Do you sometimes feel like an imposter? 

Do you worry that the people around you may figure out that you are not as smart/funny/nice (fill in the blank) as they think you are? If you answered “yes” then you may have what is referred to as “imposter syndrome.”

Those with imposter syndrome are described as people who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and who have a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud". Basically, this means that individuals may not give themselves credit for their achievements and may chalk their successes up to luck, or timing, or just knowing the right people and not up to their own skills and positive qualities.

I was recently at a conference and attended a session on Imposture Syndrome. The presenters were great. They disclosed their own feelings and gave tips and strategies for dealing with internal negativity. As graduating students get ready to start their first full-time job, I thought that it was the perfect time to share some of these techniques.

1. Have a mentor (or two) who can remind you of your skills and abilities when you are having times of doubt.

2. Keep a “kudos” folder (in an old-fashioned paper folder or on your computer) and fill it with any positive feedback that you have received, whether that be in a class, on a team, or at a part-time or volunteer job. Have that handy for your review when needed.

3. Read about Imposture Syndrome. The more you read, the more you will realize how common it is. You are certainly not alone!

4. Recognize when you are feeling this way. Take a deep breath and recite a positive affirmation to yourself. Make this affirmation your motto and go back to it when needed.

5. Seek counseling if you feel that the negativity is impacting your daily life and decision making. Hofstra’s Saltzman Center is available to you at all times. You might also want to visit The Career Center to take stock of your strengths through our StrenghsQuest assessment.

Darlene London Johnson

Director of External Relations

The Career Center

Hofstra Career Events You Just CAN'T Miss!

Spring 2017 Career Fair
Lots of employers will be at the fair offering both amazing internship and job opportunities that you just can't miss!! This event is for undergraduates, graduates AND alumni! Make great connections and put your personal brand to the test! Register on Handshake!
Wednesday, April 5, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, Hofstra University

Health and Helping Professions Career Fair
Over 30+ employers will be at the fair offering internship and job opportunities in the health and helping professions fields. This event is for undergraduates, graduates AND alumni! Register on Handshake to attend!
Tuesday, Apr 11 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Hofstra University, MultiPurpose Room

Career Fair Kick Off
The Career Fair Kick Off is coming up! Come during common hour on March 29th, in the Student Center atrium for free snacks and quick tips on the Career Fair that is taking place on April 5th, from 11-2pm in the Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex!
**NOTE** Students are encouraged to bring their resumes in order for them to be critiqued.
You can register for the Career Fair here -> https://hofstra.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/1329

Management Training Information Session
Undergraduate students of all class levels and majors who are interested in management will not want to miss this event! Come meet representatives from companies that offer full-time management training programs. Find out what these hiring managers look for in a candidate, and what opportunities they may have for you! Advance registration is recommended. Please contact The Career Center at 516-463-5833 with any questions.
Wednesday, March 29, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Brower Hall, Room 102

Green Careers
Interested in learning more about the Sustainability and what careers can be found within the industry? Join The Career Center and the Hofstra University Sustainability Department for a panel of professionals, followed by an opportunity to meet and build up your professional network!
Wednesday, April 12, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Career Lab - Career Center, M. Robert Lowe Hall

For more events, check out Handshake at hofstra.edu/careerhub.

Don't Miss These Important Upcoming Events!

Spring 2017 Career Fair
Lots of employers will be at the fair offering both amazing internship and job opportunities that you just can't miss!! This event is for undergraduates, graduates AND alumni! Make great connections and put your personal brand to the test! Register on Handshake!
Wednesday, April 5, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, Hofstra University

Health and Helping Professions Career Fair
Over 30+ employers will be at the fair offering internship and job opportunities in the health and helping professions fields. This event is for undergraduates, graduates AND alumni! Register on Handshake to attend!
Tuesday, Apr 11 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Hofstra University, MultiPurpose Room

Career Snapshot
Students will participate in small group discussions and have the opportunity to network with and receive advice from Hofstra Alumni and other Industry Professionals representing various Careers in Sports Media, Music and Entertainment, News, Technology and New Media and Non-Profit
Wednesday, March 15, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Green Room #211 - Herbert School of Communications

Project Management Information Session
Introduction to Project Management
Learn how you can use project management skills in any profession, plus gain inside information on the profession of project management itself.
You will also be introduced to the Project Management Institute and PMILIC (Long Island Chapter), associations that can help students with scholarships and certification assistance. RSVP is suggested.
Wednesday, March 15, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Brower Hall, Room 0102

Green Careers
Interested in learning more about the Sustainability and what careers can be found within the industry? Join The Career Center and the Hofstra University Sustainability Department for a panel of professionals, followed by an opportunity to meet and build up your professional network!
Wednesday, April 12, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Career Lab - Career Center, M. Robert Lowe Hall

For more events, check out Handshake at hofstra.edu/careerhub.

It’s ALL about Hustle!

“Am I too late?”

It’s a question that we often hear in the Career Center. And the answer is always, “no!” You’re never too late to start working toward a summer internship, even if it’s the last week in May. It’s all about how much hustle you have.

There are two types of internships:

Posted internships: These have a job description, a deadline, a start date, and they are posted online. You can find posted internships by searching on Handshake, using online job boards like indeed.com, or by visiting company websites directly. You’ll follow the instructions to apply for these internships, and yes, they have application deadlines. These deadlines vary though, so stay on the search!

Not-posted internships: these are the internships that you have to use hustle to find, but they’re worth it! The great thing about internships is that, unlike full-time positions, they are easy for organizations to create on the fly for the right person. You just have to show that you are the right person! Not-posted internship positions can be started at any time, so you’re never too late.

How do you find a not-posted internship? It’s all about hustle!

* Talk with friends, family, and professors to ask for advice on where to look

* Identify organizations in which you are interested (the Career Center can help you search!)

* Utilize LinkedIn to find connections with Hofstra alumni

* Contact organizations and professionals directly via phone or email (or drop by!)

* Be prepared to talk about what you have to offer (the Career Center can help you tell your story!)

* Ask open-ended questions that start conversations with contacts

As long as you have hustle, it’s not too late to get that summer internship, even if it’s the last week in May! 

And, don’t forget to drop by the Hofstra Career Fair on Wednesday, April 5th from 11am-2pm in the Mack Arena.

 

     Lisa Tandan, M.Ed, NCC 

     Director of Career Development and Assessment

The Career Center's Upcoming March Events

Spring 2017 Career Fair
Lots of employers will be at the fair offering both amazing internship and job opportunities that you just can't miss!! This event is for undergraduates, graduates AND alumni! Make great connections and put your personal brand to the test! Register on Handshake!
Wednesday, April 5, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, Hofstra University

Health and Helping Professions Career Fair
Over 30+ employers will be at the fair offering internship and job opportunities in the health and helping professions fields. This event is for undergraduates, graduates AND alumni! Register on Handshake to attend!
Tuesday, Apr 11 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Hofstra University, MultiPurpose Room

Career Snapshot
Students will participate in small group discussions and have the opportunity to network with and receive advice from Hofstra Alumni and other Industry Professionals representing various Careers in Sports Media, Music and Entertainment, News, Technology and New Media and Non-Profit
Wednesday, March 15, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Green Room #211 - Herbert School of Communications

Project Management Information Session
Introduction to Project Management
Learn how you can use project management skills in any profession, plus gain inside information on the profession of project management itself.
You will also be introduced to the Project Management Institute and PMILIC (Long Island Chapter), associations that can help students with scholarships and certification assistance. RSVP is suggested.
Wednesday, March 15, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Brower Hall, Room 0102

For more events, check out Handshake at hofstra.edu/careerhub.

Get Focused! 

When you’re in the midst of a crazy semester, how do you stay afloat and on top of all your class assignments, extracurricular demands, internship/job hunt, and all the smaller things in between?

If you’re like me, a “To-Do” list and my planner are my first step to successfully completing all my tasks. Besides, how satisfying is it when your “To-Do” list looks like this?

As we near the midpoint of the semester, I encourage you all to take a moment to write down all of your upcoming tasks and goals on a piece of paper that you can keep somewhere visible. Figure out what your steps are to achieve those goals, and write those down too!

If your goals include getting career-ready (ex: updating your documents, applying to graduate school, taking personality assessments, etc.), then I highly recommend including a visit to The Career Center. And if your goals include finding an internship or a job, I recommend attending our Spring Career Fair to help you achieve that bigger goal.

And to avoid burning out or getting overwhelmed with your “To-Do” list, don’t forget to write down some fun tasks to reward yourself for another item crossed off the list!

Anne Monique Concepcion

Assistant Director

The Career Center at Hofstra University 

The first step to leading is… following?

We live in a society focused on leadership. If you’ve ever been to the Career Center, I bet that at some point in your meeting with us, the topic of leadership came up in some capacity. It makes sense; outside of work experience, opportunities to take on leadership roles have been rated by employers as one of the top characteristics they look for in candidates. Sometimes, when this topic comes up, students feel somewhat unqualified because they don’t have leadership experience. While it’s true that not everyone gets the chance to be a leader, does that mean that you don’t gain valuable skills that are applicable to your life and work? Absolutely not! Followership, and the skills you develop while being a follower are, in many cases, just as or even more important than leadership.

What are some of these skills? Critical thinking allows you to make sense of what is being asked of you and prioritize how it will get done. Communication, empathy, and respect are integral to building the relationships necessary to collaborate in a team setting. Your sense of commitment provides you with the motivation to achieve, and your competence in your role lets you actually get it done.

Think about it; not every follower becomes a leader, but every leader had to be a follower first. In fact, in cases where individuals are simply placed in positions of power without following first, they tend to fail as leaders. Why is this? Many of the characteristics touted as those of great leaders are skills that are honed whilst being a follower—you can make a case for each quality I listed in the last paragraph! Additionally, the experience of simply being a follower gives great perspective once one becomes a leader; you can better understand the feelings of your team if you have been there, too. Without the foundation built by followership, the ability to properly lead suffers.

So, the next time you’re thinking about your positions of leadership as they relate to your career, I encourage you to think of your positions of followership, too. What skills have you gained along that journey? Where do they come in handy for your career and your life?

Of course, if you’d like to talk it through with us, we’re always here to help.

In followership, Amy

 Amy Smith, Associate Director of External Relations