Top 5 Summer Career Activities for First-Years

If you’re completing your first year at Hofstra, congratulations!  I hope it’s been a year filled with fun and challenge and growth for you.   I’m sure the time has gone by quickly.   As the semester winds down, you might be considering your summer plans.  With this post I wanted to give you some suggestions for ways you can fit career-related activities in with your summer fun.

1. Intern:  It’s not too early to have an internship.  Don’t rule this option out.  While you may think it’s too soon in your college career or it’s too late in the application cycle, finding an internship is still possible and should be explored.  As of this writing, there are more than 600 internships in Pride-CMS and thousands in internships.com (accessible through Pride-CMS).
   
2. Volunteer:   If you don’t want to spend this summer in a formal internship, volunteering for a local non-profit is a great way to apply your skills while helping a worthy cause.  Find an organization that you care about and ask them about getting involved.  These organizations need help in a variety of ways, so ask about the opportunity to get the type of experience you want to have!
   
3. Informational Interview:   Challenge yourself to find people doing the types of jobs you might want to do after graduation and interview them about their work.  Professionals are typically very open to helping you learn more about their work.  You could do so in person or by phone, and you will be surprised at how much you can learn.  Hofstra’s A.S.K. system is a great place to find Hofstra alums who are willing to speak to you (accessible through my.hofstra.edu)
   
4. Research:   You may not have a good sense of how many different careers, industries and functional areas there are in the world of work.  Here’s a little test – see if you can name a dozen job titles right now.  Not so easy?  Then check into O*Net, Vault and Candid Careers (the later two are accessible through Pride-CMS).
   
5. Reflect:  One of the best tips you can receive is to know yourself better – What do you value?  What interests you?  What brings you joy?  What’s your personality?  What are your dependable strengths and skills?  Having completed your first year at Hofstra, really take the time to reflect on what had the most meaning and in what areas you grew the most.  The more you can articulate about yourself, the better decisions you’ll make in times to come.

Remember that The Career Center is open all summer.  So, we’re happy to help with these tasks and anything else related to your success!

Gary Alan Miller,
Executive Director

What Strikes a Chord with You?

I am excited to contribute to the Hofstra Career Center blog for the first time as the new Executive Director of the office.  I just began this week and have had nothing but great experiences so far with students, faculty, administrators and staff.   I come to you most recently from the University of North Carolina, where I worked in both career services and academic advising.  This year marks my 20^th in higher education.  But, when I graduated with my bachelor’s in 1993, I had no where my career would take me.

As an undergraduate I thought I wanted to be a publicist in the music industry.  I’ve been a musician since high school (and still write music for television as a hobby – this past year my music was used for The Voice, American Pickers, Turn and Burn and others).   So, pursuing a career in the music industry seemed natural and fun.  However, I learned through an internship at a record label after my junior year that I really didn’t enjoy that environment.  I entered my senior year confused and directionless.

After graduation I moved to North Carolina to play bass in a band called Gumption (you can hear our 1996 release on Spotify).  To make ends meet I accepted a position at UNC, and I soon realized that higher education would be my profession and music would be my avocation.  I initially made the mistake of thinking my career had to be centered on a “passion” rather than finding a good fit!  But, once I found that fit, I thrived and have loved it ever since.

Over the years, I have had the great opportunity to work at UNC, University of Washington and Georgia State University, where I also obtained a master’s degree.  But, I couldn’t be more thrilled to be here at Hofstra to assist and encourage you to have high-impact experiences that will be meaningful to you and help you find your Path of PRIDE.

No doubt some of you have a clear plan, while others are perhaps closer to how I felt my senior year.   Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, the knowledge and skills you are gaining at Hofstra are equipping you for your future.  Sure, it is going to take hustle, adaptability and a willingness to be open to what the world brings you (while asserting your own aspirations).   But, you can make it happen!  We are confident in you.

I want you to view the Career Center as a partner in preparing for your future.  Whether you are a exploring options, learning more about yourself, pursuing internships, applying to graduate school, seeking full-time employment or just looking for a place to get something started – even if you’re unsure what that something is – we are here for you.  It’s an honor for us to help you on your journey.  We want to support you.  So, call us at 516-463-6060 to schedule an appointment, or come to our quick question sessions. Go PRIDE!

Gary Alan Miller, Executive Director