Career Services Blog

"Scuse me, but you have a booger hanging out of your nose." The words cut through the tinny muzak piped through crappy elevator speakers like a hot knife through imitation butter. All attempts at conversation halted and I felt a shudder crawl up my spine. The only thought running through my head was: "I just taught a class of nearly 50 people. Please, please tell me I didn't have a booger hanging out of my nose the entire time!?!"
Fortunately, they weren't talking to me. Still, everyone in the crowded elevator looked at each other with exaggerated casualness and attempted to discreetly check our noses for any clingers, and then, just as awkwardly, attempted to check to see if there was, in fact, a bat in anyone else's bat cave.
There are two types of people in the world: those who want to know if they have spinach in their teeth and those who get mad at YOU for telling them they have green crud in their teeth. Being the type that wants to know if my zipper is down, I can't imagine not wanting to know if I'm twisting in the wind. But some people dread the thought of being recognized for making a mistake and would rather …. twist in the wind, so to speak.
Careerbuilder published the findings of an interesting survey about the willingness of workers to confront their officemates about a wide range of embarrassing actions. In a previous job I actually had the unpleasant task of having to tell a coworker about the need for regular showers and was a little surprised that only a quarter of the people surveyed would raise a stink over the issue. Here is what they found:

* Your zipper is undone.
Same level co-worker - 67 percent
Lower level co-worker - 62 percent
Higher level co-worker - 50 percent

* You have something in your nose.
Same level co-worker - 51 percent
Lower level co-worker - 46 percent
Higher level co-worker - 33 percent

* You have food in your teeth or on your face.
Same level co-worker - 66 percent
Lower level co-worker - 60 percent
Higher level co-worker - 49 percent

* Your hair is messy.
Same level co-worker - 33 percent
Lower level co-worker - 30 percent
Higher level co-worker - 13 percent

* You have a stain on your clothes.
Same level co-worker - 51 percent
Lower level co-worker - 47 percent
Higher level co-worker - 34 percent

* You need a breath mint.
Same level co-worker - 33 percent
Lower level co-worker - 29 percent
Higher level co-worker - 14 percent

* You need a shower.
Same level co-worker - 28 percent
Lower level co-worker - 28 percent
Higher level co-worker - 11 percent

* Your apparel is not appropriate for the office.
Same level co-worker - 32 percent
Lower level co-worker - 37 percent
Higher level co-worker - 10 percent

Work rests on the shoulders of leaders and, without a strong hand on the rudder, work becomes aimless. What separates a great, from a not so-great leader, isn't always clear and what makes someone a leader can be as elusive as a greased pig. That being said, I'll still try to corner the idea and outline what makes people willfully, and sometimes gladly, follow someone else's mandates. Leadership theories can be broken down into three very broad categories:

Universalist theories all believe that all great leaders share key traits and that these traits will emerge to make a leader successful regardless of the situation. The great man or woman theory puts forward that some people are just born with the innate ability to lead, while others were born devoid of the ability. The trait theory suggests that there are characteristics, or personality attributes that all effective leaders have in common. The main weakness of these theories is in their simplicity and the focus on individual leader characteristics rather than group dynamics, not to mention the inability to learn how to be a leader.

Behavioral theories look directly at the behavior of leaders rather than some innate quality that defines their ability to lead. Two qualities emerge, according to researchers mainly out of Ohio State and the University of Michigan, that highlight quality leadership behavior:
Task oriented behaviors: leaders help the people under them figure out what the heck they are supposed to do and then oversee day to day group activities with an eye towards a bigger picture. The focus of leaders in this model is towards goal attainment.
People-orientated behaviors: focuses on social interactions among workers and making sure that the workplace is warm and fuzzy instead of harsh and toxic, because happy workers are productive workers. The goal of this type of leader is to look out for the people underneath them and make sure they are supported enough to do their job.

Contingency theories state the effectiveness of a leader depends on how well they mesh, or don't mesh, with their environment. A leader must be flexible enough to determine, what type/ style of leadership is needed from situation to situation. According the this theory there is no one universal leadership theory, rather leadership is a Swiss army knife and a great leader knows enough to not use the corkscrew attachment to open a can of whooping.??? The four types of leader behavior are: Directive, achievement-orientated, supportive, or participative.

Question:

I will be graduating in December from UMKC with a BA in Psychology, I need to know when I should begin applying for jobs in order to have one in line when graduation hits?

Answer:

Right NOW, start right applying now!Traditionally a job search can take as long as 6 months, currently, in some industries, the wait time can be as long as a year. The sooner you start the application process the better your chances will be. Come into the career center and speak with Dustin Williams about your job search process and how you can streamline it!

-Kasey

Question:

Hi i'm an IT major student. Which specialization is focused to have a high demand in the next 4 years?. Thanks.

Answer:

Hi Alice,

The Bureau of Labor Statistics put out a report last year detailing the 30 fastest growing occupations between 2006 and 2016. The #1 was Network Systems and Data Communication, #3 Computer software engineers and applications, #23 Computer systems analysts #24 Database administrators and #25 was Computer software engineers, systems software. While in school make sure to round yourself out and learn as many of the big ideas as possible. It might take a little more work but will definitely pay off if one of the industries starts to decline.

Thank you for your question!

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Everybody has worked with a jerk right? Well if you haven't then don't worry, you will. This doesn't just apply to the work world, it can be anywhere. Studies have shown that people can find more job satisfaction within the people they work with than the actual work that they do, and when someone is getting on your nerves in the office it can really derail the process. So what to do? Here are some simple steps:

1. Change yourself, you can't change them: Let's face it the only thing we can really change is our reaction to a situation. Often times we can't even change what happens to us but we can decide on how we react to the event. You can't change anyone but yourself.
2. Change your approach: If you keep trying the same thing over and over with the same results maybe it's time to change the way you approach the person.
3. Step back: Try to take your ego and emotions out of the situation, approach the situation logically. How much will this issue affect you in two months? Or Six? If you won't be affected much what is the point of the conflict?
4. Be aware of your voice tone. Your voice tone often can say more than the content of your speech. Are you using a condescending tone? Or speaking aggressively? Do you raise your voice when talking with this person? Strive to maintain a soft spoken voice but not as if you're talking to a child.
5. Change your body language: Do you just expect to have conflict with this person? What is your body saying that might contradict your kind words? Crossing your arms sends a message that you're not open to what the other person is saying. Stand with your arms to your side in a neutral stance.

These are just a few of the many techniques out there available to you to head off any negative conflicts that you may be encountering. Using these techniques doesn't mean that all conflict you might be having will stop, but if you keep using them they should greatly reduce the intensity level of the conflict.

Still not working? Talk to another coworker that you trust, to observe an encounter with the individual and give you some POSITIVE feedback.

Question:

Hi, I am prospective fall 09 international grad student at UMKC. I would like to know about the various assistanceships/jobs that a international student can take up during the course of the studies. Thanks, Chockalingam

Answer:

Hi Chockalingam,

We post everythign we receive on CareerExec that has to do with assistanceships or internships. Oppertunities can differ from departmetn to department so What is your feild of study?

Feel like your job search is going nowhere? That no matter how many resumes you submit or interviews you go on a job always seems just out of reach? Check out these common mistakes to avoid:

1. Failing to network: More people get jobs from networking than any other job search strategy. It is an employer's market and networking is king.
2. Becoming a couch potato: Wallowing in self-pity only works for poets. Get out and mix it up! Join associations related to your career field, hobnob with people already working, just get involved!
3. Not calling after submitting applications: Sitting eagerly by the phone waiting for an employer to call is pointless if you haven't already contacted them. Be proactive and call then!
4. Ignoring social media: Linkedin.com, Facebook, and Twitter are becoming more and more the norm for finding work. These sites aren't the end all be all, but they carry heavy job search mojo. Use 'em!
5. Applying for every job under the sun: In our society more is better, and that should work with submitting resumes right? Wrong. Being focused in a job search avoids spinning wheels and wasting time.
6. Expecting your job search to be easy: Looking for a job is a full time job and spending time wishing for something that isn't is a sure recipe for unhappiness.
7. Using a less than professional email: Email addresses like: OneHotMama@getaclue.com or StudMuffin@notachance.com, while cute and funny with friend, are job search suicide. Keep it professional.
8. Having mistakes on a resume: A sure method to get your resume filed under "T" for trash.
9. Not researching a company before an interview: Going in blind only works for surgeons. Oh wait, it doesn't work for them either. Know what you are getting into before you start the interview.
10. Prep for an interview. In this economy a job seeker may only get one shot at their dream job, so make it count and be being ready.
11. Trying the same stuff and expecting different results: Besides an alternative definition for insanity, this little piece of wisdom will guarantee to make a job search harder, more frustrating, and just plain crazy.
12. Not sending a thank you card after an interview: A little piece of civility in an otherwise rude world makes a strong impression on an employer. In a good way.
13. Putting faith in job search engines only: Use job search engines to find a job but then try and get on the company's website for the most current info.
14. Staying busy: Gaps on a resume aren't instant death, but they aren't great either. Keeping a hand in something shows motivation and determination to employers.
15. Be strong: Don't throw in the towel, no matter how tempting. Still against the wall? Then it might be time to see a professional career counselor.

Question:

My name is Jasmine and I'm a high school senior. I am going to UMKC to major in pre-med. I want to become a pediatrician. After my four years at UMKC and i apply to a diiferent graduate school, what will I study and how will I earn my M.D.?

Answer:

Hi Jasmine,
I guess I'm a little confused about what you are asking? Are you wanting to know which degree track that offers the best chance to get accepted to medical school? Or are you asking what specific classes in medical school will lead to becoming a pediatrician?

Let me know and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Thinking about going to grad school? Prepare for bitter a grueling road ahead.  An entrance assessment is usually the first major hurdle for people who are graduate school bound.  Evidently‚ grad school needs a filter. And what better way for academics to filter applicants than by using standardized testing!

In the past I?ve been heard rumblings from university departments about whether standardized test scores actually predict graduate student success. Much of the rumblings I heard‚ or listened to‚ were not positive. In 1997‚  Cornell conducted a study to gauge the importance of the GRE. The study found that "GRE scores were not useful as predictors of various aspects of graduate performance". So why the heck are we still having to suffer through the blasted things to get into graduate school?!

While suffering through the very same grad school I suffered getting accepted into‚ I had‚ on occasion‚ an opportunity to actually corner a professor with the intent of wringing a straight answer out of them. Often the conversations were riddled with fidgeting‚ uncomfortable looks‚ and evasive conversation maneuvers. The professors on the other hand seemed very composed‚ but many agreed standardized entrance tests didn?t predict graduate success.  But‚ often with a shrug and a smile‚ they would ask what other criteria could a program use to sift through several hundred applicants?

It is nearly impossible to cram all professional schools into one lump sum due to the myriad of individual program differences. That being said‚ I?m going to give it a shot. Most applications processes are not centered on any single thing. It is often a conglomeration of several factors such as: grades‚ letter of intent‚ letters of recommendation‚ community service‚ and sometimes shadowing professionals. Weak scores are not necessarily a death sentence to graduate school dreams; many other factors do go into consideration. So if scores are low‚ or average‚ be sure to get the other pieces of the application in stellar shape.

There are essentially two tracks to passing an entrance assessment:

1. Go It Alone: If you have the discipline that I often lack‚ you can go it alone. There is a wealth of free study materials available to anyone with a library card or internet access. Study guides are absolutely necessary so be sure to take advantage of any books and online resources. However‚ it requires an ability to set and keep a rigorous study schedule as well as an uncanny ability to tune out the outside world and all the alluring distractions cable offers for the sole purpose of cramming. It can be‚ and has been‚ done. I pulled off the GRE in this fashion several years ago (during a much more motivated phase)‚ and I did fine. To help myself out‚ I did hire an informal math tutor; a friend of a friend knew of a high school teacher willing to work for peanut. Having a tutor‚ even on a short term basis‚ significantly eased my math headaches.

2. Someone Else?s Plan: An organized class can be a great way to cram for standardized testing. These people are experts on such tests. That is the upside; the downside is often the cost- thousands of dollars are spent in testing‚ but it can be worth it‚ if the money is available. Kaplan and ETS offer great products at great cost. BUT check out your local college campus before you take the pricey route. UMKC?s Office for Professional Development offers prep courses at a significant cost reduction. The money can be difficult to justify‚ but consider it an investment in your future.

Be on the lookout for opportunities for free study materials‚ because they are plentiful if you know where to look. Kaplan often has "free practice tests" on college campuses around the country. I know that UMKC recently had a GRE practice test opportunity on the campus provided by Kaplan . I have also seen‚ in the past‚ flyers to pay students to be studied while studying for and taking standardized tests.

Regardless of the fairness of standardized testing‚ or even utility‚ it remains the first gateway to getting in. Questioning the ?Why? of the GRE‚LSAT‚ GMAT‚ PCAT‚ etc. is redundant‚ because if you want to gain entrance to the hallowed graduate school ivory towers‚ you?ll have to power through them and excel.

Little time for a job search or just plain panicky finding a job can be a full time job. Add the daily hustle and bustle madness we call life into the mix and suddenly finding a huge chunk of time for anything can be difficult. Time is a precious commodity; it is the one thing in the entire world none of us can get back. But while missing an opportunity isn?t great‚ chances are another opportunity will come knocking again. Time is a little different‚ it?s called fleeting for a reason. With that thought in mind‚ I?m going to spend the next few posts highlighting how to maximize a job search to wring the best effort out of every available moment.
The first step is to get clarity‚ or to decide where to devote precious time. Unfocused time can leave us stranded in limbo‚ running about willy-nilly and accomplishing little to nothing. To make the most out of available moments‚ focus in on individual goals. Figure out the ?what?: what career‚ what company‚ and what job specifically to target.
Sounds simple‚ I know. But to make the most out of your efforts‚ it?s crucial to have a plan. Too many job seekers dive head first into searching without figuring out where they are looking! The hasty (as opposed to accelerated)‚ job seeker spends precious energy and time spinning their wheels without actually going anywhere. Avoid a lack of progress by taking a few moments at the beginning of the job search process and get a clear picture of which direction to head in.
One of the worst job search mistakes I see routinely see is when people don?t do enough work at the beginning of their search. They end up chasing down false leads and dead ending at multiple points. If someone begins poorly‚ it is a safe bet they will struggle more along the way.

"Watches are so named as a reminder - if you don?t watch carefully what you do with your time‚ it will slip away from you.  ~Drew Sirtors"

Start by thinking about at least 10 potential careers that are a possible match for your skills/interests/values. Research yourself with an eye for compatibility‚ sustainability‚ and overall fit. Think briefly about how different companies could phrase a job position. For example‚ a counselor can be listed as: a therapist‚ addictions specialist‚ social worker‚ mental health professional‚ a counselor (of course)‚ and on and on.
Pull out 40 (or so) specific companies you?d like to work for that utilize the job titles that fit you. Be open to companies that you have never heard of. These little gems tend to be off the beaten track and often face less competition due of a lack of visibility.
At this stage in the process‚ it doesn?t really matter how realistic your ideas are. Remember the brainstorming technique everyone learned in school called webbing? http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/teaching/webbing.html The initial phase is very broad and diverse; it?s all about getting things out of your head and into reality.               
This isn?t a simple process for everyone‚ but for everyone who breezes over this point‚ rest assured‚ further down the job search process they will struggle. Once there is some clarity of direction‚ it?s easier to move on to the next step: Narrowing Your Search