Local Internship Opportunities for the Fall

Texas State University-San Marcos Career Services is excited to announce the next InternInAustin Fair, where students like you can connect with employers from across Central TX for fall internships.  The fair will take place on Sunday Sept 9^th from 2:00PM - 5:00PM at the AT&T Conference Center in downtown Austin.  We expect over 125 local startups, small businesses and nonprofits to attend offering up to 300 internships for the fall semester (and beyond).  Only the first 800 students are eligible to attend, so make sure you sign-up now.  Click HERE to register for free or learn more at www.InternInAustin.org.

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InternInAustin is supported by the City and Mayor of Austin, the Governor’s office, and over 30 area Chambers, Associations and Organizations and hosted by campus2careers, the largest entry-level job board in Texas and the first site to “match” students with the best internships and jobs based on their skills and interests.  Email questions to campus2careers at info@campus2careers.com.

Just in Time - Late Registration Starts Tomorrow!

Even though fall semester is still a little over 2 weeks away, late registration starts TOMORROW - August 10th through August 23rd.  If you still need to register for fall courses or make schedule changes, make sure to check your registration eligibility on CatsWeb --> Students --> Check Holds and Registration Eligibility for your specific access times and holds.

If your not sure what courses to take in the fall and need help choosing them, you can schedule an advising appointment with your academic advisor.  Please contact the advising center at 512.245.1993 or stop by 115 McCoy Hall to schedule your appointment. 

We hope everyone is enjoying their summer and we look forward to seeing all of you in the fall - just remember the first day of class is August 27th! :)

Graduation Cords for Veterans!

For all veterans who are graduating this August, you can pick up your red, white & blue graduation cords at the Multicultural Student Affairs Office in the LBJ Student Center 5-2.1 or at the Office of Veterans Affairs located in JCK, Room 111. 

 

Interview Tips for Graduates

Here are some tips from the etiquette expert, Ms. Diane Gottsman, as you prepare for your interviews:

1. Be respectful of the interviewer's time.
• Don't send your resume if your skills aren't compatible for the job.
2. Arrive prepared to answer three standard questions:
• "Why did you leave your last job?"
• Avoid saying negative things about your last employer. Explain that this is an opportunity to advance and grow.
• "What is your greatest strength?"
• Prepare for this question by carefully reading and understanding the job post and focusing on skills and traits that will benefit the position.
• "What is your greatest weakness?" 
• Explain how you strive for improvement.
3.  Know the interview basics:
• Bring your resume, a notepad, and pen.
• Your resume needs to be specifically tailored to the position and your cover letter should address someone specific (i.e. Dear Dr. Smith).
• Ask appropriate questions.
• Ex: "How does this position tie into the growth of the company?"
4. Confidently address any gaps in your resume.
•  Explain what you did during this time period to enhance your job skills.
5.  Be prepared to answer the question "Why were you fired". 
• Do not make excuses or blame your previous boss. Be honest and confidently state what you learned from the experience. 
6. Be creative in your job search.
•  Don't put your entire effort in Internet searches
• Volunteer or job shadow to gain experience, not $$$
• Join a networking group (student organization, professional associations, etc.) in the field you are interested in pursuing
• Visit job fairs and communicate with your Career Service's office
• Find a professional mentor
• Use your current network including family, friends, and professional associates in your job search
7. Make up and good grooming is a "must". 
• No facial hair, visible tattoos, multiple earrings, or loud jewelry
8. Send a thank you note.
• Send a thank you note the same day, reiterating your enthusiam and interest. Recheck your spelling and grammar before mailing out the note.
9. Your job may only be a telephone call away.
• If you have not heard back from the interviewer after a few days, don't hesitate to call.

Information Provided by:  The Protocol School of Texas

Effective Writing Tips

Whether you are writing a paper, emailing your professor, applying for a job or currently working, here are some helpful hints to keep in mind when communicating with others.

Communicate Concisely - use as few words as possible.  For example, instead of saying "in the near future", say "soon". 

Avoid There Is, There Are, and It Is - For example, instead of saying "There is a book called Twilight and it is about vampires", you should say "The book twilight is about vampires".

Avoid Passive Voice - the subject should come first.  For example, instead of saying "The ball was hit by the boy", you should say "The boy hit the ball".

Email - the most common channel of business communication.

• When determining whether or not to send an email always remember S-E-N-D
• Simple and Concise?
• No more than 12-14 lines
• Answer at the top, not at the bottom
• Effective?
• Have a clear, specific subject line
• Use a professional writing style
• Sign your email and include a signature block
• Necessary?
• Do you really need to know?
• Does the recipient really need to know?
• Does this strengthen/reinforce your connection?
• Done?
• Does it complete a task, answer a question, or move things forward?
• Proofread carefully - wait as long as possible to proofread your work after you have written it.
• Don't email anything you wouldn't want published on the front page of a newspaper.

All materials came from Nancy Wilson, Ph. D. in the Department of English.

Interested in walking the stage before you officially graduate? Read the Updated Graduation "Participant" Policy.

ATTENTION SOON-TO-BE GRADUATES... DID YOU KNOW?!?    “Graduating [receiving a diploma]” and “participating [walking across the stage]” in the commencement ceremony are two distinctly different things...

Students who are not officially graduating but would like to participate in the graduation ceremony must abide by the updated Graduation Participant Policy. Undergraduate students are allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony if they will complete their degree requirements within the next semester with no more than three courses or nine hours. 

The policy is effective for Fall 2012 graduation.

Visit the commencement website for more information.

Philosophy Dialogue Series

Philosophy Dialogue Series – Summer 2012

Dialogue Room Psy 132

“…our material progress is only the foundation on which we will build a richer life of mind and spirit.” –LBJ (Texas State Alumnus, ’30)

All dialogues are free and open to the public.

What is the Optimal Society?

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

12:00 noon                 

On Human Nature in Political Philosophy

Vincent Luizzi & Rebecca Raphael, Philosophy

Thursday, June 14, 2012

12:00 noon                 

Foundations of Social Purpose

Monica Cosgrove & Daniel Wilson (Dialogue Students)

                       

Friday, June 15, 2012

12:00 noon

Why Have Government?

Hunter Chambers & Riley Inks (Dialogue Students)

Monday, June 18, 2012                     

12:00 noon

Who is a Citizen?

Taylor Jones & Casey Lee (Dialogue Students)

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

12:00 noon

What is Property?

Dennis Belline & Art Montelongo (Dialogue Students)

Friday, June 22, 2012

12:00 noon                 

What Role Should Government Take in the Economy?

Ian Eskander & Brandon Hobbs (Dialogue Students)

           

Monday, June 25, 2012

12:00 noon                 

Who Should Be Educated?

Quinton Crabb& Netera Pratt (Dialogue Students)

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

12:00 noon                 

What is the Role of the Military?

Casey Cowan & Matt Mancuso (Dialogue Students)

           

Friday, June 29, 2012            

12:00 noon

How Shall Religions and Society Interact?

Tim Brown & Ian Reed (Dialogue Students)