Internships with Jena Gasworth

“The only source of knowledge is experience.”- Albert Einstein

By the time a student graduates from Hope College they will have participated in some form of experiential learning opportunity. One way is through an internship! Here at the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career, Jena Gasworth works with students who are searching for these types of experiences.

Jena has answered 10 questions that Hope students typically have about internships:

1. What is your role at the new Boerigter Center for Calling and Career?

I work with all things related to internships. I meet with students who are seeking internships whether it is local, back home, or off-campus. I also work with internship faculty teaching internship courses and employers seeking interns.

2. What is your favorite part about working with internships

The internships I had while I was in college helped me discern what I wanted to do in higher education. I love helping students connect their interests to real world experiences.

3. About how many Hope students end up getting an internship?

Annually, we have about 300 Hope students who have an internship for credit. Hope’s Graduate Survey stated that as of 2017, 96% of students were involved in some kind of experiential experience such as an internship, DiscoverWork, student-faculty research, or off-campus study.

4. What resources should students take advantage of/focus on while searching for an internship?

Handshake is a great resource for looking for opportunities. “How-to” guides on our BCCC website are very helpful for resume and cover letter help which is essential for the internship process. Also, career fairs are good for networking with employers.

5. Which year is typical for students to get an internship? What is the timeline like?

Students can do an internship any year. Sophomore, junior, and senior year are most common because you need to have declared your major if you are seeking an internship for credit. Timeline-wise, there is a big push for summer internships starting in the fall. Some companies will wrap up all of their hiring up by Christmas. There is another big wave in the spring (Jan./Feb. for summer opportunities). Usually students should look a semester or two in advance for their internship.

6. Do I get credit for an internship?

It depends on the student’s declared major. They must take a course that is tied to their major, and their faculty supervisor must sign off on it. There is typically a four credit class where they meet outside of their internship. If the internship is over the summer, there is an online course that goes along with it.

7. If I do an internship that is not related to my major/career path, should I still put it on my resume?

Yes, absolutely! It is still experience that results in building transferable skills that can be taken with you to a job or another internship. Employers like seeing internship experience and the path that led you to apply at their business.

8. Are all internships unpaid?

It depends on the organization. I would say about half are unpaid.

9. What are the benefits of getting an internship local vs. in another state/country?

If a student does an internship through an off-campus study program like Chicago Semester or The Philadelphia Center, it is usually a full-time internship. On top of that it involves navigating a new city! Local internships are usually about 10-15 hours/week while juggling other classes and projects. Both give great working experiences.

10. Overall, do you have any advice for students about internships in general?

I advise students to apply for 20+ internships. Sometimes students get so fixated on one or two internships, and if they apply for more they have a better chance of getting one. Also, if you need any individual help the BCCC is here to help! If you put in the effort, it can open up more opportunities for job search and networking.

Sometimes, an internship can rule out something you do not want to do, and that is okay! Your attitude about it makes such a huge difference; what you put into the internship is what you get out of it.

The Boerigter Center for Calling and Career wants to help students in their search for internships. Students can use our readily available resources along the way. Come check out our new office on the first floor of DeWitt!

Handshake Profiles: Your Time to Shine

It’s that time of the year! Students are back on campus, classes are in full swing, and clubs and organizations are getting warmed up for the semester. With a new academic year there also comes questions about on-campus jobs, internships, and full-time work for the future. Whether you are looking for a few hours of work during the week or a full time job post-graduation, Handshake is a fantastic place to begin. It’s important to keep your profile looking sharp and up-to-date. A little effort and attention to detail will help Handshake work for you. Here are a few things we want you to keep in mind:

 

  • No account? No problem!

 

    1. Navigate to https://app.joinhandshake.com/login and create your own account through the Hope College server.
    2. Log in using your Hope email and password.

 

  • You have an account: let’s make it shine!

 

    1. If you click on your name in the top right corner, you’ll see an option to view “My Profile.” On the right hand column of your profile, you’ll see a Profile Level with short cuts to keep things updated.
    2. Make sure your basic information is filled out and updated with your name, year, profile photo, etc.
      • Be sure to update this each year, whether that’s refreshing your year in school, major, etc.
    3. To enhance your profile for employers, add more information, such as work experiences, volunteer experiences, skills, career interests, relevant coursework, and projects you’ve worked on.
    4. Similar to LinkedIn, you can elaborate on your work experiences, which will give employers a more well-rounded view of you as an applicant.

The more detailed your profile is, the better! Handshake will be even easier to navigate when your profile is up-to-date. The more specific your qualifications and interests are, the more success you’ll have. At the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career, we aim to help every student at Hope College develop their interests and career goals through discernment, preparation, and pursuit. Leveraging Handshake to your benefit is a wonderful place to begin!

Get to know Megan Scheldt!

Megan Scheldt is the Career Counselor – Networking at the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career and she is going into her 4th academic year at Hope College. Megan has answered 10 questions to let us get to know a little more about her:

1. What is your role at the new Boerigter Center for Calling and Career?

I am the Career Counselor-Networking. For first and second year students, that means meeting with me to explore what they want to do with their major as well as getting connected to job shadowing opportunities. For upperclassmen, that could mean meeting with me to get alumni connections in a specific field to use for the future. I also oversee the DiscoverWork program and  Career Advisor team in the BCCC.

2. What is your favorite part about your hometown?

My hometown is Westminster, Maryland which is about an hour from Baltimore. Nothing beats Maryland Blue Crabs and the beautiful landscapes. Maryland is called “mini America” because there are beaches, mountains, and plains all in one state.

3. Where would you choose to live: by the ocean, in the mountains, or in the woods?

Mountains – my husband and I honeymooned in Estes Park, Colorado and we loved Rocky Mountain National Park!

4. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I would have dinner with Eleanor Roosevelt. I think that for the time period in which she was living she was a true advocate for many populations of people. She was not afraid to be a risk taker and I like that about her. My favorite quote by Eleanor: “No one can make you feel inferior but yourself.”

5. What is your favorite sport to watch?

Lacrosse! I am also the assistant women’s lacrosse coach here at Hope and I played in college. I started and have worked with multiple programs in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

6. If you were in a talent show, what skill would you perform?

I like to think that I am funny, so maybe a comedy act! 

7. What is your favorite thing to cook?

Whatever HelloFresh sends me that week! To be honest I’m not a cook, though my father-in-law is a professional chef. 

8. Who was your childhood singer/actor crush?

The Hanson Brothers.

9. If you won $100,000 what would you spend the money on?

I currently live in an apartment, so I would definitely buy a house. I think I would also use the money for something philanthropic. 

10. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

The ability to fly or teleport.

The staff members here at the Boerigter Center want to reach out to every student at Hope and get them involved in the BCCC. We hope that getting to know our staff members allows students to feel comfortable seeking help from our office no matter what stage of their college career they may be in.

Learn More About Career Counselor Amy Freehafer

Amy Freehafer is a 1989 Hope College graduate, and she has been working at Hope for 7 years. Many students have met with Amy early in their college careers to get help deciding a major, creating a four-year-plan, or discussing their assessment results. She is an excellent resource for students at all stages of their college careers.

Amy has answered 10 questions to give us a little insight into who she is:

1. What is your role at the new Boerigter Center for Calling and Career?

I work a lot with exploratory advising. I help students (and sometimes alumni) figure out a career path, and that includes what to major in. My philosophy is until you understand yourself, it will be hard to figure out where you will go. That leads my work to help students better understand themselves and help them understand how to make choices. I love using StrengthsQuest as a tool to help launch into that conversation.

2. What was your favorite thing to do at Hope College when you were a student here?

My favorite experience was my May-June term with faculty and 19 other students before my senior year. We went to Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Italy, Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Iceland. I also loved my time spent studying in Philadelphia. My freshman year, I had a really fun cluster and we would go to Pizza Hut at night and get garlic bread with mozzarella cheese for only $1.60!

3. What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to hang out and play with my dogs, I have two Shih Tzus, Mia and Mugsy. I enjoy working outside like gardening and mowing the yard. I also read a lot of fiction, Nora Roberts is my favorite author. I love watching football and watching College Game Day on Saturday mornings with my husband. I also love spending time with my three grandchildren.

4. What is one thing you wish you were really good at?

Speaking Spanish. I wish I could speak Spanish, at least conversationally. Many of my neighbors are native Spanish speakers, and I wish I could meet them where they are and converse in their language.

5. What was the first concert you ever went to?

I saw the Doobie Brothers when I was in 7th grade. We were camping next to these nice ladies who had tickets and offered to take me and a campground friend. They drove us across the state but we could not find our car after the concert, and my dad freaked when we did not get home until super late – thinking the worst because we were out with strangers!

6. Where is one place you have always wanted to visit?

I have always wanted to go to Greece. I have been to quite a few countries in Europe and would also love to back to Ireland – it is so beautiful there.

7. If you could travel time, would you go to the past or the future?

I would go to the past because I would not want to know the future. I would love to see different eras and see what came before. It would help me appreciate more what we have now.

8. What is one movie you have seen multiple times, but never get tired of?

I am a huge Harry Potter fan! I can’t even tell you how many times I have seen all 8 movies. My family and I have even had Harry Potter movie marathons where we watch all 8 movies in a weekend.

9. What is your biggest pet peeve?

Probably passive-aggressive behavior. I would rather have someone be rude and direct vs. the energy it takes navigating whether someone is speaking truths. Some of my favorite clients when I worked in human service were crabby, old men because they always said what was on their mind.

10. What is one thing that most don’t know you have?

That I am a grandparent. Many people think that our grandchildren are our children.  We periodically have all 3 of our grandchildren over and we build forts in the living room and play outside. I always joke that having grandchildren is your reward for not eating your children, but I love being a grandma!

We hope that getting to know our staff members allows others to feel comfortable and encouraged to seek help in the BCCC. Stop on by DeWitt or give us a call at 616.395.7950 to schedule an appointment today!

Get in a Group: Sessions to Help You Navigate Calling and Career

Centered in connecting, Boerigter strives to meet with every student across campus. In this mindset, we are now offering group sessions. This opportunity will allow you to meet in a setting of around 5-10 students to engage in learning and asking questions in a variety of topics. Whether you are in your first year as a Hope student or have a few years under your belt, there are sessions that can likely cater to some of those common questions about resumes, interviewing, and more.

EXPLORATORY ADVISING

Calling all freshman discerning majors and careers — in an exploratory advising session we will assist you in the process of figuring out what to study and how to explore your areas of interest. If you are thinking of off-campus study or have no clue how to narrow in on a potential major, this session can help you get started with what it means to find and pursue your passions and interests in life.

 

Internship Overview

Thinking about applying for an internship? Whether you are thinking of summer options or future semesters, it’s important to feel confident about the basics of internship, how to find work specific to your goals, and how an internship can prepare and launch you into your future career. This session is a great start to get you putting your best foot forward and to set you apart from others.

 

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

Along with seeking employment comes interviewing, which can be a daunting notion to both those with little and those with plenty of experience in the world of interviews. However, with more knowledge and techniques of how to interview well, you can feel more confident in utilizing your personality and skills in order to feel calm, cool, and collected in your next interview. This session will provide you with an understanding of what it means to display who you are, demonstrate what makes you an excellent candidate, and answer the tough questions with ease.

 

Networking & LinkedIn

If you are seeking summer employment or looking into future careers, it’s helpful to get your name and face out there for employers to see. This group session will allow you to understand the general process of networking and provide access to alumni in your areas of interest. Additionally, the session will equip you with the tools to use LinkedIn successfully and help you to understand the process of informational interviewing in order to stand out in the networking process.

 

Personal Statement Preparation

Thinking about graduate school? This workshop will help you get started on one of the first things on the checklist to applications. Personal statements are a way that a graduate school can get to know you, and this session will provide you with an understanding of how to best compose this statement. What to showcase and how to present yourself to a school can be explored within this group process.

 

Resume & Cover Letter

One of the most basic steps to securing a job is having a solid resume and cover letter. From never making a resume before and having no idea where to start, to trying to hone-in on what can make your cover letter stand out, this group will help point you in the right direction. Resume and cover letter sessions will involve how to properly format each and what information to include. Plus, you will be able to better grasp how to gear your resume and cover letter to the specifc job you’re seeking.

Group sessions will be starting this September. For more information or to schedule yourself into one of these hour-long sessions, please call us at 616.395.7000, or stop by our new location on the first floor of Dewitt.

Get to Know Dale Austin

Meet Dale Austin!

Many of you have met with Dale Austin throughout your college career, whether it was a mock interview, job search appointment, or getting help with graduate school. He has been working with Hope College students at the Career Development Center for 37 years, and will continue to engage with students as our office transitions to the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career.

Dale has answered 10 questions to let us get to know a little more about him:

      1. What is your role at the new Boerigter Center for Calling and Career?

    2. My role in the BCCC centers around working with students in the transition to work or grad school with advice and a range of resources. I will provide coaching on preparing for interviews, conduct mock interviews and provide feedback on personal statements. I will continue my work with employers, recruiting fairs, and on campus interviews. I will also be working with over 15 classes addressing a variety of issues with seniors who are preparing to transition after Hope. 

      2. What is your favorite part about Holland?

    3. One thing that struck me about Holland was the diversity of companies and organizations from manufacturing, to services like banking and other financial services, to the nonprofit. The Holland area is blessed with exceptional business and community leaders who are committed to Holland and its citizens.

    4. 3. What do you like the most about working with students and alumni? 

    5. Students and alumni at Hope are simply delightful people to work with. They are positive, hard working, have a great outlook, and are eager to do what they can to prepare for the future and serve their communities. The beauty about what we do is we have amazing opportunities to make working at Hope a great experience.

    6. 4. What do you like to do in your free time? 

    7. I enjoy spending time with my family (my wife, 3 grown children and their spouses, 93-year-old father, and golden retriever, Sammy.) When I’m not with family, I enjoy reading nonfiction and listening to classical music.

    8. 5. Where is the most interesting place you have traveled to?

    9. I traveled to Iceland last summer. Their natural resources, geography, and giant waterfalls are amazingly beautiful. I look forward to going back.

    10. 6. What is something you wish you knew more about? 

    11. I wish I could have a real-life crystal ball to know with confidence the new opportunities and the new career fields that would be developing within the next 10 years. Additionally, I wish I knew more clearly the impact of artificial intelligence on the workplace and the implications for preparing our students.

    12. 7. If you could meet one famous person, dead or alive, who would it be?

    13. Barack Obama, for whom I have great admiration.

    15. 8. What is the most memorable gift you have ever received? 

    16. Over my time at Hope College, I have received a range of gifts from grateful students, plants, hand carved wooden boxes, a colorful brass plate, to framed pictures, among others.  These are the most memorable!

    18. 9. Who inspires you the most? 

    19. That is a hard question. As I reflect on it, I have been fortunate to have a number of mentors over my life, from my college academic advisor, Stan Walters, to family members, like my 93 year old dad, Vern Austin, to other figures during my time working at Hope College. At the deepest level, it would be my faith in, and relationship to, Jesus Christ, who provides the challenge and the grace for both life and work.

    21. 10. What is the number one piece of advice you can give to Hope College students about entering into a new career/grad school?

    22. Accurately promise and over deliver”: whether in work or graduate school, you will have significant demands on your time, energy and attention. The following steps would facilitate a smooth initial transition: understanding key priorities from your supervisor or graduate school advisor, keeping communication lines open and initiating conversation when needed and protecting your time in ensure that high payoff work/projects get done.

    23. Here at the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career, we want to get to know our students personally and assist them in their career paths. We hope this insight into our career staff members allows students to feel comfortable coming into our office at any stage of their college career.

How do you say the name? Boerigter Center for Calling and Career!

We are a few days away from the start of the 2018-2019 school year! With that comes the launch of the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career! Over the course of the fall semester, a number of new programs and initiatives will be coming to life.

We are incredibly grateful for the support of Hope’s faculty and staff for partnering with us! From the development of our new website, to integration with Student Life and academic programs, to the renovation of our new space in DeWitt – we continued to be blessed by the overwhelming team spirit and Hope hospitality.

We are all looking forward to welcoming our students and building community at the Boerigter Center! Here we go!

Hey First Year Students…We are here for you!

First year students, welcome to the family!
Our goal is to help each student discern, prepare and pursue their calling and career. Read on to find out five easy ways you can interact with our office from day one:
  1. Not sure what to major in? Make an appointment with Amy Freehafer, she can help you explore possibilities based on your career interests.
  2. Are you unsure what to do with your major? Not a problem! Check out our “What Can You Do With A Major In” section on our website, or come in and meet with a career counselor who can assist you in discerning which path is right for you.
  3. Start your resume! Meet with a career advisor to organize previous work experience in order to create a resume. You will learn how to add, format, and adjust your experiences – skills that will help you throughout your college career.
  4. Come in and learn how to four-year-plan. Not only does this help with future organization, but it provides comfort knowing that your four years at Hope will be completed according to plan.
  5. Begin networking early! Meet with Megan Scheldt who can help you with your LinkedIn account and teach you the importance of making connections with people in your intended field.

Ready to take action? Call our office at 616.395.7950 or use the new online scheduling feature on our website! We are excited to meet you and get you started with some great resources.

 

Hope Students Conquer Internships

Isn’t summer the best?  Ice cream, bonfires, picnics, the beach and warm temperatures!  Here at Hope many students are also spending their days participating in summer internships.  Take a peek at what a few students have been up to!

Kelly Arnold, Senior, Communication Major (Digital Marketing Focus)
 
Where have you been interning this summer? 
This summer, I’ve been working as a Digital Marketing Intern for Herman Miller. I work under our Senior Digital Product Manager who helps maintain Herman Miller’s digital offerings both in and outside the company such as Omni, our dealer intranet. I also help out all around our Digital Marketing team on a variety of projects.
A day in the life:
Includes sitting in on meetings, performing user acceptance testing for a soon-to-come website launch, and working to prepare the right documents and data to assist with website content and development. 
What have you learned?
I’ve learned a lot about the technical side of digital marketing, Also, as a Communication major, I’ve been dropped into the business world, which at first was a big learning curve but I’ve loved the challenge and the growth I’ve seen in myself since I began.

Share with us more about the internship program and culture

As far as the program itself, it’s been an experience rich with opportunity. Everyone I’ve come in contact with has been friendly, kind, and excited to share their story with me about their career and their time with the company. One out of every four Herman Miller employees has been here for 20 years or more and this summer I’ve seen why. Employees are treated with care and respect and the work culture is just the best. From our intern project sponsor, to my company-assigned mentor, to my Work Team Leader (my boss), to others who I work with frequently, I truly feel that those around me have invested in me and genuinely care about my growth and professional success.

**Picture featured above: Kelly’s (fourth from the right) intern project group. Two group mates are also Hope students!

Amy Dkystra, Sophomore, Business Major and Leadership Minor

Where did you intern this summer? 

I was a claims intern at Broadspire in Lake Zurich, IL! Broadspire is a Third Party Administrator, which is a subsidiary of Crawford and Company. I personally handled claims for many companies such as Uber, Chipotle, Gordon Food Services, and Ecolab.
What did you learn from your internship?
I did not know what to expect of a role in the insurance industry, but learned many valuable lessons through my mentors and projects. Although my internship was mostly in adjusting worker’s compensation and commercial automotive/liability claims, I also was able to learn more about different roles within the company such as operations, carrier an relations.
What are other things you enjoyed about your internship?
My managers and co-workers took the time to get to know me personally, as well as answered any questions I had about the industry. I sincerely enjoyed my time at Broadspire, and would definitely consider an insurance position in the future!! 

Jarod Wolters, Senior, Business and Economics Major

How has your internship impacted you this summer? 

In my time at Haworth, I have seen first hand the value of my Liberal Arts education (Hear me out, because even as a senior I hadn’t fully invested in that idea). My role allowed me to apply techniques from within my major, but also from outside of it –  including Art and Communications. One major component of my role was data visualization, so having taken two Design courses helped my analysis carry an impact. Along those same lines, I presented out my findings to a team of my superiors, so knowing I had the skills to do so confidently was great!

What was something that surprised you?

One area that surprised me was the emphasis on StrengthsFinder within the company. Haworth has an Internal Development team that leads courses on it and they spent the better part of a day with the interns working through each of our results to see how we can leverage them in our day-to-day lives. Most of the other interns had not heard of the assessment before, so already having a bit of background going into the discussion was helpful. Oh, and three of my five skills changed from freshman year, which was kind of fun to see!

We know there are many more students having amazing experiences this summer and we want to hear all about them. Be sure to send us an email at internships@hope.edu to share your story. You might just find you will be our next feature!

Shaking Hands with Handshake

Are you a Hope College Student? Are you looking for an on campus job, internship or full-time work? Not sure where to get started?

Well, you have come to the right place. Handshake is a great way to see what opportunities are available in the area that you are interested in. It does not matter if you are a first-year student checking out Handshake for the first time, or if you are a senior getting ready to take on life after Hope. Handshake is a tool that students can use at any stage of their college career!

Check out these 5 easy steps to get started:

  1. Go to: hope.edu/handshake or click the link directly from the Boerigter Center’s homepage
  2. Login with your Hope College email under “Students”
  3. Answer the “Career Interest” questions Handshake asks you. Handshake will keep track of these along with your search habits and make recommendations!
  4. Go to your profile and fill out information about yourself. This is helpful because employers will be able to learn more about you and in some cases reach out to you directly!
  5. Go to the “Jobs” tab at the top of the page and filter the search results to what you are interested in
    • You can filter by: full-time, part-time, internship, location, industry, major, etc.

(Alums this tool is for you too! Follow the steps in the portal labeled “Alumni” from the Handshake website)

Handshake is an excellent resource to see what kind of opportunities are offered in your area and all over the country. Whether you are seeking a part-time babysitting job to make some extra cash, or if you are interested in jump starting your career, Handshake can help connect you to the possibilities that lie ahead.

https://hope.edu/handshake/