Collectively, the US government is the largest single employer in America, filling approximately 1.6 million full-time, permanent positions; however, in reality, the US government consists of several hundred smaller employers, each of which has its own individual function and culture. As a result, the opportunities offered by government jobs are wide ranging, and the needs are diverse.

In times of economic hardship and downsizing, a science or engineering job with the US government is by comparison secure and accompanied by less pressure to obtain funding and grants than a job in academia. In addition, a lower risk of layoffs may exist there than in industry. Add to that the competitive benefits and salary, the learning opportunities, and the diverse working environments at various institutions, and a position with the US government can make an attractive proposition, , , read the entire article at: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2009_10_23/science.opms.r0900081

Written by: By Emma Hitt

Posted: 10/28/2009 by Judy Brobst from Science Careers on line magazine

OK, so I'm not really saying we should all be journalists, but I couldn't help but think we can all learn a lot by watching how they shape, and re-shape their careers in the midst of change. Despite the rapid decline of mainstream media, enrollment in journalism programs is up 35% across the country! Why? Because there is opportunity created while the industry is remaking itself. Getting involved in this state of transition is an opportunity to redefine the industry! See any connections between what is happening in the media industry and out economy as a whole? Learn from the journalists: "The future is for smart, hard-working students to band together, create their own (insert your specialty here), and make a business out of it—and that's what a lot of them are doing."

Full Text:

Several Factors Contribute to High Interest in Journalism Even though the newspaper industry in particular is struggling, enrollment in many undergraduate journalism programs across the United States is on the rise, according to a recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Overall, the number of journalism undergrads nationwide has gone up 35 percent over the last 10 years, to about 201,000. "There are still plenty of people who love to write and [who] think that their journalism degree will serve as an entree to just about any field they could go into," says Barbara Hines, president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. What's behind the growth of the journalism major in such difficult media times? Experts in the field point to several factors - one of them being, counter intuitively, the field's unfolding state of flux. "Ambitious and creative young people see this as an opportunity to be part of the effort to recast and remake journalism," argues former Wall Street Journal Online managing editor Bill Grueskin, dean of academic affairs for the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University (NY). Other industry insiders say students are drawn to journalism programs' expanding emphasis on new-media tools (e.g., blogs, Twitter) as well as entrepreneurship. "There's not a great future in working for mainstream media," says Christopher

Harper, an associate professor of journalism at Temple University (PA). "The future is for smart, hard-working students to band together, create their own media, and make a business out of it—and that's what a lot of them are doing." Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 25, 2009.

Chuck Hancock

Colorado State University Career Center

Recently, I received an email from a recent CSU graduate who took the entire summer after his graduation to bike across the United States with a friend to raise money for Invisible Children. Many students I talk with want to do something similar, feel driven to do something similar, but are stopped by very real concerns. What impact will this have on my job search? Will this affect my future negatively beyond that search for a first post-graduation job? What about loans and money? Mark didn't let these concerns stop him and the result has been amazing. Read on for an excerpt from his email (reprinted with his permission, of course)!

"We felt our campaign was a huge success! The most important goal of this campaign was spreading awareness about the atrocities occurring to children in northern Uganda. We accomplished this goal by informing everyone we met along the road about the Invisible Children Organization. The hundreds of people we met had different outlooks on life, different political views, differences in international agendas, and all came from different walks in life. However, the one thing everyone had in common was a warm, caring, and welcoming heart! The people we met were excited to witness our passion and mission in helping children in Uganda receive an adequate education and help put an end to the civil war. . . .

Since we began fundraising in the beginning of April, we were able to raise $6,780 dollars that will be given to one of the ten schools in northern Uganda. . . . To learn more information about Schools For Schools Program check out IC website at: http://s4s.invisiblechildren.com.

Our lives now….Well it's been about a 6 weeks since we have been off our bikes. I can't speak for Kristen, but I think we both would agree we miss riding a bike for eight hours a day not knowing what stories lie ahead of us or where will we pitch our tent for the night! Life was brought down only to the necessities (food, shelter, shower). At the moment I'm working at Hyatt Hotel in Chicago, pursuing my career in the hospitality industry. I am planning to bike from Vancouver to San Diego this upcoming spring. . . .

This summer was a growing and learning experience! We learned a lot about the opposite sex, each other, and ourselves. Most importantly, we found out that majority of people are caring and willing to help their neighbors or complete strangers. They want peace and the freedom to pursue their passions and dreams. . . .

Kristen took OVER 2000 pictures, CHECK THEM OUT:

http://picasaweb.google.com/biking4invisiblechildren"

Check out Mark's blog about his cross-country biking experience at http://www.biking4invisiblechildren.com/

Barbara Diehl, WCNR Career Center Liaison

Most schools have an alumni database that they encourage the student body to access for job leads or mentoring. (You can also use LinkedIn to research alum's from CSU) This is a very valuable resource.  HOWEVER, the way in which you approach these alumni will determine whether or not they respond.  Below is a short example of an introductory email that you might send to an alum:

Email to an alum who works in an industry that you are interested in pursuing:

Dear Mr. / Ms. X,

My name is John Doe.  I am a junior political science major at XXX College with a strong interest in law.  I found your contact information through LinkedIn.   I understand that your firm, GMP, has a significant litigation practice, an area I would love to understand better. 

My interest in the law started in high school.  While in college, I have taken several political science courses and legal seminars including constitutional and corporate law.  Although those seminars were ungraded, I have maintained a 3.4 GPA while also participating in several extracurricular activities including the Pre-law society. 

If your firm offers summer internships, I would welcome the opportunity to connect with the internship coordinator.   In addition, it would be extremely helpful if I could better understand your career path and perspective on the legal profession.  Is there a time when I might schedule a brief 20-30 minute call or visit with you at your office?

Sincerely,
John Doe

Why this Introduction Works:

• Immediately creates a connection to the person by referencing XXX College and LinkedIn.  If the alum is in LinkedIn, then he/she must have opted-in to be contacted.
• In the first paragraph, the author references the litigation practice of the alum's firm, indicating that he has done some research on the business. 
• In the second paragraph, the author gives explicit examples of how he has demonstrated his interest in the law, through his major and related classes and extracurricular activities
• He makes a "reasonable ask" (see this article on "How to make the right and reasonable ask for help").  He doesn't ask for an internship; he asks to be connected to someone who might be in charge of the program.  It would be easy for the alum to simply pass along an email address.
• In his ask for a personal connection, he gives the option of a phone call or a quick meeting.  Meetings are better for him, but may not be for the alum.  He also defines the amount of time he would need.  It is hard for someone to say "no" to a 20 minute discussion. 

  By: Ronald Mitchell on Gottamentor.com

  Submitted by Judy Brobst

How many iTunes songs were downloaded in 2008?

Some companies ask interview candidates riddles or brain teasers like this one as a standard part of an interview. If you're not expecting them, they can be very unnerving, but for positions that require a lot of creative thinking, brain teasers are a good way to gauge your problem solving skills, particularly under pressure.

Keep this in mind if you are asked a brain teaser during an interview: they often are NOT looking for the RIGHT answer. You will be evaluated on the approach you use to solve the problem more than your final answer. A strong candidate demonstrates the following:

1. Manages the scope of the problem
2. Communicates assumptions
3. Demonstrates quantitative analytical skills (estimates, back of the envelope calculations)
4. Answers the question that has been asked. You'd be surprised how many candidates get lost in the analysis and answer a different question than what was asked.

Let's look at example strong and weak answers to a few brain teasers

Example #1:  How many street lamps are there in Manhattan?

Example #2   Estimate the market demand in gallons for skim milk in the U.S. in a given year 

Example #3   Crossing the Bridge (or how do you get 4 people across the bridge given certain constraints)

By Andrea Rice at Gottamentor.com

Posted by Judy Brobst

FEDERAL JOBS! Check it out:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/08/future-government-jobs-leadership-careers-employment.html?partner=careersaol à A great article confirming the good news in federal government jobs!

We have some upcoming workshops/events that will help students connect and learn about opportunities with a variety of federal government agencies.

The Career Center is hosting federal agencies to give you the inside scoop
Tuesday, October 27
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
West Ballroom, Lory Student Center

Reserve your spot at this great event by filling out the form on this link: http://www.career.colostate.edu/news-and-events/federal-careers-panel.aspx

The following week we will be doing a workshop on how to apply for federal jobs using USAjobs.gov. Don't miss out of the tips and advice to get your application seen!
Tuesday, Nov 3
5:00-7:00pm
Clark A 202

I wish more students knew the value of having a not so perfect internship. Everything I learned about what I loved, I learned in an internship that I hated.

While in undergrad, I studied chemistry (it still surprises me) and completed a National Science Foundation Internship where I worked on a PhD candidate's physical chemistry project for an entire summer.

Here's a little sampling of what I hated:

• My supervisor provided me little direction
• I was often the only person in my lab (boring)
• My job was very routine (come in, test a laser, fix a part, test a laser, repeat…)
• I didn't have a lot in common with the people who loved being in the lab

What I learned:

• I needed a work environment where I could constantly interact with people
• I loved giving presentations
• I needed variety in the work I did on a daily basis
• I really didn't like chemistry

So, my advice is to explore an internship and don't be concerned as to if it will be the perfect internship. You can learn a whole lot about what you love by discovering something you don't love so much. Be present during your experience and let yourself try on something new.