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Hot Jobs
Find details on these
opportunities on our web
site under Grand Avenues.
Public Affairs Assistant
National Science Foundation
Arlington , VA
Full Time – Deadline: 10/1/07
This position is located in the Office of the Director, Office of Legislative and Public Affairs. This office develops information programs that communicate the mission, goals, policies, and accomplishments of the National Science Foundation in science and engineering research and education to specialized audiences, including Congress, other Federal agencies, state and local governments, research and education communities, the news media, and the general public.
Program Assistant GS-303B-5/6 MP
National Science Foundation
Arlington , VA
Full Time – Deadline: 10/5/07
This position is located in the Directorate for Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering (CISE). This office is responsible for managing a portfolio of grants and proposal competitions within a broad area of research and education. Investigator initiated research is supported in all areas of computer and information science and engineering, development of national cutting-edge computing and information infrastructure, and design of research educational initiatives for the next generation of computer scientists and engineers.
Entry Level Java Training Program – Programmer
Accenture Technology Solutions
Minneapolis , MN
Full Time – Deadline: 10/5/07
Accenture Technology Solutions is a global company of technology specialists who focus on delivering deep IT expertise to clients. As part of our global team, you'll work with the latest software and leading-edge development tools – giving you the opportunity to build specialist skills and expertise on the job. We need people who thrive on technology challenges, people who can help turn innovative ideas into effective results.
Technical Aide
3M
St. Paul , MN
Part Time – Deadline: 10/14/07
The Display and Graphics Business Laboratory of 3M is seeking candidates to fill a technical aide position within the microreplication laboratory. You will work with engineers and scientists on product development activities which may involve the preparation of samples, measurements of their physical properties, and performing basic data analysis.
Assistant Producer
Minnesota Public Radio/American Public Media
St. Paul , MN
Full Time – Deadline: October 17
The assistant producer is part of a team of journalists that taps the knowledge of the public to strengthen coverage by Minnesota Public Radio News and American Public Media national programs. The assistant producer supports public insight analysts in St. Paul and Los Angeles . The job involves research, writing, vetting of sources, database management, maintaining source relationships, and outreach to grow the APM network of over 29,000 public sources.
Beyond the Piggy Bank
In this section, the CDC provides you with links to information on managing your personal finances. We hope you find this useful. This newsletter’s topic is:
"The Real Value of Money"
Suggestion Box
BE VISIBLE
"Advancement at work involves demonstrating your competency, building a track record of business success, and developing critical networks that can result in getting you and your work more exposure, says Janet B. Reid, Ph.D., coauthor of The Phoenix Principles (New Village Publishing). Exposure also comes through coworkers, mentors and sponsors. Aside from gender and racial diversity, include people of all positions and powers - bottom to top - who will help you. As a result you will be able to navigate all aspects of the company."
(Source: Essence, October 2007, p. 104.)
Web Watch
THE PRINCETON REVIEW
http://www.princetonreview.com/
Most Macalester students know the Princeton Review from seeing Mac on many of their most notable and sometimes hilarious lists. In addition to these lists, The Princeton Review website is one of the most impressive and easily accessible websites for students on the web. The site is designed specially for the students, from pre-college students, all the way through grad school. The site offers helpful tips and tutoring, plus study strategies for the most important graduate school entry exams. The graduate school link takes you to a comprehensive inventory of graduate schools and graduate programs. Each program comes with a basic background, degree information, and possible career choices. The site also offers career help, and boasts an enormous database of internships and job openings. The website reviews the employers and makes it easy for students to find their best fit career.
The “advice library” section of the site is full of helpful articles for the upcoming grad student. These articles tell you everything from how to recover from a low undergraduate GPA to what it means to write a dissertation. If you can't find what you are looking for at the Princeton Review, the site also provides important links to essential information for grad students, like where to find an online MCAT practice test.
In addition to its usefulness, the website is easy to navigate and very well put together. Many students may have used the Princeton Review when applying for colleges, and will find it helpful to do the same while applying to graduate school. This site is recommended for all students, in every stage of their graduate search.
Featured Fellowship
During the 12 years he served as a Senator from Minnesota , Paul D. Wellstone earned a reputation as an advocate for social justice and as an outspoken champion for those who lack a voice in the national arena. Senator Wellstone was also a strong and vocal proponent of high-quality, affordable health care for all. To honor his life and legacy, Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, established the Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice in 2004.
The Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice is designed to foster the advancement of social justice through participation in health care advocacy work that focuses on the unique challenges facing many communities of color.
Through this fellowship, Families USA hopes to expand the pool of talented social justice advocates from underrepresented economic, racial and ethnic minority groups, including black/African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The goals of the Wellstone Fellowship program are three-fold:
- To address disparities in access to health care;
- To inspire Wellstone Fellows to continue to work for social justice throughout their lives; and
- To increase the number and racial and ethnic diversity of up-and-coming social justice advocates and leaders.
Families USA will select one talented and motivated candidate to fill this 12-month fellowship. For further information visit the website at: http://www.familiesusa.org/
about/wellstone-fellowship-
about.html. All application materials must be postmarked or received by January 15, 2008.
For further information on fellowships, please visit the CDC website: http://www.macalester.edu/cdc/
graduateschool/financing
/fellowships.html
Grad School Notes
SHOULD I TAKE A YEAR OFF?
Many students realize that they want to obtain a graduate degree, but may be unsure if they should take a year off before returning to grad school. Here are some things to consider if you are uncertain about your post-graduation plans.
Pros:
- Gain experience working or volunteering
- Travel
- Take time to learn more about your interests, values, and goals
- Avoid burnout of school
- Save up money and pay off debt
- Figure out exactly what program you are interested in
Cons:
- May be difficult to go back, especially if it means giving up a good paycheck
- Prolongs your career goals
- Struggle to get back into the schedule and habits of a college student again
Consider taking the GRE (or other entrance exam) your junior or senior year even if you are undecided about when to go to grad school, because most scores can be held for up to five years. Also, consider filling out the application now just in case. If accepted for next fall, you can possibly defer your start date for the following year if you decide that you need a year off. You should also begin seeking out letters of recommendation now, while you are fresh in the minds of your professors, advisors, or supervisors.
Contributor: Maureen Mahoney, Graduate Intern
What is the CDC?
The Career Development Center is here to assist students in planning, articulating and applying their educational experience to meet their future goals. The office is located on the first floor in Kagin Commons, and offers individual counseling sessions with a career counselor, an extensive career resource library, job/internship listings and opportunities from around the globe. The CDC resource library features: Information about Fellowships,
Internships and Job Postings; information on Companies and Government Opportunities; pamphlets and materials on resume and cover letter writing; books on etiquette, interviewing, grad school and the job search process; and an
extensive alumni directory, sorted by career.
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HOURS
8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday
(Daily Drop-ins between 2 to 4 PM)
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Macalester College
Career Development Center
Kagin Commons
1600 Grand Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105
(651) 696-6384
Fax: 651-696-6131
cdc@macalester.edu
http://www.macalester.edu/cdc
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Counselor's Corner
WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION
Remember that predictable and often painful September assignment that was a hands down guarantee during your elementary school years? Responses ran the gamut: bragging about the tour of Europe with Grandma and Grandpa; putting a positive spin on the family vacation from hell; trying not to burst into tears at the excruciating memory of your summer camp romance that ended along with your stay at Camp Widjiwagan . And perhaps worst of all: finding that “boring” was the first and only word to come to mind.
We here at the CDC hope that your summer was filled with fun, romance, relaxation, adventure and a high paying job. Engaging in a modified version of the “summer vacation exercise” would be wise. Reflect on your experiences, and how they expanded your horizons and yes, even your skill set.
Child care, groundskeeping, housekeeping, construction work, camp counseling, retail, food service, barista-ing. The list goes one, and all are examples of summer employment that students erroneously think are not worth mentioning. These jobs offer an opportunity to develop important skills and work habits that are frequently overlooked as good material for interview answers and resumes. Examples:
Work Ethic/Punctuality and Dependability
Learning the importance of being in on time and calling if emergency situations arise is huge. (An impromptu beach party does not constitute an emergency.)
Time Management
If you do want to have fun beyond your summer job, it becomes necessary to schedule and prioritize activities.
Team Work /Leadership
Dealing with a micromanaging supervisor or slacker co-worker can give you insight into how conflict resolution happens (or doesn't!) on the job. Cooperation and developing interpersonal skills are key elements of success in any work setting.
Public Contact
Customers/clients/”tourons”. They are often part of the summer job experience. Patience and respect can be difficult to muster when working with difficult people and your job can be a good training ground.
And finally, if your summer job was horrific beyond belief, remember that it was good in one regard: It reminds you of why you were thrilled to be returning to Macalester in September!
Contributor: Mary Emanuelson, Assistant Director, CDC
 Mac Movies, Books & More
Note: The CDC movie reviewer has made a commitment to see non-animated/non-Pixar movies at a PG-13 level or above for future publications. For now, your indulgence is begged. We welcome your reviews, or suggestions for movies that have impacted your view of career and vocational choices.
“RATATOUILLE”
It is an occupational hazard for one who works in career development that most events are viewed, one way or another, with that professional lens. This is true even of children's movies. Fortunately, this movie has much to offer in terms of occupational and vocational choice, and the corresponding complexity of these issues. “Ratatouille” is, in essence, the story of a rat who must decide between following his dreams or returning forever to his existence as a rat.
John Lasseter described the movie this way: “It is about a rat that wants to be a chef in a top French restaurant in Paris. It is a wonderful story about following your passions when the entire world is against you. A rat to a kitchen is death; a kitchen to a rat is death.”
Lest a spoiler warning be necessary, the storyline and movie conclusion is yours to discover, should you choose to see this movie. The emergent themes about the wishes of family versus the wishes of the individual are portrayed amazingly well. (Okay, amazingly well for an animated children's movie.) Any of you who are pursuing or hoping to pursue career plans that clash with family or cultural values understand the ensuing emotional and intellectual angst. Following a career field that is uncharted in your family or community or even in the world of work is often an uphill struggle.
So, after a long complicated week of classes, rent Ratatouille, sit down with a friend and a bowl of popcorn, and take a light-hearted approach to your future career plans. Let the rodentia teach you a few lessons.
Contributor: Mary Emanuelson, Assistant Director , CDC
The Bookshelf
 “How to Gain the Professional Edge: Achieve the Personal and Professional Image You Want” - Author Susan Morem. Better Books, Minneapolis, 1997.
This book is “the only real-life book known to be the inspiration for a sitcom, was spotlighted and seen throughout an entire episode of The Drew Carey Show.” Career expert and author, Susan Morem, introduces her book with the notion that we're all so busy and running around as fast as we can to keep up with our jobs that “something critical is getting lost in the shuffle, specifically how we should act -- toward our bosses, peers, employees, customers, and colleagues…” Keeping in mind that studies have demonstrated that 93 percent of what is believed about people in business is based upon visual images; first impressions are more than important. Everyone knows the obvious basics (wear appropriate clothes, don't have typos on your resumes, etc.), but what about beyond that? This book is intended to help answer those questions regarding behavior, attitude, presence, and professionalism; and it does just that. If you don't want people denying you a job because you shuffle your feet, slurp your coffee, or look outdated, I suggest leafing through a copy of this book.
The nine chapters of this savvy reference include critical first impressions, what you are not saying, the attitude advantage, the impact of your image, business casual days, details that make a difference, social graces in business places, maintaining professionalism in any situation, and finally, how you can gain the professional edge. While you may groan and think you know everything there is to know about looking and being pleasant and professional, Morem offers a new spin on old information by providing readers with surprising statistics. For example, did you know that studies have shown that productivity can be increased up to 20 percent by presenting an effective professional image? Additionally, the information in this book may give readers a healthy dose of reality, for example, “when you give no facial expression, are you coming off as shy or disinterested? Chances are others may read you differently than you read yourself. Morem also offers readers several brief true or false, myth versus reality style quizzes that will cause readers to stop and question themselves. For example, “there are two distinct standards of behavior – one for women and one for men; true or false?
Going beyond the obvious be-on-time-and-dress-nicely, Morem offers tons of information ranging on what colors to wear if you want to look creative, friendly, or traditional, to the unwritten rules regarding general demeanor, to your body language, handshake, smile and stance. I would recommend this book to anyone who is involved in career exploration, job search, or has an approaching job interview. This book would make a great gift to graduating seniors who are beginning to enter the job market, or to anyone who wants to be in the know when it comes to projecting a professional and approachable image.
This book can be found in the Job Search section in the CDC resource Library located on the first floor in Kagin Commons.
Featured Article
CELL PHONE MANNERS:
How Appropriate is Your Cell Phone Use?
As cell phones have become commonplace in every day life, it has become important to understand and use proper cell phone etiquette. Most people have experienced the awkward situation that can occur when a cell phone rings or vibrates during class, a meeting, or at work. Scrambling frantically to turn off the phone often leads to an even more embarrassing situation for those involved. To discover if you have improper cell phone etiquette, think about the following questions:
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Do you leave your cell phone on in class, work, or meetings?
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Do you answer your phone at work?
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Do you set your phone on vibrate and consider the vibrate noise appropriate?
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Do you talk on your phone while having face-to-face contact with another person?
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Do you stay in the room while on your phone, even if other people are still conversing?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may be using your cell phone at inappropriate times. This type of behavior can be extremely detrimental for your future. Interruptions in class may put stress on a student relationship with a professor. Employers become distressed with an employee's cell phone use at inappropriate times, which could lead to a poor recommendation and potentially job loss. Your friends may also be bothered by your cell phone use if it seems like you are being rude about where and when you use your phone. To make sure you exemplify excellent cell phone manners, always keep the following principles in mind:
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Create a two arms length distance from others when speaking on your cell phone.
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When in a public location, if you cannot create a private space to talk, acknowledge those around you with an “Excuse me.”
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Before going into a meeting or class, make sure your cell phone is turned off.
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Realize that when your cell phone is on vibrate, the sound is still considered noise pollution to others.
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Do not use text messaging as a replacement for phone calls. If it is an inappropriate time for a phone call, it is an inappropriate time for a text message as well.
Following these five basic principles will help ensure that your cell phone use is polite and appropriate. For additional advice on how to be a proper cell phone user, ask your friends and family what their behaviors are. Also, ask your employer what their cell phone policies are, and respect them. For other Do's and Don'ts of cell phone use, search the internet and see what employees are saying is the proper way to be a cell phone user.
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Macalester at Work
Bruno Coelho
Macalester Class of 2004
Bruno Coelho '04 is a Senior Analyst with Analysis Group, San Francisco. He tells the CDC about his experience working for an economic consulting firm, and offers advice to current Macalester students on important steps to take while at school.
CDC: How did you find your current position?
BC: Through a Mac CDC posting.
CDC: How does an average week go for you?
BC: Most days I get to work between 9 and 10 AM, take an hour lunch break with other analysts, and on a good day I go home at 6 PM. During busy periods, however, I am required to work late and weekends, up to 80 hours a week, although that doesn't happen too often.
CDC: Can you describe the type of work you do in your current position?
BC: I do all types of economic research in a variety of industries. I also spend a large amount of time retrieving and manipulating data, which is usually done with software called SAS (similar to STATA).
CDC: Many people don't understand economic consulting. Can you describe it for us?
BC: Economic consulting involves all kinds of economic analysis and evaluations, and most firms in the industry work primarily in litigation settings. For example, if a company sues another because of a patent infringement, the parties involved may retain an economic consulting firm to calculate what reasonable damages could be expected. In this case, there would be an expert, who is usually a managing principal in the firm, or a university professor. The firm would help the expert conduct the analysis (often doing much of it) and write a report. If the case goes to court the expert testifies about his analysis in front of a jury, which decides the damage amount.
CDC: What makes Analysis Group different from other consulting and banking firms?
BC: Analysis Group wants its employees to have a healthy work/life balance. We only work nights and weekends when it's extremely necessary, and we are encouraged to take vacation time.
CDC: What are your plans for next few years?
BC: I am applying for PhD programs in economics this year, to start in the fall of 2008.
CDC: Was the transition from Macalester to full-time work difficult?
BC: Yes, a little. In college you live with your friends and meet people your age all the time. Once you get in the business world it's a lot harder to make new friends. That was especially true when I worked for Wells Fargo the first few months after I graduated from Mac. At Analysis Group there are lots of analysts that are recent college graduates, which makes this transition considerably easier.
CDC: Do you have any advice for students looking to enter the field, or examples of opportunities they should take advantage of now?
BC: Take lots of Math classes, write an honors thesis, and keep up your grades. That sends a positive message, especially to economic consulting firms, which will be primarily interested in your quantitative and research skills. You don't have to kill yourself to keep your GPA above 3.9, but having solid grades is important, although not enough. A 3.7 student with an honors thesis is much more attractive to employers than a 3.9 with nothing else. Summer internships are also important to have in your resume, regardless of what field of work you are looking for. Macalester offers lots of internship opportunities, so take advantage of it.
Contributor: Subechya Shrestha '08, CDC Student Staff
Senior S.L.A.M.
(Seeking Life After Macalester)
YOUR LAST YEAR AT MAC!
Seniors - You made it! The last year is finally here! Students who have gone before you have told us to let you know that the year goes VERY fast. So to honor their request (and shamelessly promote some of the CDC efforts), here are some things coming up that you, as a senior, will want to pay attention to:
SEEKING A JOB? On-campus recruiting has officially started, with major employers already stared collecting resumes and setting up interviews. If you are going to actively engage in looking for a job, stop by the CDC ASAP and schedule an appointment with a counselor so you don't miss an opportunity. The employers are diverse, ranging from investment banks to private schools. Also, check out workshops on interviewing, etc.
THINKING ABOUT GRAD SCHOOL? The CDC and Max Center have a series of workshops related to grad school during September and October - be sure to check them out (see Upcoming Events for details). You can also begin preparing for those oh-so-fun entrance exams and start to talk to faculty about getting letters of recommendation.
NOT SURE? We know that many of you are still trying to figure out what you want to do. While you work on deciding, you should go ahead and attend workshops on job search, grad school, etc. You don't want to miss the opportunity to learn about this. Then you can work with CDC staff on strategies to provide you with some focus for what you want to do when you graduate and how you want to live your life! As a student of Macalester College, you are trained to look at things in an inter-disciplinary fashion; our job at the CDC is to help you bring that training to bear on your search for a life after Macalester. There is no one path, regardless of your area of study, and part of our job is to help you explore and consider the many different ways that each of you can uniquely apply your Macalester College experience.
So take a leap and let's get started!
Junior Jumpstart
THE BIG QUESTION
Juniors - Are you starting to get asked THE big question..."What are you going to do after graduation?" Do you break out in a cold sweat when you hear those words because you just don't have an answer? Here are a FEW things that you can do this year that just might help you formulate an answer.
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Conduct informational interviews to find out about jobs that might interest you (don't forget to seek assistance from friendly Macalester alumni - the CDC can help with this).
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Attend CDC programs on topics including applying to graduate school, job search strategies, interviewing skills and resume writing.
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Use your contacts (family members, family friends, professors, etc.) to identify careers, job opportunities, graduate schools that might be of interest to you.
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Participate in community service activities
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Do an internship
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Shadow people doing the type of work that you might enjoy
Come and talk to the staff at the CDC. We are here to assist you in exploring all of your options.
Sophomore Syllabus
NO MINOR DECISION– CHOOSING A MAJOR
For Sophomores this will be one of the key decisions you make this year. While it can seem daunting, it doesn't have to cause all other things in your life to stop. There are people and resources that can help in the process and hopefully alleviate some of the stress level you are feeling. But first, you need to think about what interests you have. Some questions to ask yourself would are:
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What have your favorite classes been?
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What interests do you have outside of school?
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If you had a day with no responsibility, what would you do?
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What are some of your thoughts about what is after Macalester?
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What skills are you especially proficient?
The answers to these questions can lead you to numerous resources, but also can give you some language to describe what you might like to do, without having to know a particular job title or graduate program that might be a fit. By having thought of these questions beforehand, it can make your search for what major is a good match that more effective.
There are many resources on campus and outside of Macalester that can be very helpful during this process. Here are just a few:
Professors - are experts in their field and can give a great perspective on your major of choice. They also may have additional contacts either at other academic institutions or organizations that can be critical in finding more information.
Alumni – Running an alumni listing from the CDC can provide a sampling of what people are doing with a particular degree. It may open your eyes to the variety of careers people with the same undergrad degree can choose and also highlight a specialty area that you have not pursued.
Family/Friends- being able to articulate your interests can be very effective when family/friends ask “So, have you decided on a major yet?” While this can be an annoying question, especially the 14th time, but if you can give them an idea of what interests you have, they may have a friend or colleague that might be able to provide more information of the field/major.
CDC - Our office has a wide variety of resources that can help you in the process of choosing a major. We have interest inventories, career profiles and other information that can help guide your decision.
While choosing a major is a key choice you have to make this year, you don't have to do it alone. There are people and resources that can help, so make sure you take advantage of all the tools you have available. Feel free to set up an appointment today at the CDC. Just call x6384 to set up a time or come by during drop in hours from 2-4 pm everyday.
Contributor: John Mountain, Associate Director, CDC
First Year Focus
CREATING AN IMPRESSIVE RESUME
Imagine. Your first year in higher education has begun and already you are itching to start your career. You are passionate about volunteering or interning for a leading organization in the Twin Cities, but one challenge is confronting you--your need for an impressive resume.
Believe it or not, you can have an impressive resume and avoid the feelings of inadequacy. All you need to do is reflect and write. The key components or categories to a first year resume are: 1) Your Name and Address, 2) Education (list Honors as well & study abroad in this section), 3) Related Course Work, 3) Experience, 4) Leadership Activities, and 5) Skills.
The "Experience" category of the resume tends to be the most challenging for first years. Try to think of the term widely and not exclusively associated with paid work. For example, if you were the Co-Chair or Administrative Secretary of your Glee Club/Organization...put it down. As you list each experience, add 2 to 3 bullet points that describe your job responsibilities. For example, a former student tutor may write "Developed daily Math curriculum for 6th graders". Make sure that each bullet point starts with an action word! Make your experiences grab the readers attention! Many times, we tend to minimize our experiences and skill and downplay the value of our experiences. Acknowledging your strengths will be key to your resume. In addition, make sure your jobs are in reverse chronological order, on a neutral/light and slightly dense paper with a matching envelope, consistent in format, and one page in length.
To see online examples, go online at http://www.cce.columbia.edu/DocRep
/tipsheets/FirstYearResumes.pdf .
For more assistance stop by the Career Development Center . We are here to move you towards your journey!
Contributor: Christina Cowens Gholson, Career Counselor, CDC
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