Peace! (Corps)

Serving in the U.S. Peace Corps (http://www.peacecorps.gov/) is an end unto itself. You get to participate in a program founded in 1961, serving the most pressing needs of people around the world, doing hands-on work that calls for all the energy, commitment and skill you can muster.

However, Peace Corps service can also help you jump to the head of the line in your job-hunt. Yes, you'll gain confidence and people-experience in the Peace Corps. But imagine being able to talk about your work and travels in one of the 63 countries in which volunteers currently serve (in Africa, Latin America, Asia and more) at your job interview!

Join Ms. Anne Tatarsky, our regional Peace Corps representative, on Thursday, February 25:

• Information table in Gallagher Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Information session in Dunleavy 127 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Faculty and students groups who would like to invite Ms. Tatarsky to meet with them can contact Bob Swanson or Karen Kroetsch at 716.286.8500, or careers@niagara.edu to coordinate times and locations.

Many NU graduates have served in the Peace Corps over the years--this visit is a great opportunity to discuss a meaningful way to apply your passion and skills, and to make yourself highly attractive to employers in the process.

Thanks and a tip o’ the Twitter hat @PeaceCorps and @AnneTatarsky!

Bite-sized job hunting advice

The folks at Making Good (who have a vibrant Facebook presence here: https://www.facebook.com/makinggood) have a wonderfully direct question for you:

Where are you at in your job search? Here’s the link: http://50waystogetajob.com/.

You get nine simple, colorful tiles to click on, with these headings:

• Starting
• Finding my Purpose
• Overwhelmed
• Learning New Skills
• Networking
• Stuck
• Applying for Jobs
• Interviewing
• Happy

Each tile takes you to smaller steps you can take to advance your job search. Each step gives you a bite-sized strategy or task you can complete. Some have links to other resources; some have templates for emails you can send to accomplish the goals described in the step; all have a brief discussion of what to do, and why it’s worth doing.

For example, under networking you get:

• Step 28: Map a network (and what that means).
• Step 29: Practice 4 different ways of introducing yourself.
• Step 30: Choose 3 events to attend.
• Step 31: Find your future boss.
• Step 32: List 20 people who are rethinking your industry.
• Step 33: Make a company list.

How to College, and Beyond

http://thecollegeinvestor.com/8677/101-essential-resources-college-freshman/

This website contains a treasure-trove of links to other websites with a range of subject areas—including preparing for your future life in the workforce. There are 101 sites, with far more than the “101 Tips” promised in the title:

• Financial Aid
• Student Loans
• Personal Finance
• Investing
• Dorm Life
• College and Careers
• Love Life
• Dealing with Parents
• Prepping for the Future

Of special interest for those thinking about the job market is the section “College and Careers,” which contains these topics:

• Building a Skill Set That Employers Want
• Don’t Do These Three Things When Signing Up For College
• The Ups and Downs of Seasonal Jobs 
• 8 Simple Steps to Networking Like a Boss
• How to Make the Most of Your Internship 
• The Ultimate College Internship 
• A Few Thoughts on Unpaid Internships 
• 14 Insanely Easy Ways to Look Busy At Work 
• How and Why to Get an On-Campus Job 
• Online Jobs For College Students are a Smart Move 
• Figuring Out Your Major 
• A College Grad’s Guide to the Job Search 
• Your College Major Doesn’t Matter 

And if math is not your strong suit (it isn’t for many English majors—including me), you’ll find some helpful free resources on money management on the main website.

Thanks and a tip o’ the Twitter hat to @CollegeInvestin