Wisdom for the Workforce
Over winter break, many students finalized their internships or job offers for the summer. For those who haven’t, fret not as there are countless opportunities still out there for grabs. You can find these offers on Handshake, LinkedIn, or any other job board such as Glassdoor or Indeed. For those who already have their summer plans set, it can be an overwhelming time as you anticipate what’s to come- especially if this is your first internship. However, Collegiate Women in Business and other resources on campus offer many resources for students to utilize to help ease their adjustment to their new jobs.
CWIB Events
One such resource is the Campus2City event on Wednesday, February 19th at 7:00 pm. Campus2City is a new Collegiate Women in Business sponsor who is hosting a workshop to help students who will be relocating to New York City after college. If you are busy worrying about your job duties and responsibilities, Campus2City will help take some of the load off of your back by answering all of your questions pertaining to New York relocation for your job. The event will consist of real estate practices and insight on what a career in real estate would look like. For those interested in the area, there will be job opportunities if you are still looking! Even if you are not a Real Estate major, expanding your interests to explore different career opportunities while getting involved is a good start to figuring out what you may want to do in the future. You may even fall in love with a new potential career path! If any of this sounds interesting to you, come out and enjoy some Chik-Fil-A while learning more about the Campus2City platform!
Another Collegiate Women in Business event coming up is the Dress for Success workshop, which will be hosted by Loft. The event will take place on Tuesday, February 25th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Loft on First and Main Street. It can be hard to figure out what to wear for a job, especially when there are countless types such as business casual, business creative, or business formal. During this event, Loft will help assist members on determining what kind of business attire is appropriate for different kinds of settings. The clothes you wear can impact your job greatly, since confidence in your appearance can also make you confident in the work you do. After you leave the Dress for Success workshop, you will feel much more informed on what kind of clothes you can wear to different business settings and how you can feel your prime during your job. After the workshop, Loft will stay open after hours for members to shop with an exclusive discount. Light refreshments will also be available, so show up to Loft on First and Main Street for a good time!
Our Monthly Meetings are just about the best opportunities to hear from professional women in the workforce about their experiences and how we too can achieve our goals. I hope you all made the February meeting yesterday where we heard from the amazing Lindsay Burton, CEO and founder of Kayo Conference Series. Her inspiring story of her transition from Wall Street to starting her company gave us all insight into how we can be just as courageous in our professional endeavors. She stressed how women should not be afraid to be entrepreneurs as we all bring special skills and passions to what we choose to pursue. As Lindsay said, combining a passion, skills, and a way to make money is crucial in your professional success. As you determine what passions and skills you have, the money will come; it is important to focus on ambition over prestige when starting out in your company.
Job Fairs
For those who have not secured an internship yet, Virginia Tech offers many job fairs for students to explore different companies and what they offer. On Wednesday, February 18th, The Career and Professional Development department is hosting a job fair at the Commonwealth Ballroom from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. There will be more than 125 companies represented at the fair offering positions from co-ops to internships, or even full time jobs. Examples of employers who will be at the event include the CIA, Geico, and the Peace Corps. Make sure to research the company before you arrive, and carry your resume and cover letters in a padfolio so you aren’t scrambling for papers.
Before heading to a job fair, ensure that your resume is updated and as professional as it could be. Virginia Tech often hosts resume workshops throughout different organizations. On Monday, February 10th, come to the Career Course 101: Resume and Cover Letter Basics events at Smith Career Center from 2:30 to 3:00 pm. You can get all your questions about your resume answered, as well as receive extra advice on small mistakes you might not have even been aware of. Make sure to RSVP on Handshake, if you plan to attend, since resume workshops are limited space. CWIB puts extensive efforts into conducting resume workshops, networking events, and publishing articles like this one intended to help you at job fairs! Keep your eyes open for these opportunities before the next job fair.
Part Time Jobs
If you are unable to find an internship or want to take some time off before entering the workforce, finding a part time job can also be a great option for gaining experience in vital skills such as customer service, teamwork, or sales. Many students, especially those studying business, prioritize internships above all else and do not consider a part time retail or restaurant job when making summer plans. However, all job skills are transferable, and as long as you learn valuable lessons that will help you in the future, it is easy to express how integral part time jobs were in building your career.
College is often the first time students are exposed to the professional workforce. To help ease this transition, Virginia Tech and the Collegiate Women in Business offer many resources. Make sure to prioritize attending these events and workshops since gaining new skills and networking with professionals are invaluable to employers. CWIB sincerely appreciates our sponsors and members for taking the time out of our busy schedules to make the most of these events!
By: Gyu Ri Kim
