Menu

Career Development Center Blog

Employer Spotlight: IU Department of Financial Literacy

Posted on by slheile

What is your name / job title?

Morgan McMillan | Assistant Director of Financial Literacy (Indiana University)

 

Did you have a part-time job as a student?

Yes, I had a work-study job in the Financial Aid office when I was an undergraduate student at Northwestern University; and I worked as  a Graduate Assistant and Career Counselor in the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland when I was a grad student pursuing my Master’s in Student Affairs.

 

Were you involved with any extra-curricular activities during college?

Absolutely! I stayed incredibly busy in my undergraduate career, largely figuring out where my passions lied. I was heavily involved in new student orientation, campus magazines (I was a journalism major), and the National Association of Black Journalists, among some other campus events and organizations as well. And to keep active on campus, when I was in grad school, I served as a staff advisory to a philanthropic student organization.

 

What is your #1 career tip you would like to share with college students?

Get involved, get involved, get involved! Even if you are trying things that aren’t directly related to your major or your potential career path, you might surprise yourself and find a passion in another area that can lead to greater things down the road.

 

Tells us about your organization.

I work in the IU Office of Financial Literacy, which houses the IU MoneySmarts program and exists to serve students, faculty, and staff on all 9 IU campuses. MoneySmarts is a financial wellness and education program that focuses on equipping the IU community with skills and resources toward making smart money management decisions, particularly during and after college. We offer free one-on-one appointments, presentations for classes and groups, and a wealth of online resources via our website and through Canvas (MoneySmarts U). Some of the most common topics we discuss: budgeting, saving, understanding credit and student loans, and planning for life after graduation.

Impressing Your Boss

Posted on by jennsims

As summer approaches, students will be starting new jobs and internships and meeting their boss for perhaps the first time since the interview.

What are the best ways to make a good first impression on your boss?  Here’s my super seven:

  1. Be on time. That does not mean “college time”: five minutes after class starts. It means being at least five minutes early for meetings. Punctuality is a sign of respect for others’ time.
  2. At meetings, listen to understand. Be curious, ask questions, and jot down answers. Once you understand, be eager to contribute. And don’t discuss problems without offering solutions. No one likes a whiner. Even a whiner’s mother.
  3. Be helpful. When you finish a project, don’t check out social media. Ask your boss what you can do next to help the organization. Your work ethic and commitment to the organization will be noticed and appreciated.
  4. Act and dress professionally. Be civil, empathetic and considerate of colleagues. In other words, watch the actions of those on the evening news and do the exact opposite.
  5. Find out the preferred method of communication in your organization and how your boss wants to communicate with you. It may be face to face, phone, email, text, or instant messaging. I’m 54 and when my staff wants to talk to me, I prefer to do it in person or on the phone. But, when our office communicates with students, we use social media (coordinated by student staff), text, and email. Intergenerational communication requires flexibility and understanding.
  6. I have a quotation from Oscar Wilde on my desk which says, “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” Although it is important to adapt to a company culture, you were hired for your unique skills, experiences and personality, so meet with your boss to discuss how your attributes can help the organization.
  7. Be friendly, collaborative and have a positive attitude. Share ideas. You will quickly develop a reputation as a team player who others want to work with. Happiness really is contagious. And it’s not just good for your career, it’s good for your soul.

Career Coach Spotlight: Giff Reed

Posted on by slheile

What was your major/minor/certificate?

Bachelor of Arts with a major in Philosophy and focus in Religious Studies, and minored in communication. I have a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Leadership.

 

Why did you become a career coach?

I wanted to continue to help / serve students and see them realize and reach their potential. I also wanted to support my family well.

 

What is your favorite part of being a career coach?

I really like interacting with a variety of different students, learning their stories, and discovering how I can help guide them towards their next right step.

 

Why should students come in for career coaching?

There are several good reasons. Here at my top 4 (in no particular order):

  • We don’t know what we don’t know. Career Coaches introduce students to options and opportunities that they may have never otherwise known about.
  • Everyone needs someone who can listen and guide them. Career Coaches are specially trained to meet each student where they are and help them discover what the next, right step is for them.
  • It is an important part of a holistic education. College is expensive, why wouldn’t you take advantage of everything provided to help you. Career Coaches are experts at guiding you through the CARER exploration and process. That process is different than what happens in the classroom and requires unique and specialized coaching.
  • Because they want to discover a career they’ll love. No one wants to end up two-years into a career where they don’t fit and aren’t satisfied. Career Coaches walk students through learning about the carers that are good matches for their values, interests, personality, and skills.

 

Fun fact about you

I have won at least one national championship in Olympic style weightlifting in every age group except “old man” (Masters).

Career Coach Spotlight: Tehanee Ratwatte

Posted on by slheile

Tehanee (on the pony) and her friend Dilrukshi, as children at a birthday party in Sri Lanka.

What was your major/minor/certificate?

Business and Economics with a minor in Communications.

 

Why did you become a career coach?

To give back, to help students, to share my knowledge and pay it forward. I had some phenomenal student affairs staff at my undergrad who were my cheerleaders and champions. They listened, they pushed, they helped and supported. I so appreciate them for that.

 

What is your favorite part of being a career coach?

Watching my students through their process, having hard conversations, cheering them on, seeing things fall into place in their minds and in their search process. And visiting with them when they come back as Alumni and seeing them mentor students.

 

Why should students come in for career coaching?

To meet your coach. If you are intimidated by this huge thing, meet the person who can break it down for you, and support you as you go through it. To check in- your interests may change, your focus of career interest might change, your major might change. We are here to help you sort through these things and share with you the tools to succeed.

 

Fun fact about you

I am a chocolate chip cookie addict.

Employer Spotlight: Supportive Community Innovations

Posted on by slheile

My name is Morgann Eickhoff and I work as the Director of Operational Development for Supportive Community Innovations. We are a small, local company that provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children and teens with autism. We identify skill deficit areas and work daily to build the skill sets of the individuals we work with to improve their overall quality of life. We support these individuals in the home, community, and school environments in order to promote early skill generalization.

 

A large part of my job is talent recruitment and I love working with college students. In my experience, college students make great behavior technicians. I have seen many students employed in my company early on in their college career go on to pursue their Master’s in ABA and become Board Certified Behavior Analysts. One tip that I have for students is to put your heart into your resume. Focus on your transferable skills and sell yourself. Why are you a valuable candidate? What makes you stand out? Don’t be shy, you are important!

Arts & Entertainment / Sports Career Community: Spring 2019 Events

Posted on by slheile

Each semester IU hosts a variety of cultural and entertainment activities for students to expand their horizons. If you are interested in events related to the Arts & Entertainment and Sports Career Communities, explore the list below to learn more:

 

These events serve as a channel for student discovery and exposure to out of the classroom education. Be sure to take advantage of all IU offers during your time here!

Director’s Cut: National Internship Month

Posted on by jennsims

National Internship Month

By: Pat Donahue

 

 

 

April is a busy time at IU.

Spring weather has arrived and we enjoy longer days of sunshine.

Term papers are due and exams are given.

And there’s this giant party with a bike race in the middle called Little 500.

What you don’t know is that April is now National Internship Month.

Although internships may not send shivers down your spine like the movie “Us”, they have become a necessary part of career planning.

Ideally, students should participate in two internships before they graduate. Most students participate in internships the summers after their sophomore and junior year.

How did internships evolve? Here’s a brief history of internships:

In the Middle Ages, young people who wanted to learn skilled trades would commit to working with a “master” craftsman. They would receive a “Master’s” in a skilled trade, such as blacksmithing.

These craftsmen formed associations or unions called “guilds”. You will still see that term with associations, such as the Writers Guild of America.

Although their popularity has ebbed and flowed throughout history (Benjamin Franklin was a printer’s apprentice), apprenticeships are back in vogue, especially in the skilled trades and occupations such as plumber or electrician.

Co-op (short for co-operative education) programs developed in the 1950s as part of the United States’ investment in math, science, and engineering to win the Space race. Students, usually from engineering programs, would work for an employer while taking classes.

Internships developed in the 1960’s and have been expanding greatly ever since. Many internships are paid, but despite recent lawsuits, some internships in the entertainment industry, government, and non-profits still have unpaid internships.

The term, intern, actually came from the field of medicine. It means a person with a degree, but without a license to practice: a physician in training.

Most students participate in internships during the summer and internships have become international, but the reason for participating in an internship remains the same: they allow students to explore career options, gain practical experiences and knowledge of an industry, and meet future colleagues in the work environment they are considering.

Students who intern also greatly increase their chances of being hired. When hiring, employers first hire their interns over other applicants in a process called “conversion”, meaning they are “converted” from an intern to a full time employee. Over 75% of employers first hire from their intern class.

If you are still seeking a summer internship, it is not too late. Summer internships are still being posted at the Career Development Center and other career services offices on campus.

Please set up a meeting with your assigned career coach so you can find an internship this summer.