Student Intern Spotlight: Justin LaCoursiere

Are you a Fordham student who has yet to experience your first real-world internship? Not sure what to expect? Well look no further. To give you some insight on the internship experience, we have asked your fellow Fordham students to share their experiences as student interns.
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This week we caught up with Justin LaCoursiere, a senior at Fordham College Rose Hill who recently completed an internship at Hearst Corporation.  Justin is a Communication and Media Studies major with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Business Administration. On top of his school work and internship, Justin is an incredibly active student on-campus. He is currently involved in several organizations, including Sodexo, Inc. & Affiliates as a National Student Board of Director and Student Culinary Council member, The Ram Newspaper, Fordham Nightly News, Office of Residential Life as a Resident Assistant, Residence Halls Association, original undergraduate research, New Student Orientation, Dorothy Day Center for Service & Justice – Urban Plunge, Peer Educators, Campus Activities Board, Office of Mission & Ministry – Global Outreach, Up Till Dawn, and Polar Plunge.  Justin gave us the details about interning at Hearst as well as valuable tips for students looking to gain some real-world work experience by participating in an internship.

In regards to his experience interning at Hearst, Justin had nothing but positive things to say.  Justin interned at Hearst for a year and half, typically working 2-3 days per week.  While this commitment may seem difficult to manage as a full-time student, Justin explained that his department at Hearst was always extremely flexible and understanding of his busy schedule, and always prioritized his role as a full time student.  This is true is many cases, as employers may state a minimum time expectation, but are typically flexible regarding availability. If you are interested in interning, do not let the fear of time commitment stop you from gaining important internship experience. 

As for a typical day for Justin, he was usually very busy working on Hearstlink, Hearst’s internal communication system.  Justin was responsible for composing articles for this site, as well as publishing internal communication. This process typically consisted of conducting interviews with the magazine Editor-in-Chief’s, department heads and other Hearst executives.  Justin also edited press releases and completed Public Relations-related research projects.  He raved about the helpfulness of every one he worked with, and made sure to take full advantage of the great internship opportunity.

Justin was lucky enough to obtain his internship at Hearst through a member of his family who referred him for the position.  Hearst later contacted him to set up an interview and he was offered the position on the spot. This is great example of the importance of networking and using all professional connections available to you to get a job or internship.  You should not be disheartened if your family members do not work in your field of interest. Justin emphasized the importance of networking with everyone you can, suggesting that one should establish as many business relationships as possible, as you never know who might be able to connect you with someone in your field.  Focus on identifying existing contacts, such as your professors, family friends and advisors, as well as establishing relationships with new contacts, such as Fordham Alumni and Employers who visit the Fordham Campus. You can never have too many professional contacts, but make sure you understand networking basics in order to make the best of these professional relationships.

When asked if he found his experience at Hearst to be valuable overall, Justin responded quite positively: “I’ve learned so much through my internship; it would be hard to sum it all up. What I will share is this: interning teaches you that which cannot be learned in the classroom. There is something to be said about those who have real hands on experience in their field. I’ve learned to work with deadlines, think on my feet, and be part of a professional team. Thanks to my internship, my communication skills have greatly improved and my writing has gotten much stronger. I’ve gained the knowledge and skills needed to make me more competitive when applying for jobs. My time as an intern has been very valuable.” While it may be stressful at times balancing courses, extracurricular activities, AND an internship, if you can manage your time efficiently, it is certainly a worthwhile experience.

After interning at Hearst for a year and a half, Justin ended his internship this past December with a great letter of recommendation and an open conversation about possible future employment opportunities at Hearst. If you take Justin’s advice and network, play a proactive role at your internship, and take full advantage of the hands-on work experience, you too can experience a rewarding and engaging internship.

Want to share your unique internship experience with the Fordham Community? Email Sfriedberg@fordham.edu and let us know!

Teach for America: A Uniquely Rewarding Experience

As Recruitment Director for Teach for America, William Silva has a unique view of his organization. Both his current position, as well as his personal experience teaching, allow him to understand the value of a Teach for America term and the qualities necessary for an applicant to succeed in the field.

 

William first heard of Teach for America as a senior in college. A business major at the University of Florida, he had no background in education, but he was familiar with the issues in the education system in Miami, where he grew up. These concerns drove him to apply for the program, and he ultimately ended up completing his work in his home town.

 

William’s lack of experience in the field of education was not an issue in the application process, and this remains true today. Successful applicants come from all different majors and have a variety of experience. Many aspects of a student’s educational background are not even looked at until after they are selected. Other qualities, however, are highly valued. Leadership positions, for example, are key. Students who have risen to executive positions within organizations are prime candidates because their roles require them to be organized and to set ambitious goals for their members. These two attributes – organization and ambition – are necessary for success with Teach for America. All of the 42 regions where the program operates are low income. As William puts it, they are “communities that have lacked access to quality education, resources, and strong teachers.” Successful teachers will be the one that set ambitious goals for their students and who have the dedication to achieve them.

 

A commitment with Teach for America runs for two years, though 60% of volunteers ultimately serve an extra third year. Taking this time to volunteer after graduation isn’t just a selfless act, it can help you in the workplace afterwards. Many graduate schools will defer your admission so you can serve with Teach for America and return to school afterwards. Many schools also offer fee waivers for those who have volunteered. They know that your experience in the field will give you an important perspective and make you a valuable asset to the classroom. Additionally, Teach for America also has partnerships with several high-profile employers (companies such as Google.) These connections can help you get a position after your commitment is fulfilled.

 

Though Teach for American can certainly serve you in the professional world, William emphasizes that you need to be doing it for the right reasons. It’s not just another experience to add to your resume. The students that Teach for America serves are ones who have been denied the opportunities they deserve for years and years and tasks teachers face are difficult. Ultimately that’s why passion and ambition are far more important than your major or course load.

 

Interested? It’s not too late to apply! Seniors can apply to serve next year by the February 10th deadline, and other undergraduates can apply for the TFA summer training institutes or a position as an on campus representative. Whatever your position with this amazing organization, it will surely be a rewarding and life-changing experience.

Are you interested in learning more about Teach for America?

For more information, visit http://www.teachforamerica.org/, or contact:
• William Silva - Recruitment Manager - William.silva@teachforamerica.org, Linkedin
• Ryan O'Toole - Fordham Campus Campaign Coordinator - rotoole@fordham.edu

Part-Time Job Openings

College is expensive. This is a fact that we have all come to terms with. So why not offset some of the costs by finding a paid part-time job? Below are a few part-time opportunities that have come our way. From now on, we will be using this blog to share opportunities such as those listed below. Take a look and see if one of these current positions is for you!

1) Babysitting – Upper West Side

Upper west side mom residing in the Lincoln Center area seeks experienced babysitter who loves children to pick up an 8 year old son and 11 year old daughter from school 1-2x per week, bring them to various after school activities, and spend time after school at our home, snack, homework help if needed, play, etc.  Weekend evenings if available. References requested.  

If you're interested in this position, please email Rita Genn at rgenn@att.net.  

2) Temp position with Advertising Agency  - White Plains, NY

Weinrib & Conner seeks Recent College Grad or College Senior 

Work part-time from 2/1/12 to 3/26/12 on major client assignment from start of business (8:30 AM) for about four (4) hours.  The agency is located in White Plains but is not near mass transit.    

Responsibilities:
• Confirm VIP travel plans
• Liaise with agency to fulfill VIP requests
• Location requires a car

Qualifications:
• Advertising Agency Experience Preferred
• Excellent MS Excel skills
• Strong communication

Should the candidate exceed expectations, the firm will consider the candidate for a full time position. 
Please note, the firm can be challenging.  

Please send resumes to traffic@weinconn.com

3) Babysitting - NYC

Family looking for a student to babysit 2 girls, ages 2 and 4. The family  would like to have the babysitter sit for 2 - 3 days a week. Coverage needed for for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays (5:30pm until 8pm, picking up 2 kids from school and bringing them home. This would include feeding, bathing, and preparing for bed, sometimes with help from mother). Also, every other Saturday night. The start time would be as soon as possible.

Requirements:- Live in NYC area
- Have experience with young children
- Enjoy working with children
- Be positive, personable, and enthusiastic

If interested, please send resumes and a short description of your experience to: emilymclinton@gmail.com

If you are looking for part-time professional opportunities, be sure to check CareerLink, as there are currently over 250 part-time jobs listed on our site! If you do not yet have job search access on CareerLink, make sure you attend the necessary CareerLink prerequisite workshops.

Ditch the Summer Internship Competition

Going to school in New York gives Fordham students incredible access to almost every career field. While many undergraduates have to wait for the summer to relocate for industry internships, we are lucky to live in a city where job opportunities abound. As a recent article in US News and World Report article emphasizes, taking advantage of internships during the school year is a wise decision.

Because summer internships are the most popular, they are also the most competitive. If you’re applying for positions in a city, you’ll be vying against not only natives or students of local schools, but other young professionals who migrate after their spring semester lets out. Internships in the fall and spring have fewer candidates and may be more attainable and less competitive. This article talks about the careful planning needed if a student chooses to relocate for a semester internship. Once again, our school’s location comes to the rescue. We don’t have to risk withdrawing for several months in order to get an internship. We don’t have to move at all!

Internships during the school year can be a serious time constraint, even if they are in a convenient location. During the summer most students aren’t taking classes, or at least not a full load, so they have more time to devote to their work. Balancing an internship commitment with academics is one downside to semester programs, but these responsibilities can be manageable. Some semester positions require as little as 10 hours a week. Additionally, many organizations recognize the challenges students face during the school year and are willing to work around your schedule. Additionally, taking an internship for credit may allow you to cut back on your class load so you have more time to spend in the office.

One Fordham student was fortunate to have an internship last spring that was within walking distance of the Lincoln Center campus and required only 8-10 hours a week. Her supervisor allowed her to set her own schedule, and she managed to complete the internship while taking a full load of classes. Semester internships involve a balancing act that’s different for each student, but if possible, you should take advantage of Fordham’s amazing location, the reduced competition and Fordham’s for-credit internship opportunities, and consider interning in the fall or spring.

There are still several companies looking to hire Spring interns. If you are still interested in pursuing a Spring internship, check CareerLink, as new opportunities are posted daily.

Welcome to the NEW Fordham Career Services Blog

Hello and welcome to the Fordham Career Services blog! Here at Career Services we’re so excited to have this new medium to communicate with students, advertise job opportunities, and help the Fordham community navigate the world of work. Between our staff, student workers, and career ambassadors we’ve got quite a collection of interesting posts heading your way.

Ever wondered how Fordham graduates do in the real world? We’ll be offering profiles and interviews of Fordham alumni from a variety of different industries. These men and women will discuss their personal stories, the value of a Fordham education, and their advice on entering the job market.

Want to know how to really impress an employer? Read our Employer Spotlights where we consult representatives from competitive firms and organizations and pick their brains as to what Fordham students can do to get ahead in their fields. It’s all the guidance you’d get from attending an informational interview, except we do the work and bring it to you!

As students, we know you have other interests besides reading about the daily lives of established professionals. To that end, we’ll be showcasing how current Fordham students are utilizing the Office of Career Services, engaging in successful job and internship searches, and taking advantage of the diverse career opportunities that exist in the workplace. Getting the perspective and experiences of your fellow Rams will be eye-opening and exciting, and will provide you with unique insight into initiating your own successful job or internship search and gaining hands-on work experience. As a means to that end, we will also highlight jobs & internship opportunities, and provide you with information on what qualifications the companies are looking for and how you can apply for these opportunities. Are you also looking for a part-time job to make some extra cash? Look no further, as we will be posting local paid opportunities here as well.

In addition to all of these spotlights, we’ll also cover new developments in the job market, report on career-focused articles and provide advice on resumes, cover letters, networking, interviewing and more.  We look forward to this new opportunity to connect with you and help you navigate the job market!

Interested in joining our editorial staff? Email Sfriedberg@fordham.edu.

Other ways to stay connected with Career Services!

Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/fordhamcareers

Follow us on Twitter! @FordhamCareers

Watch us on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/user/RamsCareerServices