than an outright sale) to maximize the potential of the snowboard shop. In addition to modest start-up capital (likely between $25,000 and $35,000), this opportunity needs the elbow grease and vision of an owner operator who is familiar with snowboard culture and has some real business savvy, willing to push new partnerships and products and exploit the online sales angle in particular.

For more information about this opportunity in East Burke, VT, please contact Matt Whitcomb ’93:

Matt Whitcomb
Regiment Capital Special Situations Funds
222 Berkeley Street, 13th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Work:  617.488.1638
Cell:  207.423.3859
Email:  mwhitcomb@regimentcapital.com

Save the date for the Spring Job Fling: April 4th!

Looking to reenergize—or begin—your job search? Meet with Midd-friendly employers and get hot-off-the-press job leads at the Spring Job Fling. Come to Coltrane Lounge, Adirondack house between noon and 2 p.m., April 4.

Just when you need a boost Career Services, presents our 8th Annual Spring Job Fling for all Middlebury seniors! This is your chance to meet with a number of Midd-friendly employers and Career Services staff—who will be handing out job leads—all in one convenient place.

When: April 4th, 12 – 2 p.m.
Location: Coltrane Lounge, Adirondack House

What should I expect at the Spring Job Fling?

Bring your resume and prepare to network! Come ready to represent yourself: where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going. Want to make a good impression with a particular employer? Consider dressing for success: swap the tee for a collared shirt/blouse and jeans for slacks. Some of these employers will be offering on-campus interviews before or after the event (check MOJO for details and to apply).

Participating employers will be added to MOJO as they register, so keep checking the Senior Program blog for the latest, up-to-date information.

 Participating employers will be updated on MOJO as they register.

FoodWorks Louisville summer internships (PAID with FREE HOUSING) open to graduating seniors. Come meet with representatives Thursday

Middlebury FoodWorks: Louisville

Bring your Meal and Attend an Info Session to Learn More! Graduating Seniors welcome! Wednesday, March 7th at 6:15pm in Ross B11, Thursday, March 8th at 12:30pm in LaForce 121

When? Thursday, March 8th at 7:30pm in The Orchard, Hillcrest. Louisville partner Rowan Claypool will be available at these sessions to truly describe the FoodWorks experience and answer your questions!

Middlebury FoodWorks: Louisville is a nine-week competitive PAID internship program – with FREE housing – centered on the different aspects of a local food economy in Louisville, KY. This information session will provide an overview of the program and its benefits, the kind of internships available, and answer any questions you may have!

Positions available in: city government, microenterprise and development, health and nutrition, marketing and retail, publishing, event planning, with non-profits, AND, yes, on farms and in restaurants.

For more information, please visit go/mfw and visit MOJO to apply! Deadline to Apply: March 15!

 For more information, contact Amy McGlashan at EIA, x5103.

Profile: F. Alexa Warburton ‘09.5, Veterinary Technician. Apply by MARCH 1 for Veterinary Tech position at Marlboro Village Veterinary Hospital

F. Alexa Warburton ‘09.5 talks about what she loves about working as a veterinary technician with Marlboro Village Veterinary Hospital, applying to veterinary school, and her path to a career in veterinary medicine.

Current job title: Veterinary Technician, Will be attending veterinary school this fall 2012, undecided on where I will attend.

Class year: 2009.5

Major: Biology

Where did your interest come from to work in this career?

My interest in veterinary medicine arose when I was young (around 9 years old) and joined my local Easy Riders 4-H Club where I became obsessed with the care and maintenance of horse husbandry. From mucking stalls to pulling maggots out of an open wound to having to know the anatomy of the horse, my desire to go into an animal related field flourished.

However, it was not only my personal awe and fascination that drew me to the veterinary field, but my parents love for medicine as well. As the only child of a second marriage for both my doctor parents, I am their last hope of becoming the next family physician. I grew up watching the 6pm news and listening to them rattling off medical jargon galore, to which my response was to look at the family dog and sigh. Chappy, our labrador retriever, would stare back aimlessly, agreeing that the emergency splenectomy was not nearly as interesting as the food on our plates. Today my parents’ medical terminology is much more intellectually stimulating to me. I find myself connecting the drugs used by their patients to similar medications prescribed at the animal hospital.

Post college graduation I went to work in two different small animal hospitals, partook in an equine externship and took continuing education courses for veterinary technicians. In the variety of animal experience I have partaken in I always find myself coming back to animal medicine.

Becoming a veterinarian is not dismissing my chance to make an impact on human health and medicine, but rather it is an opportunity to become a part of one medicine for all. A vet is being a human psychologist when an owner is putting it’s “fifth” member of the family (their dog or cat) to sleep. It’s being a pharmaceutical researcher when offering a new experimental drug to a patient that may lead to great promise for future pets and possibly humans. Veterinarians are also public health officials aiding in the understanding (and thus prevention) of such maladies as food-borne, degenerative and neoplastic illnesses as well as infectious zoonotic diseases associated with increasing human-animal interaction. The interconnectedness between human and animal medicine is vast, and by becoming a vet I would be allowed to participate in the healing of all living creatures.

 

What are typical entry level positions in your field and what does a career path look like?

In some states you are not required to be a licensed veterinary technician and that is how I became employed at Marlboro Village Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey. Previously I had worked as a veterinary technician in PA and my experience restraining animals, starting IV fluids, administering basic medications helped me to obtain the job as a veterinary technician.

Normally students volunteer at a humane shelter or work as veterinary assistant before applying to veterinary school. I was very fortunate to work as a veterinary technician and gain even more experience. This job is temporary until I start veterinary school in the fall 2012.

How did you find the current position you have?

A woman I worked with at Companion Animal Hospital in Selinsgrove, PA was leaving Marlboro Village Veterinary Hospital to go to the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She mentioned to me that they were looking for applicants and urged me to apply. I applied and was offered the job starting in September 2011.

While I was applying to jobs this past summer 2011, my experiences gained at Middlebury specifically my honors thesis on the spatial strategy preference of Octopus bimaculoides, impressed many potential employers and got my foot in the door.

As I was applying to veterinary school this past year I believe the rigor of Middlebury academics was known and having a strong GPA from the college in addition to receiving honors for my thesis impressed the interviewers and admission staff.

Starting veterinary school this upcoming fall I believe my comparative vertebrate and invertebrate anatomy, developmental biology, and animal physiology courses taken at Middlebury will aid my in excelling in the first year veterinary school curriculum.

 

What experience should a college student obtain to be marketable?

A student needs to have small animal veterinary experience, large animal veterinary experience (equine and bovine are a must, porcine, chicken, goat and sheep can only strengthen your application as well), research experience (completing a thesis at Middlebury is sufficient, but trying to get involved in a summer research project outside of Middlebury can help too), wildlife experience and some exotics. Now this is quite intimidating! But doable because what you must realize is that every little bit counts. You do NOT need 500 hours of each! You just need to demonstrate that you have at least dabbled in different animal related fields.

 

What skills do you think a person needs to be successful in your position?

Experience, experience, experience. What I’ve been told over and over is to get into the veterinary field you need to have it all – research experience, large animal veterinary experience, small animal veterinary experience, exotics, wildlife, etc. The more the better because it shows that not only do you understand all the facets the field has to offer but you have seen them at a working/volunteering level.

 

What do you like best/least about your work?

Best, the patients. When a dog comes in as an emergency after eating 6 Mucinex and then can go home that evening after being given the works makes you feel confident of your saving abilities. The trust that dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, lagomorphs, etc. have by letting you poke and prod at them to try and gain information regarding the cause of their illness is truly amazing. Least, the costs. Few owners have veterinary insurance for their pets, so as a result they must pay all their medical bills upfront. This limits the veterinarian’s ability to best treat some patients because money becomes the main issue. Especially now with the downturned economy I think owners are hesitant at taking the extra leap and getting an ultrasound, dental, etc. for their dog or cat. These two procedures help save so many animals lives, but the cost is a quick deterrent for the clients. I do have optimism that in the coming years veterinary insurance will become common place, allowing future vets to offer procedures and techniques that many could not afford prior.

What does an average day or week look like for you?

My responsibilities on a day to day basis involve recording patient information in medical records during and after hospital visits, assisting the doctor in surgery, performing radiographic studies, performing laboratory studies on fecal and urine samples, preparing blood work to be sent out, administering anesthetic agents and monitoring patients during anesthesia, performing dental prophylactic scalings and oral examinations, completing in-house treatments on hospitalized patients, maintaining the inventory for the practice, and communicating with pet owners regarding pet loss, current diagnoses and preventive health. In addition I was trained to draw blood, start IV catheters and intubate patients.

What books, web sites, or other resources should students take advantage of now to learn about the field?

  1. Association of American Veterinary Colleges: http://www.aavmc.org/
  2. Veterinary Medical School Admissions Requirements (VMSAR). Definitely buy this book. http://www.aavmc.org/Publications/VMSAR.aspx
  3. While applying to veterinary school this forum is incredibly helpful. You can ask questions, find out when other students heard from schools and learn what is necessary to apply. http://forums.sdn.net/forumdisplay.php?f=73
  1. What schools specific requirements are: http://www.aavmc.org/College-Specific-Requirements/College-Specific-Requirements_College-Specifications.aspx
  2. To learn the most up to date veterinary news join this daily email update. Very helpful before interviews to know what’s currently going on in the field: http://www.smartbrief.com/getLast.action?mode=sample&b=avma

 

What do you think is the next step in your career plan?

This fall 2012 I will be attending veterinary school and am currently in the process of trying to decide where I will go. So-far I was accepted into four schools – University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. The opportunity to attend veterinary school this upcoming school year is a dream come true and to be afforded the opportunity to choose where I want to attend is unbelievable!

To apply for the Veterinary Technician position with Marlboro Village Veterinary Hospital by March 1st, Go/MOJO.

 

Job search tips from the co-founder of LinkedIn

“It’s the presumption that building relationships in a professional context is like flossing,” writes Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn. “You’re told it’s important, but it’s no fun.” In his new book, The Start-up of You, Hoffman reminds us that with the right attitude, networking and the job search in general, can, in fact, be an adventurous process,

Check out this article for more job search tips from Hoffman.

The three “true” interview questions you should expect to answer, according to top executive recruiters.

1.  Can you do the job?
2.  Will you love the job?
3.  Can we tolerate working with you?

These are only three “true” job interview questions, says this article in Forbes for LinkedIn. Check out the article to see what top recruiters have to say about these three questions, and how to best demonstrate an affirmative answer to all of these questions in an interview.

 

Deadline for Business Analyst position with 9th–ranked private company extended to February 28 for Campus Interviews on March 7th: Patrick Jobson ’11 tells why C&S Wholesale is a great place to start a career

The deadline for the C&S Wholesale Grocers position (listed on MOJO) has been extended; applications for campus interviews on March 7th will be accepted via MOJO until Tues., Feb. 28.  To find out more from C&S Wholesale about the company, its mission, and career opportunities (and why you should apply to work for the 9th best private company in the US) read on:

What is C&S Wholesale?
New England-based C&S Wholesale Grocers is the leading grocery wholesaler and distributor in the nation’s food industry. We are the largest wholesale grocery supplier in North America and the nation’s tenth largest privately held company. We are committed to being the lowest cost and highest quality service provider in our industry. We expect to achieve these goals through focusing on continuous improvement projects, the use of cutting-edge technology, and innovative human resource practices. To ensure that we can meet this challenge, we seek intelligent, highly motivated individuals looking to be part of a company committed to being the best in its class. C&S Whole Sale was ranked 9th best private company in the US by Forbes.

Position Available:
Business Analyst (BA)
The Business Analyst position is a developmental role in which the recent graduate will be exposed to all areas of our operation from a top down and bottom up training method simultaneously. While being exposed to the various processes and roles throughout the organization, the Business Analyst will be asked to provide analytical feedback and suggest innovative changes that could immediately impact our operation.

Upon completion of our eighteen-twenty month rotational training program the individual will be placed within a key department that best parallels his/her skills and desired career path. Some of these departments include but are not limited to Warehouse Operations, Supply Chain, Merchandising/Procurement, Process Improvement, Facility Planning & Automation, Transportation, Finance, IT and Human Resources.

Why work for C&S Wholesale Grocers?
Aside from fully furnished, subsidized housing provided by C&S, the company offers an incredible rotation training program at any of their nationwide locations:

  • If you’re hard-working, results-focused and you want a job that will challenge you, C&S may have just what you’re looking for.
  • We work hard and have fun in the process — striving for “braggingly happy” customers and quality in everything we do.
  • The C&S workforce is driven by an employee incentive plan that rewards workers generously for going above and beyond.
  • If you’re motivated and constantly want more responsibility, the possibilities within C&S are limitless.
  • In addition to highly competitive salaries, we offer an attractive benefits package that typically includes paid vacation and personal time; health, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan and much more.

In addition to providing you with an excellent start to your professional career, C&S prides itself of their corporate citizenship and community based programs. To find out more about these programs, check out: http://community.cswg.com/cs-cares and
http://community.cswg.com/

Curious what a career with C&S Wholesale could look like? Midd alum Patrick Jobson ’11, currently employed with C&S Wholesale as a Business Analyst in Engineering and Planning, answered some of our questions about working for C&S Wholesale:

Patrick Jobson ’11, Business Analyst (BA) – Planning and Engineering

Major: IPE. International Politics and Economics

Where did your interest come from to work in this career?

I was lucky enough to find an internship in a similar industry and I truly enjoyed it. It is a very human based career where people skills, persistence and actual hard work all combine.

What are typical entry level positions in your field and what does a career path look like?

In my case it was a training program. Most entry-level jobs are for engineers and supply chain managers but some companies really like hiring outside the norm and are really enthusiastic about hiring graduates from liberal arts schools.

 How did you find the current position you have?

I applied through MOJO.

How are you using your Middlebury degree?

Middlebury taught me how to work hard, research and think critically. All of these are necessary requirements in this field. Furthermore economics does give you a very good base to work in any mathematical field.

What experience should a college student obtain to be marketable?

Internships, especially within the industry you are interested in, are increasingly important. The reason being that companies simply are more reluctant to take risks when hiring during more complicated economic times. An internship shows them that you understand the business, enjoy it and should be able to start producing as fast as possible.

What skills do you think a person needs to be successful in your position?

The great thing about this field is that it requires a myriad of different skills. I would emphasize analytical skills, human skills, and most importantly a desire to work hard. Be the first one there and the last one out.

What do you like best/least about your work?

What I like the most is the fact that it is a very intellectually demanding job but at the same time you do have the time to work in basic, sometimes even physical, tasks. What I least like about my work is probably something that occurs in most entry-level positions. You can easily get lost and even frustrated when first facing the amount of knowledge and skills you have to obtain.

What does an average day or week look like for you?

I usually start early since I am in charge of many matinal reports. So basically from 7:00 am to 9:00 am I am extremely busy. Afterwards I tend to concentrate on longer term projects for the company. This would entail an important amount of analytical work, asking questions (that is probably my number one recommendation to everybody starting on their careers. Ask as many questions as possible!) and eventually presenting my discoveries to the pertinent boards. A normal day would be truly non-stop but I usually can leave early at around 5:30pm.

To apply, Go/MOJO to submit your application and cover letter by Feb. 28.

IMPORTANT: Avoid these networking faux pas

How do you think you’re coming across to MiddNet volunteers? You might be less suave than you think you are. If taking a call from a networking contact or a potential employee in the Proctor booth room has ever occurred to you as a not-so-bad idea, think again and read on my friends.

Just last week, Career Services received the following eye-opening feedback from a graduate. There are some revealing messages here about networking: pay attention to the details, follow through on commitments, differentiate yourself from other candidates, and just be considerate. Here’s an important “heads up” from a MiddNet alum:

Over the past five months, I have been contacted by seven current Middlebury students seeking career guidance.  Of those seven:

· One called me by the wrong name and asked me to funnel him through to get a job

· One scheduled a call to discuss my firm, which she took in the dining hall before realizing she could not hear me and then walked across campus talking to people she ran into along the way

· Two scheduled calls, which I thought were helpful and productive, though I never heard back from either of them with any type of thank you or acknowledgment for my taking the time to speak

· Three never responded to my reply to their initial request for guidance

These behaviors are disrespectful of alumni and they are a poor representation of the College. Middlebury has been a respected brand, known for its strong community, and I want that to continue.

I have also interacted with students at other schools (particularly in the Ivy League) with similar results.  If it is a systemic issue, then I think there is a true opportunity to extend the learning environment beyond the classroom and help Middlebury students differentiate through accountability and professionalism not just today, but throughout their careers.

 -Recently received from alum at top-tier consulting firm.

Well, this is downright embarrassing. Believe us, we are blushing and looking down at our shoes on your behalf (especially you, #2, although congrats on being so popular around campus). Avoiding these faux pas might seem like common sense, but we are willing to bet that the students in the scenarios above are probably generally clever, thoughtful folks who are not usually so unscrupulous. The post-grad job search can be an intimidating, stressful, and at times awkward experience, which can make normally level-headed people do not-so-wise things. Here are some tips for remaining tactful as you network on MiddNet and elsewhere:

1) On remembering names: Do not, as I have been prone to do, assume that every man above a certain age who works in finance is named Steve. This very, very untrue. There are plenty of Roberts and Kenneths even the occasional Scott these days. Before sending an email, having a phone conversation, or meeting in person with a networking contact make sure to double-check who you’re meeting with and what position s/he holds within the company. And keep your scruples about you; never ask to be “funneled through” for a job, especially if you literally have no idea who you are talking to.

2) Plan ahead: find a quiet and secluded location to take your telephone call. Set aside a few minutes before the call to mentally prepare your talking points and questions for the kind soul who is taking the time out of his/her busy day to talk with you and answer your questions.

Suggestions for where to take a “professional” telephone call:

-Your empty room. Alone. Sans background noise.

-An empty classroom/study room.

Remember that your networking contact is doing you a favor by talking with you, not the other way around. We’re not saying you’re not awesome and it’s not great that your team is going to NESCACs next week and your thesis on feminist artists in Lisbon is not fascinating. Maybe just talk a little less about your awesome self and focus on what your contact is saying. And maybe don’t invite your networking contact to your a cappella group’s next concert in the Abernathy room. If you’re so worried about pushing ahead with your talking points, you could miss out on something important and also come off as insufferably pompous and self-absorbed. Also, for those of us with more severe phone phobia, it helps to write out questions and comments you might have, and maybe even little notes of encouragement in the margin (Way 2 Go, Sport! Buck up, little camper!)

3) If someone takes the time to reply to your query, say thank you! You always have time to send a quick, sincere thank-you, even if you are no longer pursuing the networking relationship. Nobody likes to feel as if they wasted their time by helping you out

Consider yourselves scolded. We still love you. We just want the best for you, so just don’t let this happen again, okay?

Happy (job) hunting!

Alumni Profile: Chen Lou ’11, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business

Chen Lou ’11

Current role: Master of Management Studies candidate at Fuqua School of Business, Duke University
Class year: 2012 (Middlebury College: 2011)
Major: Management Studies (Middlebury College: International Politics & Economics)

Where did your interest come from to pursue this program? I want to pursue a career in business, preferably in finance. First, this program shares the same resources with MBA students at Fuqua, such as professors, career-related information, etc. Second, this program targets towards students who do not have work experience, and most of them come from a liberal arts background. I consider this program as a perfect fit for my career goal.

What career opportunities are you looking to pursue after graduation from this program? I am looking into opportunities in finance, investment management to be specific.

How are you using your Middlebury degree? First, quick learning skills at Middlebury allow me to catch up quickly; even I didn’t take any accounting/finance related courses before. Second, my study abroad experience and my language skills that I had during my Middlebury experience differentiate me from other students in the program. Third, Middlebury alumni are still very helpful during my career searching process.

How will you use your program degree and your Middlebury degree in your future career? An IPE major gives me a global perspective and understanding to the world, and the MMS degree provides me with more specific business training that will be necessary in my future career.

What experience should a college student obtain to be marketable?
I consider study abroad a very valuable experience. Having the experience to be open and expose to different culture, and quickly adapt into it is a great skill to business. Also, internship experiences are also helpful for a college student to be marketable.

What skills do you think a person needs to be successful in your program?
Learn quickly and be open to changes. The program is very fast-paced, and lots of subjects are new to me. Also, good communication skills will allow you to be successful both in and out of the classroom. MMS focuses a lot on teamwork experience, and I think it will be hard to work with a team if a person doesn’t have good communication skills.

What skills are you gaining in your program that you will then apply to a career? First, quantitative skills I learned in Financial Accounting and Corporate Finance will certainly be helpful if I want to enter in finance. Second, professional and business communication skills both in writing and speaking will help me further in the business world. Last, career related workshops and symposiums will not only help me to be successful at my first job, but will be useful in the long run.

What do you like best/least about your program?
Definitely the people in my program, since the program itself has only 100 or so people, and everyone becomes close to each other very quickly. It is a very diverse, dynamic, and interesting group.

What does an average day or week look like for you?
Monday: Two classes, each 2 hour and 15 minutes
Tuesday: One Class
Wednesday: Career Day (also have Review Sessions for Classes)
Thursday: Same as Monday
Friday: Same as Tuesday, with Fuqua Friday in the evening to network with other Fuqua students. But I also spend a lot of time attending information sessions during the recruiting season, and reach to alumni. Adding up to various kinds of events and workshops, mock interviews, and so on. One can be quite busy during the week.

What books, web sites, or other resources should students take advantage of now to learn about the graduate school?
MMS Website: http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/other_programs/
mms_foundations_of_business/
MMS Student Blog:
http://www.lukeatduke.com/

What do you think is the next step in your career plan?
I plan to keep reaching out to alumni to find out about more off-campus recruiting opportunities.

Calling all aspiring entrepreneurs!

Venture for America, a new organization modeled after Teach for America, is recruiting recent college grads for a two-year entrepreneurship fellowship with the goal of boosting  emerging start-ups, and early-stage companies in lower-cost cities (e.g., Detroit, Providence, New Orleans).

Accepted fellows complete an extensive summer training program and are then placed with a start-up or early-stage company for two years. The application process is thorough and the selection process is competitive; VFA aims “will recruit the best and brightest college grads.”

To apply, visit the Venture for America website at: http://ventureforamerica.org/

Best cities for the young and broke

We all have our dream city in which we imagine our future, freshly graduated selves. Perhaps you dream of burrowing in a Seattle houseboat, with a warm mug of fair-trade coffee and a misty view of the Space Needle from your window, or watching the sun rise in the Rocky Mountains, or hosting cramped dinner parties in a shoe-box New York apartment.

Check out GOOD Magazine’s Guide to Hustlin’ for some tips on the best cities to get your start when you’re young and broke!

15 skills to work on

You’ve got your resume down. Your cover letter is impeccable. You’ve exhausted drop-in hours at Career Services (hint, hint) and can give a practice interview in your sleep. What else can you do to prepare?

While we often emphasize obvious steps in the job search like resumes, cover letters, and the power of a firm handshake, establishing a career is so much bigger than that first interview and job offer. What do employers expect of recent college grads they hire? How can you meet (and exceed) their standards and make the most of your first work experience?

Click the link below to find a list by a College Coordinator and Career Counselor of the top 15 skills employers say college grads need to build healthy, happy careers:

College Grad Skills

Body language: Is yours helping or hurting you?

What does Wonder Woman have to do with finding a job? How can changing the way you stand increase your ability to cope with stressful situations? What is a “power pose?” New research by a Harvard social psychologist suggests that body language is more important to an interview than you might think!

Click the link below to find out answers to the above questions and watch a video on how body language can affect your interview success:

http://philanthropy.com/blogs/innovation/the-power-of-power-posing/362?sid==3Dpt&utm_source=3Dpt&utm_medium=3Den=20

Teach For China Info Session Today

Teach For China Info Session Today, 4:30 MBH 104

Teach For China (TFC) is inspired by the vision that one day, all Chinese children will have access to a quality education.  Teach For China takes a unique approach to eliminating educational inequity by enlisting the US and China’s most promising future leaders in the effort.  In partnership with the global network Teach For All (www.teachforall.org), Teach For China recruits, selects, trains, and supports outstanding US and Chinese graduates to work side-by-side to deliver excellent education in high poverty, rural Chinese communities. As a fellow, you will be placed in full-time two-year teaching positions at under-resourced schools, where the need for exceptional educators is the greatest. Do your part to close the educational gap in China by applying to be a 2012-2014 Teaching Fellow!
Application Deadlines: Friday, October 28th, 2011
Sunday, January 8th, 2012
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

Hope to see you there!

Middlebury Sweeps the ECCD Boston Application Numbers!

Middlebury swept the application numbers for the Eastern College Career Days (ECCD) in Boston next month. Middlebury had the most students out of eight participating schools (including Amherst, Bowdoin, Hamilton, and Wesleyan) register for the upcoming event on November 18th, with 82 students submitting 321 applications!

We couldn’t be prouder and wish all 82 Midd Kids luck in their interviews!