10 Things You Need to Know Before You Study Abroad

Thanks to StudentUniverse for this great article! If you ever plan on studying abroad, check this list, and check it twice!
http://www.studentuniverse.com/travel-guides/study-abroad/top-10-list/10-things-you-need-to-know-before-studying-abroad

1. Obtain or update a passport and make sure all your paperwork is in order.

2. Keep up to date with the currency exchange…you might be surprised at how much you’re really going to spend.

3. Watch the news for any updates that may pertain to you about where you are going.

4. Register your semester with your home government; they will be able to get in touch with your contacts in the case of an emergency.

5. Get all necessary health check ups and vaccinations. Order ahead on your prescriptions and let your health insurance know where you’re going.

6. All your paperwork for flights and itinerary should be on hand at the airport and during your trip over.

7. Let multiple people know where you are going in case of an emergency and where you can be contacted.

8. Make sure all your courses, flights, housing, and itinerary are established and secured before leaving.

9. Check with your bank about overseas rates and check to find a local bank in your study abroad destination that you will have access to.

10. Lastly, make sure all your credits will be accepted at your home University. The last thing you want after your trip is to find out they’re not accepted.

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Job Fair? We’ve Got Tips for That

Job Fairs can be overwhelming. We get that. But they can also be a great way to meet a lot of employers in a couple of hours. It can be especially nerve-wracking for students because many times, they have never been to a job fair before. Here are some tips to help calm your nerves.

1. Remember, it’s almost a guarantee that no other student has done this either. They’re just as nervous as you are. Take some deep breaths to help you relax, and smile!
2. Most, if not all, job fairs will post which employers will in attendance and positions for which they are recruiting. You can plan and save time by knowing who you want to see.
3. Even if an employer is listed as only having positions in certain fields open, don’t completely eliminate them. If there is a company you know you want to work for or that you know usually has openings that are a better fit for you, you can still talk with the employer and give them your resume for their future reference.
4. Make a check list before you go. Have resumes ready, business cards, admission fee (if needed), professional clothing that is stain and wrinkle free, and a pen. Many students also like to bring a padfolio so they can take notes as they talk with employers, plus it has a pocket to keep resumes flat.
5. Write, and practice, your elevator speech ahead of time. This is your 20-30 second speech, all about you, that you tell to employers as you shake their hand. Use that time to give your name, major, the job you’re interested in with them, and some relevant skills and experiences you have. On that note, practice your hand shaking too! Don’t squeeze too hard or too softly, and only hold for 2 or 3 pumps.
6. Remember to get business cards from the employers, and follow up with them. Send them an email the next day thanking them for taking the time to come to the job fair and talking with you. Then, send them a hand-written card. And then, call them the next week to see if they have any questions or need any other information from you.
7. Last but certainly not least, don’t forget your career center is here to help you, as well! Contact us if you need help with your resume or working on your elevator speech.

Your Interview Doesn’t Have to be Scary

Sure, nerves can be healthy. And it’s absolutely normal to be nervous. But, wouldn’t you feel more confident if you knew you weren’t sweating profusely and going to freeze up on every answer? Here are some tips to help you prepare!

1. Do your research ahead of time. Google them, look them up on LinkedIn, read through their tweets and facebook page. This will give you a sense of familiarity with them. Find out the names of the people you will be meeting with and what position they work in. Come up with at least one question for each of them that relates to the job or the business. Make sure you know where you’re going for the interview, what time to be there, how much time it will take to get there, and if you need to bring anything aside from extra resumes.

2. Check yourself out in the mirror! Make sure your suit (if applicable) is dry cleaned, stain free, and has no wrinkles. Make sure your hair is clean and styled nicely. Keep the jewelry and the cologne or perfume to a minimum. Are you able to walk comfortably in your shoes?

3. Get yourself ready for the questions. Think about questions they might ask you. Your career center and google will be a great resource for you. Prepare answers to any questions you think you might get asked.

4.  Take the time to think about 6 opportunities for growth- where you excelled and where you struggled but still learned. What skills did you gain? What did you do, and what was the outcome? They can be examples from class, work, or internships. What are things you have done outside of the box, like a study abroad or a massive research project? Have you sat in on any webinars, received any certifications, or been recognized for outstanding work? The important thing here is to learn about yourself! Be proud of things you have accomplished AND learned from!  Be able to articulate these things.

5. Have questions ready for when they ask “Do you have any questions for me?” Remember to stay away from questions about salary, benefits, or time off. Also, don’t ask questions you could answer by Googling them. Think about questions like “What drew you to working here?” “What are the best and worst parts about working here?” “How do you see this position evolving over 5 years?” “What are opportunities for professional development?” and especially “What is your timeline for the rest of the process?”