Tag: career development

CDIO Introduces Annual Internship Awards

The Career Development and Internship Office honored an intern of the year and an internship host of the year at the Eighth Annual Networking Dinner.

The Career Development and Internship Office (CDIO) walks alongside students from the beginning of their academic careers at North and even after they graduate, offering guidance for career goals and assisting with resumes, internships, and interviewing strategies, and more. One of their valuable offerings to students is the annual CDIO Networking Dinner—an event where students have the opportunity to sit over a meal with professionals for networking opportunities. Evelyne Peterson, the career programs manager of the CDIO, highlights the benefits of the event. “There’s a lot of skill development that students don’t necessarily get just through the classroom experience, so this one of those good guidepost experiences while they’re at North Park.”

This year, a new aspect was incorporated into the dinner: internship awards. On April 4, the CDIO honored an intern of the year and an internship host of the year at the Eighth Annual Networking Dinner. According to Renee Tucker Martinez, the CDIO’s career education specialist, the awards were created to recognize students’ hard work at internships as well as the internships that host North Park students. “This is the city of Chicago; there are boundless opportunities for students to build preprofessional resumes,” she says, in hopes that the awards will encourage more students to explore internship opportunities.

Winner of the Intern of the Year Award, Mi Ran Choi C’20 is a cello performance major also working towards a certificate in music for social change and human values. Choi was nominated by Dr. Tom Zelle based on her internship with The People’s Music School. With the help of resources from the CDIO and conversations with Dr. Zelle, Choi got connected with Ewa Sarota-Raczek, program manager of the non-profit organization dedicated to making music education accessible to communities.

With immense gratitude for her internship experience at The People’s Music School, Choi says, “In the two years I have worked with them, my perspectives on music, social change, and human values have greatly expanded, and it is always a delight to see the students I work with growing into caring young adults.” Primarily working with the Albany Park Youth Orchestras, Choi assisted with administrative tasks and in music theory and strings classes, where she learned about the inner workings of music education. In regard to her future, Choi mentions that the internship has further enhanced her interest in nonprofit music organizations as well as connecting music education to social justice. “This has served as a humbling reminder to me that music is so much more than what is written on pages; rather, it is what connects us all through a common, underlying pulse of humanity.”

Sean Cariño, an infection control practitioner at the Swedish Covenant Hospital, won the Internship Host of the Year Award after being nominated by his intern Eduardo Vaca C’20, a biochemistry major. Cariño emphasizes the importance of data and experience to his interns, saying, “It’s not the formulas you memorize that make you better, it’s how creative you are with what you’ve got.” In order to decrease the risk of infection in patients, Cariño taught Vaca how to collect and analyze his own data regarding the hand hygiene of the hospital employees; he also invited to Vaca to meetings, where he could expand his network and was challenged to learn about professionalism and real-world problems.

Cariño, who has been working with North Parkers for a year, recalls his own meaningful internship experiences. “It really was the mentors who took care of me that made me appreciate where I am now, so one of my biggest impetuses is to be who I needed when I was young.” Which goes hand in hand with what Vaca says about his internship experience. “Sean’s mentorship and just genuine friendship has been a priceless support for me right now, and I could not be more grateful.”

Learn More About the CDIO

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags ,

Standing Out in the Job Market with a Multi-disciplinary Major: Elvin Ahmeti C’15

Working as a senior financial analyst at global healthcare manufacturer Fresenius Kabi USA, Elvin Ahmeti C’15 says it was his combined education in business and life sciences which prepared him for his career.

Alumni Elvin Ahmeti says North Park prepared him to stand out in the job market.

Elvin Ahmeti C’15 took full advantage of North Park’s multidisciplinary academics and internship opportunities, completing a double major in finance and accounting with a minor in biology. Now based in Chicago and working as a senior financial analyst at global healthcare manufacturer Fresenius Kabi USA, Ahmeti says his combined education in business and life sciences prepared him for his career and helped him to stand out in the job market.

Ahmeti developed his skills in North Park’s rigorous business and biology classes, and through an internship as a business analyst at Swedish Covenant Hospital. Ahmeti stayed on-board at Swedish Covenant for another year post-graduation before moving over to Fresenius Kabi. As a senior financial analyst, Ahmeti works in a team to ensure the sustainability of the company’s pharmaceutical product portfolio.

“The fact that I had a biology minor along with my business major made me stand out as a job candidate,” Ahmeti says. Many of Ahmeti’s classes, including Advanced Finance and Strategic Management, were “exact replicas of what is expected from financial professionals in the real world.”

“The courses I took at North Park were challenging and properly prepared me for my future,” says Ahmeti, who encourages students to work hard. “Be focused on your end goal and eventually you will reach it.”  While at North Park, Ahmeti’s favorite classes were Advanced Finance, Public Speaking, and Management and Leadership.

When not working, Ahmeti enjoys cooking, traveling, watching soccer, and learning about history and politics. He considers himself lucky to live in Chicago because of its cultural and culinary diversity. One day he hopes to own a restaurant specializing in artisan sandwiches and breakfast food somewhere warm like Vietnam.

Author onlinemediaPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , ,

Summer Internships: How North Parkers Spent Their Summer

Two North Parkers share how they found their summer internships and what they gained.

Every year, North Park students seek internships and jobs within the city of Chicago. We followed up with two North Park students who found their internships through North Park’s Career Development and Internships Office (CDIO). The CDIO assists current students and graduates in finding jobs and internships related to their fields.

Learn more about the CDIO

Amy Ryzewicz, C’19

“When I applied for my summer internship, I asked the CDIO for help. They sent me additional internships to apply for outside of the Career Hub, North Park’s job board. The CDIO was invited to some of my classes and talked about writing cover-letters and making CVs, which may be important for creative careers. They also helped me during the process for obtaining credit over the summer as well.

I found a paid position as a graphic design intern. I designed and updated print ads for directories of US manufacturers. The directories are sold by state and there is an online subscription that may be purchased by businesses. There is also a directory for all of the wholesalers and distributors in the entire country, along with an Illinois services directory.

The people I worked with are very friendly, and we have similar interests. The work culture is honest. I have learned about what happens before and after an ad is made, which is something that I did not know much about before. The company was flexible and is very organized.

I suggest students start looking and applying for summer internships during their sophomore year, instead of junior year. Shadowing people before and during the process of job searching, or even meeting with them for coffee can be helpful in finding the right position. For creative people, I recommend checking out art galleries for internships too. Non-profits are generally more flexible with internships, even though they do not pay. There is a wide range of potential for graphic design work.

Because of my summer internship that I found with the help of CDIO, I feel more likely to go into this professional field after I graduate. I also found that my worries about this field were unfounded.”

Grace So, C’18

“From the beginning of my freshman year, the CDIO provided resources to get me the opportunities I received this summer. I have been polishing my resume since the first semester of freshman year and have met with a variety of staff at different times during the four years I was at North Park in regards to career direction, branding myself, developing a LinkedIn profile, and actually looking for a specific internship/job opportunity.

In regards to the specific internship (or apprenticeship) that I got this summer, Renee Tucker-Martinez sent me several links to job descriptions of various kinds, and this one—production apprentice for Jellyvision Lab—caught my eye. At a CDIO networking dinner, I had the opportunity to meet a North Park alum who works there. I asked her several questions about the company and the position and decided to apply for the apprenticeship.

The company produces software that makes boring things fun. For example the product that I worked with the most is a software which companies use to help employees understand benefits and decide on the plan which works best for the employees. My specific role as a production apprentice was making sure the product which gets customized for various companies actually works as intended. I proof-read texts, edited scripts which go into the software, attended professional development trainings, and oversaw general product management.

At Jellyvision, I had the opportunity to receive an extensive training (5 weeks) covering everything from benefits to how a tech company operates and what tools it uses to manage the production process. I love that the company invested in me so that I am equipped to do my job well and understand the inner workings of the company. Everyone I worked with seems so talented, hard-working, and kind, that I often wondered how the company maintains such a close-knit, start-up culture.

I definitely used everything I had learned from my classes at North Park. As someone who studied Communication Studies, I was able to observe and apply my knowledge of how group communication works, what kind of relationship dynamics appear in a work setting, and how to avoid misunderstandings by being clearer in my communication. I also wrote and edited texts daily, so all the writing I did in college was worth it!

I couldn’t ask for a better work experience fresh out of college. Looking back on the job application processes, I now realize that employers look less at my major or the field of work I am interested in, and more at my skill-sets and experiences.”

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , ,

From Student Worker to Marketing Professional: Leah Emerson C’18

Leah Emerson C’18, advertising and psychology alumna, shares about applying her undergraduate experiences in a professional setting.

Leah Emerson, C'18, double majored in advertising and psychology and was president of the psychology club her senior year.

Hi, I’m Leah, and I’m a recent graduate of North Park University and currently employed as marketing coordinator at the British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park. I work with the marketing side of our office, where I create promotional materials, take pictures, send emails and mailings, maintain the website, and network with parents and donors.

This opportunity excites me because the international school setting makes a difference in the development of children and their outlooks on life. It exposes them to other cultures early on and allows them to learn alongside other kids who may have a totally different background than they do.

My job is a combination of my professional experiences at North Park, where I was a student worker in University Marketing and Communications as well as the Office of Advancement. In the marketing office, I learned how to maintain websites and had an opportunity to hone my photography skills. I have my own style of photography, but when I started taking pictures for North Park, I had to learn how to transition to a new style to fit within their brand guidelines. I also learned more InDesign and other design skills from the lead designer.

The Office of Advancement gave me an opportunity to develop professional skills, such as welcoming people, providing customer service, and building relationships with people who are part of the institution, all of which are huge parts of my job now.

At North Park, I also I took a business communication class with the director of Career Development and Internships Office (CDIO). The class prepared us for job searching and interacting in a professional workplace. We worked in groups and practiced writing in various formats, including press releases, PSA’s, and more. We talked about interviews, how to dress for them and how to answer questions; received other tips for success; and then set up mock interviews with staff and faculty members to gain extra practice. I’ve never considered interviews to be one of my strengths, so the extra bit of practice really helped.

I see this position as a starting point for my career. I’m in a position where I am completing tasks that I know I can do. I’m using the skills that I have already learned, but there is still information that I know I have yet to learn. It’s nice to transition out of the student worker mentality into a leadership position where I get to take charge.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , ,

Advance Your Career with CDIO

Learn what the Career Development and Internships Office has to offer students at North Park University.

The Career Development and Internships Office (CDIO) is a resource for every student throughout and after they complete their studies at North Park. The CDIO helps undergraduate students match their vocation to major, develop critical work skills, master professional branding, engage in a job search, and network with alumni and professionals.  CDIO staff walk alongside students from their prospective visits, throughout college, and into the workplace.

NP: Who does the CDIO serve?

Bozeman: The CDIO serves all undergraduate students as well as North Park’s graduate students and alumni.  We focus on professional coaching, career mapping, advanced networking strategies, and simple financial planning related to salary negotiations.

NP: When should students connect with the CDIO?

Bozeman: We make every effort to connect with students as soon as they arrive to campus.  We know that our high-performing graduates complete hundreds of hours of volunteer service, internships, career research, professional development, and financial planning.  To inform and support students about best practices, we created the Career Advantage program.  The program lists critical activities for each year of study at North Park, and includes an easy tracking system to help students articulate their accomplishments.

Pamela Bozeman, Senior Director of Career Development and Internships

NP: What is “Career Advantage” and why should students participate?

Bozeman: Career Advantage is a four-year plan, fully on-line, connected to employers and campus activities, incentivized, and is what employers want to see.

NP: Why should students seek internships and jobs during their studies?

Bozeman: According to an on-line source CareerUp, “If you have a relevant internship displayed on your resume, it will give you a competitive advantage over all the candidates applying for the same position. Employers understand that graduates that do not have any practical experience may lack the skills required to excel on the first day of their employment. Employers value internship experience because they provide students with skills that they cannot acquire in a school setting.”

NP: Does the CDIO have a job or internship finder for students and alumni?

Bozeman: Yes, Carer Hub. CDIO staff assist students looking for internships and jobs using several search engines, professional contacts, off-site job fairs, and our own on-line job directory – Career Hub.

NP: What do you wish students knew about your office?

Bozeman:

  • The CDIO staff have a cumulative total of 20 years of experience in higher education, 20 years of experience in college admissions and career readiness, and more than 10 years in workforce development.
  • We serve our students and alumni for as long as they need us, free of charge.

Learn More about CDIO

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories StoriesTags , , ,