As I roamed around the room to the rotating four groups consisting of five or six students to one mentor, I picked up on some valuable advice that was being offered:

Edgar Gonzalez, Assistant Dean for Advancement and External Relations at the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington. Alumni board member and recent recipient of the 2012 UW Comm Outstanding Early Career Award

-Interviewing is a necessary evil. It’s not his favorite because you rarely get the best of someone. It would be easier to do over cocktails or coffee, but you can’t always do that. But think of it as a conversation and you have one free hour to convince someone that you’re great.

-Edgar looks at three aspects when hiring that are shaped like a triangle: On the bottom is aptitude (can you do the job?), which can usually be found out with a resume and cover letter. Next up is attitude: Are you positive and a team player? And at the top is fit. Your goal should be to have the hiring manager picturing you working there.

-Good questions to ask the interviewer at the end: One question about the job that goes beyond the job description, a question about the company (culture, the employees, etc.), and lastly something quirky or personal, like what’s the latest book they’ve read.

Terry Tazioli, host of TVW’s “Well Read,” former editor of The Seattle Times and alumni board member. UW Comm Alumni Hall of Fame inductee.

-Don’t sound like you’re reciting who you are and your accomplishments during your elevator speech. Relax, take a breath, and just talk. Record and listen to your speech beforehand. It’s good if by the end of your speech the hiring manager has a few points he/she wants to go back to and ask questions about.

-Don’t sound like you’re asking questions by ending your sentences with a higher pitch as it sounds like you are unsure of yourself. Make statements.

-At the first meeting, always shake hands and use your first and last name. Also, say out public relations, human resources, etc. on first mention instead of using the abbreviations PR and HR.

Vena Rainwater, recruiter at Amazon.

-Understand the context of the job you want. For example, human resources is this huge, wacky job that can mean a whole lot of things. What is it that you are interested in and how do your skills play into that.

-Know the difference between PR and marketing because they are very different, and know which one you want to do. Furthermore, marketing has a creative advertising side and a data side. Decide which path you want (at least when you are pitching yourself). Not knowing comes off as you not knowing what you really want to do.

Jodi Davis, staffing consultant at Microsoft.

-Humility: we are human beings and we make mistakes, so don’t say that you’ve never made one. Think of one before you go in to the interview and how you solved the problem.

-Accomplishments: How did you get there? Did you play nice in the sandbox? You could have great results, but did you step on others to get there? It is key to have soft skills beyond technical skills.

-Make sure your resume and cover letter are aligned with the job description. With hundreds of resumes coming in to Microsoft per day, this is very important. And stay connected with folks from your internships as they may think of you when a job opens up.

Student Feedback:

Katrina Tolentino (senior communication student with a sales certificate) said she was drawn to the event because of the companies that were being represented. “I was really interested in Seattle-based companies, so the fact that there were professionals from this area just helped me network a little bit better. What I really liked about this whole process was that there was a lot of great advice that I probably wouldn’t get from a classroom. Since there are recruiters here, they were telling us what they expect of the people that they are interviewing, so I got a behind-the-scenes kind of view.”

Stephanie Morey (senior communication student minoring in diversity) agreed and added, “In particular, I learned a lot about myself and what I’m good at and what I need to work on. For instance, Terry gave great advice to record yourself and I’ve never heard of that as a way to see how you present yourself, so I’ll definitely take that away even though it’s a little intimidating.”

Seth Deister (senior communication student) said, “I liked hearing the different perspectives that all four mentors had. Everyone had a different career path, but they all had relevant things to say to us.”

In a closing remark by Gonzalez, he said to put your dream job on the mirror. You may have to take jobs that you don’t really like at first, but see your dream and take the steps to get there.

Keep an eye out for more information on the final Career Kickstart mixer on May 17 for students 21 years and older.

5-6:30 p.m.
CMU 126
RSVP: vsprang@uw.edu

Companies look at your individual experiences as only one part of the whole package. Are you sharing the right information? Join to define your personal brand identity and how you can use it to your advantage to land your dream job.

Speakers

Mikaela Gomes (ʼ10) is a Medical Recruiter at NuWest Group, LLC MedTemps, a locally owned and operated staffing firm in Bellevue, WA specializing in clinical and administrative placements in the healthcare field within the Puget Sound Region.

Stacey Engle (BA, 2008)
Stacey is the Director of Marketing at Fierce Inc., a global leadership development and training company. She works collaboratively across all business functions to develop and implement a multi-tiered global marketing strategy for Fierce and Fierce programs. Her professional background includes nonprofit and corporate work including public relations, B2B and B2C marketing and communication as well as leadership development and professional training.

Megan Szerwo (BA, 2004)
Born in Seattle, Megan Coppersmith Szerwo has grown up exploring and loving this city. A longtime bureaucrat, Megan started her work career while studying Communications at UW, with an internship with King Countyʼs Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Since that time, Megan has worked with the media and the public, marketing programs and services for King County Elections, King Countyʼs Department of Executive Services and now the Seattle City Council, since March 2010.

5-6:30 p.m.
CMU 126
RSVP: vsprang@uw.edu

People with the coolest jobs in town tell you how they got ‘em … and how you can get the next one. Join speakers across an array of communications fields, including journalism, marketing/PR and social media, as they discuss the job choices that brought them to where they are today. They’ll also share tips on how you can parlay your unique experiences and talents into engaging new opportunities now and throughout your career.

Lara Bain (’05) is the founder of Outpost Media, a local PR and Social Media consulting firm. In this role, she helps businesses connect with customers through traditional and new media channels. Prior to founding Outpost Media, Lara supported social media, PR and marketing for Nordstrom. Lara graduated from the University of Washington in 2005 with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science. As a student, she participated in several internships, including the legislative reporting internship for The Everett Herald and a fellowship at The Seattle Times. She is currently a contributing writer to Northwest Wine Anthem and enjoys spending time with her husband and her boxer dog, Marlow.
 

For more than 14 years, Karen Bryant (’02) has been involved with professional women’s sports. Currently the president and CEO of the Seattle Storm, the two-time WNBA champions, Bryant’s leadership has helped guide the Storm to be recognized as one of the league’s premier independently owned franchises. She has taken the Storm from an expansion team to an independent entity – an entrepreneurial feat. Bryant started her career in sports in 1996, as the director of operations for the American Basketball League’s Seattle Reign, where she later served as general manager. In 1999, she was recruited by the Seattle SuperSonics to lead the organization’s effort to secure a WNBA expansion franchise. In 2008, the Seattle Storm became an independent organization, upon the relocation of the SuperSonics. The same year, Bryant was named the Storm’s chief executive officer. Bryant is responsible for overseeing business and basketball operations for the organization, including long-term growth strategies and developing partnerships and initiatives focused on support for women and girls. With her leadership, Storm revenue has increased 162%. Under Karen Bryant’s leadership and guidance, the Storm won the WNBA championship in 2004 and 2010.

Forest Gibson is a Seattle based Director/Producer/Actor with a Tech and Marketing background. His first job out of UW was marketing for Coca Cola. He then moved to Banyan Branch, where he did social media marketing for companies like Fox, Paramount, and Parallels. He left to consult a local music technology startup called Bookr, became their Chief Marketing Officer and later President. After that, he worked with Cheezburger on their web series “Know Your Meme” and starred in the Bravo TV series “LOLwork”. He is now Executive Producer and Principal of the boutique creative agency, Cinesaurus. Twitter: @forestgibson

Autumn Monahan (’02) currently serves her community as the City of Issaquah’s Communications Manager. Based in the Mayor’s Office, she manages all forms of the City’s communications, including its website, TV channel, radio station and newsletters. She also serves as a strategic advisor to the City’s leadership team. Before joining the City, Autumn worked as an Account Executive for MWW Group, one of the five largest independent public relations firms in the world. During her time at MWW, she worked on a variety of public relations programs for both national clients (such as Samsung and Gardenburger), as well as smaller start-up tech companies. Autumn also worked as a journalist for several years, most recently as the editor of the Sammamish Review, a 48-page community newspaper that’s published twice a month. Autumn graduated in 2002 from the University of Washington with a bachelor of arts in communications and political science. As a senior, she served as an intern for The Seattle Times and the Seattle Art Museum.

Kim Holcomb is a reporter and fill-in host for Evening Magazine and New Day Northwest. She started as a one-man band news reporter in Yakima, WA, making minimum wage and loving every moment. She moved on to other anchoring and reporting jobs in Boise, ID, Las Vegas, NV and Phoenix, AZ. Seattle is her favorite (and, she hopes, final) career move. At Evening, Kimʼs interviewed some of Hollywoodʼs biggest stars, traveled around the world, and told the stories of remarkable people living and working in our community. Her work has been honored with four regional Emmys and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow award for writing. Kim has a BA in political science from UCR and a MS in broadcast journalism from Boston University. She spent a year teaching journalism at UNLV, and is a proud Husky-by-marriage. Sheʼs married to NWCN Evening Anchor Rob Piercy, and mom to a son and daughter. Outside of work, Kim loves watching movies, thrifting, traveling, good coffee, bad karaoke, and supporting Seattleʼs substantial food and beverage industry.

Students listen to a panel of communications professionals during the Nov. 15 Career Kickstart event, “Break Through the Noise: Get the Internship.”

LAST CHANCE FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

What are your post-graduation plans? Not sure? Let Career Kickstart help! This series of events, sponsored by the UW Department of Communication Alumni Board, features the expertise of communication professionals who want to help you land your first job. Watch a video from “Break Through the Noise: Get the Internship.”

Public Relations in China and Worldwide

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013
Time: 2:00 to 3:30
Place: Communications 126
RSVP: vsprang@uw.edu

Yung-kai Chung is a professor at Shih Hsin University in Taiwan; a board member of the Foundation for Public Relations, Taiwan;  an Honorary chair of Chinese PR Association; and a Fellow and APR in PRSA. His work experience includes Chief PR officer for Taiwan Provincial Government; Counselor and PRO for the Premier’s Office Chair, WORLDCOM Group; and  Asia-Pacfic Region National Chair for the International Public Relations Association. He is a graduate of the National Chengchi University, China and holds a B.S. in Journalism from Oklahoma Baptist University and an M.A. in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Iowa. He is an experienced and interesting public speaker with experience nationally and internationally at conventions and universities.

Career Kickstart Happy Hour & Networking

Friday, May 17, 2013
4-6 p.m.
RSVP: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/378191
All students and alumni 21 and over

Meet and mingle with Department of Communication students, alumni, and friends at the District Lounge located in the Hotel Deca in the heart of the University District. No host bar with appetizers provided by the Department of Communication. This networking event is in celebration of a yearlong series of professional development events, including the Alumni Board sponsored Career Kickstart.

How to Prepare For a Job Interview

Date: Monday, May 20, 2013
Time: 5:00 to 6:30
Place: Communications 126
RSVP: vsprang@uw.edu

In this session, Alumna Jennifer Clark (Director of Sales – Sprint) will talk to students about how to prepare for a job interview and land that job.   There are many steps to consider when getting ready to start that job hunt.  Information in this presentation will include some of the following:

• Be proud of your accomplishments as a University of Washington Graduate!
• Follow your passion
• The interview process
• 1^st Interview and what is important as part of the preparation process
• First impressions – Dress For Success
• Resume Preparation & Reference Contacts
• What should you bring with you in an interview?
• Interview questions you should be prepared to answer
• After the interview – Next steps
• 30-60-90 Day plan – How to build one.
• Question & Answer Time

Previous Events

Thursday, January 17, 2013: What I Wish I Knew Before Graduating

Hindsight is always 20/20. The closer you get to graduating and taking those first steps into the real world, the more important it is to remember that everything – from the clothes you buy to your bedtime – will change. In our “What I Wish I Knew Before Graduating” event, you will hear from industry professionals who have been there and can offer up some of the advice they wish they had gotten before they graduated.

Find more information here. 5-6:30 p.m. CMU 126. RSVP: vsprang@uw.edu

Tuesday, February 19, 2013: How Did You Get That Job?

People with the coolest jobs in town tell you how they got ‘em … and how you can get the next one. Join speakers across an array of communications fields, including journalism, marketing/PR and social media, as they discuss the job choices that brought them to where they are today. They’ll also share tips on how you can parlay your unique experiences and talents into engaging new opportunities now and throughout your career.

Find more information here. 5-6:30 p.m. CMU 126. RSVP: vsprang@uw.edu

Wednesday, March 6, 2013: Make yourself more marketable: Land your dream job

Companies look at your individual experiences as only one part of the whole package. Are you sharing the right information? Join to define your personal brand identity and how you can use it to your advantage to land your dream job.

Find more information here. 5-6:30 p.m. CMU 126 RSVP: vsprang@uw.edu

Thursday, April 18, 2013: From Application to Getting Hired: Resume Bootcamp

Connect one-on-one with professionals in your industries to find out tricks of the trade to better prepare yourself for the job of your dreams and coach you in the along the way. Advance registration is required.

5-6:30 p.m. CMU 126. RSVP: vsprang@uw.edu

October 18, 2012: Social Media as a Tool to Connect and Land the Job

Presenters: Whitney Curry, Zillow

Learn resources and skills that help you land the job and remain competitive in the ever-changing technology landscape.

November 15, 2012: Break Through the Noise: Get the Internship

Speakers

• Dane Brandon, Software Developer at Redfin
• Darcy Jacobson (’05), Event Manager at Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association
• Amy Laughter (’04), Major Gifts Officer at Overlake Medical Center Foundation
• Megan Szerwo (’04), Communications specialist for City of Seattle, Seattle City Council
• Jen Whelan, Director of Marketing/Office Product Marketing/Unmanaged Team at Microsoft
• Travis Mayfield, Director of Digital Media Strategy at KOMOnews.com

Watch a video from “Break Through the Noise: Get the Internship.”

Students listen to a panel of communications professionals during the Nov. 15 Career Kickstart event, “Break Through the Noise: Get the Internship.”

Thursday, January 17, 2013: What I Wish I Knew Before Graduating

5-6:30 p.m.
CMU 126
RSVP: vsprang@uw.edu

Hindsight is always 20/20. The closer you get to graduating and taking those first steps into the real world, the more important it is to remember that everything – from the clothes you buy to your bedtime – will change. In our “What I Wish I Knew Before Graduating” event, you will hear from industry professionals who have been there and can offer up some of the advice they wish they had gotten before they graduated.

Speakers

Stacy Kowalchuk serves as the Social Media Manager at Trupanion, a pet insurance company located in Ballard. At Trupanion, Stacy leads social media strategy, development and implementation across all social channels. In Stacy’s day-to-day work, she runs promotions, monitors the industry for brand conversations, provides online customer support, maintains the company blog and assists with SEO and content development. You can connect with Stacy on Twitter @stacybean.

At 206inc, Angela Schonberg serves as an Associate Manager where she continues to bring her enthusiasm for traditional and digital communications strategy to a number of brands such as Coca-Cola, Toyota and Chase. She particularly excels in gaining positive exposure for big brands in regional markets across the country, and is constantly on the lookout for new ways for brands to interact with consumers using social media. You can connect with Angela on Twitter @AngelaSchonberg.

A native of Seattle, Karla Clark began her career as a talk show producer and on-air entertainment personality for the ABC affiliate, KOMO AM 1000. After leaving KOMO, she kept her hand in broadcast as on-air talent for KCTS 9 television pledge drives. Karla later served as the Communications Strategic Advisor with Seattle Public Utilities responsible for internal and external communications. An avid basketball fan, her love for the game eventually led her to a position as a game night Media Relations/Stats team supervisor with the Seattle Sonics Basketball Team. After helping a friend with publicity for a local play, Karla realized her entrepreneurial spirit and KC Media Strategies was born, a boutique media, publicity and special events company. Through KCMS, Karla successfully developed strategic publicity campaigns and events for non-profit organizations, theatrical productions and local films. Currently, Karla serves as a Moderator/Presenter for Microsoft’s Envisioning Lab where she delivers engaging presentations and interactive tours about future technology to VIP guests, top level decision makers, executives, foreign dignitaries, local and national government officials, schools and Microsoft partners from various industries worldwide.

Thank you for the opportunity to attend the communication internship seminar, last March, which had an Alaska Airlines Magazine editor in attendance. Because of the interview at this seminar, I have been accepted as an intern and will be starting November 19. Thank you for your efforts to help students.

- Rose Marie Gai

L-R Stacy Kowalchuk, Karla Clark, Angela Schonberg, Kadee Grey, Priya Frank
Board members Kadee Gray and Priya Frank recruited friends from Trupanion, Microsoft, and 206inc for a great Career Kickstart session

By Erica Thompson -

At this month’s Career Kickstart event, communication students absorbed advice about how to land an internship from professionals who know how hard it can be to enter into the working world.

Students looking to go into a variety of fields, including marketing and public relations, broadcast journalism, mass media technologies, publication design and foreign services, listened to the experiences of representatives from Microsoft, Redfin, KOMO news and a biotechnology company to learn from their missteps and triumphs.

Darcy Jacobson (B.A., 2005), event manager for the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association (WBBA), never thought she would work in the life science industry given that she dropped out of biology in college, but she stressed to keep an open mind.

“Don’t limit yourself to (opportunities) in the communication field,” Jacobson said. “Be open and broad and if you’re interested in different topics, then try different things.”

Jacobson had a wide range of jobs before working for the WBBA, but she said she has found her niche and is living her dream.

“I sold steaks, which was lovely because I love food, and I sold an experience, but now I get to work for an organization that supports people that save lives,” she said. “It sounds really cheesy, but it’s totally true. So finding your passion … and considering that there might be something out there that you never thought of might find you the perfect job.”

Dane Brandon, a software engineer at Redfin who graduated from the University of Washington with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science, couldn’t agree more.

“I would stress that it’s a good idea to try a bunch of things out while you have the chance and definitely don’t just take a summer off and do nothing,” he said.

Brandon did three internships and one summer of research during his years as an undergraduate student, and chose both big and small companies to work with. He ended up liking the small company better, landing him at Redfin.

“Internships are really a good way to find good matches,” he said. “It’s a two-dimensional relationship and you should really think of it that way.”

Travis Mayfield, director of digital social strategy for Fisher Interactive Network (the parent company of KOMO), and director of advertising at Microsoft, Jen Whelan, focused more on the importance of meeting people and building relationships.

“The more people you interact with, the more opportunity you have to just meet somebody that has a sister, brother, friend that wants to match-make you,” Whelan said.

Whelan compared the life of a career to the children’s tale “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,” where one thing leads to the next that leads to the next, etc. Starting that process is a crucial step.

“I would say that one of my biggest pieces of advice would be if somebody comes up to you and says, ‘I want to talk to you about an opportunity.’ Your answer is yes,” Whelan said. “You say, ‘Let’s talk,’ no matter what. … You never know where it’s going to lead.”

This was true for Mayfield, who said that every job he had stemmed from the last.

“It’s all about who you know and making relationships,” he said. “You have to prove yourself as you go along, but meeting people is the most important thing I’ve ever done in my career and being open to meeting people.”

Mayfield’s first step in the process was landing a fellowship that led to an internship with the Today Show, where he worked with Katie Couric and Ann Curry.

“To say that it was life changing would be an understatement,” he said. “It was amazing. I got to go on shoots, I got to write interview questions that Katie asked on the air the next day, I sat in the control room, and helped produce the summer concert series.”

It was in Couric’s office after discussing the polish color of her last pedicure that changed the course of Mayfield’s career. With her feet up on the desk, Couric called the news affiliate in Spokane, where Mayfield was going to school at the time, to tell them about an awesome intern she had and the rest is history.

“So internships can change your life,” Mayfield said.

Melissa Yang, a senior communications student, said she came to the event to “take advantage of the opportunity to learn how to be a more competitive applicant.”

The biggest piece of advice she took away was to “be open to any opportunity because you don’t know where it will take you. It’s not always a linear path.”

November 15, 2012
3-5 p.m.
CMU 126
RSVP: vsprang@uw.edu

Speakers

• Dane Brandon, Software Developer at Redfin
• Darcy Jacobson (’05), Event Manager at Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association
• Amy Laughter (’04), Major Gifts Officer at Overlake Medical Center Foundation
• Megan Szerwo (’04), Communications specialist for City of Seattle, Seattle City Council
• Jen Whelan, Director of Marketing/Office Product Marketing/Unmanaged Team at Microsoft
• Travis Mayfield, Director of Digital Media Strategy at KOMOnews.com

“Get the Internship” is one of a series of events sponsored by the UW Department of Communication Alumni Board, featuring the expertise of communication professionals who want to help you land your first job. Learn more about the Career Kickstart series.