Career Newsletter, 4/26/18

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Making the Most of Your Internship

For those of you not graduating in June, this summer will likely be spent interning. This week, we’re looking at how to make your internship successful. Whether or not it’s your first intern position, approaching the opportunity strategically will maximize what you take from the experience.

Conduct preliminary research

You likely researched the company before interviewing, but there’s no reason to stop now that you’ve secured an internship. Continue reading up on the organization’s mission and vision, and look for relevant news articles, whether from outside publications or the company’s own communications team (which are often shared via social media accounts). Starting with a depth of prior knowledge will reflect your genuine interest in the role and organization, as well as help you acclimate more quickly than fellow interns.

Develop relationships

Internships provide students with a unique opportunity to build their professional network — you’re out of the classroom, interacting with a brand new set of people on a daily basis. Focus on building as many connections as possible. Attend company-sponsored intern events, think about organizing your own, ask your supervisor if they have time for lunch, and make plans for outside of work. Assuming your internship resembles what you’d like to do long-term (and, really, even if it doesn’t), every relationship you cultivate — both with peers and superiors — represents a potential job lead in the future. Continue reading →

Career Newsletter, 4/19/2018

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Alternative Summer Plans

Our last two newsletters have focused on topics related to summer internships and post-grad jobs. Today, we’re going to look at things you can do in place of working during summer break.

Enroll in a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

MOOCs, for those unfamiliar, are online classes open to anyone that’s interested, and many are either free or inexpensive. Numerous sites offer MOOCs, though a few might be particularly helpful for iSchool students.

Codecademy offers courses on a variety of programming languages and components, including SQL, JavaScript, and HTML, all of which are free (there are also a couple premium options available at a cost). The content is more introductory-level, making it great for students who came to the iSchool without a lengthy technical background, or those just looking to diversity their skillset for developer jobs.

Coursera partners with colleges and universities, and features courses taught by instructors from those institutions. The classes on Coursera run the gamut from arts and humanities to physical science and engineering, but the site is still particularly well suited for the iSchool population. Among the most popular courses are Machine Learning from Stanford, Getting Started with Python from Michigan, and Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies from Princeton. MLIS students might be interested in Management of Successful Arts and Cultural Organizations from Maryland or Research Data Management and Sharing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and University of Edinburgh. Many of the courses on Coursera cost money, though you can apply for financial aid, as well. Continue reading →

Events: Confronting Fake News and Misinformation mini-lecture series

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The Provost is hosting a mini-lecture series on Fake News & Misinformation. Speakers include iSchool faculty member Jevin West and adjunct faculty member Kate Starbird.

Muddied waters: Online disinformation during crisis events
April 18 | 5:00-6:15 | Bagley 131
Kate Starbird, Assistant Professor, Human Centered Design & Engineering, University of Washington

Cleaning up our polluted information environments
April 24 | 5:00-6:15 | Gowen 301
Jevin West, Assistant Professor, Information School, University of Washington

The new global politics of weaponized AI propaganda
April 30 | 5:00-6:15 | HUB Lyceum
Berit Anderson, & Editor-in-Chief, Scout.ai, a media company covering the future of technology, its risks and rewards through investigative reporting, analysis, and science fiction

Career Newsletter, 4/12/2018

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Determining the Right Fit

Last week, we discussed the fact that many of you have recently received (or will soon be receiving) job and internship offers, and how to successfully negotiate those into more attractive opportunities. This week, we’re discussing the next step — how to go about deciding which opportunity to pursue. Below are tips on making a sometimes difficult task more manageable.

Determine your priorities.

Thank about what, right now, is most important to you in a job or internship. Are you looking to maximize income? Okay with taking on a lesser role at a more prestigious company? Willing ,or wanting, to relocate? Do you want work focused on a social good? Developing priorities will give you a set of criteria against which you can evaluate different companies.

Create a list of pros and cons.

Sometimes making your decision is as easy as doing a cost-benefit analysis. Think about all aspects of the opportunity and divide those into things you do and don’t find attractive. Some factors to asses include: pay, growth potential, nature and intensity of the work, vacation and benefits, (re)location, commute, team size and structure, and the presence (or lack thereof) of professional mentors. From there, tie the list back into your priorities — if salary is both your biggest priority and a “pro” of the given job, that’s more important than the fact the same job might pose a “con” with regards to one of your lesser priorities. Continue reading →

Events: Webinar for Military Students 4/10

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You’re Invited :: A Webinar for Military Students
12 noon PT on Tuesday, April 10
On Facebook Live: facebook.com/SCTLatUW
Learn more: facebook.com/events/931732306985355

Join us for a webinar about tuition benefits (Post-9/11 GI Bill) and UW resources available to military students. You’ll also learn from alumni about transitioning from boots to books. Open to all; presented by the UW Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Master’s degree program.

We’ll hear from:

  • Bill Keough (Managing Director, UW Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Master’s degree)
  • Sam Powers, PhD. (Director, UW Student Veteran Life)
  • Samantha Whyte (Lead Financial Aid Counselor, UW Veterans Education Benefits Office)
  • and a panel of UW alumni from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps

Notice: Student ID cards with name change now available

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Names On Redesigned Husky Cards

Beginning today, April 2, 2018, all University of Washington students and employees will have the option to change the name currently listed on their Husky Card, which is also being redesigned with a new look.

The UW ID Center is offering free card exchanges from April 2 through June 1 to those who would like to change the name listed. After this limited time waiver period, the standard $25 replacement fee for name change reprints of Husky Cards will be in effect.

Exchanging Your Husky Card

If you would like to receive an updated card, the office firsts asks to update your name on identity.uw.edu. After two business days, UW students and employees who already have a Husky Card can visit one of our ID Center locations to exchange their card. Your current, active Husky Card must be turned in to receive a replacement during and after the waiver period.

U-PASS holders should allow 24-48 hours for their new card to begin working on transit.