career development center presentation: keven quintero | graduate admissions coordinator
TRANSCRIPT
Career Development Center Presentation:Keven Quintero | Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Session AgendaWho Are We and What Are Our Services
The Future
The Career Development Center Individual appointments with Career Counselors
•Resumes•Applications•Cover Letters•Interview Preparation•Internships•Graduate School•Targeting Your Dream Job
Monday – Friday 8:00 – 4:30
Drop in Hours no appointment necessary: W-TH, 1:00-3:00
Wednesday Evenings open until 6:30
We are here to help – Top Floor University Center570-422-3219
FEBRUARY
MARCH-APRIL
SO YOU WANT TO BE HIRED?-An interactive interview event to select the right candidate for a hiring opportunity
APRIL 15th 5:00-6:30
The Future
There will be 55 million job openings through 202024 million new jobs31 million due to baby boom retirements
35% of job openings will require a bachelor’s degree
Fastest growing industries - STEM, Healthcare Professions, Healthcare Support and Community Services
Will require high levels of post-secondary education
• The U.S. will fall short by 5 million workers with postsecondary educations by 2020 at the current production rate
Average Salary by Discipline
NACE Salary Outlook 2014/Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook
Reasons to Go…..
Intellectual interest
Money
Vocational interest
Free Money…..
Teaching Assistantships
Research/Graduate Assistantships
Fellowships
Grants
LOANS
Application Checklist
Take appropriate standardized graduate admissions tests
Forwards scores to schools of interest
Obtain letters of recommendations
Obtain original transcripts
Draft, rewrite, polish statement of purpose
Send materials to schools
Additional Requirements/Items Writing Sample
Clinical Hours
International Applicants
Interviews
GRADES It is what it is!!
Obtain transcripts - learn your worst grade, worst semester, worst class
GPA in Major vs. GPA Overall
GPA Long-term indicator of your performance as a student
Reflects motivation & ability to do good or bad work
Masters program requires a GPA of 3.0 or 3.3
Doctoral programs require minimum GPA’s 3.3 or 3.5
Admission committees look at courses taken
Look at overall GPA and the relevant program courses
Standardized exams GRE, MCAT, LSAT & GMAT for comparisons
What if I Have A Low GPA? Take high quality courses
Take more classes
Take summer classes
Consider delaying graduation with an extra semester
After graduation take a few graduate courses to show aptitude
How To Get The Best Letters Of Recommendation Build relationships over time
Be nice!
Start in SEPTMEBER
Have your transcripts/resume ready to familiarize them with your performance
The reference may take it upon themselves to call the person directly
KEEP IN TOUCH…don’t burn your bridges!
Statement of Purpose The most important document of your Graduate
application
Can be 300, 500 or 750 words
The Statement of Purpose required by graduate schools is probably the hardest thing you will ever write
Through the essay you will speak to the committee and demonstrate your unique fit to the program
Incidentally, the statement of purpose may also be called an Application Essay, Objectives for Graduate Study, Personal Background, Cover Letter, or some comparable title
Essay Do’s
Prepare an outline and create a draft Answer all the questions being asked Make sure your essay has a theme or a thesis Provide evidence to support your claims Speak in the first person (I) Make your introduction unique Write clearly and make sure it is easy to read Be honest, confident, and be yourself Be interesting and positive Make sure your essay is organized, coherent, and
concise Write about yourself and use examples from your
own life experiences
Use a mixture of long and short sentences Discuss your future goals Mention any hobbies, past jobs, community
service, or research experience Mention weaknesses without making excuses Discuss why you're interested in the school and/or
program Show, don’t tell (Use examples to demonstrate
your abilities Ask for help Proofread and revise your statement at least 3
times Have others proofread your essay
Essay Do’s
Essay’s Don’ts• Becoming increasingly popular/preferred
• Replacing objective statement Replaces the “this is what I want” objective statement with a
“this is the value that I offer” branding statement Have any grammar or spelling errors. (Proofread!)
Be wordy or use jargon (don’t try to impress the readers by using big words)
Swear or use slang Digress or be repetitive Be boring Generalize Include clichés Use gimmicks Be comical (a little humor is okay but remember it can be
misconstrued)
Essay’s Don’ts Be defensive or arrogant Complain Preach Have your essay focus too much on other
individuals Discuss politics or religion Give excuses for a low GPA Make lists of accomplishments, awards, skills, or
personal qualities (Show, don’t tell) Write a term paper or an autobiography Summarize your resume Include information already cited on the
application
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE-example- BORING
Introduction First Sentence is the most important. Be creative.
The following sentences should provide a brief explanation that supports the claim made in the first sentence.
I am applying to the Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing at the University of Utah because I believe my writing will blossom at your program since it is a place where I will be challenged and I can hone my writing skills.
I am honored to apply for the Master of Library Science program at the University of Utah because as long as I can remember I have had a love affair with books. Since I was eleven I have known I wanted to be a librarian.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE-example- HOOK!
I am honored to apply for the Master of Library Science program at the University of Utah because as long as I can remember I have had a love affair with books. Since I was eleven I have known I wanted to be a librarian.
When I was eleven, my great-aunt Gretchen passed away and left me something that changed my life: a library of about five thousand books. Some of my best days were spent arranging and reading her books. Since then, I have wanted to be a librarian.
The Body Usually 3 paragraphs providing detailed evidence supporting
the intro statement
Each paragraph should have a transition statement to start & a resolution statement to end
Include experiences, accomplishments or other evidence to support claims
Short summary of educational background is appropriate in first paragraph
Do not repeat application information
Last paragraph should explain why you should be accepted
The Conclusion
Last paragraph of your personal statement
State why you are interested in studying the subject of interest
State key points mentioned in the body in a conclusive & brief manner (accomplishments, experiences)
End on a positive note with 1-2 attention grabbing sentences
Deadlines
Apply for acceptance in SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
DEADLINES fall around DECEMBER, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY…
Be sure to check for open or “rolling” admissions
