In case you missed the September 13 Alumni Career Chat in the Learning Commons, we put together a quick point-by-point of some of the great career advice our alumni presented.
First, a review of the four SUNY Canton alumni who spoke at the event:
Retired Major General Fergal Foley ’80 – member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors
Corey Boire ’03 – Electrical Engineering Technology, owner of The Tick Tock Group
Jason LaShomb ’96 – Civil Engineering, VP / owner of Hertel Steel, Inc.
Rick Rinaldo ’03 – Civil Engineering Technology, District Engineer at Indian Health Service
David Snyder ’87 – Business Management, Director of Global Document Control at Olympus Corporation
Key points to glean from the presentation:
A company likely has openings in a wide variety of roles – office, research, or field settings – so don’t limit your job search to only companies based on their primary product or service.
One of the biggest skills employers want is someone open and willing to learn. Other transferable skills you can market:
- Communication
- Time management
- Positive attitude even with tedious tasks
Hard work and a positive attitude get noticed and can open doors to other opportunities.
Look for every opportunity to get to know people and businesses in your field:
- Facility tours
- Internships
- Part-time jobs
- Connections lead to referrals, so introduce yourself to people and businesses at every opportunity and develop friendships wherever possible
Be willing to start at the bottom. You will gain skills necessary for doing the bigger jobs. Nobody starts out as a supervisor.
Research the company before you interview and be ready to explain what attracts you to them.
If you cannot find work, then volunteer for something – it presents opportunities to develop good skills and network contacts.
Always be truthful in your job applications but look for ways to incorporate your roles in past projects in an interview.
Remember to build relationships with your peers, advisor, instructors, and supervisors. Each one can lead to opportunities to grow in your field.