Commencement Advice 2.0

Well, seniors, the countdown is on. Graduation is just around the corner and undoubtedly you will be receiving a lot of well-intended advice in the coming weeks. In keeping with that theme, I offer 10 Things Your Commencement Speaker Won't Tell You. Most assuredly, this blog by Charles Wheelan offers a unique viewpoint and you just might find an idea or two that resonate with you. Congratulations and good luck, Seniors!

All the Best Graduates...

The countdown for May Seniors has begun. Most of your assignments have been turned in, the last presentation of your college career is taking place next week, you have almost no jitters about your final examinations, you can just coast through these next few weeks until graduation. Such an AMAZING feeling! Graduating is a huge accomplishment and something you should definitely be proud of.

After May 20th, 2012 some of you will maintain ties with the lovely Marquette University and others will hold on to their experience as a mere memory. Before you leave, you should know that Marquette has created a variety of wonderful services specifically for it's Alumni:

• MU Connect: MU Alumni Association -> http://marquette.edu/alumni/ 
• Coping with Stress -> http://www.marquette.edu/psyc/about.shtml
• Spirituality -> http://www.marquette.edu/alumni/about-spirituality.php
• Networking -> http://www.mu.edu/alumni/networking-index.php
• Career Services -> http://www.mu.edu/csc/alumni/index.shtml
• Financial Literacy -> http://www.marquette.edu/mucentral/bursar/FinancialLiteracy.shtml

How lucky are Marquette University Alumni to have an educational institution take a life-long interest in their students; those of the past, present, and future. So, no matter where you may venture after graduation - staying close or traveling far - we'll be right here whenever you need us.

All the Best Graduates!!

How to Negotiate YOUR Best Salary

Whether you are just starting to interview or you have a job offer on the table, negotiating salary is an important skill that you will need to cultivate and utilize throughout your professional career. Although our economy is on the turnaround, it is still crucial that you negotiate for the compensation you want and deserve.

ü  Do Your Research

Before you jump in and ask your future employer for $10,000 more than he or she has offered, research similar positions in similar areas to compare. Salary websites are a great tool for comparing your offer with others that are similar, and can help you find a number that works for you. A few great sites are www.Salary.com, www.Payscale.com and www.GlassDoor.com. It is also important to gauge your own worth based on your experiences, awards or recognitions and use that to your benefit as you measure yourself against others.

ü  Set Your Sights

Choose a two-number range that you will use in your negotiation. The first number is the highest one you would feel comfortable asking for someone in your position. This is your starting figure. An employer will usually only negotiate down, so if you start low, you have nowhere to go. Second, choose the lowest salary you will accept before walking away (keep this one in your mind). Your final negotiated salary will ideally fall on the middle-to-high end of this range.

ü  Wait for the Right Time

When an employer asks if you have any additional questions on the first phone interview is not an appropriate time to discuss salary or start negotiating on your behalf. Instead, be prepared with your ideal salary by the third or fourth interview. When an employer makes you an offer and names your salary, politely acknowledge the offer and say you will get back to them. By launching into the discussion when you are ready, you will be calm and assertive.

ü  Using Leverage

Having another job offer in your back pocket might be a great tool to receive the salary you want, but be tactful and professional when negotiating this way. Instead of playing a back-and-forth game between employers, use the higher offered salary to give you a basis for what you’re worth, and use that as a tool to negotiate.

ü  Accept the Offer!

Congratulations! Once you have negotiated your right salary and are happy with your new position, it’s time to celebrate. Not only will you feel confident in your abilities to market yourself but your employer will respect you for being forthcoming, honest, and assertive.

Still not comfortable negotiating for your salary? Stop in the Career Services Center M-F, 8am-5pm for more tools and tips to help you out. Or, call us and make an appointment with a Career Counselor at 414-288-7243. Your perfect salary is achievable!

Free Money!! The Kohl's Education Scholarship

The Career Services Center has partnered with Kohl’s to provide Career Education Scholarships to registered student organizations at Marquette.

• These scholarships can be used toward any career education programming, such as organizing networking events, bringing prominent speakers to campus or attending corporate site visits.
• Last semester, five student organizations won a scholarship including Ad Club, Hunger Clean Up planning team, Marquette-ing Club, Pi Beta Phi and PRSSA.
• We are looking for applicants this semester! Email completed applications to Kristin Adler; Applications can be found online. This scholarship is for Fall 2012 programs.
• Questions? Contact Kristin Adler

Financial Safety!

Guest blog post submitted by:
Rebecca Binns, Financial Literacy Peer Educator
rebecca.binns@marquette.edu

When it comes to being financially secure, fiscal caution is often overlooked. People get so caught up with making and saving money that they fail to make an effort to protect their money. However, fear not! As it turns out, being financially safe takes minimal effort.

The key to protecting your private information and finances is to simply take the time to keep yourself aware of your situation. In an era ruled by speed, deadlines, and instant communication, it’s no wonder that we rush through our daily routines. In an attempt to cut down even further on the time it takes to complete tasks, we make assumptions. We assume that the website we’re purchasing from is safe. We assume that we have been billed correctly. We assume that receipts are just trash. We go through with our assumption-based actions and move on. Seconds and minutes can be saved by skimming through these actions. After all, we are a species that not only enjoys, but relies on patterns and consistency. If we’ve already been billed correctly, why would that change?

Unfortunately, humans and machines are not infallible. Errors occur, and mistakes happen. Assumptions cannot always be relied upon. Therefore, make time for the little things. Do be careful about where you decide to put your credit card information. There is an easy way to tell when a web page is a safe and secure place to reveal your private information. Safe websites will begin with https://. That “s” means that there is an added encryption layer to the site to protect traffic—meaning your information will probably not get leaked. Additionally, check the bottom of your receipts before throwing them away. Most of the time, your credit card number will be replaced with X’s (save the last four digits). However, this is not always the case. Check to see whether or not your full number has been printed off to avoid throwing an invitation to your bank account in the nearest public trash can.

Pay attention to the mail and e-mails you receive from your bank, cell phone providers, utilities companies, etc. Sure, most of the time it is an annoying promotion or a seemingly unnecessary billing statement. Seems like a good reason to automatically head to the trash can or reach for the delete button. But, it is crucial that we pay attention to these billing statements. If an error is made, we only have 60 days to absolve it. After 60 days, we could be held responsible for the faulty bill, regardless of how much we actually owe. Additionally, creditors are required to tell you when they are making a change to your initial agreement. Check to see if the information you are receiving includes a policy change notification. If it does, and you do not like the new terms, you have the right to opt out. This means that you will close your account and pay off the remaining balance within 5 years under your original terms.

These simple things are easy and practical ways to avoid becoming the next victim of identity theft, or succumbing to a payment plan that you did not want. Take a couple minutes out of your daily routines to pay attention to these details. Replace assumptions with knowledge. Make the time to protect you and your money.

Life after college

People say high school is the best four years of your life. Then they say college is the best years of your life. But what about life after school? It seems like things get better as you get older, but no one really glorifies what happens after you leave campus and start your first job. I’ve been out of college now for almost 3 years and here is why I think life after college has been just as great as high school & college.

New places, new faces, new adventures. Now that you are out of the classroom and into the workplace, you are meeting some great people in the area or industry that love what you like to do too. They can offer you advice, guidance, and even become a friend or mentor. While change is usually scary and met with hesitation, especially if you have moved to a new city, it is also exciting and presents new opportunities for growth and accomplishment.

Money. You are actually MAKING money now. Instead of looking between seat cushions for 27 cents to buy a pack of Ramen, you can actually eat a real meal and start to enjoy things in the city you are in – movies, festivals, restaurants, etc. However, now that you are on your own, you become responsible for your own bills, including student loan debt. Make sure to create a budget for yourself and have realistic expectations of what you can and cannot afford. For more help on budgeting, check out our helpful handout on budgets.

Work/Life Balance. This is what I enjoyed most after I finished college. You can leave your work at the office and not have to worry about the assignments, papers, and finals looming in the future. You can come home from work and do what you want. Occasionally work and your personal life will overlap, but usually in a good way. Social events are common ways co-workers can get to know one another better and build stronger relationships. Creating a sports team, nights out on the town, and holiday parties are typical events where you can mingle and bring significant others to meet your co-workers. But remember to keep your integrity and still act professional if your work and personal life overlap. Here are more helpful hints on navigating extracurricular activities related to work and other aspects of the first year of being a professional.

Last FREE LUNCH of the year!

 On the Road to Your Career
FIRST YEAR AS A PROFESSIONAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who is driving your career? 

1. Join the Career Services Center for this luncheon series focusing on a monthly hot career topic. 
2. Each month a professional from Kohl’s Corporation representing specific career fields will share industry and expert career advice alongside your Marquette University Career Services Center counselors. 
3. If you are navigating your career, don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable information while filling up on a free lunch!

April's On the Road to Your Career
Powered by Kohl's
Date: Thursday, April 19
Time: 12:30 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
Location: AMU 157
Topic: First Year as a Professional
Menu: Sub Sandwiches with coffee, lemonade, and water

Topics will include: Career Services, Financial Literacy, and Networking after graduation

No RSVP required.  Questions?  Email bethany.olson@marquette.edu