Meet Our HU Students: Sydney Pastor-Poe

Name: Sydney Pastor Poe

Hometown: Newton, NJ

Major(s): Video/ Television

When you were young, what did you think you wanted to be "when you grow up?"

Oh, gosh. I think I really wanted to be everything: a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, a psychologist, a singer, an actress. I think that’s why I chose TV, actually. I love to create; I love creation itself. When I write or produce something, I get to nurture it from A to Z. I’m very thorough as a person, and writing really allows me to create a world where “anything” and “everything” can co-exist for as long as I deem possible. Also, I think at one point I actually wanted to be a dream interpreter before I realized that they didn’t really exist.

What career do you hope your first job after graduate will be?

I’d really love to be an NBC Page. The selection process is ridiculously demanding, but that’s never stopped me before.

What experience have you had so far that you think is best preparing you to reach that goal?

I love working on Thursday Nite Live here at Hofstra. I’m only a freshman so I haven’t been involved with TNL for long, but it’s really given me a great opportunity to be absurd… which I very much appreciate. I write for the show, and I’m also a cast member. In our first episode, I wrote a sketch with another writer called “The Wizard of Phi Zheta” which had Dorothy, Swolecrow, Tinderman, and Cowardly Ryan all try to navigate a Frat Party. It really turned out hilarious, and it was such an incredible learning experience going from the initial pitch meeting, to writing and revising the script, to hearing the first read-through, to watching the first run-through, and then actually watching a live-studio audience react to it. I had a blast with all of it, and I can’t wait for the rest of the season.

What advice would you have for others who are pursuing this same career?

Don’t? Be a practical human being? Work at a desk? Just kidding, of course. To pursue a career in the film or television industry, you really have to be very flexible. So much is prone to change in the creative process that if you get too attached to anything, you’ll have a hard-time adapting. That being said, it is also important to have a clear and distinct voice and to know what you want. You also have to have a lot of grit, and you have to be really hungry for opportunity. I can’t think of a more exciting career path than working in the film or television industry, but you really can’t do it lackadaisically.

Who at Hofstra has had the biggest positive impact on you?

Well, in my all-inclusive-two-months-of-Hofstra-retreat, the wait staff has been exquisite, and my maids are getting exceptionally better at remembering to put the mints on top of my pillows instead of underneath them. In actuality, I’ve had several really great influences on me as a student and a human being. I love all of my colleagues at the Career Center. My professors are absolutely brilliant. I have a great support system between my advisor, my friends here, and my friends and family back home. Hofstra in general has been a great positive impact on me and a great resource for me. I can’t wait to see how the rest of my time here unfolds.

Tricks to get more treats!

This past Wednesday was our Fall Career Fair, where we had over 100 employers connecting with students to talk about available opportunities. If you were at the fair, hopefully you made some great connections with these employers, and maybe got a few leads on positions to which you can apply!

You might be wondering how to keep those connections going, and turn them into links that will last long after the fair concluded. Here are some tricks to get the most treats out of the contacts you made on Wednesday:

• Send an email thank-you! If you haven’t sent a thank-you note to your contact already, today is the perfect time to do so. It doesn’t have to be long; you can simply thank them for taking time out of their day to attend the fair and meet with you, and include something from your conversation to aid them in connecting the email to their time with you. Attach a copy of your resume to the email, too!
• Connect on LinkedIn! This is the best way to keep the connection going throughout your networking process, since you can stay up-to-date on all the professional goings-on of your whole network—and they can see yours! (If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, don’t worry – come in to see us and we’ll give you all the info to set you up!)
• Follow through! If the employer gave you instructions, like to apply for a position online or email them directly with your resume, make sure you follow those instructions – and send them a follow-up email once you do! 

With these tricks, you’ll be treating yourself to a job or internship in no time. Happy networking, and happy Halloween from your friends at The Career Center!

Amy (Batman) Smith,
Assistant Director

Meet Our HU Students: Ryan Maher

Name: Ryan Maher

Hometown: Manahawkin, New Jersey

Major: Music Merchandising

When you were young, what did you think you wanted to be "when you grow up?"

When I was young, it was always my dream to play in a band professionally. Playing music, specifically guitar, was my passion and there was nothing else I wanted to do besides create music and perform for others. Though my career goals have changed slightly, I am happy to still play with a band comprised of some of my closest friends from back home in New Jersey.

What career do you hope your first job after graduate will be?

As always, music is my passion, and nothing would make me happier than the opportunity to work within the Music Industry. Whether it be booking, publishing, management, or a record label, my ultimate goal is to have music play a vital role in my future career.

What experience have you had so far that you think is best preparing you to reach that goal?

During my time at Hofstra, by far the best experience I have had that is preparing me for my goal is my internship with the Clubs & Theatres Marketing Department of Live Nation NYC, which I am currently still a part of. I began working with them during the summer and I have had the amazing opportunity to continue working with them through the fall; through this internship I have learned so much about an area of the Music Industry that I once knew very little about and developed a deep appreciation and passion for live music. I am happy to say that I truly love my internship, and that the impact it has had on me is immeasurable.

What advice would you have for others who are pursuing this same career?

My advice to anybody who wishes to pursue a career within the music industry is to INTERN, INTERN, and INTERN. This industry is all about experience and connections, and the best way to get involved is to experience as much of it as you can and meet as many people as you can. There are so many parts of this industry, and the only way to discover what you like and dislike is to try as much of it as you can. Apply to as many places as you can, and be open to any opportunities that present themselves to you! My other suggestion is to get involved with Hofstra’s Music Industry club, MEISA (Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association)! I serve on the E-Board for this incredible organization; our meetings focus on all things music industry. Every spring we hold a Conference in which we bring in representatives from various Music Industry companies to speak to students. In the past, we have had representatives from companies such as Live Nation, Round Hill Music, Mick Management, and more! It’s an invaluable networking opportunity! If you are interested in MEISA, like us on Facebook (HU MEISA) or shoot us an email at humeisa@gmail.com. Students from all majors are welcome to join!

Who at Hofstra has had the biggest positive impact on you?

This is a very tough question to answer because there are so many incredible people at this university that have had positive impacts on me. If I had to pick ONE though, I would have to say Amy Smith. Amy is a counselor at the Career Center whom I have had many appointments with. Since my Freshman year she has helped me through just about every college-related freak out that I’ve had; during my Freshman year I was seriously questioning my major and career path, and without a doubt she is the one that really helped me to discover that my passion lies within the Music Industry, as well as developing an awesome resume and helping me nail my interview with Live Nation! I cannot thank her enough for all that she has done for me, especially putting up with my shenanigans when I’m working at the Career Center!

Conducting Phone Interviews

A potential employer may want to do a preliminary interview by phone. If you're prepared for the call, you can impress the interviewer.  Here are some tips, since doing a phone interview is a unique experience!

First, have all your tools in one place, which should include:

• Your resume
• Pen and paper to jot the interviewer(s) name(s) down immediately and to take notes during the interview
• Company research (with relevant information highlighted)
• Questions to ask about the company and position
• A glass of water

 Some additional tips:

• Turn off distractions. Take your phone into in a quiet room.
• Make sure you write down the interviewer’s name and contact information.
• Dress the part for the interview. Experts say if you're dressed in a professional manner, you'll speak that way.
• Make your answers more concise and to the point.  It is harder to keep the interviewer’s attention on the phone, due to the lack of non-verbal communication.

Some final thoughts:

If an employer calls and wants to do the interview right away (instead of setting up an appointment), tell them you are interested but would like to call them back in five minutes. This will give you time to make the psychological switch from whatever you are doing to your professional demeanor and collect some basic materials.

When the employer ends the interview, thank them for their time.  Be sure you have their full name and contact information.  Close the interview by thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest in the position.

Write a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview.

If you have other questions, don’t hesitate to come see us!

Gary Alan Miller,
Executive Director

Myths of Career Fairs

There are two kinds of people:

1. Those who go to Career Fairs
2. Those who don't

And in my time at the Career Center I've heard many reasons why students do not attend, but I'm going to focus on the 3 main ones and bust those myths!

1. I can't go, I'm only a first-year student or Sophomore!

Yes, a lot of companies are looking for Juniors or Seniors for various internship and full-time opportunities. But that doesn't mean as a first-year student or Sophomore you're not eligible to attend! Attending career fairs is a skill that can be practiced, especially if you've never attended one before (it can be overwhelming at first!). By attending you can get comfortable with the process, as well as prepare for opportunities in the future. Let's say there is a company you KNOW you want to intern with, but unfortunately, they can only take Juniors. As a first-year student, you'd probably feel out of luck. But by attending the career fair and talking to the recruiter can help you gain insight on the types of experiences they want to see on your resume, so by the time you're a Junior, you will be the ideal candidate!

2. I'm not looking for a full-time job right now!

Yes, recruiters are looking to fill full-time opportunities, but a lot of recruiters are also looking to fill internship and volunteer opportunities as well! Similarly to the situation in the first myth, even if you attend just to get comfortable with the process, it gives you a pretty good idea of what types of opportunities there are and what you can do to prepare to be the ideal candidate when the time is right!

3. There are no companies coming for my major!

Totally a myth. Most companies are looking to fill a diverse number of positions, and the company name is not always a perfect representation of what those positions are. A real estate company is not always looking for real estate agents, they could be looking for an event management intern! The tip here is to be open to different companies and organizations, as well as do some research on the types of positions looking to be filled. When you attend a Hofstra Career Fair, we provide you with a booklet of all the employers and jobs to be filled. I suggest taking some time to review that book and see what companies are hiring for the types of position you want to apply, you might be surprised which company it could be!

In the end, a Career Fair can be a very rewarding experience in more ways than one. So be sure to stop by our Career Fair today, at the Mack Sports Exhibition Complex from 11-2, or to any of our upcoming Career Fairs (all can be found in the 'Events' section in Handshake). And if you feel you want some preparation for the fair, be sure to reach out to all the folks at The Career Center, we're here to help!

Anne Monique Concepcion,
Graduate Assistant

Meet Our HU Students: Letisha Thakoordeen

Name: Letisha Thakoordeen

Hometown: New York

Major(s): Health Science

When you were young, what did you think you wanted to be "when you grow up?"

I think from a young age I've always known I've wanted to be a doctor, and now I'm at Hofstra pursuing that goal!

What career do you hope your first job after graduate will be?

After graduating I hope to go to Medical School, so I hope my first job will be a Resident working in the hospitals.

What experience have you had so far that you think is best preparing you to reach that goal?

I've been fortunate to have good advisement from major heads in my department, this has allowed me to take classes to prepare me for my future career as a Doctor.

What advice would you have for others who are pursuing this same career?

Study, study, study! Don't lose track of the big picture and as long as you stay focused you will be fine!

Who at Hofstra has had the biggest positive impact on you?

Dr. Israel Schwartz has had a huge impact, I owe him a great deal for helping me to stay focused on my path to my career.

Meet Our HU Students: Joseph Bellina

Name: Joseph Bellina (Junior at Hofstra)

Hometown: Staten Island, New York

Major(s): Marketing Major, Finance Minor

When you were young, what did you think you wanted to be "when you grow up?"

Originally, I wanted to become a vet, or some form of doctor. I’ve always loved animals and felt it would be an interesting career choice.

What career do you hope your first job after graduate will be?

Ideally, I would want something with a high starting salary. Just kidding! I would really enjoy a job in the real estate business.

What experience have you had so far that you think is best preparing you to reach that goal?

Last summer I had the opportunity to intern at MHP Real Estate, so that was pretty cool. In addition, I am currently studying in order to obtain my sales persons license in order to sell real estate.

What advice would you have for others who are pursuing this same career?

I think the best advice to become successful within the field is to network as much as possible. When searching for internships, I did my best to email each and every company that I could possibly find in order to get my name out there.

Who at Hofstra has had the biggest positive impact on you?

Professor Krapp has been my literature professor for two semesters now, and I feel as if he has inspired me to excel here at Hofstra. Whenever I feel as if I have a lot on my plate, I can always remember him telling me to “use my time wisely”. I would say that time management is one of the most important skills that you can obtain from a college experience.