Friday, March 30, 2012

We've got spirit, yes we do!

Amanda Laborio
Marketing Intern
Anyone who spends even five minutes on our campus can tell we have an incredible student body with overwhelming amounts of school pride. While most of you have your game plans for celebrating our Final Four game tomorrow night, here are some easy suggestions of how to bleed blue all weekend long:
- Wear blue and white, no matter where you are. How else are the other crazy Cats fans supposed to know you are one of them? 
-Make sure you have a good place to watch the game. If you're not on your way to NOLA (New Orleans, LA if you haven't caught on to the acronym yet) then find a local restaurant to have some snacks and share the experience with a room full of fans like you. Some top suggestions are Pazzo's, Two Keys, and Rafferty's (known to many as Joe B. Hall's favorite).
-If you like your couch, protect it. I'm not sure if anyone knows where this tradition came from and I personally don't quite understand it, so my couch will be safe. 
-No matter where you may be this weekend, start the C-A-T-S cheer. It will never get old. Never. 
-This one is specifically for the NOLA bound: Cheer at the top of your lungs. Make sure the team knows you are there and you are proud of them. Anything less than that is a waste of a ticket. 
-Be respectful of the Louisville fans whose paths you cross this weekend. Isn't it good to know you're going to school in a basketball state? After how hard our team has worked, anything less than good sportsmanship from us as fans would only put a damper on their accomplishments. 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Finding the Perfect Summer Job

Alex Newby
Marketing Intern

Looking for some extra “fun money” over summer break? Need to build your resume while you have some free-time? Students across campus are gearing up to start the summer job search process and we’ve come up with a few secrets to success.

 Even if you’re staying in Lexington this summer, start soon!  Businesses will be hiring around mid-April to early May. The worst thing to do is to wait until every other college student on summer break is looking. The competition is stiffer and you will have fewer job choices available. Also, certain jobs require training. Start thinking now about potential options and what kind of preparation you’ll need in order to get hired.

To find job openings, use the campus resources provided. The University of Kentucky provides students with many different ways of finding employment both for the summer and during the semester.  Using the Wildcat Career Link provided by the Stuckert Career Center is a great way to find internships and major specific jobs in cities across the country. It’s a great resource for students who will be home or in a different city for the summer. The Kentucky Kernel is also a great resource for students looking for a job. Although most of the jobs are local, the “Help Wanted” ads have been posted by the businesses recently so you can be sure they are still hiring.

Another great idea in the job search process is to use the resources you already have. Does that girl sitting next to you in Chemistry still owe you a favor? Ask her to put in a good word for you at the place where she works. If you’re dad’s best friend owns a restaurant, ask him to help you get your foot in the door. Networking with friends, family and other acquaintances can sometimes provide you with the best opportunities!

Finding a summer job doesn’t have to be stressful and you shouldn’t fret if you can’t find one that relates to your major. Whether you’re serving tables or working in retail, EVERY job can teach you valuable skills that will be helpful in the future. Also, summer jobs don’t always have to be new!  While having a variety of experiences is important, staying in one place and developing a great relationship with one boss could help get you a fantastic reference letter for a future opportunity!


If you'd really love to boost your resume and are looking for a job in the fall, apply to be a peer tutor at The Study!  For more information and to apply, visit the UK Jobs website.

Happy Hunting!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

An Interview with the James W. Stuckert Career Center

Amanda Laborio, Marketing Intern

With May rapidly approaching, many graduating seniors are in the process of nailing down their post-graduation career plans.  From resumes to interviews, the process of getting hired can be daunting, but UK students should know they are not on their own in this endeavor.  The James W. Stuckert Career Center provides career counseling and services for all students and alumni. Azetta Beatty, Senior Assistant Director of the Stuckert Career Center and Liaison to the Gatton College of Business and Economics, was kind enough to answer some questions on career hunting and what the Stuckert Career Center, located at 408 Rose Street, can do for students.  

What should students who are closer to graduating be focusing on as they begin their job search?

Know that the job search starts long before you need a job. Finding a job can take 6 months in a good economy. Building your skills and experiences over time will help you be competitive for the job search. Network. Get several resume critiques. Conduct a practice interview. Use all of your resources including family and friends, online sites, company websites, specialty websites, network at career fair and networking events.      

What is one piece of advice you wish someone had told you when you were beginning your career?

I wish someone had told me more about the daily operations of a workplace and how to effectively integrate yourself into a staff as the newcomer, as well as the importance of personalities in the workplace. In short, communication, communication, communication of all kinds.

What would you recommend underclassmen do to prepare for life after college and finding a job?

Start early (as a freshman or sophomore) and have a plan of action or goals list. Career development is a process that takes time to implement. First, figure out what direction you want to take. For example, what type of work makes you happy, what interest you, what energizes you. Second, research some possible careers and employers. Third, conduct some info interviews with professionals, network with people who are doing what you may want to do one day. Fourth, get involved and develop your leadership skills via campus or community outreach. Attend workshops, events, conferences, etc. Fifth, join organizations that relate to your career path. Finally, know that it’s okay to change your mind. As you get experiences they will help you shape your goals and determine what you really want to do. As a professional, you never know where your career path may take you. Just get started!

After graduating, what kind of relationship would the Career Center like to have with its alumni? 

The UK Alumni Association has two staff dedicated to helping UK alumni with career-related assistance. The Stuckert Career Center works closely with the alumni counselors.

What events does the Stuckert Career Center have coming up?
We have weekly career assessment workshops on Thursdays, internship info session, and employer info sessions. In addition, we have the following events:

Career Networking Reception, Mar. 7th 5-7 p.m., Student Center’s Rasdall Gallery
Kentucky Teachers’ Network Job Fair, Mar. 27th 3:30-6:00 p.m., Student Center Grand Ballroom
Etiquette Dinner, April 5th 6:30-8:00 p.m., Student Center Small Ballroom
“Using Social Media in your Job Search” Workshop on April 10th 3:30-4:30 p.m., Center Theatre
“Last Minute Job Search” Workshop, April 11th 11-1 p.m., Alumni House

In addition to these questions, Beatty shared a few other ways students can build a relationship with the Career Center. First, the Career Center offers “Quick Career Consults” Monday-Thursday from 11-3 pm for students who need a quick 10-15 minutes of assistance. Also, the Career Center offers a free online career management system, Wildcat CareerLink, which allows students to create an account, find employer information, as well as search and apply for jobs and internships. To sign up for a Wildcat CareerLink account, check out other resources for students, and learn more about the Career Center, visit their website at www.uky.edu/CareerCenter. 

Monday, March 19, 2012

Get Connected To Campus

Written by: Chelsey Duncan, Marketing Intern

2011 KWeek Student Center Spectacular
As the 2011-2012 academic year winds down, many organizations are seeking new members and officers for the upcoming school year. As many first-year students approach sophomore year, this is the ideal time to consider all the ways to get connected to UK’s campus. For underclassmen who are hesitant about getting involved, ask any junior or senior the importance and impact that involvement has made in their college careers. Even for upperclassmen, it is never too late to leave a mark or make a change on campus.

Becoming involved on campus has many more benefits than may be apparent. There’s the typical “resume-building” advantage, which is important in demonstrating the ability to balance academics and involvement in organizations and the community. Potential employers also look highly upon leadership experience, which can stem from joining an organization and advancing from member to officer. Such participation boosts students’ skills and confidence.

Gaining valuable experience outside of the classroom can provide many more rewards, too. Attending various club meetings and trying out different pursuits helps students discover personal interests and strengths that would otherwise remain unknown. This can help students find their niche and can be extremely useful in exploring possible majors and careers.

For freshmen and transfer students, stepping into a new, unfamiliar community can be intimidating. Studies suggest that more engaged students stay at their institution and don’t feel the need to transfer. Joining a club and meeting other students in similar situations is a way to make campus seem smaller. This networking will also be useful in the future, such as senior year and post-graduation when job-hunting.

Although some students fear that being involved might hinder academic performance, it may actually boost grades. Studies have shown that students who are active in campus activities and must manage their time are more engaged in the campus community and actually succeed more academically than students involved less or not at all.

There are many opportunities for students to become involved on UK’s campus. The Center for Student Involvement, located in the Student Center Room 106, is a great place to start. It houses organizations such as the Peer Resource Team and the Center for Community Outreach, among many others. Opportunities to get involved in include:

·      Campus Life
·      Leisure and Recreation
·      Athletics
·      Student Media
·      Arts and Culture
·      Service and Outreach
·      and Leadership Development

UK hosts a multitude of organizations that cover a vast array of interests and hobbies. For students cramped by time and money, on-campus jobs can provide a great way to feel connected and to become knowledgeable about campus locations and events. There really is a place for every student to discover and pursue their passions and to grow as an individual. Students can even launch new clubs. Check out getinvolved.uky.edu for more information and get connected today!