Student Success Stories

This week's success story: Jason McDonald

"I was eager to join the workforce and apply some of the concepts and skills I was learning in class to real-life projects. I was planning on attending the Engineering Expo to explore opportunities. Before I went, I came by the Center for Career Development for a resume critique. The peer career advisors helped me add detail and lengthen my resume since I was only a freshman and had little experience. I felt confident entering the Expo that my qualifications were specified in my resume and got an interview with Cadre 5, a local software consulting firm.  I reviewed Career Services' Interviewing Guide in order to prepare for commonly asked questions and to ensure I was wearing the appropriate attire. I researched the company and had questions prepared to ask my interviewers too. The hard work paid off and I landed the Co-op. Since then I have completed three rotations and have loved the intricate projects I have had the opportunity to work on."

Jason McDonald. Senior in Computer Engineering; 3 time co-op with Cadre 5 in Knoxville, TN & Internship with Garmin Summer 2015

ATTENTION: If you have any great internship/ job experiences that UT Center for Career Development played a role in helping you score and you would like to share, we would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at utcareerpeers@utk.edu for more information if you would like to be featured in our Student Success Stories segment of Big Orange Briefcase.

Yours Truly, 

What's Your Purpose: Nonprofit Organizations

Being college students, we often ask ourselves the question, “What is my purpose?” We seek our placement in the world and try our hardest to find where we can make a difference. We may not be Gandhi, Mother Teresa, or Martin Luther King Jr, but we all have great purposes too! One place that workers can impact the world is by working for nonprofit organizations, such as UNICEF.

UNICEF is a nonprofit organization that gives its all to help improve the standard of living for children in over 190 countries. They provide food, immunizations, and education for children in order to assure that they have the resources to grow into healthy and productive adults. In addition, they also provide immunizations as well as sterile ways to prevent the spreading of AIDS and the Ebola virus.

“But what if I don’t want to work for a nonprofit?”

There are many ways to leave your mark and give back to the community through volunteer work.  The Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee organization is constantly looking for volunteers to match with their children. Unfortunately, only 3 out of 10 volunteers are men. Big Brothers Big Sisters is in desperate need for male volunteers that want to dedicate their time to changing a child’s life. Moreover, most of the children waiting to be matched are searching for African American and Hispanic men. 80% of the children surveyed reported that their Bigs positively impacted their lives and made them look at life differently. In addition, 46% are less likely to begin using drugs, 27% are less likely to begin using alcohol, and 52% are less likely to skip school.  Below is a link to their website. There, you can read real experiences and sign up to become a volunteer. 

From experience, finding your purpose can be extremely difficult. It may seem impossible for some, but there are so many opportunities that allow individuals to make differences and touch lives. 

Why wait? Sign up today and begin changing the world!

http://www.unicef.org/

http://www.tennesseebig.org/site/c.6nICINOmG6IQE/b.8080059/k.B88/Big_Brothers_Big_Sisters_of_East_Tennessee.htm