Leslie Fox Career Services Consultant College of Engineering

 The American Marketing Association (AMA) defines a brand as a "name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them” intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers.  Branding is not about getting your target market to choose you over the competition, but it is about getting your prospects to see you as the only one that provides a solution to their problem.

 Employers choose “you” based on:  Appearance/Body Language  Introduction – Your “Commercial”  Resume/Cover Letter  Interviews  References/Recommendations  And ultimately… - Your “unique” selling points and how you and your skills match the needs of the company – Why you are the best and only “fit” for them

 Take a moment and write down your top 3 selling points (unique/strong skills)  Examples?  How about these?  Co-Op/Internship  High GPA – 3.25 or higher  Campus/Community Organization Leader  Athlete  Fluency in 2 nd Language  Specialization/Concentration Area  Honors/Awards  Graduate Degree

 Start Early  Make yourself known to faculty  In class  In student groups  Network  Informational Interviews  Mentors  Professional/Student Associations

 Work with Career Services and the Office of Professional Practice  HIRE-A-VOL  s  Make appointments  Attend events and network – ask questions  Job Fairs  Workshops/Presentations  Information Sessions  Student Group Presentations  EF 301

 Get Experience  Co-Op/Intern  Summer Job  Student Projects  Student Group Opportunities Engineering related Leadership Community involvement

 Learn what the company wants (research, job descriptions, websites, employees) and tell them why you’ve got it!  Key Skills – Technical or Soft Skills GPA – Honors Leadership Teamwork Communication Looking for challenges Problem solver Team player THEN SHOW THEM WITH EXAMPLES FROM YOUR “BRAND”!

 Research Careers and Majors  “What Can I Do With This Major?”  Career Assessments  Exploring Majors and Careers  First Year Studies  Career Counselor Appointments

 Career Resource Center  Website –  Workshops/Events  Part-Time employment listings  Disability Careers Office  Mock/Perfect Interviews  Peer Mentors  Resume Critiques  Walk In Hours (Mon-Thurs, 3 – 5 pm)  Overnight - Mailbox  HIRE-A-VOL  EF 301  Personalized Appointments  Resume/Cover Letter  Interviews  Salaries  And more

 Average Starting Salary – BS  CE - $59,576  CS - $60,416  EE - $56,910 - National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Summer 2008 Salary Survey  According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual earnings of computer and information scientists were $93,950 in the most recent data.Bureau of Labor Statistics  According the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for computer engineers is $88,470.  According the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for electrical engineers is $75, The Sloan Career Cornerstone Center

 Fall & Spring Job Fairs  Fall Job Fair – Sept 16 th, Thompson- Boling, 10 am – 3 pm  On-Campus Recruiting  Information Sessions  Summer Job & Intern Fair  Career Workshops  Career Cookout – Sept 3 rd, Dunford Hall, 11 am-2 pm  Kick Off To Career Success for Engineers – Sept 4 th – all day events  Graduate School for Engineers – Sept 30 th, UC Auditorium, 6 – 7:30 pm  Engineering Major and Student Information Fair – Oct 7 th, Estabrook, 8 am – 5 pm  Dining Etiquette Event for Engineers – Jan 2009

 Start Early  Freshman/Sophomore  Resume ready by Sept 1 st of Senior year  Use Resources  Faculty  Career Services  Mentors/Network  Know Yourself – Unique Skills  Flaunt it if you’ve got it!  Know the company/job  You are their “shining star!”  Practice  Success stories  Use resources  It’s all about YOU!

Leslie Fox Career Services Consultant – Engineering 100 Dunford Hall