STUDENT & ALUMNI RESOURCES

Career Topics

Click on the following titles to access articles written by the Career Services staff that provide helpful insights into career-related topics:

Attending Career Fairs

Experiential Opportunities

Tips on Reading Job Ads

Attending Career Fairs

Preparing for Career Fairs

Career fairs are one of a number of ways that students and alumni can gather information to start their careers. These fairs provide students an opportunity to explore career options, obtain employer information and network with professionals in the field. Employers use these events to inform students of their organizations, present career options and identify potential candidates for their organizations. If you are unprepared before attending a fair, it can be unproductive and confusing. By developing a plan for a career fair, you can make it an activity that will assist you in achieving your career goals.

1. Prepare Yourself Prior to Attending the Career Fair

A few weeks before the fair, find out which employers are planning to participate. Usually you can obtain a tentative list of participating employers from the fair’s sponsor. Start your research with these employers. Find out what they do and the services they provide. You can find employer information at the Career Services Library, Hamilton Library or on the Internet. After you complete your research, create a list of the employers you want to see at the event.

Review the standard questions asked in interviews. If you do not know these questions, the Career Services Manual contains a list of employer questions for your review. Take the time to review your own skills and think about how you will best present them. Finally, develop questions you plan to ask the employer. They can address information on the employer, part-time or summer employment, and actual or potential openings.

Prepare what you will bring to the career fair. A letter sized portfolio, note pad, pen and resumes are a few essential items to take with you. Other items to consider are examples of your work and course transcripts. Remember, do not overload yourself with too much material.

Select appropriate dress attire for the fair. Your appearance will be judged by the employers. Casual business attire (khakis/dress slacks & collared shirt, dress, skirt/slacks & blouse) is usually appropriate. Prepare your dress and set it aside prior to the fair's date.

2. At the Career Fair

Upon arriving at the career fair, check in at the information desk. Some fairs will have name tags, updated lists of participating employers, maps, vacancy announcements and other information. This is a good time to review the information at the desk and to check the location of the employers you plan to contact.

Take a little time to orient yourself to the fair before approaching the employers. Consider walking around the fair to get a general feel or pick a spot that will allow you to view the fair’s layout. Check how the employers are grouped and note how the participants are approaching them.

Select an employer to contact. If the line for that employer is long and crowded, consider selecting another employer on your list and return later to your first choice.

3. Approaching Employers

Before approaching an employer, check your appearance and dress. Take out the resume you prepared and have it ready. This is also a good time to review the questions you plan to ask the employer.

At all times conduct yourself professionally. Employers are evaluating you while you are standing in line or walking about the event. As you approach the table, respect the conversation of the other participants.

Like an interview, establish eye contact and introduce yourself with a firm handshake. This is a good time to inform the employer about your interests and career goals.

From your research, tell them what you know about their organization. Present your skills and experiences that show the employer what sets you apart from the other candidates. Be confident and keep your conversation focused on what you want to achieve from this contact.

Remember to ask the questions you developed. Consider questions that will assist you with your career search. Questions related to industry trends, career options, and training programs will assist you later in your career decisions.

Before leaving, ask for their business card. If their card is not available, get the representative's name, address and telephone number for your records. It is a good practice to follow up with a thank you note expressing your interest in the organization. In your letter you can also point out additional skills that were not mentioned at the fair.

Finally, offer a firm handshake and express your appreciation for their consideration.

4. Final Note

Keep your options open. Use the fair to explore potential employers and careers. Consider not only the large companies, but the small and mid-size organizations too. Review what each employer has to offer you.

Experiential Opportunities (INTERNSHIPS, PRACTICA, & RELATED PROGRAMS) 

Experiential opportunities is a term used to signify a number of different types of learning experiences that are commonly undertaken in conjunction with an academic program. Some programs require completion of such experiences for students to graduate, while others offer them as electives.  The main feature of experiential opportunities is that they serve to expose students to the more applied aspects of knowledge and learning, often outside of the classroom.  This exposure can benefit the student who has already decided on a field and wishes to gain experience during college, and can also benefit the student who may not have chosen a major and who wishes to learn more about a certain field.

There are many different types of experiences for students to consider.  These experiences can occur in or out of the college classroom, can be for academic credit or not, and can be secured with the help of a department or on one's own.  The particulars will vary depending on one's field of study.  At the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, the most common types of experiential opportunities through departments are internships, practica (practicum), and field work.  These and other kinds of experiences are briefly explained below.

Applying for Experiential Opportunities, and Mini-Glossary

Before choosing one particular type of experience, look at ALL OPTIONS available to you.  Some factors to consider in judging a position or program are: length of the experience;  range of duties and/or training; supervision; credit, compensation or other benefits; and, of course, required qualifications.  Find out as much as possible about the specific position or program so that you may judge the benefits of the overall experience to you.  When considering whether to participate in such an experience, CHECK WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT OR COLLEGE FIRST.

For the experiences explained below, normal application procedures are included.

internship (for credit) - typically, an experience under the guidance of a faculty adviser and under the supervision of a professional in the field. The length of the commitment varies, but is often for one semester.  Specific functions depend upon the internship position, organization, and field.  Hours vary: some require a set number of hours per week, others a total number of hours for the semester.  Often requires consultation with the faculty adviser, journals or other writings, and evaluation by the professional.  May have prerequisites.
See your department prior to semester of internship to check prerequisites, to register, and for procedures on obtaining positions.

practicum - similar to an internship.  Usually field intensive, such as for social work or speech pathology.  Reserved for majors near completion of degree.
See your department prior to semester of practicum to check prerequisites, to register, and for procedures on obtaining positions.

field work (field methods/studies course) - usually requires consent and limited to upper division and graduate students.  Application of principles to field work in area of study.
See your department or specific faculty member supervising course.

For students in departments and colleges that do not offer a formal internship or practicum program, you will want to explore ALTERNATIVES.  In particular, programs in the natural and social sciences have research, laboratory, and methodology courses, and programs in the arts have design, project, and other hands-on types of courses that also offer valuable experiences.   Also make use of:  1) Career Services binders and employer directories,  2) the Co-Op program in the Student Employment & Cooperative Education Office, and  3) sources such as professional associations (e.g. Honolulu Advertising Federation), foundations (e.g. Straub Research Foundation), and so on.

Some alternatives to departmental internships, practica, and field work include:
fellowships

non-credit internship - typically, a short-term experience (semester, summer) with an organization in a position related to one's major.  May or may not offer pay and other compensation, depends on organization.
Positions are found in similar fashion to a job search: through Career Services offerings, direct applications, networking, and so forth.  It is up to the student to determine the positions that are appropriate, and to APPLY DIRECTLY to the organization, in most cases.  Opportunities can be found in the Experiential Opportunities binder in the Career Services Library, room 212F of the Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services and in internship publications, etc..

Cooperative Education (Co-Op) - combines periods of classroom instruction (must be an enrolled student) with paid, supervised work experience relevant to student's academic and career goals.  Open to all Manoa students enrolled at least half time in a degree-granting program.  Must have 2 semesters remaining, have minimum cumulative and major GPA of 2.0, and at least 30 credits completed.  Not for academic credit.
See the Co-Op program, room 113 of the Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services  (The Co-Op program is separate from Career Services.)

directed/independent study - individual projects and study under faculty supervision in major field, for academic credit. Requires consent of faculty adviser: see faculty person you wish to study with.

One difference between the alternate experiences offered outside of a department and experiences like an internship or practicum is that under normal circumstances, academic credit is not offered (because credit is always through the department).  On the other hand, some organizations require that the experience be for academic credit.  In these cases a student will need to arrange this with the department and a professor if the organization has not already established a process.  Keep in mind, then, that academic credit may be a factor, regardless of you really needing or wanting it.

Programs Through UHM Departments, Colleges, and Schools

The list that follows contains only those the departments, colleges, and schools that included information on experiential programs in the UHM Catalog.  As such, it may be incomplete or out of date.  Please check with the specific department you are interested in for more information.  All offer these programs for credit: therefore, you would need to register for a course offering.
 

Tips On Reading Job Ads

In the job search, learning about available openings by looking at job ads (also called classified ads, employment ads and want ads) in publications or on the Web is a common strategy and a valuable source of information. The following are tips that may enhance your chances for success in identifying opportunities. They focus on taking an analytical and creative approach to reviewing the classifieds.

1. Take the time to read all ads. Become familiar with the offerings of the work world and the particular language used in their descriptions. This is particularly useful for career changers who may need to track who's hiring and learn which skills are in demand.

2. Understand how ads are written and organized. Going to only certain sections or categories may mean missing other listings and information. For example, an administrative position with a non-profit organization that builds low-income housing could be listed under Construction rather than management or social services.

3. Use the classifieds to identify companies that may employ someone with your skills and then market yourself to them.

4. Go outside of your industry or past experience. Expand your career possibilities by considering ads from companies in different industries as well. For example, an English major may find high-tech firms as potential employers for writing and research positions.

5. Read job descriptions completely before making the decision to apply or in many cases, not to apply. Unless specified, you may still wish to apply even though you do not meet all qualifications listed. Requirements are usually prioritized with most important ones appearing first.

6. Study the content of the ad before you write your resume and cover letter, especially the wording of job descriptions. Use the same or similar words in your documents followed by concrete examples to support your point. For example, if an ad requests a "results-oriented" person, use the expression in your cover letter or resume but also show evidence of your accomplishments.

7. Even if ad is brief and company name isn't provided, study the language used to, "read between the lines". Learning about the corporate culture or structure of the organization is useful. The phrase "Hands-on manager wanted for start-up company" tells you that the company is new and perhaps small and informal. The work you may be expected to do may be loosely defined entailing flexibility, creativity and a willingness to pitch in.

A final point: Keep a record file of the job ads you plan to respond to and attend to each ad separately. This is important because each ad reflects different requirements, application procedures and deadlines.