Success Story: Eric Hardeman

Gaining an internship entails more work than it may appear at the start. There is a lot of behind-the scene work that goes into it. Eric Hardeman is a student who has taken full-advantage of available resources to make the process much more manageable and gain an internship with Nissan Motor Company. He has visited the Center for Career Development for a resume critique, practice interview and career consultation. He took the class BUAD 320 and utilized Hire-A-Vol! When asked how these resources prepared him for the internship, Eric replied "They prepared me to interact with potential employers and to have a better understanding of what they are looking for." He feels as if the most exciting part is "getting to see the techniques and ideas that we learned in the classroom get put into action in the real world." You're doing an awesome job! Keep doing what you're doing and you'll go far! 

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Student Success Stories

This week’s success story: Ashley Fontenot

What CCD resources have you used that may have led to an internship, co-op, or part/full - time job opportunity?

Hire-a-Vol

Career Consultation

BUAD: 320

Erin Bennett
Mary Mahoney

Danny Pape

How have these resources prepared you for the internship, co-op, or part/full - time search process?

Freshman year I needed a part-time job, and I found that job through Hire-A-Vol. Through BUAD: 320 with Erin, I chose my major - Public Relations. After almost a year with my first job, they had to cut the secretary position. They gave me a two-week notice, and within that I found a job at 21st Mortgage. I was promoted to Social Media Coordinator there, and after a year and three months, I needed more experience in PR, so I attended the Communications Job Fair and met Sophie with Ackermann PR. I have held an intern position with them for two semesters. Within that time, I spoke with Mary Mahoney about working in Athletics and she connected me with my now boss.

What organization have you worked for or will you be working for and where?

During college, I've worked for Smee+Busby Architects downtown in Market Square, 21st Mortgage also downtown - two blocks from market square, Ackermann PR off of Northshore, and the athletic department.

What was your most enjoyable experience or what are most you looking forward to?

I can't say that I've had one amazing experience. I think all of my experiences have led me to where I am today. I still haven't chosen the industry I want to work in, but I definitely have options because of all the experience I have. Pretty much any success in job hunting I've had, the Center for Career Development has had a huge part. The most enjoyable people I've met are Erin and Mary. They've been two beacons of light in my professional journey. 

Keep up the great work, Ashley! 

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, 

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, 

Will your Major and Career Align?

You have to admit it, we have a tendency of believing what we hear:

• The university is going to close tomorrow (myth) 
• Parking on campus is easy (myth)
• Balancing everything in college is easy (more than likely a myth)

One myth that we as students tend to panic over concerns our future. Many students believe that one major will lead directly to the perfect career dealing with that specificmajor; however, studies show that under 30% of careers correlate directly with your undergraduate experience. Individuals with degrees in mathematics sometimes end up working in journalism, and some individuals in biology may even be working in marketing. Don’t take this article the wrong way. Although many individuals do not work within the field they expected to, many still do. Overall, it is the college experience and the fact that you have worked hard in order to obtain a degree that puts you at the top of employers’ lists! According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, studies showed that more than 2.2 million jobs that require a bachelor’s degree have been created since the recession and jobs that only require its employees to have a high school diploma have decreased by 5.8 million in the same time frame. Over 2 million jobs have been created and you just need one of them. It doesn’t seem so stressful after all huh? So stop worrying! Choosing a major is not that stressful as long as you choose something that you are interested in or genuinely passionate about...you don’t want to dread four years of a subject you hate right? If you are having difficulties with choosing a major or a career plan please visit our office and set up an appointment with a career counselor or drop by and take our strong interest inventory. If you’re interested in more myth busting subscribe to Big Orange Briefcase!