KPMG, one of the Big 4 Accounting Firms, has taken their investment in new hires and candidates to a whole new level. This investment is seen in the form of their sprawling KPMG Lakehouse campus in Orlando, Florida where new and tenured professionals go to build their skills, participate in training, and grow their network. 

One particular immersion that KPMG has at Lakehouse is their Talent Sync program where intern and full-time candidates gather to learn what life is like at KPMG and to get better acquainted with the firm.

While the benefits of Talent Sync are vast, we’ve identified a few main allures through conversations with participants and facilitators of the program. Whether it is simulated work experiences and first-hand narratives of personal journeys or networking and team-building exercises, KPMG Talent Sync is an excellent opportunity for early-career candidates looking to jumpstart their professional services careers and immerse themselves into a vibrant work culture.

Seeing Yourself in Their Shoes

One of the main benefits of Talent Sync is that prospective interns, new hires, and candidates get the chance to interact with professionals from all different levels of the firm. The goal of the program is to provide an opportunity for participants to imagine their own career trajectories at the firm.

Jacob went on to say how inspiring it was listening to leaders in the same field he was interested in talk with so much passion. This motivated him to set similar goals for himself and choose KPMG as the place where he wants to begin his career.

When we spoke with Courtney Kelly, a manager on the University Talent Acquisition team who helped facilitate Talent Sync, she explained how “interns aren’t always thinking about years down the line, so by having multiple levels of professionals on-site at Talent Sync, candidates are better able to picture themselves in different positions within the company.” Looking at Jacob’s story, it’s clear that KPMG’s efforts did just that.

A Behind The Scenes Look at What Life Is Like at KPMG

Another great allure of KPMG Talent Sync is the opportunity for prospective interns and new hires to see what life is really like at KPMG. This means learning about both the work you’re going to be doing and the benefits you get as an employee.

In the practice breakout rooms at the program, Audit, Tax, and Advisory professionals with various levels of experience lead interactive sessions on a range of topics relevant to their respective practices. These sessions offer participants a unique opportunity to engage with professionals in a small group setting and gain insights into the work performed on their teams.  

Talent Sync goes as far as having designated location-specific cohorts on-site to help candidates understand what life at KPMG is like. This past year, Audit Senior Associate, Brady Blanton had the privilege of being an on-site cohort captain. While Brady helped participants at Talent Sync understand everything involved with the actual work they will be doing, he also offered them insight into everything outside the work of a KPMG professional as well.

The fact that KPMG has someone like Brady on-site at Talent Sync to show these participants a really accurate portrayal of the firm’s culture and work-life just goes to show how much they invest in candidates before the job even starts. By the end of our conversation with Brady, it was clear that KPMG was making an effort to show these candidates that they really wanted them to work for the firm and cared about their future. 

Building Career-Long Relationships

When KPMG invites candidates to Talent Sync, they do so with the intention of compelling them to accept their offer to join a firm with incredible opportunities to grow their careers and their network. 

Talent Sync naturally becomes a place where career-long relationships begin.

KPMG knows what it takes to be successful in the accounting industry and clearly values strong networking opportunities. Whether it’s to start career-long relationships or see a real inside look at what life is like at the firm and what your career could consist of, Talent Sync is one of the most unique opportunities for early-career candidates interested in professional services.

If you want to learn what it takes to grow and develop yourself at one of the Big 4 accounting firms, take a look at some of the open roles and job opportunities at KPMG on their WayUp profile or www.kpmguscareers.com/job-search.

Some or all of the services described herein may not be permissible for KPMG audit clients and their affiliates or related entities.

The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

© 2023 KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.

The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization.

The post A Future-Ready Workforce at KPMG: Investing Ahead of the Curve appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I served on a career advisory panel the other day where one of the other speakers was talking about the importance of mentors and it made me think: Life – especially sometimes at work – is messy. Why are we always talking about having a mentor when multiple mentors would actually be that much more effective?

There are so many times when advice from different types of trusted advisors can be integral to your career growth. As such, here are the four mentors I believe are necessary for career success:

1. Someone in Your Field of Choice

Let’s start with the most obvious and common one; choose someone in the field where you wish to be. Whether you are still in school or have entered the workforce and are in your first entry-level job, identify someone in your chosen sector, connect with that person (hello, LinkedIn!) and ask for that person’s permission to use him/her as a mentor. Try to set up monthly meetings or conversations that cover a range of topics; examples include: “Why did you pick this field?,” “What was your career trajectory so far?,” “What has changed about the field since you entered it?,” “What do you think makes someone successful in this sector?” and “If you had to it all over again, what would you change?” There are endless questions, but these are a good selection to get your mentor conversation going.

2. The Friend Who is Doing it Right

We all have that friend who just shines in all areas of life, excelling at work, enjoying a great social life, hitting those life achievements and generally appearing to have it all together. Ever wonder how he or she does it? I suggest meeting that person for a drink (if local) or setting up a Skype date (if not local) and asking your friend exactly that. The answer may surprise you – perhaps she is a big believer in The No Club (i.e., saying no to non-priorities) or he is a firm believer in focusing on just work, a few friends and family. Learn from that friend and stay connected; a few good conversations may also yield what we all hope to be true: He or she is juggling the craziness of life just as much as you are.

3. A Parental Figure

Whether or not you are a parent or even plan to be one, it helps to have a parental figure as a mentor, even for your career. This person does not have to be your parent so much as that elder in your life who keeps you grounded when it comes to your career, personal growth and overall life expectations. Some people find that professors from college or graduate school, a very senior manager, much older sibling or an actual parent (go figure!) provide the best advice when you start out and as your career continues to evolve. Look to this person as the one who will provide you with the most objective, what-you-need-to-hear-when-you-need-to-hear-it kind of guidance.

4. The Person You Never Want to Be

We all have that individual (sometimes, more than one) who just rubs us the wrong way. From a career perspective, it may be a former boss who is just mean, a colleague who does nothing but take all the credit anyway or even someone from another department or company who routinely treats people poorly for no reason at all. Even if ignoring them altogether feels easier, there is much to learn from these individuals (namely, how NOT to be). Take some time to identify what he or she (or they!) did wrong and make a mental list of “Things I Won’t Repeat.” Remind yourself of this list, especially as you expand your own responsibilities and have more people working on your team as well as under your supervision.

At some point, of course, you may just get to be someone’s mentor; let’s hope you are not serving as “The Person You Never Want to Be” kind, but regardless, remember those individuals who helped shape and grow your career so you can then serve as an effective sounding board for the next generation. Remember, it’s YOUR Career: ReFresh. Revive. Renew!

The post The Four Mentors Necessary for Career Success appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Your full-time job calls for 40 hours a week but you find yourself working 50-60. A few days each week, you catch yourself eating what is cheapest or nearest to save time and energy. You skip your workout to meet an upcoming deadline. You realize it’s early November and you don’t know how time is passing so quickly.

Sound familiar?

Professional environments and contemporary culture, particularly in fast-paced urban areas, encourage us to work harder, better, faster, and stronger, often to the detriment of our health and wellbeing.

We assume we are superior to our inanimate tools like cars and machines by overriding our internal cues for resources. However, like the tools around us, the better we are maintained, the better we perform.

I imagine the above comes as no surprise. You may be very interested in integrating more self-care into your routine but are struggling to put ideas to practice.

The following 7 tips will help you initiate and maintain a routine.

1. Listen to the cues

Our physical and mental experiences are interdependent. Your body may be sending you messages about your stress level that indicate you are in need of more self-care.

Some signs include, but are not limited to:

• You have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• You feel fatigued most of the day
• Your appetite is much more intense or much less intense than usual
• You experience either constipation or diarrhea
• Your thoughts race or blur, making it difficult to focus
• You feel irritable or snap easily at co-workers, peers, or strangers
• You feel more impatient than usual
• You feel more nervous than usual, leading to increases in habits like biting your nails, tapping your pen or feet during meetings, or fidgeting
• You smoke, drink, or engage in other substance use more than usual
• You isolate or socialize significantly more or less than usual
• You begin feeling less interested in your daily activities, or wonder what is the point?

Some of these signs are more obvious than others. The first step is to objectively notice how you are feeling or behaving, how intense those feelings or behaviors are, and how often they occur.

Once you become more familiar with noticing these sensations, you may want to create a journal or use an app to track what you are feeling, thinking, and doing. Check out Refinery29’s suggestions for anxiety tracking apps. If you are more interested in tracking your sleep, eating habits, exercise, or other metric, a quick Google search can help you find the mobile tools for your needs.

By following the next two steps, you will create more opportunities to hear and listen to your particular body’s signs on your own.

2. Set aside 10 minutes in the morning

If we are not careful, we can miss what our body is telling us.

Mindfulness can help us hear and understand. Mindfulness is proven to lower stress, increase self-awareness, increase body awareness, improve performance, protect against mental illness, increase focus, improve emotional processing, help regulate emotion, increase compassion, decrease feelings of loneliness, improve sleep, and more.

With practices like meditation and mindfulness, consistency is key. Studies show that 10-15 minutes of mindfulness practice a day will lead to results.

I recommend setting time aside first thing in the morning. This is the time of day you have the most control over. Some people prefer meditating at night, or with a group at a particular time during the week. The time of day matters much less than regular practice.

I meditate first thing in the morning. I set my alarm for 15-20 minutes earlier than I know I need to prepare for the day. I do not check my email or my social accounts. I wake up, turn off my alarm, open Insight Timer (some people prefer Headspace), and meditate for 15 minutes. I then proceed with the rest of my day.

Note: You do not need an app or other materials to meditate. You only need yourself, a relatively comfortable seated position, and a relatively quiet, private space where you will not be externally prompted or disturbed.

You also do not need to be an experienced meditator. Apps like Insight Timer and Headspace provide guided meditations to ease you into the practice. Written and audio resources and in-person meditation groups may also guide you in the beginning of your practice.

Gradually, you will be able to practice independently of guides and tools. This practice will strengthen the communication between your body and your mind. Accordingly, over time, you will be more aware more quickly of the messages (like in Tip 1) that your body may send you about its needs before the needs become emergencies.

3. Invest in yourself

Sometimes, you need an external influence to help facilitate your self-care. The best approach to self-care is to initiate your practices and routines from a place of strength and stability to proactively prevent crisis.

I am a big proponent of therapy. You may have some questions or concerns about therapy. Here are BuzzFeed’s 25 ways therapy can help you.

A good therapist will help you familiarize with the internal roots and workings of your thoughts and behaviors. You will recognize patterns in yourself and better anticipate how your past and present impact you now and in your future. Therapy is not intended to eradicate all sadness or a full range of emotions. Rather, you will build the skills to observe, weather, and accept any storm.

If you are interested in therapy, based in the NY area, and looking for help in finding the right therapist for you, my team at My Wellbeing is happy to help.

If therapy is not your self-care method of choice, perhaps you would benefit from a personal trainer, a dietician, or a coach. As I mentioned in Tip 2, consistency is key. Devote a specific time and place weekly to check in with yourself and assess how you are doing and why.

4. Treat 2-3 workouts a week like work meetings

Regular exercise has been shown to improve your mood and decrease feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress, increase the production of endorphins, assist with weight loss and maintenance, strengthen your muscles and bones, increase your energy levels, reduce risk of chronic disease, improve skin health, improve brain health and memory, improve sleep quality and relaxation, reduce pain, promote a better sex life, and more.

Making time for exercise can feel next to impossible some days.

I recommend finding a time in your schedule that you do not regularly have other conflicts. Say you meet with your supervisor on Tuesday evenings, your co-workers usually go out together on Thursdays, and your friends tend to gather on Friday nights. Commit an hour on Monday and Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon to do something active.

Put recurring events in your calendar. Treat appointments with yourself like work meetings. Incentivize your following through (for example, treat yourself to a smoothie after your workout, or put $5 toward the shoes you are eyeing every time you go to the gym).

5. Cook healthy meals in advance

Greatist outlines 45 surprising benefits of exercising and eating healthy. Among the many, eating well can brighten your mood, protect your bones, strengthen your fertility and immune system, boost your cognitive capacity, improve your skin health, heighten your sex drive, reduce insomnia, soothe sore muscles, give you energy, and reduce your cravings for unhealthy food.

Like working out, finding the time and budget for eating well can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Counterintuitively, eating well can save you time and money.

I recommend preparing a week’s-worth of healthy food at the onset of your week that you can easily reheat at work for lunch or after work for dinner. You can store a majority of this food in your freezer so that it will not spoil. While this may take a few hours upfront, you will eliminate the time barrier for the rest of your week, making eating healthy as easy as grabbing a pastry at the Starbucks downstairs.

Below are 5 healthy recipes from Eating Well you can try:

• Chickpea Curry
• Seared Salmon with Pesto Fettuccine
• Beet & Shrimp Winter Salad
• Chicken & Spiced Apples
• Mozzarella, Basil and Zucchini Frittata

One simple staple of mine is to make a week’s-worth of brown rice and steamed vegetables. I vary my vegetables week by week, depending on what I am in the mood for and what looks good in the produce section of the grocery store or market. I generally season the vegetables with garlic, salt and pepper, and a variety of other spices (not a very scientific recipe). I complement the vegetables with poached eggs, grilled chicken, grilled salmon, or grilled white fish. If I want to go meat-free, I use beans as the primary protein and top with chopped almonds. You can add extra flare with cheese or avocado.

I store 70% of this food in my freezer and prepare 1-3 meals-worth in mason jars or tupperware in my fridge to take with me for lunch for the week.

This saves you time by avoiding long lines and indecision at lunch time. You can use your extra time to connect with a co-worker, eat or take a walk outside, or chip away at the deadline you want to meet.

This saves you money by preparing healthy meals with groceries ahead of time that overall cost less than eating out. The amount you invest in the ingredients of each meal is up to you. You can use your saved money to reward yourself for following through, add an ingredient to your pre-prepared meals that is a little more expensive than usual, or save toward any other goal or investment.

6. Commit to something that brings you joy

Most self-improvement suggestions require an investment of hard work and money. This time, I recommend you commit regularly to something that makes you feel good.

Joy and laughter are medicinal. Medical Daily shares that laughter increases serotonin and endorphins in the brain, replenishes the lungs, relaxes muscles and eases tension in the body, reduces stress hormones in the body, protects the heart, strengthens the immune system, and functions similarly to a really good workout.

Laughter also relieves everyday worry and stress, adds positivity and resilience to life, improved overall happiness and mood, and helps ease worry, anxiety, and fear.

Your go-to joy may be Seinfeld reruns, playing with your dog, going on a date with your partner, catching up with a friend, or listening to music. Whatever it is, counter to what popular culture and professional environments encourage you to believe, investing in joy is not a waste of time. Ensure you have at least 30 minutes of joy on your calendar every week. Work up to at least 30 minutes a day.

7. Try and try again — with patience.

You may not yet know what stress management tools work best for you.

Humans are unique. What works for one does not always work for another. Often, variations to the mold are in store. Moreover, breaking old habits and creating new ones is often harder than we first think.

On average, it takes 66 days to form a new habit. Using the guidance above, choose one change you would like to commit to. Plan to implement that change for 10 weeks. After the 10 weeks, evaluate whether the tactic resonates with you.

Leaning on objective third parties and support systems is helpful during this time. A trusted friend, therapist, or coach can make all the difference in evaluating change, processing your learnings, and holding yourself accountable.

You may find the habit is so natural you have no desire to return to how you were doing things before. Or, you may find the new habit is harder than you realized or does not resonate with you. You may supplement the first choice with an additional shift or try something else entirely.

Throughout the growth process, practice patience with yourself. Old habits are hard to break and new habits are even harder to create. Change is challenging. Moments of joy and celebration may come with moments of frustration or doubt.

Do your best to accept the ride and trust that over time, you will come to better understand your unique set of experiences and needs.

Prioritizing time for self-care in a busy work week is a worthwhile challenge. By following these tips, you’ll be able to focus on your wellbeing and set yourself up for personal and professional success.

Keep in touch

Have a question or a suggestion for maintaining self-care during a busy work week that I did not mention? Leave a comment below, connect with me (@apetersel) or My Wellbeing (Facebook and Instagram: @mywellbeingtherapy and Twitter @findmywellbeing) on social, or reach out to me at alyssa@mywellbeing.us. I look forward to connecting with you soon!

The post 7 Tips for Maintaining Self-Care During a Busy Work Week appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Coming out to anyone is a big deal, especially if you’ve never done it before. And although your professional relationships are different from your personal ones, feeling comfortable enough to be open with your co-workers is important. If you’ve been following the #NationalComingOutDay posts on Twitter and Instagram today, you know that it’s National Coming Out Day, an annual holiday created in 1988 to raise awareness for the LGBTQ community.

Whether you’re ready to come out to your co-workers or you just want to learn more about how to do it, here are three things to keep in mind about coming out at work.

Start with your closest co-workers

One of the best ways to ensure that you feel comfortable opening up is to talk to your closest co-workers first. Set up some time to grab lunch or coffee with them (preferably one-on-one) and use this as an opportunity to share more details about your personal life and deepen your existing connections. Having allies among you co-workers will not only make you feel more comfortable about being your authentic self, it will also help you feel supported in the workplace.

Practice what you’re going to say

Talking about sensitive subjects at work can be a bit nerve-wracking so it’s important to figure what you want to say ahead of time and to spend some time practicing. While it’s not necessary to go over each conversation before it happens, having a few things that you want to mention is a great way to ensure that you feel at ease as you start to come out to your co-workers. Not sure where to start? That’s okay too. You can use National Coming Out Day as a way into the conversation and explain why it’s important to you.

Be confident in yourself and stay strong

Being comfortable and confident with who you are is just as important in the workplace as it is in your personal life. One of the best ways to do that is to open up only when you feel comfortable and to do it in a way that gives you control over the situation. Although you can’t predict the outcome of each interaction, trust that your co-workers are going to be supportive and accepting of you who are and that opening up to them will help to strengthen the bonds of your relationships.

Coming out at work (like coming out anywhere) can be intimidating, but it can also be a great way to connect with your co-workers and get them to share more about their own personal lives.

The post Considering Coming Out at Work? Here’s How to Do It appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a college student, you’re told to choose a major, complete internships and join clubs and activities that interest you. These experiences are designed to lead to a fulfilling career, but what if you don’t know what you want to do yet? That’s totally okay and in fact, it can actually be beneficial to you in the long run.

You’re going to change your mind at least once.

When you begin your freshman year of college, the major you choose might be something that interests you, but you don’t really know if you’ll enjoy it until you try it out. Most college students change their major at least once in college and many change them more than once for several reasons. You might really like history, but you may decide once you start taking history classes that you’re not as excited about it as you originally thought. College is the perfect time to expand your horizons and do a lot of different things, and figuring out what you don’t want to do is just as important, if not more important, than finding your dream career.

Internships and jobs can help you find your dream career.

Very few people start off knowing exactly what they want to do with the rest of their lives, because it’s hard to know what you’re looking for in a career until you actually get a taste of that particular industry. Although the classroom teaches you quite a bit, there are some things you can’t learn anywhere besides the professional world. Internships are the perfect opportunity to test the waters and you might find that you love the field that you’re studying or come to realize that it’s not for you. The good news is that both revelations are extremely valuable.

Your classmates are in a similar situation.

It can be easy to compare yourself to your friends who seem like they have it all figured out, but the truth is that sometimes you just have to fake it until you make it. Almost no college student has his or her entire life planned out, so try to remember that your fellow students across the country feel the same way that you do. Being unsure about your career opens up so many doors, because it simply means that you have a ton of options to choose from. Our advice to you is to get as many different experiences as you can to help you decide where you see yourself in five years, 10 years and so on. Just keep in mind that every time you find something you don’t like, you’re that much closer to discovering your passion, so don’t stress about uncertainty, because you never know what can happen.

Talk to friends and family, join clubs, take classes that interest you, take on internships and jobs and you’ll be well on your way to finding something that makes you feel like you’ll never work a day in your life. In the meantime, though, enjoy not knowing and take advantage of everything college has to offer.

The post Not Sure What to Do With Your Career? You’re Not Alone appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you work at any one of Cedar Fair’s many amusement parks, you will spend your summer working amongst roller coasters, water slides and cotton candy stands. It will be your responsibility to make sure thousands upon thousands of guests each day have a “Best Day Ever” experience. You will even get to spend time with some celebrities of the costumed character kind including Snoopy and Charlie Brown!  And as an added perk when you’re not working you can enjoy the park for free with your friends and co-workers experiencing all the world-class rides and coasters or sampling some of the finest amusement park food around. Your job there can take one of several forms, including:

The Wizard of Rides

No unbuckled seat belts or guests below the height limit will ever get past your watchful eye. From riders conquering their fear of heights to the bravest of little guests boarding their very first ride, you’ll be that friendly, helpful face everyone sees right before their ride takes off. You’ll take pride in your coaster, carousel or river rapids ride and treat them as your home away from home for the summer, keeping them sparkly clean for every guest.

The Personal Shopper

From t-shirts to hats or snow globes to stuffed animals, choosing the perfect park souvenir isn’t an easy decision. That’s why you’ll be there to help guests find everything they need to remember their day. You’ll also channel your interior design skills into product displays, keep your store organized and make sure there isn’t an empty shelf in sight (don’t forget you’ll get a discount on all these awesome gifts as well).   

The (Friendly) Gatekeeper

From your perch at a toll booth, turnstile or ticket station, you’ll ensure every guests makes it into the park safely and smoothly. You’ll also know the park grounds like the back of your hand. You’ll become an amusement park encyclopedia, providing the best directions and park information so no one’s left feeling lost or confused.

The Pool Protector

The waterpark will be your domain. You’re already certified in swim time safety and a stickler for pool rules. Once you’re on the clock, the make sure every guest is slipping and sliding safely down all those water slides!   

The Master of Mealtime

When a guest can’t decide between a burger and fries or a hotdog and a milkshake, you’ll come to the rescue with recommendations. You’ll work fast enough to keep lines short and you’ll take pride in your ability to keep a kitchen clean no matter how hectic things get.

The Referee

You already know just what to do when giant stuffed animal prizes are on the line. You’ll be the emcee of skill games, explaining the rules, making change and rewarding winners. You’ll also make sure the most popular prizes are always in stock to avoid any sad winners, and you’ll go out of your way to make sure games of skill are carried out with the highest level of safety.

Any challenge that involves rides, games and French fries is a worthy challenge in our book. If you agree, head over to WayUp now and apply to work at one of Cedar Fair’s many amusement park locations. They’re hiring for roles at parks around the country, including Dorney Park, Carowinds, and Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park.

The post This Summer Job Comes with a Side of Fries, Rides and Water Slides appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you think of some of the most innovative companies in the world, which places come to mind? Regardless of the organizations you’re thinking about, we guarantee there’s one important company missing from your list and you might not even realize it. Its name? CohnReznick.

CohnReznick, one of the leading accounting, tax and advisory firms, has a state-of-the-art innovation lab that you just have to see to believe. The space is all about fostering in-room and online ideation, problem-solving and visualization, and it includes a video conferencing wall, visual collaboration tools and “meeting anywhere” internet communications.

The lab combines the best tools, experiences and technology to allow CohnReznick’s team to complete bigger projects in a fraction of the time. The company believes that by investing in technology, it’s also investing in more well-rounded team members and better business results.

Why does that matter for you and your career? Finding a company that is constantly innovating and looking for the next great way to get the job done is becoming more important than ever. Why lag behind when you can work for a place that’s setting the gold standard for what it means for a company to innovate? And in the case of CohnReznick, let’s be real here: It’d be really fun to have the opportunity to play with their wall-sized touchscreen.

via GIPHY

Want the chance to learn from the people at CohnReznick and get to use all of their incredibly innovative technologies? Now’s your chance; they’re hiring on WayUp right now.

The post You Won’t Want to Work Anywhere Else After You See This Innovation Lab appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As an intern or entry-level employee, you might sometimes find it hard to speak up, defend yourself or stand behind your own ideas and opinions. This is understandable; after all, you just spent 12+ years as a student, where it was your job to be critiqued by people who were (supposedly) smarter and more credentialed than you are. You also have less experience than your colleagues, make much less than they do and have to deal with the many negative connotations associated with titles like “Intern,” “Assistant,” or “Coordinator.”

If you want to move beyond those stereotypes and prove your worth in an organization, it may be time to reevaluate how you present yourself to your coworkers. Luckily, there are many easy things you can do to appear more confident as a junior employee without overstepping bounds, coming off as aggressive or changing who you really are. These 5 easy fixes are a great place to start, if you need to sound more confident in your job or in life in general:

1. Stop Apologizing for Taking Up Someone’s Time

“Hi Jennifer. I know you’re really busy and I’m so sorry for taking up your time, but could you look at this report before I send it off to John? If you don’t have time today, that’s fine. Thank you/sorry again!”

Sound familiar? Too often, interns and junior level employees apologize for the space they take up. Not only does this belittle your role and your work, it makes you look weak and unsure of your own authority. If you want others to respect you, start by respecting yourself.

Try this instead: “Hi Jennifer. Could you look over this report before I send it off to John? Thanks!” Easy fix. Just stop apologizing when you don’t need to.

2. Stop Pointing Out Your Own Weaknesses

When you’re just starting your career, you’re not expected to know everything. Your interviewer knows that you don’t have years and years of experience. Your manager knows you won’t know how to do everything on day one, so stop highlighting your weaknesses and ineptitudes in an attempt to lower other people’s expectations of you. Doing so will just make you look insecure and will distract from your strengths.

Instead of saying “I’m pretty bad at Excel,” try saying “I don’t have very much experience with Excel, but I use Word and Powerpoint regularly and learn quickly!”

3. Stop Underselling Your Ideas

I’m totally guilty of this one. Rather than stand proudly behind my own ideas, I sometimes underhype them or even worse, distance myself from them entirely. In my mind, doing this will make the fall less painful if the idea is rejected. I also like to think that it opens the idea up to criticism from others who can probably make it stronger. Humility is good, right?

Unfortunately, underselling your ideas will make them less attractive, which will reflect poorly on you. Would you buy a car from a salesperson who told you it would be “an okay car?” Probably not. Instead of setting low expectations for your big ideas, try to demonstrate your excitement about the idea while remaining open to refining it. Try saying something like this: “I have an idea that I think could be really great, but I’d love to hear your feedback on how I can make it even better!”

4. Stop Blathering On

Confident people know that less is more. They know to stand firmly behind their words and communicate with both precision and concision. Rattling on endlessly in a presentation, email or conversation with your manager will make you look nervous, unpolished and uncertain of your own ideas. Besides, some ideas don’t need to be elaborated upon, so just say what you mean to say and then stop.

5. Stop Speaking Poorly

One of the easiest ways to appear more confident in the workplace and in life in general is to refine the way you speak. Remember everything you were taught to do in presentations at school? Yeah, you need to do that in the real world too. Project from the chest, speak intentionally slower than you’re inclined to, avoid filler words and ticks (“uhhh…,” “you know…,” “like…,” “I mean…”) and never articulate a statement as a question.

Working on these patterns will take some time and will require consistent practice, but doing so will pay off in many awesome ways. Confident people make more effective and convincing managers, they get what they ask for more often and perhaps most importantly, they earn respect from their peers, clients, partners, supervisors, employees, friends and acquaintances.

Whether you sometimes second guess your own ideas or you freeze at the mere thought of speaking to your boss, learning to sound and appear more confident will make life much more rewarding, much more enjoyable and much, much easier.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Sound More Confident appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You met with a recruiter, had a fantastic interview and then you never heard back. If you’re disappointed (or worse, panicking), don’t be! There are lots of reasons why a recruiter may not have gotten in touch with you yet. They could be waiting to hear back from the employer, ironing out the details of your offer or they’re just having a really busy week. No matter what the reason, if they said they’d be in touch by a specific date and the date has now passed, it’s perfectly fine to reach out to them and check where things stand with the job. If they didn’t give you a timeframe, it’s still fine to follow up, but we recommend waiting a week or two before you do.

Here’s how to do it with confidence and tact.

Let them know you’re interested, but don’t be aggressive.

Keep your tone light and friendly, and focus on next steps. It’s important that you communicate with the recruiter with enthusiasm, not desperation. The most important tip: Don’t call. Recruiters are often very busy and they don’t appreciate unscheduled calls. Plus, sending an email will make it easier for them to follow up when they’re available.

Want to really make an impression? Mention a specific moment from the interview. This will help to jog the recruiter’s memory and increase the likelihood of them getting back to you.

Here’s what your email should look like:

“Hi Lisa,

I hope you’re having a great week! I wanted to send a quick note to say that I really enjoyed meeting everyone at [company] last week and I especially enjoyed discussing [X project] with you. I’m really excited about the role and think it could be a great fit. Are there any updates on the position?

All the best,

Mike”

Mention any changes related to your application.

Did you just win an award for a class project or find out you’re graduating summa cum laude? Congratulations! That’s really exciting news and a great thing to include in your follow-up email. Be sure to mention this when you reach out to the recruiter and let them know that you’d like to update your application. It’s a wonderful way to start off an email and it might increase your chances of getting the job.

Establish a relationship that will extend beyond the current role.

Even though the interview went really well, the truth is that the employer may have gone in a different direction. If that happens, it doesn’t mean that your relationship with the recruiter has to end. In fact, the opposite is true. A recruiter can be your best friend in a job search and taking rejection well will show them that you’re flexible and able to go with the flow. Ask them if there are any other opportunities that might be a good fit. Chances are they have a couple, and if not, they’ll still be more likely to stay in touch if they know you’re open to other possibilities.

Another tip: If you’re really interested in a company, set yourself a calendar reminder and reach out again after three months. Since you’re already on the recruiter’s radar, they’re much more likely to consider you for roles that are just opening up.

Waiting to hear back after an interview is one of the most stressful parts of the job search, but an effective email can work wonders to re-establish a connection with a recruiter and potentially with an employer. Following these tips will increase your chance of getting a response and may put you front and center in the recruiter’s mind, but like any relationship, it’s also important to know when to cut your losses. If the recruiter doesn’t respond after the follow-up email, it’s time to move on. Luckily, there are plenty of other jobs for recent graduates and we’re here to help you make the most of them.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Recover from an Interview Gone Wrong, and find answers to common interview questions such as What Should I Know When Working Remotely?

The post How to Check in With a Recruiter When You Haven’t Heard Back appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Listen, I love internships as much as the next person, probably more, but there are other ways to get experience on your resume. The reason you take internships is to bulk up your resume and get experience. Guess what? You can do all that without an internship too.

By no means am I degrading internships, they are key to your future success. However, there are other ways to add experience to your resume if you don’t have the time to commit to a full internship.

1. Volunteer

Passionate about a cause? Want to get involved? Volunteering can be more than working at a shelter, running a food drive or tabling for a cause. If you’re passionate about fashion and want to get into that industry, volunteer at a local fashion show. Interned at a non-profit in the past? Let them know that you are available to work any local fundraising events. Volunteering shows that you are passionate about a cause or want to contribute to the greater good. It also gives you experience for a future job because your company is bound to have some kind of event you may have to work. Add volunteering to your resume to give it a well-rounded look.

2. Take an online class or attend a seminar

Show how dedicated you are to your craft. Learn something new that will benefit you in the long run. In the marketing field? Learn new social media marketing skills. In technology? Take classes on front-end and back-end coding. The opportunities are endless. Add and diversify your skill set; expand your options. You never know what you can learn and what new skills you will discover.

3. Contribute to a blog or website

No matter what your major or intended career path is, contributing your ideas and thoughts to a blog gets your voice out there. You don’t have to be the next best blogger on Forbes 30 Under 30 list, but you do have good ideas and experiences that you can share. Part with some of that wisdom and share it with others. FYI journalism majors, you need to do this in order to get anywhere in your field. Regardless, contributing gives you an online presence, so you are searchable to employers. You’d rather them find an article you wrote on a personal experience than your personal Instagram account.

Yes, internships are an essential part of your resume, but there are other experiences you can add that will benefit you just the same. These types of experiences will show future employers that you are willing to work at all times and that you care about your future. These types of opportunities will set you up for success. I get it; we all don’t have time to do internships each semester and each break, but that doesn’t mean you can just sit around. Get proactive, and show everyone how you’re ready to get out there, and work hard for what you want.

The post 3 Ways to Get Proactive Beyond Internships appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

After graduating from college with an accounting degree, you may feel accomplished. However, as a post-grad, you start your search for jobs and it hits you: You have no experience. Maybe you didn’t have the time to have an internship or join any school accounting organizations. You find yourself at a disadvantage compared to other applicants and getting hired by any accounting firm may be rather difficult.  

Don’t worry, you’re not the only person to graduate without any experience. You’re in luck because the economy has improved substantially in recent years, and as a result, more businesses are in need of quality accounting help. The priority for you as a recent grad is to make sure you pick the right firm to work for.

Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before signing on:

Do I need experience and how much?

This double-barreled question is one that you should ask yourself as you begin searching for a job in any industry. Most job postings will be up-front in letting you know if you need experience or not. Hiring managers don’t want to waste their time looking at unqualified applicants. If your qualifications are close, send your application — it doesn’t hurt to try.

Does this firm ensure that I become a CPA?

Without doing a little research, it’s hard to tell the difference between a CPA and an accountant. You may have received a few job offers and be wavering over which accounting firm to choose. The high demand for accounting graduates is in your favor, but it’s important to not just jump at the first firm that offers you a job.

According to the AICPA senior vice president Arleen Thomas, “Approximately 60 percent of accounting graduates have their first job in accounting firms. However, not all firms create the environment to ensure those new hires becomes CPAs,”. It’s a good idea to leave yourself the option to go the extra mile and become a CPA, especially if the firm you work for is going to help you achieve this.  

What is the growth of the accounting industry?

In all of my job interviews, this is one question that I ask all of the time. Always feel comfortable in knowing that you’re choosing a career in an industry that is moving upward. Lucky for you, the accounting industry topped the list of industries in terms of projected growth this year.

If you chose to obtain an accounting degree, you chose a degree with lots of upsides. It’s always recommended that you do as much research you can on the industry and firm you wish to join. Do research, ask questions, find the right firm and don’t be late on your first day!

The post Interested in a Career in Accounting? Here’s What You Should Know appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As you graduate college and adjust to the workforce, it will not be uncommon for others to have lots to say about you as a millennial. Summing up a whole generation is rather difficult but Goldman Sachs lays it out quite clearly in this enticing infographic.

While millennials are often described as careless with their money, they’re moving toward a time in their life where spending is at an all-time high. Companies have begun to study and analyze  their behaviors even more closely  than before. There is no denying that millennials are changing the game and if you are one then it’s about time you learned exactly why. Check out the Goldman Sachs infographic here!

The post Millennials Are Changing The World of Business and Here’s Why [Infographic] appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Torn about what career path you should take? This infographic on Mashable simply breaks down the fastest growing industries, the top cities for future job growth and the top search queries for employment.

The post Career Path Infographic appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The career path can be tough, especially when you’re first starting out. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing your career with others, and at times, it can seem as if your career isn’t progressing.

Read some of the career tips in Mashable’s article for how to stay focused and keep working towards your career goals.

The post Stay Focused on Your Career Goals appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This summer I had the immense honor of attending the Summit on Educational Excellence for African Americans, which was held at my graduate school, UCLA, on June 26. The summit was held in conjunction with the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, an initiative that seeks to bridge the achievement gap between black students and their peers, from pre-school through to post-secondary education.

The summit brought together people from all walks of life, and from all backgrounds. From undergraduate students to distinguished professors, accomplished singer/song writers, social justice activists, and more, the amount of passion and energy for the initiative in the room was staggering. What’s more, it was wonderful to see not only members from the black community in attendance, but those of all ethnic backgrounds there to support and publicize the summit.

Many topics were discussed: the plight of black members of the LGBTQIA community who struggle not only because of the socially built-in disadvantages of their race, but because of the intense discrimination they often receive due to their sexuality and/or gender identity as well; issues that faced specifically black women and girls with regards to discrimination in the classroom and how it affects their ability to learn in a safe environment; the now increasingly publicized issues facing black men and boys, both in their schools and communities, and of course the impact of poverty, hunger, and homelessness on the education of members of the black community.

It was … in a word … amazing!

Productive, candid conversations spurred by testimonies from members of the various panels really drove home the message of the summit, that where there is a problem faced by the community, there is a solution that can be found in discourse, compassion, and commitment to action.  Quite a few of those on the panels discussed their background as troubled youths, often having found themselves in trouble with the law, having to deal with the crippling burden of homelessness and hunger, or simply dealing with the burden of representation that comes from often being the only person of color in the classroom.

Despite members of the panel often having multiple degrees and an impressive résumé, their willingness to be frank about their sometimes painful backgrounds made them easier to relate to and facilitated a practical discussion on steps we could take to achieve educational excellence for the black community as a whole.

From this experience I took away three major lessons that I couldn’t wait to share with you.

First, ALWAYS check your school or work email.  Many of the wonderful internships, volunteering opportunities and more that I have been fortunate to have experienced came from those emails from various organizations that we often relegate to the spam box and forget about.  Now, I won’t tell you to open every email you receive, because that is asking for trouble – that spam box is there for a reason.  But for legitimate emails from legitimate organizations, it could be worth your time to take a peek and see if the opportunity waiting inside sparks your interest.  It was only my readiness to at least give the – legitimate – emails I received a chance that allowed me to go to this prestigious conference.

Next, if you can share your experience with someone younger or less experienced than you, DO IT.  When I went to this conference, I was able to bring a younger cousin of mine – a sophomore in high school – with me.  I wanted to give her the opportunity to explore a university campus, to attend a large scale event on the importance of education, and to experience something with me that she may have not otherwise had the chance to on her own.  Not only did she get all of that out of the experience, but she was so impressed with the campus that she wants to apply to UCLA for undergrad as well!  Taking the opportunity to mentor someone in this way is extremely rewarding, and in this case, it helped me to practice networking with people I’d never met before as I showed her the ropes and introduced her to people at the event.

My last piece of advice comes directly from one of the conclusions of the summit: #KnowCareAct. Basically, understand that whatever it is you are passionate about and whatever problem you are coming up against, there is a way to overcome that obstacle.  Especially with regards to activism and social justice, what is most important to your success is to know that there is a problem and what the particulars of that problem are, to care enough to find solutions to that problem, and to act upon those plans to put the solution you’ve found to work.

The post #KnowCareAct: What I Learned at a Summit on Educational Excellence appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

In today’s highly competitive market place, having the right qualifications, technical skills and experience is not enough. In order to be an outstanding candidate, it is also necessary to have interpersonal skills. Although these kind of skills are very often undervalued, they are extremely important, as are the skills that relate to personal behavior, social grace, communication, language, personal habits, presence and positive attitude.

During a job interview, it is essential to communicate your interpersonal skills to your potential employer, but even before the interview, your resume and cover letter should transmit the following skills to the recruiter.

To make the process easier, this is a checklist with the main 10 interpersonal skills that you will need to have to land your dream job:

1. Self-confidence

Be confident that you are the right person for the role. The best way to feel confident about this is by doing research on the company and the job you are applying to. If you do your homework, you will get that inner sense of assuredness that will help you answer the difficult questions during the interview.

This is important because finding the right words to answer the questions will leave a great first impression on the prospective employer.

2. Positive attitude

Always show your positive attitude not only towards the role and company but also towards life in general. A good tip to do so is to never say anything negative about your previous company, colleges or employers.

3. Communication

The ability to read, write and speak is essential to get a new job, but when trying to get a promotion, the ability to communicate is in many cases considered more significant than ambition, education or capacity for hard work.

4. Team player

People who go beyond working in their area of expertise, demonstrate big picture thinking, take leadership roles when necessary and work for the greater good are considered a great asset to any organization.

5. Problem solving

The ability to think critically and be a resourceful person is also highly valued by employers. This doesn’t mean that you need to have the right answer to every question. It is about having the right thinking process in place and a mindset that helps you with solving problems in difficult circumstances.

6. Time management

Time management is an art form in and of itself that you can improve with practice and experience. It is important to develop strategies to manage your time and balance the conflicting demands that you may get from your employers, colleagues and clients.

7. Coping with pressure

Generally, the higher you get in your career, the more pressure and stress you have to deal with. That is why it is so important to learn how to cope with it. A great tip is to correctly manage your employer or clients’ expectations. For instance, having deadlines is necessary to get the work done, but knowing how to manage the deadlines and timeframes will be critical to reduce the levels of stress.

8. Flexibility

Organization and flexibility are becoming increasingly important as the demand for flexible working arrangements continues to rise. Therefore, it is key to show your ability to adapt to these changes.

9. Accept feedback

Although it may be difficult at the beginning, you should never take any form of criticism personally. To prepare yourself for this, you can think about how open you are to training and advice, how would you react if a senior manager makes a suggestion and how would you thank an interviewer who points out an error.

10. Strong work ethic

According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, companies are finding it harder to find punctual, reliable workers today than years ago. Showing your professionalism and strong work ethic to your employer will help you take the next step in your career to land that dream job.

The post 10 Interpersonal Skills to Land You That Dream Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Job hunting is a long process, and if you’re a “people pleaser” as Forbes calls it in this article, then the job hunt can be more daunting than usual. In the article, it states several examples of people pleasers who end up with a job they don’t love because they wanted to please the hiring manager during the interview. If you’re one of these people, read the article to discover ways you can break this habit.

The post Stop Being a People Pleaser appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Groupon is a multi-billion dollar company that connects businesses with customers on a local level. It offers discounted prices for great products and services, which makes it a leader in e-commerce. Groupon offers internships and jobs around the United States, with it’s headquarters in Chicago and a rapidly growing office in Palo Alto.

Phil Ramsbottom began interning with Groupon soon after his graduation from Beloit College and now works as a City Planning Analyst. He manages the daily deals pipeline for 13 small regional markets across the Midwest and Southeast. Below are Phil’s answers to readers’ questions regarding internships, careers at Groupon and much more.

Phil Ramsbottom: Hey everyone! I’ll be here for the next hour or so to answer any questions you have. Feel free to follow up on any of my answers with new questions as well!

Radha Jhatakia: Working at Groupon sounds fun. What do the responsibilities of a City Planning Analyst entail? Also, what kind of internship did you have that led to this position?

Phil Ramsbottom: Both on or off the clock, I’d say that Groupon really is a fun place to work, and not just in the ‘oh, this office has a tiki bar’ sense (which it does), but also in that you have room to be creative in your work while also collaborating with a young and talented group of colleagues. As for my specific role, City Planning Analysts are usually framed as the last vetters in the deal approval process. They work with both inside and outside sales reps and managers to optimize all aspects of an individual deal’s structure – the price point, the discount, the margin, the number of options on the deal, the number of units available – in an effort to make it a compelling offer for Groupon, Groupon users and Groupon merchants. Most “CPs” manage the deal pipeline for a few larger markets or 10+ smaller markets (I’m of the latter breed) and are usually approving/rejecting 20+ deals per day while also being mindful of market schedules moving forward.

Angelica: Turning your internship into a job is a great achievement!I’m wondering what your schedule looks like as a City Planning Analyst? I also recently finished college and am easing into the working world. What is your work load usually like and how has it changed since you were an intern?

Phil Ramsbottom: Hey Angelica! My schedule as a City Planner includes both set daily checks and more fluid blocks of time to work on projects unspecific to the actual CP role. Each day I look at a report that shows impending deals and cross check that against the Groupon website to ensure that any deal that’s planned to run is actually going to be sent to subscribers. Most of my time, however, consists of working with reps to structure deals; I’m approving or rejecting contracts when they come to me and fleshing out the details of each contract prior to the actual approval – deal ‘pre-qualification’ – in an effort to optimize it based on the service offering, the merchant and the market.To keep this from turning into an even longer essay response, I’ll talk about my thoughts on making the most of an internship in the answer to Amanda’s question!

I’d say 80 to 90 percent of my typical day is allocated to staying up-to-date on deal performance in my markets, running reports that help to identify what works and what doesn’t, and then actually interfacing with people from all the departments that have a hand in each contract (from initial merchant contact to the deal being live on the site). Outside of regulating the deal pipeline, I’ve been reaching out to others about helping with smaller, one-off projects that can be as broad in scope as highlighting all food and drink merchants that haven’t been contacted in the last 30 days, or as specific as constructing an Excel function to find a specific text string in a SalesForce field. The main difference between now and when I started is that it takes me way less time to turn around contracts now; for the first few weeks it was taking me 10 to 15 minutes to evaluate a deal structure and respond with recommendations but now I’d say that time has been cut to around three to five minutes. So… yay for that!

Amanda Salcido: When you were interning, what are things you think you did that made you stand out from the other interns?

Phil Ramsbottom: Hi Amanda, great question! In all honesty, getting in front of the right people at the right time can be a game of chance, but just like everyone else who’s lent professional advice to you has probably said, a proactive spirit is invaluable.

If there are aspects of the business that play a part in your day-to-day life but that you don’t have a direct hand in, reach out to someone on that team and ask them to walk you through what they do. When people ask if you can help with something, say yes, and when you’re done ask if you can help with something else or if there are latent projects that people haven’t worked on in a while.

If there are regular reports or materials that circulate daily or weekly, try to construct something similar, add pertinent metrics or written summaries, and show it to someone to get feedback. I’ve sent emails to others that are literally summaries of my thoughts on the business. I’m in no position to change many of the high-level problems that I see and think I have an effective solution for, but it shows that I care about those things.

Most importantly though, never stop asking questions — never. It’s really a simple formula: if you’re always extending yourself while simultaneously showing passion for the business you can’t help but stay busy and stay on the mind of people that make the important decisions at your company. Also, be courteous, be polite and be prompt!

I’m going to take a high-level approach to answering this. I can’t stress enough the importance of being intellectually curious in any position – internship or full-time. This is definitely something that’s more inherent in some, but it’s by no means “hard” to show legitimate interest in both your work and the work that others are doing. This may seem like common sense, but even after only being in the workforce for about five months, I’ve played witness to so many people who just coast by each day. Don’t get me wrong, taking your foot off the accelerator every once in a while (multiple times per day even) is just as integral as forcing yourself to learn new things at every turn and to inquire into aspects of the business that are foreign to you, but there’s really no point in getting into a routine that handcuffs you from adding more value.

Bert Connelly: Thanks for taking the time out of your day to answer some of our questions. What were you looking for in an internship? Did you take the internship that you thought would give you the best chances at a full-time job? Did the company’s mission factor into the decision, or were you most interested in the skills you would gain through the experience? Did name recognition play into the process? Thanks again.

Phil Ramsbottom: Hey Bert, thanks so much for your question! I definitely weighed the probability of a full-time offer, but I think that that mindset can be crippling. Regardless of the position you enter into – full-time or not – you should be applying yourself, challenging yourself, looking for ways to grow professionally, identifying pain points in the company and proposing steps to innovate. I guess just allowing your work to speak for itself, seeing as in the grand scheme of things that’s the only variable you can really control.

Groupon’s mission and the skills that I believed I would gain were on the list for reasons to apply in the first place, so those really didn’t weigh in the actual decision – ultimately it was one of the only offers on the table and it hit all the marks in terms of traits that I was looking for in a company.

Like many people looking for a job after graduation, I wasn’t incredibly picky in my search for potential positions. What I tried to focus on were companies that would afford me with the opportunity to 1) work alongside bright people, 2) feel connected to the product and the users of that product, 3) develop new skills while also refining those that I already had, and 4) work at the intersection of tech and business,

The post Ask an Expert: Learn what it takes to work at Groupon from a City Planning Analyst appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This week’s RECESS content features Andrew Maguire, WayUp’s Strategy Lead, at Virginia Tech University.

Part 1

Getting your foot in the door in an industry where you don’t have prior experience or knowledge can be challenging. In that situation, Maguire said the most important thing was to surround yourself with people who know more than you do. Watch the video to get a glimpse of how he began in the startup world.

Part 2

Getting a startup company off the ground and running can be costly. One thing Maguire suggests you don’t do: ask your relatives to be investors.

Part 3

In the early days of business, Maguire used a car as a conference room to speak to investors via telephone. Watch the video to see how his company began to evolve into what it is today.

Part 4

Networking and building trust with not only investors but anyone who could potentially be interested in your business is important when developing a startup. Maguire gives tips on how you can become an entrepreneur, too.

The post RECESS and NowThis Present ‘Office Hours’ and Their Interview with WayUp’s Strategy Lead appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

One of my guilty pleasures is gaming. From the old school Sega Genesis games that came in bulky cartridges, to real-time multiplayer online games like League of Legends, to (amazing!) video games like those of the Bioshock series, I really can’t get enough of the awesome fantasy worlds that these games present.  The artistry and amount of work that goes into a lot of these games is literally astounding, and for my current gaming fixation – ‘Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’ – the proof is clearly in the almost obsessive attention to detail. It is no wonder that in this particular game, which in so many ways reflects the world we live in, I managed to pick out a couple awesome tips for real-world success.

Skills are Gained Incrementally

It should have come as no surprise to me that in a game like Oblivion, where not only can your character learns numerous combative skills, but social skills. The social skills include things such as (no joke here) getting people to like you and learning how to barter; one might find a couple great success tips to use back in the real world.

The first wonderful piece of advice I took from this game is that one must keep in mind that skills are gained incrementally. Put more simply, if you’re not doing absolutely amazing at something – say, watercolor painting – when you first give it a try, that does not mean you’re no good at it.  What it does mean, is that you’ve started a learning process, one that can and will be built upon should you continue to practice techniques and expose yourself to the process of painting itself.

Remembering that skills are abilities which are gained incrementally certainly applies in the workplace as well. From reviewing what one did wrong in a job interview, to building upon what went right with your presentation in a board meeting, practice leads to – if not perfection – a stronger understanding in whatever you are trying to learn.

And keeping that in mind is important for someone like me who is often perfectionist to a fault.  So, whether I am working on creative writing projects or trying to increase my Wood Elf’s Alchemy skill, I can rest easy knowing that just because I didn’t succeed at first does not mean that I have failed.

Opportunity is EVERYWHERE

The beauty of the Elder Scrolls series – especially in its later installments – lies in the fact that you can interact with nearly everything.  Behind literally every door is the possibility of finding gold, increasing your fighting skills, and stumbling upon new missions, whether it be rescuing a fair Lizard maiden from a crazed cult of necromancers or delivering extremely rare bottles of wine to an obsessed innkeeper for a reward.

Many times, things to do in my current focus – Oblivion – can just fall in your lap when a character comes up to talk to you.  Other times it may be an item you find, a scene that you witness, or your own initiative in talking to someone for a potential mission.  In the game, one can simply do the main storyline without deviation – or even more peculiarly, ride around on a horse the whole time – but the main takeaway from this aspect of Oblivion is that opportunities surround us as a general rule.

Sometimes it is our own curiosity that spurs it (remember when my curiosity led me into my local city hall and on the path to an internship with the City Manager?), and sometimes the door of opportunity is opened by the environment and people around you.  It is just a matter of whether we are aware enough to see the possibilities we sift through every day without a thought and – in cases where luck doesn’t just cause opportunities to fall into our lap – whether we can be bold enough to pursue them.

The World Is Mesmerizing

A lot of people will speak on the beauty of the worlds created by game designers, and when it comes to the Elder Scrolls saga, that intricacy is often the first thing people refer to.  The world of the Elder Scrolls saga is extremely detailed; some even find it too detailed, as it does tend to distract from the main storyline.

But more importantly – for our purposes, anyway – is the realization that the worlds created in any video game are not only born of imagination and creativity, but an innate wonder about the real world around us.

It was easiest for me to figure this out while playing Oblivion just because there are so many elements in the game that one can actually find in real life; much of the flora and fauna were taken straight out of a farmers’ almanac.  And at some point in the time I spent just tooling around in the game, I stopped and thought about just how insanely big the real world we live in is.

Thus, the third success tip I learned from playing my video game is to recognize that the world we live in is a beautiful, complex, impossibly huge place.  There are always things to learn, problems to solve, people to help, places to explore, and probably a thousand other things I haven’t even thought of yet.  Exploring your surroundings, learning about people different from you, and being able to make new connections by indulging the sense of wonder we – or at least I – tend to reserve for fictional places (read: Hogwarts) is what really allows us to grow our résumés and ourselves as well-rounded individuals.

The post 3 Success Tips I Learned From a Video Game appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

For those of you who may have worked a job in retail, consider it a valuable experience that can transfer skills into your work and personal life. Take a look at Elite Daily’s article about why working in retail may be one of the best work experiences you can have.

The post The Value of Working in Retail appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Summer is right around the corner, and one of my favorite things to do is read a good book. Actually, I like to do that all year-round. This year, I have been reading a lot of books on productivity, career development, living a simpler life and inside secrets of big tech companies. I would like to share them with you.

I Will Teach You To Be Rich – Ramit Sethi
With starting internships and becoming the working class, most of us are at the point where we need to start handling money. And most of us have no idea where to start. That’s where Ramit comes in to tell you the basics of personal finance and investing. The younger you start learning about finances, the better.

Escape From Cubicle Nation – Pamela Slim
Pamela tests corporate jobs against a person’s happiness. It’s a nice read to determine if you want a corporate job.

Are You Smart Enough To Work At Google – William Poundstone
This for all the entry-level software engineers that want to attempt Google. It provides pages after pages of interview questions asked, practice questions and it gives insight to the company’s culture.

Start – Jonathan Acuff
This was such an intriguing read. Jonathan teaches you the steps on the path to career awesomeness. He also teaches what to do if your career takes a different direction down the road.

Better Than Before – Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen experiments on herself and her peers to see if establishing good habits makes a person more productive and happy. If you’re looking for productivity tips, routine inspiration or time management, then this book is for you.

Clutter Free – Kathi Lipp
If you find yourself stressed out, in a hurry all the time, or annoyed to step into your home, you may be suffering from too much stuff. Kathi gives insight on how clutter can have a negative impact in your life and steps to take to get rid of it.

Those are some books I found to be super helpful in my life and career this year. What’s next on my reading list?

• The Art Of Work – Jeff Goins
• Creative, inc – Meg Mateo Ilasco
• When She Makes More – Farnoosh Torabi
• 48 Laws Of Power – Robert Greene
• The Art Of Seduction – Robert Greene
• Mastery – Robert Greene

That’s it for the career enhancing reading list! If you’ve read any of these books, tell me how it was and if it inspired you in some way.

The post A Career Enhancing Reading List appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You are constantly being reminded of the Confucius quote that tells us “Find what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” That’s some great advice and a great goal to work towards, but finding what you love comes easier for some than for others.

If you’ve found your passion, awesome! This could help you expand your passions further, and if you’re still one of those individuals who have yet to find their zeal, that’s okay too. You’re definitely not alone, and this could lead you to that passion more quickly than you might think. 

Try New Things!

It seems so simple, doesn’t it? We’ve been told our whole lives to try new things. When we were little, it was trying new foods, when we were teenagers, it was trying a new sport or taking up art. This still stands true in the real world; there’s no need to be hesitant of trying something new.

There are so many hobbies, skills and activities out there to try. Guitar playing, mountain climbing, novel writing, baseball playing, public speaking, white water rafting, event organizing, business managing and the list goes on and on. The possibilities are truly endless, so why not try them all? Experiment with anything that sounds interesting to you. Give it a try; you have nothing lose. If you end up not absolutely loving what you’re doing, you do not have to feel obligated to keep doing it. Just pick up something else!

And once you do find that passion, how do you develop it and turn it into something great? Learn as much as you can about it! That may be through college or by jumping right in and experiencing it. Maybe it’s a combination of both. There are jobs out there that will fit your passion to a T and that will make you love your life and feel fulfilled.

It’s alright if you don’t have it all figured out yet; that will come with time and dedication. Beginning to work towards what you love is a great start, and not giving up will get you a long way until you’re unstoppable.

The post The Ultimate Way of Finding Your Passion and Running With It appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

So you think that a career in medicine may be right for you, but now you’re scrolling through med school websites and pages of requirements, exams, and statistics that are making your head spin. The pre-med world can be a confusing vortex of choices and decisions, and it can be hard to choose one job or even understand each position. Before you can move forward, you have to narrow your choices down. Then, you need to start planning for the future. So to help you sort through all the chaos, here is a broad list of common careers (mostly hospital-based) in the medical field, complete with the steps to get there.

EMT/Paramedic

Although most usually think of these people as the ones driving ambulances and responding to car crashes and 911 calls, there are many other positions that EMTs and paramedics can work. Some of those positions include less-intense hours at industrial and chemical plants, part-time positions, or even involvement in the military. Most EMT programs require no formal college education, but most employers want to see a high school diploma at the very least. The next step is to complete an approved EMT or paramedic education course, but to be eligible for a paramedic course, you must be an EMT and generally have at least six months of work experience. Then, pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam and apply for certification. From there, it’s all about finding a job, but be wary – wages vary greatly state by state and even by city, so take that into consideration when job hunting.

Nursing

Although nursing responsibilities vary by specialization or unit, nearly all nurses provide, coordinate and monitor patient care, educate patients and family members about health conditions, administer medications, provide treatments and emotional support and more. Many also work with healthy people and are more focused on preventative care and wellness. Although nurses work primarily in hospitals, they can also work for schools, private clinics, nursing homes, placement agencies, businesses, prisons, and military bases. Nurses also don’t just take care of patients; some supervise other nurses, teach nursing, work in administration, or do research. Work hours vary quite a bit depending on the area and the training of each nurse.

There are many different types of nursing, each with different jobs and different requirements. The shortest path to nursing is to become a CNA, or certified nursing assistant. This is done by taking a six- to eight-week course and then passing a written and practical exam (administered by each state). CNAs are able to provide maintenance-type care; they are commonly found in hospitals, group homes, and hospice centers and are almost always in high demand. They can take vitals, roll patients to avoid bed sores, help them in and out of bed, and help them do their daily tasks like getting dressed and eating meals. CNA is a good position to start in if you think nursing might be for you but want more experience before committing to formal schooling for a prolonged period.

The next step up on the nursing ladder is the licensed practical nurse (LPN). An LPN program is typically one year long and goes into more detail than the CNA education, which means that LPNs are licensed to do a few more things. They are usually found in nursing homes and home care, providing patient care and administering certain medicines and treatments under the supervision of an RN or physician.

The classically pictured nurse is almost always an RN. Programs to become a registered nurse are either three-year hospital-based nursing school programs (diploma), or two- or four-year college programs and graduate with a nursing degree. Graduates must then pass the national nursing exam (the NCLEX) before applying for a license to practice. Registered nurses have more autonomy than LPNs, and the degree of care they provide depends on their level of education. An RN with an associate’s degree generally provides hands-on care directly to patients and can supervise LPNs. There may also be some administrative work involved with their position. An RN with a BSN can take on more leadership roles and more advanced nursing care in specialized units.

For those interested in even higher positions, nurses can get a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and become nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, or nurse anesthetists. These are called advanced practice nurses (ARPNs). They have a larger scope of practice and are more independent, specializing almost like physicians.

Physical/Occupational Therapist

PTs primarily work with patients in recovery and prevention rather than treating injuries. Although they can be found in hospitals, therapists usually have their own practice or work under a company’s label. They help people who have been injured or who suffer from chronic illness or disability regain previous abilities or help them discover new ones. They use everything from exercise machines to physical modulation and electrical stimulus to heal their patients and help them regain their previous quality of life. Most people who become PTs or OTs graduate from college with a degree in the sciences and apply to PT school sometime during their senior year. Most schools require applicants to have taken the GRE and also gain a certain amount of PT volunteer hours (those hours vary by school). Most programs take between two and three years to complete, and once licensure is achieved, physical therapists have a large level of autonomy and are very versatile in their field.

Physician’s Assistant

The physician’s assistant, or PA, is one of the fastest growing medical careers. Physician’s assistants become PAs by attending college and obtaining their bachelor’s degree first. Their degree can be in anything as long as they have taken the proper courses — each PA school is different, but most require common chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, and math courses similar to medical school requirements — and that they have taken the GRE. From there, applicants must apply to one of the few PA schools in the nation (the average is less than one per state) with their undergraduate transcript (most want higher than a 3.2 GPA but accept those closer to 3.7), GRE scores, resume, essay questions, and patient contact hours. These vary by school, but many require numerous hours of PA shadowing and between 1,000 and 2,000 direct patient contact hours before applying to the school; this usually results in at least one gap year between undergrad and PA school. PA programs are usually two- to- two and a half years long, and graduates can work almost any job an MD can with slightly less autonomy. PAs can work in emergency rooms, general practitioners’ offices and can specialize into just about any area.

Medical Doctor/Doctor of Osteopathy

MDs and DOs are very similar in training and positions, often working side-by-side or even in the same jobs. The only difference is their education. Both graduate with a bachelor’s (usually in science), take the MCAT standardized exam while in college, and build their resumes before applying to their choice schools. This process is extremely competitive and involves a lot of work, including numerous essays and interviews. Both medical school and DO programs are four years long, complete with classes and on-site job rotations; but DOs learn about less invasive methods of treatment and some alternative therapies that typical medical schools do not cover. After graduation (and licensing), both search for residencies at hospitals to place into. Depending on their department and specialization, most graduated DOs and MDs still need two- to- six years of residency before they can practice medicine independently. DOs and MDs can open their own practices, work in just about any location of the hospital, and have many other opportunities open to them with their advanced degree. They make a high salary, but also devote a huge amount of their time to their work.

Surgery

Surgeons are perhaps the most specialized and highest ranking on this list. The initial steps to become a surgeon are the same as those to become a DO or MD, and surgeons can be licensed as either of those. However, after graduating from medical school, aspiring surgeons must continue their medical training in competitive residency programs, gaining practical experience in a chosen specialty under the supervision of licensed physicians; these programs can last three- to- seven years depending on the specialty, though general surgery residencies typically take five years to complete. Surgeons who wish to focus their careers on sub-specialties must complete an additional one- to- three years of post-doctoral training in fellowship programs. In order to practice, surgeons must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam. Surgeons must also become board-certified in surgery and any subspecialties by the American Board of Medical Specialists or the American Osteopathic Association. Surgeons are generally required to complete continuing education credits throughout their careers to maintain licensure and certification. Although student loans and low-pay residencies mean that surgeons usually incur a large amount of debt, their extremely high salaries help to offset the expense, but they spend many hours on-call and life often revolves around work.

These are just some of the most common careers in the medical field. If none of these options appealed to you, don’t give up hope! There are plenty of other positions that weren’t mentioned here – dentistry, speech pathology, chiropractic, athletic training, occupational therapy, alternative medicine, etc. – that may be the right one for you! So keep searching; just don’t lose sight of yourself in the process!

The post Finding and Achieving Your Dream Career in Medicine appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

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Let’s make one thing clear: entrepreneurs do, in fact, exist outside of startups.

You don’t have to run your own app company or reinvent the wheel to have an entrepreneurial spirit. Truth be told, companies and employees everywhere can benefit from innovation and entrepreneurship. Bringing an innovative energy into any job anywhere can help you to stand out and make an impact.

1. Seek Solutions

Just because something isn’t technically wrong, doesn’t mean it’s working well. Finding solutions in the workplace or in processes can aid everyone in the business. While your solution may not be implemented, the attention to detail and problem-solving mentality won’t go unnoticed.

2. Be a Jack-of-all-Trades

Dig in and get your hands dirty in a variety of roles. Being able to not only do, but understand various parts of the business will give you a greater sense of how things work as a whole.

3. Communicate Effectively and Often

Communication isn’t just about talking. Arguably, the most important part of any conversation is the listening. Take away the distractions, listen, take notes, and give thoughtful feedback. Being present in the discussion can reduce miscommunications and increase the flow of valuable ideas.

4. Make the Most of Your Time (and Everyone Else’s)

Some may say time is money, but it’s truly much more valuable than that. First, you ought to be able to manage your own time. Being able to delegate tasks, assign urgency, and schedule out your day can keep everything running smoothly.

Possibly more important though is how you approach other peoples’ time. Go into meetings prepared, be on time, and get right down to what needs to be discussed. Coworkers and superiors are valuable resources, but their time must be respected, so make the most out of the interactions you have.

5. Try… And Fail

Success will not come with everything you try. If it does, give me a call and teach me your ways. But for us mere mortals, we have to try, try, and try some more to find victory. Being able to handle shortcomings can build up strength and courage to tackle bigger and scarier tasks. To be unafraid of failure can open up many doors and opportunities, but being able to learn from the times you fall down can be even more eye opening.

So, you may not be growing your own venture, but by making your day-to-day work innovative, thoughtful, and challenging of the norms, you can become an entrepreneur anywhere.

Tatum Hartwig is a 4th year Communication Studies major with minors in Business Administration and Media & Screen Studies. Tatum brings experience and knowledge in the world of marketing and public relations from her two co-ops at Wayfair and New Balance. Her passion revolves around growing businesses via social media, brand development, and innovation. You can connect with Tatum on Twitter @tatumrosy and LinkedIn.

The post Be an Entrepreneur Wherever You Go appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Dan Lindholm was a Product Specialist at Facebook when we interviewed him in 2013. He has since moved on to work at Instagram (owned by Facebook). He founded a startup in middle school and has been working in tech ever since. We’re excited to share Dan’s insight with you today:

Radha: Hi Dan – Great accomplishment! What motivated you to found a start-up when you were only in Junior High? Also, what advice do you have for someone who would like to develop their own business venture one day? Thanks!

Dan: Ya know, the story I’ve always told myself and others in recent years is that I was looking for means to make money in order to afford college. I’ve questioned that story more recently as I was only in 7th grade when I started working on a bunch of projects to make money. 7th graders are often not thinking that far ahead. I think I actually found some highly profitable means for making money, loved how well I was doing at it, and continued iterating on it. It’s fairly funny how I got started. I can explain that later but let me get to some other questions.

Angelica Valentine: Hi Dan, there are so many tech companies that are doing really innovative things. How did you choose to work at Facebook? What did you see in Facebook that you didn’t see anywhere else?

Dan: Sounds cliche, but the people are ultimately what sold me on Facebook. Particularly the people on my current team (Product Operations). I have never had a more enjoyable interview experience than I did with Facebook. To be honest, I was not overly excited when I went into interviewing at Facebook (if you can’t show genuine enthusiasm when interviewing, it can easily kill you). I had also come from a startup and felt such companies were much more nimble than something like an eight-year-old company with thousands of employees. I wanted to be part of a fast-paced environment like that, influence change on a daily basis. I found this is still very possible here. Facebook moves very quickly relative to other companies of its size. Also, no startup comes close to touching a billion users. At Facebook, I’m part of daily changes that we’re pushing out to a diverse group of over a billion users across the world. Pretty special and huge opportunity for impact across the world.

In summary, the biggest draws for me at Facebook are (1) the extraordinarily brilliant and talented people I work around. The pace I’m learning things at because of the people I’m around is astounding. I find everyone to be down to earth and just genuinely good people. I count a lot of my coworkers as my best friends. And then (2) the ability to positively impact a billion users. I can’t think of another place where you have such an opportunity.

Andre Tacuyan: Hey Dan, what would be the ideal candidate Facebook is looking for in interns and how can a student stand out above the crowd?

Dan: It’s tough for me to answer this questions specifically with regards to interns since most of our interns are programmers, and I’m pretty far removed from that recruiting and interviewing process. What’s your background? My general advice would be to show your enthusiasm and passion for the company and our mission. Key to any interview. Understand the competitive landscape. Prepare for the interview. If you’re a coder, obviously expect to be asked to solve programming problems. If Facebook visits your campus, get to know the recruiters or reps there. Being able to connect a face to your name, knowing you on a personal level, no matter how limited, can help take you further in any interview process or just help get your foot in the door.

Sonya Sharififard: What does a typical day on the job consist of?

Dan: Haha! I’m very happy to say there is no such thing as a typical day. My job is to represent the voice of the user. This is manifested across diverse projects and working in partnership with a number of teams (eng, research, operations, marketing) – love how cross-functional our role is here. We’re constantly taking on new projects. My role is also closely tied to our product launch processes so one day I might be preparing pipelines for gathering data on quality and sentiment prior to a launch, the next day I’m monitoring that feedback, and then days later I’m working with design, product management and eng on improving the product based on user signal.

Radha Jhatakia: Hi Dan, what motivated you to found a start-up when you were only in Junior High? Also, what advice do you have for someone who would like to develop their own business venture one day?

Dan: Initiative and drive are biggest IMO. Don’t waste time thinking about ideas, spinning your wheels, saying tomorrow you’ll get to building your venture. Just do it. There’s no better time than now.

The post Ask an Expert: What’s it like to work at Facebook? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

College degree… Check! Resume… Check! Notepad… Check! Pens… Check! Business cards… Check! Are you ready? Not even close.

Many students think being prepared for their first job out of college means having a briefcase full of the physical necessities. This is only partially correct! You need much more than the physical pieces you put in your briefcase every day. The soft skills that many students do not develop are the skills that are in high demand by employers all over the country, in every career field. Can you show up to work on time? Can you compose a professional email? Can you contribute to a meeting? Can you think critically and collaborate with others on a project? Can you speak effectively? Do you demonstrate an investment in your career? Do you even know what any of these things mean? Many students don’t, as employers have indicated in a recent study published by the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U). And unless you are taught the basics of what it means to be career ready, you won’t be.

The key to filling your briefcase is to start preparing early on. When you walked on your college campus for the first time, preparation for your future began. Here are some tips that will help you fill your briefcase with some of the basic skills you’ll need to help guide your career path and be truly career ready.

1. Find out what clubs are on campus, and join one that interests you (preferably one tied to your major if you have already declared). Once you join, step up and take a leadership position.

2. Start paying attention to different careers around you. They are everywhere. At your school (teachers, administrators, cafeteria workers, athletic trainers, coaches); in your home, (your parent’s careers, their friend’s careers, your friend’s parent’s careers); on TV (every show has a reference to a career, whether it is the cooking channel, a legal series, or a medical series). Although TV does not always give a completely accurate portrayal of a career, it does give a general idea. This can help broaden your awareness of career options. There is only so much you can learn from observation, though. Consider conducting informational interviews with professionals in different careers to gain more insight.

3. Talk to your professors. The way you learn to think critically is to engage in conversations that challenges or expands on what you currently know. Professors have office hours, so take advantage of them and spend an hour every other week talking about current events, a topic you are covering in class, or your career interests. People typically love to talk about what they do, and are usually happy to share. Listen to their stories and be open to their guidance!

4. Be conscious of how you speak. Use these words: please, thank you, you’re welcome, excuse me, and my pleasure. Don’t use these words: like (unless you are saying you like someone or something), and stuff, and whatnot. Don’t be scared of pauses in conversation, they are natural. Pauses give you an opportunity to think about what you want to say. Filling them up with useless words can give the impression that you do not communicate well.

5. Visit the career services office on your campus and make an appointment to start a conversation about what you are interested in and how to approach your career development plan.

6. Realize that you don’t know what you don’t know. Listen. Take information in and ask questions.

7. Try to gain some paid work experience (again, preferably tied to your major in some way).

8. Join a professional organization related to your career field. Many of them offer student rates and offer some great networking opportunities (the regional chapter events are usually offered at a reduced price). Make sure you sign up to receive any blog posts, as they can give great insight into your career field that you won’t necessarily find in the classroom or during an internship. And volunteer at their professional conferences. Many conference planners offer students free registration in exchange for a few volunteer hours, during which you can often interact with a variety of professionals.

9. Stay focused on your grades. Plan for your study time (schedule your homework time into your calendar, just like you do for your class time), and make sure to keep your grades up. Having a low GPA can eliminate you from some job opportunities.

You came to college to earn a degree and hopefully get a job once you graduate. It is a process, and much more involved than showing up for class (be on time), doing your homework (always), and performing well on tests (develop a study plan). Remember to enjoy yourself, be social, and engage in the opportunities that will make you as marketable as possible.

Andrea Peeters is  the Career Services Specialist at Menlo College, a small undergraduate business college in Northern California. She works with all students and alumni on general career and professional development as well as supports the internship program.  Prior to coming to Menlo, she worked as a High School Counselor and Adjunct Faculty teaching personal development courses in central California.

The post 9 Tips to Get Career Ready appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Those who want to work for social change in the world are often routed toward non-profits or volunteer organizations, which are run with set goals for change in mind. Devoting your life to a good cause is one of the most admirable things you can do, but even those of us who take jobs in the for-profit world have ample opportunity to positively influence the world around us.

One of the most recent examples of this is the new ad campaign of everyone’s favorite jeweler, Tiffany & Co. Tiffany’s new engagement ring advertisement, which features a gay couple, made the company the latest major retailer using its advertisements to make a progressive social statement. Though many fashion brands (like Banana Republic, JCPenny, etc.) have already included gay couples in campaigns, this marks a first in the world of jewelry.

Popular culture is both influenced and is an influencer of media. Brands with a wide reach obviously must gauge the attitudes of their audience to ensure their marketing will resonate, but they also have the power to influence how the public thinks. The media–advertising included–has a huge impact on social norms. We constantly receive clues from advertising and mass media about what things we should consider “normal” in our day-to-day life. Thus, Tiffany and others’ socially progressive campaigns represent more than just a calculated decision to tap into new markets and benefit from press coverage. These campaigns will help redefine the public consciousness, bringing change in a subtle way through the construction of new cultural trends.

Business will never replace the organizations who make it their mission to fight for change. However, in many cases, well known brands have the ability to create change in unique ways given their status as trend-setters and their access to broad audiences. Change can—and must—come from multiple sources. Everyone must simply do their part.

So if you want to do good and go into business, you don’t have to compromise. Who knows? Your career path might just give you the power to change the world.

The post You Can Change the World from Any Office, You’ve Just Been Thinking About It Wrong appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

What defines a well-rounded individual? That is entirely up for debate. Some say being well rounded means being involved in your community, present in your family life and rocking a solid 9 – 5 to pay the bills. That all sounds pretty great to most of us. With the kick off of a new year, we are all looking for ways to improve our lives and become more well-rounded individuals. From a collegiate perspective, most of us are just looking to make it to class at 8:00 AM, arrive to work on time, and maybe snag some pizza at the end of the night. All of the hustle and bustle in our lives can leave us wanting more at the end of the day, or only wanting your bed.

In my case, I end my day evaluating what I have done, what I should have done, and perhaps what I can do better tomorrow. To those who share this same thought process, I have a few tips and tricks I have learned a long the way. Words of wisdom from community leaders, business professionals, and yes, even my mother, have helped immensely in rounding out some of the rough edges in my life. Keep in mind that it is completely okay to accept advice. It will not make you less of an individual. We are all here on Earth to learn, grow, and be the best people we can be.

Here are a few ways that you can round out your edges in 2015:

Seek out a Mentor

Mentors are great for helping you through your tough collegiate years. They have the experience, connections, and knowledge that you need to apply to your own pathway for success. Keep in mind, you mentors can change throughout your life. It is common to have a handful through your lifetime to help you through your educational and professional years.

Get Involved with a Local Non-Profit

Volunteering and donating your time to a great cause will really rev up your resume. Not only that, it will help you appreciate your community. Introduce yourself to some community leaders and others that share your common interests. You will find yourself feeling at home in your community, wherever you end up. It is also a great feeling knowing you have the ability to change the world in some way, no matter how small.

Find Your Passion

This feat is one that isn’t exactly set step by step. Passion cannot necessarily be found on the shelves of your local supermarket or in a lovely box at Target. You find your passion when you least expect it, and you find it in something you may not even have originally thought of. That is all for you to discover.

The post Rounding Out Your Life in 2015 appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

So you have big plans to start a company once you’re out of school. I’m sure you have an amazing, world-changing idea that will be the vehicle to realizing all of your hopes and dreams. But before you embark on the entrepreneur’s journey, here are five things you really should know:

1. The first step is not going out and raising money from investors

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had this conversation with friends, or friends of friends, who asked to be introduced. It goes a bit something like this:

Friend: “Hey Travis! So I have this incredible idea, and I want to raise venture capital to make it happen. Can you introduce me to your investors?”

Me: “Interesting… Have you validated this idea at all?”

Friend: “Oh yeah, definitely! I told so-and-so (someone they clearly deem smart), and she said it’s amazing.”

Me: “So you haven’t actually done anything to validate it?”

Friend: “Well no, I’m gonna build it after I raise money. I don’t really have the time or money to do it right now while working full-time.”

Me: “Honestly, I wish I could help, but everyone I know would want to see at least a functioning product and revenue before considering an investment.”

Friend: “Oh…”

In 99.9% of all startups there is a ton of hard work and validation that goes into things before ever raising money. Work nights and weekends, save money to invest in your idea, and do what it takes. Then consider quitting your job and raising money.

2. The highs will never be as high as you’d imagine, and the lows will always be lower

This is a simple, hard truth. When you realize success building your company, large or small, it will never feel as big as you imagined it would. There will always be new goals to achieve and things to get done that will both prevent your mentality from reaching the stratosphere and pull you back down to reality.

Conversely, when you fail it will feel worse than you ever thought imaginable. Entrepreneurship is a constant emotional roller coaster built for the truly sadistic.

3. There are few things more terrifying than hiring your first 1-3 employees

When I think back on the things that kept me awake at night the most, they were potentially running out of money and failing and hiring our first few employees.

It is rare that you will ever be able to find employees that care about your company as much as you do. That’s terrifying. You will have to learn how to give up control, trust someone else to take over vital tasks, manage people, and hire and fire them.

The learning curve is steep and constant. But once you get over the hump of the first few employees, it’s truly magical the way things start to click.

4. You will constantly be striving for the next level of stupidity

I remember reading (or hearing?) something somewhere about how you never actually become wealthy, you simply reach a new level of poverty.

You’re now a millionaire? Congrats… But man doesn’t it suck you can’t afford the things that the folks with $10MM can afford? Whew, you made it to $10MM! But ugh… look at all the things the people with $100MM have! Etcetera, etcetera.

When it comes to starting a company, the same concept applies to knowledge/wisdom. You’re always learning, but you never know enough.

The scariest part is after a couple cycles of being able to reflect and realize how much knowledge you’ve gained since a year ago, you actually realize, “Yikes, if I knew so little then when I thought I knew so much… how little do I actually know now?!?!”

See how that loops back to point #1? ;-)

5. There is nothing more rewarding than building something from nothing

Everything so far sounds pretty dismal, I know. Hopefully you are well discouraged from going out and starting a startup at this point. Most people are simply not cut out for it.

Those that are will find it can be one of the most rewarding things in your life. I absolutely love going to work nearly every day. How many people do you know that can say the same?

Building a product, having customers that pay you because they realize benefit from it, and literally creating jobs (including your own) is an incredible feeling.

It’s just too bad there’s not more time to sit back and bathe in it. Back to work! :-)

The post 5 Things You Should Know Before Starting a Startup appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When I first started Vitamin Angels, people would always say things like; ‘You really should be on Oprah’ or ‘You should talk to Angelina Jolie’, and finally ‘I bet you have a lot of mileage plus miles!’

The last one is the only thing that did happen and even that took years. The rest fall into the “useless advice” category.

So here are eleven things you don’t need to know (but you’ll find out are true) about starting a world-changing career:

1. What you don’t know can be your greatest ally

When I started Vitamin Angels I didn’t know zip. I had no credentials. I had no capital. I had no celebrity. I had friends in the vitamin industry. I had passion. I was committed.

I set up an organization in a way that could go on forever – turned out to be a genius plan; product was donated, we piggy backed our shipments onto other non-profit’s shipments, and we found partners in the countries we wanted to work in who were already working there to distribute our vitamins.

I knew what I didn’t want: to be corporate, to be boring, to fill out paperwork all day, to be stuck in an office.

 2. It will never be a straight line

I started a commune when I was twenty-one. In my first business I sold everything from sprouts to snow cones. I ended up in the natural products industry and didn’t start Vitamin Angels until I was in my mid-forties.

3. “Everyone’s life is a laboratory to create one product”

This quote came from a media training class I took with Joel Roberts in 2006. It’s true.

Another way of saying this: Before his death, Rabbi Zusya said, “In the coming world, they will not ask me: ‘Why were you not the great prophet Moses?’ They will ask me: ‘Why were you not Zusya?'”

So why not trust in who you are and the special lens that you see the world through?

4. Go out full tilt!

Don’t waste your time. I once heard an interview with Madonna and they were asking her about how she was always going at mach 10 and if she was ever worried if she was going in the wrong direction.

Q: “Like what if you’re going down the wrong road? And you’re on the highway to hell?”
Madonna: “At least I’ll get there faster!”

I worked 10 years at Vitamin Angels with no salary, no benefits, and no health insurance but total commitment that I was doing something that mattered.

5. Failure is Okay

JK Rowling talking about before she started writing Harry Potter said: “By every measure I was a total failure; my marriage had failed, I had no job, I was a single mom, we were living on welfare, and we had no money. All I had left was Harry Potter.”

Steve Jobs got kicked out of Apple. Henry Ford had many bankruptcies. Big deal. People forget your failures, they count your successes.

Life is hard sometimes. In 2009, a wildfire destroyed our home. Everything we had was gone in an instant. But the one thing I realized was that the fire clarified everything. I immediately knew what was important; my family, our pets, and the fact that no one was hurt. Pretty simple.

6. Be willing to be unreasonable

Be reasonable and you’ll end up selling insurance or stocking shelves. Be unreasonable and you’ll create something that didn’t exist before. At one point with Vitamin Angels we told our donors we were going to stop taking their donations (often short dated product or product that wasn’t selling) and instead wanted them to make the product we told them to. It was crazy, as we had no other source for money for product. Completely outrageous, and it worked.

7. Put a stake in the ground

The quote (maybe) from Goethe says it all; “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back—Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

Write a book or an article. Make a public declaration. You have to do something that is witnessed, that is written in stone, that you own. In 2006, Vitamin Angels came up with the idea that we wanted to eliminate vitamin A deficiency childhood blindness by the year 2020. Totally insane that we thought we could do this. But you know what, people really started to climb on board, because we had a bold goal that they wanted to be part of. We went from reaching 2 million children a year, to reaching 40 million in less than ten years.

 8. Believe in yourself first

Even if you have to make it up. When I wrote my first books, on the book jacket I wrote – ‘He now lectures and leads workshops around the country.’ Total BS. But I believed in it enough to make it happen. You have to believe in yourself first before anyone else can.

 9. Surround yourself with people who see the best in you!

Your partner, people at work, friends who you hang out with, your children. You will strive to rise to meet their vision of you. The converse of this is true too; if you have people around you who always doubt you or are ready to jump all over you when you screw up, ditch them fast! Life is hard enough without having naysayers and fear mongers shouting their bad advice.

10. Don’t ever doubt what a small group of people can do

With a nod to Margaret Mead, but the signs are everywhere these days. A couple years ago I met the director of one of the largest relief groups in the world. She had a $3.8 billion dollar budget, a staff of 12,000 and she was reaching 1 million people. At that time Vitamin Angels had a $6 million dollar budget, a staff of 20, and we were reaching 27 million children and moms.

11. Don’t be self-sacrificing

I did a speaking gig a couple of years ago and they asked me to speak on “The Heroic Journey.” It sounded way too self important, but I looked up “Hero” and read something about “self sacrificing.” I immediately thought they had it all wrong, and it’s actually backwards. If you don’t do what you were brought here to do, then you’ll be sacrificing your real self. If you actually do what you were brought here to do, you’ll find your real purpose (and have a great time!).

Today Vitamin Angels is reaching almost 40 million children and moms in 45 countries around the world and 40 states in the United States. We have an incredible team of 30 full time people, and 8 people working internationally. There’s no reason why any of this should be happening. But it is.

The post I save babies (no, seriously) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Last year I met a college freshman who was agonizing about choosing a career. Matt said that all of his friends knew what they wanted to do and he was worried that if he didn’t figure it out soon, he would screw up his life. “How so?” I asked. He explained that if he didn’t know now, he could end up being 35 and having to start over.

Matt had made so many mistaken assumptions that it was no wonder he was panicking.

Most people don’t know what their ideal career is when they arrive on campus – including his friends who supposedly knew what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives. Whether they were bluffing because of the same fears Matt had, or honestly believed they had it all figured out doesn’t matter – they are just as likely as Matt is to change majors in college or to change careers down the line.

If you’re one of the lucky few who knows what your ideal career is, you can save time and money by doing research.

ONLINE

• Start by going to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook ( Here, you can find out what people in your ideal career actually do, how much money they typically make and what the future outlook is for the profession, as well as what major or degree is required and whether graduate school will be necessary.
• Explore the websites of professional associations in your field – most have an education section with information and guidance for people seeking to enter the field.
• Search LinkedIn for people in your chosen field to see what they majored in and where they began their careers.
• Search the web for professionals who blog about specific careers to learn inside information and possibly even ask questions.
• If your ideal career requires a graduate degree, check out programs right away to find out if there are specific prerequisites, such as the pre-med coursework required for medical school. If you don’t complete them as an undergraduate, you’ll have to do them after graduation, costing additional time and money.

Website: www.objectiveinsightconsulting.com

The post Choosing a College Major for your Ideal Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The use of the infographic resume is growing outside the tech and design fields; witness the proliferation of visual portfolios, sites that auto-generate visual resumes and resume builders, Pinterest boards, customized visual libraries, forums and detailed guides. If it fits your skillset, design your own infographic resume to instantly get yourself noticed by hiring managers and use visual language to creatively illustrate your skills, strengths, and experience. Keep in mind the traditional text resume is still required and that the infographic resume is a supplement not a replacement.

What better way to illustrate the power of the infographic resume, than one created for Sherlock Holmes–the world’s most famous, eccentric, and exceptional private detective.

“Address:  221B Baker Street, London. Ability to adopt to almost any disguise. Expertise: British Law. Interests: Necro-analysis. References: John Watson.”

In today’s competitive hiring climate, Sherlock Holmes would use an infographic resume to quickly differentiate him from other consulting private detectives.  Clients in need of a skilled investigator would note his use of eye-catching design elements to illustrate his singular background and unusual but effective skillsets.  This infographic resume would also allow Mr. Holmes to be considered over his colleague and fellow detective, Dr. Watson; to perhaps inflame the sibling rivalry and jealousy between himself and his smarmy older brother, the government official, Mycroft.  Holmes’ infographic resume might possibly even rouse the murderous envy of his arch rival, Professor James Moriarty.

For Mr. Holmes, creating an infographic resume is nothing short of “Elementary.”  Remember to use visuals to tell your story–a pie, bar or line graph, and key stats ground your message. Remember to carefully choose color scheme, font and visual elements for maximum effect.

Not everyone will need to use an infographic resume to get a job, but it can be a useful tool for your job search. You will need a text resume as many online application systems cannot process infographics or visuals.

Hannah Morgan is a career and social media strategist and owner of Career Sherpa.net. A nationally recognized speaker and author on proactive job search techniques, she and her work have been featured in the Huffington Post,  Lifehacker, BlogHer, and Business Insider. To learn more read her new book, The Infographic Resume. Hannah went to Ohio Wesleyan University and majored in Humanities.

The post An Infographic Resume Made Elementary by Sherlock Holmes appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.