Center for Career Development Blog

Thanks to our loyal alumni, parents, and other close friends of the college, we have succeeded in the second year of our now-annual Davidson Internship Challenge.  The challenge is based on the model of an annual fund, where we call on members of the Davidson community to provide various levels of  support to connect students with internship experiences.

This year, we posted 139 internships as part of the program, an increase of 14 percent from last year.  As of early June, we have received word of 97 internships that Davidson students have actually secured through the program, an increase of 28 percent from last year.  We expect this number to tick up slightly through the end of June as we continue to get word of internship placements.  We are also pleased to report an increase in the number of paid internships contributed as part of the challenge – over 60% of the total.

Our many participants assisted us in various ways – some by serving as a resource for students applying for the internship program at an organization, some by facilitating Davidson applications through an intern selection process at an organization, and others by creating or helping to arrange an internship specifically for a Davidson student.

While the full list of participants can be found on our website, we’d like especially to thank those at the organizations that have hired Davidson students for two years in a row, including Susie Films, Salzburg Global Seminar, Deloitte, Bain, Merrill Lynch, Red Ventures, Talwar Gallery, AES Corporation, Afara Global, Tresata and Girl Power 2 Cure.  We’re also excited to have students interning at many organizations where we have first-time Internship Challenge participants, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, International Civil Society Action Network, Addison Whitney, Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network, the Mountain Area Health Education Center, Oscar De La Renta,  Jones Lang LaSalle, and the Law Offices of Laura Leibfreid.

This year’s participants included well over 100 alumni, 17 parents, and a few other friends of the college.  By decade, the 2000-2009 alums participated in the greatest numbers, with 38 alumni from this decade participating.  The 2010-12 alums were close behind, with 34 total alumni participating.

Class Years with the Most Internship Challenge Participants:

Class of 2011:  11 Participants

Class of 2009:  10 Participants

Class of 2010:  7 Participants

Class of 2012, Class of 2008, Class of 1997: 6 Participants

Class of 2007: 5 Participants

Class of 2006, Class of 2002, Class of 1993: 4 Participants

Class of 2003, Class of 1998, Class of 1996, Class of 1991, Class of 1987, Class of 1978: 3 Participants

We’ll be requesting some photos and interviews from students who complete internships that were a part of this year’s challenge, so look for these this fall here on our blog!

Have an internship lead for next year’s Challenge in mind?  Contact Ashley Neff, Assistant Director for Internships, at asneff@davidson.edu.

*Post updated June 13, 2013

Congratulations to Davidson students Rebecca McKee, Alexandra Clark, and Keri Register, who have received $4,000 grants through the Center for Career Development and the Jolley Foundation to support them during their summer internships.  The purpose of the grants is to allow students to participate in educational internships benefiting the state of South Carolina, where historically not many Davidson students have not lived and worked after graduation.

This year’s recipients will be heading to the Lowcountry and Midlands regions of the state to pursue science education and research, law, and nonprofit advocacy internships.

Stay tuned to the blog this summer, where all three students will be sharing their summer experiences!

Rebecca McKee ’14 will intern with the South Carolina Aquarium (Charleston, SC)  assisting the Education Department with educational programs, aquarium tours, and other outreach projects. She will lead interactive programs for children, such as touch tanks and information carts with hands-on activities.   In addition, she will work in conjunction with the aquarium on research examining the behavioral characteristics of diamondback terrapins as they relate to their entrapment in crab traps.

Alexandra Clark ‘15 will intern with the City of Charleston Prosecutor’s Office.  She will be shadowing Chief Prosecutor Mark Bourdon in municipal court and preparing cases (“rap sheets”) to be used by Prosecutor Bourdon.  She will be working in Charleston’s Greenburg Municipal Building, which houses the Charleston Police Department, the Charleston Municipal Court and many other government agencies.

Keri Register ’16 will intern with the Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands (Columbia, SC), a non-profit organization that works to provide crisis support, counseling care, and advocacy programs to victims of sexual assault and to increase sexual trauma awareness and education throughout the Midlands region.  She will undergo crisis intervention training to become an advocate for sexual trauma victims, aiding them with evidence collection and emotional support.  Keri will also be heavily involved in evaluating and researching volunteer training methods to increase the efficiency and flexibility of STSM’s programs.

BBDO speakers overview the structure of ad agencies during a Skype info session.

On Monday, March 18, advertising executives from BBDO’s Atlanta office Skyped in to share information with Davidson students about career paths in advertising.  The talk was made possible through the Advertising Educational Foundation, an organization that provides educational content to enrich the understanding of advertising and its role in culture, society and the economy.  This is the second year that Davidson has taken advantage of the AEF speaker series.

Debbie Lindner, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, and Wendy Vogelman, Senior HR Manager, described BBDO to give students an overview of how a major ad agency is structured.  A global advertising agency founded in 1891 and based in New York, BBDO has 289 offices in 80 countries and a client list including AT&T, Carter’s, REI, Embassy Suites, Bayer, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.   Departments and positions at BBDO that could potentially be good fits for liberal arts majors include account management, account planning, experiential marketing (think flash mobs), creative, and proofreading.

Debbie and Wendy discussed a variety of skills necessary for a career in advertising:  time management, organization, passion, communication skills, persistence, critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to take ownership of problems and handle a high volume of fast-paced work.  Students must also be open to learning, able to adapt well to change, and up for fun!

The speakers also advised that liberal arts students interested in the creative roles at advertising firms take creative classes and work towards building an online portfolio including print, television, radio and digital components.  They briefly discussed advertising portfolio programs like the Atlanta-based Creative Circus as a good way for liberal arts majors to develop this body of work.

Not surprisingly, internships are now viewed as the primary entry point to junior-level full-time position at BBDO and similar agencies.  BBDO hires 15 paid interns every 15 weeks, year round, and provides interns with the opportunity to shadow all departments and work on substantive projects.  The speakers encouraged the Davidson students in attendance to consider their program or similar programs at other agencies if they are serious about a career in advertising.

Thanks to the AEF and BBDO for making this presentation possible!  We’re looking forward to continued collaborations that allow Davidson students to explore the field of advertising.

Thanks to CSA Morgan Orangi ’13 for contributing to this post.

Winn Maddrey ’91 (history), Senior VP at Fleishman-Hillard, a top global PR agency and full-service communications firm, visited campus in February during Wildcat Career Week to share tips with students about breaking into PR.  He talked a bit about the four different PR branches—government, corporate, non-profit, and media relations–and benefits and drawbacks to working at each one.

Mr. Maddrey mentioned the below four skills necessary for a career in PR that liberal arts students bring to the table and should emphasize in their applications and networking efforts:

• The ability to sift through and “boil down” a lot of information
• The ability to ask insightful and inquisitive questions
• Critical thinking
• The ability to effectively share information within and across groups

If you land an interview with a PR firm, he suggests the following:

• Read the local paper – in hard-copy form – and understand both the content and how it is organized.
• Know how the PR and advertising worlds function by reading publications such as PR Week and Ad Week.
• Do your research and get to know the company’s clients so that you will be informed during the interview.

If you are actively looking into a career in PR, make an appointment with us to talk about additional tips and alumni resources!

Thanks to CSA Morgan Orangi ’13 for contributing to this post.

We’ve been busy planning an exciting week of career exploration events, including panels, workshops and a reception, starting Feb. 8.  Get one or more of the below events on your calendar now!

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Careers in Media, Film and Broadcasting

Friday, Feb. 8, 12:30 – 1:30 pm / Sprinkle Room / FREE PIZZA!

Speakers:

Jennifer McLogan, Correspondent, CBS2-Television News–the CBS Flagship Station in New York City

Dan Gurskis, Professor, Department of Film, Brooklyn College, City University of New York; Writer and Producer in Film and Television (Jennifer McLogan and Dan Gurskis are parents of Elle Gurskis ’13.)

Elizabeth O’Connell, Executive Producer, Wireless and Radio NBC News

Join us for an informative presentation by these Davidson parents, who will offer their advice and wisdom to students interested in media, film and broadcasting careers. Bring your curiosity and any questions you have about what it takes to break into these fields!

Healthcare & Medicine Career Talk

Friday, Feb. 8, 3:00 – 4:00 pm / Sprinkle Room

Speakers:

Dr. Steven Mirin, M.D.: Director of Healthcare Practice at Navigant Consulting & Faculty at Harvard Medical School

Dr. Margaret S. McKenna, M.D.: Harvard University Health Services & Faculty at Harvard Medical School

These Davidson parents will speak with students about entering into medical and healthcare careers in public health, healthcare administration, and other medical professions that require allied health degrees or M.D. degrees.

Women in Business Career Talk

Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, 3:00 – 4:00 pm / Alvarez Union Room 302

Speakers:

Elizabeth Hackenson, Senior Vice President of Global Business Services and Chief Information Officer of AES Corporation

Sharon Slade, Chief Marketing Officer at The Bleachers Corporation

Lisa Henderson, Founder and President at Your Content Crew

Three Davidson mothers—Elizabeth Hackenson, Senior Vice President of Global Business Services and Chief Information Officer of AES Corporation; Sharon Slade, Chief Marketing Officer at The Bleachers Corporation; and Lisa Henderson, Founder and President at Your Content Crew—will discuss their careers in business and offer advice on launching and building your own career.  Q & A will follow.  All female students interested in careers in business are encouraged to attend!  Sponsored by Parent Programs, the Office of Career Services and the Pre-Business Society.

Parent-Student Career Conversations Reception (REGISTRATION REQUIRED)

Friday, Feb. 8, 4:00-5:00 PM / 900 Room

Limited to the first 100 students registered.  Sign Up Here.

The Davidson Parents Council will be on campus on Feb. 8!  Attend a reception with over 70 parents who are eager to share information about their career paths and offer advice on jobs, internships and graduate school.  They will be organized based on their career fields for easy interaction.  Dress is business casual and food and drinks will be served.

A sample of organizations and industries that will be represented at the reception:

FINANCE & BANKING: BlackRock, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, RBC Capital Markets

MEDICINE & HEALTHCARE: Harvard University Health Services, University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Raleigh Orthopedic Clinic, Medical College of Virginia

NONPROFIT: The Pew Charitable Trusts, Families & Work Institute

LAW: Akin Gump, Bracewell and Giuliani , Pepper Hamilton LLP

MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING: Booz & Company, Navigant Consulting, Greenville Forward

EDUCATION: Henderson International School, SUNY New Paltz, The Webb School, Williams College

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: IBM Corporation, Caliper Life Sciences

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Kaplan Free Practice Testing

Sunday, Feb. 10, Noon – Chambers Building

Free Kaplan Graduate School Practice Tests – GRE, LSAT, MCAT, & DAT – On Campus – Please PRE-REGISTER

This event is administered by Kaplan Test Prep and is open to anyone. All grade levels are encouraged to attend and participate.  Check in at the main lobby and or in your specific testing room (directions will be provided in Chambers).

Get a chance to see what is on the test and assess how you would do under testing conditions.  All for FREE with no one seeing your score except you, which you will receive back the day of the test.  A Kaplan teacher will be there to go over answers and strategies.

Check in for the DAT and GRE will begin at noon.  Check in for the LSAT will begin at 12:30 pm.  Check in for the MCAT will begin at 1:00 pm.

Please make sure to pre-register as seats fill up every year.  You can do so at the link below:

If you have any questions email antwon.mcdonald@kaplan.com.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2013

Careers in Commercial Real Estate

Monday, Feb. 11, 4:30 – 5:30 PM / Chambers 1062

Speaker: 

Henry Lomax ’78, Managing Director, CBRE (World’s Largest Commercial Real Estate Services Firm)

Commercial Real Estate is a popular industry for Davidson alumni though it is often not on the radar of current students. The industry offers professionals lucrative and exciting career options that use the same skill sets as professionals in banking and consulting. Mr. Lomax will be on campus to discuss his career path, talk about the main operations and services of a large commercial real estate firm, and provide advice on internship and entry-level hiring practices in the commercial real estate job market.

NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Webinar

Monday, Feb. 11, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM / Online

Space is limited!  Reserve your Webinar seat here.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will highlight opportunities available to students of all academic levels and backgrounds. You will also get a chance to hear from one of our researchers in a NIAID lab. They will leave time for Q&A, so come ready with questions!

Careers in Art Museums and Galleries

Monday, Feb. 11, 7:30 pm / 313 Alvarez Union

Speakers:

Lia Newman, Curator/Director of Galleries, Davidson College

Courtney Melvin ’11, Education Associate at the McColl Center for Visual Art

The speakers will discuss their own careers, overview some job possibilities available in art museums and galleries, and provide advice to students interested in pursuing a career in this field.  There will be plenty of time for Q and A.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

Know your Rights: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 11:05 – 12:05 PM / 900 Room

Ann Todd ’93, Associate Director, Human Resources, Davidson College and Labor Attorney will share important information on the issues and challenges of dealing with sexual harassment.  Information on how to recognize and successfully deal with sexual harassment in the workplace will be presented.

Careers in Public Relations

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 4:30 – 5:30 pm / Alvarez 302

Speaker:  Winn Maddrey ’91, Senior Vice President, Fleishman-Hillard (Charlotte, NC)

Are you intrigued by the idea of a career in public relations, reputation management, public affairs, or crisis communications, but unsure of how to make it happen?  Attend this talk by Winn Maddrey ’91, who will discuss career options within the field of professional communications, both nonprofit and for-profit, and provide advice to Davidson students interested in pursuing them.  The one-hour session will include time for Q & A.

Diversity in the Workplace

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 7:00 – 8:30 PM / Multicultural House

Join Peter Varney ’96, legal counsel for Lowe’s and other professionals share their stories on important issues concerning equality in the workplace.  Learn about how to choose organizations that support diversity and your legal rights. Pizza provided.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2013

 Careers in Sustainability

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, 4:30 – 5:30 pm / Alvarez 313

Jeff Middlestat ’99, Director of Sustainability, Davidson College, will host a panel of professionals in a variety of organizational settings, discussing current career paths and opportunities in the field of sustainability.

Careers in Law

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, 7:00 – 8:00 PM / Chambers 1062

They got in to law school, succeeded as law students and are now working as attorneys at Charlotte area law firms.  Attend the session for advice on how to succeed at each step.  Hear the stories of their experiences during and after Davidson that helped them get in to law school and feedback on what it is really like to study law and work as attorneys.  They will also share stories about the job market for lawyers and how they and their peers managed the process of finding law internships and full-time attorney positions.  Sponsored by the Office of Career Services

PANELISTS:

Meredith Taylor Chapman ’05, Associate, Moore & Van Allen, PLLC (J.D., The University of Texas School of Law ’09)

William Hummel ’06, Associate Attorney, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm (J.D. & M.A. in Latin American Studies (Joint Degree), University of Florida School of Law and College of Liberal Arts & Studies ’12)

Rob Wilson ’07, Attorney, Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP (J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law ’10)

Matthew Cherep ’07, Attorney, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice LLP (J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law ’11)

Careers in Brand Management

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, 7:30 – 8:30 PM / Alvarez 313

Speaker:  Emily Hassell ’10, Verbal Branding Associate, Addison Whitney (Global Branding Firm in Charlotte, NC)

Join us for a talk by Emily Hassell ’10, who will share her personal career story, overview the field of brand management, and give advice regarding how to break into the industry. Q & A will follow the talk.  Come learn from a young alum about this exciting and creative area of marketing!

If you have questions about any of the events, stop by the Office of Career Services.

Tomorrow: Wednesday, January 30, 12:30-3:30 PM
Alvarez Union Atrium

Stop by anytime to speak with recruiters hiring Davidson students for internships, entry-level jobs and fellowships!

 ATTENDEES:

Asheville Youth Mission, Asheville, NC (Paid Internship)

Capital Teaching Residency, Washington, DC (Entry-Level Job)

Carney, Sandoe & Associates, Nationwide (Entry-Level Job & Fellowship)

City Year, Nationwide (Fellowship)

Congressman Robert Pittenger’s District Offices, Charlotte Area, NC (Unpaid Internship)

Davidson College Center for Civic Engagement Summer Internship Programs, Davidson & Charlotte, NC (Paid Internship)

Davidson College Education Scholars Program, Charlotte, NC (Paid Internship)

Davidson College Sustainability Scholars Program, Charlotte, NC (Paid Internship)

Davidson Impact Fellows, Nationwide (Fellowship)

Duke University – Nicholas School of the Environment, Durham, NC (Graduate Programs)

Duke University – Talent Identification Program TIP, Multiple NC Cities (Summer Job)

Eliada RISE Program, Asheville, NC (Fellowship)

FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nationwide (Entry-Level Job)

HealthCorps, Nationwide (Fellowship)

High Point University Graduate Programs, High Point, NC (Graduate School)

Mecklenburg Bounty Guardian as Litem Program, Charlotte Area (Unpaid Internship)

North Carolina New Schools, North Carolina, (Entry-Level Job & Paid Internship)

North Carolina Teacher Corps, North Carolina (Entry-Level Job)

Our Towns Habitat, Davidson & Cornelius, NC (Fellowship & Unpaid Internship)

Peace Corps, Worldwide (Fellowship)

Raleigh Police Department, Raleigh, NC (Entry-Level Job & Unpaid Internship)

Southern Teachers Agency, Nationwide (Entry-Level Job & Fellowship)

U.S. Navy Officer Programs, Worldwide (Entry-Level Job & Graduate School)

YouthWorks, Nationwide & International (Paid Internship & Summer Job)

Davidson alumni discuss their experiences coming and being "out" in the workplace.

Those in the LGBTQ community have to overcome many hurdles when interacting in social settings, especially the workplace. Times have certainly changed in 20, 10, and even 5 years – President Obama made history this year by mentioning the issue of gay rights for the first time in a presidential, inaugural speech. However, when it comes to job searching and day-to-day life on the job, sexual identity is still a touchy subject, and many students do not know how best to handle tricky situations that may arise.

Last Wednesday evening at the Multicultural House, Career Services and GSAND (the Gay-Straight Alumni Network of Davidson) brought in three alums, Ross Fenimore (’02), Peter Varney (’96), and Lyman Collins (’79), to share their experiences and advice to LGBTQ students. All three expressed that recently there has been a noticeable trend towards acceptance and support for LGBTQ persons in the professional world – as seen through more welcoming employers, recruiting geared towards the LGBTQ community, and companies that provide benefits for gay partners. The key points of their advice were:

1. Tell employers of your sexuality when you feel comfortable. Mr. Collins suggested not mentioning it during the interview process. This would help avoid any sort of discrimination that may stem from exposing such details. However, he advised, upon receiving an offer, you should be honest with an employer about your sexuality so you can find out if the workplace will be an accepting and enjoyable environment. If your potential boss has doubts about the openness of the workplace, this may be a sign you should not be pursuing employment there. Your safety should be more important than a job.

2. Research employers. Find out if an employer will be a good fit. Look at the HR policies and seek out diversity initiatives. Mr. Varney also recommended looking at the company’s sponsorships – support of certain LGBTQ organizations or national events is a great sign!

3. Find a support group! Have friends and mentors who can help guide you through tough situations – both personally and professional. Seek out help especially if you feel you are in a hostile work environment.

4. Network! Mr. Fenimore stressed the exceptional Davidson alumni network – whether LGBTQ or not – that is ready to help students find post-Davidson success.

Thanks to our alumni panelists as well as all of the students who attended this talk!  We look forward to holding similar events in the future.

We held the workshop The Junior Year Internship Search this afternoon, an event we planned and co-sponsored with the SGA.

We were thrilled to see 31 juniors in attendance, but wanted to post our Prezi for all of those juniors who couldn’t make it.  The Tenders, on the other hand, are gone for good!

Thanks to Christopher Ragsdale ’14, Junior Class President, for his help planning this event.

The Junior Year Internship Search Prezi