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.
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"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,
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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.
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