Like many industries, the beauty industry has grown to be one of the fastest evolving markets with consumers who demand authenticity, representation, and innovative products that fit their unique needs. At The Estée Lauder Companies’ (ELC), our collective vision is to be the most inclusive and diverse beauty company in the world as well as the employer of choice for diverse talent and the brand of choice for our global consumers. Because of this, we understand that talent today don’t just want to know what companies WILL do as it pertains to inclusion, diversity, and equity, but have a genuine track record and a commitment to current and future leader’s career advancement.

We are consumer obsessed and because of this we focus our priorities on ensuring our employee population reflects the communities we impact by ensuring equitable access to professional development and advancement opportunities.

Driving Professional Development within HBCU Communities

As an organization dedicated to professional development and education, we pride ourselves in our ability to deliver on our ID&E commitments through external programs with our employee populations and HBCUs. To date, ELC has partnered with Howard University, Spelman College, and Florida A&M to provide virtual networking and career advancement programs for alumnae seeking ways to transition to the beauty industry.

• She’s Howard – ELC’s partnership program with Howard University was inspired by ELC’s longstanding relationship with the University that began in 2018 through an increased focus on HBCU recruiting. Since its inception in 2021, the program continues to be a resourceful networking tool for all Howard Alumnae. 

• Let’s Talk Beauty – ELC’s partnership program with the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College was designed to serve as a platform for ELC to connect with Spelman Alumnae through intentional conversations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities to provide career coaching and insights into the beauty industry. 

• FAMU 10-Week Travel Retail Program – ELC’s partnership program with Florida A&M University was designed to engage rising juniors and seniors by providing an inside look into the fast-paced world of Travel Retail. Participants join for a 10-week program during which 41 merit scholarships of US$10,000 were awarded to students in the University’s School of Business and Industry over the course of five years by the University on behalf of The Estée Lauder Companies. 

Leading From Every Chair

We believe in the power of leading from every chair and are committed to creating space for talent with unique backgrounds and perspectives to support and lead innovation. As one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products sold in approximately 150 countries and territories, we offer a number of opportunities for undergraduates, early career professionals and our internal community of employees to continue to challenge themselves and contribute to a number of exciting business priorities. 

• Lauder Summer Internship Program – A 10-week program that offers undergraduate students in the U.S. the opportunity to think critically in real-world corporate situations. Students have the opportunity to apply for openings in our corporate functions or at one of our brands, and they will be assigned based on their academic backgrounds and interests once they are accepted into the program. 

• Presidential Associate Program – An intensive, 18-month rotational program specially designed for undergraduates. This program integrates professional rotations with continuous leadership development, coaching, mentoring, hands-on practical experience, group networking opportunities, and strategic thinking initiatives to optimize talent and build business acumen and capability.

• From Every Chair Program – In June 2020, William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman, and Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer, shared ELC’s Commitment to Racial Equity. As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure Black employees have equal access to leadership trainings and mentorship programs with senior executives, the Global Talent team and the Inclusion & Diversity COE, in collaboration with the Network of Black Leaders and Executives (NOBLE) Employee Resource Group, created the From Every Chair (FEC) Leadership & Development Program. This 9-month Sponsorship and Mentorship program for current employees focuses on one-on-one mentoring sessions, curated professional development seminars and dedicated coaching from highly regarded executive coaches. Since its inception, the program was designed to develop and advance Black talent through enhanced programs focused on soft skills and career coaching for all participants.

• ELC Grow – In 2022, ELC launches its internal Talent Marketplace designed to connect employees to personalized recommendations for full-time roles, project and networking opportunities that can empower our community to grow their skills and careers. By matching employees with internal opportunities autonomously we encourage an environment of continued learning and fueling future career aspirations and interest.

Head over to The Estee Lauder Company’s company profile to learn more about the company and for information on open roles!

The post Learn How The Estée Lauder Companies Champions Diversity & Career Advancement in the Beauty Industry appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Calling all undergrads and recent grads: kickstart your career with Kohl’s! Finding the right path after college can be overwhelming, but Kohl’s offers internship and trainee programs that prioritize your growth and leadership development. 

Kohl’s has developed leadership programs that are a launchpad for a meaningful career, allowing self-motivated and inspired individuals to grow, both professionally and personally. Ideal for college students and recent graduates, the Kohl’s Store Leadership Internship and Store Leadership Trainee Program are both designed to give young professionals the tools needed to grow into great leaders. 

For current college students, the Kohl’s Store Leadership Internship is an interactive, 8-week paid structured training program created with development in mind. Interns are given a peek behind the scenes at running a $10 million to $20 million dollar Kohl’s store. More than just hands-on experience, interns are also invited to exclusive networking events and curate their own individual development plans with their mentors. The Store Leadership Trainee Program is designed for leaders ready to jump-start their careers. Over the 12-week paid program, Store Leadership Trainees (or SLTs/Leaders in Training) develop the skills and experience needed to become a Merchandising Manager at Kohl’s. With direct experience in store-merchandising, sales, and human resources, it is a program built with development in mind. 

WayUp was able to speak with some impressive individuals who have completed the Kohl’s Store Leadership Internship and are either working towards becoming a Merchandising Manager or currently succeeding in the role.

One key takeaway from our conversations is that the true strength of these programs is the people. Both professionals mentioned that their favorite part of work was the team they are a part of and how supported they feel. Whether they grew up shopping in the store or strolled by the booth at their college career fair, the connections they made with this brand go beyond what a typical internship offers.

Additionally, both individuals applauded Kohl’s for their dedication to development.While many internships provide a summer experience, Kohl’s programs are designed to not only provide a summer experience but one that provides hands-on experience and develops leadership skills. At Kohl’s, these programs are designed to enhance your leadership skills so you come out the other side as a Merchandising Manager. 

From networking events to assigned mentors who help map out career paths, it’s evident from our conversations that Kohl’s is committed to developing the next generation of leaders. These programs are ideal for any current college student or recent grad who wants to kick start their career in the right direction.

About the Leaders in Training

Shiyan Reed is someone who knows how to set goals and get after them. As an aspiring intellectual property attorney, Kohl’s was not yet part of her long-term plan. But, after speaking with some Kohl’s store managers at a Texas State University career fair, it was clear the Kohl’s Store Leadership Programs were where she wanted to grow as a leader. Shiyan completed the internship and trainee program at the Pflugerville, Texas location before stepping into her current position as Merchandising Manager at the Leander location.

As a current Store Leadership Trainee, Sandy McGlothlin has her sights set on her path ahead. Upon completion of her 12-week program, she will step into the role as Merchandising Manager in San Diego. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Arizona, her analytical mindset helps her find solutions to problems in an efficient and effective manner.

Q: What originally brought you to Kohl’s, and what keeps you there?

Q: How has Kohl’s fostered and supported your development?

Q: What are your career goals at Kohl’s?

Q: What’s one piece of advice that has stuck with you through your career that you would also give to someone newly joining the workforce?

When it comes to starting your career off on the right foot, making the first step can feel overwhelming. What Kohl’s offers in their leadership programs goes beyond a resumé–it’s an experience that jump-starts an impactful, meaningful career.  

Want to learn more about the Kohl’s Store Leadership Internship and Store Leadership Trainee Program? Head over to Kohl’s WayUp profile to learn more about the company and browse open roles, upcoming events, and more.

The post The Launchpad for Leaders: How the Kohl’s Store Leadership Programs are Setting Up Early Professionals for Success appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

For some, going back to school after graduating college sounds like a nightmare. For others, it sounds like a necessary step for pursuing your dreams.

How do you discern whether attending graduate school is right for you? Even if you know it’s something you want to do, a major factor of the decision is timing.

While I don’t have all the answers, I have my own personal experience of deciding to go back to school and change careers. While I’ve written as a contract writer for WayUp, I am a full-time student at the University of Illinois at Chicago gaining my masters of social work to become a licensed therapist.

Additionally, I interviewed college graduates and wrote a book about navigating the changes in post-grad in order to understand more about the pivotal life transition. In Coming of Age: Our Journey into Adulthood, I share anecdotes from hundreds of survey respondents about their own experiences to bring to light a major transition that isn’t often talked about in society at large.

For this article, I wanted to share insights about going back to school, whether it’s a step immediately after college or many years down the road. Regardless of when you choose to go back to school, it’s an important life decision and one that will shape your future.

Pursuing the Path Immediately After College

In certain careers, additional training or higher education may be required in order to practice or continue in that field. If you enter graduate school immediately following your undergraduate graduation, you delay the transition from student to professional as you maintain the identity of a student. You also have a clear path ahead of you, which helps to answer the dreaded question of, “So what are you doing after graduation?”

There are many benefits for continuing in higher education. You already know the rhythms of school and what’s expected of you as a student. You may need a graduate degree in order to practice or work, so you don’t want to delay your career further without it. You may have certain goals or ambitions that are accomplished only through gaining another degree or additional certification.

Many describe this decision as one they knew they had to do immediately after undergrad because they otherwise could not imagine going back to school. Once you step away from being a student, especially after that’s all you’ve known for your life at that point, it can be difficult to go back.

Whether it’s law school, medical school, a program related to humanities, or another field, the material becomes much more specialized compared to an undergraduate education. While meaningful, the workload often becomes more difficult too. In my book, some respondents described graduate school as the hardest they have ever worked in their life. Others openly shared about imposter syndrome, especially if they went to a prestigious university or entered a program in a different or competitive field of study.

Another mentioned the academics as the most challenging part, but also highlighted the value of the decision itself as it related to their goals:

“I was thankful to meet the most amazing and supportive people in my program who have made the challenging coursework more manageable. Although it was stressful, it is rewarding to know that I am one step closer to becoming a nurse practitioner.”

Coming of Age, p. 120

With specific career goals in mind, graduate school is a vital and necessary part of a career journey. The sense of accomplishment and professional confidence that grows from stepping more fully into your desired path cannot be overstated.

That said, there is no one right way or time to go about pursuing higher education and your specific career goals. Others wait many years before going back to school.

Taking Time Off or Rerouting Plans

It can be invaluable to take time off after graduating from college before jumping headfirst into another program. Graduate school has additional costs, intensity of work, and implications for your career. It is no small decision. Taking time off from being a full-time student for a season could help you become a better and more focused student in the future.

“I wish I had known that taking off that year between undergrad and grad school was actually really, really good for me. I was apprehensive about it, but it was so restful, it allowed me to hit med school with a running start and fresh mind.”

Coming of Age, p. 120

Taking time off from academics could be the best decision before starting a program, especially if you know it will be your reality for several years. We have to remember life (and our careers) is a marathon – not a sprint. You cannot expect everything out of yourself those first few years.

While the application process for graduate school is different from trying to find entry-level jobs, applicants deal with rejection just the same. You may be open to moving for the program or you may be tied to a specific location. Depending on how many schools you apply to, you may have several options of programs. While you may not get acceptances everywhere, most don’t expect to receive a rejection from all schools.

For one respondent in my book, her plan was to go to grad school but she was waitlisted at the two schools she applied to and didn’t know what to do from there. She waited a year and applied again, so she ended up taking a year off without intending to do so. Again, timing is a major aspect of decision-making in the real world.

Another respondent dealt with rejection and it resulted in a change of plans that he had not anticipated.

“I applied in two separate years, so to be rejected twice was really difficult. That had been an end goal for me as I thought about my early career, so it took a lot to reorient my career goals and what I wanted out of life.”

Coming of Age, p. 121

Life doesn’t always unfold in the ways we want it to, and that’s a bitter reality of the real world. Rejections can help to evaluate options through a different lens, which then can help determine a new path moving forward. It is trials like these that build resilience and character as people forge their own lives.

Pursuing a Career Change by Going Back to School

For those that choose to go back to school after several years, it is often a byproduct of wanting to change careers or enhance their professional experience. Going to graduate school can be a great way to pivot, whether slightly or into a completely new career.

Many choose to wait to pursue higher education so they can gain work experience, making them a more valuable candidate for the program. It may become more difficult to leave a salaried job to become a student again, but there are benefits to going back to school later in life too. For some professions, gaining life experience only benefits you in the profession.

For me personally, I worked in marketing for eight years before going back to school to get my master’s of social work. My interest was first piqued during a counseling course I took in college, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pursue it as a career, so I chose to put it in the back of my mind. I also considered how life experience would benefit me as a therapist, so I knew I could always become a counselor later in my life.

After college, I began and continued my career in marketing. Working remotely during the pandemic helped kickstart the desire for me to work more directly with people in my day-to-day life. As to not feel as overwhelmed by the potential decision to change careers, I attended information sessions out of curiosity. I talked to old professors and friends who had made similar career changes to seek counsel. I eventually decided to apply to a few programs, knowing that didn’t force my decision itself.

Through my own process of discernment and data collection, I became more assured in my decision and felt ready to commit to a career change. I could not pursue the new field without attending graduate school, so I made the decision to become a student again in my early thirties.

While I had major adjustments in going back to school, I also felt such excitement to be in class again and listen to lectures about topics I cared about. While it took some time getting used to weekly reading assignments and writing papers again, I felt as though I gained a greater perspective and appreciation for my education itself.

While it was a difficult decision to change careers, I look back and see how quickly time passes. If I had let fear stop me, I would not be in a field of work that feels more aligned with my own goals and values. In a span of two years, I will have changed from a marketing professional into a social worker and it wouldn’t be possible without graduate school.

If you aren’t sure whether grad school is something for you to explore, I recommend talking to mentors, college professors, and contacts within the field itself. If you are considering it as a next step for your post-grad journey, you can review some additional resources on WayUp’s website here.

You never know how grad school may shape your career. Even if it means becoming a student again.

The post Graduate School: Post-Grad Plans or a Career Change Later in Life? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Working with a variety of different people to unlock their financial, personal, and professional goals, the work of a Financial Representative is vast and unbounded. Given that there are so many different options and ways to build your financial health, representatives have the ability to use tools and resources to help design plans for their clients. 

But what does that actually look like? To find out, we spoke with Josh Chandler, a financial representative at Northwestern Mutual, about why he loves working as a  financial representative. 

Despite being at an intern level, Josh has already been given several opportunities to drive his career forward. In our conversation with him, we learn a little bit more about what working at Northwestern Mutual as a financial representative is like and how he became so successful early on in his career. 

Impacting Your Clients

When I first asked Josh what it was about financial consulting and planning that interested him, he shared an anecdote about a family member who he wished had help from a financial representative. 

Today, Josh is inspired to help other people reach financial wellness because of the story his family member went through. For him, working with people from all different walks of life is what really makes him feel fulfilled. 

Although blue-collar folks are Josh’s favorite clients to work with, they only represent a  portion of the clients that representatives get to work with. Maybe you want to help out single moms, maybe you want to work with athletes, or maybe you want to work with people like yourself who just got their first job!  

The beauty of being a financial representative is getting to build your own portfolio and working with the people whose lives you truly get to make a difference in. 

Celebrating Wins

Another rewarding part of being a financial representative is that you get to enjoy celebrating the success of your clients every single day. The work you’re doing with these people is very real and impacts their lives in very meaningful ways. What you’re doing might help someone buy a new car, pay off debt, or even send their child to college! These are all milestones that you get to celebrate with your client. 

I analyzed my clients’ assets, their income, and their goals, and I was able to make sure that they’re aligned and working in synergy. Today, whenever they reach a new goal or check one off the bucket list, that’s a goal checked off for me too. I get to live through my clients and whenever they achieve something it’s also an accomplishment for me.

Josh Chandler, Financial Advisor

It is clear that financial representatives have a really big impact on people’s lives and well-being. This means on any given day, you could be helping someone reach their goals that wouldn’t have been possible without you! It works like this that makes the day-to-day of a financial representative so fulfilling.  

Interns Do the Same Things as Full-Time Representatives

By the end of my conversation with Josh, I had to ask him again if he was still an intern because it hardly seemed that way. Josh had his own office, tons of clients, and was continuing to build his career in profound ways. 

However, a good portion of his success can be attributed to the fact that Northwestern  Mutual gives interns the chance to work as full-time representatives right from Day 1  and work with people who inspire them to succeed. Senior advisors help guide in the beginning and along the way as needed, but the role is still very autonomous. 

Interns do pretty much the exact same things that a full-time advisor does which I think is phenomenal. This is why the internship is second to none because you can test drive the career in the same fashion as a full-time advisor.

Josh Chandler, Financial Advisor

The financial representative internship at Northwestern Mutual is hardly an internship at all. Take Josh Chandler’s story as proof that you can have a limitless impact on the clients you serve while building a business for yourself, but not by yourself. 

Northwestern Mutual is looking for more people to join their internship program and start experiencing what life working as a financial representative is really like! Check out their WayUp profile for more information on jobs, news, and the company itself. 

Northwestern Mutual Financial Representatives are Independent Contractors whose income is based solely on production. 

Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with the titles “Financial Advisor” or “Wealth  Management Advisor” are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide advisory services. 

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries in  Milwaukee, WI.

The post Why You’ll Love Working as a Financial Representative at Northwestern Mutual appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Over the past few years, the work-from-home industry has undergone incredible growth with numerous companies shifting to partly or fully remote operations. With this change, a lot of opportunities have opened up for college students looking for part-time jobs and individuals looking for side hustles. However, the rise of all these opportunities has also led to a crowded job market that has left job seekers directionless looking for the right fit.

As a company that helps thousands of young professionals find jobs, we’ve been able to identify the makings of great remote job opportunities. During our search, we came across Appen, a machine intelligence company, and its Yukon Raters program.

As a Search Engine Evaluator within Appen’s Yukon Raters program, you are responsible for rating the quality of web pages and the relevance of search results. Undertaking any number of tasks such as rating automated voices, determining what topics are central and secondary to what a given web page is about, and more, being a Yukon Rater allows you to work at any time and from anywhere you have a computer with internet access

Recently, we spoke with a few former Yukon Raters who were recently promoted within the company to Quality Analysts. In our conversations with them, we learned that the flexibility, the engaging material, the impact of their work, and their ability to grow professionally at the company all contributed to Yukon Raters being the perfect part-time, work-from-home job.

Set Your Own Schedule

As a college student or professional looking for a part-time gig, being able to set your own schedule is a very rare, but sought-after feature. At Appen, you are able to work at any time of day on any day of the week! The work is always there so you can log in and log off when you choose.

While there is a minimum amount of hours you must work, you are still able to complete tasks on your own schedule.

There’s so much that opened up for me because the work is literally there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I was able to take a last-minute trip in 2017 to Japan because the schedule was so flexible. Another instance was when my mother had some health problems and I was able to travel in order to provide care for my family without missing work. I have worked in hospitals, restaurants, and even in a car. For me, it’s just allowed me to really do what I want while earning a living.

Laura James, Quality Analyst*

Chelsea Mitchell, another long-time Yukon Rater turned Quality Analyst, said the flexibility of her schedule allowed her to pursue another job at the same time.

The hours were very flexible. You could work as much as you want as long as you don’t go over a certain amount of hours each week. You could even work in the middle of the night from 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM if you wanted. It was great because I was able to have my other job with the set schedule and then just work around that. I could work on the weekends, I could work three days a week, I could work five days a week, just as long as I met the minimum and didn’t go over the maximum.

Chelsea Mitchell, Quality Analyst

The ability to manage your own time as a Yukon Rater gives people the freedom to pursue other goals in life, both professional and personal.

Learn About Interesting Stuff

Another thing that makes the Yukon Rater position so sought after is the fact that the material you’re looking into is engaging and oftentimes never the same. Due to the nature of the job, having to examine different websites and different types of content, you are exposed to a wide expanse of information. This keeps the job fresh and new!

I think it’s a job where it’s really difficult to get bored. We’re researching different types of information and content that you get to learn about through the process of rating. You get to learn about all different kinds of topics whether it’s cultural things, current events, or cool science stuff. So I think that that helps to keep it really interesting.

Elizabeth Parker, Quality Analyst*

For Elizabeth, she was really interested in politics. So for her, getting paid to read about topics that she finds interesting has been more than ideal!

It wasn’t really a boring job at all and I was always learning something. There was a lot of diversity in the tasks that we would get in our queues every day. You never kind of knew what you’re gonna be working on so it was really cool in that regard.

Susan Garret, Quality Analyst*

While the work the Yukon Raters were doing was enjoyable and engaging, it was just as much impactful to the digital world and the billions of users who occupy it.

You’re Making the Digital World a Better Place

The main goal of the Yukon Rater is to make searching the web a better experience. While this has to do with assessing the accuracy and relativity of web pages and search results, it also has to do with making sure no offensive or harmful material is present. 

For example, this might have to do with a Yukon Rater flagging a children’s YouTube video because it has inappropriate content in it or a rater flagging a blog for containing offensive language. 

One responsibility of ours has to do with offensive-type tasks. One of the big things was trying to weed out upsetting or offensive videos on YouTube. We would also examine videos and pages to make sure there was no porn or racist material which is really important. It’s a rewarding job because I did think we were making a difference. Everyone wants to have a pleasant internet browsing experience and we are helping facilitate that.

Laura James, Quality Analyst*

The Internet is a place full of endless information and opportunity, but it also has some shady and dark places. Luckily, there are people like Laura and the rest of the Yukon Raters keeping the website clean and free of offensive material.

We’re definitely helping to make search a better experience for users and that’s something to take a lot of pride in. Everybody uses search, so it’s exciting to be a part of what’s making that better.

Susan Garret, Quality Analyst*

Ability to Grow Within the Company

During your work as a Yukon Rater, you get the opportunity to grow your skills in a number of ways. Whether it’s research skills, data and analytics muscles, communication abilities, or general knowledge, being a Yukon Rater is just as good for your resume as it is for conversation at a dinner party.

However, Appen and their Yukon Raters program also help you grow your professional career as well. All of the Appen employees we spoke with were former Yukon Raters that are now full-time with Appen working as Quality Analysts who, in addition to other job functions, oversee the raters.

While Appen wants their employees to enjoy the liberties of their incredibly flexible and lucrative Yukon Raters job, they also want to encourage and enable employees to grow within the company. While Raters are invited to become Quality Analysts, they are also encouraged to reach out to management if interested in the position. More often than not, management will give you the tools you need to make it to that level!

So if you’re looking for a part-time, work-from-home job that allows you to work when you want, learn about interesting topics, make an impact on the world, and grow yourself professionally, be sure to check out Appen and their Yukon Raters program.

Start browsing open roles at Appen today!

*Names of employees have been changed*

The post The Ideal Side Hustle You Can Do Where You Want, When You Want appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you’re contemplating what kind of internship is best for you, there are a lot of questions you might ask yourself. Is this going to look good on my resume? Will I partake in meaningful work? Will it be enjoyable?

Your time is precious. Especially those summers during college when you’re setting yourself up for future success. This being the case, it’s natural to have questions like these and wonder if a company is truly able to give you what you want out of an internship.

Recently, we dove deep for answers. In our conversations with a few current interns at Oxford, one of the leading staffing and consulting companies across North America and Europe, we learned why they chose to work at Oxford and how the company has supported their careers.

What we learned is that meaningful work, mentoring, the encouragement of future growth, and Oxford’s work-hard-play-hard attitude are all factors that contribute to the appeal of Oxford and its internship program.

Doing Real Work With Substance

Lyla Krol, a current intern with Oxford and student at the University of South Carolina, originally thought “interns would do mundane tasks, like printing stuff and going to get copies.” However, this preconception was quickly flipped on its head when Lyla found herself doing work that directly contributed to Oxford’s bottom line like assessing job openings and resumes in order to find matches or assisting account managers in securing sales.

For Chloee Swartz, who is also a current intern with Oxford and an undergraduate student, working with coworkers, consultants, and cold call recipients who she had never met before helped her grow her skills as a communicator which will benefit her in any and all future opportunities she might embark on.

While there are plenty of work-related interactions between interns and employees, there were also training and advisory interactions in which interns got the chance to shadow full-time employees to learn a little more about what their jobs are like.

Shadowing & Mentorship

The opportunity to follow an experienced professional along in their daily role to find out how to perform a role right and wrong is an invaluable experience. So the fact that Oxford allowed their interns to shadow full-time employees meant a lot.

For Evan Johnson, a current sales and recruiting intern at Oxford and student at the University of Wisconsin, shadowing full-time employees gave him a better scope of what the company was all about and how all the departments worked together.

When we spoke with Chloee about what shadowing was like, she explained how they would listen in on recruiting phone calls, and afterward, the recruiter would walk her through the call and how it went, if it was good or bad, and what they could have done better.

Being able to see what these recruiters’ jobs were like firsthand gave Chloee knowledge that she uses today in her current role. In fact, the knowledge she gained may have even contributed to her receiving the role she is in now.

Setting You Up For Future Growth

You may have noticed that Chloee, Evan, and Lyla are all still current interns with Oxford. That’s because they were all given job extensions following their summer internship, an offering that is reserved for the most exceptional candidates but also given out to several of those who participate in the internship.

Currently, all three of them are working from campus, earning money, and working flexible hours while gaining real experience that they can take with them into their future careers.

What’s unique about Oxford is that they want you to succeed no matter what, whether that’s with them or somewhere else. When we were chatting with Evan, he mentioned that some employees he interacted with said they would connect him with people in other industries or write a reference letter if he needed it for another job. While it sounds unusual for someone within a company to offer help getting a different job, this just goes to show that Oxford employees truly look out for the interests of one another.

Work Hard, Play Hard

Yes, internships and jobs are meant to be something you put a lot of effort and hard work into, but they should also be enjoyable experiences. At least that’s what Oxford thinks.

In our conversation with Lyla Krol, she spoke about how the community aspect and social integration at Oxford’s Beverly, Massachusetts office made her experience that much better.

For Evan, those lunches were valuable to him because he got to interact with people he normally wouldn’t be able to interact with. Evan stated that “a lot of the time you wouldn’t really talk to anybody else on other teams because you’re focused on your task at hand. But with those lunch opportunities, we got to network with more of the office which was really beneficial for me.”

It’s clear that Oxford creates an environment where people can grow not just as professionals, but as people too. They are a company that understands if the place you work is fun and enjoyable, then employees will show up and reciprocate that positivity in their work and daily interactions.

If this is a company that you could see yourself working for, one that grows and supports your success every step of the way, then check out some of Oxford’s open roles.

The post Why Are Undergraduates So Excited About Oxford’s Summer Internship? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It seems nearly impossible to find a job as a college student these days. And we’re not just talking about post-grad. We’re talking about a job you can do while you’re actively enrolled in school. One that pays well, offers benefits, is flexible, and works well with the oftentimes chaotic lives of college students.

But does such a job exist? One that is actually enjoyable, fun, and fulfilling? We’re happy to say there is, with a company called The Black Sheep.

Offering services that range from on-campus outreach to social media marketing, The Black Sheep partners with brands and companies to help bring their message to college students and Gen-Z audiences everywhere. Employing students from every major and area of interest, The Black Sheep has provided college students with the opportunity to make money, pursue an education, and grow themselves as individuals at the same time.

In order to find out why university students everywhere are talking about The Black Sheep, we spoke with Anna Gollihar, a former Micro-Influencer and now Campus Ambassador with the company. In our conversation with Anna, she spoke about the many reasons why The Black Sheep is such an ideal employer for college students.

Good Pay, Great Benefits

First and foremost, working for The Black Sheep means you’re going to get paid. As a Campus Ambassador, you will make a minimum of $60 per shiftn and about $120-$180 per week, as a Micro Influencer, you can make a minimum of $50 per post and about $400 per campaign, and as a Student Data Collector, you can make anywhere from $25-$75 per week.

In addition to the money, working for The Black Sheep comes with a ton of great perks. One perk, which was specific to a campaign, took place when Anna Gollihar was working for Gopuff during her time as a Micro-Influencer, she got tons of free food directly from Gopuff! 

Gopuff, which is a food & grocery delivery service, basically paid for all her deliveries when she needed products for photo shoots. On top of free perks like that, employees are also offered recommendations, references upon requests, and even resume reviews to help bolster their professional career.

Flexible Scheduling

Another great benefit of The Black Sheep is your class schedule and other commitments are taken into account when working. Students submit their availability to their manager who schedules them around pre-existing commitments! As many of you know, college life can get pretty hectic! From studying and class to social life and extracurriculars, schedules can get pretty crowded.

Anna explained that “before we start a campaign, we approve our dates, and what we are available for with the company that we’re partnering with” in a way that works with everyone’s schedules. At the end of the day, The Black Sheep knows how busy college students can be and they take that into account every step of the way.

Real Work Experience

As a college student, you should always take the opportunity to add more experiences to your resume. In The Black Sheep’s varying roles, you get the chance to do just that all while learning some new skills and meeting new people.

For the Micro Influencer role, you can begin to see what it looks and feels like to work with brands on social content creation while also learning how to use trends and data to direct your content. In the Student Data Collector position, you get the chance to give feedback to businesses while also learning how to conduct yourself in a professional setting.

For the Campus Ambassador position, you will learn how to make pitches and enhance some of your sales skills. In our conversation with Anna, she mentioned that one of the most valuable things she got from the Campus Ambassador experience was a better grip on her communication skills.

As someone who is pursuing law, Anna can now take these skills with her into future aspirations.

Long-Term Growth

While The Black Sheep is a great employer for college students, they are just as great for those who have graduated and are looking for full-time roles with a revolutionary marketing company. As was the case with Anna Gollihar, her time with The Black Sheep didn’t end after her first stint as a Micro-Influencer. 

When she started pursuing her law degree in Texas, Anna rejoined The Black Sheep but this time as a Campus Ambassador. This is because The Black Sheep values lasting relationships and likes to offer its workforce as many opportunities as possible.

Even today as a Campus Ambassador, Anna still does work in the social media department that she was a part of previously.

But even beyond the roles that The Black Sheep offers on campus, they also have corporate positions that you can embark on following graduation! 

Social Involvement and Networking

While The Black Sheep is a job, that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. The Micro-Influencer and Campus Ambassador roles are very social by their nature as they both involve engaging with your communities, whether they be digital or in real life. In addition to the people you engage with on your campus or social media, you also have your fellow employees.

“I really genuinely enjoyed hanging out with the partner that I have on this campaign. So even if we’re having a slow day or it’s downtime on campus and we can’t find many people, we’re still laughing and having fun and hanging out.”

Anna went on to say, “in a lot of ways, it connects you with people on campus. Through all the talking I’ve done I’ve made some friends on campus, even though it’s not a campus I go to.” 

The fact that these jobs allow you to socialize with your peers and potentially make new friends all while getting paid is an incredible perk of The Black Sheep jobs.

Join the Flock

As The Black Sheep continues to grow and partner with new businesses, they are looking for more college students like you to help them with their efforts. There is no reason for you to suffer through college on a budget of ramen and macaroni!

Join The Black Sheep as a Micro-Influencer, Campus Ambassador, or Student Data Collector and start earning money, gaining experience, and building your network today.  

The post The #1 Way to Earn Cash in College While Getting Real Marketing Experience appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As you make your way through college, a common question you might ask yourself is what money-earning opportunity you can find to fill your time, your mind, and your wallet while also finishing your education. Luckily, as the world embraces flexible or remote working arrangements, there are several avenues that are now available for students looking to earn money while in school. One great example is Varsity Tutors – their innovative virtual tutoring platform has been helping students for years by making it easy for them to earn money while pursuing an education. 

Recently, we chatted with a pair of current students who are tutors at Varsity Tutors about how the company is giving them everything they need to pursue an education, gain experience, and supplement their livelihood all while choosing their own hours and making extra cash throughout the week! 

1. Flexibility 

One of the very real aspects of most jobs is your lack of control over your schedule, either getting too few hours or too many while having little say in the end result. 

The desire for flexibility is part of the reason the job market has seen such a shift towards more freelance, gig, and contract opportunities like tutoring. At Varsity Tutors (VT), you have the ability to take on as many or as few students as you want, while working with them to make a schedule that suits both of you. 

2. Work-Life Balance 

Gone are the days when people lock themselves into jobs that consume their entire lives, especially while they’re enrolled in college. While it may be important to make extra money in school it is also important to enjoy and embrace everything that the university experience has to offer.

The allure of having a good work-life balance makes tutoring with Varsity Tutors an opportunity that college students across the country have sought out. Much like the flexibility of scheduling, the ability to balance making money with everything else you have going on is why VT is perfect for someone who is busy. 

Do you have drama club every Tuesday? Have a test you need to study for? No problem, talk to your student and find out a different time that works. 

3. Remote Opportunities 

As the world has come to find out over the last couple of years, remote work is here to stay. A study¹ conducted by video-conferencing provider Owl Labs surveyed 3,000 employees in 23 countries over 6 continents and found that people who have the opportunity to work remotely at least monthly are 24% more likely to feel happy and productive in their roles. 

Since Varsity Tutors offers fully-remote opportunities, these benefits are felt in their entirety. It doesn’t matter if you’re on-campus or at home for the holidays, VT allows you to tutor from where ever you are. Not only is it more comfortable, but the time and money you save on not having to commute or look for a new job for the summer will help you maintain your preferred schedule and cash flow. 

Time is a valuable currency. Use all the time that you save to concentrate on school and to continue building the life you’ve always imagined. 

4. An Opportunity That Grows with You 

Everyone wants opportunities that stay new and fresh. In order to grow and learn you need to face new challenges! Luckily, at Varsity Tutors, you have the opportunity to delve into new subjects as you grow. 

For example, say you tutor accounting while in college and eventually go on to become a CPA after you graduate. Then, you can return to VT to use your knowledge and experience to tutor students who are studying for their own CPA licenses. 

As you advance through college and your career, you will be able to offer tutoring services in more subjects and on more advanced material. This growth can ultimately lead to you making more money! 

¹ Flex Jobs – New Study Finds Remote Workers Happier and More Productive

5. Frequent Payments 

Waiting on money is never a fun experience. Especially when you’re in college where money can be scarce. Luckily, Varsity Tutors is very aware of these challenges for students. In order to accommodate tutors’ diverse needs, VT tutors get paid twice a week! 

This payment schedule allows tutors to focus on tutoring and what they need to do to get through school. No more worrying about when your paycheck is going to land, no more worrying about not having money to spend on the weekend, and no more hitting up mom and dad when you need some extra cash. 

The Perfect Combination 

It goes without saying that being a tutor is one of the most rewarding opportunities for someone trying to grow and advance their career. While the flexibility, work-life balance, remote accessibility, and payment schedule are great, tutoring is really what you make it. 

Take Columbia grad student Raul I De La Espriella for example. Raul ended up finding his love for teaching while tutoring with VT, which catapulted him into an entirely different career path. 

“Through Varsity Tutors, I found that I really enjoy teaching the craft of writing. It’s a special kind of feeling when someone can understand that they can write and gain confidence about it. When I watch a student learn to enjoy writing there’s nothing like it.”

Raul I De La Espriella, Johns Hopkins, MA in Teaching Writing 

After his experience with Varsity Tutors, Raul went on to switch his major from economics so he can pursue a career in education. This is a path he wouldn’t have taken if it weren’t for his impactful experience as a tutor for VT.

Whatever your reason for joining Varsity Tutors, know that it is a place for people who want to grow themselves in more ways than one. For more information on how to start tutoring with Varsity Tutors, check out their company profile.

The post 5 Ways Tutoring Will Amplify Your Financial & Professional Future appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As you make your way through college, one very important question you might ask yourself is if a minor is worth undertaking. While not everyone graduates with a minor, it’s a great way to add some versatility to your resume and gain some knowledge that will help you build your career.

When you’re going about this decision, the first thing you have to consider is what your interests are.

You Gotta Love It

No matter what you do in college, whether it’s your studies, extracurriculars, social life, relationships, or otherwise, you have to love what you’re doing. Parents and societal pressures can oftentimes cloud these thoughts but at the end of the day, you should be making decisions for yourself.

So make the choice that truly feeds your soul. Maybe you’re a Finance major who has always wanted to explore theater. Do it. Don’t pursue a minor just because you think it has to align with your major or for some fabricated reason. Choose a minor because it fascinates you and satisfies your thirst for knowledge.

College is a time to explore curiosities and interests of all varieties. And although it may be hard at times, you have to follow your heart in order to fill your head.

Workload

The next thing you have to consider when deciding whether or not a minor is worth it is if you can handle the workload. While passion can fuel productivity, there is only so much you can bare during your college years.

Don’t feel rushed to choose a minor in your freshman year or even your sophomore or junior year. If you have to stick around for another year or two to finish up your courses, don’t feel like you’ve failed!

If you end up leaving school knowing you got what you wanted to out of it, who cares how long it takes you? Of course, it’s important to consider tuition costs but what’s more important is getting everything you need out of your time spent at university.

If you are able to weigh these two factors against each other, workload and passion, you should have an easier time deciding whether or not a minor is worth it.

Always feel free to use your school resources and consult your advisor. And as always, you can rely on the career tips and professional advice that we put out on our blog weekly!

The post Is Getting a Minor in College Worth It? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Once considered only for their ability to fetch coffee and take orders, interns are now becoming more and more important. Companies across the country are beginning to see these potential future employees both as valuable assets and future leaders, causing a ripple effect across industries.

While some companies are just now catching on to the trend, we at WayUp have known for years how beneficial internships can be for both the people who participate in them and the companies that sponsor them. As a job platform that helps people find internships, we have seen first-hand how talented and driven these young entrepreneurs can be. 

Our support for these so-called “rookies” goes so far that we even came up with a holiday for them – National Intern Day – that we will be celebrating the 6th iteration of on July 28th, 2022.

Featured on The Today Show, NASA, and even Forbes, National Intern Day has taken the country by storm and for that reason, has grown pretty competitive. To increase your chances of making it on our Top 100 list for National Intern Day, we put together a list of suggestions to help bolster your application.

Go Above and Beyond

The first and most important thing you have to do to make your way on the Top 100 list is to be an excellent intern. It’s not enough to be a spectator during your summer internship or just go through the motions. You have to be an active participant who not only accomplishes what you’re assigned but goes above and beyond it.

Another important factor to keep in mind as you’re excelling in your internship is the attitude you have. If you’re able to go through a really busy day, one that really tests you, and you do it with a smile on your face, your manager and the people around you will take note of it.

Take Inventory of Your Experience

On your National Intern Day application, you will be asked a series of questions that have to do with what you do in your internship, what you’ve learned, and how it has shaped your career goals. If you’re not prepared to answer these questions in an engaging and authentic way, then it might be best to take inventory of your experience before applying.

Don’t just repeat what the job description says, speak from the heart and demonstrate that the internship had as great of an impact on you as you had on it. If you’re able to show that the significance of your internship was far-reaching, your chances will undoubtedly increase.

Moderate Your Social Media Presence

If you don’t know already, companies are watching what you do on social media. And when it comes to selecting our top interns of 2022, so do we! With this being said, make sure you moderate your social media presence to portray the intelligent and talented individual that you are.

Those who are more active on social media and demonstrate someone who can engage audiences will definitely factor into the decision-making process of our internship but will in no way decide it! 

Apply Early

Lastly, the worst thing you can do if you’re trying to make it on the “Top 100 Interns” list for 2022 is wait to apply. The sooner you get your application in, the better, so fill out an application and see if you have what it takes to make the cut!

The post How to Enter and Win The National Intern Day Competition appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

So you landed a summer internship – congratulations! Now that you’ve made the obligatory Facebook/LinkedIn post and changed that status to employed, you may be thinking about what you can do to make a lasting impression at one of your first big jobs. 

And no, it doesn’t have to do with what you’re going to wear on your first day of work. At least not entirely…

As a job marketplace, we at WayUp have seen internships of all shapes and sizes. And after witnessing so many talented minds crush their summer internships and secure full-time jobs, we have identified five key factors that contributed to their success.

1. Engage, But Don’t Overwhelm

One very common mindset you might have going into your summer internship, especially if it’s one of your first professional experiences, is to engage and chat with as many people as possible. And while this is true, to a certain extent, you have to do so mindfully

If you are preparing to introduce yourself to someone or speak up, make sure you’re not doing so on impulse. Think it through and ask yourself if it’s really worth saying. Upper management doesn’t want someone around who is constantly asking questions or always contributing their two cents. So make sure what you’re saying really carries weight.

Think – does what you have to say contribute to the task at hand? Are you presenting a new angle or perspective? At the end of the day, people will judge you more on the quality of your thoughts rather than the quantity.

2. Dress to Impress

This next suggestion is really obvious when it comes to summer internships yet gets overlooked in so many ways. Depending on the company you’re interning for, what you are expected to wear will vary. So when you’re starting out don’t be afraid to ask your hiring manager what they expect you to wear and take note of what fellow colleagues are wearing to guide your wardrobe choices.

Another important rule to remember is not to let your wardrobe slack just because you’re remote or virtually employed. It is easy (and really nice) to go throughout the day wearing PJs but putting that extra effort into your attire, even in less than formal video conferences, will make a lasting impression on the people you work with during your summer internship.

Alongside a proper wardrobe, you should also strive to maintain proper hygiene. And it’s just the simple things! Brush your teeth, take a shower, and wear deodorant. No one wants to work with someone who smells bad. Plus, it might make it hard to get invited to the company happy hour.

3. Observe Like a Hawk

During your summer internship, you will be learning an incredible amount of information in an incredibly short amount of time. This being the case, you have to observe and digest every single piece of information and stimuli you see. 

Is there a certain way your manager likes to receive deliverables? Make that your bible. Notice a certain employee receiving a lot of praise? Study what they’re doing and replicate it. Did you overhear the CEO’s assistant saying they only drink one type of super rare coffee from Peru? Go find some and secure your future job!

The faster you are able to pick up on things in your summer internship and adapt to your new working environment the more you will show your employer that you deserve a permanent position. 

4. Volunteer for Everything

It doesn’t matter if it’s to pick up lunch, lead a new project, or squash a bug, if you volunteer for everything you not only become someone people can rely on but someone with experience as well, bug-related or otherwise.

Every time you take up a new task you get the chance to show someone that you can do something right. Naturally, responsibilities will grow and tasks will get more important as long as you’re doing them well. Eventually, those tasks could become recurring and make your importance at the company increase.

5. Send Authentic Follow-Ups

Depending on the size of your internship class, your manager and the active employees at the company you worked with are bound to get tons of follow-ups from former interns who want a job. So you’re going to have to make sure what you say really resonates with who you’re saying it to. 

Maybe you have a certain memory of them you wanted to recount. Or something they taught you that you wanted to thank them for. Or maybe you just wanted to ask them for more advice. Whatever you’re doing, make sure it doesn’t sound like a copy and paste message.

It can be strategic to think of this while participating in your summer internship as it can lead to a more genuine and organic follow-up later on. So make sure you’re taking the time to form meaningful connections with the people around you.

Rinse & Repeat

Before you get that corner office, you need to get a full-time job, and before you get that full-time job, you’re going to need to make a lasting impression during your summer internship. So if you want to make sure you make it through try-outs, keep this list handy and read it before your first night of work.

Haven’t found a summer internship to show off how great you are just yet? Browse all our current openings here!

The post How to Turn Your Summer Internship Into a Full-Time Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

In honor of National Intern Day, we are taking time to celebrate and recognize all of our RSM interns as valued members of our teams. We thank them for continually making an impact on our clients, colleagues, and communities across the nation! We reached out to our current summer interns and asked them to share their RSM experience and what they have learned so far during their internship: 

“Gaining real client exposure and being fully involved with the project I’ve been assigned to has been my favorite part. Being able to see the firm’s leadership strategically navigate our client’s complex issues has been a great learning experience. I look forward to continue studying the way the firm drives meaningful relationships.” – Sam, Consulting Intern, Chicago

“My favorite part of the internship so far has been collaborating with my teammates to find solutions for our clients’ needs. A career at RSM means that I will be able to grow not only professionally but also as a person. There are a lot of employee network groups that I look forward to hopefully be able to join one day.” – Juan, Consulting Intern, Dallas

“I have learned so much about the culture at RSM. It’s very caring and growth-oriented, not only professionally, but also socially. Going into accounting I heard about RSM and set being part of the firm as a goal for my college career.” – Charlie, Consulting Intern, Los Angeles

“I’ve enjoyed learning how NetSuite is implemented and how easily customizable it is to the client’s needs and wants. Also, networking; I’ve met so many different people who exhibit the 5’Cs on a day-to-day basis and I am looking forward to being like them in hopes of teaching others to do the same.” – Esmeralda, Consulting Intern, Austin

“My favorite part of the internship has been getting to work with my engagement teams. Everyone is so friendly and eager to help me and it’s been wonderful getting to know them. I’m looking forward to getting to meet more people and getting to know the people I’ve already met even better.” – Jonathan, Audit Intern, Cincinnati

“Even being in a virtual internship, I have made friends with people from my office and other offices across the United States. RSM has really emphasized the importance of CDI, which is extremely important for me to have that support system. It makes me feel a part of a community by being able to join employee network groups.” – Caitlyn, Tax Intern, New Jersey

“One of my favorite things about my internship experience so far has been all the opportunities I have had as an intern to help produce real tax work for clients of the firm. One thing I am looking forward to about my internship having the chance to build a home for Habitat for Humanity with members of my office.” – Emily, Tax Intern, Davenport

Check out our Instagram story (@RSMUSLLP) to get a glimpse of the day in the life of an RSM intern!

The post Celebrating National Intern Day at RSM appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Why joining a virtual info session can change your career

In the midst of a pandemic, typical ways of meeting recruiters and expanding connections through means such as career fairs have been put on hold. Information sessions that students and recent graduates are used to are not happening and finding an internship or a job has been more difficult than ever in recent months. This does not mean that companies aren’t sharing knowledge and opportunities with young talent. Virtual information sessions hosted by company recruiters, universities, or career sites like WayUp’s Lunch and Learn Series, are still connecting young professionals with mentors and career opportunities as well as providing information and knowledge that can change your future.

Why Attend An Information Session?

Attending an info session first and foremost shows that you are both interested in the company or subject, and are proactive in advancing your career.  They also provide valuable insight into the career that you are pursuing. For example, past guests at WayUp’s Lunch and Learn series included: Michael Seibel co-founder of Twitch and current CEO at Y Combinator, Cathy Polinsky, CTO at Stitch Fix, and Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg.  At the top of their fields, these presenters and those to come next can share advice to help advance your current career path and expose you to a different opportunity you were not aware of before. 

Information sessions with specific companies reveal what recruiters in a certain field are looking for in qualified candidates, and what roles are currently available. Most of the time, the company hosting the session will offer interviews to the attendees of the session! Even if an interview is not guaranteed after a session, you now have the knowledge and insight to bring to your future job application, use it as an interview talking point, or create networking opportunities through digital connections. This is especially important for recent graduates who are looking for that perfect entry-level position. 

How Can I Prepare?

Simply researching the company, and the individual speaking is the best way to get the most out of a virtual info session. You may not be able to speak one on one with the presenter since it is a large video conference, but being able to make connections between your research and the presentation is a great strategy. Come with a list of questions for a potential Q&A or just to even keep track of personally for potential future interactions or job applications.

What About After?

If a Q&A session does happen, be sure to ask well-thought-out questions.  A good question shows that you were engaged throughout the presentation and can help you to stand out for any future opportunities at the company. 

Share your findings from the session on social media! Posting about the session and tagging the company or speaker, can help you stand out and improve your professional network. Lastly, remember to follow-up! Chances are the leaders volunteering to put on info sessions are open to connecting with young talent.  Use the notes that you took during the session to find what really grabbed your attention and start a conversation! Sending a follow-up email with questions about what interested you in the presentation or their career path can be a great way to build a new connection and grow your network.  

Where Can I Find Them?

Tons of companies are hosting information sessions over the next few months! We’ll be keeping the list below updated with all the different sessions hosted by WayUp—so be sure to check back here to see them all and apply!

• T-Mobile Magenta Chats: Connecting with Leaders of Color
• East Coast Mega Magenta Event: Internships with T-Mobile
• Virtual Event: Leadership Acceleration Program Internship
• How to succeed in CX with CarMax (plus a prize giveaway!)
• Meet Blackrock: Exclusive Opportunities for CUNY Students
• Virtual Intern Panel: Fortune 30 Healthcare Company
• Virtual Event: An Inside Look at Interning with BNSF Logistics
• Landing Your Aerospace Dream Job:  Pro Tips from the AV Team
• Virtual Event: An Inside Look at Interning with Dow Jones
• Meet NECC: Learn about how you can make an impact in autism education

Recruitment operations expert at WayUp. Gabriel Cohn used to write music and live entertainment – now he helps college students and recent graduates get their dream jobs. 

The post Why joining a virtual info session can change your career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Did he just interrupt me? Or is there a lag in the video…In an online meeting, it’s much more difficult to tell. It’s much easier to blame it on technical difficulties. And beyond being interrupted, it’s much more likely to not be invited into a meeting at all. So how can we stand up for ourselves behind the screens?

Even before the onset of COVID-19, remote meetings have become an integral part of workflow, as our businesses become increasingly global and always-on. Now that we’re nearly entirely working from home, it’s more important than ever to change the culture around online meeting dynamics. 

We can start by asking our teams to set some standards around online meetings. The person calling or leading the meeting has the power to change the entire dynamic: 

• Create an agenda. This ensures each person has their allotted time to speak and questions can be held until the end to mitigate any instances of interruption. 
• Start the call by making all participants feel a part of the conversation, emphasizing that this is a forum with equal opportunities to share from all attendees.
• As the call goes on, ask for direct input from participants who haven’t had a chance to contribute. 

Not getting what you need from leadership? Always introduce yourself on a call if there are folks you don’t know — even this little moment of establishing relationships with those on the call can limit interruptions. And always speak with volume and confidence, and when you use shorter sentences, your stops in between aren’t as long, making it harder for people to interrupt. Be clear and assertive, using words like “believe” and “will” — and don’t be afraid to keep talking through interruptions! 

And when you’re STILL interrupted, here are a few polite, but sharp responses:

• “May I finish?” 
• “I wanted to add that…” 
• “There are a few more essential points I need to make. Can you delay a moment while I do that?”
• “I know I will appreciate your feedback, but can you hold off until I’m done?”

Start calling it out when it happens to your colleagues, and if there’s one repeat offender, get together with a few of your teammates who share the same sentiment and make a pact to have each others’ backs. A little “I’d love to hear more about what Jane was saying,“ goes a long way and sets a precedent that this won’t be tolerated. 

Not getting the chance to speak because you’re not invited to even have a seat at the table (or a screen at the WebEx)? Ask for your team to create shared calendars as a way to better coordinate schedules and share weekly all-team updates since it is difficult to hold large calls with everyone involved. That way, you’re always in the know and can ask to be included if you feel you have something to contribute. 

Microaggressions have the power to become more macro when people can hide behind their screens — but if we come together and speak up, both inside and outside the Fishbowl community, we can shape this new digital workplace culture in a positive way.

About the author: Ro Kalonaros, Manager, OMC Hive at Omnicom, and Fishbowl Community Leader

In partnership with Fishbowl. Check out fishbowlapp.com for more advice & to get connected with other professionals in your field.

The post “Can You Hear Me Now?” Dealing with Online Meeting Dynamics appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Being a college student is tough; you have to leave your home and move away, leave your childhood friends behind and make new ones and be on your own, and now our entire lives have been flipped upside down with the tragic news of COVID-19. Instead of seeing all the bad it has brought us we should focus on the good; reuniting us with our families, extra-long summer vacation, and ONLINE SCHOOL!!! We know that things can get tough if you have never taken classes online and that your mental health might be taking a toll but we asked college students how they are making the best out of everything!

Here are a few ways to deal with virtual classes and staying mentally healthy:

1. Connect with your support system

Having to pack up your newfound life or life you have had for a few years already can be difficult. Your routine has been shifted and your mental health will be affected. Being in quarantine means you can’t see your best friend, you can’t see your cousins, you can’t see your sorority sisters, but it doesn’t mean those conversations have to stop. We are lucky that we live in a time of technology and we have so many ways to connect with others. During this time a lot of emotions can come up and it is a difficult time for everyone – CONNECT with them, be there for them and let them be there for you!

2. Your feelings are valid!

It is okay to feel what you are feeling whether it is being overwhelmed, anxious, sad, or mad; take it one day at a time. Everyone is in the same position and we need to support one another. Write down your thoughts and feelings and track your mood to make sure your mental health is okay.

3. Communication is key

Transitioning to online classes can be tough for some people; they don’t know how to use the online software, they focus better in in-person classroom settings and use tutoring and office hours to excel in classes. Remember just because the work and lecture are online now does not mean your professor is gone too. During virtual class, meetings ask as many questions as you can, just like how professors say when you are in person I promise someone else has the same question as you! Don’t be scared to email a classmate or your professor if something is confusing about the work, communicate with others to get your work done the correct way without having to stress out! Everyone is in the same boat together so don’t be scared to communicate!

4. Don’t forget about yourself

Being at home can get the best of us, we start losing what day of the week it is, we sit in bed all day watching Netflix, we start to worry about our family and in the process forget about ourselves. Take the newfound time you have and paint your nails, put on a facemask, take a bath, try out that new workout routine you saw on YouTube, put on some makeup and do your hair, do ANYTHING for yourself even if it takes less than five minutes. Taking a few minutes out of your day to focus on yourself doing something you love or something you have always wanted to try out will put you in a better mindset and help you feel normal during this time.

5. Online classes

Online classes are either someone’s favorite or most hated. Every student learns differently; there are virtual learners, visual learners, physical learners, verbal learners, and aural learners. During quarantine, this might be difficult for most but we need to learn how to transition into virtual learners. The BEST tip is to buy a planner or notebook to write out all deadlines. Writing out deadlines will keep you on track doing your work. As a virtual learner, you need to set out priorities. It can be tempting to lay in bed all day but wake up, fix your bed, change out of your pajamas, and move to a different part of your house to get the feeling of “going to class”.  The last tip I have for you is to still have your study groups – of course virtually – but studying with friends will help you stay motivated through your coursework and have you prepared for finals!

About the author: Coral Dayan is a senior at CSUN studying System and Operations Management and Apparel Merchandising.

In partnership with InternQueen. Check out internqueen.com for more tips & advice!

The post My Classes Are Now Virtual, Here’s How I’m Staying Mentally Healthy appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Standardized tests were designed to level the playing field, hence the “standardized.” They should be equal opportunities for students from around the country to demonstrate their abilities and potential. However, given how much better students who prepare for the test do than their less-prepared counterparts, it should come as no surprise that the ability to pay for test prep has become a major advantage.

And Varsity Tutors—a leading online platform connecting students with top instructors—is helping to balance the scales once more. With their “Test Prep 4 All” initiative, anyone can get access to high-quality ACT and SAT prep courses, free of charge.

To learn more about the transformative effort, we spoke to the Chief Academic Officer of Varsity Tutors, Brian Galvin, who also happens to be leading the charge—and the ACT lessons—of Test Prep 4 All.

Everyone Deserves A Shot At Getting Their Best Score

“One of the big things is that standardized testing is such a hurdle for so many people,” Brian explains. “But if you do well, it’s a springboard. Your score can take you places. When you do well, it can open opportunities.”

And given how critical test preparation is to performance, “doing well” has become increasingly cost prohibitive, which is why Varsity Tutors introduced the Test Prep 4 All initiative.

So how does the program work? For six weeks (leading up to the test date), students take classes led by Varsity Tutors’ resident SAT and ACT experts. They’ll go over essential basics like grammar and math rules, discuss important test-taking strategies, and do practice problems as a group.

The best part? The whole class is done online. While it started as a local partnership with a few schools in lower-income neighborhoods, they soon expanded to a totally free, totally public online model.

“We’re in a world where only people who can afford it are actually able to get test prep,” Brian says. “Now it’s available for everyone.”

The real challenge for Brian and the Varsity Tutors team though wasn’t teaching an effective online test prep course—it was doing it for classes that were quickly going from tens to thousands.

How Varsity Tutors Used Education Tech To Make A Solution For A Real-World Social Issue

“We can have a thousand students or more in the ‘room’ at a time,” Brian explains. “And we needed to build for that. It was a real engineering challenge.”

The solution wasn’t as simple as streaming a video of a class to that many people. Interactivity and digitization of the real classroom learning experience are essential parts of the Varsity Tutors mission. Their online platform allows teachers to send out polls to their students and to answer questions live. Students can also take notes and do practice problems on digital scratch paper that is saved for reference in later lessons and study sessions.

This type of problem wasn’t actually much of a problem for a company like Varsity Tutors, Brian tells us.

“Some would say we’re an education company, but most people here would say we’re a technology company,” Brian explains. And all of that technology serves a single purpose for the company: making online tutoring not just the same, but better than the alternative.

“Everything we do is predicated on ‘How can we make online not just a substitute, but a superior learning experience?’” Brian tells us.

Whether that means scheduling tools and text message reminders to take busy-work off of their tutors, or online learning tools like a virtual white board where students can draw with phones and tablets, the technology component of Varsity Tutors is what truly sets them apart for both students and instructors.

And using that same tech-enabled approach to tackle inequality in standardized testing is some of the most satisfying work they’ve done yet.

“I’m so proud to work for a place that uses technology to really do some good in the world,” Brian says. “It’s had an impact on hundreds of students’ lives so far, too. And that’s something we’re hoping to expand.”

Know someone looking for SAT/ACT test prep? Tell them to check out Test Prep 4 All.

Want to become a tech-enabled tutor? Check out open opportunities at Varsity Tutors on WayUp!

The post How Varsity Tutors Is Levelling The Playing Field With ‘Test Prep 4 All’ appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

After graduation, Sara worked in finance within the aerospace industry. While she loved the specifics of her role, she wanted more interaction with clients.

She had identified skills she wanted to develop, but the opportunities she wanted just weren’t available at her old job. One thing was apparent: It was time for the next step.

That’s when she heard about the Bloomberg Analytics and Sales program. She was able to land a position in an upcoming training class by displaying her interest in the financial industry, her desire to interact with clients, and understanding of Bloomberg.  After going through the interview process, Bloomberg recognized her hunger for knowledge and matched it with an opportunity to learn right away. The company is known for a lot of things—like their world-class training programs, but what was really exciting was their year-round hiring cycle, which meant they were always looking for new employees to join the team.

Here’s how all of these factors made Sara’s “next job” her best job—and how that became the first step toward the career she really wanted.

Bloomberg’s Training Program Helps Everyone Learn Fast – And Keep Learning

Sara’s training focused on utilizing Bloomberg’s flagship product, the Terminal, to assess different financial products, decisions, and interactions. The combination of classroom learning and on the job training covered topics like the financial markets, Bloomberg’s products and clients, and customer service. Basically, she was learning what she needed to assist Bloomberg customers with specific financial questions.

At first, she was learning basic Terminal navigation across all asset classes, which enabled her to start helping clients with more general questions.

Sara then specialized in equity and fixed-income products. After several months in the role, Analytics representatives have the opportunity to focus on a specific asset class and become subject matter experts. They receive additional training so they can be best equipped to assist clients.

“The training is the most wonderful part, because you learn so much and they put so much time and effort into you,” Sara says. “It’s really great knowing that a company wants to invest in you that much.”

Bloomberg Encourages Employees To Create Their Own Career Path

Bloomberg’s training programs are continuously available to employees looking to expand their skills and develop professionally. The firm is focused on not only hiring top talent, but also nurturing it and making sure that everyone has a goal and a way to get there.

For example, employees in the Analytics department typically transition into a Sales 18-24 months after joining Bloomberg. At this point, the company recognizes Analytics representatives have become experts on the products and services, and are well equipped to support clients more directly by becoming Account Managers. Within Sales, Account Managers develop new skillsets such as maintaining relationships with existing clients on a daily basis to ensure that clients utilize the products in the most efficient way. Depending on the team’s coverage, Account Managers have the opportunity to travel and meet with clients in person.

Bloomberg’s career development opportunities come in a variety of different formats so employees can create their own path, from the structured training programs place to launch a career, and later the ability to grow through different areas within the organization.

 “You’re never going to get bored in the same position. You’re constantly going to be learning new things. You’re constantly going to be asked to do new things,” Sara explains. “You’re always looking forward to something new, that next step, that next role. And you know that it’s within your grasp.”

Interested in finding your next step (and the step after that)? Check out open opportunities at Bloomberg on WayUp!

The post This Company Wants To Give You Your Next Job—And They’re Hiring All Year Round appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The post 6 Side Hustles That Rock For Your Resume (And Your Wallet) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Everyone wants to get the most out of college. There are new friends to be made, a billion things to learn, and even more things to figure out about yourself. But that’s one of the biggest problems that college students have: finding a balance between everything you want to do.

Weirdly enough, sometimes adding something to your plate can actually make everything else more manageable. That’s the case when you start tutoring with a company like Varsity Tutors.

Here are six reasons why working for Varsity Tutors will actually make your college experience (and your life) better.

1. You’ll Become A Better Student

You’ve probably heard that the best way to learn is to teach—and this is especially true when it’s your job to make someone else understand. If you’re a tutor with Varsity Tutors, you can work with other students across the country to help them better understand the material for hard subjects like organic chemistry, Chinese, calculus, American history, and just about anything you can think of.

If you’re tutoring other students at the college level, you’re basically getting paid to study for your subject. Even if you’re teaching high school or middle school students, you’ll still be constantly practicing the fundamentals of your subject. By teaching others, you’ll learn to better organize your note and review material efficiently—and this can really come in handy when it comes to exam season.

2. Your Communications Skills Will Greatly Improve—And That Matters Everywhere

Teaching isn’t just knowing stuff, it’s telling that stuff to other people in a way they can truly understand. That’s an art that requires both an excellent understanding of the material and practice.

One of the best ways to learn public speaking and effective communication is to practice speaking confidently about something you really know—like your favorite subject or major.

3. Tutoring Looks Great On Your Resume

When you’re in college, your resume can look pretty bare. Between the camp counseling jobs and the volunteering at the animal shelter (and perhaps an internship), it’s nice to have something more concrete that relates both to your field of study and legitimate business responsibilities.

Tutoring shows you’re trustworthy, responsible, smart, and ambitious. All of those are traits that stand out to recruiters and hiring managers everywhere.

4. You’re Learning To Run Your Own Business

And when you tutor with Varsity Tutors, you’re essentially running your own tutoring business. It’s up to you to maintain relationships with clients, manage your time and tasks, and—of course—turn a profit.

It’s a great side hustle, and once you get your tutoring business off the ground (with a ton of help from the amazing team at Varsity Tutors), there’s no limit to what your next venture could be. Maybe you’ll become a freelance coder, marketer, or artist. Once you get a taste for making money your way, it’s hard to give it up.

5. Make Money On Your Own Schedule

Making money is great for a ton of reasons. College is expensive. Going out is expensive. Basically everything fun costs money. Plus, asking your parents or dipping into your birthday money every time you want to buy cool jeans or go to a fun concert can be pretty embarrassing.

However, getting a part-time job or internship can really suck up your time and energy, and end up negatively affecting your grades. That’s why college students need a more flexible way to make money.

Tutoring with Varsity Tutors means working on your schedule, whenever you can or want to, so that you can achieve a healthy balance in your life.

6. You’re Not Just Helping Yourself

College is all about you, which is great. It’s about your learning, your future, yourself. And you totally deserve it. However, it can be nice to remember there’s a world of people who aren’t you—and that you can actually do something to help them.

Tutoring helps other people learn, succeed, and grow. Whether you’re giving a peer assistance or helping a child pass a math test for which they’ve been studying hard, you’re going to walk away with a sense of accomplishment that’s bigger than just you. Even this small taste of purpose and value can add a lot to your perspective, self confidence, and worldview.

Who knows? Maybe helping someone with a test is the first good deed in a line of many.

The Best Part? You Can Start Right Now

Getting started with Varsity Tutors doesn’t mean a lengthy application and interview process. With Varsity Tutors advanced tutoring tech, you’re able to get ramped up and tutoring quickly. Then you can watch this list start to come true.

Check out opportunities and learn more about Varsity Tutors on WayUp!

The post 6 Reasons Why Tutoring Will Make Your College Experience (And Life) Better appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Let’s face it: Fiscal responsibility is usually pretty boring. As much as your parents tell you to do it, saving for retirement with money from an internship or a part-time job just seems ridiculous.

However, financial health and well-managed spending can lead to some pretty amazing stuff. Expensive getaways on break? Weekends at a rented house? Nice headphones or a great speaker? Better clothes?

These things are actually affordable for normal people (even college students) once you get your house in order. And, no, you don’t have to bore yourself to sleep while you’re doing it. We promise: You won’t be sitting in front of a spreadsheet making a monthly spending report.

1. Get A Side Hustle (It’s Really Easy)

Side hustles are a real thing for normal people. If you don’t have the time or desire for an internship, you can still boost your resume and increase your net worth with a side hustle. Whether it’s tutoring, delivering, dog sitting, or something else entirely, there are plenty of new, hyper-flexible jobs available in the app-driven economy.

Here are four of our favorite side hustles for your wallet (and your resume).

2. Get Free Money With Apps

Certain things are no-brainers. However, when it comes to money and your personal data, a lot of deals can seem too good to be true. That’s why when it comes to money-saving, discount-getting, and other thrifty apps like that, you have to go with trusted sources.

Luckily, we’ve already vetted the best apps for you. Certain apps might work better for you depending on your personal shopping/spending habits.

Honey is a plugin that gets you discount codes and coupons, and finds the best prices for you while online shopping. This one’s especially helpful for the Amazon addicts among us.

Paribus plugs into your email and scans your online receipts. Afterward, it takes advantage of price drop guarantees and other store policies to advocate for money back on your behalf. Basically, they do all the work and you pocket the returns.

Depending on your style, different apps work better for different people. Just do a little digging online before you give them access to your email.

3. Buy Or Rent Cheaper Textbooks

This might be a boring solution for money saving, but it can save you hundreds of dollars and realistically should take you less than an hour of online shopping.

We’ve put together a full guide on how to secure the cheapest textbooks, but basically it comes to using online tools, buying (preferably renting) used, and finding the free ones online (which most of us do anyway).

4. Cancel Unused Subscriptions (Or Use Someone Else’s)

Unless you’re an absolute media monster, you probably don’t need Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime, and Netflix. There are a few solutions here:

Your parents may be willing to pay for one or more of these.

Your school might already be paying for these things for students who live on-campus, so check online. Even if you’re not in university housing, you can probably borrow a friend’s login.

Cancel the ones you don’t need—and really think about it. Game of Thrones only comes out once a year (if we’re lucky), so do you really need an HBO account? Netflix is a little better for movies than it is for TV, and Hulu has tons of binge-able shows, so maybe decide which you like better and axe the others.

This isn’t just for media either. Use apps like Truebill or Trim to manage subscriptions (they also give other money advice).

5. Get A Paid Internship (That You Actually Like)

The good thing about an internship during the school semester is: You don’t have to have one. That means you can be somewhat choosy about securing your gig. Find one that is paid. Find one in an industry that interests you. And most importantly, find one at a company that seems like a good place to work.

A paid, part-time internship is a great way to meet new people, network, set yourself up for the job market, and make great money. Not sure how to get one near you? Start your search right here on WayUp.

See? We promised. Not a single snooze-fest on this list.

The post 5 Money Hacks For College Students (That Won’t Bore You To Death) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Getting your grades up: a classic New Year’s resolution. It’s also an excellent way to improve your chances of getting your dream job, impressing your parents, and just feeling more confident in yourself.

The problem is that most of the traditional methods for doing so are—to put it delicately—super boring.

So, we’ve put together some of the best tips and tricks from certified college over-achievers around the WayUp office. They’re guaranteed to raise your grades without draining your entire social life.

1. “Schedule classes that you’ll actually go to.”

This answer might seem a little on the nose, but it can really trip people up. Not going to class leaves you in a terrible position. You’re not able to learn from the professor. You’re always playing catch-up. And you can never quite have the same confidence when you do decide to go in. Plus, at the end of the semester, when it comes time to grade grub and ask for leniency, you’ll be in a bad position if you haven’t seen the professor since the third class.

If you can’t avoid having a class at a time when you’ll be tempted to skip it (e.g. 8am on Monday or 4pm on Friday), then make sure you’re truly prepared to go.

2. “Learn while you’re in class—not later from a textbook or PowerPoint.”

Taking notes is essential, but learning the content of those notes in the moment is even more important. Make sure your note-taking method is one that lends itself to really paying attention while you’re in class. That way, if you don’t understand something, you can tackle it right then and there by asking a question.

Asking questions is also a way to show professors that you’re truly engaged in the material. Basically, stay off social media or Amazon, and really invest yourself in that moment.

This is so key because it saves so much of your time. If you learn it first, in class, then you won’t have to spend so much time studying before exams, or trying to decipher your homework assignments with a 400-page textbook.

3. “Keep a running deck of flashcards (or Quizlet terms).”

One of the most stressful parts of studying is the preparation. It’s hard enough to learn 300 terms before next week’s exam; it’s twice as hard to put all of those terms into a Quizlet form or a deck of flashcards while you’re trying to really learn.

If something comes up that you think is important or that your teacher specifically notes will be on the exam, add it to your flashcards or list. This can also be useful for powerful quotes and key info for essays.

Studying will take way less time, and you’ll be much quicker about it when it comes time for quizzes, assignments, and exams.

4. “Hold onto your homework. Those questions are always on the exams.”

This could not be more true. Even if your professors have a policy against reusing questions from homework on exams, they’ll still be in a similar format.

Homework is usually made by the teachers and professors, even if the questions aren’t. This means they’ve already made it clear they think this kind of question is important. Don’t waste this opportunity to get a look inside their mind.

Saving homework and using the questions as practice for the exam can really set you up for success—and save time you’d spend hunting down practice problems on the internet.

5. “If you’re going to study in a group,  make sure you have something to add (and vice versa).”

This is where all those saved homework, flashcards, and quality notes will really come in handy. Studying in a group shouldn’t mean messing around or hanging out. If you use your time effectively, then there will be plenty of time to chill afterward.

When you study in a group, make a Google doc and assign roles before your group meets. Make sure everyone knows what they’re bringing. If there’s work to be done, then divide it up. This will make sure everyone keeps their cool, masters at least one thing, and that no one is holding everyone back with super basic questions.

Inch by Inch…

The common thread between these tactics? Share the responsibilities. As the saying goes, “Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard.”

In this case—if we’re maintaining the metaphor—these are inches compared to football fields worth of work. Build your flashcards over the course of a semester. Take quality notes. Learn while you’re in the classroom, and don’t forget to actually show up.

Surprisingly, you’ll find most of the stress and difficulty of your classes will fade away by just keeping up with these simple steps.

The post Tried-And-True Tricks For Improving Your Grades In Spring Semester (That Won’t Take Up All Your Time) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Setting New Year’s resolutions can sometimes feel like a trap. Eating only salads, giving up Starbucks, going to bed before eleven o’clock: These are pipe dreams for many of us. However, there are some things that you can knock out not only in the first week of the New Year, but in the first day.

Here are just a few of the fastest, easiest New Year’s resolutions for college students and recent grads:

1. Revamp Your Resume (30 Minutes)

This is a task you could theoretically spend hours and hours on, but the reality of the situation is: It’s more about the content than the style. If you’ve gotten advice from a manager or a career counselor before on your resume, then you’re probably just going to need a tuneup. Put your latest accomplishments and extracurriculars on it, update the dates, and then get ready to put into application systems.

2. Update Your Online Profiles (30 Minutes)

This should be very quick. Use a nice, recent photo. If you don’t have one, put on a nice top and get someone to take a picture of you (Portrait Mode, please!) in front a neutral background. Think you sitting in front a blank wall—but smiling like you’re about to accept an award!

These are frequently checked by recruiters, so just make sure they are up to date. If you don’t have any yet, start here.

3. Ask For References/Recommendation Letters (20 minutes)

This is really the easiest one on the list, because mostly everyone you ask (nicely) will say yes. Think of your favorite professors, TAs, managers, and even family friends if you’re desperate. If you’ve ever had a debate team coach, camp supervisor, or any other responsible adult who believes in you, then you’re all set.

For people with whom you’ve got a closer relationship, send them a text or even give them a call. For professors and managers whom you’ve got a more businesslike acquaintance with, send them a brief, friendly email.

Let them know you’re starting the year off right by applying to jobs or internships and you’d love it if you could list them as a reference. Say it’s because you admire them as a professional/person/whatever and you really value their opinion.

Don’t overthink this ask. It’s very simple and shouldn’t be more than three brief paragraphs.

Example text/email:

SUBJECT LINE: Hi from [Your Name]
Hi, Professor Blankfield:

Hope your holidays went well. I’m hoping to start off my New Year right by kicking off the job/internship search.

I’m contacting you because I really admire you, enjoyed working with/studying under you, and hope that you enjoyed it, too.

Would you mind if I listed you as a reference on my job/internship application? I would really appreciate it.

[Here’s where you can ask for their contact info, if you don’t already have it.]

If you’d prefer to speak to me before moving forward with this or need anything else on my end, please let me know. Thanks so much for your time and consideration.

All the best,

[Your Name]

That’s just one example, but if you want to copy it word for word, then go ahead!

4. Start The Job Search (30 Minutes)

Luckily, while you’re waiting for those references and recommendation letters to start rolling in, there are plenty of jobs and internships that do NOT require them. Find a bunch of those jobs and start making a list of jobs you want to apply to.

If you see ones along the way that do require them, still make note of them and wait for the recommendations to come in before sending in your applications. If they have a deadline that ends very soon, then try using a family friend or closer adult acquaintance whom you’re comfortable asking to move faster on a letter.

Part of looking for a job is to decide what you really want. If you don’t do this, then your job search can be painfully aimless. If you need help figuring out what you really want, check this out.

5. Apply To (At Least) One Job/Internship (20 Minutes)

This might seem like the Herculean task at the end of a long road—but it’s really not.

The truth is, no matter how badly you want a job or an internship, most applications are just a small leap of faith that you have to just take. Small adjustments to your cover letter, resume, and online profiles can help, but they are just that: small.

Once you’ve prepared a resume, online profile, and gotten some references in order, then just do it.

Write a brief cover letter and apply to the job. It’s as simple as that—and it’s a huge step in the right direction.

Just Don’t Stop Applying

At this point, you’re probably wondering, “Can I really check off everything on this list in a single morning?” The answer is: Absolutely, yes. If you find yourself spending more than an hour on any of these, you’re taking too much time and need to make decisions faster.

Altogether, the actual work of this stuff should only take 2 hours and change. That leaves the other hour or so of the morning for some other stuff.

You can earmark this extra hour for a couple of things: your natural human tendency to triple-check stuff related to job applications, your need to snack, the very high likelihood you need to look at yourself in the mirror and say, “I got this,” between every one of these steps.

Whether it’s January 1st or the 21st night of September when you’re reading this, it’s never too late to start on some self-improving goals. (In fact, if you’re that late, just think of yourself as starting early on your 2020 goals. Silver linings!)

The post 5 New Year’s Resolutions You Can Finish In A Single Morning appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Applying to your first full-time job can be confusing. Often you have no idea where to start. What are the kinds of titles you should be searching for? How can you leverage your internship and other professional connections to help?

But, one of the most confusing aspects is the timing: When should you start applying to your first full-time job?

The answer is: Way sooner than you’d probably think (although, you’re not in too much trouble if you haven’t started yet).

When Should You Starting Applying To Your First Full-Time Job?

The answer to this question depends heavily on the industry you’re looking to enter.

If it’s finance, then many of the top programs secure hires through return offers at the end of summer internships. Other hires are made throughout the year, but the hiring process can start as early as the beginning of the academic year. So, if you’re about to be a senior (or a second semester senior), then there really is never too early a time to apply.

This is also true of places like consulting and accounting firms. However, it’s important to note that many of these places extend their candidate search throughout the year. So, don’t be disheartened if you haven’t already kicked off your hunt.

If you’re not in one of these select industries, then chances are you can start looking and applying for full-time jobs during winter break or at the end of the first semester (assuming you graduate in the spring).

The same rules apply for recent grads. If you’re less than a year out of school and hoping to find or transition to a job in the finance, accounting, and consulting fields, you should expect the process to be a long one.

Some places, like startups and media companies, hire so few people that they really only do it as needed. If you want to work at one of these places, check out online job postings, and apply. If you’re not seeing anything at a company you really admire, then you should try to get in contact with a university recruiter or early career recruiter at the company. Tell them you’re interested, when you’re graduating, and what you would want to do for them.

It’s Almost Never Too Early

Most entry-level job recruiting cycles work differently than their more senior-level counterparts.

These companies want talent fresh out of college and they understand that the people applying to these entry-level roles most likely will not be available until January or June.  That’s why it’s okay to start applying so soon.

Here are a couple of signs it’s okay to apply for the job early-on (or at any point) in your senior year:

• It’s an “analyst” or “associate” program that hires a “class” of new graduates every year.
• It says “looking for class of [your grad year here] graduates.”
• The job specifically says “entry-level” in the description or somewhere else on the posting—in which case the recruiters know that the coming year of graduates are going to apply.

If the job doesn’t fall underneath any of these categories, then you’re still good to start applying as soon as the end of your first semester. The recruiting process can take months, for all types of roles, so there really is no harm in starting to apply before or during your second semester of senior year.

The biggest lesson here is not to delay—especially if you’re going to need the funds to stay in your preferred city or start a new life somewhere else. Don’t leave the job hunt to one of the busiest (and best) times of your senior year: the end.

Eager to get your start? Try searching for jobs on WayUp.

The post When Should You Start Applying To Your First Full-Time Job? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Second semester seniors have a reputation for being, well, checked out…

But beneath the veneer of a totally chill, wizened college veteran, there’s the feeling of impending doom that comes from the total life-altering change that is graduation. It can be pretty crippling not knowing what’s coming next.

And no one wants to be dragged down by anxiety while everyone else is out forming life-long memories. So, we’ve put together the perfect pre-Senior Spring checklist to beat the anxiety before it starts.

1. Make Sure You’re All Set For Graduation

This can be a pretty big headache, and chances are you’ve already worked this out before heading into your last semester, but it never hurts to double check. Set an appointment with your advisor and go over the list of graduation requirements. You don’t wanna be waiting at graduation wondering if they’re going to call your name (even if it would make an otherwise dry event pretty captivating).

With this off your to-do list early, you can focus on the important stuff like school, fun, and—oh, yes—applying for full-time jobs.

2. Start Applying For Jobs (Like, Right Now)

It might seem weird to apply in December or January for a job that might not start until the summer, but we can promise you that it’s standard practice. Plus, think about how good you’ll feel having a full-time job lined up for after graduation.

We have also heard from reliable sources that WayUp is a good place to start…

3. Make Sure You Have Enough Money

Senior spring can be expensive. Between the “Welcome Back” parties, the “We Made It” parties, the “Goodbye” parties, and the “We Really Made It” parties, there’s always a new cost around the corner. Make sure your bank account is ready for it.

Either curb your winter break spending and put some in savings or get to work on increasing your balance the old-fashioned way.

One way to insure your wallet can survive the coming storm: Get a side hustle (they also rock for your resume).

4. Make An Exit Plan (If You Can)

Moving out can be a hassle. Moving out while graduating, going to grad parties, traveling, or doing whatever else comes along with the big finish for you can be a HUGE hassle. So, make a plan now.

While your parents are probably already on it, make sure you align with them on the logistics. You might need a van or a truck. Just clear this stuff out of the way so you can make all of the celebration plans you deserve.

Now’s the time to seize the day, team. Run through this checklist. Keep applying to jobs. And don’t forget to actually enjoy your last semester.

The post Beat Graduation Anxiety Before It Starts With This Pre-Senior Spring Checklist appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Winter break can be long. According to a straw poll of folks at the WayUp office, breaks can last anywhere from a measly two weeks (Seriously, UPenn?) to a luxurious six (Bless you, NYU. #VioletPride).

For most people, let’s say, it falls somewhere in the middle. That means you’ve got a month to yourself. And no one’s saying you have to go crazy with work during it. It’s your free time and you totally earned it.

But, at the same time, there really isn’t a world in which you need every hour of a month entirely dedicated to chilling. Plus, in a way, preventing future stress is sort of like relaxing (but, like, in the future tense).

So, with that being said, here are four things to keep on your winter break checklist that are sure to lead to happier, more fulfilling (but still entirely relaxing) winter break.

1. Stay Healthy (And Happy)

That sedentary lifestyle can kick in a little too hard over winter break. It’s cold. There’s nothing on the agenda. Plus, you stayed up really late last night. That’s a recipe for a couch/bed-locked disaster day.

We’re not saying you have to be the guy from P90x or anything, but getting some exercise can really help with your mood and general energy.

We know you don’t have your school’s gym to go to, but see if you can borrow your dad’s YMCA card or a friend’s sports club membership on their off day. A treadmill, a weight room, and an indoor pool all offer much warmer venues for exercise than the great outdoors. Plus, there are tons of workouts you can do at home, no equipment required.

2. Apply For Internships (Or—Yikes—Your First Full-Time Job)

For the first time in a long time, you’ve got time. Use it wisely.

It might be hard to comprehend, but recruitment for many of the summer’s best internship programs (and even entry-level job openings) has already begun. We get it, you were too busy doing school and life and everything else first semester to think about applying for your dream summer position. That’s why now is the time to strike.

Here are a few tips to get yourself into fighting shape for application season (crafting a perfect resume, updating your online profiles, writing quality cover letters, and finding the right jobs to apply to).

3. Read A Single Book (For Fun)

There’s so much to watch. And—we really believe this—there’s no shame in TV or movies. They’re art, too. But scientists (and every English teacher you’ve ever had) will tell you that there is legitimately something different about what reading does for your brain. It makes you more empathetic. It makes your brain work better. Plus, it also makes you more interesting to talk to.

Space it out over however long you decide. Do it before you go to bed or while you eat breakfast. Just get it done. If you pick a classic (or even a modern classic), then chances are you will not regret it.

4. Make Some Money And Beef Up Your Resume

This one’s for the real go-getters. You know how much a semester’s worth of fun costs. You also know how much time a “part-time” job can actually take up—especially a campus-based job. Plus, there’s always your actual school work.

So, winter break might be the perfect time to stock up on some funds AND beef up your resume for all the summer internships (or full-time jobs) you’re going to apply to in a not-so-distant future.

But getting that bread doesn’t have to mean donning the mask of delivery driver for your local sandwich spot, either. There are plenty of ways that college students can make money without putting their entire life on hold. Here’s a quick list of awesome side hustles that will beef up your wallet (and your resume).

If you manage to nail these steps, you’ll be headed back to school in fighting shape. Let the winter chill-but-not-too-chill begin!

The post The WayUp Guide To A Perfectly Productive (And Fun) Winter Break appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Jordan is a recent graduate of Howard University. He’s also a full-time employee at L’Oréal, having been hired for their highly-selective Marketing Associate Program: an exclusive group of recent graduates who participate in a training-intensive, high-impact rotational program that establishes them as industry experts and puts them on the fast-track for marketing success.

The unique thing about Jordan’s career journey, though, is that he didn’t need to be part of the internship recruitment process.

Here’s how Jordan landed an amazing post-grad job offer with one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies.

The Brandstorm Competition

Jordan’s story starts with a business case competition…sort of.

“In 2016, I was an ELC (Executive Leadership Council) Scholar. It’s an organization that educates mid-level managers of color and helps create a network of mid-level and c-suite executives within Fortune 500 companies,” Jordan explains. “Every year they give a scholarship to students who attend HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities). I went to Howard University,” Jordan says.

“They also have companies who give scholarships—and I won a scholarship through the Coca-Cola Foundation. A part of that scholarship is a scholars orientation where they bring you to New York for a week to tour some of the top ten companies of the entire ELC program. L’Oréal was one of them,” he says.

When he toured L’Oréal, Jordan was really impressed with their office and the different types of products they worked on. But there was something he didn’t see on his tour that he really wanted to know more about.

“I remember asking, ‘What is L’Oréal doing for men and men’s grooming?’ And then someone on the L’Oréal team told me, ‘I’m glad you asked that. We actually have Brandstorm coming up. Brandstorm is a case competition and this year’s theme is Disrupting Men’s Grooming.’ And so I was like, ‘Maybe we can take advantage of this!’”

After that, Jordan and some of his friends from Howard came up with a product, a business plan, and a pitch presentation. Their product, Noir, was a set of black soap and cocoa butter products tailored to the multicultural community, specifically at college-aged men. (Part of their proposal was to do a soft launch at HBCUs to get feedback from a diverse group.)

“We submitted our idea and we were chosen to compete in the USA Finals here in New York. And we were competing against seven other teams for a chance to compete in the International Finals, and we ended up winning the USA Finals. We went to France in the summer of 2017 to pitch our idea against 45 teams from around the world to the executives of L’Oréal,” he says.

Even though Jordan and his team received great feedback in Paris, they didn’t end up winning the top spot.

“We didn’t win top 3, but we didn’t have hard feelings! We loved the teams we competed against, and it was a great, healthy competition,” Jordan adds. “It was also a week in Paris in the middle of summer. What’s better than that?” (As anyone who has ever been to Paris knows, the answer is: absolutely nothing.)

But his results were still strong enough—and his presentation good enough—to merit a different kind of prize.

How Jordan Got The Job Offer

“Just being in Paris at the competition put the teams on the radar for employment at L’Oréal, no matter where you were coming from,” Jordan explains. “We learned a lot about how the company worked. We talked about the innovation, some of the artificial intelligence L’Oréal was trying to incorporate into their products. From there we learned about the Marketing Associate Program.”

After a few conversational interviews about Jordan’s interests and career aspirations, L’Oréal extended Jordan an offer to join the program after he graduated the following spring—an offer he enthusiastically accepted. With the Brandstorm competition behind him and plenty of new ideas for the company buzzing in his head after seeing a world’s worth of innovative pitches, Jordan had plenty to talk about.

“It really did help that I was in the competition. When I had my two rounds of interviews, I was really able to speak to that,” Jordan says.

From Competitor To Future Leader

Even though Jordan was a perfect fit for L’Oréal (and vice versa), it wasn’t something he ever really imagined for himself.

“I can’t say this is where I ever imagined myself, but when you break it down in terms of business—I have a business degree from Howard—this is an international company that operates in more than 150 countries,” Jordan says. “There are engineering and STEM jobs at L’Oréal, too. That’s something that’s really important. Everyone has a place here, and that’s something that not everyone realizes. A lot of people just think makeup and hair [when they think of L’Oréal], but there really is a lot more going on.”

As Jordan tells it, the intersection of tapping into a multicultural market, international business, and entrepreneurship aligned perfectly with his interests.

“What they’re preparing us for is to be leaders within the organization, and that’s something I can definitely see,” Jordan says.

Jordan’s story isn’t an uncommon one for L’Oréal. Every year, they host their Brandstorm competition to hear from the newest generation of rising college talent and to let entrepreneurs show them what’s next.

By the way, this year’s Brandstorm competition is looking for new competitors right now through January 2019. So, gather your team, start brainstorming, and prepare to give the pitch of a lifetime. It might just land you your dream job.

Want to see more fun facts, videos, and amazing job and internship opportunities? Learn more about L’Oréal on WayUp now!

The post How I Got A Full-Time Job Offer — And Skipped The Recruitment Process appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Side hustles are a way of making money without the commitment of a full-time (or even a normal part-time) gig to worry about. In fact, they can often work in tandem with being a full-time student, having a regular part-time job, or—if you’re crazy busy—both of those things.

Some side hustles also work with full-time jobs. These are usually more freelance roles and ones that allow you to define your schedule and pick up work when it works for you. This means putting in extra time when you have it and getting extra money when you need it.

With all of this flexibility, who needs another reason to sign up for a side hustle? Well, just in case, we’ve put together a list of the top three reasons everyone should have a side hustle.

1. They Can Help You Move Up

And the best side hustles can accomplish not one, but two valuable goals for you:

1. Make money.
2. Beef up your resume.

While it’s different than a full-time job or an internship, a side hustle still “counts” as work experience and can be a major boon to your resume. Think about it: You’re still picking up new skills. You’re still contributing to the functions of a company. Plus, you’re actually demonstrating next-level time management skills by showing that you’re able to handle your current job, studies, or whatever is your primary occupation while also killing it at a different job entirely.

Side hustles can also demonstrate talents that you might not otherwise get the chance to show off. For example, finding a gig as a full-time journalist or writer can be pretty difficult, even with the proper experience on your resume. However, tons of online publications and companies need writers to make digital content for them on a freelance basis. That’s a side hustle that works wonders on your resume AND makes you money. And that’s just one example.

Your resume should show what you’re passionate about, what skills you’re most proud of, and where you want your career to go. A side hustle helps you illustrate that a lot better—and shows that you’re serious about pursuing your goals, no matter how lofty or ambitious they might be.

2. You’ll Get A Taste For The Entrepreneurial World

When you’ve got a side hustle, chances are that you’re—in a sense—your own boss. You set your schedule, you pursue new clients, and you build lasting relationships with customers. While this might not seem like a lot, it actually makes you the owner of your very own business.

Consider side hustles like being a Tutor at Varsity Tutors or a Pet Sitter/Dog Walker/Animal Lover @ Rover—at these companies, you’re basically running your own small business. They connect you with students, clients, or adorable puppies, and it’s up to you to make those relationships as profitable and potent as you can.

You’ll be the face of your own company, learn the value of your time, and see how important it is to market yourself properly to get referrals.

These skills are important for everyone, no matter what kind of career they want to have. Even if you’re not interested in entering the business world for yourself one day, you can still benefit. Intrapreneurship is the practice of creating new products or services and capitalizing on market opportunities within an established organization. Being able to execute on new initiatives like a true entrepreneur will help you move up any corporate ladder fast AND lead to a more fulfilling career overall.

That’s a benefit you can’t get with just any kind of job.

3. You Can Make Connections That Lead To A Full-Time Job (It’s Called Networking!)

At this age, connections are more valuable than ever. With only a couple summers of internships and (maybe) a year of work behind you, chances are the “experience” section on your resume won’t always be enough to get your foot in the door of your dream company. That’s why networking, whenever possible, is important. And a side hustle can help you do just that.

Not quite understanding how a side hustle can help you network? Let’s go through a few examples.

You’re working in a gig economy job for a new tech company. You start to understand their operations, build a relationship with the regional leader, and—perhaps—you find yourself in a position to ask for a recommendation when it comes to applying for a full-time business or tech role at that company. You could even ask your point of contact at the company if there are any openings at the company for someone like you. This is how some of the best jobs are found.

Let’s say you’re working as a tutor, then you’ve got yourself a list of clients. Hopefully you’ve shown your students (and their parents) that you’ve got both a special skill/talent and the ability to communicate effectively. This can mean a recommendation to the company where they do their internship or where their parents work. Plus, it’s more than just recommending a friend; it’s a recommendation from someone who’s known you both as a person and an employee.

Find Your Side Hustle, Right Now

If you’re sold (and you should be), then now is the time to get cracking. Pick a skill or a passion, find a way to get paid for it, and then apply to that side hustle on WayUp. Whether it’s freelance writing, dog walking, tutoring, field marketing, or something else altogether, you can find it on WayUp.

We’ve even put together a handy list of the four best side hustles for your resume, so check it out and get applying!

The post 3 Reasons You Should Have A Side Hustle (Besides Just Making More Money) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Don’t miss out on insights from three amazing finance professionals with exciting careers outside the banking world. Join us on October 30 in person at WayUp’s NYC headquarters in the Flatiron District or watch at home as we stream the event on Facebook Live.

RSVP today and get the best seats in the house for food, networking, insider insights, and more.

Studying or interested in finance, but not in the traditional path of banking? You’re in luck.

There are plenty of options for people with financial skill sets outside of the banking world. Corporate Finance, Accounting, and even Venture Capital are all paths available to finance-types without a desire to enter the traditional banking grind.

And thanks to Johnson & Johnson, some of the leaders in those spaces are headed to WayUp on October 30 to talk about how people like you can start their finance careers, entirely free of the banking world.

One of the expert panelists, Vinny Pujji, is a 2014 graduate of UPenn’s elite Huntsman program in Economics and International Studies. After founding two startups in online payments and education, Vinny joined the team at Insight Venture Partners in New York City where he serves as an Investment Associate. He’ll talk all about combining a finance skill set with other passions to fuel a career in one of the most exciting, rewarding industries: Venture Capital.

Our other panelist is a veteran of Corporate Finance: Scott Trzaskawka, who works as the VP of Global Finance Talent Development at Johnson & Johnson, where he oversees the development of hundreds of recent grads and new hires on Johnson & Johnson’s finance team. He’ll talk about how finance plays a role in major corporations and how you can utilize more than just the number-crunching part of your brain when you get a job in Corporate Finance.

Finally, we’ll be joined by WayUp’s own Director of Finance and Accounting, Jess McKean. She’s worked for both large corporations and in fast-paced startups as an accounting and finance expert.

The event is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. They’ve remained a leader in healthcare and consumer goods for more than a century by embracing technological trends, constantly innovating, and—most important—hiring only the best talent for all of their teams.

The post Learn Everything You Need To Know About Finance Careers Beyond Banking With WayUp appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s pretty rare to find an app that actually gives you real money with no strings attached. After all, the money has to come from somewhere. But thanks to an app we recently discovered, Paribus, the money’s coming from online stores and retailers you’ve recently shopped at. And since part of our jobs at WayUp is to help students get through college more easily, we had to share this one with you.

What is Paribus? After you make your normal online purchases, Paribus tracks when prices on those purchases go down, and then it helps put money back into your pocket—no effort required. Seriously, none.

Here’s a look at how Paribus works.

Paribus Tracks Your Receipts To Get You What You’re Owed

Many retailers have policies that entitle you to a refund if they later reduce the price of a product you’ve purchased. But even though retailers routinely do just that, many of us forgo the money we’re owed because we don’t want to jump through the normal hoops required to get that money back. Do you track the prices of every item you buy after you buy them? Probably not. But Paribus does — they’ll jump through the hoops for you!

The algorithm the Paribus team developed (psst! they’re hiring) continuously tracks both store policies and online prices after they log your receipt. Then, if the price drops, they’ll either get the refund for you—with no extra effort on your part—or send you a quick email letting you know how you can easily and simply obtain it for yourself.

All you’ve gotta do is sign up for Paribus and sync it with your email. Then, let the money roll in.

So far, they’ve found more than $28 million in savings for their users.

Where Does It Work?

The Paribus team currently has their algorithm monitoring more than 25 major retailers. Online stores like, Walmart, Anthropologie, Zappos, Costco, Gap, Target, Nordstrom, Macy’s, L.L. Bean, Loft, and Wayfair are all on the Paribus watch list. They also monitor late shipping from Amazon for you!

It’s a pretty robust list. And as you’ve probably noticed, it includes basically every place you’ve used to stock up on your school supplies, furnish your dorm, get your Official First Day of School outfit, and do way more of the stuff that comes with being a student.

When Should I Start Using This?

College is crazy expensive. We know — we’ve been there, and many of us at WayUp are still paying it off. But Paribus can help you save money during college, and we’d recommend starting now. Why? Because at the time of us writing this, “Back to School” sales are slowly finishing, which means prices on the “Back to School” items you’ve bought (notebooks, stationery, supplies, dorm room swag, etc) are going to start dropping. And you can get money back as a result.

Interested in saving a little extra green with no extra effort? Sign up today with your email directly on their website!

The post Our New Favorite App That Literally Gives You Money (We’re Serious) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When it comes to recruiting, Apex is at the top of the pack. Between its two branches, Apex Life Sciences and Apex Systems, they’re responsible for a ton of important hiring decisions in the world of STEM and other fields.

Apex has made tens of thousands of placements, so they know better than most that, no matter how good the on-paper match is, candidates can often surprise you. That’s why they look for a set of traits—rather than a set of classes—when they’re hiring for open roles. (Like they currently are on WayUp!)

What characteristics has Apex found the best Recruiters often have? They’re resilient, self-motivated, and detail- and results-oriented, for starters. They also have strong interpersonal skills and perform well working on and with a team.

What does that mean for you? They want you to apply—regardless of your major.

Talent Can Come From Anywhere

The truth about most jobs is, you learn by doing. Even if you study something highly specific like medicine, you still won’t know exactly what it’s like to treat someone until you’ve done it yourself. That, of course, requires experience.

However, if you’re smart and you’re a quick learner, you’re probably going to figure it out pretty soon. The same goes for recruiting. Yes, you need to have strong interpersonal skills. (In fact, that’s what one Recruiting expert at Apex cites as the most important qualification.) But you don’t need to have experience as a professional Recruiter.

To be a great Recruiter, what you do need are an entrepreneurial spirit, social skills, and an analytical mind. Those qualities will help you find the right candidate and convince that person—not to mention the employer looking to fill the position—that you’ve found the perfect match. The way you sort through candidate data and talk to clients can be taught. But those other baseline traits are inherent.

Recruiting Has Universal Appeal

No matter what your major is, there are certain things you’re going to want from a job: competitive pay, room for advancement, and a positive social environment. It just so happens Recruiting is particularly well-suited to providing all three.

Recruiters are well-compensated, especially considering their commission structure. Every time you succeed at Apex, you’re going to get paid more. This type of incentive leads to a successful team and company, of course. But it also contributes to an environment in which everyone shares in the success of their colleagues.

That’s how Apex manages to keep so many recruiters happy and fulfilled. As they work harder and smarter, they make more money. They also get promoted faster. That’s a proven reality, too: As one of their Recruiting experts told us, most promotions at Apex happen within six months.

It’s no surprise that a company that values leadership, social skills, and intelligence over a college major has found success with their hiring model. And it’s no accident that it took a company made of hiring experts to figure that out.

Interested in learning more? Apex is hiring on WayUp now, so check out their open positions and apply!

The post This Recruiting Company Wants All Majors To Apply—Here’s Why appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

For a lot of the most exclusive companies, it’s recruiting season. That means coming out to Career Fairs, Job Fairs, panels, networking events, coffee chats, and way more. Top companies are doing everything they can to get on campus and meet with top talent.

But there’s only so much time to look for great talent—which is why you have to make yourself easy to find.

Here’s how to stand out at a Career Fair, networking event, or any other in-person, professional opportunity.

1. Research, Plan, Strategize

One of the best ways to succeed at a Career Fair or networking event is to do your homework. Here’s some of the stuff you’re going to want to find out:

• Who’s going to be there
• Basic info on the companies showing up
• What sorts of roles they hire for

This info will help you make your top ten or top five list, which is a good way to set goals. For example, I’m going to put my resume in—at least—the hands of recruiters from eight of my top ten companies.

Learn a little bit about each company: what they do, how big they are, and what kinds of roles they hire for. This way, you can know whether or not they’re right for your experience, skills, and long-term goals.

2. Come Prepared

You want to look cool, calm, and collected at a Career Fair (or any other event), so pack and dress accordingly.

In terms of dress, you want to look nice, but not naive or tactless, so dress accordingly (check out the “Networking Guru” outfit in this interview/event style guide). Make sure you follow event-specific dress codes (if there are any). You don’t want to be uncomfortable or overly sweaty, and given that these usually take place in crowded conference halls or gymnasium-type places, that can be a risk when wearing a heavy suit or jacket. So, avoid the three-piece, wool suit and opt for a “smart casual” look instead. A nice button-down or blouse and dark jeans are usually entirely acceptable.

Don’t bring too much to a Career Fair or networking event. You’ll look silly carrying around an over-stuffed backpack or a pulling a resume out of a huge bunch of papers. Just bring a small bag (if any), a folder or leather folio containing copies of your resume, and yourself.

3. Make The Transactions

You want to make a genuine connection with your interviewers, but at the end of the day, going to a  Career Fair or networking event is all about the “next steps.” And the only way to move on to the next phase of the process is to take action while you’re there. Here’s what you need to do:

After making a polite, enthusiastic first impression, listening to their spiel, and telling them what you’re passionate about, give them a copy of your resume and ask for a business card. Let them know you’re going to follow up and you look forward to connecting and learning more. If they give out any other next steps (like “go to this website” or “submit an app through our system”), then be sure that you do that before you reach out.

It’s great to connect with recruiters as a fellow human being, but at the end of the day, it’s going to be hard for them to really remember each person they’ve talked to and what they’re about. That’s why you need to get your resume in their hands and their business card in your wallet.

The same goes for you: You might not remember the details of every conversation at the end of the event or the day, so make sure you take notes somewhere about the important details, conversational highlights, and any specific actions you need to take. (Pro-tip: Don’t take notes while talking to the recruiter, rather, use their business card as a place to jot down key talking points to help jog your memory later on.)

4. Follow Up With Action Items

After you’ve successfully completed the above three steps, you’re going to want to follow up with the recruiter you spoke to at the event. Be sure to touch on anything specific you may have noted like a personal detail you remember about them or a website/application they told you to check out.

Things to do in your follow-up:

• Thank them for their time
• Tell them it was nice meeting them
• Include an interesting personal detail to stand out
• Let them know you submitted an app and look forward to hearing from them
• If there’s no app, try to ask an insightful question or for specific advice to establish a rapport

Avoid doing stuff like this:

• Sounding like a template (if it reads like a generic response, it is and they won’t care about your follow-up)
• Being awkward, unprofessional, or try too hard to be funny (it’s a business transaction)
• Asking them questions that you can easily have answered on their website or Wikipedia (it’s okay to ask some questions, but you don’t want to seem unintelligent or unresourceful)

The follow-up email is an excellent touch of professionalism, which is one of the few traits you can actually demonstrate in this type of limited interaction, so don’t waste this opportunity.

One Small Step For You, One Giant Leap At A Career

None of these steps take much effort on your part. However, any one of them can end up being a major signal to recruiters that you’re a person who is prepared for the working world. One of these tips could help demonstrate that you’re ready for the big leagues of a major internship or full-time, post-grad gig.

So, be thoughtful about your next Career Fair or networking event, and you might just end up with a job that starts an amazing career.

For more recruiting, interviewing, and application tips, check out the WayUp Guide.

The post How To Stand Out At Career Fairs And Recruiting Events: 4 Steps To An Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Do you ever feel like a brand is the same age as you are? Well, even for modern tech companies, that can actually be the case.

And just like the members of a given generation (such as ours), some of these tech companies have matured faster than others. They’ve switched it up, learned a lot, and emerged as better, fuller versions of themselves.

One such company is T-Mobile. Over the past five years, T-Mobile has totally disrupted the wireless industry. You’re probably familiar with how they’ve done away with hidden fees, limited plans, and long-term contracts. You might also know that they are building 5G tech with Nokia (they grew up, too!) and that they’re starting a TV streaming service as an alternative to cable contracts. T-Mobile has grown from just another wireless carrier into the Wireless Un-carrier®.

And now that you’re grown up, too, you can be a part of it.

An Internship With T-Mobile Is A Chance To Shake Up The Tech World

Modern tech internships aren’t just about Silicon Valley startups and electric scooters. They’re about making an impact on people’s lives. We’re a generation who grew up on stories about the power of tech and what the future could look like. And even though we don’t have flying cars (yet), we do have some pretty amazing stuff.

Wireless connects people—to their friends, family, education, things they love, and new ideas all around the world. T-Mobile has taken the classic Spiderman advice and turned its great power into a call for social responsibility on the part of wireless companies. And they’re leading the way.

T-Mobile is Pushing Wireless AND Tech Culture Forward

Forget about companies that can’t catch up with modern life. T-Mobile lets you come to work as you are. Dress like yourself. Think like yourself. Just #BeYou. One of the best reasons to intern at T-Mobile is its policy of drawing innovation from every level and department within the company.

Whether you’re into marketing, analytics, sales, computer science, art, general management, or most any other field, you’ll likely find a position at T-Mobile that aligns with your interests. And the company cares what you think. Your voice will be heard and respected. Tech companies aren’t just about hacking and product announcements. If you’ve got an idea that could make life better for people everywhere, the company you work for should be a venue for making that happen—and that’s what T-Mobile is.

If you want to build the best in 5G, free people from restrictive contracts, and help EVERYONE connect, then you should check out opportunities at T-Mobile on WayUp right now!

The post Is One Of The Hottest Tech Internship Programs At A Company You’ve Known Since You Were A Kid? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Good karma is now officially a statistical fact. And you can thank a study conducted by the finance giant MassMutual for that.

We can now say with confidence (perhaps even a 95 percent confidence interval) that, yes, being a good person does have a financial benefit.

Start by crunching the numbers.

The MassMutual 2018 Financial Wellness and Community Involvement Study took a nationally representative sample of 10,000 US adults and asked them questions about their relationships with others, the benefits of those relationships, and their financial confidence.

These questions were asked to challenge the company’s “Live Mutual” philosophy. This revolves around the idea that depending on each other leads to happier, more secure, and fulfilling lives—whether that means trusting someone with a loan or helping your neighbor take in their groceries.

But when you’re a leader in a statistics and data-driven industry you don’t just scream your philosophy from the rooftops. You prove it. This meant putting the full force of one of the country’s leading financial institutions—and its statistics experts—behind a simple question: Does being a good person make you more successful?

And what did the American people have to say? MassMutual—which is the number one writer of whole life policies in the country—found that people involved in their communities, especially their own neighborhoods, were rewarded not only personally but also financially.

Good people make great neighbors.

Do you volunteer? Do you host events? Is your community limited to your group of friends? Or does it include your whole neighborhood? How confident are you in your financial well-being? These types of questions informed the results of a survey that ultimately found there is a strong association between people doing good deeds in their communities and their feeling of financial well-being.

Examples of these good deeds include anything from volunteering at a local food bank to helping a neighbor carry groceries.

Among other findings, MassMutual’s researchers identified differences among age groups in terms of not only the type of involvement they were more likely to perform but also the definitions they have of community.

Older people (73+) are more likely to donate money or time, according to the study. Gen Z and Millennials (anyone 36 or younger), on the other hand, were more likely to host and attend social events.

Why the differences? There’s still more work for MassMutual employees to do in order to better understand these disparate views. However, it may have to do with the different definitions of community, most of which listed geography and many of which included culture, values, and lifestyle.

They make even better employees (probably).

So, what gives?

Well, people who do good deeds and care about the well-being of others are more likely to: 1) Be positive about the future. 2) Have more faith in those around them to help them out in a tough situation.

This positivity affects everything from believing in their own ability to accomplish long-term goals to having more confidence about the stability of their job (both of which are major factors in someone’s financial outlook). Essentially, wholesome, trusting people can inspire similar traits in those around them—so they’re not as worried about their future.

The best news is, there’s plenty of goodness to go around. About half of all people who responded said that they were involved with their neighborhoods. The MassMutual team summarized it this way:

“Those who place a premium on community involvement have unexpected benefits, with approximately six in 10 being either comfortable or confident in their current and future financial well-being.”

How’s that for living mutual?

Want to start a career with an innovative company that does amazing things like this? MassMutual is hiring on WayUp, so check out their open positions and apply now!

The post Can Being A Good Person Make You More Successful? This Company Thinks So appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Diversity is more than just hiring the right slate of candidates. Building a truly diverse team is about having an inclusive environment that allows people of all backgrounds, experiences, and points-of-view to do their best work. And it’s more than just creating a great environment for your team—it’s about making an impact in the world around you.

That’s what you’ll find at TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application.

The Ripple Effect Of Diversity In Recruiting

Recruiters are, in many ways, Consultants. They not only find and source candidates for their corporate clients but also make assessments and recommendations. That means Recruiters work on the frontlines of actually making diversity happen.

Challenging your own biases and presenting all candidates fairly to your clients is one of the most important responsibilities you have as a Recruiter. And that’s one of the best parts about it: When you’re doing the right thing as a Recruiter, you’re just doing your job well.

And the impact this can have is obvious: A diverse, well-trained team at a company like TEKsystems means there will be more diverse, well-crafted teams at the thousands of companies they work with.

Making Diversity Work At TEKsystems

TEKsystems knows diversity is extraordinarily essential for a successful recruiting team, so they don’t take an ordinary approach to making it happen.

They partner with Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and FindSpark to help source the best talent. They also use merit-based competitions and conferences like the National Sales Network Student Conference and the National Diversity Case Competition to help find people who are passionate about sales and recruiting.

But that’s just assembling the team. They also commit serious resources toward making it work in practice.

At TEKsystems, you can come as yourself from day one. Leadership knows that no training is complete without teaching everyone to respect people’s lifestyles and viewpoints and use differences as strengths. Those are essential Recruiter skills, and they’re essential people skills, too.

And it doesn’t stop after onboarding. Every training, professional development program, and opportunity for growth is informed by that philosophy. People who succeed at recruiting usually succeed at being great co-workers, too.

There are also opportunities to connect with your communities at TEKsystems. The company is home to a myriad of employee resource groups like Women@TEK, Pride@TEK, NextGen@TEK, and way more where people of any background can network with senior leadership, talk about their experiences, and influence change in the organization.

TEKsystems is built from the top down for people who are looking to help others while helping themselves, too. It’s what makes them a great company and what makes them an amazing employer, too.

The most successful Recruiters seek out everyone’s strengths and identify talent and potential in people. Sound like you? Check out fun facts, videos, job opportunities, and more from TEKsystems on WayUp right now!

The post Why Diversity Is More Important For This Industry Above Any Other appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

These are the kinds of jobs that people put in their middle school yearbook for the “What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?” section.

Tons of amazing companies are hiring on WayUp every single day. But we’ve selected some of the most amazing, space-age, mind-blowing jobs available on our site. You’ll either be saying, “I can get paid for that?” or “I can’t believe they’re hiring people like me!”

Here are five of the coolest jobs hiring on WayUp right now.

1. Flight Ops Intern In Anchorage @ UPS

Forget Ice Road Truckers, they’re Blizzard Sky Flyers!

UPS is the world leader in getting stuff where it needs to go—even in Alaska. Brave the snow with a cold-weather pilot, assist air traffic control, and get a handle on everything there is to know about flight operations in extreme environments.

2. Pet-Loving Dog Sitter @ Rover

What job could be better than this? Make up to $1,000 a month by sitting and walking dogs, cats, and other delightful pets in your home, on your schedule.

3. Decision Scientist @ Starbucks

What goes into your decision to buy that morning coffee? What could make you spring for the pastry? How do you choose which drink suits your mood? Find out the answer to all these questions and way more by entering one of the coolest fields at the biggest name in coffee: Starbucks.

4. Aerial Weapons Systems Engineer @ Raytheon

This is exactly what it sounds like. Raytheon is a defense contractor focusing on all the parts of military tech people find interesting. Join their aerial weapons team as a Systems Engineer and learn from the brightest minds in engineering on high-stakes projects.

5. Surgical Tools R&D Co-Op @ Johnson & Johnson

You always hear: “It’s not brain surgery.” And this isn’t either. But it’s pretty close!

You’ll be working with the Johnson & Johnson Ethicon brand to design the latest in surgical tools, procedures, and more. Innovate for an amazing cause.

Still don’t see what you’re looking for? Check out even more amazing companies with radical jobs of their own at on the WayUp Explore page!

The post Top 5 Coolest Jobs & Internships Hiring On WayUp Right Now appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This must have been what it felt like when the internet was invented: You can’t stop hearing about it. And that “it,” in this instance, is blockchain.

If you believe the blogs (and the tweets), then blockchain is a technology with the power to change businesses everywhere, and often for the better.

To learn more, we spoke with Donna Dillenberger, an expert from blockchain industry leader IBM. An IBM Fellow working on blockchain security, scalability, and artificial intelligence, Dillenberger was the perfect person to give us the lowdown on what blockchain really is and how the New York-based tech giant is deploying it to make people safer, businesses better, and data sharing smarter.

What is blockchain?

“Blockchain is a software that enables different groups to share information with each other in a trustworthy way,” says Dillenberger.

Essentially, a blockchain is a shared ledger kept between parties so that recordkeeping is decentralized and immutable. At first glance, this might not appear to be a game-changing technology—it may even seem to be something the internet already does—but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Before blockchain, records of things like dates and purchases between two or more parties would be stored individually or accessed through a single database controlled by an individual company or organization. For example, your bank account balance is something that you don’t store locally (unless you keep a spreadsheet or note of how much you have). You instead access it by logging in to your bank’s database. The only entity that can change that ledger is the bank. Even when you make a deposit or spend money, the bank’s technology still has the final say on what actually happens to that number (your balance).

Blockchain flips that method entirely on its head. Instead, everyone involved in the transaction has access to a shared ledger, where the data on the ledger has multiple copies.  Each copy of the data can be hosted in different organizations and/or provided as a cloud service.  Once data is written to the ledger, the records are bundled together using cryptography, and replicated across all the copies, providing decentralized immutability.

How is IBM using blockchain technology?

There’s an incredibly wide usage of blockchain technology. For example, the ability to track and maintain data records is already hugely important in e-commerce. But now it can be far more secure and widespread. Information can be shared—hassle- free, with trust—across businesses, borders, and regulatory lines.

It can be difficult to understand just what this means without examples. In that respect, Dillenberger and IBM did not disappoint.

“In our Food Trust blockchain, provenance information about produce or the things we eat,” she says. “For example, for mangoes or oranges, we know what farm it came from and which distributions centers it went to. And we know the type of inspection certificates those centers had and how they were moved across locations.”

Why is that such a big deal? According to Dillenberger, “Before the blockchain it took weeks to discover the source of contaminated produce. But now with the Food Trust blockchain, it only takes seconds. And when you reduce the time it takes to find out where the food comes from—from days and weeks to seconds—you can reduce the impact of a food contamination problem and isolate it more quickly to help a farm, a population, and a retailer.”

That translates into fewer people sick and fewer farms and stores hurt by supply problems. It even means less wasted food. The same goes for manufactured products, like cars or other machines, Dillenberger explains. “You know if there’s a faulty part like a defective tire or damaged bolt, you know where it came from, what machine tooled it, and which retail stores it went to and how to quickly remedy it.”

This, too, can mean fewer accidents or deaths and more economically efficient recall processes. But even these incredibly wide uses are not enough for IBM. “It also helps with minerals such as diamonds. It allows us to know if a diamond has been mined in a way that’s ecologically sound and that it wasn’t stolen from its native country. That helps the consumer and the diamond trade,” she says.

IBM has even gone so far as to use the technology to increase the speed and security of banking transactions, incorporating this technology into the private equity ledgers of finance giant Northern Trust.

And there you have it. As Dillenberger noted, those uses are just the beginning. Online shopping and recordkeeping can be made significantly more efficient and secure with the use of blockchain. The best part? There are certainly uses for it that have yet to be discovered or imagined.

Are you the next great blockchain pioneer? Learn more about IBM on WayUp right now!

The post From Pineapples to Private Equity: How IBM Is Putting Blockchain Technology Everywhere appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As you might have heard, Dell started as a side gig in 1984, when its founder, Michael Dell, was a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin.

Ever the tinkerer and entrepreneur, he figured that if people and companies were willing to pay huge amounts of money for computers with parts and functions they didn’t even want, then he could probably get them to pay a lot less for computers built to order.

Turns out, this was a pretty amazing idea.

Giving customers what they wanted, in the way they wanted it, for less, was a genius proposition. (Moving the business online was a similarly genius move.) Three decades later, Dell is so established that it can be tough to imagine they were ever an underdog.

Nowadays, the market for computers isn’t just hobbyists and businesses—it’s everyone. Dell has remained at the forefront by emphasizing its entrepreneurial culture, betting on technology to shape the future, and investing in its people.

Over the last decade, Dell has doubled down on these efforts, transforming itself along the way.

Throwing everything they’ve got at saving the planet.

Did you know that 142,000 computers are thrown out in the United States every day? Well, that’s the number from 2010. Recent counts suggest that e-waste generation has tripled in the past decade.

But that’s why Dell has pledged to use 100 million pounds of recycled content in its products by 2020. Just like Michael Dell’s tinkering past, the sustainability team at Dell thinks of every and any way they can prevent old technology from rotting in a dump. Among other initiatives, they recycle usable parts, donate used tech to schools in need, refill old printer cartridges, and pick up old computers (of any brand, FOR FREE).

Oh, and they’re turning old technology into art to raise awareness of the growing e-waste problem.

Bringing in the cloud.

After acquiring enterprise software giant EMC in 2016, Dell became one of the largest producers of large-scale data storage, cyber security, and analytics solutions (and basically anything else digital that makes a business work better). It also means they employ the latest in cloud computing technology to do all of the above—only better, faster, and smarter.

That means when you’re working for Dell, you’ll get an opportunity to make an impact in any tech field. Because there’s not a user in the world who couldn’t benefit from a Dell product.

They’re all about Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and everything in between.

Dell’s VR-ready computers are being used to power tech that—apart from providing entertainment—can help treat veterans with PTSD, influence environmental policy, and shed light on humanitarian issues like never before. These innovative uses of VR and AR show how this groundbreaking technology could upend the status quo across industries.

Making wearable tech that fights back against disabilities.

We’ve all imagined a future where we can eliminate needless suffering. Yet Dell employees are doing their part to make that dream a reality today.

Through partnerships with charities and schools, Dell has provided affordable, 3D-printed limbs to children and adults with severe disabilities. With the help of Indian school children, the company has also developed wearable technology that can assist the blind with the kinds of day-to-day activities many of us take for granted.

Humans teaching AI, AI teaching doctors.

While the most famous examples of AI may include Jeopardy-playing robots and human-like machines in movies, the visionaries at Dell see yet another opportunity to create positive change through the technology.

Dell’s research on machine learning has paved the way for their partner TGen to assist pediatric cancer doctors in finding better treatments for the disease. Machine brains aren’t like ours, and the experts at Dell understand that it’s more than just crunching numbers.

Basically, by taking the models humans have used for decades to learn from medical data and placing them in the hands of an adaptive AI, Dell researchers have made it so that childhood cancer doctors can learn from their mistakes and successes in way less time. That could save lives and reduce suffering for children across the globe.

Powering the concerts of the future.

When you think of the craziest live shows in recent musical history, Glitch Mob probably comes to mind. The EDM trio uses thousands of lights, speakers, and just about everything else to put together shows that match the wild pace of their music. And behind all the flash and excitement is a Dell Alienware processor, turning out the music in real-time.

Just about anywhere life is changing for the better, you can find a piece of Dell technology. But don’t worry, they’ll still sell you a PC—or one of their million other cutting-edge tech products—for a good price.

Want to work for a company that has remained innovative since it was founded? Dell is hiring on WayUp, so check out their open positions and apply!

The post 6 Things That Show Dell Has Totally Changed Over The Past Decade appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Fact or fiction?

If you have been watching TV for the past two decades, then you are probably familiar with Detective Olivia Benson, FBI Agent Fox Mulder, or one of the many other fictional crime fighters we all grew up with.

And if you love this genre, then you have probably heard these crime fighters utter some version of this phrase: “Send it to the lab!”

But it’s rare that you get insight into what happens between that moment and when the results are delivered. I mean, what actually happens in the lab?

That’s where Thermo Fisher Scientific laboratory kits turn crime fiction into justice facts.

As the world leader in serving science, Thermo Fisher has played an instrumental role in driving innovation forward in the field of forensics and countless other scientific areas. Its employees are part of ground-breaking research and development and help solve real-world challenges.

Without them, the bad guys would get away with their crimes much more frequently. And it goes the other way, too. High-tech forensics tools have vindicated many wrongfully-convicted men and women.

Fictional forensic science has come a long way since the time of Sherlock Holmes. Crime shows now feature brightly-lit, space-age labs with holographic, touch screen displays and computers that seemingly run every test in the book.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THERMO FISHER AND APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES

And while the budget for the average police department probably isn’t that high, these depictions of forensic science’s new capabilities are not entirely inaccurate.

It turns out the real world has made quite a few strides as well.

Where TV Meets Reality

Nowadays, it’s about way more than just fingerprints.

Modern crime labs boast the ability to match miniscule samples of DNA with potential suspects. They can isolate single drugs and poisonous chemicals from among thousands of possibilities, find nearly invisible evidence at a scene, and even identify expertly forged documents or counterfeits.

Take Thermo Fisher Senior Staff Scientist Julio. He has seen his work with Thermo Fisher’s forensic products secure justice for people on both sides of the courtroom.

“I’ve had the chance to meet the people our technology has helped on both sides of that spectrum—victims’ families who have been given a measure of justice through an accurate conviction, and wrongfully imprisoned individuals who have been set free thanks to advancements in DNA testing. Our work has real impact, and I’ve seen the results with my own eyes,” he says. (You can learn more about Julio’s story here.)

LEARN MORE ABOUT THERMO FISHER AND APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES

Solving Crimes And Beyond

It’s not just detectives and prosecutors who rely on forensic technology.

So many elements of our world depend on the hard facts provided by forensic technology. Sports officials might be using drug testing or identification equipment to determine the future (or revise the history) of an athlete or a game. High-price art auctions might need verification of ownership and authenticity documents.

That means this technology can answer a ton of questions that were once a mystery. Did that world-class athlete really use illegal performance-enhancing drugs? Was that painting really bought in Paris in 1945, or was it stolen by the Nazis? Is there a map printed on the back of the Declaration of Independence?

While the answer to that last one is (probably) a definite “no,” people like Julio at Thermo Fisher work to advance a science with nearly endless capacity for improving the world.

Want to join Julio in the work he is doing in forensics research? You can. Learn more about Thermo Fisher and apply for open jobs and internships here. Who knows? You could be the next true crime hero.

The post My Company Creates Forensics Tech That Helps Solve Crimes (And Is Probably In Your Fave True Crime Show) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If a person told you her motto was, “Sending All The Right Signals,” then it could basically mean anything. However, when a company like Belden—the country’s low-key leader in communications technology—says it, it really means it.

And it actually means everything.

Whether it was when you were watching the news, checking your email, swiping into your dorm, or reading this article, you probably used Belden technology today.

From Belden’s Early Career Leadership Programs—a three-year global program designed to build Belden’s future business leaders that you can learn more about below—to their wide array of departments and industry expertise, here’s a look inside this behind-the-scenes powerhouse and all the opportunities there for people just like you.

What Is Belden?

Belden began as a cable company—we’re talking lengths of sheathed copper, not the TV channels without commercials—and became a leader in all sorts of essential communications technology. It bought into TV broadcasting tech, cybersecurity, network architecture, and wireless transmissions. And even though it’s not the same type of cable as your favorite movie channel, you can bet they’re using Belden tech to broadcast that content.

It would be genuinely difficult to think of a major industry that doesn’t employ Belden’s tech. Security, retail, banking—you name it, and Belden has its cables or routers or rack switches inside of it. In fact, there’s a very good chance that the university Wi-Fi network you’re using right now utilizes Belden networking gear.

Who Works At Belden?

Belden is first and foremost a tech company: It employs hardware and software to make sure that the unifying force behind the modern world (hint: the internet) actually works for the people who need to use it. And at its core it’s a manufacturing company, which provides yet another perspective that can be useful in your career, regardless of the field you end up in.

However, because of its incredible reach, Belden employs experts across tons of major industries—and you could be working in any of those divisions.

“Belden’s diverse portfolio allows you to work in different businesses with a variety of products and clients, ensuring that you are always learning something new,” one career expert at Belden, Maggie Morris, told us. “Once you start feeling comfortable in one business, you may be moved to a new one for some excitement, a new challenge, and—ultimately—a developmental opportunity.”

And this doesn’t just go for tech people either. Sales, marketing, finance, supply chain, IT, and even HR professionals will all get broad exposure to Belden’s different divisions if they seek it out.

What Can I Do There?

Want to better understand television broadcasting? Work for Belden in their broadcast division and get an understanding of the tech that powers everyone’s favorite industry. Want to work in security or government? Learn about the systems that protect modern businesses from hackers and keep the average person’s data safe. Want to work in supply chain or manufacturing? Belden tech powers automation in factories and beyond.

One of the best ways to access all these businesses at Belden is through one of their Early Career Leadership Programs. As Kristin Poulos, a VP in Cyber Security told us, “Many of those early in their careers, especially those in ECLP, have the opportunity to work through high-impact, yearlong rotations across a variety of Belden brands.”

This can be extremely valuable when it comes to building toward long-term goals.

“This exposure helps them broaden their networks and understand the technical nuances of their chosen function to become better leaders in the future,” she says. “In addition, our General Management ECLP enables early-career professionals to gain experience across many functions including sales, marketing, product management, and operations.”

For you, this means Belden can be a gateway to any career. Whether your path is up through the promotion track or on to a different industry after gaining valuable expertise, Belden can be a perfect place to start.

Want to help engineer experiences from the special effects on theme park rides to the jumbotrons at MLB games? Then check out job opportunities at Belden on WayUp right now!

The post This Megabrand Affects Every Major Business In The Country And Lets You Start A Career In Any Industry—And You’ve Never Heard Of It appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Who’s the #1 intern in the U.S.? Well, right on the heels of this week’s announcement about WayUp’s 100 top internship programs, we have more exciting news to share: We’ve just crowned our 2018 Intern 100 list, including grand-prize-winning Intern of the Year, Greg Wolff!

WayUp created the Intern 100 list to highlight the most ambitious, passionate, and talented interns in the country. More than 700 interns applied and more than 40,000 public votes were cast!

Why’d Greg come out on top? Well, he’s got a very impressive resume and a long list of accomplishments under his belt already. And he’s one of the most motivated, engaged interns you’ll find anywhere. To recognize him for his award, Greg will win some awesome prizes provided by Red Bull, including a one year supply of Red Bull Energy Drink, $200 in Red Bull swag, and tickets for a VIP festival experience!

We sat down with Greg to learn more about his background, his intern skills, and his long-term goals. Read through our interview to learn more about him—and make sure you check out the full list of Intern 100 list winners here!

Where Did You Grow Up?

San Diego, California

What College Do You Go To?

University of California, Santa Cruz

How/Why Did You Choose UC Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz’s curriculum is very ethically engaged and socially proactive. I chose a residential college that focused on Power and Representation—specifically how we can form ourselves individually regarding representations of class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and race.

What’s Your Major?

Computer Science

Why Did You Select Computer Science?

I chose Computer Science in an effort to make myself a more multidisciplinary, well-rounded person. Throughout high school I was developing creative skills (specifically with film, graphic, and motion design). But I wanted to immerse myself in a completely new subject to be able to carry out projects independently. I believe being able to harness both design and development in product work is immensely powerful.

How Did You Land Your Internship At Airbnb?

I applied to Airbnb because of their attention toward possible ways the product and resources of the company might solve societal issues. Specifically, the human team at Airbnb focuses on solving humanitarian problems like offering temporary housing to refugees, evacuees, and other individuals in need. Aligning with the company’s mission you’re applying for is vastly important, and I believe essential for landing an internship. If you’re not passionate or motivated about the work the company is doing, it’ll become very exhausting to put in your all in when work gets hectic.

Can You Talk About A Mentor You’ve Had In Your Career? How Did That Person Affect You?

At school, I volunteer in a research lab focusing on the intersection of social computing and human-computer interaction. This includes topics such as crowdsourcing, collective intelligence, social networks, computational social choice, and participatory democracy. My mentor, David Lee, founded the lab to focus on researching methods for large-scale collaboration to support nonprofits, and on scaling opportunities for research and entrepreneurship as a way to enable curiosity and passion-driven learning.

Throughout my experience in the lab, David mentored me on areas of development and design, but truly impacted the outlook I had on my career by nourishing an environment where I could deeply consider what intrinsically motivates me. Making career decisions based solely upon salary, recognition, or praise ultimately isn’t sustainable—and taking the time to consider what you are deeply passionate about is worthwhile for the outlook of your career.

Why Do You Think Internships Are Important?

Internships are valuable in two ways. First, they serve as a method for you to dip your toes in the water. You get a hands-on experience with a company and you’re exposed to real work in a real environment. By the end of the summer, you typically have something to show for the work you’ve done. Secondly, you’ve experienced an entire summer of learning. Being in an industry environment gives you constant learnings, insights, and areas to improve. Whether or not you receive a return offer, your internship helps you grow individually.

What Would Be Your Dream Job?

For me, I’d like to be working in a role that combines both design and development—where I can exercise both skillsets in a multidisciplinary manner. Beyond the role, though, I’d ideally like the work that I’m doing to be meaningful for a larger community. I’m specifically interested in ways that technological innovation can affect underrepresented communities, specifically how volunteer crowdsourcing can benefit LGBTQ+ people.

What Will You Look For In Your Next Internship Or Job?

For my next internship or job, I’d like to move toward something completely new. I believe a wholesome career constitutes constant change. If there isn’t room to keep growing and learning at your current company, it may be time to venture toward a new company. And if you’ve mastered your current discipline, it may be worth journeying into something completely new.

What Advice Do You Have For Other Interns? 

Try to make the most of your summer. Whichever company you’re at, have one-on-ones with as many people as you can, read up on any historical projects or information, and try to get as integrated into the company as you possibly can.

Also, beyond work, try to meet new people within the city you’re interning.The summer internship experience is unique. You can leave work and enjoy yourself by checking out a new neighborhood or a new bar with erstwhile strangers.

The post Here’s The #1 Intern In The U.S.—And The Full List Of Top 100 Intern Winners appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When I first start working with a college student or a recent grad, I ask his or her most dreaded question, “tell me about yourself.” Within biology, engineering, accounting and sociology, the answers are always the same -“I’m a (fill-in the blank) major at such and such university.” Did I learn anything about you that isn’t on your resumé? From an employer’s perspective, what does that response tell them about what you bring to the position and the company? Nothing. That’s because you are talking about your college major not your skills. What’s the difference?

Major vs. Skill

A college major is a group of courses required by a college in order to receive a degree –– an area you specialize in. Colleges assert— I am quoting from several college websites—choosing your major is an important life decision because your major affects your college success and happiness, your future career, who you associate with during and after graduation and how you see yourself and the world around you. Think about those claims. I’m calling bullshit!

Ah, now a skill is something you are able to do and do well. Some skills, I think of as abilities that are, for the most part, inherited like having a penchant for math or a beautiful singing voice, for example. However, many skills are learned. Skills are goal-directed because having a skill can allow you to attain a higher level of performance. Skills connect to a particular job. The engineering major who gets a job offer at one of the most highly regarded business strategy consulting firms is hired because of the skills learned through his major, not because of his major. The library science major working at the global technology company is there because of the skills acquired through her degree, not because of her degree. Your skills are why you are hired.

Could you choose a major based on your abilities? Yes. Could you choose your major because of the skills you will acquire that will make you marketable to employers? Yes.

Transferable skills

I work with college students long after they have selected their majors when they are starting to figure out what they want to do and what the value of their major is in the job market. Together, we focus on their abilities, the skills they acquired through their majors and how these apply to careers and employers.

You’re a biology major. For you, it helps to explain how things work after all; biology is the study of life. That’s pretty cool! However, you don’t want to go on to med school. Where do you go from here? I don’t know much about biology but I do know skills.

Research skills ▪ Advanced mathematics ▪ Critical reasoning, analytical and evaluation skills ▪ Ability to handle and analyze complex data ▪ Written and oral communication skills ▪ Time management and organization ▪ Monitoring and recording

This range of skills is transferable to a variety of roles and workplaces and therefore, of interest to a wide range of employers. There are a huge range of options available, for example:

Financial Analyst ▪ Business Development ▪ Project Management ▪ Sales ▪ Attorney

What are skills developed from an anthropology degree?

Active listening ▪ Observation ▪ Research ▪ Interviewing ▪ Analyzing organizational structures and processes ▪ Communicating effectively with individuals in other cultures ▪ Critical thinking

And careers….
Market research ▪ Human resources ▪ Cultural resource management ▪ Forensic organizational development

I think you get the point. Employers interview to uncover your skills not your major. So, when I ask you, tell me about yourself, your answer is…..

The post Know the Difference between Your Major and Your Skills in a Job Search appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I was a freshman in college in 1993 and I vividly remember that one of the first questions anyone asked me was “what’s your major”. Like all 18 year olds, I thought I knew it all and I would respond without hesitation “my major is political science with a law and legal concentration – after I graduate I plan to go to law school and be a prosecutor.” Fast forward 20 years and about the only thing that holds true from that statement is that I did major in political science with a law and legal concentration.

I have a Master’s degree in Psychology and am currently pursuing doctorate degree. I am the president and founder of Right Path New England, an educational consulting and career consulting firm and a professor of psychology. I am one of the lucky ones, my journey was filled with great opportunity and achievement, I was able to figure out my educational and career path and find a field that I am passionate and enthusiastic about. A career that where I am successful and incredibly happy. My major does not have anything to do with my career and while I thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate years I sometimes wonder ‘what if I explored other options than pre-law, what if I knew myself better at 18, what if I actually didn’t think I knew it all at 18 years old’ what if….what if….what if……

As an educational and career consultant I meet with students on a daily basis and always ask why – why is __________ your major. In my tenure I have come across very few students who know the answer to this very important question. Typical answers are:

• I think I will make a lot of money in this major.
• My parents told me this was a good major.
• My friend has this major and we want to take classes together.
• I heard this is an easy major.
• I have no idea what I want to do when I graduate but I like classes in this major.
• I heard there are lots of jobs in this major.

Clearly these are not the right answers for choosing a major and a career path. The choice of major can be one of the most important decisions that a student makes. Consequences for choosing the right major last beyond college. Nationally, three out of four entering students denote some uncertainty about their choice of major and between one and two thirds change majors at some point in their academic career. Students who choose the right major earn higher grades, persist in their choice of major, graduate on time, are more satisfied with their career, have greater job satisfaction and job stability.
The question now becomes, how is a typical college student supposed to know what the right major is. As a personality expert, I believe that the answer lies in individual personality traits and major match. Personality typing is the innate way people naturally see the world and make decisions. The basis for personality typing is the belief that there are sixteen distinct personality types and each person has one type that most accurately describes him or her. Personality traits are inherent and people’s type does not change throughout one’s lifetime. By knowing their personality traits, students can make informed decisions about their major selection and have greater satisfaction and success with their college experience.
Students who choose a major that is not congruent with their personality tend to: study subjects that are not suitable with their interests or skills, as well as, finding themselves in an environment of students and faculty members who have different, skills, and values. As a result their grades suffer, they have lower graduation rates and are less satisfied with their careers.
If you are a student who is beginning your journey this Fall think about who you are and the way you view the world. Seek advice from an educational consultant or a career counselor and examine your personality traits. Choose a major that fits your personality traits and allows you to be successful. Choose an area of study that can lead to a career path where you can be happy and successful. Finally, the next time someone asks you “what’s your major?” turn the question around and ask then what theirs is and then ask them why. You will be surprised by the answers they give you. You are about to embark on a wonderful journey of self-discovery and academic enrichment – enjoy every moment and take the time to ask yourself a question that is far more important than ‘ what’s your major’ – ask yourself ‘who am I?’.

The post What’s your major? Personality Type and Major Match appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Home sweet home is something we all strive for. That may be defined by coming home to the sweet smell of your favorite scent, warm coffee or perhaps, that elusive tote full of laundry you put off all week. These scents may all tie into exactly what lifestyle you would like to lead. Choosing the right housemate, or perhaps no housemate at all is crucial in finding your prized home sweet home.

There are many reasons to consider a roommate. For example, financially it is easier splitting bills, this also splits the headaches trying to remember when the electric, Netflix, rent, water and garbage is due. Not to mention other worries that wreak havoc on your psyche. Roommates are great ways to split up chores, groceries and costs for other things like microwaves and toasters: two major life saving appliances for your 21st century collegiate.

Considerations? On the positive side a roommate or perhaps, roommates can help save money and help alleviate some additional stresses in each others lives. On the more pessimistic side of things, roommates can add stress into each others lives if not chosen wisely. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a partner in your new humble abode:

• One, do you have boundaries and can this roommate accept them?

• On the flip side, do you lack boundaries and will you be the cause of future annoyances?

• Are you all able to share responsibilities responsibly?

• Do you enjoy the company of others?

• Do you share well with others?

• Define your line on certain issues. Don’t allow yourself to get swept under the rug and share your concerns with confidence.

Keep in mind that your best friend may not be your best roommate. Think about how much time you spend together and how often you may get on each other’s nerves. Does time apart do you good? Could you see yourself possibly sharing a bathroom with this person and not wanting to rip out every follicle of hair on your head?

Don’t be afraid to lay out how you would like things to run in your shared home, but be open to change, and be willing to compromise. However, if you see yourself living happier alone, there is no problem to that. Life is a journey and if you best trek it alone, so be it!

The post Choose Your Roommate Wisely appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Sriram Jegatha Aranganathan  for Student Stories.

Below are 10 tips for international students studying in the United States, based on my experience moving from India to study at Indiana Tech:

1. Connect with your university’s career center and build a relationship with them

Career Center staffs will go a long way to help you connect with an employer

2. Start thinking about Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Go to your international office and enquire about them. It is valuable to gain experience while you are in United States

3. If you are going into your senior year then, please start your OPT application

Because it takes at least 3 months to process them. And you don’t want to have your job offer letter but not have that OPT employment card to start working

4. Participate in your school’s alumni activities

You will never know how powerful some alumni are. All the alumni want to give something back to the school and they will be very willing to help you

5. If you are an athlete, then you will have a very busy schedule

Have your priorities straight, academics always comes first and then athletics comes second. Do not live your life like it’s the last day, there is always a tomorrow. Likewise, there is always a weekend after five weekdays. So, do not party every weekend, just because your friends peer pressure you

6. Having a good GPA when you graduate is a great achievement

If you are shooting for 3.8 or 4.0 GPA, then start getting good grades from the first year. If you mess up on your first semester, then it is really hard to get back to 3.8 or 4.0

7. Check your passport’s, visa’s and I-20’s expiry dates every semester end

It is very critical for international students like us to have a valid passport when we enter United States after coming back from home country

8. Start an organization or be a leader of the international club

You will learn to organize events, market and also communicate well. It is very critical to have leadership and organization skills, college is where you can try anything and also fail miserably and no one will notice it

9. Get an on-campus job, it will be a starting point to your career

An on-campus job will let you connect with many people from campus and it will also help tackle your expenses. Your parents will be relieved when you say you don’t need any money for personal expenses

10. Try to go home during the winter break and utilize your summer break

Summer is usually three months long and you can use it to do an internship.

About the Author:

My name is Sriram. I am an international student from Chennai, India.  Currently a senior, graduating in May 2014 with a Mechanical Engineering degree from Indiana Tech. I am also a student athlete who plays tennis for Indiana Tech. Throughout my college career, I have been working for the International Student Admissions Office and also became a resident assistant in my junior year. LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/sriramjegatha 

The post 10 Tips for International Students Studying in United States appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Megan Deis for Student Stories. 

Stress, road blocks, tough decisions and sleepless nights….all of these are challenges faced by Americans, but when you are a college student struggling to find out who you are and what you want to accomplish within your lifetime, these things seem to happen habitually.

After switched schools, switching majors, and taking an “easy year” with only a few classes at the local community college, I finally transferred to a university I love and discovered my true passion in psychology. How people think, how people react to situations, people’s attitudes and peoples predispositions, I love it all.

As soon as I began reading my psychology textbooks for fun I realized this was something I was truly interested in. I was ecstatic to have finally found the topic I want to expand my knowledge on. I soon realized though, just because I liked studying a subject didn’t mean I was headed anywhere specific. I knew I had to pull myself together and get started in a direction, thus began my internship search. Yes, my resume was jam packed with volunteering opportunities and odd jobs but nothing says “This girl has real world experience…” like an internship. Am I right?
My older sister, the star child of the family, completed an internship her junior year of college and currently has a salary job with the company she interned for. I could practically feel the pressure of my parents placing cinder blocks onto my shoulders. Since I transferred, though the new school and college experience was everything I could hope for, I always felt a little jumbled and behind. It seemed as if I was constantly dealing with credits that didn’t transfer or “freshmen problems” like “Where the heck do I find a fax machine on campus?”, so it was no surprise when my window of internship applications was closing quickly and I had only applied for a few perspective companies.

There are many directions a major in psychology can take you, and I was terrified that if I applied for a social psychology marketing internship I would be stuck in that part of the psychology field forever. I would wake up each morning to go to my job I ‘not so secretly’ detested. My worst nightmare! Therefore, I only applied for a few internships that involved helping others with psychological problems, behavioral issues, anxiety, and OCD because my main interest is in Personality Psychology.

Waiting was torturous but eventually one of the few internships emailed me to set up a phone interview. I was so incredibly excited I didn’t even realize how nervous I was until the day of the interview when the woman asked “What qualities do you possess that would make you a great fit for our company?” and I replied “Uhhhh…well I’m nice, and uhhhh… my horoscope says I am patient”. (Word of advice. Do not talk about horoscopes during a very important interview. Luckily she had a sense of humor and laughed…a lot).

After the interview, where the nice woman on the phone made it evidently clear that she had MANY perspective students to interview and she would ‘keep me posted’, I made sure to try and find other options. I was not holding my breath for that internship.

Eventually, April approached and I slowly realized I had no plan. School was beginning to pile on countless ‘end of semester’ projects and there was mention of perspective study guide’s for finals. I was beginning to freak out a little, (COMPLETELY FREAK OUT!) I tried to play it off in my head, “It’s no big deal! You can have an amazing summer hanging out with friends. You can take a summer off and go on road trips with friends, try out all the cool eatery’s downtown and attend a million concerts. It will be the summer of a lifetime.” But truth be told, I had no money to do that, or even an easy summer job set up for the summer.

I tried searching for last minute internships or volunteer opportunities that had a least a little association with the study of psychology. Eventually I found a volunteering assignment for the summer. It was not what I wanted, sitting in on court cases to learn how to be a victim advocate, but it was something.

Then, a few weeks after the volunteer opportunity arose, I heard from one of the last minute internships I had applied for (What? Is this really happening?). It was unpaid, and I would be babysitting victim’s children who reside in the Battered Women’s Shelter, but it was an internship and I would be helping people!

Then, a week later, I heard from the internship I had applied for, interviewed for and truly aspired for! Apparently my mother lied to me, my sense of humor will get me somewhere someday!

At first I had no opportunities. My summer was free and full of only perspective sea breeze and sunshine but now I had…options? What?!

As this school year fades away, my older sister is graduating, my friends are scattering off to follow through with their summer plans, I am headed to Tennessee for a paid internship where I will be helping disgruntled youth with behavioral and mental problems. This is exactly what I wanted and I could not be happier.

Sometimes what you want seems unattainable. Sometimes what you wish for is within your grasp but you mess it up. But sometimes, when you stay calm, think positive and work hard towards what you want, things will work out!

Life is hard, but you are stronger than any rock or roadblock it throws your way!

About the Author:

Hi! My name is Megan Deis and I am currently a junior at Miami University studying psychopathology and personality psychology. I aspire to help those who can’t help themselves! I love writing, art, yoga, psychology and being a kid. Growing up is scary and I am all about staying in, eating half-baked cookies, and watching Disney movies (Can I get a “Whoop! Whoop!” for Brother Bear, Frozen and A Bug’s Life?). 

The post Persevere Till the End appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Dorm room startups, new app developments, and entrepreneurs in college are no new thing, but it’s always exciting to see the success stories. We had the opportunity to interview Brian Adams, an Entrepreneurial Communications major and Senior at Ohio University, who founded the app MyCampus. MyCampus is an app that allows students to communicate with one another about textbooks that they want to buy or sell. They can use the app to contact one another, send payments, and get their textbooks without having to divulge any personal information. It’s a safe way for students to get rid of old textbooks and make some money. Future plans for app include to expand to a shipping method as well, so students are not limited to their own campuses.

What inspired him?

Brian was inspired to create the MyCampus app after buying and selling items on Craigslist during his early college years. He wanted to create an app that could help students buy textbooks by providing a safe service where students could reach out to others on campus. He began with the idea and spent about 10 months going over it and getting feedback so he could tailor it to students’ needs. Then through an accelerator program he moved forward with the app, with the help of seed funding. With the help of the accelerator he was able to get guidance and feedback for his app, as well as assistance creating a business model. He outsourced development, and with the help of beta testers and reliable feedback, worked on an interface that is user friendly and something students want to use. In 2012, he had 14,000 visitors from his college alone.

What was the most difficult part?

Brian’s journey to create the app came with struggles, which were mostly from the technical standpoint of application development. His main suggestion for creating a successful app is feedback, since he heavily relied on it from beta testers and users, in order to make improvements.

How did he get the word out?

Through channels like Twitter, Facebook, and other social media, Brian partnered with popular accounts and pages to let him advertise his app, which promoted the app to a wider audience. Since the majority of the traffic he initially received for the app was from Apple iOS, the app will first be release for iPhones, but  he intends to make it available on the Android platform as well. The app will officially launch in January for Ohio University and Ohio State.

The post Student Creates App to Sell Textbooks appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.