UO Career Center

Interview with Shannon Deegan, Director of People Operations at Google

Ayn-Marie Hailicka — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:08:37 +0000

After attending the Society of Human Resource Management National Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, Joshua Fredenburg (a national speaker, author and leadership expert) had the opportunity to interview one of the event's speakers: Shannon Deegan, the Director of People Operations at Google. Deegan agreed to answer a few questions about student hiring, which are applicable to recent graduates, as well. Here's what he had to say:

As a leader within Google, what are the top five leadership qualities that you search for in potential student leaders?

We look for a diverse range of qualities in our student candidates, so this is definitely not a hard and fast list, but if I was to name five leadership qualities we look for, I would pick:

Demonstrated leadership and setting/achieving big goals
A keen sense of when to lead and when to follow
Integrity
Success dealing with adversity and challenges
Diverse skill sets and breadth of knowledge

What are the greatest words of wisdom you have ever received in your career about leadership?

When I first started out, the greatest words of wisdom I received were "always act with integrity, never sacrifice your values and be true to who you are as a person." One of the best things about working at Google is that I get to be the same person at work as I am at home. People are happiest in their careers when they can be their true selves and they are doing the right thing. Find companies and roles that do that for you, and feel comfortable pushing back if something ever goes against your core values.

If a student desires to become a future executive one day after graduation, what leadership qualities should they focus their efforts on right now?

Being well-rounded is one of the best things you can do to become a better leader. Try as many things as you can to find out what you love to do, build up a diverse skillset, make new connections and step outside of your comfort zone. As you diversify your resume, you'll also learn to work well with many different types of people and communication styles.

It's also essential to understand how your company and industry work. Don't get siloed in your role. For example, if you work in Sales at Google, you should know how the engineering behind the advertising works, how our products work, and understand our overall business goals. Having this breadth of knowledge makes you a more valuable and versatile contributor and a better future leader.

What leader has had the greatest impact on your life? Please tell me why this leader had such a great impact on your life?

First and foremost, I had amazing parents and family. Outside the home, my hockey coaches were the primary leaders in my life. One college coach in particular pushed me to stretch myself on and off the ice. He expected us to be students first and athletes second, and encouraged us to meet people outside the team to make strong connections across campus. These ties have have been invaluable personally and professionally, and his support helped me start a diverse and fulfilling career path.

How do you see leadership changing in the next 10-15 years?

I think we're already seeing a shift in how people view and experience the workplace. It wasn't long ago that people had totally separate work personalities and personal lives. I see that going away -- more and more, people want to be themselves all the time. We want to work with people we like and respect. The next generation of leaders will need to be better at bringing their true selves into the workplace and earning the respect of their teams. Leadership will be more about relationships, influence and trust and less about telling people what to do. I also think that leaders will have more responsibility to make sure their teams are happy and have the tools they need to be successful.

As a leader in your area of expertise, what has been the greatest leadership challenge that you have been required to overcome in order to succeed in your profession?

My greatest challenge was becoming a Human Resources leader at Google with no previous HR background. I wanted to build trust and bring value to my team quickly, so I had to learn fast. As much as I wanted to lead, I found the best way to get up to speed was to be comfortable relying on them as the experts. It actually helped us form strong bonds and enabled them to make important decisions.

What final word of advice do you have for graduating students who desire to enter your area of expertise?

Don't worry if you're not sure what career you want yet. This is the perfect opportunity for you to learn new things and build up a diverse skill set. Go after the things that interest you right now. Keep exploring, learning and growing as much as you can. I see a lot of young people put too much pressure on themselves -- your first job may not be your dream role, but it will open up other doors. You shouldn't sweat where to work right after college. It is the first step on a long road, you'll have lots of additional opportunities and decisions as you go!

University of Oregon Ranks No. 10 on 2012 Peace Corps Top Colleges List

Alyson Stanton — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:41:28 +0000

**UO Moves Up Nine Spots from Last Year**

The University of Oregon (UO) is No. 10 on the 2012 Peace Corps Top Colleges rankings in the large school category with 79 undergraduate alumni serving overseas.

UO jumped nine spots from last year and has always placed in the top 20 since the Peace Corps started the Top Colleges rankings in 2003. Historically, 1,105 Ducks have served as Peace Corps volunteers.

“Colleges and universities prepare thousands of talented undergraduate and graduate alumni for Peace Corps service every year,” said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams, Dominican Republic ‘67-‘70. “These alumni go on to serve as Peace Corps volunteers, applying the skills and knowledge they acquired during their studies to promote world peace and friendship and improve the lives of people around the world. Every day, volunteers make countless contributions to projects in agriculture, education, the environment, health and HIV/AIDS education and prevention, small business development, and youth development. I would like to extend my gratitude to all colleges and universities for their continued support of the Peace Corps and public service.”

UO alumnus Matthew Kolb is serving as a community environmental management volunteer in Peru. “I am currently working with an eco-club at the primary school that I started in the town where I live,” Kolb said. “The eco-club focuses on trash management and reforestation, among other things. The teacher of the class and I try to plan environmentally themed projects each month.”

The entire top 25 rankings for each school size category – plus all-time and graduate school rankings – can be found on the Peace Corps website. Other schools in the Northwest that placed on the 2012 Peace Corps Top Colleges rankings include the following:

Large Colleges and Universities in the Northwest:

No. 2 University of Washington

No. 10 University of Oregon

Medium Colleges and Universities in the Northwest:

No 2. Western Washington University

No. 14 University of Montana

No. 16 Montana State University, Bozeman

Small Colleges and Universities in the Northwest:

No. 2 Gonzaga University

No. 5 University of Pugent Sound

Lewis & Clark College

No. 8 Seattle University

No. 10 Evergreen State College

No. 15 Whitman College

No 20 Wilamette University

The following are the top five colleges and universities in each undergraduate category and the number of undergraduate alumni currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers:

Large Colleges and Universities:

1. University of Colorado at Boulder 112

2. University of Washington 110

3. University of Wisconsin- Madison 107

4. University of Florida 101

5. University of Michigan 97

Medium Colleges and Universities:

1. The George Washington University 78

2. Western Washington University 73

3. American University 63

4. Cornell University 58

5. The University of Vermont 42

Small Colleges and Universities:

1. University of Mary Washington 29

2. Gonzaga University 26

3. Oberlin College and Conservatory 24

St. Olaf College 24

5. University of Pugent Sound 22

The Johns Hopkins University 22

Lewis and Clark College 22

The Peace Corps ranks its top volunteer-producing schools annually according to the size of the student body. Small schools have less than 5,000 undergraduates, medium-sized schools have between 5,001 and 15,000 undergraduates, and large schools have more than 15,000 undergraduates. The rankings are calculated based on fiscal year 2011 data as of September 30, 2011 as self-reported by Peace Corps volunteers.

The Peace Corps’ nine regional recruiting offices across the United States work to recruit and provide information and guidance to prospective volunteers. Applicants are encouraged to apply for Peace Corps service one year in advance of their targeted departure date. Americans with backgrounds in agriculture, environment, teaching English as a second language, and other technical or language skills related to Peace Corps assignment areas are encouraged to apply. For more information about volunteering with the Peace Corps, visit www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer.

About the Peace Corps:

Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 200,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 9,095 volunteers are working with local communities in 75 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency’s mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.

Press Release from:

Melanie Forthun

Public Affairs, Peace Corps Northwest Region

Is That Company Right for Me??

Alyson Stanton — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:10:11 +0000

Thoughts on How to Pick the Right Company to Work For

-by Progressive College Program Specialist, Alex Steele

Throughout my junior and senior high school years, I dedicated an extensive amount of time into researching what I wanted in a university. Knowing that I would ultimately be committing the next four years of my life to a college meant I had to decide on a school that would not only provide me the appropriate discipline knowledge for my career aspirations, but also one that would offer the best ‘fit’ for my makeup. I actually visited over a dozen universities that were matches on paper before finding the school that felt right for me and my personality.

Similarly, as you are approaching graduation at the University of Oregon, you have the daunting task of identifying which companies to pursue employment with. In doing so, I just want to point out that while I am in no way diminishing the importance of the traditional factors you may research, such as industry, job duty, location and size, I am simply saying that it shouldn’t be the only thing you explore. As a recruiter for a Fortune 500 company, I look for candidates that emphasize how the culture of a company is just as important to them as their daily duties. In fact, this can ultimately play a role in whether or not you are hired for a position you apply to, as most employers value ‘motivation’ and ‘company fit’ just as much as they do ‘ability to perform the duties of the job’.

They say that nobody goes to school to be a Claims Adjuster. This was exactly the case for me. I was an economics major that played college baseball and didn’t really know what I wanted to do when I graduated. I have compiled a short list of some of the things beyond daily tasks that make Progressive, yes, insurance, a great match for me and may be a great match for you as well.

Training & Tuition Assistance – Without having any previous experience with claims, here I was provided all of the necessary tools to excel in my role. Whether it be via internal training through our Blackboard system, taking classes at a local university or traveling to one of our corporate facilities, I consistently gained knowledge to grow in the field. Additionally, the Individual Development Process (IDP) allows employees to play a key role in their own career direction by working with their manager on their aspirations. Ultimately, this allowed me the mobility I desired and has resulted in my 5^th position.

Social Networking – Many employers are resistant to allowing access to social media at work. Progressive on the other hand has embraced it. Facebook is often a site which we direct employees to via our intranet and has become a great way to network with coworkers – both in your immediate office and remotely. Take time to follow ‘Flo’ or ‘The Messenger’ to see what they have to say as well.

Employee Feedback – One of the most challenging things a new graduate can face coming out of college is working in an environment that seems inefficient or slow to adapt to incorporate new ideas. At Progressive I participate in annual OE and WE surveys where my input is actually heard and acted upon. I always feel like I have a voice in the company’s direction.

Healthy U – Being a former professional athlete, I place a lot of emphasis on maintaining a fit lifestyle. Fortunately, my employer has the same philosophy and feels that happy, healthy, employees are the most productive. Not only do most of our large locations have on-site workout facilities, but through our Healthy U program, you have access to information about diet, exercise and weight loss. There are even significant reimbursement plans for gym memberships and benefits for smoking cessation.

Social Culture & Diversity – The most productive groups are those that not only work together, but play together. Progressive makes sure to allocate funds for branch locations to organize outings and holiday parties. We also frequently arrange after work social gatherings which allows us to get to know our peers better in a different setting. As Diversity and Inclusion also plays a major role in the success of our business, we have also established Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). These groups are support systems are open to all Progressive employees and allow individuals with similar race, culture or sexual identification to connect. At Progressive you are celebrated for the person you are, the ideas you bring, and the energy you invest. Your diverse background helps Progressive succeed, and we want you to realize your full potential through continuous training, leadership development, and an open door of communication.

It truly is the small things with an employer that can make all the difference. Ranging from what kind of 401k matching program an employer may have all the way down to whether or not you will be using a PC versus a laptop to what is acceptable to wear to work each day…you need to decide what is important for ‘you’. Be sure to keep an eye out for things like this, or others that match your life-style the next time you research a company or interview with an employer. Enjoy your remaining time at the University of Oregon and best of luck with your employment search!

Progressive is currently recruiting for Claims Adjustor Trainees, UO-JobLink # 723163, Deadline to apply is February 17, 2012

Alex Steele

College Program Specialist

Progressive Insurance

http://bit.ly/ProgressiveCollegeCareers

Progressive Insurance is a UO Career Center PLATNUM Partner. The Career Center's Partner Program helps to connect students with the employers who are committed to hiring UO students.

Alumni Perspective: Moving Up the Ranks

Ayn-Marie Hailicka — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:20:25 +0000

When I last spoke with Jonah Schrogin ’07 (Magazine Journalism), he was beginning an internship with Rolling Stone Magazine. Now, eight months later, he has also added experience with Maxim Magazine

and Latina Magazine to his resume. He credits his journey to informational interviews, which have opened doors to many opportunities he wouldn’t have otherwise had. Picking up where we left off, here’s the next chapter of his story:

Jonah grabbed his bags and headed for New York in May of 2011 to begin his design internship with Rolling Stone. During the course of the internship, he worked on design projects, including the development of the 100 Greatest Artists iPad app. Toward the end of the program, he had earned enough trust to begin designing pages each week. However, when the internship ended in August, no open positions were available.

Knowing that internships do not guarantee employment, Jonah had already begun preparing for his job search post, Rolling Stone back in spring of 2011. By reaching out to professionals in his network, he was able to set up several informational interviews to ask for advice, perspective and contacts.

One contact introduced Jonah to an exclusive listserv that informed qualified photographers and designers of magazine openings that aren’t available to the general public. Based on his skills and experience, he was added to the select list of recipients and began perusing the listings even before his internship ended.

One posting that caught Jonah’s eye was for a production freelancer at Maxim. Before his internship ended, he interviewed for the position and was hired soon after. The job allowed him to work among different departments, but wasn’t directly related to his interest in design work.

To fill the void, he continued checking the exclusive listserv postings. A design position with Latina Magazine opened up, and he was quick to apply. After being interviewed, he was hired part-time with the magazine. He now spends two weeks of the month working for Latina, and another week and a half at Maxim.

During his downtime, he continues to arrange informational interviews. Beyond asking for advice, perspective and contacts, he says he always makes sure to ask, “What can I do for YOU?” and “Can I keep you updated on my progress?” He believes this is a good way to set him apart from others and keep his name in people’s mind, even after he has left the interview.

Jonah also recommends individuals keep a system of organization that details each informational interview. Take note of names, dates, contact information, what was discussed and people to whom you were referred for future reference. “Also, don’t ever forget to send a hand-written note or personalized email!” he advised.

Although grateful to be where he is now, he would eventually like to end up at Sports Illustrated, GQ or Esquire.

Thanks and good luck getting there, Jonah!

If you would like assistance preparing for informational interviews, or for other career advice, give us a call today at 503.412.3701 or email us at careerpdx@uoregon.edu to schedule an appointment.

Photo credit: Melinda Cooperman

You're Hired! Marketing and Promotions Intern at the UO Athletic Department

Alyson Stanton — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:51:28 +0000

"You're Hired!" is a new series celebrating the job search successes of fellow UO students. Each week the Career Center will feature a story detailing one student's path to employment.

NAME: Abby Carrier

MAJOR: Business Administration - Sports Business & Markerting

COMPANY: University of Oregon Athletic Department
POSITION: Marketing and Promotions Intern
LOCATION: Eugene, OR

What attracted you to the position?

I was attracted to this position because I felt like it was the perfect way to match what I was learning in the classroom with my future career objectives. The Marketing and Promotions Department does marketing, public relations, promotions, and manages the in-game fan experience for all of the Oregon NCAA Division I sports. This gives me the opportunity to work with a broad array of sports and to explore different areas that I might be interested in focusing on post-graduation. I love that I get real-world experience where I am constantly learning how to be innovate, solve problems on the go, and work in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.

How did you find the position?

I found this position via an internship posting through the Warsaw Sports Business Club. As I did more research to find out more about this internship, I also found it on the UO Joblink website. The posting sounded like a great match, so I submitted my resume and the application questions, interviewed, and was lucky enough to get the internship!

What advice would you offer your peers who are still looking for employment?

Take advantage of the many resources available to you as a student! Visit career services, perfect your resume, and talk to professors who have expertise in your area of interest. Also, if you find an area that you are interested in, intern to gain experience and break into the industry.

Is there anything specific that the UO Career Center helped you with?

I visited the LCB Career Center numerous times to get help perfecting my resume and cover letters. I try to visit the LCB Career Center every term to update my resume, and get advice on my current internship or job search. Career Services is a very valuable resource!

Ten Tips for Finding a Great Internship

Mika Farrington — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:42:21 +0000

The Career Center is a great resource for you in your search for the ideal internship. Mark your calendar for our upcoming Internship, Summer Job & Volunteer Fair on February 1, 2012 in the EMU Concourse where we will be hosting over 60 organizations and employers seeking interns, employees and volunteers for available opportunities. Read on for our ten tips for finding a great internship!

Decide what you want from an internship.
This will help narrow your search. What skills do you want to gain? What business/technical skills, industry/field knowledge, and practical experience do you hope to gain?
Prepare or update your resume.
The Career Center offers walk-in advising for resume review. If you don’t have a resume, take a look at our online resume builder through UO-JobLink.
What type of organization are you interested in?
Organizations come in all sizes and shapes, from Fortune 500 companies to not-for-profit organizations. Things to consider include size, ownership, corporate culture, etc.
What industry would best suit your needs?
Even when you know exactly what you want to do, you can still be uncertain about the type of industry that is a good fit for you. For example, if sales comes naturally to you, opportunities are available in most industries, but pharmaceutical sales is quite different from selling insurance.
Will you consider both paid and nonpaid internships?
It would be great if all internships paid, but a large number do not - especially in certain industries. So, you need to decide whether you can afford to not get paid during your internship. One more thing: while it is not always the case, paid internships tend to be more professional because the employer wants to get its money’s worth from you.
Do you want college credit for the internship?
Many academic programs require an internship as part of the course of study. Check with your academic program as a possible credit source and to see if there is an established list of employers and internships available to you. The Career Development Internship Program (CDIP) administered through the Career Center is another source of credit. Make an appointment with one of our career counselors to find out more about this program or visit our the CDIP website.
Identify a network of contacts and ask for internship suggestions.
Who do you know that might know something about the internships in which you are interested? These people will form your network. Bring up your internship search in conversations with friends, relatives and co-workers. You never know who will have a contact somewhere. Visit with a career counselor at the Career Center for additional resources.
Go online to search and follow-up on any leads you’ve been given.
There are good online websites that list only internships. The Career Center offers access to Internships.com through your UO-JobLink account.
Choose your top ten internships and create separate folders for each.
The toughest part of a job or internship search can be keeping track of the details and limiting your search. Creating a system to track what you are doing (cover letters, resumes prepared, and conversations with potential employers) will help manage the process.
Attend the Internship, Summer Job & Volunteer Fair this Wednesday! Employers will be there because they want to hire and connect with UO students. Come prepared, confident, and ready to impress!

Putting a suit on your Twitter and LinkedIn profiles

Ayn-Marie Hailicka — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:41:46 +0000

Personally, I consider myself pretty tech-savvy. I try to familiarize myself with the purpose, perks and pitfalls of social media and content sharing sites. Of the myriad accounts I own, I’m confident in saying Twitter and LinkedIn are two of the most powerful ones for job seekers. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Facebook account, but the site is becoming more personal and less professional. Companies that are seeking employees are recognizing this trend, too. Recruiters are now taking up residency on “the dynamic duo,” better known as Twitter and LinkedIn. Here’s how you can snag their attention:

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a more professional version of Facebook, so the content shared on this site will be different than what you share with your friends and family. This is a chance for you to share your portfolio of accomplishments and skills online.

Once you’ve filled out your profile completely, consider giving your profile some muscle by joining groups that interest you. Industry-specific groups allow you to connect with like-minded professionals and keep up on industry happenings. If you find someone that interests you, you can ask for a recommendation from a mutual connection. This could be the first step toward an informational interview.

In the same way you would ask for a letter of recommendation after completing a job, asking for LinkedIn recommendations will also give your profile more weight. If you’ve worked closely with an employer or colleague, ask them to recommend you on LinkedIn. Recruiters are looking at your profile as a resume, and letters of recommendation are a necessary component.

As I mentioned before, the content shared on LinkedIn looks a lot different than what’s found on Facebook. Rather than sharing how crazy of a weekend you had, consider sharing interesting articles that reveal your professional interests. These can be a great way to spark conversations with others and learn more about different topics.

Twitter

As Twitter continues to grow, so does its purpose. Unlike LinkedIn, Twitter is a combination of personal and professional. The first step to setting yourself apart from all the serial tweeters is to upload a professional-looking background and picture. Next, write an interesting biography that will grab a reader’s attention. Here’s your chance to give a mini elevator pitch and link to your LinkedIn profile. That way, if you’ve piqued someone’s interest, they can learn more about you by visiting your online resume.

A great question is, “who should I follow?” Well, the possibilities are endless. Obviously, you can start with “who to follow.” Then search for companies and individuals who are influential. Once you’ve begun seeing who’s out there, visit specific profiles and click on “lists.” Many tweeters categorize who they follow into lists that are gold mines for great content, such as job postings, career events and job seeking advice.

Once your profile is complete, it’s time to consider what you want to tweet about. Make those 140 characters count. No one wants to hear about the sandwich you’re about to eat, the one you’re currently chewing, or the one you just swallowed. However, tweeting content about industry news, events and advice shows recruiters you’re using the site in a valuable way that benefits others, not just yourself.

Now, start connecting and get to tweeting!

Photo: courtesy of Nan Palmero, http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanpalmero/4278432941/

Opportunities to Work or Intern for Disney

Alyson Stanton — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:25:51 +0000

Do you love Marvel characters and comic books? Have you always dreamed of working for a big television station such as ESPN or ABC? Do you have more movies than most of your friends? Have you ever considered working or interning for Disney?

Disney hosts over 10,000 interns a year in California, Florida and New York. There are over eight different career areas to explore in this one Fortune 100 Company such as broadcast/media, corporate, creative, entertainment, operations/travel, sales/marketing, and technology/digital.

There is something for everyone – whether you’re a recent graduate or just starting college. Take a look at the different opportunities just waiting for you.

The Disney College Program:

This is a paid internship where students can earn college credit, participate in seminar series and take online classes.
Students build customer service experience, and meet fellow cast members from all over the world.
All academic levels and majors are welcome – especially a great launch for freshmen and sophomores.

Disney Professional Internships:

This paid internship is typically for juniors, seniors and recent graduates.
Year round internships are available at Media Networks such as ABC, ESPN and Disney and Studio Entertainment locations such as Pixar, Marvel and Walt Disney Studios.
Professionals can also intern at Consumer Product locations, Park and Resorts, Imagineering and Interactive Media Locations.

Currently, all domestic opportunities are posted online here.
International opportunities will be added by September.

Come on in to the Career Center and talk with a counselor about all these opportunities.

Photo on flickr from Vlad and Marina Butsky.

Preparing for the 2012 Internship, Summer Job & Volunteer Fair

Mika Farrington — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:11:24 +0000

The Internship, Summer Job & Volunteer Fair is coming up! Are you prepared?

Searching for and landing an internship can be a very stressful yet important step forward in your educational and professional career. We at the UO Career Center have a bevy of resources available for students to make their experience at the Internship, Summer Job & Volunteer Fair or their own private internship search much easier.

Career Counselors - A one-on-one session with a Career Counselor is a great way to get all your internship questions answered while also developing a game plan with someone who knows the game inside and out. They can help you with your resume, cover letter, personal statement, and interview skills as well as help you realize what internship path would be best for skills and goals.

You are always welcome to meet individually with a career counselor to get help or ask any questions. To make an appointment call (541) 346-3235 or e-mail career@uoregon.edu. Please contact us anytime Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Resource Center - If you haven’t checked out the Career Center’s Career Library lately, you’re missing out. There is a wide variety of books and material on internships. Come talk to Pat, our career librarian, to assist you with your search. She can help you search for the best internship for you as well as internships that are not advertised in online listings.

UO-JobLink - The UO Joblink database's purpose is to connect UO students with jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities. As a UO student, using UO joblink gives you a leg-up on the competition because you are privy to some postings that are not posted everywhere. It is also helpful because it is designed around meeting your specific needs as a UO student.

Internships.com - Through UO-JobLink students can access internships.com which is a comprehensive national database of internship listings. Just sign in to JobLink with your Duck ID and look under "special resources."

The Career Development Internship Program (CDIP) - The Career Development Internship Program (CDIP) offers students academic credit for engaging in supervised, pre-professional, career-related learning experiences. CDIP enables students to gain professional experience, develop skills, explore career fields, and contribute to the missions and goals of professional organizations, all while earning academic credit.

Join us at the Internship, Summer Job & Volunteer Fair Wednesday, February 1, 2012 and connect with over 50 employers looking to hire UO students for summer internships, volunteer opportunities and jobs.

Sponsored by Fred Meyer and presented in collaboration with the Service Learning Program. Fred Meyer is a UO Career Center Diamond Partner. The Career Center's Partner Program helps to connect students with employers who are committed to hiring UO students.

Photo on Flickr by The U.S. Army

Alumni Perspective: Reaching Out to the Unknown

Ayn-Marie Hailicka — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:20:08 +0000

From the sound of it, Emily Hutto has experienced life in the fast lane. First, she graduated from the University of Oregon two terms early. Then, after merely one year with Beer West Magazine, she was promoted to editor. Now, her job allows her to write, travel and drink craft beer. Here’s her story:

Unlike most college freshmen, Emily knew right away that she wanted to major in magazine journalism. Magazines were an outlet to apply her design, photography and writing skills. Knowing this

put her on a straight track toward graduation. So in December of 2009, Emily graduated from UO’s journalism school as a magazine major. While the rest of her graduating class was finishing up

course work, she took off for Europe.

Upon returning to the states, Emily began a quarterly editorial internship at Northwest Palate magazine. The internship taught her the inner workings of magazines and allowed her to apply what she had learned in school to the real world. During this time, she made an effort to build her network of professional contacts. One woman she learned about was a former employee at the magazine, but had branched out and started Beer West magazine. Emily kept the name in mind, but her internship concluded shortly after.

Emily took what she had learned at the internship and began freelancing for magazines such as 1859 and Travel Portland. She also spent time attending the Career Center’s events in Portland where she networked with other like-minded professionals. Eventually she decided to seek more stable employment and remembered the woman who started Beer West, a magazine that focuses on beer culture and lifestyle.

Emily had never met Megan Flynn, publisher and editor-in-chief of Beer West, but she decided to call and market herself anyway. As luck would have it, Megan needed someone to visit an event that weekend and asked Emily to make the trip. From then on, Emily began writing for Beer West and after a year of freelancing, she was asked to become the editor.

Her job allows her to travel frequently, write creatively and drink premium beer. She said she never would have landed this great position had she not been proactive and made that cold call. “Keep an open mind and if you want something badly enough, you’ll make that call,” she advised.

The magazine is planning to expand to the Rocky Mountain region in 2013, so the Colorado native has returned to her home and works remotely. Until then, she’s excited to see what happens next.

Thanks and good luck in the fast lane, Emily!

If you would like information about building your network of professionals, or for other career advice, give Alumni Career Services of Portland a call today at 503.412.3701 or email us at careerpdx@uoregon.edu.