Hi all! I hope you've all been enjoying this winter weather-- yay snow! Well, I just wanted to put up a quick post with some good news on my part that will hopefully provide you with some motivation & inspiration to get you out there moving towards your professional goals!
We all know that being a serious student in undergrad is a job in & of itself BUT we also know that in order to be competitive applicant for future jobs, graduate programs or med schools they're expecting us to take the initiative to find that balance of school, extracurriculars, jobs & professional experience.
Well, as this spring semester started up I took a look at my current "To Do" list (which was actually more like a "you need to get your butt into gear" type list..) & along side applying for summer research positions, as was mentioned in the previous blog, was to find some sort of professional work related to my career goal of becoming a veterinarian. Now, if you've been keeping up with this blog (which I'm sure every student in CALS has been... coughkiddingcough) you'd know that recently I've had my a spike in my interest of genetics. So, as opposed to getting clinical work (which I've already had a bunch of) I decided to find some sort of animal-related lab work.
Through networking over the past few years I already had a list of places I'd randomly jotted down from time to time that would be of interest to me in the local Raleigh area. (SEEEEEEEE.. it's times like these when that whole networking thing really kicks in, trust me-- we're not lying to you!) I decided to go out on a limb and send an e-mail to the director of my number one choice, Rollins Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory.
Long story short, my random e-mail (which I never through would actually get me anything at all) scored me a job working in their Histology Lab and hopefully in the fall, working in their Necropsy Unit. I'm not posting this on here for bragging rights-- I'm just hoping that students who read this will find that it really doesn't take that much energy at all, just a little initiative and determination to get yourself rolling in the right direction.
I haven't always had this type of success, and I'm not trying to say something as simple as an e-mail inquiring about avaliable work will get you a position, but I AM trying to get you all to learn how you can take control of your life & market yourself to your fullest potential! I've definitely had my share of let downs & disappointments; not all stories result in a happy ending-- but in this case, it did. :)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Summer Application TIPS!!
Hi everyone!! So, second semester has officially started-- that first "cushion" week is over & now professors are gearing up to hit us hard (not literally, of course..) but you understand what I'm saying. Well, in my last blog I mentioned getting a jump on those summer research/job/internship applications & I hope some of you at least, listened well!
I'm not gonna lie-- I did put it off until the end of break but, with working, traveling & visiting family it was kind of hard to squeeze it all in there. HOWEVER, I did start researching positions before this spring semester started back up & they're almost complete! (yay) There were a few things I realized while going through this whole process & thought I'd share a few with you:
1. Researching for positions takes TIME-- a lot more time than I thought it would. Honestly, you should just reserve a day, or half a day for your search. Remember, it's going to take time if you want to find those "perfect" positions.
2. Consider ALL options-- don't just limit yourself to local positions or ones in your home state/N.C. many summer opportunities offer compensation for travel expenses!
3. Honestly, GET TO KNOW YOUR PROFESSORS!! I promise you, you will hear this over and over and over and OVER again! But this is SO necessary. Paid research positions especially will request a reference who is familiar with your academic ability (ie: a professor). Utilize their office hours-- I know I was sick & tired of hearing this but, trust me-- this is huge.
4. Start early-- not only is this going to reduce your stress but, it will give you the upper hand. I found that many summer positions gave more consideration to those applicants who had their stuff in BEFORE the week of the deadline.
And don't worry, it's not too late yet! You still have time to research summer positions & get those applications in. I challenge you find a couple friends & just spend a Saturday afternoon knocking the core of these applications out-- I did this a couple weekends ago & it's a lot easier (& less painful...) to do it that way!
PS: We just beat Duke.. GO PACK!!
I'm not gonna lie-- I did put it off until the end of break but, with working, traveling & visiting family it was kind of hard to squeeze it all in there. HOWEVER, I did start researching positions before this spring semester started back up & they're almost complete! (yay) There were a few things I realized while going through this whole process & thought I'd share a few with you:
1. Researching for positions takes TIME-- a lot more time than I thought it would. Honestly, you should just reserve a day, or half a day for your search. Remember, it's going to take time if you want to find those "perfect" positions.
2. Consider ALL options-- don't just limit yourself to local positions or ones in your home state/N.C. many summer opportunities offer compensation for travel expenses!
3. Honestly, GET TO KNOW YOUR PROFESSORS!! I promise you, you will hear this over and over and over and OVER again! But this is SO necessary. Paid research positions especially will request a reference who is familiar with your academic ability (ie: a professor). Utilize their office hours-- I know I was sick & tired of hearing this but, trust me-- this is huge.
4. Start early-- not only is this going to reduce your stress but, it will give you the upper hand. I found that many summer positions gave more consideration to those applicants who had their stuff in BEFORE the week of the deadline.
And don't worry, it's not too late yet! You still have time to research summer positions & get those applications in. I challenge you find a couple friends & just spend a Saturday afternoon knocking the core of these applications out-- I did this a couple weekends ago & it's a lot easier (& less painful...) to do it that way!
PS: We just beat Duke.. GO PACK!!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Research for... research?
With one semester pretty much down, it's hard to believe that it's time for finals already. And just as much as I'm preparing for finals, I'm starting to think about my summer plans too! It seems the main thing I'm lacking from my "undergraduate experience" is RESEARCH! I realized this during this past summer break and have been searching for research opportunities ever since.
Since there's huge opportunity right here on campus throughout the various departments that's where I started. I found a few things but nothing that really seemed to fit my interests. So I started exploring more and more and discovered various summer research opportunities available at different Universities across the country. And while it may seem that I'm jumping the gun on this whole summer research thing (seeing as we are just NOW starting to hit what I would consider something even close to winter weather) now really is the time to start searching and filling out applications for summer jobs, internships, research opportunities, etc! Most of the application deadlines will be around February or March-- at least the ones I've looked at-- and while that seems like forever-and-a-day-away, it's a lot closer than you think!
~Happy studying! :)
Since there's huge opportunity right here on campus throughout the various departments that's where I started. I found a few things but nothing that really seemed to fit my interests. So I started exploring more and more and discovered various summer research opportunities available at different Universities across the country. And while it may seem that I'm jumping the gun on this whole summer research thing (seeing as we are just NOW starting to hit what I would consider something even close to winter weather) now really is the time to start searching and filling out applications for summer jobs, internships, research opportunities, etc! Most of the application deadlines will be around February or March-- at least the ones I've looked at-- and while that seems like forever-and-a-day-away, it's a lot closer than you think!
~Happy studying! :)
Monday, November 23, 2009
Turkey:Enjoyment :: Classes:Enjoyment
My last couple of weeks have been pretty hectic, as I'm sure the story is pretty similar for most students. With just a few days left before Thanksgiving ::yayayaycantwaityayayay:: and Dead Week slowly creeping upon us, professors, lab instructors, sports and club presidents are trying to push those last tests, lab practicals, quizzes, games of the season, and volunteer projects on their students before we all make a huge break for it running towards turkey, pie and the shopping madness of Black Friday.
Let me tell you-- the past WEEK I have had my mind on that "T" word. You see, it not only means a juicy bird for me. It means I get to see one of my brothers for the first time in almost 6 months. It means I finally get the time to actually go LOOK at those cars I'm interested in. It means I get to TRAVEL and see even more family. It means early Christmas shopping. And of course, planning on getting that early jump start on studying for finals. (fingersTIGHTLYcrossed)!
With all this being said, sometimes school and our futures are the last things on our minds during this time of year and especially before these highly esteemed breaks. But something funny happened to me this past week. As much as I tried to fill my mind with what's to come during Thanksgiving break, a conversation I had with one of my fellow peers before a Microbiology lab practical really caused me to take a pause and think about where it is I'm going with my life.
It all started as I was getting some last minute studying in. A guy in my lab section happened to be studying just a table away from me and asked if I was a CALS Ambassador saying he'd recognized me. (Become notably famous & recognized: check!) I responded with a yes and we started talking about mutual friends and finally he asked me this one question that kind of left me hanging for a split second; he asked: "How do you know that what you're focusing on in school is what you actually want to do in life?" Simple question right? ..... WRONG! So, so, so wrong. Of course I eventually responded and told him you know it's right if you're in it for the right reasons; doing it because it's something you WANT to do not something you feel obligated or forced to pursue. But that answer didn't feel sufficient enough. So I continued to think and all of a sudden, eureka!
It wasn't until my Junior year when I finally realized what it meant to feel excited or purely enjoy a class 100%. I thought I did, yes. But really-- I didn't. For those of you who read my first blog, you know my back story on Genetics and this will make more sense but, I realized Genetics was the FIRST class I've taken where I thoroughly enjoyed and LOVED studying for it. And that's the truth-- as lame as it sounds. THAT'S when you know you're heading in the right direction, when you find yourself getting excited about a subject-- I mean legitly EX-CI-TED!
So for those of you who aren't sure which path it is you should pursue, or what direction your life needs to take. Think back. Through all your semesters you've had so far and find those one or two classes that really and truly excite you. It's what I've done and is partially why I've had to change my current plan as a senior. Trust me, it will be worth it to stop and take this into consideration. Your future will love you for it!
Let me tell you-- the past WEEK I have had my mind on that "T" word. You see, it not only means a juicy bird for me. It means I get to see one of my brothers for the first time in almost 6 months. It means I finally get the time to actually go LOOK at those cars I'm interested in. It means I get to TRAVEL and see even more family. It means early Christmas shopping. And of course, planning on getting that early jump start on studying for finals. (fingersTIGHTLYcrossed)!
With all this being said, sometimes school and our futures are the last things on our minds during this time of year and especially before these highly esteemed breaks. But something funny happened to me this past week. As much as I tried to fill my mind with what's to come during Thanksgiving break, a conversation I had with one of my fellow peers before a Microbiology lab practical really caused me to take a pause and think about where it is I'm going with my life.
It all started as I was getting some last minute studying in. A guy in my lab section happened to be studying just a table away from me and asked if I was a CALS Ambassador saying he'd recognized me. (Become notably famous & recognized: check!) I responded with a yes and we started talking about mutual friends and finally he asked me this one question that kind of left me hanging for a split second; he asked: "How do you know that what you're focusing on in school is what you actually want to do in life?" Simple question right? ..... WRONG! So, so, so wrong. Of course I eventually responded and told him you know it's right if you're in it for the right reasons; doing it because it's something you WANT to do not something you feel obligated or forced to pursue. But that answer didn't feel sufficient enough. So I continued to think and all of a sudden, eureka!
It wasn't until my Junior year when I finally realized what it meant to feel excited or purely enjoy a class 100%. I thought I did, yes. But really-- I didn't. For those of you who read my first blog, you know my back story on Genetics and this will make more sense but, I realized Genetics was the FIRST class I've taken where I thoroughly enjoyed and LOVED studying for it. And that's the truth-- as lame as it sounds. THAT'S when you know you're heading in the right direction, when you find yourself getting excited about a subject-- I mean legitly EX-CI-TED!
So for those of you who aren't sure which path it is you should pursue, or what direction your life needs to take. Think back. Through all your semesters you've had so far and find those one or two classes that really and truly excite you. It's what I've done and is partially why I've had to change my current plan as a senior. Trust me, it will be worth it to stop and take this into consideration. Your future will love you for it!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Your Prescription for Success!
So, after spending the weekend with my boyfriend's family in Charlotte I found that the 3 hour drive back to Raleigh earlier this afternoon started out pretty typical-- boyfriend drives, girlfriend sits shotgun & has 100% control over the play-list. Life was good... that is until, we hit that oh so recognizable standstill in traffic. You know which one I'm talking about, the one that pops up out of nowhere at the most unexpected time (because really, WHY would the interstate be backed up on a Sunday??) and goes on for as far as you can see.
Yes- it was annoying. We ranted & eventually this ranting lead to a more generalized ranting of what our upcoming weeks had in store for us. He, having more lab reports, homework assignments, calculations & projects than there were days in the week & me-- absolutely nothing. And then it hit me-- I mean how could I even forget-- the CALS Career Expo.
I've recently spent the past couple of weeks preparing the student body of CALS for the Career Expo. Classroom & club announcements, posting up signs and posters, chalking & tunnel painting have dominated my planner. And there's STILL work to be done. But in the rush of things, even I am in dire need of taking a step back to prepare MYSELF for the 2009 Expo.
I've actually had a lot of success every year I've attended the expo. Each year I've gotten either a great contact or landed an awesome internship through my hard work and preparation. My first year (freshman year) was probably the most intimidating of them all. With little experience & MAJOR timidness my nerves could be felt a mile away! However, I prepared the best I could and long story short ended up with a GREAT internship for the summer working with large exotics.
What's my prescription for success at the expo you ask??
-REVAMP your resume!-- it needs to be polished and updated
-BROWSE the interactive map on the CALS Career Services website-- familiarize yourself with the layout & companies
-RESEARCH companies of interest-- even if it's a slight interest get to know what they're all about
-Get to know YOURSELF-- know your interests & what you're looking for at the expo, make sure to have your "elevator speech" thought out.
-Dress to IMPRESS-- business casual is fine but the sharper you look, the better!
-List of QUESTIONS-- both generalized questions & specific questions to keep up conversation
And my number one piece of advice for the expo?? --Be open-minded when talking with companies that don't cater to what it is you want to do! Networking is a HUGE part of going to expo. I've spoken to representatives from food & drug companies (nothing close to animal-related work) who got me in touch with some great individuals for pre-vet students.
Now, GO and get excited for the expo this week!!... doctor's orders.
Yes- it was annoying. We ranted & eventually this ranting lead to a more generalized ranting of what our upcoming weeks had in store for us. He, having more lab reports, homework assignments, calculations & projects than there were days in the week & me-- absolutely nothing. And then it hit me-- I mean how could I even forget-- the CALS Career Expo.
I've recently spent the past couple of weeks preparing the student body of CALS for the Career Expo. Classroom & club announcements, posting up signs and posters, chalking & tunnel painting have dominated my planner. And there's STILL work to be done. But in the rush of things, even I am in dire need of taking a step back to prepare MYSELF for the 2009 Expo.
I've actually had a lot of success every year I've attended the expo. Each year I've gotten either a great contact or landed an awesome internship through my hard work and preparation. My first year (freshman year) was probably the most intimidating of them all. With little experience & MAJOR timidness my nerves could be felt a mile away! However, I prepared the best I could and long story short ended up with a GREAT internship for the summer working with large exotics.
What's my prescription for success at the expo you ask??
-REVAMP your resume!-- it needs to be polished and updated
-BROWSE the interactive map on the CALS Career Services website-- familiarize yourself with the layout & companies
-RESEARCH companies of interest-- even if it's a slight interest get to know what they're all about
-Get to know YOURSELF-- know your interests & what you're looking for at the expo, make sure to have your "elevator speech" thought out.
-Dress to IMPRESS-- business casual is fine but the sharper you look, the better!
-List of QUESTIONS-- both generalized questions & specific questions to keep up conversation
And my number one piece of advice for the expo?? --Be open-minded when talking with companies that don't cater to what it is you want to do! Networking is a HUGE part of going to expo. I've spoken to representatives from food & drug companies (nothing close to animal-related work) who got me in touch with some great individuals for pre-vet students.
Now, GO and get excited for the expo this week!!... doctor's orders.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
New Year, New Face
College. I asked a few friends what the first thing that comes to mind when they hear that word & the majority of them said, a fresh start. Freshness.. it's a good word right? Clean, relaxing, upbeat, (Pine-Sol lady)-- these are all positive associations. But all this college "freshness" can be overwhelming at times. Where do you begin? How do you know what major is right for you? What will you be doing after graduation? What direction is the RIGHT direction?
--I can't promise that you'll find all the answers to these questions here on this blog but, you WILL be able to see how I am faced with these same obstacles & what I do to overcome them.
FIRST, let me introduce myself. My name is Lauren and I'm a Senior in Biological Sciences & Genetics with a Pre-Vet concentration. I serve as a CALS Ambassador where my main focus is working as a Career Educator. I help promote CALS Career Services & all the great opportunities they offer students to help them reach future career goals. This blog is part of a project that was initiated by an Ambassador Alumni, Nicole, who graduated last spring and so now, I'm stepping up to offer my insight for students like you, who are just like me.
AHHHHH! Senior Year! Yes, typically I'd be freaking at this point in the semester. Application deadlines would be closing in on me and then, all the "what if's" would start flying through my head. However, as a result of one of the biggest decisions I've made so far in college I won't be graduating until Spring 2011.
As mentioned previously, I've had the desire to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine for quite some time, and in my mind this involved 4-year Undergrad and then, straight to Vet School. Being a perfectionist, anything straying me "off course" was thought to be unacceptable. And so, my decision to pick up the new Genetics major and stay an extra year to finish (pushing my graduation date back) was a hard one and took me literally half-a-year to settle on.
You see, already I've "strayed" off my course. It may sound scary but, that's what I want you to get out of this blog. Realizing that.. things CHANGE and sometimes they can be for the better.
--I can't promise that you'll find all the answers to these questions here on this blog but, you WILL be able to see how I am faced with these same obstacles & what I do to overcome them.
FIRST, let me introduce myself. My name is Lauren and I'm a Senior in Biological Sciences & Genetics with a Pre-Vet concentration. I serve as a CALS Ambassador where my main focus is working as a Career Educator. I help promote CALS Career Services & all the great opportunities they offer students to help them reach future career goals. This blog is part of a project that was initiated by an Ambassador Alumni, Nicole, who graduated last spring and so now, I'm stepping up to offer my insight for students like you, who are just like me.
AHHHHH! Senior Year! Yes, typically I'd be freaking at this point in the semester. Application deadlines would be closing in on me and then, all the "what if's" would start flying through my head. However, as a result of one of the biggest decisions I've made so far in college I won't be graduating until Spring 2011.
As mentioned previously, I've had the desire to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine for quite some time, and in my mind this involved 4-year Undergrad and then, straight to Vet School. Being a perfectionist, anything straying me "off course" was thought to be unacceptable. And so, my decision to pick up the new Genetics major and stay an extra year to finish (pushing my graduation date back) was a hard one and took me literally half-a-year to settle on.
You see, already I've "strayed" off my course. It may sound scary but, that's what I want you to get out of this blog. Realizing that.. things CHANGE and sometimes they can be for the better.
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