Career Advising

We believe that starting with an analysis of your unique passions, talents, values and experiences, is the best way to begin the process of self assessment.

Ask yourself:

• What am I passionate about?
• What do I do best?
• What’s important to me?
• What kinds of experiences have I had that have helped me develop my professional skills?

Focus 2

Use Focus 2, an online, self-paced career and education planning tool, to assess your values, skills and interests and explore career fields and major areas of study that are compatible with your assessment results. Focus 2 also lets you compare occupations you may be considering so that you can make a more informed occupational choice.

Use the following steps to register for Focus 2:

• Click here to go to Focus 2
• Click the link to create a new account
• Our access code is ‘otter’
• Create a username and password of your choosing
• We encourage you to meet with one of our staff members to discuss your Focus 2 results and to develop an individualized action plan to move forward.

Many students come to college with questions about which major to choose or which career path to take. If you are one of those students, you’re not alone. We can answer your questions and help you explore your options.

Exploring Your Options

• Study the academic catalog to learn about the courses and requirements of different majors.
• Choose courses that will allow you to explore fields of interest.
• Make an appointment with us and we can help you assess your natural abilities, interests, and work values in order to discover compatible majors and careers.
• Discuss your interests with your advisor and contact faculty in the departments you are considering for more information.
• Talk to upper class students about their majors.
• Talk to people in career fields you are considering; ask us for contacts.
• Gain practical experience by interning, shadowing, and volunteering.
• Explore sites such as The Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*Net Online, and Explore Health Careers for specific occupational information.
• Find your path with this “What Can I do with a Major In…” guide, courtesy of UNC-Wilmington

Career networking involves developing mutually beneficial relationships with people who can assist you as you research your career, make decisions about various career options, and search for a job. Developing networking skills is extremely important, not only for the short-term, but because networking will be a life-long pursuit. Networking in the work place will always be an essential part of every professional life because cultivating contacts and building relationships are the keys to success in almost every job.

What you get from career networking:
People in your network can offer you valuable insider advice and information about a particular career, company or industry, give you job leads or introduce you to others so that you can expand your network, gaining even more information. Studies show that 70% of all jobs are found through some type of networking.

What you give when you are networking:
In general, people are flattered to be asked for assistance and advice. It makes them feel important and people enjoy talking about their work. Almost everyone welcomes the chance to help a young professional get started or assist someone who is making a career change. You may also be able to share current information obtained from your career research and academic work as well as pertinent contact names.

Some networking is spontaneous and unplanned. You simply need to adopt the mind set to take advantage of any serendipitous opportunities you encounter when you are in job search/research mode. Ask questions, tell people what you are interested in, collect contact information, and schedule future meeting times if appropriate.

Other networking is much more strategic. You can start by making lists of people you know. Most people can create an initial list of at least 25 to 100 people. Don’t forget that Otterbein alumni can be great resources as well; contact SSCD for names in your field of interest.

Before you begin contacting people, be sure of your goal. Your goal may be to solicit information about a career field or a specialization within that field, or to learn about a particular organization. This type of information gathering is usually called an “information interview.” Decide who might be able to help you meet your goals best and contact them in a systematic way. You can phone or e-mail them, or you may seek them out in person. Develop a short “script” to introduce yourself and become familiar with this script so you can communicate it easily and concisely whenever needed. Also develop lists of questions you want to ask. Sample introductory scripts and information interview questions can be found in SSCD.

Sample introduction

For students:

“Hi, Mr. Jones. My name is Jane Smith and I am a classmate of your son. He suggested that I give you a call.”

“I am considering health administration as a career and I’m trying to learn more about the field and the type of opportunities that are available. Doug told me you work for Ohio Health and have a lot of experience in the area of hospital marketing.”

“I’d like to sit down with you and talk at your convenience to get your advice. Would you be willing to talk with me?”

For alumni:

“Hi, Mr. Jones. My name is Jane Smith and I am a friend of Frank Baker. He suggested that I give you a call.”

“I am thinking about a career change to health administration and am researching the field to learn about the type of opportunities that are available. Frank told me you work for Ohio Health and have a lot of experience in the area of hospital marketing.”

Caution: Be prepared to ask your questions when you call; they may want to talk to you immediately on the phone. More detailed information about information interviewing is available on the Interviewing section of this site.

Another goal may be to solicit help in finding a job. If this is your goal, make sure to present yourself well from the start. Begin by talking to friends, acquaintances, relatives and former colleagues. Tell them you are looking for a job and need their help. Be as clear as possible about what you are looking for and what skills and qualifications you have. Ask them for job leads, for someone else who might have job leads, or someone who knows someone who might have job leads. Sometimes you can simply ask if they know someone who knows a lot of people. Contact these referrals and ask the same questions.

For each original contact, you can potentially extend your network of acquaintances by dozens of people. Eventually, one of these people will hire you or refer you to someone who will. If used thoroughly, networking may be the only job search technique you’ll ever need.

Writing an effective resume and cover letter can open the door to an interview, but strong interviewing skills will get you the job. The ability to articulate your skills and experiences and match them to the internship or job in question are crucial to being hired. Like any learned skill, interviewing improves with practice.

Preparation involves:

• Thoroughly researching the company and learning as much as you can about the opportunity.
• Reflection. Determine how your skills and experiences align with the needs of your audience.
• Reviewing typical questions and preparing strategies for answering them.
• Selecting specific examples or “stories” that best illustrate your strengths, background and values.
• Developing questions to ask of your interviewer(s).
• Practicing your interviewing skills.

Practice Interviews
A practice interview with a Career Center staff member is a non-stressful experience with instant feedback about your performance. This will enable you to see firsthand what improvements are needed both in your ability to describe your experiences and strengths in a concise yet complete manner, as well as in the area of nonverbal communication. This is the time to ask all those questions you have about interview etiquette and answering difficult questions. To schedule a practice interview call 614-823-1456 or complete our appointment request form.

Informational Interviews
An informational interview is a focused meeting/conversation with a networking contact designed to help you choose or refine your career path by giving you the ‘insider’ point of view. To learn more, click here.

Resources

• Common Interview Questions (PDF)
• Professional Attire (PDF)
• Interview Preparation Handout (PDF)

After logging in and completing your profile, you can:

• Search for internships and jobs with employers who are seeking Otterbein talent.
• Receive e-mails about internships and jobs that match your interests.
• Explore opportunities to work on-campus.
• Search national internship and job listings.

General Job Search Sites

• Indeed
• Simply Hired
• LinkedIn Jobs
• College Recruiter
• Ohio Means Jobs
• Glassdoor
• Idealist

Most graduate programs require Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores as part of the application for admission. Other tests required for specialized fields are the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT), Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), Medical University Admission Test (MCAT) or the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT).

Most programs also require three or more letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a resume, and an application essay. The essay typically involves writing a personal statement of purpose. You must be very clear about why you wish to pursue graduate school. Many graduate programs provide a very specific prompt that helps applicants address the important issues the graduate committee is interested in. The Career Center staff has a lot of experience with critiquing graduate school essays, so make sure you ask them or a faculty member to read your essay before you send it.

The personal statement, your opportunity to sell yourself and tell a compelling and unique story in the application process, generally falls into one of two categories:

• The general, comprehensive personal statement that allows you maximum freedom in terms of what you write.
• The response to two or three specific questions; your statement should respond directly to the questions being asked.
• If you are applying to several schools, you may find questions in each application that are somewhat similar.
• Do not use the same statement for all applications. It is important to answer each question being asked, and if slightly different answers are needed, you should write separate statements. In every case, be sure your answer fits the question being asked.
• Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through concrete experience. If your statement is fresh, lively, and different, you’ll be putting yourself ahead of the pack. Find an angle and distinguish yourself through your story, you will make yourself memorable.
• Do not, for example, state that you would make an excellent doctor unless you can back it up with specific reasons. Your desire to become a lawyer, engineer, teacher, etc. should be logical, the result of specific experience that is described in your statement. Your application should emerge as the logical conclusion to your story.
• The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the reader’s attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.

Questions to ask yourself before you write:

• What’s special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story?
• What details of your life (personal or family challenges, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants?
• When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained?
• How have you learned about this field–through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field?
• If you have worked a lot during your college years, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that contributed to your growth?
• What are your career goals?
• Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but mediocre LSAT or GRE scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was only average in the beginning)?
• Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life?
• What personal characteristics (integrity, compassion, persistence, etc.) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?
• What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?
• Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school–and more successful and effective in the profession or field than other applicants?
• What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you?

Tell a story

• Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through concrete experience. If your statement is fresh, lively, and different, you’ll be putting yourself ahead of the pack. Find an angle and distinguish yourself through your story, you will make yourself memorable.

Seek Feedback

• Have several individuals read your statement and provide feedback. Faculty, friends, relatives, Student Success & Career Development, and The Writing Center can provide you with varying perspectives.

• www.fastweb.com
• www.scholarships.com
• www.scholarshipexperts.com

Is it OK to take some time off before going to graduate school?
Yes, this is very common, and is a good idea for many people. Taking a year or more off may allow you to gain life and work experience, give you more time to prepare your application and, if relevant, work to enhance your credentials (such as GRE scores or foreign language skills), and give you a chance to reflect on what you want to do. You should not worry that you will lose your “study momentum,” or lose interest in further study. This rarely happens unless your motives for going to graduate school are not very strong to begin with. Graduate schools do not “look down on” applicants who have taken time off, and may even consider them better candidates at times.

I’ve been admitted to a good program. Can I defer for a year?
That depends on the program. Policies on deferment differ. Some school will honor every request to defer, others may ask for your reasons to do so. Some may let you keep your financial aid offer, others will defer your admission and ask that you reapply for funding in the following year. If, in your senior year, you are certain that you want to take a year off after graduation, consider deferring your application by a year instead.

I’m not sure what I want to do, so I’m going to apply to graduate school. Is that a good idea?
Not really. Graduate school should not be a default solution for you, but a carefully considered choice. Graduate school is not a destination, but a journey toward a goal. If you cannot identify your specific goal, you need to do some more thinking.

Will I make more money with a master’s degree than with a Ph.D.?
Not necessarily. Depending on your career choice you could earn less. You should investigate the career paths you have been thinking about and compare earning potential and life style issues.

• www.gradschools.com/
• www.graduateguide.com/
• www.petersons.com/

Our internship manual has been written for students, faculty and employers who wish to participate in Otterbein’s internship program. This manual serves as a guide to policies, expectations and responsibilities for those participating in the internship program.

Helpful resources:

• Internship Manual (PDF)
• Injury Report Form (PDF)

Forms to be completed:

• Internship Learning Contract (PDF)
• Undergraduate Permission Form for Internship 4900 (PDF)
• Release, Assumption of Risk and Indemnification Agreement (2024) (PDF)
• Evaluations:
  • Student Evaluation of the Internship
    • Online form
    • MS Word printable form
  • Student Evaluation of the Supervisor
    • Online form
    • MS Word printable form
  • Supervisor Evaluation of the Intern
    • Online form
    • MS Word printable form

Otterbein is part of the Handshake network. Please visit Handshake to create an account and post your opportunities.

If you need assistance, please email career@otterbein.edu or call 614-823-1624.

Interviewing

Student Success & Career Development looks forward to hosting you as you connect with Otterbein talent!

Due to upcoming Campus Center renovations, we are unable to provide information tables. We apologize for any inconvenience and do encourage you to post your part-time jobs to Handshake.

Through its liberal arts core, Otterbein is committed to educating the whole student and preparing students for successful careers upon graduation. Otterbein offers nearly 70 majors, 50 minors and seven graduate degrees. At the core of Otterbein’s curriculum is the Integrative Studies program. Through this unique and creative program students take a variety of courses that broaden their view of the world and prepare them for the future. The program has been honored by the Ohio Board of Regents and by the Association of American Colleges & Universities for its quality and innovation.

As employees, Otterbein students will contribute:

• Communication skills. Our core curriculum stresses writing and presentation skills for all students.
• Analytical and problem solving abilities. Our liberal arts focus emphasizes reading, research, evaluation and reasoning.
• Leadership skills. Our students have developed leadership skills while serving as officers in student-run organizations, participating in the governance system or in peer advisor roles.
• Commitment to community. The majority of Otterbein students have participated in some form of community service.