Leslie Fox

Career Services Consultant

College of Engineering

The American Marketing Association (AMA) defines a brand as a "name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them” intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers.

Branding is not about getting your target market to choose you over the competition, but it is about getting your prospects to see you as the only one that provides a solution to their problem.

Employers choose “you” based on:Appearance/Body Language Introduction – Your “Commercial”Resume/Cover Letter InterviewsReferences/RecommendationsAnd ultimately… - Your “unique” selling points and how you and your skills match the needs of the company – Why you are the best and only “fit” for them

Take a moment and write down your top 3 selling points (unique/strong skills)

Examples? How about these?

Co-Op/InternshipHigh GPA – 3.25 or higherCampus/Community Organization LeaderAthleteFluency in 2nd LanguageSpecialization/Concentration AreaHonors/AwardsGraduate Degree

Start Early

Make yourself known to faculty In class In student groups

Network Informational InterviewsMentorsProfessional/Student Associations

Work with Career Services and the Office of Professional Practice HIRE-A-VOL E-mails Make appointments

Attend events and network – ask questions Job Fairs Workshops/Presentations Information Sessions Student Group Presentations EF 301

Get ExperienceCo-Op/InternSummer JobStudent ProjectsStudent Group Opportunities

Engineering related Leadership Community involvement

Learn what the company wants (research, job descriptions, websites, employees) and tell them why you’ve got it! Key Skills – Technical or Soft Skills

GPA – Honors Leadership Teamwork Communication Looking for challenges Problem solver Team player

THEN SHOW THEM WITH EXAMPLES FROM YOUR “BRAND”!

Research Careers and Majors

“What Can I Do With This Major?”

Career Assessments

Exploring Majors and Careers

First Year Studies

Career Counselor Appointments

Career Resource Center

Website – http://career.utk.edu

Workshops/Events Part-Time

employment listings

Disability Careers Office

Mock/Perfect Interviews

Peer Mentors Resume Critiques

Walk In Hours (Mon-Thurs, 3 – 5 pm)

Overnight - Mailbox HIRE-A-VOL EF 301 Personalized

Appointments Resume/Cover Letter Interviews Salaries And more

Average Starting Salary – BSCE - $59,576CS - $60,416EE - $56,910 - National

Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Summer 2008 Salary Survey

According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual earnings of computer and information scientists were $93,950 in the most recent data.

According the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for computer engineers is $88,470.

According the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for electrical engineers is $75,930.

- The Sloan Career

Cornerstone Center http://www.careercornerstone.org/

Fall & Spring Job Fairs Fall Job Fair – Sept

16th, Thompson-Boling, 10 am – 3 pm

On-Campus Recruiting Information Sessions Summer Job & Intern

Fair Career Workshops Career Cookout – Sept

3rd, Dunford Hall,11 am-2 pm

Kick Off To Career Success for Engineers – Sept 4th – all day events

Graduate School for Engineers – Sept 30th, UC Auditorium, 6 – 7:30 pm

Engineering Major and Student Information Fair – Oct 7th, Estabrook, 8 am – 5 pm

Dining Etiquette Event for Engineers – Jan 2009

Start Early Freshman/Sophomore Resume ready by Sept 1st of Senior year

Use Resources Faculty Career Services Mentors/Network

Know Yourself – Unique Skills Flaunt it if you’ve got it!

Know the company/job You are their “shining star!”

Practice Success stories Use resources

It’s all about YOU!

Leslie FoxCareer Services Consultant – Engineering100 Dunford Hall865-974-5435lfox6@utk.edu

http://career.utk.edu