Success Stories: Tori
How have you benefited from using the Career Center services?
Fine arts students don’t always get a ton of career prep and I was a bit lost when senior year rolled around and I wasn’t exactly sure how to format my resume, what kinds of jobs would suit my skill sets and interests, or what to expect going into an interview. The Career Center was an incredible help to me in not only shaping my resume and preparing me for the interview process, but also in showing me where to begin and helping me understand how to apply my skills to all kinds of positions. They helped give me the confidence to apply for jobs I would have never thought to apply for or would have felt under qualified for but truly had all the elements to succeed at!
How did working with the Career Center impact your internship/job search?
They really do care about you and when opportunities came around they personally emailed me with interviews coming to campus, job postings they thought would be a good fit for me, and they even sent my name and resume on to an awesome employer after I had graduated just because they thought I would be a great candidate for the role. It really can have such an impact to feel that you aren’t alone in your job search and that they will go out of their way to help you find a place you’re happy at.
What was the most helpful advice given to you by the Career Center?
The affirmation that my fine arts background had SO MANY real world applications! It can be scary leaving school with a fine arts major but where would we be without the creative, innovative minds of the world? They helped me understand that finding a job did not have to mean giving up my passions or the work that excites me – instead they showed me where to look and that interviewing is all about confidence in your background!
What challenges were you facing and how did the Career Center help you solve them or motivate you to solve them?
It took me a few months to line up a job – the first one I took wasn’t the exact right one but it was a great stepping stone to get me to the job I have now and love. Throughout my first year out of school I kept in touch with Kim Satz from the Career Center, who helped point me to opportunities, gave me advice, and followed up to see if I was happy with the job I’d taken. She kept my resume on hand to send to new employers that reached out and gave me hope that the right job was still out there, and to keep searching. And it paid off when I finally got to the job I’m at – creating and strategizing ad campaigns for a super cool social media advertising company!
What advice would you give others facing the same challenges you did?
Don’t give up when the search gets tough! You have a unique skill set and a great role for you is out there. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from the Career Center – they’ve dedicated their career to helping you with yours! Figure out how to sell yourself in interviews and how any previous experience you do have can relate to a variety of positions – it’s really a game of connecting the dots for employers.
Where there any specific events you went to that were beneficial? If so which one and why was it helpful?
I went to the Career & Intern Expo as my first step into the search senior year and I honestly had no idea what I was doing. Luckily I met Kim Satz from the Career Center there at the very end and she gave me her card so I could reach out to her. I am so grateful for that because once I reached out she brought me in and connected me with people who could help me with my resume, career options, interview prep, and so much more!