“Give Me the Bright Lights”

Have you ever thought it would be fun to plan major events like concerts or release parties?  If so, you may be interested in exploring the Brand Engagement and Promotion [BEaP] track in the Business School’s Marketing department.  Part of this track works directly with Uproar Records to promote artists and plan concerts.  Even if you are interested in planning other types of events, this pathway would give you some great hands on experience in the event planning process and may lead to valuable networking opportunities.  Please visit: http://www.baylor.edu/business/marketing/beap for more details about this exciting program and other career pathways it can provide.

Articles of Note: Helpful Job/Internship Search Tools!!

Today, we are linking up with three articles found this week that we hope will help with your job and internship search process.  Now that Spring Break is behind us, finding what you will do after you walk across the stage if you are graduating and waht you are doing this summer if you have some more time at Baylor may be more at the front of your mind.  Here are this week’s articles:

This first articles provides an awesome overview of how to plan out your job search strategy in an organized way.  The author shares her personal experience and systems that worked for her.

http://www.levoleague.com/uncategorized/careers-after-graduation

We have recruiters on Baylor’s campus throughout the year, meeting and interviewing with students.  The article offers an on-campus recruiter’s perspective on how best to shine and it doesn’t start your senior year.  She definitely advocates networking with campus reps early in your college career.

http://www.levoleague.com/career-advice/get-job-the-on-campus-recruiting-breakdown

This week’s third article navigates the sometimes unknown world of informational interviews and how best to navigate LinkedIn to discover people you can network with in your field of interest.  Informational interviews are very useful in the career exploration process as well to help you determine what paths might be best fits with your interests, personality, skills, and values.

http://www.levoleague.com/skills/mastering-your-network-using-linkedin-informational-interviews

If you would like to visit with someone further about job/internship search strategies, on-campus recruiting at Baylor or informational interviewing strategies, please stop by the Career and Professional Development office in the west wing of Sid Richardson.  We’d love to help you find that place that is right for you!

Ministry Guidance Program

Seeking wise counsel is a critical component of exploring a call to vocational ministry.  The Ministry Guidance Program at Baylor has several resources to help you learn more about yourself and the prospect of working in Christian ministry.  Visit the program’s website to learn more about the different aspects of the program, and when you visit, make sure to follow the links on the left sidebar to get more detailed information.

In Their Own Words

We hope you all enjoyed your Spring Break and are returning to classes well rested and ready to take on the rest of the semester.  Today, we hope to encourage you with another alumni success story from Pat Combs.  Thanks so much for your help today, Pat!

1.    What led you to consider pursuing your current field of work?

When I came to Baylor after my freshman year at Rice, I was not sure which specific direction in business that I wanted to pursue.  I also played baseball and my dream was to play professionally.  When I arrived at Baylor, I remember sitting down with a counselor in the business school and asking questions about which degree program I should pursue.  The counselor and I came to the same conclusion that based upon my interests, I should choose finance.  My thinking was that if I made it as a pro baseball player, I better be able to handle the money, and if I didn’t I could use the financial knowledge to go into the financial planning and investment field to help other ballplayers.
2.    What is your educational background?

Bachelor degree in business management.  Professional licenses in the financial advisory business…Series 7, 65, 63, 31 and insurance license
3.    What do you feel has best prepared your for your work?

Life experiences, hard work ethic I learned in athletics, mentors during my career, prayer, college education, business experiences, working with a team, and Jesus changing my heart towards people when he rescued me in 1989.
4.    Please take us through a typical day.

I am part of a 9 member financial advisory team at Morgan Stanley, named the Live Oak Group.  I am an equity partner, along with two other men from Houston.  I run the North Texas Branch of our operation.  My main role on the team is the business development officer, or Chief Relationship Officer.  My typical day includes anywhere from 1-3 in person meetings with prospective clients, as well as clients of our team.  I will also make calls and answer emails, mostly to set up meetings, meet client needs, and planning.  A successful day for me is when I am out of the office most, if not all of the day in meetings.  As the CRO, my goal is to develop new relationships, work with clients on plans and investments, and bring in new assets from prospective clients.  I am also responsible for training and mentoring our junior advisors.  I also speak at various events about 2-3 times per month, and I plan and execute projects and seminars for the team.
5.    What is your advice to students interested in pursuing this world of work?

The financial services business is a very competitive industry.  One has to possess a unique skill set that includes technical, as well as relational talents and skills.  Most needed is a passion to help others in financial planning, investments, and the psychology of navigating through various markets.  This business is full of ups, downs, joy, frustration, celebration, sadness, and hopefully in the end a smile from God, as a “faithful servant” to His people.  We also feel that because of the complexities involved in this business that it is best done with a team.  My advice is to students is to really investigate this industry and if led to pursue, gain an internship to see where the best fit would be for their particular skill sets.  This business has everything to do with people, service, and also includes the technical aspects of planning and investments.  But, you don’t have to be an expert and “wear multiple hats.”  You can figure out which part and the best role that fits you and find a great team that shares your worldview and partner with them.

Happy Spring Break!

Whether you are soaking up the sun,

hitting the slopes,

or plan to spend time curled up in a comfy place catching up on naps and Netflix,

take advantage of this break from school to think a little about your future plans.  Maybe that will include talking to the people around you about your goals and dreams and seeing if they know of people in the fields you are interested in.  Who knows, while standing in line for the ski lift, you may strike up a conversation with someone who could have valuable information about a field of study that interests you.  If you are spending time in your hometown, this break could be a perfect opportunity to put some feet to your ideas about what you will do this summer.  Explore internship and summer job experiences that will help you develop skills in areas of work you find appealing.  Spending time in those work environments is a great way to really see if that line of work is a good fit.

Enjoy your break and get good rest, so you’ll be ready to take on the rest of the semester.

In Their Own Words

Today, for our alumni profile series, we are hearing from Rachel Goodlad, BA ’06.  Thank you Rachel for providing such valuable insight into post-college life!

1.  What led you to consider pursuing this field of work?

I was a Community Leader for two years while at Baylor. I had a few situations during those years that were life-changing for me. Some of them were extremely positive, like helping students find their passion in life and pursue it with a related major, or having a discussion about what the Bible says about interracial relationships or LGBT issues. Some of them were the kinds of incidents you hope you never have to deal with, including an attempted rape off-campus, and suicidal thoughts by two of my residents. These were the moments that made me really think about the CL position, and how impactful it can be on myself and others. There were multiple conversations I can remember when students were scared to speak with others about personal issues, and sought me out first. I thought, “Who would they speak with if they didn’t have an invested CL?” I used this thought to be even more intentional in my interactions with students at Baylor and other institutions.

 

As I became more invested, I also had the opportunity to spend more time with professional staff members at Baylor, including Campus Living & Learning administrators and the VP of Student Life, Dub Oliver. One of these relationships in particular I carry with me to this day, and is responsible for getting me in the door for one of the positions I accepted after graduation. I remember having lunch with Dr. Oliver and him asking me if I had considered staying in student affairs after graduation. I wanted the opportunity to impact other students, and started looking into programs and open positions at other institutions. This was a hard decision, as I was a Pre-Law track student with the intention of attending law school after graduation. The impact I saw staff members have at Baylor was undeniable and something I felt I had to pursue myself.

 

2.       What is your educational background?

I received my B.A. at Baylor in 2006 with a Journalism-Public Relations major and a minor in Political Science. I also received my Master’s in Higher Education with an emphasis in Intercollegiate Athletics Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 2009. This Fall, I will begin law school at the University of Houston Law Center.

 

3.       What do you feel has best prepared your for your work?

Life is always the best preparation. Being open to relationships, and empathizing with others has also helped. There have been so many times that I wasn’t sure why I was going through a particular situation in my own life. I end up being thankful for that situation when I can teach others about my experiences or mistakes. Each university I have been part of has given me additional skills in planning, mentoring, counseling, and professionalism.

 

4.       Please take us through a typical day.

The great thing about Student Affairs, is that there is no such thing as a typical day. As an area coordinator, I spent most days hanging out with students, and letting the day take me wherever it might. I would walk around campus with students having conversations about their personal lives, academics, and future goals. At night, I would attend athletic events or other programs on campus with students. My job was to give students additional responsibilities, skills, and opportunities to help them reach those goals. I would plan events for the residents, and attend to incidents when necessary. I have recently transitioned to the administration side of Student Affairs at the University of Houston, and have less student contact as a result. My work now focuses on making processes more efficient for students, and increasing our customer service levels for all of our students, staff, and guests. My day starts with reviewing any incidents or issues that happened the night before at our 24-hour information desks, following up, and forming necessary training as issues arise. I spend most of my time now with full-time staff members to continually improve our services, and putting out fires on a daily basis. I still spend time with students when I can, but it usually comes in the form of solving problems rather than mentoring or having “life conversations” as I have in the past.

 

5.       What is your advice to students interested in pursuing this world of work?

Take full advantage of your time at Baylor! Be open to change and opportunities around you. I came to Baylor knowing I wanted to go to law school, and looking for preparation for that. Instead, I found life changing relationships with students and staff members that changed my life course. I found a career path I didn’t even know existed.  I became really close with my one of my faculty members in the Journalism department, Maxey Parrish. Through conversations with him, I was able to work with the Sports Information Department in Baylor Athletics. Through my relationships with that office, I was able to volunteer for the Big 12 Conference at Championship Events. Through that opportunity, I found out about the Master’s program that balanced both of my interests in college athletics administration and student affairs. None of this would’ve been possible without starting that relationship with Maxey. Many staff and faculty members are more than willing to spend time with you if you would only ask. Step outside your comfort zone; it just might change your life!

Athletic Training Major

Trying to avoid cubicle jobs?  Sports fan?  Athletic training just might be for you.  Active, hard-working students should explore this field.  First off, visit Occupational Outlook Handbook to learn more about the career itself.  Second, you can read online about Baylor’s Athletic Training major.  Athletic training requires long hours, including early mornings and working outside.  It can be a rewarding career for those who enjoy working with an active population.

Baylor’s program is quite structured compared to some other majors.  If it appears that you are too far behind to complete the degree on time, you could also consider an entry-level Master’s degree program in athletic training.  The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education accredits such programs and maintains a database.  These programs could be good options for prehealth students looking for a “Plan B.”

Exploring Careers and the Baylor Majors that Will Work for You!