Dressing, dining, and prepping for success

When it comes to choosing a career, it’s important to ask yourself the right questions, says Richard Leger, the director of BU’s Office of Career Services: do you enjoy the day-to-day responsibilities associated with a particular industry? Are you motivated by the idea of working hard and getting ahead in the field?

And when it comes to actually landing a job, it’s important to test your knowledge of other matters: do you know which fork to use in a lunch interview and how to match your shoes and belt?

The Office of Career Services, in association with the career offices at the College of Communication, the College of Engineering, the School of Hospitality Administration, and the School of Management, is providing assistance with all of these dilemmas during Career Week, which begins today and continues through February 16. A mix of recruiting events, information sessions, and guided discussions, Career Week is intended to help students through the job-seeking process — even if they haven’t started it at all.

“One of the things we’re trying to communicate to students is that the career development process isn’t a separate piece,” says Leger. “It’s intricately linked up with your academic development and your personal development.”

Two highlights of Career Week include Dress for Success, where participants will receive tips on creating their own professional style and putting together a polished appearance, and Dining for Success, where students will deal with etiquette questions that arise during work lunches or dinners. Both events require RSVPs; Dress for Success takes place on Tuesday, January 31, at 6 p.m. in Metcalf Hall and Dining for Success on Monday, February 6, at 12:30 p.m., also in Metcalf Hall.

Several job fairs are also scheduled, with emphasis on careers in engineering, government, education, and nonprofit industries. Robert O’Brien, a national recruiter with the Internal Revenue Service, suggests that students use a job fair as an opportunity to gauge their own interest level, and he encourages them to ask a lot of questions. When job seekers finally reach the interview stage, he says, recruiters look for “the ability to communicate and show an interest. Do they know anything about the organization? Do they really want to come work for us?”

The Office of Career Services will also be hosting discussion sessions geared specifically to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, to let them know what kind of jobs and internships are available at this stage in their college career.

“We are trying to convey a strong message to students that there are career resources available to all of them,” says Leger. “And the smart students are going to take advantage of as many of them as possible.”

Career Week 2006:

Tuesday, January 31
6–8 p.m.         Dress for Success Program
Call 617-353-3590 to register
Metcalf Hall, George Sherman Union

Wednesday, February 1
5–6 p.m.         Career Café: Careers in Advertising
Backcourt, George Sherman Union

5–6 p.m.         Career Café: Career in the Hospitality Industry
Alley, George Sherman Union

Friday, February 3
11 a.m.–4 p.m.        Engineering Career Fair
Metcalf Hall, George Sherman Union

Monday, February 6
10 a.m.–4 p.m.     Drop-In Hours for Mock Interviews and Resume Critiquing
Career Services, 19 Deerfield Street, and other Career Services Offices

12:30–3 p.m.         Dining for Success (Limited Availability)
Call 617-353-4126 to register 
Metcalf Hall, George Sherman Union
 
Tuesday, February 7
1–5 p.m.        Idealist.org Career Fair
Metcalf Hall, George Sherman Union

6–8 p.m.         What Should You Be Doing as a First-Year Student: Freshman Open House and Roundtable Discussion 
Warren Towers Cinema Room, 700 Commonwealth Avenue
West Campus Late Night, 275 Babcock Street
 
Wednesday, February 8
5–7 p.m.         The Summer Is Almost Here! Hey, Sophomores — What Are You Going To Do?
Shelton Rooftop Lounge, 91 Bay State Road
   
Thursday, February 9
Noon–4 p.m.        Government Careers Information Forum
Metcalf Hall, George Sherman Union

6–8 p.m.         Senior Year Is Just About Here — What’s Going On, Juniors?
Terrace Lounge, George Sherman Union
 
Monday, February 13
5:30–7 p.m.   Careers in Education
BU Central

Thursday, February 16
Noon–3:30 p.m.    Internship and Summer Job Fair
Metcalf Hall, George Sherman Union