Making the Most of Winter Break

Congratulations! You’ve made it to finals and there’s a well-deserved break waiting at the end of the semester.

As we head into the holidays and January intersession, I wanted to encourage you to use this time to schedule a virtual appointment with an advisor at the Center for Career Design & Development to discuss your goals for internships and your career – or to have your resume reviewed so you can start applying for the many great opportunities that are available to you.

While you are away from campus, I invite you to explore and take advantage of all of the great resources available on the Hofstra Career Hub.

Check out the activities that are recommend based on your academic year on the Career Hub, but also try to complete the checklist below:

□ Build out your Handshake profile! Did you know that approved employer partners can reach out to you directly with opportunities once your profile is public? To fully participate in our spring recruiting events, you will need to have a public profile – so now is a great time to get started.

□ Search Handshake and UCAN for internships and start applying for spring and summer 2021 opportunities now.

□ Read a career guide related to your industry of interest on Vault, then check out Vault’s rankings to learn more about companies where you may be interested in working.

□ Practice virtual interviewing with Big Interview. Check out the new “answer builder” to help you craft answers to challenging questions.

□ Focus on skill building to make yourself more marketable by taking a course, participating in a micro-internship, or volunteering. Speak with a Career Advisor to discuss which of these options makes the most sense for you.

□ Search LinkedIn or ASK for Hofstra University alumni who are successful in your field and aim to schedule informational interviews with them to learn more about the current landscape and to get advice.

Good luck on finals! We look forward to helping you make the most of your winter break.

Michelle L. Kyriakides

Executive Director

Summer Internship Deadlines are Closer than they Appear

As we transition to remote learning after next week, and then into winter break, you will find that things are quieting down on the academic front, but summer internships applications are just beginning to open (if they haven’t already)! Be smart about using your winter break time to apply so you don’t miss deadlines or find yourself scrambling to get your materials in order before an application closes. “Bigger companies often have very early summer deadlines. Mid-sized companies usually have either February, March, or April deadlines,” says Penny Loretto from The Balance Careers.

 

If you are reading this and thinking, “An April deadline. That is months away! I have plenty of time.” Think again. Handshake, Hofstra’s job and internship database, posted this article on their blog which recommends starting to prepare your applications at least four months in advance. Why so early? Handshake says (and we agree) “Because you’re also going to want some feedback! If you can avoid it, never send your first draft in an application.” Home for the holidays? Remote learning? Having your resume and cover letter reviewed by our office is easy, even though you are away from campus. We are offering virtual resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn reviews, either via email or Zoom. Log into Student Success Connect on the portal to make a virtual appointment or to find your Career Advisor’s email address for written feedback.

This fall has definitely been a semester to remember. Now it’s time to look ahead and make a plan for this summer to be one you will never forget. Find that dream internship and reach out to The Center for Career Design and Development to help you apply!

Elizabeth A. Sposato

Senior Associate Director of Career Development and Assessment

Thankful: Pandemic Edition

While the world seems upside down during these times of uncertainty and the semester is coming to an end, let us take a step back to reflect on what we are thankful for. 

Are you thankful that Hofstra was able to have on-campus housing? While it may not be what you expected or not as fun, are you thankful to be away from home for a bit?  

Are you thankful for hybrid learning giving you the opportunity to commute less to campus and save wear and tear on your car?  

Are you thankful that there was an on-line option so you could be at home safe and still finish your studies? 

Are you thankful for having more time with your parents, grandparent or siblings because deep down you missed them? 

Are you thankful for Zoom because it provided you a way to connect with people differently? 

Are you thankful the pandemic made you rethink your life and you are now on a better path? 

What are you thankful for? Maybe it is TikTok because you can always get a good laugh when you are feeling down.  

Are you thankful to the Center for Career Design and Development for having something called Network with Pride on Youtube so you can so industry research? 

What are you thankful for?

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, 

Lorraine Massiah                                                                                 

Interviewing is 'Scary'

It’s beginning to look a lot like FALL! The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing and its officially Spooky Season! With all the fun Fall activities, apple picking, pumpkin carving, haunted houses, it is important to also remember that Fall also brings internship opportunities. Many companies who are recruiting for spring semester interns have started posting about their opportunities. And in the theme of all things spooky…let’s talk about the spookiest part of the internship process. THE INTERVIEW (queue dramatic scary music)! 

Interviewing can be scary, especially in these virtual times. Below are some important tips to help ease the interview jitters, so that you can save the “scaries” for all those Halloween movies. 

• DO YOUR RESEARCH on the industry, company and the position. Researching is an important part to preparing for an interview. Know the companies mission statement, what they do, current industry trends, and the people that work there. LinkedIn is a great tool to help with research before an interview! 

           

• KNOW YOURSELF- practice your elevator pitch before an interview. Know your skills, interests, values, goals and your story! Also know why you are interested in that company and position that you are interviewing for. Knowing these things about yourself will help with the scariest question of all, “Tell me about yourself.” 

• TELL YOUR STORY- an interview is a way for the employer to get to know you and your story, and you have to sell it. Think of your top 10 “drop the mic moments,” the things that you are most proud of. Remember to make sure that you talk about those 10 moments when you are on the interview, they are a part of your story. 

• DRESS TO IMPRESS- it is better to be overdressed! Think about the company culture and how your attire for the interview will fit into the company. 

• DON’T “GHOST” YOUR INTERVIEWER- always send a “thank you” email within 24-48 hours after an interview to everyone you met with that day. Mention something specific you talked about with each person to give it an extra personal touch. 

Want more interviewing tips? Make an appointment for an “Interview Practice/ Preparation” with the Center for Career Design and Development, or practice with our newest interviewing tool, Big Interview! 

  

Cheryl Posner

Career Advisor, Liaison to the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication

  

"Virtually" Everything You Need For Our Fall Career Fairs!

I know, I know, you're tired of the phrase "the new normal."  So am I. However, we can't deny that things that we didn't even know about last year are now part of our every-day life. Take virtual career fairs, for example.  In all my years of working in career services, I had never coordinated a virtual career fair until Covid struck.  Now, I've already had 2, and we have 3 more this semester.

What's a virtual career fair?  Well, it can mean different things, depending on what platform a school is using.  In our case, we are using Handshake, a platform that I hope many of you are familiar with.  In Handshake's case, engagement with employers takes place after students sign up for 1-1 and group sessions.  So, that means that you need to put some work in even before the fair.  Here's a to-do list:

• Make sure that your Handshake profile is complete. Check for any inaccuracies in your class year, GPA, or anything else.  Let us know if you see anything that needs to be changed.
• Click "register" on the Handshake fair page.
• Take a look at the employers who have registered. Check back frequently because we are receiving new registrations almost every day.
• Review the scheduled 1-1 sessions and group sessions.  If a registered employer has not created their schedule yet, check back.
• Register for 10 minute 1-1 slots, and 30 minute group sessions.  Be open-minded! Try to fill your schedule as much as possible so that you can engage with many employers.  You can sign up for sessions up until the time of the session, but don't wait, some schedules will get filled before the day of the fair.
• Make sure that your resume is updated.  
• Check your privacy settings in Handshake and be sure to have yours set to "community."  That means that once you sign up with an employer, that employer can see your profile.
• Research the employers that you are meeting with.
• Plan what to wear, and we don't just mean from the waist down!
• Consider where you will be at the time of the fair. Do you have a quiet place? Will there be noise distractions?
• Test your audio and visual technology before the fair. We highly recommend using Chrome for our virtual fairs.
• Know that our office will have a Zoom room set up for any questions that you have during the fair.
• Participate in our Prepare For the Fair Career Conference on 9/28 (information on Handshake) to get your resume, job search and career fair questions answered. Plus, it will give you practice using the system!

Virtual Career Fair Dates:

Fall Career & Internship Fair (for all majors) 10/7 from 11-2 EST

Engineering & Computer Science Career & Internship Fair 10/21 from 11-2 EST

School of Communication Career & Internship Fair 10/28 from 11-2 EST

The Center for Career Design & Development is here to answer any questions that you have. Call us at 516-463-6060 or send us an email at careerdesign@hofstra.edu.

Networking and Informational Interviews

You may have heard that networking is more important than ever and wondering why. During a difficult job market, it is essential to stay connected and build your connections. More importantly, networking is the number one way you will find your next job or internship. The next time a company has an opening for a full-time position or internship, the first thing that most hiring managers will do is ask their colleagues if they know of anyone who is looking for an opportunity. If you just recently networked, YOU are that someone who is looking and they will hopefully think of you, share the opportunity with you, and potentially consider you for an interview.

Young professionals often network for a variety of reasons and discover information about:

• An industry/field and a specific company/organization

• How to gain access to the "hidden" job market

• Guidance and advice and to expand your network

• How to learn updated information regarding how a company recruits

• How to help contacts know what you want to do and how they can help

• How to build your connections

Networking is simply establishing a link with another person and fortunately, people like to talk about themselves and most people enjoy giving guidance and advice.  Other professionals want to help you with your internship/job search, they just don't know how.  Networking is the perfect way that they can help. You can initiate the process by setting up networking meetings (aka informational interviews). You can start things off by reaching out to a known connection (a friend, colleague, professor, coach, family member, friend of a friend, etc.) and asking if they have 15-20 minutes to speak with you and share information about their own career path and any advice they would have for young professionals. After your meeting, you can connect with them via LinkedIn and ask if they have anyone in their network who they would be comfortable introducing you to and you can then reach out to establish a new connection - and the process of growing your network continues.

Sometimes these types of informal networking meetings happen on the job, in an airport, in a coffee shop, etc. Given the unique circumstances we find ourselves in at the moment, some of the face to face networking opportunities will not happen organically. You can take initiative to outreach to set up these meetings via phone or zoom. At Hofstra University, the Center for Career Design and Development created a brand new online networking program, Network with Pride. Each Wednesday at 12:15pm EST, you can join a networking meeting via zoom and meet with professionals from a variety of industries to learn about their career path, tips/advice that they have for Hofstra students and alumni, and you can ask specific questions. Check Handshake for dates/times.

Set a goal to participate in at least 1-3 networking meetings a semester and you will be well on your way to building your connections. Each time you make a new connection, you build your network and position yourself for the next internship or job. 

Best,

Jenna Campolieta
External Relations Coordinator | The Center for Career Design and Development

Thank You from the Career Center!

To state the obvious, this semester has been far from traditional. With unforeseen circumstances turning our world upside down, I am more than proud of how the Hofstra student body has prevailed. Through resiliency, dedication, and determination, the Pride has become stronger than ever and is standing together in unity. Despite any and all adversity, Hofstra students have been able to meet their semester goals and run through the finish line. Each and every day, Hofstra students prove to be an

inspiration, both professionally and academically.


Over the summer, the Career Center is still here to assist in your professional endeavors. If there are any documents (resumes, cover letters, personal statements) you’d like to have reviewed via email at this time, or if you’d like to schedule a meeting via Zoom, we are here for you. We are more than happy to help you navigate through these virtual times.


Some appointment options that are still available to you are:


· Document Reviews
· Internship/Job Search
· Practice Interviews
· Career/Major Exploration
· Strength/Skill Building


On behalf of Hofstra’s Career Center, we just want to thank you for your adaptability and dedication to your professional grown! We hope you have a wonderful, safe, and healthy summer!

Best,
Sabrina Iaria
Career Advisor

Keep Your Friends Close and Your Alumni Connections Closer

As the old saying goes, “it’s not always what you know, but who you know”. Especially in these virtual times, it is imperative to focus on expanding your professional network. These connections could be amongst colleagues, family, friends, professors, administrators and other professionals within your target industry. Some of the most profound connections that you can make during these times and beyond are with fellow Hofstra alumni.

In your attempts to remain active on LinkedIn, be sure to check out the Hofstra homepage. Here, you will be able to search through Hofstra graduates that may be working in a field that you aspire to be part of. Connect with those who have experiences that most directly relate your goals in an effort to make a name for yourself within your target industry. These connections will point you in the right direction in terms of companies and professional associations to look into!

You may also come across alumni who have previously graduated with the same major as you and are now working in the professional world. If you are unsure about how to best utilize your degree post-grad, talking to alumni and hearing their experiences is an awesome way for you to gain insight and ideas about where you see your professional self in the years to come.

The Hofstra network is constantly active and forever growing. Alumni, world-wide, are always looking to lend an extra hand to help a fellow Hofstra graduate. Having Hofstra as a common ground provides you with a foot in the door as you start to expand your network. Don’t hesitate to ask for an informational interview or any pro tips to propel you forward as a professional. Remember - once a part of the Pride, always a part of the Pride!

For more information about how to leverage your Hofstra network and request an information interview with an alumni, schedule an appointment with a Career Advisor today!

Best,
Sabrina Iaria
Career Advisor

Supply and Demand: Supplying the Skills that are in Demand During COVID-19

With COVID-19 becoming the focal point of society, it is important to understand how your skills, education, and experiences qualify you for the in-demand jobs and internships of today. Whether you

are graduating and seeking a full-time job, or looking to land your first internship, here are some tips to help get your foot in the door:

1. Focus on Who’s Hiring: Tech companies, healthcare, financial services, and business software companies are still hiring. Check out the list of those companies who are still accepting applications, as well as those who are currently on a hiring freeze: https://candor.co/hiring-freezes/

2. Explore Micro-Internships: Micro-internships are short term-project based assignments. These experiences allow you to explore career paths, expand your skills, and develop professional networks during these virtual times. With the majority of micro-internships ranging from 5-40 hours of work, it is easy to gain experience from multiple companies in a short period of time.

3. Create a Plan to Turn Your Internship Virtual: Whether you’ve already accepted an internship prior to the virtual shift or are still networking, brainstorm ways to make your opportunity work without stepping foot in the office. Be prepared to discuss how you can help on specific initiatives that have been impacted by COVID-19 and show your employer that your essential to their efforts.

4. Be Mindful of the Applicant Tracking System: With everyone applying to opportunities online, talent acquisition professionals are being flooded with applications. In order to get yourself noticed and through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), it is important to customize your resume for each job you apply to. Focus on the language within the job description and match it to your resume. The more key words you use, the better!

For more information on how to leverage your skills and land opportunities during COVID-19, schedule a Career Center appointment today through CONNECT!

Best,
Sabrina Iaria
Career Advisor

Coping and Connecting in Today’s Virtual World

When in the office, or on the job hunt, one of the things we all look for is a work-life balance. We crave a professional environment that speaks to who we are as individuals and who we believe are our most authentic selves. We pride ourselves on the lives we build that not only go beyond the 9-5 workday, but compliment it. Family gatherings, social outings with friends, and events we all look forward to are key elements to the lives we choose to live.

Managing that work-life balance shouldn’t stop now. As important as it is to keep up with schoolwork, the job search, and other professional development opportunities, it is also imperative

that we take the time to cope and connect with those who help aid in our balancing acts. Family dinners via Zoom, virtual game nights with friends, and the 3-mile walk you strive to take every day are all part of your growth process, even if it is not directly related to your professional development.

You have learned to navigate your online education and the virtual job search, so what is stopping you from integrating your connections in these newfound times? Where there is a will, there is a way!

For more information on how to cope and connect during the virtual shift, register for today's Workshop Wednesday on Handshake!

Best,
Sabrina Iaria
Career Advisor

It's All "Fair" Game Now

With our social-distancing lifestyles in full effect at this point, it is important to leverage the good that comes with this new normal. The bulk of companies have moved into the “work from home” model, and the office is starting to look a lot like your kitchen table. How, you might ask, could this be a good thing?

Remote employment gives you the opportunity to apply for jobs that may not have been within your prior scope with regard to locational boundaries. For instance, let’s say your dream is to work in the corporate office of your favorite makeup company that happens to be located across the country. As someone who is graduating or just looking for a summer internship, that type of move might not have been realistic- until now! You may be able to land that experience from your very own couch.

You might also take this time to apply for positions that might not have been on your radar before but are needed in today’s workforce. Leverage remote opportunities that are being offered by companies that are functioning in an essential capacity.

What better way to find these opportunities than at the upcoming Virtual Career Fair? Employers will be from various industries and will be seeking to fill full-time, part-time and internship positions. Pre-registration is necessary at www.careereco.com/events/hofstra, where you can find more information including a list of participating companies. The Virtual Career & Internship Fair is Wednesday, April 15th from 10am - 2pm EST.

This event is not bound to a given location, making all opportunities “fair” game! Find the registration link through Handshake now!

Best,
Sabrina Iaria
Career Advisor

Turn Your Idle Time into Your Ideal Time

As we all settle in to our new routines, it is important to stay productive. While 6 hours of Netflix binge-watching seemed like a good idea in the beginning, it is no secret that we are all missing the routine we once had. Now that we’ve all finished watching Tiger King and debriefed with our family and friends via Zoom, we should start getting down to business.

It is now time to turn your idle time into your ideal time, especially when it comes to your career. Take this time to become familiar with your anticipated or current career path in ways you might not have had the time to before. Consider these topics when conducting your research:

Dream Companies vs Safety Companies: Similar to your college search, draft a list of both dream and safety companies to work for. Research their mission statements to determine if their values align with yours, understand the responsibilities of the role you wish to take on, and stay up to date on company news via social media.

Your Projected Salary: Are your salary expectations appropriate for your new career? Does your lifestyle align with your projected salary? Is money a driving factor for you as you move forth as a professional?


Locational Boundaries: Is your dream profession limited to a particular location? If so, are you willing to make the move for your career? Understanding the potential sacrifices you may have to make for your career choice is an important step to take before the overall leap.

Industry Culture: What do you value in an office culture? Do you prefer autonomy, or do you thrive in a collaborative setting? Leverage LinkedIn connections to gain real-world testimonials from professionals in your industry.

The End Goal: If you are interested in a particular industry, it is important to understand the level of education that is required to accomplish your end goal. Whether you need a master’s degree or a Ph.D., you should manage your expectations and determine if additional schooling is something that you can/are willing to take on in the future.

While these trying times may not be ideal, the way you spend your time can be. Exploring these aspects of your potential career path is something you might not have thought of or had the time to do before. Take advantage of your idle time and navigate towards your ideal career path.
For more information on how to design your career goals and path, schedule an appointment with a Career Advisor by using the Student Success CONNECT app on your Hofstra portal!

Best,
Sabrina Iaria
Career Advisor

Building a Professional Online Presence

As we all settle in to these virtual times, some of us find ourselves searching for ways to keep busy in a productive way. We are creating schedules, exercising, learning new recipes, and getting ahead of the assignments and lectures that come with online learning. Even with all of that going on, we may find some idle time on our hands without knowing what to do with it. We may be asking ourselves - what now?

Thinking about your professional online presence and how you are being perceived in this virtual world is a great way to maximize your time. Consider these quick tips for creating an online image that catches the eyes of your dream employers:

1. Google Yourself: Googling yourself is a great way to see what others are seeing when they search you on the internet. Is there someone out there with the same name as you? If so, you might want to consider using your middle name or a middle initial to differentiate you from someone else. You wouldn’t want an employer to mistake you for someone you’re not - especially if their Google search isn’t too clean!

2. Update Your Profiles: While today’s in-person networking opportunities must be put on hold, it is important to make sure you are bringing your A-game to the World Wide Web. Consider visiting your LinkedIn and Handshake profiles and updating them to reflect the true professional you are. Check to see if your experiences are up to date, that your headshot is professional, and that your “About” sections truly speak to what you are looking for as a professional. Try to keep your online profiles as synonymous with your resume as possible - you never know which an employer will see first!

3. Clean-up Your Personal Accounts: Take this time to look through your personal social media accounts/posting history to make sure they reflect the true and current you. It is important that the values you showcase on the World Wide Web align with the missions and values of your targeted companies.

4. Stay Relevant: Creating a professional online presence for yourself is a great way to get employers to notice you. Specifically, with LinkedIn, it is important to stay active. If you find an interesting article on Forbes that you’d like to share or see a conversation you’d like to join in on - now is the time! Don’t forget to continue establishing connections on LinkedIn, too - you never know who you might come across!

For more information on how to leverage your online resources to create your virtual brand, schedule an appointment with a Career Advisor by using the Student Success CONNECT app on your Hofstra portal!

Best,
Sabrina Iaria
Career Advisor

Career Reflection in an Unexpected Time

In the past couple of weeks, our day-to-day lives have changed drastically. Our schedules have been flipped upside down and inside out, and we are all doing our best to find normalcy in our new routines. These unexpected times have pushed us into a newfound virtual world that is far from what we are accustomed to. What some of us might not see is the positive that can come out of these circumstances. This new time gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are, what we want, and where we see ourselves once life returns to what it once was.


As you sit in front of your computer screen, whether you are working remotely or logging on to your online courses, you are now given the opportunity to eliminate the background noise. Classmates, colleagues, and environment now play a lesser role in your current situation. You have the opportunity to focus solely on the content that you are learning or putting into practice, which only leaves one question - are you fulfilled by the content of your work?


Take this time to consider the type of career path that truly makes you happy once all other factors are taken out of the equation. Although we know that life will return to how we once knew, it is important to have a career that you love waking up for when all outside factors are removed. The current situation will pass in time, and I hope you all come out of this more certain of who you are as a professional than ever before.


For more information about career/major exploration, or any other ways to gain insight on your current/potential career path, leverage the Career Center’s virtual resources and schedule an appointment with a career advisor on Connect today!


Stay inside and stay healthy!


Best,
Sabrina Iaria
Career Advisor

Accounting Dual Degree Program

What is your major and what year are you?

I am a senior accounting student in the dual degree program which means I will get my BBA in Accounting and a Masters in Taxation.

Did the Career Center assist you and how?

When I was first starting to apply for internships, I was very nervous and did not know what to expect. Liz Sposato, Senior Associate Director of Career Development and Assessment, was a great help and reviewed my resume numerous times, as well as did a video mock interview with me so I was able to see what I can improve on. I was able to get an internship at Henry Schein due to her help.

Where did you intern and what was your role?

My first internship was at Henry Schein and I was an Internal Audit Intern. Currently, I have an internship at Grant Thornton as a tax intern. For this summer, I will be interning at Crowe as a tax intern as well.

How has your on-campus involvement helped you market yourself to employers?

Being involved in different clubs and activities has been a very beneficial experience. I have been on two executive boards at Hofstra and I was able to talk to employers about the different responsibilities I had as a leader and how I can contribute to a team. Being involved shows that I have good time management skills since I also have classes and homework to do. 

What advice would I give to a student looking for an internship?

My advice would be to apply to as many companies as possible to get exposure to different industries. I would also recommend getting involved as early as possible in different clubs and activities especially a club within your specific major. Many companies like to see that you are involved in campus life outside of your studies. 

Television Production and Studies and Fine Arts: Design

What is your major and what year are you?
I am a sophomore, double majoring in Television Production and Studies and Fine Arts: Design. 

What made you choose your major and/or career path?

Though I came to Hofstra as a Film major, I had every intention of making television. However, I chose Film because, at the time, the television I wanted to produce was more dramatic, and cinematic, something that aligns closer with studying Film. After visiting ABC Studios with my LLC in the Netherlands, I fell in love with the fast-paced environment of live TV, and immediately made the switch. Design has always been something I was passionate about, and they seemed like natural companions.

Did the Career Center assist you and how? 

The Career Center has been integral in my hunt for a summer internship. Television internships can be incredibly intimidating, and with my little knowledge on the fundamentals of making a resume, and presenting myself for hire, I was nervous to say the least. With the help of Darlene Johnson, the Director of External Relations, I was able to confidently submit my resume and cover letter to some of the biggest names in live television.

Additionally, I was able to value what activities I was involved in on campus. Before going to the Career Center, I was insecure about my experience, activities and strengths. Darlene assured me that, while my experience is not in my field, it is still valid, which certainly boosted my confidence. 

What is your most memorable career-related experience?

Having the opportunity to visit ABC Studios, and visit what will one day hopefully be my place of work, was incredibly memorable and impactful on my professional future. 

How has your on-campus involvement helped you market yourself to employers?

Being involved not only shows dedication, but a skill in time management - something essential to employment. Having the ability to market yourself as a well-rounded student, who is obviously passionate about impacting their community, is certainly something worth mentioning during interviews.

What advice would you give to a student looking for an internship?

I would tell students looking for internships to reach out to potential employers to set yourself apart from students applying through their portal. Try to reach out to students with internships within your field, and see if they have any advice/contacts.

A Look into Community Health

What is your major and what year are you?

I am a sophomore studying Community Health, minoring in Spanish.

What made you choose your major and/or career path?

I’ve always been interested in science and for a time, I wanted to be an epidemiologist (“disease detective”). Then I went on a mission trip to Mexico to build a home and found out that the family needed a new house because their previous one has been infested with black mold. I saw the smog in the air there, the poor living conditions, lack of clean water, and how the country’s infrastructure would make it nearly impossible to access healthcare, especially for those living in rural areas. After that experience, I realized so much more went into health than just combating diseases and I’ve been pursuing community health ever since.

How has your on-campus involvement helped you market yourself to employers?

I’m involved in a lot of different activities on campus, so I think that shows employers that I am well-rounded and willing to try lots of things. I’m a member of Sitare (a South Asian dance club), yoga club, Nippon Culture Society, and Honors College. I have an on-campus job, serve as a Global Mentor as well as an Honors College mentor, and I’m a part of the track team. While I think it is important to be involved in things that are major-related, you can also get a lot of valuable experience when you step outside of your comfort zone or just do something for fun.  

What is your most memorable career-related experience?

An experience that I’ve had that has taught me skills I can use in any career would have to be the mission trips I’ve gone on to El Salvador. For the past two summers, I have traveled to El Salvador on a medical mission trip and mainly spend time with the children in the villages on play team, where we do games and crafts, have a toothbrush demonstration, and connect with the families. From this trip, I have learned how to stay calm under pressure, adjust to last-minute changes in plans and navigate cultural differences. I’ll be going on the trip again this summer, but for the past year, I’ve also been involved in the planning of the trip. I’ve learned how much coordination goes into arranging the purchase of medicine, finding transportation, fundraising, and marketing the trip to attract more volunteers. Going on these trips has not only been extremely rewarding for me but also taught me a lot and I know that when I enter the workforce, I’ll be even more prepared because of it.

From Biology to Associate VP of Student Affairs!

Although I started college as a biology major headed for medical school, by sophomore year I realized that I did not want to be a doctor. In addition to nearly failing my physics courses and struggling through organic chemistry, a volunteer opportunity at our university hospital helped me understand that I did not want to do clinical medical work but was still interested in pursuing something in the medical field. And so my plan to pursue health education and public health was born. From then on, I carefully chose student opportunities that would move me closer to that goal: I was part of a theater company that crafted an educational performance about HIV prevention; I worked on social norms campaigns for alcohol risk reduction; I was a peer health educator for eating disorder prevention. I was also a Resident Assistant (RA) and was fairly involved in the student affairs division and loved this work, too. Once I completed my master’s degree, I got my first professional job as a Residence Hall Director. I was thrilled when I was placed in the Health and Wellness Living Learning Center – I was able to mix my love of student development with health education and it felt like a perfect fit. I had the opportunity to help develop an academic minor in health and wellness and teach several classes there. This was my dream!

During these first years of my professional career, I found myself gravitating more towards the student affairs work. I truly enjoyed working with students to help them achieve all of their goals, not only those that were related to health and wellness. I found that I had a knack for programming and event planning and was becoming more and more interested in how things work in higher education. However, a few years in I still viewed this student affairs job as a stop-over in my journey towards health education. I was offered a position as an area director supervising Residence Hall Directors. I reluctantly accepted – I feared that it was taking me further away from health education, but it was a higher-paying promotion and would bring me experience in things I thought I’d need in future jobs: budget management, supervision, and campus-wide committee leadership. I actually referred to this job to my family and friends as a “necessary evil!” During this time, I had an opportunity to co-teach a course for social workers who wanted to work in higher education. In order to teach student development concepts and current issues in higher education, I was researching and learning so much about my own field and my own job. By understanding the academic theories that guide the work, I fell in love with the profession from a whole new lens. The person I was co teaching with told me that when I taught about these topics, I looked joyful. He challenged me to think of my current role as a happy scenic route rather than a necessary evil. I thought to myself: why not choose joy?

From then, I decided to pursue higher education fully: I enrolled in a doctoral program, applied for jobs in other areas of higher education than student affairs, and read everything I could get my hands on that had to do with this field. I still use many of the skills that I learned as a health educator, but am so glad I kept my heart and mind open to a new career path. There was a time where I was getting in my own way and almost turning down opportunities because they didn’t fit my “plan”. You never know where scenic route will bring you.

Jean Peden Christodoulou, Ed.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs

A Glimpse into a Biomedical Engineer Major

1.What is your major and what year are you? What made you choose your major and/or career path?

Hey! My name is Jenna Alma and I am a Junior studying Biomedical Engineering with a Mechanics Emphasis and a Mathematics Minor. My desire to study biomedical engineering started when I elected to take an A.P. Biology class in my sophomore year of high school. I was fascinated by the human body, our cells, and how one could tinker with what’s on the inside to do truly amazing things. I envision finding cures for all kinds of diseases and using the power of our own bodies to create therapies to solve the world’s most elusive problems. My decision to choose biomedical engineering was also influenced by my growing up in a family of engineers. I was raised in a household that fostered curiosity, contributing to the strong critical thinking and problem solving skills I possess today.

2. Where did you intern and what was your role? What is your most memorable career-related experience?

My journey to obtaining this degree reached a milestone when I landed my very first internship. After applying to only two programs (as a freshman no less) I was beyond amazed when I was accepted into both of them! I ended up choosing the Summer Student Program at the Jackson Laboratory and I can say with complete confidence that that was the best decision of my life. I not only was able to spend two whole months immersed in a professional lab conducting genomics research, but I was able to forge strong bonds with the other participants, people who I still consider my friends today! And if we were all to meet up again, we would pick up right where we left off. I didn’t expect to grow as much personally as I did and I really feel that that added to the overall experience.

3. Did the Career Center assist you and how?

The Career Center has been really helpful when it comes to sending representatives to attend our club meetings and teaching the entire club on how to put together a resume and the in’s and outs’ of a LinkedIn profile. They also tailored their presentation to the needs of engineering majors like ourselves, which is super helpful when you might not have experience in the field yet.

4. How has your on-campus involvement helped you market yourself to employers?

Being the President of the Society of Women Engineers at Hofstra has really helped me develop in so many ways. I’ve learned great communication, leadership, and managerial skills that have helped me be more confident when marketing myself to employers at career fairs. I also believe it teaches you how to handle responsibility and manage your time, two skills that translate to any workplace, no matter the major.

5. What advice would you give to a student looking for an internship?

As for those still trying to land their first internship, Google is your friend so use it to your advantage. I spent the summer beforeI wanted to intern searching for programs related to my degree that would give me the experience employers were looking for. Once you find some programs that you like, ask for letters of recommendation early both as a courtesy to the person you’re asking but also so that you aren’t scrambling for documents at the last minute.

You’re worth is not a sum of your failures and successes but rather how you deal with what life throws at you. It may seem like the end of the world now, but in two, three, or even five years, you will look back on that time and wonder why you were so stressed out about something so small. As for me, I’m waiting to hear back from the numerous program applications I submitted. Wish me luck!

Criminology and Linguistics Major's Career Adventure

What is your major and what year are you?

I am a Criminology and Linguistics double major. I am a junior.

What made you choose your major and/or career path?

I always wanted to be a morgue technician because of watching the X-Files as a kid, but quickly realized I did not want to take Chemistry or Math related courses. I took an administrative justice community college class in high school and fell in love with the subject. From then on I decided to study criminal justice and criminology related topics! Since studying Criminology at Hofstra I have become increasingly enamored with the topic of penal abolition and critical criminology. Which lead me to my interest in the nonprofit world.

Did the Career Center assist you and how? 

The Career Center was my guide the entire process of finding my first nonprofit internship. From instructing me on how to perfect my resume and cover letter to the mock interview to the very suit I wore the day of the interview (thanks to the Career Closet).

Where did you intern and what was your role? 

I am currently interning at the Association of Community Employment Programs for the homeless. ACE is an important nonprofit based in Long Island City that offers courses for post incarceration, homelessness, or addiction individuals foundational tools like computer classes, financial literacy, and housing aid to promote self sufficiency. There is only a limited amount of case workers and teachers programming these classes so my role as an intern is to provide additional support while a class is being taught. I work one on one with clients who need additional instruction with computer courses, mock interviews, and other classes that ACE offers. 

How has your on-campus involvement helped you market yourself to employers?

My on-campus involvement consists of only competing with the Hofstra Forensics Speech and Debate team! Public speaking is always a great talking point when being interviewed by employers and provides them with the information that you can literally argue competitively.  

What advice would you give to a student looking for an internship?

Browse! Scanning the site Idealist gave me access to the current internship I am in, but surfing the web or begging your professors for connections seems to do the trick. I would not have known about websites like Idealist or Indeed without the recommendation from the Career Center.