Boise State Career Services

Today’s FAQ Friday is all about your Work U application. The process may seem intimidating, but we’re here to help! Here are the top, most important tips straight from the folks who review the applications.

1.) First, let's get the basic info out of the way. Apply using the online application found at boisestate.edu/career/work-u.
2.) Don’t be afraid to apply no matter what your experience level is. Work U exists to help you gain professional experience, so lack of formal professional experience actually makes your application stronger.
3.) On the application, you can select up to 3 opportunities you're interested in. To increase your odds of being placed, select 3.
4.) Fully answer each question on the application - about a paragraph per question. Double check for errors. They're looking for candidates with a strong sense of purpose - make sure you clearly explain how this will benefit you and your career goals.
5.) Make sure you have a good resume. This is a perfect opportunity to check out the resume resources that are on our website! Once you've been placed, your resume will go to the employer to approve your placement.

There are still several opportunities left for spring - get your application in by Monday, November 21 to get your Work U experience!

Round 2 of Work U applications for spring is open now through November 21. But... what even is Work U?

Work U is an internship program run by Boise State that’s a bit different from a traditional internship.

Instead of looking for your own internship, you can apply to Work U, tell us which of the opportunities you’re interested in, and we’ll place you somewhere that best fits your career goals. You can be considered for every opportunity no matter what your major is. You'll also have a weekly class with a career advisor who's there to help you get the most out of your internship.

There are still 23 opportunities left for spring. See them here: https://www.boisestate.edu/career/work-u/opportunities/

Photos from Boise State Career Services's post

Need professional experience? Boise State's Work U program is a great way to get started. Your Work U internship doesn't have to be related to your major, and you don't need prior experience. For spring 2023, we have over 50 opportunities in areas including human resources, communication, marketing, philanthropy, finance, procurement, human services, sustainability, and project management.

Unlike a traditional internship where you apply directly to the employer, with Work U you apply to the program and tell us which opportunities you're interested in, and we'll place you into an opportunity that fits your goals. You'll also have a professional mentor, and weekly support from a career advisor to help you make the most of your experience.

See all the spring opportunities at: https://www.boisestate.edu/career/work-u/opportunities/

To increase your chances of getting placed into your top choice opportunity, apply by this Wednesday, Oct. 26. While you can still apply after that, we'll start placing people then, so your top choices might get filled.

Walking into a career fair can be super intimidating, especially if it's your first one. We're here to calm your nerves by letting you know what to expect tomorrow.

Checking in:
- You can check in at either ballroom - Jordan or Simplot. BUT, we are not using the main entrance to the Simplot. You'll find the check-in table at the side entrance, the one that is straight down the hall from the Jordan.
- Bring your student ID card to swipe (otherwise you'll have to type your number).
- A name tag will be printed for you. Wear it! This is really helpful to the employers.

Getting around:
- After you check in, you'll be offered a career fair map. Next to the name of each employer or school, you'll see a number which corresponds to a table on the map.
- Employers and schools whose name starts with A-M will be in the Jordan. N-Z will be in the Simplot.
- Still lost? Just ask someone at the check-in table or the Career Services table for help finding the organization you're looking for.

Approaching a table:
- Don't be afraid to walk right up and introduce yourself. They're here because they want to meet you! Don't forget to smile, which will make you seem enthusiastic and interested in talking to them.
- You'll feel more confident if you think through ahead of time what you want the employer to know about you. Which pieces of info are most important/relevant to share when you first introduce yourself?

What to wear:
- There's no dress code or requirements to get into the career fair. But if you want to impress the employers (which is definitely important if you're searching for a job or internship!), it's a good idea to dress like you would for an interview.
- Don't forget we're doing free professional headshots at the fair, so also think about how you want to look in your photo when choosing what to wear. There will be a separate check-in table inside the Simplot Ballroom for headshots.

More tips at: https://buff.ly/3TdhWqk

The Career and Graduate School Fair is TOMORROW, 10/19 from 10-2. We'll see you there!

Opportunity alert: Meet Hannah, who graduated from Boise State in 2018 with a degree in economics and works for Clearwater Analytics, a cloud-based investment accounting and reporting company with their global headquarters in Boise. Clearwater will be recruiting at the Career and Graduate School Fair on October 19.

Hannah works on the business development end for investment managers - identifying and reaching out to firms that could be potential clients for Clearwater. She began her career at Clearwater as a sales analyst, and now she's a sales team lead. She works in the office, but also attends sports games that Clearwater hosts and conferences they sponsor.

Hannah says she couldn’t be happier with the team she's surrounded by. They're some of the smartest people and she's continuously learning every day. She loves being able to meet prospects and clients, and she is looking forward to continuing her career progression with Clearwater.

Come meet Clearwater on October 19!





Clearwater Analytics

Free professional headshots at the career fair are BACK! While you're already dressed up for the career fair, have your photo taken by a professional photographer to enhance your brand on LinkedIn, your email, and everywhere else you use a profile photo.

Career and Graduate School Fair - October 19, 10am - 2pm
Student Union Building - Jordan and Simplot ballrooms (photos will be done in the Simplot Ballroom but you can check in for the fair at either location)
More info: https://www.boisestate.edu/career/career-events/career-fair/

Opportunity alert: Meet Meghan, Marketing Development Representative (MDR) at Verkada. Verkada will be at the Career and Graduate School Fair on October 19 recruiting for this exact position.

Verkada builds modern security solutions that help enterprises run safer, smarter buildings. As an MDR, Meghan develops her sales skills while having meaningful conversations with prospects.

Meghan found Verkada while looking for fast-growing tech companies with a lot of room for upward mobility. Her typical day is fast-paced, exciting and filled with opportunities to learn. 3/4 of her day is spent working on strategic calls and emails, with the remaining 1/4 spent on continued education and professional development. Every day is a little bit different and she is never bored.

What she loves most about her job is learning something new every day. She also likes that the expectations and goals are clear, and that she has the resources and support from management to achieve them. She feels empowered by management and set up for success.

If you're interested in building a career in tech sales, make sure to come meet Verkada on October 19!




Verkada

Opportunity alert: Meet Tyson, who graduated from Boise State in 2019 with a BS in Chemistry and is now an analytical scientist at Agropur’s Protein Research Center. Agropur will be recruiting at the Career and Graduate School Fair on October 19.

After graduation, Tyson worked as an R&D intern in Agropur's Jerome, Idaho plant, which led to him obtaining his current position two years later. He had such a great experience with Agropur that he made the decision to move from Idaho to Minnesota for an awesome opportunity to work in the Protein Research Center.

His job consists of a combination of conducting analytical testing as well as research projects. Routine testing consists of bench chemistry as well as instrumental analysis to determine the chemical composition of various products. The research aspect is focused on the development and validation of analytical testing methods for new product types or new components of interest.

Tyson’s favorite part of working for Agropur is the emphasis on research, development, and innovation. It gives him the opportunity to utilize his background as a chemist and think outside of the box to develop creative solutions to analytical problems. Tyson also really enjoys the opportunity to get outside of the lab and learn more about the processing, engineering, and food science that takes place in the various production plants.

Come meet Agropur on October 19!





Agropur

Need new clothes for the upcoming career fair? Career Services has partnered with JCPenney again to help you stock up on discounted career attire for interviews, internships, and future jobs.

Check in at the Boise State table with your student ID to receive an additional 30% off career clothing, shoes, and accessories. With the merchandise already marked down, you can save up to 50%.

When: Sunday, October 9, 4-7pm

Where: JCPenney at Boise Towne Square (use the outside entrance near Kohl’s)

Can't make it? There is an online shopping option as well!

More info at: https://www.boisestate.edu/career/career-events/jcpenney-suit-up-event/

There's more to being successful at the Career and Graduate School Fair on Oct. 19 than just showing up. But don't worry, Career Services is here to help you prepare. Stop by our Career Fair Preparation Pop-Up tables on the Quad, or drop-in online.

Here are some things you might want to ask us about:
- How to find out what employers and grad schools are coming
- What kind of research you should do on the employers you want to talk to
- Preparing questions to ask
- Career fair resume strategies (you can even bring your resume for a quick review)
- How to approach an employer
- Talking about your qualifications
- What to wear

In-person pop-ups on the Quad: October 4, 11, and 18 from 11am to 1pm.
Online pop-ups: October 5 and 12 from 11am - 1pm.

Get the online Pop-Up links here: https://buff.ly/3RdFEkC

We have big news to share. The Boise State Career and Graduate School Fair is coming on October 19, and it will be the LARGEST career fair EVER in Boise State history. It is going to be so big that we can't fit all the employers in one ballroom, so this semester it'll be in both the Jordan and Simplot ballrooms. We're also working on bringing back free professional headshots for the first time since the pandemic.

You'll hear a lot more about this event over the next 3 weeks, but for now there are a couple more things we want you to know.

1. You should go to the career fair every year, not just when you're getting ready to graduate. That's right, we said every year. Whatever you need right now, whether that's a career, internships, connections, or information, the career fair should be a part of your career preparation plan each year.

2. Preparation matters. Watch for information about what to do before the career fair to ensure your success.

Get more career fair information at: https://www.boisestate.edu/career/career-events/career-fair/

In today's FAQ we reveal a little-known secret about Handshake profiles. We get it - you're busy, and Handshake just won't stop bugging you about completing your profile. Do you really need to?

While you're not required to complete your profile to use Handshake, you SHOULD, and here's why.

Employers look at your profile.

When you apply to a job, sign up for an on-campus interview, or RSVP for an employer event, the employer will often look at your profile for more information about you, so make sure it'll impress them.

Did you know employers are also searching for YOU? By having a completed profile, employers matching your interests can find you and reach out about opportunities.

Meet Andi! Andi is the Editor-in-Chief for The Arbiter here on campus. In this job, she oversees and manages the content that goes out, as well as oversees the editors and reporters.

Andi is a commuter student, so one of her favorite parts about working on campus is the community and connections that she’s been able to make since she is not often on campus.

Did you know that it’s not too late to get a job on campus? Log into your Handshake account to see the positions that are still available.