Why and How You Should Consider a Green-Collar Job

If you are looking for a job, why not look for a green-collar job?
For more information about landing a green job no matter what your major is, check out this article found on the American Solar Energy Society website. How to Land a Green-Collar Job, 15 ways to rev up for a job that’s good for the environment, fills your wallet, and makes a difference. http://www.ases.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107&Itemid=16

And be sure to attend the Solar 2009 American Solar Energy Conference in Buffalo, NY May 12-16. This is a fantastic opportunity to network with local and national companies and professionals involved in all types of green jobs, not just solar energy. For info about the conference and how to attend the Public Day Option on May 15th for only $5 pre-registration or on-site for $10, go to http://www.ases.org/ If you are at all interested in a green-collar job and you are in Buffalo, NY this week, please do not miss attending this conference. The best way to explore a possible career field and find out about opportunities for jobs and internships is to network. Attending this conference even for a couple of hours on May 15th will be the best way to network with professionals in green-collar jobs.

Twitter and the Job Search

Here's an interesting article by Sarah Evans: HOW TO: Find a Job on Twitter. Now, more than ever, social networking and micro-blogging sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, can be used to make professional connections and increase your job search network...when used appropriately, of course!

Do You Still Need a Cover Letter?

Check out this article "Do You Still Need a Cover Letter?" from Career Builder.com. The Internet may have changed the job search process, but employers reveal a well-written cover letter is still of top importance.

Get Hired in Higher Ed

Higher education is a unique industry, and obtaining a position in student affairs within higher education is, likewise, a unique process. If you are searching for student affairs positions in higher education, these three strategies will help you achieve your goals.

1. Online Search Engines
We all know how easy it is to access online resources. However, instead of limiting your search to websites which service all industries, such as Monster.com or Careerbuilder.com, visit websites that are focused specifically on job postings in higher education. Many universities and colleges post their job openings on The Chronicle of Higher Education: Chronicle Careers and Higher Ed Jobs. The Chronicle of Higher Education: Chronicle Careers allows you to browse by position type, discipline or field, location, institution name, or employer profile. You can refine your search by job category, position type, or location on Higher Ed Jobs. In addition to job postings, both sites offer useful articles pertaining to the job search process, as well as helpful tools such as salary surveys and cost of living comparisons. These websites will serve as a starting point, but they are only the initial tools to incorporate into your job search process.

2. Networking & Professional Organizations
The next step is networking within your discipline. So, what exactly is networking? Networking involves meeting people in your desired career field, informing them about your goals, accomplishments, and background, and gathering their valuable insight into the field. Within each discipline of student affairs there are associations that assist with the professional development of those entering the field and those seeking to advance in the field. The two biggest professional development organizations for the student affairs field are the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). The best way to network with the professionals in the field is to attend respective association meetings, seminars, and conferences. The annual conferences of professional organizations usually incorporate opportunities for universities to screen and interview candidates (search for Placement Exchange or Job Fairs on the professional organizations’ websites). Consider volunteering at a conference or event to increase your chances of networking with professionals and leaders in the field. Whatever field you are interested in, look for a specific professional organization that focuses on your career interests. Here are some professional organizations within student affairs:

American Association of University Women (AAUW) www.aauw.org
American College Health Association (ACHA) www.acha.org
American Counseling Association (ACA) www.counseling.org
Association of College and University Housing Officers - International (ACUHO-I) www.acuho-i.org
Association of College Unions International (ACUI) www.acui.org
Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) www.ahead.org
Association of Student Judicial Affairs (ASJA) www.asjaonline.org
Council of Higher Education Management Associations (CHEMA) www.chemanet.org
Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) www.ciee.org
National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) www.naca.org
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) www.nacacnet.org
National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) www.nacufs.org
National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) www.nacurh.org
National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) www.nacas.org
National Association of College Stores (NACS) www.nacs.org
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) www.naceweb.org
National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP) www.nasap.net
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) www.nasfaa.org
National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) www.nirsa.org
National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) www.nodaweb.org

For more immediate local exposure to potential employers in student affairs, investigate regional consortium groups. Areas with multiple institutions have established organizations that provide networking opportunities as well as a forum for professionals to share best practice concepts.

3. Targeted School Websites
Make your search as thorough as possible by looking at the Human Resources websites of specific schools. There may be job openings that are not listed on the search engines or within the professional organizations, but are listed on the school’s Human Resources website. Create a “favorites” folder in your internet browser that will serve as a quick reference for your preferred institutions. Being able to quickly access these web pages can assist you in finding new positions on the Human Resources website as soon as they are posted. You will also have easy access to all of the information you need to craft an individualized cover letter and resume for that specific institution.

Application Process
You may notice that many institutions use similar software for the online job application process (usually the application form created by People Admin). Human Resource departments provide job seekers the opportunity to login, create an account, apply for multiple positions, and save application records in the system. The online application form is extensive. Once you have completed an application for one institution, save it and print it out. You can quickly refer to the information from the first application for future applications to other institutions. You can also create an account and application in many institutions’ Human Resources systems without actually applying for a job. So if you have a dream institution that you want to work for, or if you have prior knowledge that a job may be opening up in the future, you can upload your application information even before the job is posted.

Best of luck with your job search and application process! For additional assistance with searching for and applying to positions in student affairs, be sure to contact your school’s career services office. We are here to help you get hired in higher education.

Written by Joe Meyer, UB Career Services. Special thanks to contributors and editors: Bridget Brace-Macdonald, Emily Chabala, and Andrea Costantino.

Employment Related Legal Assistance

Legal Assistance on the UB campus

If you have been offered a job and as a part of your employment you must sign an employment contract, you should have it reviewed by a lawyer. Employment contracts are a legal practice in the U.S. but you need to understand the terms to which you are signing.

UB students have access to free legal advice through:
SBI Legal Assistance
377 Student Union
(716) 645-3056
Walk-in Assistance: Monday-Friday, 12:00pm -5:00pm

SBI Legal Assistance provides a variety of free legal services for UB students, including free consultation and representation for on-campus student conduct code issues and legal advice (but not representation) for off-campus legal issues. They also offer other services such as notarizations and seminars on legal issues as well as print and online resources.

This service is available to UB students only.

Job Searching in a Tough Economy

Job searching often feels like a job in and of itself. In a tough economy, fewer opportunities and more applicants makes the hunt that much more challenging. Whether you’re a college senior, recent grad, or seasoned employee suddenly faced with a lay-off, there are several steps you can take now to launch your job search.

• Develop a job search plan. Setting realistic goals, timeframes, and expectations at the beginning will save you a lot of frustration in the long run. View a Job Search Video Workshop before jumping in headfirst.


• Get your creative juices flowing. Effective job searching requires a multi-faceted approach, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Internet job sites and the local want ads are okay but non-traditional sources of information are often gold mines for job seekers. Check out newsletters, e-listservs, professional associations, social networking sites, blogs and more.


• Go directly to the source. Companies are slashing their recruiting budgets left and right, so they may not have the funding to post opportunities on public job boards. Instead, visit their web pages or speak to an HR professional about open positions. Don’t know where to start? Utilize employer directories such as Career Search and develop a company list to target your research.


• Know what employers want. Check out Career Services’ Employer Tips video series and get the inside scoop from a handful of recruiters on topics such as resume writing, cover letters, job searching, interviewing, and more.


• Network! Nearly 65% of new hires report learning about open positions through other people. Attend structured networking events, such as Career Conversations, that foster connections between emerging professionals and industry veterans.


• Widen your scope. If hiring is down in your field, consider how your transferrable skills, previous experience, and qualifications could be applied to other industries. Hiring freezes and cutbacks may mean fewer full-time positions, so don’t rule out part-time jobs, internships and volunteer experience. Getting your foot in the door will help to set you apart from other candidates when new opportunities arise.


• Be proactive, be patient, and be flexible. Your job search may take longer than the average six months. Now, more than ever, it is necessary to take advantage of any potential job leads that come your way: career workshops, job fairs, professional mix-‘n-mingles, or leadership programs, among others.


• Remain positive. Recession-talk is enough to make anyone nervous, but if you’re in the throws of a job search, a hopeful outlook is a must. Make an appointment with a career counselor to discuss your job search plan or join an online job seekers’ support group. Help Wanted: A Blog for Job Seekers is a new resource devoted to helping full and part-time job seekers.

by Emily Chabala, UB Career Services

Good Reads

From CollegeGrad.com: "Prepare Now, Get Paid Later: Getting Ready for the Job Market"

From Quintessential Careers: "Networking Your Way to a New Job"

From The Buffalo News: "Tips for Job Hunting in a Recession"

Create a Job Search Plan

Start your job search off on the right foot by creating a SMART Job Search Plan.

From ReadySetHired.com