Gonzaga University Career Center Blog

Tomorrow, registration will begin for the 2010 Portland and Seattle Treks.   Many students have been e-mailing for the full list of events for both Portland and Seattle, and here you go!

The link to register is: https://gonzaga-csm.symplicity.com/events/TREKS2010.

Which will be made live tomorrow at noon.  Excursion spots are first come, first served.  Questions?  Don’t hesitate to contact the GAMP office at: gamp@gonzaga.edu.

Gonzaga University Portland Trek 2010

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Corporate Excursions: 9:30 AM-2:30 PM

Four separate excursions to eight different corporate headquarters will allow students to gain an inside perspective of these dynamic companies:

• Nike
• Columbia Sportswear
• Daimler
• adidas
• Hewlett-Packard
• The Regence Group
• Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
• The Portland Trail Blazers

Career Fair: 3:00 PM-5:00 PM

Representatives from over 25 area employers will be on hand to discuss available opportunities and career development tools.  This event will take place at the Broadway of the Doubletree at Lloyd Center.

The Networking Social with Keynote Address: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM

Students, alumni, and area employers are invited to join us for a hosted social at the Doubletree Hotel, Pacific Northwest Ballroom.  Kent Lewis, President of Anvil Media, Inc. will deliver the keynote address.

Gonzaga University Seattle Trek 2010

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Business and Networking Luncheon 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

This Trek kickoff event and quarterly meeting for the Gonzaga Business Forum will feature keynote speaker, Andy Schneider, a 1987 Gonzaga Alumnus and Senior Vice President, People and Customer Services, Horizon Air.

Corporate Excursions 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Eight separate excursions to twelve different corporate headquarters will allow students to gain an inside perspective of these dynamic companies:

• Microsoft
• Amazon.com
• Nordstrom
• Expeditors
• Starbucks
• PACCAR
• Redhook
• Xversity
• Boeing
• Accenture
• EMP
• Turner Construction

The Networking Social with Keynote Address 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Students, alumni, and area employers are invited to join us for a hosted keynote social at F.X. McRory’s, 419 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Women in Leadership Symposium 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

This forum will bring the women attending the Gonzaga University Trek together with some of the Puget Sound area’s most successful and influential female leaders.

Career Fair 11:00 AM  – 12:00 PM

Representatives from over 35 area employers will be on hand to discuss available opportunities and career development tools.

Tags: Career Center, Career Development, Events, GAMP, Networking, Portland, Seattle, Success in Economy, Trek

It can only take a few minutes for two people to click. During speed dating, prospective partners hop from one table to another hoping to find that spark. Yes, it’s terrifying, nerve-racking, and more than a little exciting. What can be even more emotional is not sitting across from a potential first date, but across from someone that will critique your experience, evaluate your character, and decide whether are not you are right for their company. No need to prematurely wave a white flag.

Come to the Career Center’s Speed Mock Interviews tonight at 7pm and get some practice sitting and talking with someone that could change your career as opposed to your lonely Saturday nights.

Make sure to RSVP at careercenter@gonzaga.edu or stop by 2^nd Floor of Crosby!

Tags: Career Center Service, Career Development, Career Week, Event, Interviewing, Speed Mock Interviews, Success in Economy

Avoiding raindrops here in Seattle, I am continuing to meet with potential excursion hosts for the 2010 Seattle Trek.  Although  the title of this blog post may lead you to believe that I am referring to the NFL team in town,  think again. We have just secured an excursion with Turner Construction, who built the beautiful athletic complex.

This tour will be paired with PACCAR, which will lend well to the overall theme of Engineering.  Turner Construction would specifically like to meet Civil Engineering majors.  So, for all those engineering students make sure to mark your calendars and plan to register for the PACCAR/Turner Excursion!  Registration begins this Friday, with link to be announced on Thursday.

Note: Corporate excursions are  made available exclusively for Gonzaga students (both undergraduate and graduate levels).  Alumni and friends of the university are encouraged to attend the networking social as well as the Career Fair.  More information to come.

Tags: Career Center Service, Career Development, Engineering, Job Search, Networking, Seattle, Success in Economy, Trek

I have the pleasure of traveling to Seattle today and tomorrow to iron out the details of the 2010 Seattle Trek.  In the midst of rain boots and umbrellas, I am happy to  announce a NEW participant for this year’s Trek. 

Drum roll please….

The one, the only Starbucks.  The pairing with Starbucks is yet to be determined (hopefully while I am here in Seattle!).  Starbucks inviting students of all majors and years to participate in their excursion.    The excursion will include a corporate tour along with Q & A from fellow Zags. 

Space is limited, so make sure to plan on registering this Friday, November 13th to secure your space.  We will be announcing the registration link on Thursday, Nov. 12th, but it will not be live until noon on Friday!

Note: Corporate excursions are  made available exclusively for Gonzaga students (both undergraduate and graduate levels).  Alumni and friends of the university are encouraged to attend the networking social as well as the Career Fair.  More information to come.

Tags: Career Development, Career Fair, Excursions, GAMP, Networking, Seattle, Success in Economy, Trek

Next week employers will be flooding our campus! This is your chance to get a jumpstart! Look forward to the Speed Mock Interviews and the Business & Liberal Arts Career Fair! Never been to a Career Fair? Check out How to Rock a Career Fair!

Thursday, November 5

Interview prep workshop: 4pm in the Road to Bali

Monday, November 9

Resume/ Cover Letter Workshop &How to Rock a Career Fair: 7pm in the Road to Bali

Tuesday, November 10

Drop-In Tuesday: Noon in the Career Center

Networking Workshop: 4pm in the Road to Bali

Wednesday, November 11

Resume/ Cover Letter Workshop & How to Rock a Career Fair: Noon in the Road to Bali

Speed Mock Interviews:7pm Lower Crosby

Limited opportunities sign up now! RSVP Careercenter@gonzaga.edu

Thursday, November 12

Business & Liberal Arts Career Fair:  1 to 5pm Jepson Center

Let the Career Center & Employers know you are coming! RSVP at Zagtrax.net.

Tags: Business Administration, Career Center Service, Career Development, Career Fair, College of Arts and Science, How to Work a Career Fair, internship, Job Search, Networking, Resume, Success in Economy

I love fall.   It is by far my favorite season of all four.  The is something magical about way the world seems to transform  almost overnight.  I cannot think of better things in the world than awakening on a chilly October morning, before the light fog has risen.   With coffee in hand, the world seems to be full of sheer opportunity and possibilities.  The vivid colors of the changing leaves with crispness in the air is a pairing that cannot be matched any other time of the year.   Campus truly seems to come alive as the trees are reminiscent of a 3-year old’s coloring experiment.

Each tree seems to have a different story to tell or a different point of view towards this magical transformation.

Just like how each tree expresses fall differently, so should your approach be in regards to writing your resume. Throw out the idea of using a template and create a document that is a reflection of your personal story and point of view.

Answer the questions: Who are you?  How do you stand out from the crowd?  What is your point of view?

Although daunting, the process of self-discovery will allow for you to gain advantage in both the job and internship hunt on your horizon.

If your resume isn’t reflecting the story you’d like to tell as vividly as possible, come see us here in the Career Center.  Our staff can coach you to develop your resume to perfection.  No resume started?  No problem, we can coach you from start to finish.
To make an appointment, e-mail us at careercenter@gonzaga.edu  or swing by the 2nd Floor of Crosby.   Also, feel free to join us for drop in hours…every Tuesday from 12-1 pm where we have staff on hand to answer any and all career development questions!

Tags: Advice, Career Center Service, Career Development, Drop-In Hour, Resume, Stand out in the Crowd, Success in Economy

Are you curious about your on-line presence with social media? Do you have questionable information (and photos)  “up for grabs” when it comes to Facebook, MySpace or other social media? Would you want potential employers seeing this side of you?
If “Google-ing” yourself makes you slightly nervous, join us for the Career Center’s

Social Media: Friend or Foe Seminar

Wednesday October 28th at 7 pm

Road to Bali, 2nd Floor Crosby

This seminar is presented by Belinda Bobko & Cassandra Marrs.

Tags: Career Development, Facebook, Linkedin, MySpace, Networking, Seminar, Social Media, Social Media Advice, Success in Economy, Tech Savvy, Workshop

Head to Cataldo from 10 – 2pm today and check out the Engineering and Computer Science Expo! Mmmmmmm,

employment opportunities are oh so sweet.

If you still need some last minute coaching before the Expo, come visit us in the Career Center.  We will be on call if you need us!

Tags: Career Center, Career Development, Career Fair, Computer Science, internship, Job Search, Networking, Success in Economy

Going to tomorrow’s Career Fair could be a first meeting with a future employer and you have to treat it that way! Just as you wouldn’t sit down to an interview chewing a fresh piece of Big Red, there are some big taboos that must be avoided!

Here are a few of our personal favorite:

• Wearing your backpack: Pulling your resume out of your Jansport that’s been crushed between your planner and math book is not acceptable! Drop it off in the coatroom, please.
• Don’t come a few minutes before the Fair ends because some employers may have to leave early.
• Don’t bring the whole floor of your dorm with you. The employers want to meet you, not your whole entourage.
• Don’t walk up to a booth and as “So what do you guys do?” Do your homework and know about the employers you are interested in.

Going in with a professional mindset will definitely equip you to present employers with your best non-flip flopped foot forward.

Written by: Courtney Jacobsen, Class of 2011

Tags: Career Center Service, Career Development, Career Expo, Career Fair, Computer Science, Engineering, Event, internship, Job Search, Success in Economy, What not to do at Career Fair

A Career Fair can be a little overwhelming, but as long as you know a few key skills and bring the pertinent supplies (i.e. copies of your resume, a smile, and a firm handshake) you’ll look like a seasoned veteran to the game.

Working a Career Fair centers around what you say to each company’s representatives. Developing a small speech to start out with will open a conversation door. Now, no index cards are needed because you’re going to be talking about one of your favorite subjects: yourself!

It’s a simple combination of name, class standing, major, opportunities you are seeking, relevant experience, highlights of skills and strengths, and knowledge of the company.

See? That won’t be too painful. Then just be ready to ask the representative questions about their company or any job openings they have. The most important thing to do is practice talking about you. I’m sure that your roommate would love to know about what career venues interest you.

Written by: Courtney Jacobsen, Class of 2011

Tags: Career Center Service, Career Development, Career Fair, Computer Science, Engineering, Event, internship, Job Search, Success in Economy