Final Reflection Paper

I want to start off by saying this class has really been an asset to my future. Honestly, I have watched my friends choose careers, take on out of state internships, but really just thought it was just what you do. I wasn’t aware that it’s a choice, and there are options, tools and planning that go into it. With this class we have learned SEED, which stands for self assessment, exploration, experience/ evaluate, and finally for me the hardest one i feel Decide.

I am currently in the exploration of this process. I have wanted to do Public Relations for a few years now, only because I saw my friends deciding on that major, and career path. Watching them get to move to new places, get to associate with well known athletes in some cases, or well known businessmen it really got my motor going. Since then, I have attended this class that has reshaped my ideals. I have taken the interest/ personality test offered at the counseling center, and have learned that maybe public relations would be nice and fun, but there is something that would fit “ME” much better.

Returning the to SEED, I was able to briefly experience all the steps, maybe not for a permanent plan but to see what it is like to walk the steps of major and career planning and deciding. One of the steps that I really enjoyed was experience/ evaluate. Why you ask, well when I was able to go on the job of the Profiling Engineer I was able to answer a lot of my own questions with in asking other questions to the employee I shadowed, such as my personality was perfect for the job, you get to meet a lot of new people and keeping relationships strong is key those are things I am great at. On the other hand, the hours are horrible, and the job requires a lot of you physically daily at hours that aren't normal. I would have to be leaving my family a lot. As I was with Dallan, the guy I shadowed I learned that his motivation for the job is Money, He gets paid very well he said, and for him that is really important. Don’t get me wrong money is important but I want to decided what i give up to make it. I kept thinking to myself, i don't want to work for the man for the rest of my life. This job is just that always working for someone else.

If I would of been asked a few months ago, what my major and career plan were I would say, Public Relations for the San Francisco 49ers. After being introduced to this class, and all the available tools that can assist me in selecting the perfect fit to me. I feel I am a little blindsided. I haven’t eliminated the option of PR, but I now know there are other careers, and majors i haven't even thought of. I plan to get my Generals out of the way, and while doing that using the tools i have gained from this course and look at a few options for majors. I am currently signed up for Communications. But in about a year I will know exactly the right major and career choice for me. I feel with a little more research and input from professionals and the UVU career center I should have no problem deciding.

I am going to use the portfolio I created, and goals I set to see what I can achieve while still in school. I now feel urgency to get my schooling in line, and to start looking at options. I own my destiney and in no way do I want that taken from me, or planned for me. This class has given me strength/ knowledge, tools/ resources, and a better understanding of what I can do to find Kevin Burton after graduating with a 4 year degree. Thank you

Great Career Resources

• UVU Career development office- Stop in on campus and get all your answers, and more for jobs, internships and much more.
• Resume Builder:  https://uvlink.uvu.edu/cp/render.UserLayoutRootNode.uP?uP_tparam=utf&utf=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uvu.edu%2Fcdc%2F
• Internship finder/ Job openings:  https://uvlink.uvu.edu/cp/render.UserLayoutRootNode.uP?uP_tparam=utf&utf=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uvu.edu%2Fcdc%2F
• Job shadowing: I will use this a few more times, It was an eye opener for me to actually be on the job, and the flow of questions was great. It was much nicer and more exciting to get to experience it first hand for a short time. 
• Business owner interview questions: It was great being the one asking the questions to the owner or employee of a company. Finding what started them on there path, getting details that they might of done differently, see what worked for them. Having this as a resource is great. I can forever use these questions and I feel it will only benefit my future endeavors by doing a little bit of leg work to find out more details from more experienced fellow Businessmen. 

E- Scavenger Hunt

L10 –e-Scavenger Hunt

First explore the Career Development Center website: www.uvu.edu/cdc   and answer the questions below.   As you complete this e-Scavenger Hunt you will find many resources available to assist you as you prepare for your career.

1.        List at least one event that is happening this semester listed in “Upcoming Events”.  Are there any employers interviewing on campus this week?  If so who is it and when will they be on campus? Part Time Job Fair Tuesday August 28^th, 2012  7am-5pm 

2.        List 4 services offered by the Career Development Center. Find a counselor, hot jobs, job search resources, for employers

3.       Look under the “Students” tab for the “Job Search Engines”.  What are 4 sources the website suggests you to look for job opportunities? Ad Age Talent Works, AdWeekJobs, AIGA , American Advertising Federation

4.        Locate the names of 4 counselors and tell what their specific area is.

MBA Students: Michael Snapp, Humanities & Social Science, and Woodbury School of Business

Lei Pakalani, Science and Health Sue Stephenson, Education & School of Arts

Gary Gardner

5.       What services are available to help you prepare for grad school?

Grad school fair, how do I prepare for my entrance exam, which school is right for me?

6.       Find Optimal Resume on the CDC website (homepage).  This is a free service to help students create a basic resume.  Create an account and a simple resume with this tool.  Submit the resume you created with this assignment.  (I’m not grading on the resume you create.  I just want you to know about this tool.)

7.        Where is the CDC office located?  What is the office phone number?

CAREERDEVELOPMENTCENTER@UVU.EDU | 801.863.6364 | ROOM LC-409

The rest of the questions will refer to the internship website.  Go to the “Students” tab on the CDC website and find “internships in the drop down list or type www.uvu.edu/internships in your browser.

8.       Who is the Director of Internship Services? Who is the Internship Coordinator?  Where is the Internship Office located?

Marsha Haynes, director, Maren Mather, Internship Coordinator, Location: ROOM LC-409

9.       What is the process for setting up an internship for credit?

Select a site to complete your internship with help from UVU Career Counselors, the UV Job Board, your advisor or Department Internship Coordinator, or refer to our Internship Resources page.

Complete the required Internship Orientation.

Determine how much time you can devote to an internship. A 20-hour work week over 3 months will earn you 4 credits. Every 5-hours in your work week will earn you 1 credit at the end of the semester....you do the math!

Register for internship credit by meeting with your Department Internship Coordinator.

Complete your internship during the semester you have registered for credit (we cannot give credit for past experiences).

Report serious problems, including physical, safety, and personnel, to the organization supervisor and the UVU Department Internship Coordinator.

Complete all UVU academic assignments and course-work related to this internship as outlined by your Department Internship Coordinator.

10.   List two internships found on the “Weekly Hot Internships” list?

Utah Museum of Contemporary Art

Business Management, Communication, Art & Visual Communications, Hospitality Management, Humanities, Digital Media, Digital Communication Technology

31792 Visitor Services and Special Events Intern

30144 Development Intern

32320 Communications Intern

32321 Video and Photography Documentation Intern

Western Standard Translation

Art & Visual Communications, Digital Media, Digital Communication Technology

37987 Graphic Design Internship

11.   List two internships available in Washington DC and the current deadline for application.

Federal Bureau of Investigation   

Ketchum PR

Students in this paid program will act as fully integrated members of account teams and will be assigned a mentor for support and guidance to help them get acclimated into PR.          

12.   Find the testimonial page for internships.  (http://www.uvu.edu/internships/students/testimonials.html) View at least one testimonial.  Who did you watch and what did you learn?  Look at the written testimonials.  What one impressed you? Shelly Merrill Her internship sounds so rewarding. Courtney Kilpack I watched she majored in the same thing I am, she recommended to do as many internships. She did her last internship in marketing but her major was Public relations

13.   What internship scholarships are available?

Brendan Larkin – Viacom (TV)    

Chris Chacon - CBS News         

             Cori Fox - Riva PR - London

14.   Take a look at the Internship Blog and Facebook page.  What suggestions do you have that would make these more helpful?

I enjoyed the blog, as for facebook it was hard to find, you should have a link from the blog to the facebook page.

15.   Go go to the “Have a quick Question” box on the internship home page and ask a question regarding internships.  Write the question you asked below.

I am a freshman currently, but would like to get a head start on my internship prep. What would you suggest I start doing to make it so I can have a great internship?

Now you know alot about the Career Development Center and Internship Services.  Stop in and get acquainted or email your questions to cdc@uvu.edu

Internship Sales Project

1. Playing the field. Get out there and see what kinds of internships there are. You can try several, find a good fit.

2. Am I interested? After selecting your internship or internships, decide if the job is what you though it was. Make a pros and cons list of each internship, I would even do one before you start and then compare it to a pros or cons list after our maybe mid way through.

3. What didn't I know? You will be able to get on the job training, increase your knowledge as to what you are really looking for in your career. It will open doors to maybe finding its a great fit or maybe just not a fit at all.

4. Get Hooked Up! After you complete your internship, you can then add to your resume your experience, skills, and knowledge learned while working hands on in any particular field.

5. Expand Your Network. Choosing a job where you feel you can network is a great opportunity to meet new people, expand your own business network, and get your self noticed.

6. Making the Big Dollars!! Completing an internship might not get you the big bucks but selecting the right career can definitely save you in the end. A internship will give you the peace of mind to then select your career after graduation. This allowing your the opportunity to make the big bucks!

Make it happen, don't feel that you have to stick the the basics expand and explore! 

Come Check out Internships at UVU: (steps below) 

 

1.     Select a site to complete your internship with help from UVU Career Counselors, the UV Job Board, your advisor or Department Internship Coordinator, or refer to our Internship Resources page.

2.     Complete the required Internship Orientation.

3.     Determine how much time you can devote to an internship. A 20-hour work week over 3 months will earn you 4 credits. Every 5-hours in your work week will earn you 1 credit at the end of the semester....you do the math!

4.     Register for internship credit by meeting with your Department Internship Coordinator.

5.     Complete your internship during the semester you have registered for credit (we cannot give credit for past experiences).

6.     Report serious problems, including physical, safety, and personnel, to the organization supervisor and the UVU Department Internship Coordinator.

7.     Complete all UVU academic assignments and course-work related to this internship as outlined by your Department Internship Coordinator.

Find an internship

Communications- Public Relations 

Fall 2012 Marketing Internship

Internships.com — Burbank, CA

We are looking for marketing interns interested in working at a fast-paced internet start up. Our intern will participate in a number of projects for both Internships.com & TweetMyJobs.com,

I picked this one because its based online, It would be cool to see how things work dealing with virtual rather than face to face. Its also in California. 

Fundraising/Event Planning Intern - Rockford/Belvidere

RAMP — Rockford, IL

The Development Intern assists with all aspects and logistics related to special event planning for fundraising purposes. The intern will assist with setting up presentations/meetings with current/po...

This would give me an opportunity to see what all goes in to creating and executing events and parties. That is something I am really interested in. 

 

Internship - Marketing

Independent Can Company — Belcamp

Independent Can Company is family owned. We are looking for an intern to work in our Sales/Marketing Department in our Belcamp, MD office. The internship will begin in the Fall of 2012 and is 8 hour

First off the name of the company alone leaves me to wonder, But sales and marketing are strong points for me. They hold a that i still want to learn but at the same time i feel i could benefit a company looking for these talents. 

 

This is great, I have been wondering about doing an internship just not sure how to find them UVU's website has local and out of state. I want out of state just for the fun experience. Some are even paid that's awesome.

WebQuest Research Power point

Decision Making Model

Set a short, mid, long term goal- Something that can be completed with in a specific time line.

Set up rewards along the way to establish its measurability. meaning a goal that is trackable. 

Look at your goal and asses its pros and cons for you indiviually. The cons will express maybe a challenge in being successful, or maybe just adding difficulty. The pros will show you your strengths in the goal, and may allow you to knock out a few steps.

What does the goal mean to you, is it relevant to you? or was it assigned. Usually if you are setting the goal than there is a lot backing it. If you were given the goal, you tend to have a lot of "soul searching" to do, in order to achieve it.

Evaluate your goal to date. what progress have you made, do you need to maybe reassess your pros and cons, have things changed, that would change the relevance of the goal. 

Through out a goal you may have to do a few of these steps several times before the completion of the goal, or large upcoming decision. 

Goals Short term & Mid- Term

Short Term (6 Month or less)

1. Take each course and break it down in to time. Set aside a certain amount of time a week at least, that I can use to study, do assignments, group work, and achieve my GPA I desire.
2. Sit down with my wife and plan a few date nights for the semester that will still allow us to date, and me to focus on school work, while working full time as well.
3. Take the 3 most challenging things in my life school, work, and family. Create lists of most important, to least as far as activities go. Only allow for extras to happen when I have completed my weekly made to do lists.

Mid Term (1-5 years)

1. Complete my BA by December 2014, with a 3.5 GPA over all

·         I plan to continue to take at least 9+ credits a semester. While doing that I plan to use my short term goal for getting a 3.2 GPA a semester throughout my time in college.

2. Complete at least 2 internships, one being for Public Relations and the other Marketing intern.

·         I will contact the career office, and speak to someone about getting on the right track for an early internship maybe around my sophomore or junior year. With completing my second my senior year with hopefully a career coming from that one. I would also be open to small multiple internships. I want hands on experience.

3. Gain 5 more STRONG contacts in the PR/ Marketing industry.

·         I plan to use my resources from UVU, current networks, and connections to multiply my personal business network, so that I can have strong references, along with connections to opportunities. 

Action plan

Action:

Plan:

Achieve Manager Position at Work by August.	Continue to show improvement, and the ability to lead my co-workers
Becoming a dad	Son will be born August 11, 2012
Complete my first math class in over 2 years with at least a B average	I am going to get a tutor to help and keep me focused. Study, and use skills learned from effective study learned from the tutor.
Balance my school, work and family	Use my stress management class I am currently in to learn strategies and tricks to the balance of life
Take a fun family trip before starting another full load at school	Currently saving money for a small trip sometime around Christmas to my parents in Texas.
Start Fall classes with a renewed sense of belonging, desire to attend and complete school.	Stay positive, allow myself time to do things I enjoy to bring balance. Set goals for each class, create rewards for met goals

Get 3.2 gpa	Work really hard on my study skills for each class. Set aside an allotted time for each class.
Get an internship set up for summer of 2013	Contact the career office and speak to someone about internships and see what they fill will best fit my current skills and major.

Stay on top of things so they don't fall through the cracks	Keep a list with all things required of me with school, work and family. Talk to wife about my list so she can help me.
Select challenging classes for spring, for my major	Take a math or biology class and get it out of the way.

STAR Interview

     

Give an example of what teamwork means to you- Team work is a major key to success.  We had a store goal at the McDonalds I was managing to having the fastest store.  Our store really had to work together in order for us to do this.  We had everyone on every shift assigned to a job so once we got the right people in the right position we ended up having the fastest times in our region.

Give me an example of a major challenge that you faced, and how you went about addressing the problem, and how it turned out- One day at work we had a potential customer call in and wanted us to basically give them free service at our shop so I explained I understood they were looking for a new shop that could take care of everything for them at one place for cheaper prices and explained that we have coupons that would meet his needs or that he could find the same type of service somewhere else we would beat it by 5 percent and once he realized we beat anyone’s price he was ok and became a new regular customer.

Describe a past goal and how you achieved it- One of my biggest goals was to achieve a higher GPA and prove to myself that I could do something more than what I was used to doing, getting by.  I looked at the aspects of studying that worked and the parts that made me lack the higher GPA and once I was able to zone in on my target areas I achieved my highest GPA since starting college and know that I can continue to narrow areas that need strengthening and one day I will Achieve my 4.0 GPA.…

Mock Interview

a.     Who did you interview with and what is their job title?  I choose to interview Barry Labrum is the Sole Proprietor of his own business.

b.    What was most useful to you about this experience?  It was helpful to gain feedback from someone who has been in and conducted many interviews.

c.     What was the most difficult question you were asked? Why?  I was ask if about a technician that was not honest with his work and if I would fire him.

d.    What advice would you give to others preparing for an interview?  I would advise to come with questions as well as knowledge about the company.  I would also recommend anytime an opportunity comes to show you want the job take it but do not be over bearing.

e.     Name at least three (3) things you learned.  I learned to take every chance at making a statement that shows I want this job, I learned to limit my hand gestures, and I learned that I handle hard questions better than most of the people that Barry had interviewed before.

f.     Name at least three (3) things that can be improved on for your next interview.  Some of the things I need to improve on are taking advantage of the opportunity to claim the job.  I need to have better questions going into the interview.  I need to be more direct in showing my knowledge of the position I am interviewing for.  

Job Shadow

Dallan Labrum Profiling Engineer 

Acor all government roads that they are contracted for

My Questions/ His Answers:

1.       Your typical Day: there is no typical day, some days I am up at 4 and out on the roads, others I am out all night. Really its just what works for each job.

2.       Why did this job interest you? Well to be honest, I was offered this job after completing my religious mission and it offered great pay, and it sounded fun to drive the states.

3.       How would one get a job in this field: To get a job being a profiler I would say you need to know someone, or start with a small company that’s what I did.

4.       What things did you do before this job? I was a car salesman, I was a used car manager for my dad’s business always been in the car business.

5.       What do you like most about this company? Well I haven’t been on with Acor for very long, but first impression was very professional, they are a large company and treat their employees with respect and as friends but still keeping it professional.

6.       What is the hardest part of this job? Being away from my family at random. Its no your 9-5 job usually. Some days it is and those are the days I love, but generally I am gone at night and get home as they are waking up.

7.       What particular skills would you suggest someone having? You have to be personable; you are dealing with all kinds of people out on the sites. You also have to be a great salesman. I am selling our company daily, that’s how we get bids and get new contracts is because of me and my connections with other contractors.

8.       How has this job affected your life style? I make great money that is something very important to me. The hours have just become normal for my family so we work around them. I tend to work out at random, and my eating habits could improve. It’s really just a take it as it comes career and I enjoy every minute of it.

My experience:

Well I went with Dallan to a job in Elko, NV it was crazy, It was probably 1am and we were on the road, and instead of being on the side where the other cars were we were on the side where the flashing lights were. He has a machine on the front of his truck that measures the road and the divots or bumps. What he does with that information is mark the road so the grinders can come and smooth the road so its save to travel the speed limit. It was really interesting how quickly he did it. Some parts of the road had really bad numbers; I guess that means that basically the grinder would have to do the whole section. It was all done from a computer in his truck that was hooked to the front bumper machine. I think this would be a great job for a single guy, or if you could bring your wife. But, I would have a really hard time leaving my life behind and travel so much and sometimes so far. The pay may be great but not great enough for me.