AVERAGE STARTING
SALARIES FOR THE
CLASS OF 2005*
Chemical Engineering
$54, 256
Electrical
Computer
industrial
$49,
Aci
$
Economic
$42,
/mance
02
Business Administration
$39,448
Marketing
$37,832
Liberal Arts
$30,337
* These a proximate figures are
ao;ortfi National Associo•
on of Awl Employers
Ideas turn to cash for local students
From Career Services
The Capital Region Economic
Development Corporation
(CREDC) held the final
presentations Wednesday and
announced the winners of the
Central PA College Venture
Challenge, a business plan
competition for regional college
students.
"This is the third year for the
College Venture Challenge.
Each year we continue to be
amazed at the quality of the
business plans developed by the
students," said Linda Goldstein,
COO and VP of CREDC. "It is
our belief that any of the teams
involved in this competition could
develop viable businesses in the
region sometime in the future.
The competition helps them to
understand what it takes to start
a business and learn more about
the resources the region has to
offer them."
Undergraduate division
winners
First Prize: The Dirty Dogz,
a pick-up/delivery laundry
business at the University of
Florida in Gainesville that caters
to students and the surrounding
community. The team included
Dustin Clodgo, Kurt Startoni,
Preston Burgett and Ryan Indar,
who are all students at Penn State
Harrisburg. The team received
$1,500 and $1,500 was awarded
to Penn State Harrisburg for use
in its entrepreneurial studies
program.
Second Prize: Wolf Hill
Farm, an equestrian facility
that specializes in horse back
riding lessons. summer camps,
boarding and training. The team
included Krista Lynn lnnerst,
Michael Jae Parsons, Ashley
Smyk and Theresa Kusen, who
are students at Penn State
Harrisburg. The team received
$750 and $750 was awarded to
Penn State Harrisburg.
Graduating? Prepare for the hunt
By Kelly Nagurny
Assistant Editor
kxnl63@psu.edu
;neering
You've finished the last four
years (or maybe five) of grueling
work (or maybe just getting
by) and graduation has finally
arrived. You can kick back and
enjoy the fact that you don't
have a big midterm next week
or a paper due soon that's work
twenty percent of your grade. But
wait...what's that nagging feeling
in the back of your mind. It just
seems like there's something
you're forgetting. Ah yes, that's
it...A JOB!
For most graduating college
students, a job is the next logical
step after college. However, it is
not usually merely as simple as
sending out a few resumes and
choosing from a barrage of job
offers from various employers.
Just the opposite, finding a job is
a delicate mix of effort, talent and
luck.
As a person who has just
stepped out of the sometimes
overwhelming process of
searching for a post-graduate
job, I've definitely learned a few
tips. Though I am by no means
a career expert, I have certainly
picked up on things that employers
seem to notice. Prepare for a
crash course in college graduate
job hunting. Here are some tips
to keep in mind (in no particular
order):
1. Do an internship: By doing an
internship in your field, you gain
real-'rorld, hands-on experience.
Plus, an internship can help you
determine if you've chosen a
profession that's right for you. In
addition, an internship gets you
lots of business contacts for the
future. Be sure to meet as many
people as possible and get their
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The winners of this year's College Venture Challenge stand with their
awards. Many of the winners were PSH students.
Third Prize: Romp Around, a
program that will aid inactive and
overweight children in achieving
a healthier lifestyle. Team
members included Shippensburg
students Amy Polmounter,
Jennifer Grimes and Lisa Watson.
The team and the university each
received $250.
Graduate division winners:
First Prize: Zinnanti Surgical
Design, Inc., which introduced
a plan for the development,
manufacturing and marketing of
the "Hot Switch", a disposable
switch that places control over
electrosurgery back in the
surgeon's hand. The team
includes William J. Zinnanti
and Jelana Lazovic, students at
Penn State College of Medicine.
The team and the College of
Medicine each received $3,750.
Additionally the team will have
the opportunity to receive a board
of advisors for one year if they
decide to start their business.
Second Prize: Preventa, a
proactive solution to home
maintenance and an alternative
to home repair. The team
included Mike Williams, Adam
Malinowski, Nate Poff and Cory
Hockensmith from York College
of Pennsylvania. The team and
contact information. A little trick
I like to do is to write a little note
about people on the back of their
business card. For example,
"met at charity dinner." This way,
if you realize they'd be a useful
contact in the future, you have
a way to jog your memory and
their's as well. Internships are
invaluable and seem to impress
employers. In addition, they can
help you in the future. In fact,
my internship boss gave me the
lead for my post-grad job. After
your internship, be sure to keep
in touch.
2. Network. Network. Network
some more: You've probably
heard this. I used to think
networking was annoying small
talk. I actually still think this, but it's
absolutely worth the annoyance.
Networking gets your foot in the
door and can get you interviews
when you otherwise would likely
be overlooked. As I mentioned
before, an internship is a great
place to network. As you meet
new people and make new
contacts, new job opportunities
tend to appear. Don't be afraid
to call up your contacts and ask
them to keep their eyes peeled
for any job opportunities that
might be appropriate for you.
3. Invest in a good suit: This
goes for both the guys and ladies
out there. A tailored, crisp, clean
suit makes you look professional
and polished for interviews. Your
shoes should be decent too. For
you girls out there who are fans
of the mile-hile shoes, put them
away for a day. Your platforms
might be cute, but you don't want
to fall and look like an'idiot in front
of the potential new boss. Try to
avoid too much makeup, jewelry,
cologne and "major" hair. Keep it
simple and professional. You're
a grown-up now.
4. Prepare a portfolio: A
Photo courtesy of Beth Feltenberger/Journal Publications
York College each received
$1,500.
The College Venture Challenge
is presented by CREDC and the
Central Penn Business Journal
and supported by the Ben Franklin
Technology Partners of Central
and Northern PA and the Life
Sciences Greenhouse of Central
PA. It is open to undergraduate
and graduate students from
Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin,
Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon,
and York counties. Students
submitted concept papers
from which semi-finalists were
selected. The semi-finalists
prepared full business plans from
which the finalists were chosen.
The finalists were asked to make
presentations to a panel of judges
at an event on April 27, 2005
held at the Wyndham Harrisburg-
Hershey.
The Harrisburg Regional
Chamber & CREDC serves as
a catalyst for promoting growth
and quality of life in Cumberland,
Dauphin and Perry Counties
by providing a unique blend
of business, community and
economic development and
advocacy services under one roof
to boost our economic vitality and
livability as a region.
News
portfolio is a great way to show
employers what you've done.
Include a variety of work to show
off your skills and organize it in
a logical way. For example, a
communications major might
include a piece of graphic design
and an article, while a business
major might include a budget or
business plan. At interviews,
offer to leave your portfolio and
pick it up later so employers have
time to really look it over.
5. Create a resume: Start early
on your resume so you have time
to think about what you want
to include. Don't just include
jobs you've had but also what
you've accomplished there. For
instance, "achieved the highest
regional sales in 2005." Visit
Career Services for guidance
and advice on your resume and
other parts of the job hunt.
6. Participate in a club: Yes, it
takes time. Yes, it is some work.
But it certainly pays off. For me,
the skills I learned at The Capital
times were a big plus in the eyes
of employers. Join a club to learn
leadership, business tactics, etc.
7. Start early: Do not wait until
the last minute. It doesn't hurt to
start checking the classifieds a
semester before you graduate.
See what's out there and apply.
It really can't hurt. Many places
have opportunities to start part
time while you finish school.
8. Don't get discouraged: Have
you sent out 20 resumes? Go
send out 10 more. You will most
likely have to wade through a sea
of rejections before you get an
offer. Don't take it personally.
These tips really helped me
find and get the job that I really
wanted. Be eager, diligent and
excited about your job search,
and you're sure to come out on
top.
ilitm State Harrkiikig Laiviciffy CeMir
PSH fast facts
Penn State Harrisburg is
an undergraduate college
and graduate school of The
Pennsylvania State University,
one of the largest and most
widely recognized academic
institutions in the nation. The
Harrisburg campus enrolls more
than 3,700 students and offers
two associate, 27 baccalaureate,
20 master's, and two doctoral
degrees as well as certificate
and certification programs. At the
undergraduate level, Penn State
Harrisburg offers the first two
years of study leading to more
than 160 baccalaureate majors
available throughout the Penn
State system, including 26 of its
own programs.
Founded:l966
Campus size: 218 acres, located
eight miles east of the capital city
of Harrisburg
Academic year: two semesters,
early September to mid-
December; mid-January to mid-
May
Off-campus • opportunities:
internships, fellowships, study
abroad, international study
programs and exchanges, two
centers in downtown Harrisburg
E-mail address: hbgadmit@psu
edu
Home page: www.hbg.psu.edu
Student housing: New
apartment-style housing for
300 students opened on the
Harrisburg campus in August
2002. The 72 units each contain
four single bedrooms, two full
bathrooms, a full kitchen, living
area, and washers and dryers.
If he had to practice and revise,
perhaps you...
I've failed over
and over and
over again in
my life and that
is why I succeed
-- Michael Jordi
www.hbg.
The Capital Times, May 16, 2005
Library: The Penn State
Harrisburg library is the most
technologically advanced facility
of its kind in Central Pennsylvania.
The three-story, 115,000-square
foot academic research library
includes 290,000 volumes, more
than 1,250 journals, and 1.3
million microforms. With access
to nearly 350 databases and
approximately 10,000 electronic
publications through the
University Libraries, the facility
provides extensive support to
online and remote users.
UNDERGRADUATE
ENROLLMENT: 2,047
Full-time: 72.1%
Part-time: 27.9%
Male: 51.6%
Female: 48.4%
Average Age: 25.7
GRADUATE ENROLLMENT:
1,682
Full-time: 12.5%
Part-time: 87.5%
Male: 61.7%
Female: 38.3%
Average Age: 32.9
FACULTY:
Full-time: 150
Adjunct: 90
STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO:
Undergraduate: 17/1
Graduate: 10/1
FINANCIAL AID PROFILE:
Students receiving financial
aid/scholarships: 2,974
Total of All Aid: $16,970,000
*PSH Fast Facts is adapted
from the "Penn State Harrisburg
General Information" sheet
available from the Marketing
Office