Alumni Stories: Noel Danforth '85 on Working as an Independent Graphic Designer

Position: Principal, Gold Star Studios/Independent Graphic Design Professional 

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Description of what you do: I am a graphic designer. I use visual communication (design) skills to design and develop a broad range of materials for my clients. You can see some of my work on my website: www.goldstarstudios.com

Major at Dartmouth: French

What is most satisfying about your current work? 

Being fulfilled by what I do each day. Design exposes you to so many of life's currents and allows you to use your intuition to explore.  I have variously fallen in love with different aspects of my design practice: form, color, typography, layout, my tools and my current obsession—my camera. I've been exploring the idea of seeing and perspective through the camera lens.  

The beauty of a career in design is that there are so many possibilities and if you like learning (most liberal arts students do) it's a great field as it is continues to evolve and there are always new things to learn. When I started my career in graphic design the computer was a relatively new tool for designers; with the computer and of course the web, many new areas of design practice have been born. 

What’s the best way to enter your field? Any essential elements of preparation? 

There are various ways to obtain the background you need to be a designer and it's a multifaceted field with many specializations. My advice is to research what type of design you'd ultimately like to practice and to have that information direct your educational path. Pick a school and culture that aligns with your goals. The traditional path is to attend a BFA or MFA program. Ultimately an MFA is the best route if you'd like to teach design. 

When I started looking into a career in design, I was initially disheartened as it seemed the best approach was a BFA and that I had, in a sense, "missed the boat" and an MFA seemed beyond my reach not having any background in design nor a portfolio. After researching the possibilities open to me and considering school locations, finances and work prospects I decided to take a less traditional path. I attended the Massachusetts College of Art and Design's graphic design certificate program, an evening program, and gained work experience by day. Before entering the program I took design courses to see if pursuing design studies was something I really wanted, and I was able to build a portfolio to gain entrance. A portfolio allows potential employers/design schools to assess your design skills.  It is a reflection of you and your work, and a good portfolio is a necessity when you start looking for work or are seeking to gain admission to a design program.

What advice would you give to others seeking opportunities in graphic design?

For exploring the field I recommend taking courses in design at an art college. This will expose you to the design skills you need to develop, the culture of art schools, and allow you to start building a portfolio. Once you have developed a portfolio you can apply to a design program and/or start looking for work. Personally I found attending an evening program and gaining work experience simultaneously to be very rewarding; I was able to immediately put my new skills into practice. Design is about practice, the more you do the better you get.

Can you tell us about your experiences in different work environments as a graphic designer? Which has been your favorite?

I have worked in-house for educational institutions, financial services companies, a medium-sized design firm, and an in-house advertising agency. I enjoyed all these experiences to different degrees and I learned something from each environment. One distinction often made in the design world is working in-house as opposed to working independently or as a freelancer. All have their advantages; for me it comes down to personal preference and that can change over the course of your career. Having this varied background is what allowed me to start my own practice. It enabled me to broaden the scope of my portfolio and develop a network for future work opportunities. Running my own small practice suits me now and is my current favorite.

How would you recommend students who are interested in freelancing get into the field?

A freelance design career is something that develops over time and doing good work is the best marketing tool. If your work is good, clients will become repeat customers and new clients will seek you out. To start out you must be armed with a strong portfolio then you can either introduce yourself to prospective clients/employers or seek out an agency that specializes in connecting employers with temporary design help. This latter approach is an excellent way to see different work environments and to explore what type of work you might enjoy as a practice long-term. 

What do you do to keep your practice/perspective fresh and evolving?

I enjoy experimenting in different media; this gets me away from my computer and allows me to access different thought pathways for problem solving. I believe design is about keeping open and developing a keen eye. Also, I find it important to remind myself in a more tactile way why I love what I do. Picking up another media and working with color, shape and texture in an intuitive way helps me to connect to less directed problem-solving. Whether it's drawing, painting, sewing, or beading, I love to work in a way that allows more freedom for my intuition to connect with an unconscious flow. We all carry ideas around that sometimes need a little coaxing into the light.

How has Dartmouth supported you in your career development?

Dartmouth's dedication to undergraduate liberal arts is legend, the broad spectrum and depth of course offerings allows students many lens on the world. Design is a big picture field, it's everywhere and in everything, the more of the world you understand the better you will be at your practice. Though my design skills are essential to my practice the underlying skills are from the liberal arts: having a broad knowledge-base from sciences to languages, the ability to problem solve and communicate clearly, having curiosity and discipline, and a love of learning. Dartmouth serves these up in spades.

Extended Drop-ins: Same Time, New Location

Do you live in the library from mid-afternoon to night? Have any career or graduate school questions?  Still seeking a summer internship or advice on how to get a recommendation for that application due next week? Career Services advisors are available for Drop-In meetings from 1:30 to 4 pm everyday in Career Services, 63 South Main Street. You can find us on the second floor of the Bank of America building.

You can also meet with Career Services advisors on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm in the new Undergraduate Deans Office on the first floor of Carson Hall, Suite 125. (This is the same location as the old Computer Store.) No need to sign up in advance for these extra hours;  Drop-Ins are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Simply stop by during Drop-In hours with your questions, concerns, and printed copies of any materials you want reviewed.

We look forward to seeing you!

Intern Stories: Catherine Treyz '13 on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams

Position: Summer Intern at NBC Nightly News with Brian WilliamsLocation: New York City Description of what you did: I was a broadcast intern at Nightly News during Summer 2012, where I worked directly with producers on news and feature pieces for the evening newscast. Major at Dartmouth: English with concentrations on popular culture and British literature

1. What was the most satisfying about your work?

From the first day, I was relieved to realize that my internship would be different from those portrayed on television sitcoms — there were no coffee runs. Immediately, I became an active member of the newsroom team and was often responsible for meeting the same daily deadlines as producers, designers, writers, and reporters. During the first week, I was trained by media professionals on how to use specific video editing and logging programs. I further developed those skills throughout my internship, editing videos for NBCNews.com and previewing footage for news and Olympics pieces.

Although I was completing basic production tasks, it was truly awesome seeing even seconds of footage I logged and highlighted for producers appear on the national evening newscast. Luckily for me, as an Olympics aficionado, many of my assignments were completed in preparation for the London 2012 Summer Games. I also assisted producers and crew on a couple of on-location shoots, including a day spent in the Bronx filming the New York Yankees at their HOPE Week charity events. At the end of the summer, I was hired as a “runner” for NBC and MSNBC at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the hands-on production experiences continued. Overall, I was introduced to the truly multi-faceted field that is news media. The career options are endless.

2. What’s the best way to enter the broadcast journalism field? Any essential elements of preparation?

First, you have to like news. Whether you prefer broadcast over print is not important, because there are skills, like writing, that overlap in both fields. But your job will be variably different each day given the nature of news. You have to embrace that nature and you have to like that nature. Secondly, some experience, whether it’s through a campus publication or previous internship(s), in news or media is certainly a plus. It makes the adjustment to a professional newsroom easier and exciting. Also, there will be certain takeaways: You can apply the skills you learn when you return to work with your campus groups or in future jobs.

With that being said, it’s also very important to have an open mind and thick skin. Professional producers and editors take the time to show you how they start and finish a piece. They also talk with you and review your own work, offering suggestions and edits to a web piece you’ve spent hours working on. Take those moments as learning experiences. Some of the more interesting conversations I had with producers were about just two seconds of footage we were considering.

3. What advice would you give to others seeking internships in this field?

Be willing to try something different. For instance, if you’re interested in an editorial internship but get a media design or business one, don’t necessarily turn it down. Your interests can change — and that’s a good thing. Chances are good that you’ll likely experience editorial aspects in a business or design environment as well, or vice versa. It’s an interdisciplinary field.

4. How has Dartmouth supported you in your career development?

At this internship, I noticed my liberal arts background come into play. Because of Dartmouth’s curriculum requirements and liberal arts emphasis, I have taken courses in many departments. I incorporated skills and knowledge from classes in several departments into my daily duties. Dartmouth classes and experiences have pushed me to think deeply, act resourcefully, and ask important questions. In July, when the Aurora, Colorado shootings occurred, the Nightly office was quickly reacting to the breaking news and changing reports. My coursework in media research, statistics, public policy, anthropology, and literature helped me efficiently assist producers and communicate with others throughout the country.

As I approach graduation, I also realize how important resources like Rauner Special Collections and Jones Media Center are in pursuing my career path. There you learn valuable research methods and how to use similar and sometimes the same software media and production companies use.

5. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Interning at NBC was a wonderful experience. In fact, I was sad to leave on my last day! I definitely suggest browsing the NBC Universal career site if you’re interested in news, entertainment, sports, business, marketing, law, and, well, just about anything! I met interns from different departments and we all only had positive things to say about our internships. Take a look and apply!

How to Ace a Challenge-Based Interview

Have you ever been asked to do a sample project as part of a job interview? If you haven't yet, chances are good that you may be asked to participate in a challenge-based interview in the future. U.S. News & World Report career columnist Miriam Salpeter reports that the number of employers who are using challenge-based interview techniques is on the rise. In these types of interviews, you may be asked to create a plan to tackle a specific scenario.

Example: Let's say you are interviewing for a position with a start-up company. They say, "We've produced a new beverage line of mint-flavored drinks that provide the same mental alertness as a cup of coffee -- but without the side effects of insomnia. You have 48 hours to devise a marketing plan to pitch the product to your peers. We look forward to your presentation tomorrow."

Challenge-based interviews are based on the same general concept as behavioral interviewing -- that past behavior is often reflective of future behavior. So if you do well with your interview, they may assume you'll also be a strong performer on the job.

Here are Salpeter's five tips on how to tackle a project based interview. Notice that none of these tips require you to go to extreme measures. Instead, they focus on the importance of doing your research on the problem and potential solutions, creating materials that speak to the project's goals, and demonstrating to the employer that you understand and are enthusiastic about what the job requires. (In other words, strategies you would normally use in the process of applying for a position!)

Do you have an interview in your future? Consider coming to Career Services for a Monday Mock interview. Contact our office at 6-2215 to schedule an appointment.

In the Category of Need to Know: How Private is Your Privacy?

In a world where up to 90% of executive recruiters say they conduct background online research on candidates, it's important to know what employers say about you. Here's a handy infographic that provides an overview:

As always, if you have questions on how to protect your own privacy -- or how to handle questions of potential employers, let us know.

Think you have an idea about what the best careers are?

You may be surprised at some of the professions that made U.S. News’s list of the top 100 Best Jobs of 2013, which is topped off by Dentistry and includes nursing, software development, and physical therapy among its top 10. In creating this Best Jobs list, U.S. News took into account and allotted different weights to factors such as 10-year growth volume, 10-year growth percentage, median salary, job prospects, employment rate, stress level, and work-life balance.

This weighting methodology ensures that all of the top picks are not necessarily the typical cash cows, as many lower-paying professions offer other qualities that are also important to consider in the job search process.

Want to figure out the career that's going to work best for you? Engage in careful research and consider many factors including job location or necessary training and education—when deciding where to anchor your career.

If you haven't done so before, check out the Majors to Careers section on the Career Services homepage.

For a list of growing fields with projected increases in hiring and growth, check out Rick Newman’s 10 Businesses That Will Boom in 2020.

We also recommend MyNextMove.org, a site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, to get additional suggestions on employment projections, training requirements and jobs by area of interest.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Dartmouth Students

Courtesy of Kathryn Doughty, Co-Director of Career Services

Interview Mistakes You Don't Want to Make

Is there an interview in your future? Check out this infographic on the most common mistakes made at job interviews. Here are three of the most frequent mistakes:

• Lack of eye contact (67%)
• Having little or no knowledge of the company (47%)
• Forgetting to smile (38%)

Notice anything? Good news! All of these are mistakes you can easily avoid -- and practice.

For the rest of the tips -- as well as good tips to prepare for an interview, click here.

Five tips from former Wall Street Journal reporter Joe Mathewson ’55 for students interested in journalism

“I’ve never met a bored journalist,” Medill School of Journalism professor and former Wall Street Journal reporter Joe Mathewson ’55 often tells students, noting that there are “no dull jobs and no dull days” in the field of journalism. While some people like to claim that journalism is a dying field, Mathewson rightly believes that it is simply evolving, and he wants students to know that journalism needs talented graduates with a passion for writing and a strong liberal arts background. With a number of grandchildren at the College, Mathewson is a regular visitor to Career Services and a mentor to students currently considering a career in journalism. Here, we’ve compiled Mathewson’s top five tips for students who have a passion for the written word and investigating the world around them.

1. Journalism needs intellectually curious young graduates from a variety of academic backgrounds — sell your experience, no matter what it is! Whether you are a history or neuroscience or economics major, journalism needs you.
2. Have a blog and credentials you can show people. Nothing speaks to your skills better than a thorough, well-organized set of clips. Make sure you can speak to why your previous experience, regardless of its direct relation to journalism, will help you succeed as a journalist.
3. Don’t confine yourself to print. In this day and age, you need to have multiple skills — learn to shoot and edit video, take photographs, blog and manage social media. Wire services in particular are booming.
4. Learn how to write about economics. The economy is the number one story around the world right now, and you will be a highly marketable employee if you know how to write about business, employment and interest rates.
5. Familiarize yourself with the tricks of the trade — AP style, interview skills, journalistic ethics, etc. Do research for specific job and internship opportunities. If you’re applying for a job with the Associated Press, Bloomberg or Reuters, learn the verbs of attribution in business journalism.

Interested in pursuing job or internship opportunities in journalism? Make sure you’ve signed up on Dartboard to receive our regular blitzes about communications jobs! There are stories out there waiting to be told — are you going to be the one to tell them?

Tips for Peer-to-Peer Leadership

Ever found -- or find -- yourself in charge of supervising your peers? While leading a team can be a rewarding experience,  it can also feel awkward when you're in the course of doing it --especially if you're suddenly your best friend's boss or applying for jobs.

Fortunately, there's a wealth of advice and resources online that advise how to lead. Check out these suggestions from Rachel Farrell’s “23 Traits of Good Leaders.” Farrell has rounded up advice from a number of different experts. Must-have skills and attributes include self-awareness, collaboration, focus, integrity and compassion.

For additional advice, check out this video from Robert Wendover:

http://vimeo.com/55457531

(Hat tip to our colleague Justin Einhorn '14 for contributions to this piece.)

Want a Job or Internship in Europe? Sign Up by Wed. Jan 9 for MIT European Career Fair

17th EUROPEAN CAREER FAIR @ MITConnecting Continents, Creating Careers WHEN: February 23-25, 2013 WHERE: MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA REGISTER NOW! Attendance is FREE for Candidates www.euro-career.com 

Discover the many opportunities that companies, academic institutions and non-profit organizations from Europe have to offer you at the 17th European Career Fair at MIT. It is the largest career fair of its kind in the US with more than 100 participating organizations. Take this opportunity to meet face to face and stand out from the crowd! By registering for the event, you will become part of a searchable database where employers can view your resume and schedule interviews even before meeting you in person at the fair. Take a look at the fair schedule: February 23 (Saturday) o Exhibits and presentations by companies and academic institutions o Opportunity to present yourself and give your resume to employers o About 50% of all interviews are scheduled at the fair o Networking with employers and other candidates February 24 – 25 (Sunday & Monday) o Interviews for selected candidates o Career development seminars o Networking opportunities SUBMIT YOUR RESUME TODAY AT www.euro-career.com! The deadline for resume submission has been extended to Wednesday, January 9. Submitting your resume will help you be considered for on-site interviews.  For questions about registration, please email candidate@euroclub.mit.edu. For regular updates: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ECF.MIT  Twitter: http://twitter.com/ECFMIT  LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/ZTPERl  ECF Blog: http://ecfmit.wordpress.com 

Extra Drop-In Hours January 3 & 4: Get a Running Start on Your Applications

Are you a current Dartmouth student interested in applying for jobs and internships during Winter term? The first deadline to submit application materials for opportunities posted through our on-campus recruiting program is January 15 -- less than ten days after Winter term classes begin on the 7th. (These opportunities are just a small slice of the jobs and internships available to you, we bring your attention to them specifically as they have application deadlines early in the term.)

Career Services will hold extra drop-in hours early in the term to meet the demand, but if you really want to beat the rush, stop by Career Services (103 S. Main, 2nd floor of Bank of America building) on January 3rd or 4th for Drop-Ins between 1:30 and 4:00 pm.

First-come, first-serve slots to meet one-on-one with a career advisor will be available. Bring a printed copy of any materials you'd like to have reviewed during your Drop-In session.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Seven Mistakes to Avoid in Your Cover Letter Writing

It's hard to believe that winter term will be off and running in a little over two weeks -- the first deadline to submit your application for winter term on-campus interviews is Wednesday, January 15. Want to start your search for internships and full-time jobs before you come back to campus? Here's a list of seven mistakes to avoid in your cover letter courtesy of U.S. News and award-winning author Louise Kursmark.

We especially like the advice in this piece on why it's always important to address your cover letter to a live person.

When applying for a position through our recruiting program: Be sure to check the contact information for each position listed in DartBoard to find the right person to address.

When applying for an internship or job at another organization, check the organization's staff list or call to get the name of the proper contact. (It's perfectly okay to say, "I'm a student at Dartmouth College and am preparing my application for _________ position. Is there a particular member of your organization that I should address in my cover letter?)

Here are two additional tips specifically for Dartmouth students:

• If you're searching for an internship in spring, fall or winter terms, educate the employer on the "D plan" and the dates when you will be available to work.
• Do your homework on the employer. Go beyond saying you are interested in the organization because of "impressive" leadership or strong growth. Get specific by mentioning a program, award, or recent press release that shows you've done your homework on the opportunity.

As always, Career Services will offer extended Drop-In sessions in January to help you fine tune your cover letters should you have any additional questions. Enjoy your holiday!

Want to Work for an Innovative Organization?

Every year, Fast Company publishes a ranking of "The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies." This year's list is hot off the presses. Check out the full list of companies and organizations here. Note the diversity of industry sectors represented -- from high tech and entertainment to healthcare and education.

As always, Career Services staff can help you if you have any questions about how to research and prepare for potential opportunities.

CAREER BLITZ: Non-Profit & Careers for the Common Good

1. American Student Assistance - Internships (Boston, MA)
2. Artis - Winter Internship (Available Now) (New York, NY)
3. Corporate Accountability International - Non-Profit Administration Intern (Boston, MA)
4. Grant Space Knowledge Base - Resource
5. Great Oaks Charter School - Tutor Corps (Post-Graduate Fellowship 2013 – 2014; Applications accepted on a rolling basis.) (Newark, NJ)
6. The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award - Grant (Sponsored by National Grid) (Application deadline January 18, 2013) (Global - You Choose Location))
7. AmeriCorps - Louisiana Bucket Brigade (Post-Graduate) (Louisiana)
8. Purpose - Strategy Internship in Social Entrepreneurship (Summer) (New York, NY)
9. Social Entrepreneurship as a Career Choice - Resource (Article)
10. Zipongo - Marketing/Creative Writing Internship (San Francisco, CA)

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American Student Assistance – Internships (Boston, MA) Intern for a private nonprofit whose public purpose mission is to empower students and alumni to successfully manage and repay their college loan debt.  Multiple internships are available to work with content creation, interactive design and market research. Bilingual? Language skills are also a plus. http://bit.ly/11NsU6j

Artis – Winter Internship (Available Now) (New York, NY) Artis, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports and promotes contemporary visual artists from Israel internationally, seeks an intern to assist with the daily operations of a contemporary art non-profit; for immediate hire. Gain a wide range of experience in arts administration and nonprofit management working closely with 3 staff members. http://bit.ly/TzXSte

Corporate Accountability International – Non-Profit Administration Intern (Boston, MA) Take on significant projects to advance Corporate Accountability International’s mission, including the Think Outside the Bottle and Public Water Works! Campaigns to challenge corporate control of water, the Value [the] Meal campaign to challenge corporate abuse of our food, and the campaign to Challenge Big Tobacco. http://bit.ly/Xmjyz3

Grant Space Knowledge Base – Resource () Great overview of careers and opportunities in nonprofit sector, hosted by The Foundation Center. http://bit.ly/YL6nrW

Great Oaks Charter School – Tutor Corps (Post-Graduate Fellowship) (Newark, NJ) The Great Oaks Tutor Corps is an intense one-year Urban Education Fellowship designed to close the achievement gap one student at a time. A highly selective full-time service year for recent college graduates, the Corps members work in a startup charter school on the front lines of education reform in Newark. http://bit.ly/VjzH1W

The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award – Fellowship (Sponsored by National Grid) (Global (You Choose Location)) The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides a $10,000 stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world. The award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for one year before proceeding on to graduate school or a career. http://bit.ly/VwRDbF

AmeriCorps – Louisiana Bucket Brigade (Post-Graduate) (Louisiana) Work closely with Lieutenant Governor’s Office of Social Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurs of New Orleans (SENO) to receive mentoring and pursue funding opportunities. Hold discussions with solar power and green jobs organizations and companies to create synergistic relationships for the communities. http://1.usa.gov/TDyeHx

Purpose – Strategy Internship in Social Entrepreneurship (Summer) (New York, NY) Purpose creates 21st century movements to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems. Help to develop and execute Purpose movements and corporate partner initiatives, from strategy and ideation through testing and implementation. Work with multidisciplinary teams of strategists, technologists and interaction designers. http://bit.ly/UDNT9U

Social Entrepreneurship as a Career Choice – Resource (Article) () David C. Hodgson, co-founder and board chairman of Echoing Green and managing director at General Atlantic, provides his perspective on careers in social entrepreneurship – why opportunities are increasing and why it matters. http://huff.to/Vietle

Zipongo – Marketing/Creative Writing Internship (San Francisco, CA) Help with the execution of social media, blogging, and overall marketing and content strategy.  Our ideal candidate thrives in a fast-moving, startup environment, has a personal interest in health and wellness, and is passionate about Zipongo's mission of decreasing the prevalence of chronic disease globally. http://bit.ly/YL6ROH

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For additional Non-Profit/Careers for the Common Good opportunities, see our website: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~csrc/explore/careers/human.html

Internships and FAQ: What to Do if You're Asked about Academic Credit

 What do I do if an employer tells me that I need to be able to obtain ‘credit’ for an unpaid internship? Academic credit is not available for an internship experience; however, you can ask Career Services to provide the employer with a  'Letter of Support,' coupled with a letter from the Dean of Faculty, explaining that the college is supportive of the educational value of an internship. Oftentimes, this is sufficient for the employer.  If not, be sure to email Dartmouth Career Services at career.services@dartmouth.edu for further advice and strategy.

Should I disclose my disability to an employer? An Interview with Ward Newmeyer

There are several hundred students at Dartmouth who are bright, talented, capable and also have a disability. Deciding when, how and where to disclose a disability in a job search is a personal decision and can feel awkward. (I say this based on my own personal experience which I will share in a later post.) In an attempt to answer common questions not often asked, Career Services has partnered with the office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to create a special series on how to tackle this issue.  I recently sat down with Ward Newmeyer, the Director of Student Accessibility Services to get suggestions on how to approach a disability during the job search process. Here are my questions and his paraphrased answers:

What is the formal definition of a disability?

As defined by the American’s with Disabilities Act,  "[d]isability means, with respect to the individual, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.”

When should a student disclose a disability?

For some people it would make sense to disclose a disability before an interview, for other people it would make sense not to disclose it until after a job offer is made, and for other people there might not be any particular reason to disclose it at all. There are a lot of variables that contribute to deciding whether to and when to reveal a disability, for example how the nature of the job matches up with the person’s disability circumstances or whether or not the reputation of the corporation is that it tends to embrace people with disabilities. The extent to which the disability may interface with the job may give students more incentive to bring it up earlier if, for example, you might need an accommodation to demonstrate how you perform an activity on the job.

Are there any benefits for the student about disclosing?

When applying for a job that is competitive, everybody looks for an angle to indicate how they would add some dimension that would be attractive to the employer and to show them that they are worthy of consideration even though there may be 20 other qualified people competing for the same job. And often times the experience of living with a disability in our society gives people some dimensions that others do not think about until we point it out to them. Therefore, there might be some advantage in saying something about how a person’s disability has given him or her some depth of perception and fresh perspective. Certain people with a disability have over time figured out creative ways to solve problems because they were unable to solve them in the standard ways, and that experience can be valuable to a lot of employers. However, a lot of people will not think of that angle about a disability because we live in a society that is always pointing out the negative aspects of having a disability and rarely pointing out the positives. This angle gives the prospective employee the opportunity to point out to the employer what they can bring to the workforce that other people who do not have that kind of experience cannot. Also, if a person’s on-paper record doesn’t seem so competitive, possibly due to disability-related reasons, revealing a disability might be important because it is the only way to explain away any problem they might have had with previous employment.

Bottom line: There is no clear answer. All different variables come into play when a person is deciding whether to reveal and when to reveal.

Are there any incentives for employers to hire candidates with disabilities?

Public employers, especially the Federal government, are often very encouraged to have a healthy, representative sample of people with disabilities among their workforce. So if they haven’t reached that, they may have some incentive to accept applicants with disabilities. Also, if a private sector employer is a federal contractor, they experience similar incentives. Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act is a part of a civil rights law that requires employers that contract with the Federal government to assure equal opportunity employment for people with disabilities.

Who can help me figure out when and how to disclose a disability?

The Student Accessibility Services office (SAS) can provide help with this, but it’s your call on where you want to start. If you don’t know where to go and feel uncomfortable, you may want to start by having a conversation with the staff and faculty who know you best. You can also get help from staff and faculty from your academic advisor to Career Services, The Academic Skills Center, Dick’s House, and the Undergraduate Advising Office.

One final piece of advice: Many people with disabilities have figured out creative ways to solve problems. Think through what the gifts of your disability are, and think through how to best articulate them. It is one of the jobs of the SAS office to make sure students are aware of all the variables to consider and think through so that students can weigh the pros and cons and come to their own decision.

Stay tuned for our next installment in this series: My disability, my strategy.

Tips for Networking over the Holidays

Interested in expanding your network over the holidays? Feeling tongue tied on how to make connections professionally with someone you've known for years. Check out these tips on how to get back in touch, mix business with pleasure and highlight your interests and achievements. This is a great short read from LinkedIn spokesperson and author of Getting From College to Career, Lindsey Pollack. (Think everyone's too busy celebrating the holidays to hire? Check out Lindsey's own personal success story in the piece!)

Tuesday, November 27: Learn about the Non-Profit World & Make Connections through #GivingTuesday

Interested in working for -- or helping to support non-profits? Check out Giving Tuesday on November 27 (tomorrow).  Giving Tuesday is a new initiative started by NYC's 92nd Street Y to raise awareness and funds for charitable organizations. Over 2,000 partner organizations from all 50 states are participating -- a neat initiative on the heels of Black Friday. http://givingtuesday.org/get-involved/

You can see a list of Founding Partners here: http://givingtuesday.org/founding-partners (You can visit their websites for job and internships leads.) Featured partners include Do Something, Unilever (global consumer products company recognized for their charitable work), the United Nations Foundation, and the Gates Foundation.

Career Blitz: Environmental

1. American Geoscientists Institute  - Public Policy Internship (Summer) (Washington, DC)
2. Council of Foreign Relations - Internships (Winter & Spring) (New York, NY & Washington, DC)
3. Dartmouth Green Alumni - Resource (Virtual - visit website to join)
4. Ecologic Development Fund - Internship (Communications, Special Events or Media) (Cambridge, MA)
5. Energy Action Coalition - Fellowship (Summer 2013) (Washington, DC)
6. NativeEnergy - Winter/Spring Internship (Marketing) (Burlington, VT)
7. NetImpact - Resource (Virtual)
8. New Generation Energy - Internship (Research & Project)
9. Oceana - Internship (Web Development/Design) (Washington, DC)
10. Philadelphia Zoo - Internship Expo (Open House) (5-Jan-13) (Philadelphia, PA)

American Geoscientists Institute – Summer Internship (Public Policy (Washington, DC) Have an interest in public policy and in how Washington impacts the geoscience community? Paid interns at the American Geosciences Institute gain a first-hand understanding of the legislative process and the operation of executive branch agencies, the opportunity to write articles that are published in The Professional Geologist. http://bit.ly/QZ7CkZ

Council of Foreign Relations – Internships (Winter & Spring) (New York, NY and Washington, DC) The Council of Foreign Relations has a number of internships available in environmental and sustainability foreign policy. These provide skills and training in areas such as writing, research, and program planning. Provide direct assistance to the Council of Foreign Relations’ Fellow for Energy and the Environment. This is a part-time volunteer position. http://on.cfr.org/STgq7l

Dartmouth Green Alumni – Resource (Virtual (Visit website to join)) The mission of Dartmouth Green Alumni (DGA) is to unite, strengthen, and provide opportunities for members of the Dartmouth community engaged in the environmental, energy, technology, and related sectors. DGA accomplishes promotes  career networking, information sharing, and leadership development among its members. Membership open to all members of the Dartmouth community. http://bit.ly/10e9dF9

Ecologic Development Fund – Internship (Communications, Special Events or Media) (Cambridge, MA) EcoLogic, a not-for-profit environmental organization that empowers rural and indigenous peoples to restore and protect tropical ecosystems, seeks interns to assist with operations and fundraising in their Cambridge, MA office. This is an unpaid internship with a minimum work time of 10 hours per week. http://bit.ly/UJAclA

Energy Action Coalition – Fellowship (Washington, DC) Gain hands-on experience, while advancing Energy Action Coalition’s effort to create a clean, just and renewable energy future. Summer Fellows join Energy Action Coalition staff and coalition partners to help coordinate and lead joint campaign efforts. Rolling deadlines (apply early) http://bit.ly/SeDVcB

NativeEnergy – Winter/Spring Internship (Marketing) (Burlington, VT) NativeEnergy an expert provider of carbon offsets, renewable energy credits, and carbon accounting software seeks a Marketing Intern. Gain educational experience and knowledge of carbon accounting, marketing, sales, and project development. Past interns have moved on to careers in the energy sector, public policy, environmental advocacy, and other fields. http://bit.ly/QZ7xxH

NetImpact – Resource (Virtual) Net Impact’s website provides job seekers looking to build careers with positive social and environmental impact with job and internship leads. Opportunities available in sustainable and mission-driven businesses and social enterprises, corporate responsibility roles, non-profits, foundations and government agencies. http://bit.ly/Qvbqun

New Generation Energy – Internship (Research & Project) () Assist with green technology research (renewable energy and energy efficiency) and project management (working with organizations from start to finish with green project design and implementation). The ideal candidate will have experience with renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and some exposure to project management. http://bit.ly/XCfrQw

Oceana – Internship (Web Development/Design) (Washington, DC) OCEANA, an international organization focused solely on protecting the world’s oceans, seeks a web design/development intern for our marketing and communications team in our Washington, DC office.   Join us and learn best practices for online communications, activism and fundraising while playing a part in protecting the world’s oceans. http://bit.ly/Y3wPNd

Philadelphia Zoo – Internship Expo (Open House) (Philadelphia, PA) Learn more about internships at the Philadelphia Zoo.  Staff from the Animal Care and Education internship programs, including current and/or former interns, will give a presentation about their programs and provide a tour of the Zoo. Topics will include the application process, program requirements and expectations. Advanced RSVP Required http://bit.ly/TQ3M8k

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Check out more Environmental Career resources here: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~csrc/explore/careers/env.html