Emily Black Diamond

University of Pittsburgh Office of Career Development and Placement Assistance

Internship Journal
Pam OBrien
English Writing 1900
Spring 2014




























Gloss

I wrote this piece for parents of Pitt students in order to inform them about the upcoming events
that CDPA has to offer.











































With the Spring Career Fair just around the corner, the Office of Career
Development and Placement Assistance is devoting this entire week to
help students prepare for the Spring Career on February 18 and 19.

Career Fair Prep Week begins on Monday, February 10 with Senior Career Bootcamp. UPMC
representatives will be on site to discuss topics like networking, interview tips, follow-up
techniques, and more. On February 11 and 12, recruiters from companies including PLS
Logistics, UPMC, Compunetix, E.A. Fischione, and Mitsubishi will be on campus to review
rsums and stage a mock career fair. If students still havent found the time to get their rsum
reviewed, Resumania on Thursday, February 13 will provide them with one more chance before
the Career Fair. On Friday, February 14, representatives from Enterprise Rent-a-Car and
American Eagle will host career prep information sessions. Students are encouraged to come
hungry to all events, as food and refreshments will be served all week.

Finally, the Spring Career Fair will be held on February 18 and 19 in the William Pitt Union
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students with nontechnical majors should come on February 18, and
those with technical majors should attend on February 19. The brand new Career Fair Plus app
can be downloaded by students to research companies, mark potential employers as favorites,
and even see every companys location on the floor plan. Students can pre-register at my.pitt.edu
and proceed to the express check-in on the day of the fair.

For more information, including times and locations of these events, visit careers.pitt.edu.



























Gloss

I created the following banner to advertise Resumania, one of the main events preceding the
Spring Career Fair, in The Pitt News.

























































































Gloss

I wrote the following piece as a description of CDPAs upcoming events that were to go out as
part of a Connect with Student Affairs newsletter for administration and the Provost.













































Senior Career Bootcamp
Monday, February 10
6-9 p.m.
William Pitt Union Ballroom
The Office of Career Development & Placement Assistance will host this program for all seniors
needing a crash course in career preparation. Senior Career Bootcamp will feature UPMC
recruiters who will discuss topics such as personal branding, networking, social media, career
event preparation, and on-line resources. There will also be free pizza and other giveaways.
Interested students should sign up through FutureLinks and make sure to bring plenty of
rsums.

Career Fair Prep Week Kick-Off Event
Tuesday, February 11
4 - 6 p.m.
Nordys
To prepare students for the Spring Career Fair, the Office of Career Development & Placement
Assistance is providing a kick-off event. Events such as a rsum review session and a mock
career fair will help students to make the most out of the upcoming fair. This event was designed
to assist students in leaving a lasting positive impression on employers. Click here for more
information regarding the Career Fair Prep Week Schedule!

Career Fair Prep Week Event
Wednesday, February 12
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Benedum Ground Floor
Students are invited to have their rsum reviewed by CDPA staff at Benedum Hall and also
participate in mock interviews with Travelers Insurance representatives as Career Fair Prep
Week continues. Students can register for a mock interview through FutureLinks

One-on-One Career Advice from Seniors
Wednesday, February 12
5 - 7 p.m.
Nordys
Graduating seniors who have already been placed in a job or graduate program will be available
to share tips and advice with undergraduates. What better way to gain insight about the job
market than to talk with peers who just went through a similar experience? Food and
refreshments will be provided, and students are encouraged to stay and watch the Pitt vs.
Syracuse game on the big screen.

Resumania
Thursday, February 13
Noon to Midnight







200 WPU/Schenley Caf
As the Spring Career Fair draws near, students are encouraged to spruce
up their rsums at Resumania. This event will help students draft an engaging rsum reflective
of accomplishments and tailored to their career goals. From noon to 9 p.m., the event will be
held in 200 WPU followed by a late night brunch from 9 p.m. to midnight in Schenley Caf.
Popcorn, cookies, and hot chocolate will be available during the day.

Love Your Career
Friday, February 14
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Fifth floor, William Pitt Union
The Office of Career Development & Placement Assistance will host two employer presentations
sessions to help students discover how to make their passion their profession. The first session is
a brown bag lunch program featuring Enterprise Rent-A-Car presenting How to Work a Career
Fair. The second session will feature American Eagle presenting Live your Life, Love your
Job. This is a great chance for students to meet employers and get valuable career advice

Spring 2014 Career Fair
February 18 and February 19
10 a.m. 3 p.m.
William Pitt Union
Students can explore internship and full- and part-time employment opportunities at the Spring
2014 Career Fair. Representatives and recruiters from local, regional, and national nonprofits,
corporations, and government agencies will be available to talk about openings at their respective
organizations. Students are encouraged to attend, dress to impress, and network with prospective
employers. Nontechnical Day will be held on February 18 and Technical Day will be held on
February 19. Click here for a list of employers attending.






















Gloss

I wrote this article as an online piece that is meant to encourage students to utilize the services
that CDPA has to offer.











































For Pitt senior Devon Costello, it is hard to believe that it was just four
years ago when she walked into the Office of Career Development and Placement Assistance
(CDPA) on the second floor of the William Pitt Union for the first time. As an undecided
freshman, not yet sure what she wanted to do in either her academic or professional careers, she
met with a CDPA career consultant in the hopes that they might be able to guide her in the right
direction. Her first step was to take the Meyers-Brigg Type Indicator (MBTI) in order to identify
her personality type. Her consultant reviewed the MBTI results with her and offered her a sheet
of majors that would be a good match for her skills and interests.
Luckily, one of those majors turned out to be a winner. Now a political science major,
also earning a certificate in public and professional writing, Devon is so happy with how she
chose to focus her studies at Pitt with the help of CDPA.
Im really fortunate with my choice of majors because I think it was able to give me a
broad educational background. Now I have a few different options of where I could take my
career. In the immediate future, Id love to find a job working in marketing. But within the next
few years, I could see myself going back to school for business or law.
Four years later and Devon still actively uses the services that CDPA has to offer. Most
recently, she attended the Resumania eventthe 12 hour rsum review session CDPA hosted
that prompted students to spruce up their rsums before attending the Spring Career Fair. I
always struggle with what to put on my rsum, Devon says. My CDPA consultant walked
through all of my experience with me and gave me suggestions about what to keep and what to
delete. He also recommended extending my rsum to another page when applying to certain







jobs in order to provide more detail about some of my background
which was really helpful because so often you hear that you are supposed to keep your rsum to
just one page.
Devon is definitely grateful that she was able to use so many of the services that CDPA
has to offer during her time here at Pitt. For new or transfer students, she advises that they learn
about the office and all it has to offer. Its really never too early to create a rsum or apply for
internships, she adds.
One student who agrees is chemical engineering major Gerald Rothstein. As a senior who
will be graduating in December 2014, Gerald wants to get a job working in the gas and oil
industry after graduation. He has attended a few small career fairs and some information sessions
before, but he thinks that the Career Fair he went to this past spring is the largest he ever
attended.
It was a little overwhelming at first trying to find the employers that I really wanted to
speak with, he says. But all of the staff members were really accommodating, and the Career
Fair Plus mobile app was very helpful so that was nice. The Career Fair Plus App was a new
addition to this past springs career fair. The students who downloaded the app were able to use
maps to navigate through the fair and find the booths they were looking for, as well as read up on
information about the companies that were in attendance.
The Career Fair was broken up into two different days: one for technical students and the
other for non-technical students. Since Gerald will be looking for a job in chemical engineering,
he attended on the technical day to speak with employers like Calfrac, Schlumberger, and PPG,







all of which hire employees in that discipline. Its really good practice
talking with employers at events like the Career Fair, he says. Id recommend everyone go for
that purpose alone, not to mention the fact that many students find networking and even
employment opportunities after attending. I know that going to previous career fairs will have
given me great practice for next semester when Ill be going to these things and seriously looking
for a job since Ill be graduating.
Gerald thinks one of the best ways to take advantage of all CDPA has to offer is to use
their services for mock interviews and rsum reviews. CDPA really does offer a lot of great
services to Pitt students. Not only do they have really beneficial events like the Career Fair, but
they also help out with career exploration on an individual level. They understand how different
each students career goals really are so they do their best to tailor their services to fit each
students needs.
A lot more can come out of the Career Fair, however, than simply good practice for a
more intense job hunt. Meet Andrew McLaughlin. As a senior communication major who is
graduating this April, he needed a job. Eventually, he would love to work in the field of
advertising, and the company he wanted to jumpstart his career with, Yelp, happened to attend
the Spring Career Fair.
It was his first time at a Career Fair, so he was somewhat nervous about what to expect
when he got there. I was pleasantly surprised, he said. The fair was really easy to navigate,
and I downloaded the app before attending which made everything run even more smoothly for
me.







Despite being impressed with the clear layout of the fair along with
all of the noteworthy employers that was present, Andrew had one goal when he decided to go to
the fair. I had already applied online to Yelp, and I was determined to talk with a recruiter from
there and get them to put a face to my name.
His strategy turned out to be an advantageous one. A few short weeks later, he got called
for a formal interview and ended up landing his first job working in New York City beginning
after graduation. I did think it went well, but they see so many applicants that I never thought I
would be hearing back from them so soon. I guess it really does help to go the extra mile to show
recruiters how interested in their company you really are.
To students who are still searching for a job, Andrew suggests that you make the most of
what the office has to offer. They are so willing to help you in any way that they can. I had my
consultant sit and review my rsum with me before the Spring Career Fair, and I know that the
changes we made most likely gave me a real edge over the competition. If you take advantage of
all the services that CDPA extends to Pitt students, youll no doubt be in great shape to go out
into the job market by the time you graduate.



















Gloss

The following piece includes basket descriptions for silent auction items that were used during a
fundraiser in March of 2014.











































Table 1: For the Sports Fanatic
Shannopin Country Club Golf Outing
Value: $360.00
Enjoy a round of golf for four at the premier Shannopin Country Club course, located just
ten miles outside of Pittsburgh. This challenging yet enjoyable course is ideal for players
of all skill levels. Golf carts included.
Autographed Evgeni Malkin 2014 Russian Olympic jersey
Value: $550.00
Display this signed Olympic jersey of the Pittsburgh Penguins own Evgeni Malkin at
your home, or you can give it to one of your sports fanatic friends. This is something that
any Pittsburgh or hockey fan is sure to cherish forever.
Autographed Hines Ward Football
Value: $400.00
Nothing says bragging rights like a football signed by Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward!
Wont that look great on your mantel?
St. Clair Country Club Golf Outing
Value: $550.00
Delight in the scenic atmosphere of the St. Clair Country Clubs golf course and enjoy a
round of golf for a foursome at the challenging Championship Course. Set on 265 acres
in Upper St. Clair, PA, the course is equally challenging and esthetically captivating
which will surely please a golfer of any level of expertise. Some restrictions apply.
Steelers Club Seats and Tailgate Basket
Value: $650.00
Come early for a Steelers Game, use your gold parking pass and enjoy the specialty
bottles provided by Finchs beer company to tailgate. After the tailgate, you and a friend
can watch the game inside with Club tickets and cheer for one of Pittsburghs most
beloved teams.
Golf bag and merchandise
Value: $210.00
A brand new golf bag, a dozen new golf balls, and a Pitt golf towel will allow any golfer
to play in style. On your next outing with friends, dont forget to share your two new
bottles of Greg Norman wine for a day of golf and relaxation.
Two Pitt football 2014 season tickets and a signed football
Value: $320.00







You and a guest can experience Pitt football the right way with
season tickets to the 2014 season and a signed football by one of
the players. Youll never have to miss another post-third quarter rendition of Sweet
Caroline again!
Two Pitt Mens Basketball tickets to a 2014-15 ACC game
Value: $125.00
Watch the Zoo in action as you and a friend score tickets to a basketball game for the
2014-2015 season. Keep this autographed basketball as memorabilia so youll never
forget your exciting night!
Two Pitt womens basketball 2014-15 season tickets
Value: $135.00
Cheer on the womens basketball team with a friend for the entire 2014 season, and you
can showcase an autographed basketball from one of the player at your home to express
your pride for the team.
Six tickets 2014-2015 Pitt baseball tickets
Value: $80.00
There is nothing better than a baseball game with friends in the springtime! You and five
friends can cheer on the Pitt baseball team for a homerun of a day complete with food,
sports, and great company!
Six tickets 2014-2015 Pitt softball tickets
Value: $80.00
You and five friends can enjoy a fun day as you sit back and watch the ladies of Pitt
softball take on a rival team during the 2014-2015 season! With the company of great
friends and the talent of Pitt softball, this is sure to be a fun and memorable day!
Six tickets 2014-2015 Pitt mens soccer tickets
Value: $60.00
Cheer for the University of Pittsburghs mens soccer team with five of your friends next
season for a game! Enjoy Americas most popular sport at your favorite school.
Six tickets 2014-2015 Pitt womens soccer tickets
Value: $60.00
Watch the ladies of Pitt soccer bend it like Beckham as they take on a rival team during
the 2014-2015 season. Take five of your friends to enjoy the fun day filled with soccer,
friends, and school spirit!
Six tickets 2014-2015 Pitt wrestling tickets
Value: $70.00







Watch Pitts nationally ranked wrestling team in action at the
Fitzgerald Fieldhouse! You and five friends can enjoy an exciting
day to watch this Pitt team take on their competitors in a match sure to be both thrilling
and entertaining!
Six tickets 2014-2015 Pitt volleyball tickets
Value: $60.00
Win six tickets to spend a fun day cheering for Pitt volleyball as they take on their
opponents at a match during the 2014-2015 season! See these women ace the game and
spike their way to a win!
Six tickets to a 2014-2015 Pitt gymnastics competition
Value: $70.00
Not the Fab Five but the Fab Eighteen! Watch the ladies of Pitt gymnastics take on a rival
team as they jump, flip, and vault their way to victory! Enjoy the fun with five other
friends for an event you wont forget!
Pitt Swimming Guest Coach and Lesson Package
Value: $100.00
Experience a Pitt swimming match like never before as you get to sit with the team and
coaches during the meet for a guest coaching experience. Watch the event unfold up-
close and personal as you get to cheer on one of Pitts favorite teams with the teammates
themselves! Also enjoy a private swim lesson for an adult or child with head coach
Chuck Knoles. Youll be a pro in no time!
Two all-session tickets to USA gymnastics Championships
Value: $300.00
You and three friends can get tickets to see the top gymnasts in the nation compete in
Pittsburgh this August at the Consol Energy Center for the championship meet between
August 21 and August 24. Dont miss this opportunity to watch the national teams chosen
for both men and women gymnasts at both the junior and senior elite levels!
Private group tennis lesson with Coach Alex Santos
Value: $180.00
No better way to learn but from the best! You and some friends can take a private tennis
lesson with Alex Santos, the womens tennis coach! Once you ace this lesson, youll
learn to love the game in no time.
Dinner for 8 with Jamie Dixon
Value: $500.00







Pick Jamie Dixons brain as you and seven friends enjoy a catered
dinner with him in the Cathedral of Learnings ever-elegant
Babcock room on the 40
th
floor. Dine, talk, and enjoy the beautiful aerial views of
Oakland.
Dinner for 8 with football head coach Paul Chryst
Value: $500.00
With football season just around the corner, dont miss the opportunity to meet and
mingle with Paul Chryst. You and seven friends can enjoy a catered dinner with him in
the Babcock room, located on the 40
th
floor of the Cathedral of Learning. Enjoy the
spectacular view of Oakland and beyond as you converse with one of Pitts most
esteemed members of the athletic department.