Erika Jarvis, Features Editor Planning for the future by Brian Mitchell staff writer Behrend is holding a Career Fair in the Junker Center Tuesday, from noon to 4 p.m. Freddy Chiu, 06, Computer Engineering, said, "I hope to get an interview or a summer job after attending the Career Fair." There are three characteristics in making the most of a Career Fair: preparation, communication and follow up. One aspect of preparation is research. Identify the company representatives with whom you wish to speak before the fair, and view the companies development Website: www.pserie.psti.edu/ student/cdc/index.htm, provides information on the companies attending the fair. It is good to research different job companies to see which job interests you the most. Also, create an effective resume, and bring several copies to the Career Fair. A decent resume is one page consisting of highlighted skills, experiences, accomplishments and educational background. A separate page of three references is helpful; this gives employers a chance to learn more about you through other people. Make sure each format is easy to read with no spelling or grammar errors. Once your resume is completed, take it to the Career Development Center (CDC) and meet with a counselor to review and fine tune it. Resume workshops are highly recommended for assistance in resume writing. Good communication starts with first impressions. Dress appropriately - men should wear dress pants, button shirts, tie and possibly a jacket, and women should wear a skirt or slacks How to be successful during an interview. • Dress professionally. When shaking the interviewer's hand be firm, not weak. Ask lots of questions and show enthusiasm about the job. Bring multiple copies of your resume and make sure the resume is only one page. Give a 30 second commerical in the interview and sell yourself Ask for a business card as the interview is over. Follow up the interview with a handwritten thank-you note to the interviewers for their time--this is something that they will remember when it comes time to select their employees. Erie's night li by Jessica Allegretto staff writer Once home to booming trade and exhilarating battles, over the past several decades Erie, Pennsylvania has more commonly come to be known affectionately by such aliases as "dreary Erie" and "mistake on the lake." Whatever the reason for its decline, Erie has been trying hard to bring the excitement back to its nightlife. But to what avail? Attractions like the Warner Theatre, Jr.'s Last Laugh Comedy Club and the Erie Playhouse have been added or enhanced, appealing to adult audiences, but what is there for the under 21 and essentially penniless college population? By and large, the initial answer to this ques tion involves blank stares and perpetual paus ing. Psychology major Meghan Marsh even Give us a break: Students want one more day by Heather Peterson staff writer To most college students, a day off of school means time to sleep in, hang out with friends, and get some extra sleep in. Today, this year's study day, that is probably what most Behrend students plan on doing. It is rare to have a class free day, and most students intend to take full advantage of it. For most students, this day is probably a much anticipated break, but to some, it just doesn't cut it. In the past, the new "study day" was actually the school's designated fall break, which used to consist of two days. Many students are unhappy at the loss of this extra day because a shorter break means less time to go home, sleep, and a blouse. Proper etiquette is highly advisable: no gum; avoid smoky environments; minimize make-up, cologne, and jewelry; make eye contact; and be honest. Positive first impressions are critical. There are suggestions on how to walk about the career fair: get an employer location map, prioritize employers of interest, walk around to familiarize yourself with format, locations, etc. When familiarizing yourself with the career fair, note which companies may be interviewing that day. Then start with a second choice company to get comfortable, then go to top choices. When approaching a company, give a "30 Second Commercial". This includes: name, major, graduation year, school name if event is not exclusively for Behrend students, highlight one to two relevant expressions, and finally, offer resume. Finally, there are a few follow-up recommendations: ask for business cards, ask what the next step is in applying, and ask any questions for clarity. These questions will get the business thinking how interested you are in the field. A couple people felt the career fair is a good influence on the students. career "Career Fair is a good thing because students are able to find good jobs that are proportional to their major." said one MIS major. "The three characteristics I think the job looks at are personality, good appearance, and volunteer activity. I hope to find out information about an organization and find out what the best job is suitable for me." On the other hand, Dante Spain, Electrical Engineering Technology, 07, would like to benefit from the program in another way. "I hope to get an internship this summer and hope to get feedback on my resume to improve it in the future. Also, I think the job fair is an excellent opportunity to apply for jobs locally," he said. laughed aloud when asked what she liked to do for fun since moving here. "I really can't think of anything. I don't even think there's anything fun in Erie," she said. Basically, the almost unanimous opinion on campus seems to be that Erie is not in fact an es pecially exciting place, especially for younger gen erations. So what exactly do students do during their free "There's actually a lot of stuff to do in Erie," said a first semester student and Erie native. "Put put, glow bowling, hockey games, shopping at the mall you can almost always find something to do." "You could always go to the dollar movie the atre," said freshman Angela Whalen, "that's not too expensive." When fall break was a day longer in previous years, it was a time for students to go home, relax, and get some work done. Now that it is shorter by a full day, it may be hard for some out of town students to get home and back on time. Brittany Yost, a first semester psychology student said, "It's not fair because other colleges have longer breaks than we do." Many students seem to feel that way. As Laura Martin, a first semester student, said, "Every other college gets at least a four-day weekend," which she learned through talking to friends at other schools. Most other colleges and universities do have at least a four-day weekend, but some schools do not even get a fall break. It is not a requirement that a college give the students this time off, so Behrend is actually lucky to get the time that we do. FIEATIONSS a rummin Friday, October 10, 2003 limmmeni.. I , e... or lack thereo I 1 I : American Womens Services 1 Contact us at 1-814-874-3500 at our convenient Erie location! Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing - Gonorrhea - Chlamydia - Syphillis - HIV 1 I Also Available: Free Hepatitis Vaccinations Free Critical Cancer Screening Risk Reduction Counseling Program Sponsored by the PA Department of Health Testing and Treatments are 100% Call 1-814-874-3500 or Toll Free: 1-877-874-3500 ;For Your Appointment TODAY! ffREM Go,agg = - 0 "Or Tinseltown," suggests her roommate Lisa Wagner. "I've been there and it's a really, really nice place, but its still only $6.50." If you like to dance, Erie's Metropolitan Dance Club, "the metro," hosts college ID night every Wednesday night from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. "Oh yeah everyone's at the Metro on Wednes day nights," said freshman Erika Majewski. Arguably one of the greatest perks of living in Erie is the beach. From spending an afternoon sunbathing with friends to a jog along Presque Isle State Park's scenic pathways, or even just watching the sunset from the dock, Lake Erie is certainly a central attraction. "I haven't been there yet," said first semester Briana Theiss, "but I can't wait." After the temperatures drop and the lake be gins to freeze Erie-dwellers can find an abun- While other colleges may have a longer fall break, there is one major difference this year at Behrend. Our break is not the only thing that has been shortened. The fall semester is now a week shorter than it had previously been, which actually means that we have extended our break, but it's just not at the same time as study day. Instead of having fall semester be 15 weeks long, it is now 14. If you do the math, this is actually four days shorter than it would have been with last year's four-day fall break. Margaret Woolslayer, an eighth semester math major, said, "I'd rather start a week earlier than get a fall break." As some people see it, the sooner we start school, the earlier the semester will be over. While it may be nice to have a four-day weekend, Not Just For Women Free FREE, Confidential Or Anonymous The Behrend Beacon dance of snow inspired activities to pass time, including favorite pastimes like sled riding and ice skating. And of course, Erie is only a short drive from a four-season luxury ski resort. "I used to be a part of my school's ski club, so I really like going to Peek'n Peak," said computer engineering major, Donald Quindardo. And the list goes on and on. Although it's no longer a major bustling metropolis, "dreary Erie" certainly has its good points. Erie offers a vari ety of interesting activities for every season and personality, but without many of the problems prevalent in larger, supposedly more exciting cit ies. No matter who you are and what you like it would be almost impossible not to find some thing alluring, so put down your paper, stop com plaining, and go and do something! getting out of school earlier at Christmas time will be even nicer. Instead of having a fall break, we now will have more time off at the holidays, and students will be able to go home a little bit earlier than in the past. Although many students are disappointed that they only have a three-day weekend coming from study day, when you look at the other changes that Behrend has made in order to shorten our semester, it does not look so bad after all. We will still have Friday off, and before you know it, it will be time to go home for the holiday season. As first semester biology major Andy Collins- Hed put it, "I'm just glad to get a day off." Many students feel this way, and just remember that no one will be complaining when they do not have to attend their 8 a.m. classes on Study Day. Page
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