College and Career Blog – from Westwood College

Three Tips on Getting a Job from Westwood College Graduates

There’s nothing like receiving advice from the people who started where you are and ended where you want to be. We asked some of Westwood’s successful graduates what tips they would give to current students on getting a job. They said to start early, network and volunteer, and never give up! Find out what other bits of wisdom these graduates had to share below . . .

Start Looking for a Job Early

Margo Guillen Seymour

“My advice is that whenever you have a major deadline—whether at school, at your job, or in life in general—start your preparation early.”

Mark Jackson Weaver

“Treat your time in school like you have already started your career. Give every project 100%, even if you know that 75% would get you an ‘A’.”

Network and Volunteer

Katie Gilbertson

“I picked up two beneficial traits from Westwood—networking and volunteering. Many of the staff are professionals in their field. When I finally picked a job I wanted to get into, I was able to use those instructors asreferences. I volunteered for a local rape crisis center, and the skills I learned there provided me with valuable experience I need for my job today.”

Chelsea Cass

“Just tough it out and network as much as possible! Having a degree gives you a great advantage because it shows that you are responsible and disciplined. Networking is extremely important and useful because the more people you know, the more opportunities will be available for you to explore.”

Never Give Up

Tim Cash

“The one piece of advice I would give is to never give up on your goals. I gave up all of my goals right after high school, and it took me seven years to realize that it was the biggest mistake of my life. The work can be hard, but if you stick to it, you can go far.”

Heather Bingham

“Stay focused and never give up. Even if it feels like nothing you try works, never give up.”

Interested in Westwood and want to hear more Westwood graduate stories? Check out Westwood Success.

What’s It Like Going to Westwood? The Student Ambassador Program at Chicago Campuses

We sat down with Natasha Russell, the director of student support at the Westwood College Chicago Loop Campus, and got the inside scoop on a new program that recently awarded student ambassador status to 10 students and one alumnus.

This new student ambassador program joins several others at many Westwood campuses. The programs provide student-to-student orientation resources, community outreach, student mentoring and other opportunities to students and alumni.

How did the Chicago Loop campus’ student ambassador program come about?

So many of our students are an inspiration to me – they’re doing great academic work while also balancing other commitments, like a family or a full-time job. We wanted to develop a program to really showcase and leverage these stand-out students who are truly role models on campus and in the classrooms.

What responsibilities do ambassadors have?

They play an important role in new student orientation. When new students are nervous or don’t know what to expect and may be questioning whether or not they can even do it, seeing students like our ambassadors at orientation is really inspiring and comforting. We also have ambassadors positioned right by the elevators during the first week of the term, helping students with things like finding classrooms, printing schedules, book ordering, etc.

During the term, they set up “Ask an Ambassador” stations twice a week — one for day students and one for night students — for student support. Then they also do mentoring during finals week in the library.

How do other students on campus benefit from the program?

Peer-to-peer relationships are extremely important at any college. I can’t imagine going to college without having those relationships. If there are solid relationships among the student body, the student body will stand strong. We want students to feel, when they’re here, that there are people to support them.

What benefits do the Student Ambassadors get from this program?

It goes without saying that they practice a lot of skills by being an ambassador — networking, connecting with organizations outside of Westwood, giving back to their school or their alma mater, public speaking skills, presentation skills, event planning skills … But it’s also a huge honor to put on their resumes for future employment.

If you have a question for one of our student ambassadors, leave it in the comments section and we’ll post an answer from them.

Trending: Careers in Healthcare

An essential part of preparing for any career is keeping updated on trends and developments in the industry. For example, photography students in the mid-90s who kept up on industry trends could have started learning about digital photography along with traditional methods and begun their careers ahead of the curve.

Healthcare is an industry where changes in methods and policy happen constantly, but three major trends are emerging that could have very far-reaching and long-term effects on healthcare job availability and focus.

Aging Baby Boomers = Growing Healthcare Jobs

Students in the healthcare field should understand how the aging of the U.S. population, the growth of bio-technology, and advances in health information technology will impact the job field during the coming decades.

According to a recent consumer report by Nielsen, between 2013 and 2030, the 18- to 49-year-old segment of the U.S. population is expected to grow by 12 percent, while the 50+ segment will grow by more than 34 percent, nearly three times as fast. This creates a huge increase in the demand for healthcare jobs, especially in the home care segment.

However, this doesn’t mean current healthcare students will be able to coast into a position and never have to compete to move up the ladder. A survey by MGI Research shows that 85 percent of Baby Boomers expect to work later in life. When people retire later, it creates lower turnover and greater competition for management-level positions.

Also, the growth of the healthcare industry is no secret; many people are currently enrolled in healthcare training programs, which create increased competition in the job market.

Here’s how you can prepare:

Work hard, earn certifications when you’ve completed your healthcare training program, and start networking with local health organizations today to build relationships with potential employers.

Sci-Fi Medical Technologies – Becoming Reality

Students should also keep an eye on the growing biotechnology field. Scientists and doctors are creating advancements that may seem straight out of science fiction, but are actually in development and production today.

For example, Touch Bionics has released the first powered bionic fingers solution that allows amputees to essentially have a functional “Luke Skywalker” hand. Three dimensional printers are being developed to build new organs one layer of cells at a time. The device is anticipated to be able to print arteries and veins in five years and complex organs like a liver in 10 years.

These are just two examples of technologies that are changing healthcare and could potentially create new positions and opportunities in the field.

Here’s how you can prepare:

Healthcare students should follow industry leaders on social media and create news feeds for biotechnology publications in order to learn as much as they can about what these types of advancements mean for careers in healthcare. Being among the first to learn about a new certification for 3-D organ printing technicians could put you at the forefront of a new career path.

Widespread Adoption of Health Information Technology

Finally, the widespread adoption and government support of health information technology will make this trend a critical part of the healthcare landscape moving forward. In 2009, the HITECH Act was passed as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This allows the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to spend $25.9 billion on the promotion and expansion of health information technology. Industry experts hope that growing healthcare information technology will improve the overall quality and affordability of healthcare in America.

This investment will obviously create a greater demand for HIT professionals. However, as systems are implemented and used in real hospitals and clinics across the country, practitioners are finding many system failures, room for error, and over-simplifications of diagnoses. This indicates positions in HIT may include jobs for integration specialists along with highly specialized technical professionals.

Here’s how you can prepare:

In order to stay on top of this trend, students in health information technology programs should follow how the HITECH legislation is being implemented, including the issues that are emerging during implementation.

Have you found any excellent resources for healthcare trends? If so, please share them with us below!

Our Resources:
Nielson.com
McKinsey.com
YouTube.com
Popsci.com
Rand.org
Nytimes.com
Wikipedia

What We’re Reading Weekly Roundup – March 29, 2013

A summary of employment and education blog posts from the week

Does your LinkedIn headline stand out from the crowd? Does it, in a few simple words, highlight why YOU are the perfect fit for a job in your desired field? The first article in this week’s summary encourages you to take a step back and make sure that you’ll stand out from the masses on the job-seeking platform! MonsterWorking’s piece on the importance of having high-quality references should also not be missed. Finally, be sure to read on for ideas on how to better connect with co-workers and fellow students, as well as tips for reducing the costs of your job search.

Jobacle.com: Why Your LinkedIn Headline Is Important
Recruiters are sorting through hundreds of LinkedIn profiles daily to fill positions. Make sure your profile doesn’t blend in by crafting a headline that is 100 percent relevant and “zippy” in the eyes of a recruiter.

MonsterWorking: Are Bad References Holding You Back?
Strong references can be the deciding factor between two similarly qualified job candidates. Therefore, it is imperative to do your due diligence before references are requested to make sure you have the very best people in place.

Jobacle.com: How To Make Friends At Work
This is a great read that applies to the workplace or classroom equally. Many of us forget the importance of the basics, like the importance of listening, being a team player, and using ice-breakers to move beyond just work- or school-related conversation topics.

WorkBuzz: 5 Ways To Save Money During Your Job Search
The last thing you want to worry about during a job search is the money you’re spending on the hunt! This short post provides helpful ideas on where to cut back.

We are always eager for your feedback, so please leave us a comment below to let us know what you think about this week’s reading roundup or if you have another article you think we’d like to know about!

Hilariously Dated Technology in Movies

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/NRMrQm

Remember when Zack Morris was the coolest kid at Bayside because he had a cell phone? Or how advanced we thought the NASA headquarters looked in Armageddon? How about when you wouldn’t even think of leaving your computer without first putting up a witty AOL IM away message? Movies and TV can serve as virtual time capsules, capturing and preserving the technology of the times, but some hold up a little better than others! Step into our virtual DeLorean, charge up the Flux Capacitor, and revisit some of the high-tech tools that used to wow us.

You’ve Got Mail

This tepid comedy attempted to recreate the Sleepless in Seattle chemistry between Power Cute Couple Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, but ended up effectively immortalizing AOL. Every shot of the perky little mailbox icon brings you back to the hair-tearing frustration of trying to dial up AOL only to get the busy signal for hours.

The Net

In 1995, Sandra Bullock and the Internet were a killer box office combination. Today The Net is chock full of primitive web design from Pizza.net (:09) to the Print Match Pro 2.1 (1:30). The Ominous Trailer Voice warning us that “every trace of our existence is computerized, everything about us is encoded somewhere on a complex network of information,” which probably seemed a lot scarier before everyone started happily posting this information on Facebook.

Hackers

Besides being the movie that launched a thousand fan-boy crushes on 20 year-old Angelina Jolie, Hackers has some amazingly silly visuals of the “inner workings” of a computer. While the zooming, intense graphics don’t stand the test of time, this movie can still get anyone excited about coding.

Tomorrow Never Dies

When Tomorrow Never Dies was released in 1997 James Bond’s tricked out Ericsson cell phone and BMW 750i were both drool-worthy status symbols. The Ericsson phone was capable of scanning fingerprints, picking locks, producing a 2,000 volt electric shock and most memorably, driving the BMW like a remote control toy. The movie came out four years before the first iPod, so the “control wheel” looked super futuristic and slick at the time, but watching it today the button pad and flip functionality don’t stand the test of time.

Swimfan

If the casting of Jesse Bradford and Erika Christensen didn’t date this so-bad-it’s-great film, the Internet stalking certainly does. Christensen chases Bradford in person and online after an ill-advised hookup. The emails and Instant Messages from “Swimfan85” permanently mark this psycho-stalker teen thriller as a product of the Early Aughts.
It may be easy to think of these films as dated relics from the past, but which of today’s up-to-the-minute movies will look absurd in 2023? Here are a couple of guesses:

Skyfall

Photo Credit: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/11/07/james-bond-film-skyfall-inspired-by-stuxnet-virus/

This bare-bones Bond doesn’t have any fancy gadgets, but the entire plot revolves around a cyber-terrorism strike. While the screens at the M16 headquarters look state-of-the art today, the graphics dramatizing the terrorist plot will no doubt look just as silly as Goldfinger’s seagull snorkel suit in the future.

Zero Dark Thirty

Photo Credit: Handout, Sony

There’s nothing exaggerated in Katherine Bigelow’s pulse-pounding true-life tale of the manhunt for Osama Bin Laden. But even this just-the-facts approach will look a little absurd in 20 years. The Navy SEAL team that storms Bin Laden’s compound is ostensibly using the most state-of-the-art technology available and the entire sequence is shot from their night-vision goggle perspective. Odds are the bulky headpieces and green screens will be completely replaced in the future with light headpieces (or even contacts) that show the wearer exactly what the scene would look like in the daylight.

 
What are some of your favorite old tech movies?

Boxing and How to Find a Job

When I first met my husband, he was working for the Marine Corp as a head coach for the varsity boxing team. I learned a lot about the world of boxing and the techniques that young novice fighters are drilled on every single day of their lives. I learned many things while watching my husband train and condition his fighters, but the single most important lesson I learned was to always have your hands up and keep moving forward.

I thought about how this great sport has many lessons for both life and pursuing a career.  In life we must always keep moving forward towards our intended target or goal, and although we may be outmatched by a larger and more intimidating opponent (which can be setbacks or unexpected challenges), we must keep our defenses up and move towards our goal, making sure to use our own technique in fighting back and winning. Turning your back, quitting or throwing in the towel is NOT an option. When it comes to finding a job, fulfilling your destiny and following your own path, you must have the same determination as a boxer. Always keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles come at you, keep your confidence up, use the techniques you have learned to fight the battle and you WILL see results. No other fighter is like you, with your speed, agility or quick defenses (talents).

One of the qualities that I encountered within the boxing community is the passion and drive to win. If someone suffers a devastating loss, there is a long process of getting back into physical condition, training with a variety of partners and gaining back what was lost. So be courageous! Don’t give up because you got knocked down a couple times, and whatever you do don’t throw in the towel, just “role with the punches”.

We all are going to have intimidating opponents in life, which will knock you down for the count, but you must get back up, shake it off and get back into the fight. Make sure as you go back, you know what you’re going to do to differently to defend yourself and win the game. Strategy is key in winning in the boxing ring as it is in life. Without knowledge of your opponent’s weaknesses or fighting style, you will never know how to counter his punches.

Life is just as hard as the ring, but with the right kind of determination you will win in your career and life pursuits. One round at a time . . .

What We’re Reading Weekly Roundup – March 22, 2013

Our weekly roundup picks for the week resonate on many levels, whether you are currently in school and are just beginning to think about a career or you are already well-immersed in the workforce. It’s never too early or too late to establish a trusting relationship with a mentor, to improve your work-from-home habits or revisit common traps that can lead to a loss of respect among peers.

Jobacle.com: Four Steps To Finding A Career Mentor

A career coach is invaluable during all stages of professional development – from your first job search to continued career mentorship – as you grow into new roles or possibly explore career path changes. This article offers four very easy ideas for identifying a career mentor if you don’t have one already. Tip #1: just ask!

Brazen Life: 5 Surefire Ways To Lose The Respect Of Your Coworkers

Maintaining the respect of coworkers and professional peers is not as easy as one may think. This article offers insight on actions that can quickly undermine the respect you’ve worked so hard to earn, like claiming, “That’s not my job,” or “I’ll try to do that.”

Working Mother: Top Tips For Working From Home With Young Kids

Whether you work, attend classes or study from home, doing so with young kids can be extremely distracting unless you know how to structure your day. This work-at-home mom writes a wonderful post with tons of tips for making it a productive situation.

We are always eager for your feedback, so please leave us a comment below to let us know what you think about this week’s reading roundup or if you have another article you think we’d like to know about!

Networking Opportunities at Trade Shows & Industry Events

Industry events and trade shows are a great way to move your career forward. They give you the opportunity to engage in conversations and feel the pulse of your chosen industry, as well as make connections with other people in your field, including potential employers. For example, Westwood’s Denver North Campus recently co-hosted a gaming tournament event with a local gaming organization and employers in the community.

Gaming program students got to do what they love while meeting local employers in their field. Students who prepared to attend this event and followed up with the contacts made are more likely to reach their career goals than those who never even heard about it. Read the following tips for finding and taking advantage of industry events to ensure you’re doing all you can to launch your career.

Finding Events with Networking Opportunities

• Make sure your LinkedIn profile is optimized and then join industry groups related to your career field. Many of these groups have local chapters that host monthly gatherings that are open to the public.
• Get help from your school’s career services department to find events that are relevant to your career path.
• Broaden your thinking about what types of events to consider for networking opportunities. Perhaps a local group is hosting a charitable event where you can help serve your community while making connections.

Making Contacts at Trade Shows and Industry Events

• Put your best foot forward by having a concise elevator speech ready to go when introducing yourself.
• You can be direct about your career goals and why you’re networking, but make sure to take a balanced approach. Being too aggressive can alienate potential connections.
• As you meet other attendees, try to genuinely connect. Listen to and engage with their ideas. Try to think of ways you can help connect them to their goals. You never know when someone might return the favor!

Follow Up with New Business Contacts

• Politely ask for business cards or contact information from attendees with whom you’ve connected.
• When you meet potential employers, follow up just like you would after an interview to stay on their radar.
• In case you do end up generating interest from a potential employer, make sure your resume is always updated and optimized for your ideal career prior to the event.

Follow these tips to identify opportunities and make the most out of networking opportunities. Check out other networking articles

What We’re Reading Weekly Roundup – March 15, 2013

A summary of employment and education blog posts from the week

We’ve all heard the saying, practice makes perfect. The first two articles provide fantastic ideas for how preparation can help you navigate around common interview and networking pitfalls. Give them a read and put the advice into practice to stand out from the crowd! And, speaking of crowds, have you ever felt like the only person who doesn’t have his life plan all figured out? You’re certainly not alone, especially when it comes to finding a career. Check out the final article below for a Q&A about discovering the path that’s 100% right for you.

The Work Buzz: 10 Common Job-Search Mistakes Made By Recent College Graduates
Looking for a job for the first time or making a career shift can be overwhelming, which can understandably lead to making mistakes that are easily avoidable. Reading a job description thoroughly, being persistent and keeping your resume to one page are just a few of the many important reminders this post shares.

Working Mother: How To Avoid Feeling Awkward, Stupid Or Speechless When Networking
Networking makes a lot of us nervous or self-conscious. However, in today’s job market, personal connections and networks are more important than ever. Ease into future events by reading these thoughtful tips first.

Brazen Life: What To Do If You Don’t Know What You Want To Be When You Grow Up
Not knowing what you want to do after school or in advance of a career change is normal, and, if approached thoughtfully, should allow for a lot of exploration and self-discovery to determine your passions and interests. Read on for a wonderful Q&A with a young entrepreneur who is reaching out to young people with his new “career matchmaking service.”

We are always eager for your feedback, so please leave us a comment below to let us know what you think about this week’s reading roundup or if you have another article you think we’d like to know about!

SXSW Interactive – How Game Design Is Becoming Part of Your Everyday Life

"Gamify and Socialize" SXSW 2012 talk by Bing Gordon. Visual notes from OgilvyNotes.com

This week, the brightest minds in emerging technology gathered in Austin, Texas for the 20th annual SXSW Interactive Festival.

The event features five days of presentations on the latest trends in the technology world. From hands-on training to predictions about what’s coming next, SXSW Interactive is the place to see the most exciting developments in technology unfold.

Video game pioneer Bing Gordon was among the impressive group of presenters at SXSW last year.  He sat down with Bloomberg BusinessWeek reporter Brad Stone to discuss why everyone — from entrepreneurs to those in information technology careers — should care about social and video game design principles.  Find out why by watching the video below.