With the Fall 2021 Virtual Career Fairs coming up, there’s still plenty of time to prepare to chat with top employers in many different industries! Whether that means figuring out what your Handshake profile still needs, brushing up on your video interview etiquette, or researching the employers you’re most interested in, the Career Center has you covered with helpful tips.
Start off by checking out the lists of employers who are attending the two-day virtual fair that we’ve taken the liberty of categorizing by Career Community. Not part of a Career Community yet? They’re super easy to join and you get access to lots of resources specific to your chosen industry—or industries!
Wednesday
Business Entrepreneurship & Consulting
BDO USA LLP
Associated Bank
Colgate-Palmolive
Northwestern Mutual
Morningstar Inc.
Interactive Brokers
Newell Brands
Northern Trust
First Midwest Bank
U.S. Bank
Target
City Year
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (U.S. Department of the Treasury)
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Peace Corps
Education, Nonprofit & Government
Health Care & Science
University of Chicago, Section of Hospitality Management
Rush University Medical Center
Dentsu
Shure Incorporated
Media, Communication, Arts & Entertainment
Technology & Design
Americaneagle.com
Bectran
DMC Inc.
CURO Financial Technologies
Perficient
Thursday
First Midwest Bank
CIBC
Ferrara Candy Company
Northwestern Mutual
MetLife
Marcum LLP
Mezars USA LLP
Jewel-Osco
Business Entrepreneurship & Consulting
Education, Nonprofit & Government
City Year
Illinois Tollway
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
University of Chicago, Section of Hospitality Management
Rush University Medical Center
Medline
Health Care & Science
Media, Communication, Arts & Entertainment
Dentsu
Americaneagle.com
AccuLynx
Bectran
iManage
Reveal Data
Technology & Design
Make sure check out this quick guide that will take you through all the steps you should take to prepare and don’t forget to register for both days (Wednesday & Thursday) of the virtual fair!
We are excited to share our Fall 2021 programming schedule below! These regularly scheduled virtual events and workshops will help you stay on top of your career goals, gain new skills, and navigate the ever-changing job market.
If you’re unable to attend these virtual events live, feel free to RSVP and we will send you a recording of the presentation and any relevant materials.
Join us as we take a deep dive with game designers and developers into their career paths, obstacles they faced in their journey to landing a job and tips for those just starting out!
Choosing to pursue a graduate degree (and which one) can be a challenging process! In this workshop, we’ll provide advice about how to choose a program, how to systematize the application process, and funding options, and other tips and tricks!
In this Alumni Master Class, we will share tips and tricks for navigating your career “post-pandemic.” We’ll discuss pivoting, upskilling, exploring new fields, moving your career forward, and finding meaning in your career.
In this workshop, we’ll discuss the benefits of online certificates, what kinds of skills are offered through these types of certifications, and we’ll introduce 5 FREE certificates that are in-demand across industries!
Interested in a career in criminal defense? Kathleen McGee has worked for the Lake County Public Defender’s Office for over twenty years, and she is excited to share her experience in roles ranging from capital defense, misdemeanor/felony criminal defense, and representing minor victims of abuse and neglect. She’ll talk about different public law-focused pathways, some of which do not require a JD!
In the “Post Pandemic Upskilling” Skills Lab, we’ll introduce you to bite-sized strategies for identifying in-demand skills in your industry and tips for how to both grow a skill and add it to your career portfolio!
Did you know that the global data visualization market was valued at USD 2.99 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 5.17 billion by 2026? In the “Data Visualization” Skills Lab, we’ll introduce you to several new tools for creating immediacy and impact using data!
Keep an eye out for additional fall events to be added soon!
In the newest HireDePaul Blog series, the Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) Program will be hosting interviews with alumni designed to bring DePaul students access to unique career advice and professional insight. In the first installment, we spoke with Margaret Batkiewicz (‘74) about her career and the importance of good communication in the workplace.
Margaret spent most of her career in global employee communications, creating internal messaging to keep employees informed and up-to-date. When asked about the importance of effective internal communications, Margaret told us that “a company that communicates well with its employees is going to do better, [improve] morale, and have less turnover.”
This messaging came in many forms, one of which being a regular newsletter sent out to an international audience of employees. With such a diverse audience, it was important that she communicated consciously, ensuring awareness of cultural and linguistic differences. By consulting with company leaders from the various geographic regions she was communicating with and sending out surveys to employees, she was able to successfully navigate this unique challenge throughout her career. With that, however, comes the joy of communicating globally.
“I met so many wonderful people and learned so much about their cultures,” Margaret said.
From there, Margaret went on to discuss communication as a whole and how it can make or break a company.
“Communication is essential to the success of a company,” she said, “whether it does business locally or globally.”
But what is good workplace communication? Good communication skills vary by industry, position, and workplace culture. However, there are some good practices that can be applied to any professional environment:
Tone and Volume
Be conscious of the tone and volume of your voice when communicating with colleagues. There is some truth to the old saying “it’s not what you say, but how you say it.” Pay attention to your tone, watching out for any unintentionally negative, unenthusiastic, or accusatory intonations. As you get more comfortable in a workplace, continue to practice respectful and sincere communication.
Be Concise and Definite
Avoid any superfluous information. Communicate with definition, avoiding language that may unnecessarily extend or worsen periods of uncertainty like “maybe” and “probably.” In some instances, informing your coworker that you are unsure of an answer is equally appropriate to providing that answer, as long as you come back to them with that answer once you have it.
Practice Good Listening Skills
Listen closely and attentively while showing interest in the topic and respecting the speaker. Ask questions to clarify information you may have missed. Paraphrase what you have heard and repeat it back to the speaker to ensure understanding.
Give and Receive Feedback
Be descriptive and clear, while avoiding judgmental language. Be open to receiving feedback without defensiveness, allowing for the other person to address all of their points before responding. Remember: address modifiable, not unchangeable behavior.
For more information on career readiness, make sure to explore the HireDePaul Blog. To connect with alumni like Margaret and practice your communication skills online, check out the DePaul ASK Network!
We know that not every student can afford to take an unpaid internship, which influenced our decision to establish the Internship Plus Program. This program awards up to $2,500 in financial assistance to students who have an unpaid internship opportunity and demonstrate financial need. Through this program, many students, like the ones below, have been able to gain important experience in their field of interest. Hear about it from them:
Monica interned at The Borgen Project
The Borgen Project is a nonprofit that specifically focuses on advocacy in the topics of Starvation/ Global Food Security; Newborn, Child and Mother Survival; Access to Clean Water and Sanitation; Food and Aid Reform; and COVID-19 Aid. My position as a Nonprofit Leadership Intern helped me to form skills in relation to fundraising, advocacy, community networking and mobilization, education, and issue messaging.
Without the Internship Plus Award I would not have been able to accept this position, and everything that I have learned in my three months has been so meaningful to me. My experiences with The Borgen Project have helped me to grow and participate in the DePaul Mission.
The Borgen Project sees that with the global power that the US holds, it is important to set an example through policy and legislation. I learned the importance of advocating for others and how to put the goal of ending global poverty into action. I used my voice to lobby with members of Congress and move toward my own personal and career goals of becoming involved in politics. This experience embodied the DePaul Mission because it allowed me to advocate for change.
Tyler interned at Chicago Public Schools
Holistically, this endeavour has been very transformative and informative for me. Not only did I learn more skills to add to my teaching belt, I learned more about myself and how I must move through this profession. As a continued learner and advocate for change, I must continue to place myself in positions that nudge growth and versatility. I reflect on how our ever-changing world is fluid, and I have to adjust my practice with the times to provide a relevant substance that elevates student experience and quality of education. Practicing as an educator means that we grow practical theories through experience, and these guide our practice. Through practice, we find strategies and techniques that best fit our situation and align with the values we echo to support youth.
By leading with love and kindness, I take pride in building harmonious relationships with youth centered on genuine understanding, trust, and authentic connections. These competencies have been foundational pillars through my experience at DePaul, my student teaching practice at Walter Payton High School and have served to advance their fight to create a more equitable and socially just school climate.
Katie interned at The Executives’ Club of Chicago
At The Executives’ Club of Chicago, I helped coordinate events for CEOs and COOs, Board Chairmen, and business leaders from all industries. The executives would sit down for each event and discuss social justice issues, corporate social responsibility, real estate development to lessen economic and racial inequality, and innovative trends. All of these events align with DePaul’s mission. I learned from leaders who take action to make the city, and the world better.
I applied for the Internship Plus award because I sacrificed my job to take on an unpaid internship. It was a difficult decision for me. I had to choose between a steady income and an amazing opportunity for my future. The award helped lessen the financial stress I was under, and I no longer saw the internship as a sacrifice. It became a blessing that I was grateful for.
For the past three years, I’ve wondered how I can do good for others. I’ve wondered what my purpose was and when I would figure it out at DePaul. From my internship, I considered the small ways I can make positive change in Chicago. It starts with listening to others, educating ourselves about inequalities, and being a part of uncomfortable conversations to grow as a society.
Komal interned with HARLEEN KAUR
Wanting to pursue a career in fashion marketing and management, I was able to get an amazing opportunity by being a PR, Marketing, and Social Media Intern for HARLEEN KAUR. From this internship, I was able to get a proper execution on working with a team and creating email campaigns. As this internship allowed me to get real-world experience, it truly helped me reach my personal goals of building my graphic skills and my creative brainstorming. By allowing myself to be out in a position with hard-working individuals who own a company, I was able to understand the pressure and dedication the team has brought and it allowed me to have the same passion as them.
This internship has allowed me to use the outstanding teachings given by my academic professors and incorporate them into my internship by continuously pushing myself to work hard and learn the true objectives of the amazing opportunity I have been given.
By working with my team and by getting one on one interactions with the CEO of HARLEEN KAUR, I was able to observe and develop a great number of skills, expanding my knowledge of the marketing industry. This helped me get closer to my goals of learning the true objectives of time management and allowed me to contribute to the team in unique ways.
Applications for the Fall Internship Plus program are now open. Apply on the Scholarship Connect by August 22, 2021!
We are excited to share our Summer 2021 programming schedule below! These regularly scheduled virtual events and workshops will help you stay on top of your career goals, gain new skills, and navigate the ever-changing job market.
Unveiling your life’s purpose is essential to living life to its fullest potential. In this highly engaged and interactive virtual workshop, you will be provided the tools to evolve your inner self while navigating the journey of living out your purpose.
Knowing how to successfully create a resume is the essential first step in your search. We encourage you to come join us to discuss the basics of resume development where we will share concrete strategies and resources to help best prepare you.
Whether you’ve already done a few or are eagerly anticipating your first one, we encourage you to come join us to discuss the basics of interviewing where we will share concrete strategies and resources to help best prepare you.
You’ve learned, led, and succeeded in college, and now you’ll have the opportunity to tell your story to employers at the BIG EAST Virtual Career Fair. This event, created exclusively for graduates who completed their degrees in 2020 and 2021 at a BIG EAST school, will connect you with organizations hiring now.
Join the DePaul Career Center as we talk through Professional Communication and what you need to succeed when you join the workforce. We will go over tips and tricks and must-know facts.
Join us for an interactive employer panel highlighting companies in the Healthcare and Science industry that also have opportunities in business. Learn about industry trends and skills needed to be successful. We will also discuss changes since the pandemic and initiatives supporting employee wellbeing.
Join us for an informal Q&A with recent DePaul alums to get answers and insight into your most burning post-grad questions and to connect with your fellow alums! They will be sharing insights into their own journeys after graduation, lessons learned, and helpful tips to set you up for post-college success.
This summer, the Career Center is introducing a job search group for first generation graduating seniors who are looking for to get their career started. The group will meet three times over the summer where you will learn search strategies to help you through the job search process. You will receive support, advice, individualized openings based on your specific interests, and valuable connections to alumni. Spaces are limited, so be sure to fill out the form to receive updates and grab a spot!
There are a variety of remote options to connect with our team for career guidance and insight. Drop-in with a peer career coach in Zoom, submit your resume or cover letter for an email review, or schedule an appointment with an advisor in Handshake.
Right now, the job market is the hottest it’s been in recent years as companies are hiring following the COVID-19 pandemic, but that also means the competition is fierce right now.
Because many 2020 graduates had to put off their job hunt while companies went through closures and lay-offs, there are even more of your peers applying for the same jobs you are right now. That means your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile need to be polished and stand out.
However, for the same reason, the competition is stiff in the current job market; the popularity of remote jobs and internships also opens up the ability for you to apply to opportunities across the country—and the world!
Be Open-minded
While job postings on Handshake are at a high, not all sectors are hiring equally. The top industries looking to hire new graduates were the pandemic’s big winners: tech, financial services, education, and professional services, according to Handshake data. It’s essential to be flexible in your job search at a time like this and think about what skills you could bring to a role as well as what skills you could gain, even if the job isn’t exactly your dream role.
Settling for what is available doesn’t have to be a bad thing either! While working in your not-dream-job, you can spend that time also taking classes and getting additional certifications, attending webinars and events, and upskilling.
Having classes, meetings, and hangouts over video chat platforms like Zoom has become commonplace in the past year, but it’s still important to treat virtual interviews the same way you would an in-person one. Make sure to dress professionally, prepare for any questions they may ask, know how to work the features of the platform being used for the interview, and that your setup is well-lit without any distractions in the background.
Some workplaces have also started requesting pre-recorded video interviews in which you answer a list of questions they have provided. Though this type of interview is not live, there is still not much time between receiving the questions and the deadline for sending the video, so it’s still important to prepare in advance.
You should also be ready to explain how you spent 2020, especially if your summer internship disappeared because of the pandemic and a gap in your resume. Did you do any freelance work? What about personal projects? Did you take any new classes in your free time? Did you volunteer anywhere? You can also highlight any new hobbies you picked up to show you’re willing to and capable of learning new things.
You may have skills you never even thought about that you can highlight, including soft skills!
And if you are still looking for ways to add to your resume, there are plenty of ways to gain experience outside of a traditional internship.
Be Authentic
While your network is a valuable resource in job hunting, it’s also a great space for building relationships with peers in your industry. Not every contact in your network will be in the position to give you a job when you need one, but it’s still essential to maintain and build relationships without expecting a transaction. Professionals in your industry — especially DePaul alumni — can give you helpful advice and share their experiences.
Consider setting up an informational interview with someone in your field or bringing up the possibility of job shadowing at a company you’re interested in or with someone whose role is appealing to you. Check out the ASK Network to connect with alumni.
And don’t forget to give back when you can and open yourself up to meeting with students as a professional in your field, or pass on opportunities you come across to your peers if it’s not something right for you!
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