University Career Services

Internship doesn’t pay? Mason’s got you covered

Colleen Rich — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 17:43:20 +0000

Internship doesn’t pay? Mason’s got you covered Colleen Rich Fri, 01/12/2024 - 12:43

Unpaid internships, while often touted as a necessary gateway to a dream job, can pose unexpected barriers for students who may lack the funds for a professional wardrobe or child care, or who simply can’t take on extra hours in addition to working part- or full-time jobs.

Tourism and events management major Yuliana Rud used her scholarship to help pay for an internship in Argentina with Hola Veggie. Photo provided

Traditionally, the benefits of the internship experience have been used to justify the lack of pay. ��ӽ紫ý is anything but traditional, and instead is mindful of these economic barriers that can keep qualified students from taking an unmissable opportunity.

And that’s where Mason’s commitment to access via the Scholarship for Unpaid Internships comes in. Open to all undergraduate and graduate Mason students, the scholarship offers a much-needed infusion of funding that can often mean the difference in allowing a student to take on a career advancement opportunity without compromising themselves financially.

According to Saskia Campbell, executive director of University Career Services (UCS), Mason is filling a gap that can make all the difference in a student’s future. “Internships lead to job offers and higher starting salaries, and University Career Services is focused on creating more inclusive pathways for students to gain relevant experience,” said Campbell.

Since being established in 2017, the scholarship has grown significantly. According to Rebekah Truog, office manager at UCS, 160 students have thus far benefited from the scholarship with close to $250,000 distributed. Initial funding for the scholarship came from the University Life Parents Fund, which continues to occasionally contribute.

Kayleigh Newman. Photo provided

“Most of our funding comes directly from revenue from our Career Fairs,” said Truog. “We also get funding from our Employer Partner Program, as well as direct donations to Career Services. Of those direct donations, 100 percent goes to funding for the scholarship.”

And with those funds, students get to take on opportunities that can make a real difference in securing a career in their dream field after graduation. Among the organizations that Mason students have interned with and gained valuable experience from, Truog noted that many are community health organizations, nonprofits, the federal government, or nongovernmental organizations.

For some of these students, an internship is necessary to gain professional hours required for licensure. This was the case for Nathan Park, who is pursuing an MEd in counseling and development, with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling.

“My internship allowed me to obtain counseling hours so that I may apply for licensure in the state of Virginia,” said Park. “Receiving the scholarship alleviated my financial distress in paying for gas and rent.”

Kinesiology major Kayleigh Newman received the scholarship this past fall to intern at Innovative Physical Therapy and Wellness. “Being exposed to my field [physical therapy], getting to be hands on…and being inspired by seeing the things I am learning in practice” were all benefits of her internship, she said. “My internship has really confirmed to me that this is the right career path for me.”

Nathan Park. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Yuliana Rud, a tourism and events management major, echoes the sentiment. Rud interned in Argentina with Hola Veggie, a plant-based meal kit company. “I’m now more sure than ever that the major and career path I’ve chosen is right for me, and this internship was a big factor in that,” she said. “The scholarship helped cover daily costs while I was living in a different country, such as travel expenses, groceries, and materials for my work.”

Mason alum Austin McManus, BA History ’17, MA History ’18, was one of the first students to benefit. The scholarship helped pay for his housing in Washington, D.C., where he interned for the History Office at the National Archives.

“My time working at the National Archives was an important step in my professional career as a history educator,” said McManus, who is leads the History/Art Department at Fusion Academy, Tysons. “It was essentially the first time working as a historian in the professional world, and I developed important skills that I use in my current role.”

Learn more about the Scholarship for Unpaid Internships

Fall Career Fair brought record number of job seekers and employers to campus

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:36:41 +0000

Fall Career Fair brought record number of job seekers and employers to campus Lauren Reuscher Thu, 10/05/2023 - 13:36

A record number of students and alumni attended the Fall Career Fair to meet prospective employers. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

��ӽ紫ý’s Fall Career Fair, hosted by University Career Services on the Fairfax Campus, connected students and alumni with prospective employers on Sept. 27–28.

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

Nearly 4,300 job and internship seekers attended the fair, meeting with recruiters from more than 250 different employers.

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

The first day of the fair focused on science, technology, engineering, and math, and the second day focused on business, government and nonprofits.

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

��ӽ紫ý is committed and successful in producing career-ready graduates. In Mason’s Career Plans Survey for the Class of 2022, 87% of undergraduate and graduate respondents reported a positive career outcome within six months of graduation (including employment, graduate school, military, or volunteer work). Among those students employed, 89% reported being in positions related to their career goals.

Students were encouraged to prepare in advance for the Career Fair. Check out the video.

Hear more about how Mason prepares students to succeed in their dream jobs, and why recruiters want to hire Mason grads. Watch the video.

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Off the Clock: Jneva Norfleet, a Toastmasters champion and spoken word artist

Lauren Reuscher — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:10:21 +0000

Off the Clock: Jneva Norfleet, a Toastmasters champion and spoken word artist Lauren Reuscher Tue, 09/26/2023 - 15:10

Life is much more than time spent on the clock. In this series, we highlight the unique hobbies and volunteer activities of Mason's talented faculty and staff.

Jneva Norfleet, employer engagement consultant with University Career Services, is a Toastmasters champion and spoken word artist. Photo provided

As employer engagement consultant with University Career Services at ��ӽ紫ý, Jneva Norfleet connects organizations with qualified talent from Mason, helping Mason students and graduates achieve their career goals.

Outside work, Norfleet hones other talents of her own—she is a Toastmasters champion and a spoken word artist who shares her poetry to inspire others.

��ӽ紫ý Toastmasters is part of a worldwide network of clubs that help members practice public speaking and leadership skills. Norfleet, a first-year Toastmaster, competed in multiple competitions and advanced to the Region 7 International Speech Contest in June. Though Norfleet did not advance to the world championship, she made an impact and represented her club with her speech, “If You Can Declare It, Then You Can Achieve It.”

What brought you to Mason? Once you were here, how did you decide to join ��ӽ紫ý Toastmasters?

I came to Mason in October 2022 to work with University Career Services. I heard about ��ӽ紫ý Toastmasters from my colleague, and I immediately wanted to join. I’m an ordained minister and have been preaching at churches throughout the East Coast since 2018. I’m also a spoken word artist and perform my poetry for community organizations and events. Since I had prior experience with public speaking, I knew Toastmasters would be the perfect opportunity for me to hone my public speaking skills.

What took you down the path to spoken word art, and what do you speak about?

I began to write spoken word poetry at the age of 16; however, I stopped to focus on other hobbies. I started writing again in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Most of my poetry is Christian content and addresses overcoming challenges through faith in Jesus Christ. I knew 2020 was a rough year mentally for many people, myself included, so I wanted my poetry to encourage those who were battling depression and other forms of mental illness. After posting one of my poems on social media, the post received a lot of positive attention and many people were encouraged by my work. It was in that moment that I realized spoken word poetry was a gift of mine, and I continued to do it.

How does spoken word art intersect with the type of public speaking you do for Toastmasters?

Spoken word art intersects with my public speaking for Toastmasters because I have the ability to express myself through speeches similar to the way I would in poetry. I generally gear a lot of my Toastmasters speeches toward overcoming challenges and inspiring people to keep going, because greatness is within them. My speeches give me a chance to be a blessing to others outside of my poetry.

Jneva Norfleet. Photo provided

You’re pursuing a PhD in higher education at Mason. What pushed you to continue your education?

I first desired to continue my education because I wanted to be the first member of my immediate family to obtain an accredited doctoral degree. That desire amplified when I started my career last year in higher education. I developed a love for this field. To accomplish my career goals, I continued my education by working toward my PhD.

How has being involved with Toastmasters impacted your overall experience working at Mason?

I developed a Mason family through ��ӽ紫ý Toastmasters. My Toastmasters club members continue to cheer me on in my speeches and were a huge support system for me throughout my contest journey. This club has been a tremendous blessing to me and has impacted my overall experience working at Mason, because it showed me that you can develop family outside of your home environment.

Learn more about ��ӽ紫ý Toastmasters

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Mason students land jobs, and Career Services plays a big role in that success

Colleen Rich — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 17:21:47 +0000

Mason students land jobs, and Career Services plays a big role in that success Colleen Rich Wed, 07/05/2023 - 13:21

There were many outstanding performers at ��ӽ紫ý this past academic year, from musicians to actors to athletes. Less celebrated but no less impressive was the virtuoso performance of a determined IT major at a job fair, a star turn that commanded the attention of University Career Services representatives.

Christina Tran arrived two hours early to the Spring Career Fair on February 22 in Dewberry Hall on the Fairfax Campus to study the list of employers who would be sending recruiters. She Googled companies to find ones that best matched her career goals, then circled the locations of the booths on an event map to prioritize those encounters.

Information technology major Christina Tran had a strategy for the Spring Career Fair. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Over the course of five hours, she visited 65 of the 120 booths. And then, after the last hand was shaken and the last business card tucked away, she attended a three-hour reception that extended the fair at the Center for the Arts and visited 20 more employers there. Then she returned the second day and visited at least 30 more.

“First in line both days,” Tran said.

Her strategy paid off. Tran, who plans to graduate in May 2024, landed a position as a Microsoft Solutions consultant with FSi Strategies, one of six offers she said she received from employers she met that day.

“The career fair got me this job,” said Tran, 27, who wrote personalized follow-up emails to each employer she spoke with, drawing from notes she took during each conversation.

“You need to come ready—[business] clothes on, resume printed, know your elevator pitch,” added Tran, who previously worked at Deloitte and had several years of management experience at spas. “I’m career-ready. I wanted to prove that. I wanted a job, and I was focused and had a plan and did it.”

Tran indeed is a model student when it comes to attacking the job market—University Career Services was so impressed with her preparation and performance that they asked to take her picture at the event. Tran’s image now graces the cover of the university’s annual Career Readiness Guide.

Mason graduates land jobs. Based on the annual career outcomes survey and supplemental data collected from sources like LinkedIn and the National Student Clearinghouse for the Class of 2022, 87% of grads had a positive career outcome within six months of graduation and 89% said they are in positions related to career goals. Most settle locally—86% are employed in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia. The respondents’ median salary is $72,000.

More than 120 employers took part in the Spring Career Fair. Photo by Evan Cantwell/OUB

The outcomes are similar to prior years. But even more Mason students need to increase their engagement in the job-seeking process, University Career Services Executive Director Saskia Campbell said.

Throughout the year, Mason offers 11 career fair days to provide facetime for employers and students and graduates. One is the Just-In-Time Hiring Fair the week after graduation, which drew nearly 100 employers and 700 job seekers.

“Most colleges and universities aren’t able to sustain an event that late in the year,” Campbell said. “It means that our job market is really, really strong and that there are opportunities year-round. There is always hiring happening here.

“It helps when graduates put in some effort and are flexible about where they’re willing to work and look at medium-sized organizations.”

Tran upped her career fair game after attending one that resulted in no offers. So for the next one, instead of showing up an hour after it started, she showed up two hours early. She spent more time on a professional appearance. She honed an informative yet tight elevator pitch.

“I really wanted to be recognized,” Tran said. “You have to be able to take what you failed from and jump back from it.”

The daughter of immigrants and the middle of five children, Tran was the first of the five to complete high school. At 19, while attending Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), she gave birth to a daughter, Collette. She graduated from NOVA with an associate of science degree, and examined her options.

“I knew that Mason and going to college was the only way to get to the future that I wanted,” she said. That includes her concentration in cyber security, with a minor in criminology, law and society.

Tran works with Mason tutors, mentors, teaching assistants to make sure she understands the course material. She color-codes priorities. She budgets her social time frugally, often focusing on events hosted by campus organizations she supports, such as the Vietnamese Student Association, the Filipino Cultural Association and the Society of Women Engineers.

Her best friend? LinkedIn.

Drawing from her own experiences and other resources, Tran has compiled a detailed checklist for job seekers, a list of tips that includes choosing attire, identifying prospective employers, and showing up with the proper materials. She does not judge the approach of other students but can see where a few simple but key adjustments—starting with utilizing University Career Services—could enhance their prospects.

“I could have chosen not to go to school and to work full-time, but I know I’m capable of finishing the program and a degree,” Tran said. “I feel like I’m meant for more. I love the stability knowing for certain that I’ll graduate and people will hire me.

“Mason has opened many doors for me. I’m motivated to get to a leadership position one day. I know I can make a difference.”

Drawing from her own experiences and other resources, Tran has compiled a detailed checklist for job seekers, including tips on choosing attire, identifying prospective employers, and showing up with the proper materials.

Class of 2022 Survey Respondents Report

University Career Services annually polls the previous year's graduating class to see how their career is progressing. Graduates from the Class of 2022 reported:

a median salary of $72K
89% in positions related to their career goals
87% reported career advancement within six months of graduating
86% work in the Washington, D.C., region

For more information on this survey, please check out Career Services' Data and Outcomes information.

From communication student to NBC Nightly News intern

Colleen Rich — Mon, 01 May 2023 16:25:00 +0000

From communication student to NBC Nightly News intern Colleen Rich Mon, 05/01/2023 - 12:25

Jaala Brown knew by the end of high school that she wanted to pursue a career in the media industry.

Photo provided

Now, as the ��ӽ紫ý communication major prepares for a May graduation, that pursuit is paying dividends, as she is working as an intern for NBC’s Nightly News with Lester Holt.

That is just the latest stop for Brown, who through several internships used her time at Mason to gain the real-world experience she would need to be career-ready once she left school.

That path, she said, is exactly why she chose Mason, Virginia's largest and most diverse public institution with a proximity to Washington, D.C. and its opportunities for internships and networking.

“Make the most of your time while you’re here,” Brown said.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic proved challenging, Brown, from Richmond, Virginia, took advantage of the virtual landscape to follow her passion and landed internship after internship, including as a production intern at CNN and a talent development intern at CNBC.

“The pandemic worked to my benefit,” Brown said. “A lot of the internships that would have been geographically impossible became virtual, allowing students like me to take advantage of these opportunities.”

At the start of her senior year, Brown secured an internship as a News Special Reports intern with NBC News. Brown, who said her ultimate dream job is to become an executive producer of a news show, was excited to work on breaking news.

“Long hours and a lot of work, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said of the internship. “I loved every moment of it.”

During Brown’s first week on the job Queen Elizabeth II passed away. Then came Hurricane Ian and the destruction in Southwest Florida, and the midterm elections.

“It was non-stop,” Brown said.

Brown’s current internship with the Nightly News with Lester Holt is also her first that is in-person. She works in the show’s Washington, D.C., office, mainly with the weekend team, pulling research, reviewing scripts, and pitching stories.

Brown said she couldn’t have done it without the support she received from Mason. University Career Services and her professors played a significant role in helping Brown tailor her resume and prepare for interviews. Department of Communication adjunct professor Barbara Burfeind also spent an entire class reviewing and tailoring every student's resume, offering her guidance and support.

Brown’s advice to incoming students: “Get involved, get involved, get involved. The more involved you are, the more connections you make. Find clubs and activities, be open to going to Career Services and asking your professors for help. And definitely get internships.”

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Five reasons for students to work on campus

Colleen Rich — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 15:51:10 +0000

Five reasons for students to work on campus Colleen Rich Fri, 10/28/2022 - 11:51

Check out Handshake

Learn more about working in HRL

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

When you’re looking for a job in college, the most important thing you need is flexibility. Working at ��ӽ紫ý makes it easy to balance your classes with work. That’s why on campus jobs at Mason are great—we want you to focus on being a student first.

Did you know that working on campus can be one of the most memorable times of your college career? Mason’s Office of Housing and Residence Life (HRL) shares our top five reasons students should consider working on campus.

1. Flexibility

Campus positions are designed with student schedules in mind. Campus employers also know that life as a full-time student can get hectic with midterms, project deadlines and finals. Most positions at Mason offer flexibility to help you prioritize your school work. You can also trade shifts with other student workers to ensure you have the necessary time to focus on your school work as well as participate in campus activities. To top it off, if you’re living on campus, your work commute is a breeze.

2. Boost your Resume

Students who work on campus end up building relevant skills that will serve them after graduation, such as balancing work life with school.

"On-campus employment is an accessible and enriching way for students to develop transferable skills, gain real-world experience, and successfully prepare for their careers."
—Janae D. Johnson, associate director of student employment and enrichment for the Office of University Branding.

3. Personal Satisfaction

Students who work on campus, in addition to earning a paycheck, say they have a more satisfying college experience and that they are more prepared for the future.

“In my three years working in HRL, I have learned how to balance work and school while having fun at my job and making important connections. I have been able to build working relationships with professional staff. I have learned the importance of teamwork, which has helped me both in my classes and internships. I also made lifelong friends who I will always share these memories with, and I cannot thank HRL enough for giving me these opportunities and skills.”
—Sarah Rabinowitz, community assistant, Housing and Residence Life

4. Stay Connected

Photo by Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications

Whether you work at the University Libraries, as an IT assistant, in the dining halls, as a lifeguard, a campus tour guide, as a fitness receptionist, a videographer, or a graphic designer, working on campus helps students connect with students, faculty, and staff who might be outside of their field of study. Developing these relationships enriches students’ on-campus experience.

5. Develop Lifelong Friendships

Working on campus is a great way to meet new people. Like many on-campus employers, Housing and Residence Life is looking to hire student staff for the next academic year. Find out more here. HRL Student Staff applications opened on October 24, check out Handshake for more information.

Don't miss your chance to be a part of a community of leaders making a positive impact in the lives of Mason students every day! Check out all future positions on Handshake, and make an appointment with University Career Services to help with your resume and cover letter!

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Fall Career Fair helps students get their ‘foot in the door’

Colleen Rich — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 14:28:48 +0000

Fall Career Fair helps students get their ‘foot in the door’ Colleen Rich Wed, 10/05/2022 - 10:28

More than 240 employers came to Mason's Fall Career Fair to recruit for internships, part-time jobs, and full-time positions, with start dates ranging from now through next summer. Photo by Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications

Thousands of ��ӽ紫ý students and alumni weaved through numerous employer tables lined up around the lower level of the Johnson Center eager to find job opportunities at the Fall Career Fair.

“I’m definitely looking to get my foot in the door with an internship starting this year,” said Lindsay Dombroff, a junior majoring in criminology, law, and society who was able to talk with recruiters from the National Security Agency.

The Fall Career Fair, on September 28 and 29, included more than 240 employers promoting internships, part-time jobs, and full-time positions, with start dates ranging from now through next summer.

“My career field is so broad, and there’s so many things I could do,” Dombroff said.

The Fall Career Fair brought in 3,000+ students across both days. Photo by Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications

The career fair, she said, “definitely helps narrow down my choices and puts me in a specific direction of where I want to go.”

The annual event brought in 3,178 students across both days, said Saskia Campbell, executive director of University Career Services.

“A lot of employers are starting their recruiting and hiring earlier and earlier,” Campbell said. “We want students to start early in doing their research and learning about the career opportunities and options that are out there.”

Abhijeet Ghadge, who’s pursuing a master’s degree in computer science, went specifically to talk with Amazon Web Services and Yahoo about full-time software development positions, for which, he said, he will now apply.

It was helpful for Ghadge to talk one-on-one with recruiters and learn what preparations he needs to make to get the job he wants, he said.

Many of the employers had Mason alumni representing their company, including Capital One, Baker Concrete Construction, and Allan Myers.

Jennifer LoGiurato-Rider, campus recruiter for Allan Myers, attended the fair with Mason alum and Allan Myers Project Engineer Kassi Zeigler, BS Management ’20, and said they had already invited a few students to the next step in their application process.

Other employers had current Mason students helping with recruitment.

Asia Thomas, a senior business major, said she has held several internships with the U.S. Government Accountability Office and will start another with the agency in a few weeks. She stood behind the employer table, meeting with fellow students and telling them about interning at the government office.

“We want Mason students because we’re in the area in D.C., so we want to stay local,” Thomas said, highlighting one of the benefits of Mason being in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region.

Some employers that are part of Mason’s on-campus interview program are looking to fill interviews scheduled for later this semester, Campbell said. Students can find positions and interview schedules in Handshake, a portal that connects students and employers.

That way, Campbell said, “You don’t have to wonder how serious they are, when they are going to hire, or how long it is going to take. These employers are ready to act and expedite moving students to the interview phase.”

For many, the Fall Career Fair has been a key step in planning for the future.

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Meet the Mason Nation: Philip Wilkerson

Colleen Rich — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 17:00:05 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Philip Wilkerson Colleen Rich Tue, 09/06/2022 - 13:00

Philip Wilkerson. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Like many of the faculty and staff who work at Mason, Philip Wilkerson, MEd Counseling and Development ’12, started out as a student, first coming to the university to pursue his master’s degree. But his time as a student quickly segued into full-time employment as he found himself growing more and more involved with the Mason community. In his position at University Career Services, he specializes in advising students who are hoping to pursue employment in creative fields, from the performing or visual arts to events management and tourism.

An Average Day: “An average day is one-on-one appointments with students going over job search strategies, meetings with my colleagues, and sometimes [doing] classroom presentations explaining to the gathered Mason community what we offer at Career Services. I also connect with employers to support their recruitment efforts by developing unique programming to attract Mason talent.”

Advising Students during a Pandemic: Many of the industries where Wilkerson’s students are seeking employment were brought to a standstill because of the pandemic. “It's a matter of adjusting to the times,” he says of his subsequent advising conversations. “I try to emphasize to these students [that] your major has given you transferrable skills in other areas. It's about sticking it through and being optimistic for the future. I have been surprised by how creative students have been during this time and [how they] learned technology so fast. I am also inspired by the resiliency of my students.”

Favorite Student Success Stories: “I have too many success stories to call one my favorite,” Wilkerson says. “I keep all my positive emails and notes in a folder. I call it my ‘Good News Folder.’ I also have thank-you notes behind my desk at work that I can look at to help motivate me throughout the day.”

A Sense of Belonging at Mason: “I credit my [master’s] program for launching my career in higher education and giving me a sense of career purpose. My favorite part about working at Mason is that I grew up in this area, and I feel like I am giving back to the community. I love when I meet students who went to local high schools. It makes me feel like I am helping a younger version of myself. I think everyone wants to have an impact and feel like they belong in a community. I found that sense of belonging and community here at Mason both as a student and as an employee.”

Broadcasting Positivity: Wilkerson additionally hosts a podcast, Positive Philter, that he started prior to coming to Mason. “I just wanted an outlet to share positive and uplifting stories…. It's basically a learning tool for me. I get to connect with others and learn new things by hosting the show,” he says. It also turns out to be a way to practice what he preaches to his students: “It's a great way to network with others. I’ve made a lot of new friends through podcasting.”

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University Career Services earns two awards from Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers

Melanie Balog — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 14:17:49 +0000

University Career Services earns two awards from Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers Melanie Balog Tue, 07/05/2022 - 10:17

��ӽ紫ý’s Career Services staff and industry adviser Philip Wilkerson received two awards from the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE). The awards were presented at the association’s annual conference, June 22-24, in Atlantic City.

Career Services staff received the Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion award for their Anti-Racism Learning Program. Photo provided

The staff received the Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion award for their Anti-Racism Learning Program, which is required for all 25 members of the team. The program includes a set of clear expectations and scaffolded curriculum for staff to engage in over at least a three-year period, including completion of Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), annual participation in two trainings and group debrief to discuss implications of the topic on the work of career services, and attendance at one campus diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) event of the staff member’s choosing. Optional activities are available as well.

“To be effective, we must recognize the role that students’ social identities play in their hopes, fears, options, and professional journey,” the award criteria on the EACE website notes.

Wilkerson

Philip Wilkerson III, industry advisor and a Mason alum, received the Outstanding Member Award.

Wilkerson, who has MEd counseling and development from Mason, collaborates with employers to make them aware of the talented Mason students through invitations to visit the campus for fairs, workshops, and unique events. He meets with students to market their creative skills through personal branding (resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, etc.). In March, Wilkerson was recognized as a Northern Virginia Forty Under Forty honoree by the Leadership Center for Excellence and Leadership Fairfax.

An active member of EACE, Wilkerson currently serves on the association’s Technology and Communication Committee and manages the #EACE Twitter Chats. He was elected its board, serving as the EACE’s director of technology and information management, starting July 1. He also co-hosts an EACE web show titled "EACE Conversations with Bob and Phil” with Bob Bullard, who previously served as a co-chair of the Conference Experience Committee for the 2021 EACE Virtual Conference.

From left, Ana Lobaton, Rachel Stockdale, Philip Wilkerson II, and Satoko Odagawa accept the Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion Award on behalf of their team at the EACE Conference. Photo provided

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Internships? Meet the Schar School Senior Who Has Had 3 (and Is Seeking a 4th).

Andrew J Schappert — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 13:48:49 +0000

Internships? Meet the Schar School Senior Who Has Had 3 (and Is Seeking a 4th). Andrew J Schappert Tue, 10/05/2021 - 09:48

Fyzah Islam: ‘Never feel that you, especially if you are a person of color or as a woman, are underqualified for the job.’

��ӽ紫ý students have countless opportunities to get involved in research projects, build connections with people, and intern at key agencies and firms, ranging from the federal government to Fortune 500 companies. One student who has spent her undergraduate experience building life-long connections and gaining meaningful experiences is Fyzah Islam.

Islam is a senior pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in Government and International Politics and a master’s degree in International Commerce Policy through the Schar School’s Accelerated Master’s Program. But in addition, she has experienced three internships over the past three years.

“I had a let’s-apply-and-see-what-happens attitude for each internship,” she said of her motivation. Here is a brief recap of her internships and her takeaways.

First up, during the fall 2020 semester, Islam was a finance intern for the Democratic Attorney General’s Association (DAGA) “For DAGA, I was looking for something to get a foot into the professional world,” she said. “Working on election night was so hectic and entertaining, and it was a welcome distraction from all the presidential election drama. I have a newfound appreciation for poll counters and election reports. The stress of their job is enough to last all year.”

In the spring 2021semester, Islam was a political and communications intern for America Votes, where she helped double the social media presence of the national nonprofit organization. In the summer of 2021, she became a global corporate affairs intern for financial software giant Intuit.

“Intuit was my first internship where I was doing exactly what I wanted,” she said, acknowledging the benefits of the previous internships. “Researching existing policy and applying those implications to the future. Internships show you what you can have in your career future, and I hope my career mimics this internship.”

Islam learned about each of these internships through the University Career Services information portal, Handshake, a comprehensive listing of regional and local internships and job opportunities available to students.

Islam said each of her internships cumulatively helped her realize what career path she wanted. She hopes to complete her master’s degree while securing yet another internship with National Public Radio or a private company and eventually find herself working in international policy or data policy analysis. She’s even thinking about getting a second master’s degree in secondary education to begin teaching and motivating others to pursue their interests in international policy.

“Internships are so worth it,” she said of the effort to secure them and then stay in them. “If there is a company that interests you, check their website and apply. Never feel that you, especially if you are a person of color or as a woman, are underqualified for the job.

“Even if you only have one of the qualifications, you might fit. During my internship at Intuit, I was the only 19-year-old undergraduate in all my meetings. The rest of the interns in the policy department were in law school. You are qualified.”

When asked about how she manages to balance all her classes, work, and internships into her schedule Islam was candid: “In all honestly, it comes down to the fact that I don't know anything else than juggling 50 things at the same time. I've been doing this since first grade when I started Girl Scouts. It comes down to being best friends with your planner, having your phone glued to your hand, and having a support system that gets your brand on crazy—while encouraging you to have a break every so often.”

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