Introducing the 2016-2017 Career Fellows

Now in its second year, the Career Fellows program is once again bringing "by-students, for-students" service to the Tufts community! Career Fellows are professionally-trained students who have been hired by the Career Center to increase awareness of and participation in the programs and services offered by the Career Center. Fellows can meet one-on-one with students by appointment or during daily drop-in hours to discuss finding internships, resume/cover letter writing, and navigating Career Center resources. Career Fellows are an entry-point for Tufts students into the Career Center, and can provide guidance from a peer's perspective - they've been in your shoes before, meaning they can combine their personal experiences as a Tufts student with their professional training to provide unique and high-quality advice on your career journey! Here's a look at the Career Fellows team this year:

Drop-ins schedule:

Tufts Career Center, Dowling 740
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday: 12-2pm
Wednesday: 5-7pm

Name: Jorge Antón García

Class Year: 2017

Major: Computer Engineering

What’s the most exciting thing about being a Career Fellow?

Being able to talk to students about the awesome things they have been part of and have accomplished. I love digging into their experiences and listening to their amazing stories about what makes them passionate. In doing this, I begin to get to know them and they can also appreciate what they have achieved.

If you could give any advice to a Tufts Student, what would it be?

Have a good mix of classes within your major and some outside of it. Try out new things by joining clubs and realizing what work you like and do not like. This experience is very valuable personally when looking for jobs as you can get a clearer idea of what type of jobs you may be interested in. At the same time, within clubs you gain valuable work experience.

Name: Sean Boyden

Class Year: 2017

Major: Biopsychology, Community Health

What’s the most exciting thing about being a Career Fellow?

I love being able to spread awareness about the Career Center and its wealth of resources and services throughout the Tufts community.

If you could give any advice to a Tufts Student, what would it be?

You’ve only got four years here, and it goes by too fast. Take advantage of every opportunity, savor every moment, and make sure you leave here with no regrets.

Name: Sabrina Chishti

Class Year: 2017

Major: Biology and Political Science

What’s the most exciting thing about being a Career Fellow?

I’m really excited to meet and talk with so many different people!

If you could give any advice to a Tufts Student, what would it be?

Take advantage of everything that Tufts has to offer. From cool clubs, to interesting classes, to fun events—there is always something new and different happening on campus, and participating in them leads to a better Tufts experience.

Name: Anna Linton

Class Year: Senior, Class of 2017

Major: English, Psychology, Judaic Studies

What’s the most exciting thing about being a Career Fellow?

I am thrilled to have the chance to play even a small part in my peers’ professional journeys. Venturing outside the world of Tufts into the world of the professional can seem daunting, and totally overwhelming; but, as students set goals, make important career decisions, and take risks, I feel so lucky to have the resources and opportunity to help provide them with an approachable support system that can help break down intimidating goals into practical, manageable, steps.

If you could give any advice to a Tufts Student, what would it be?

It is so important that students know that we are here for them! No matter where someone is on his or her career journey, from prepping for a second round interview, to taking a first stab at putting together a resume, students should never hesitate to ask for help. Both at the Career Center and beyond, there is no pressure in asking for help, no expectations, and it is so critical to remember that no matter where you are, there are people who are willing and able to help out. There’s really nothing to lose!

Name: Shivani Shendye

Class Year: Senior

Major: International Relations and Economics

What’s the most exciting thing about being a Career Fellow?

I love that being a Career Fellow allows me to meet students that I may have never met before, and to offer them advice that helps demystify the internship or job search process. I truly believe in the importance of fostering student-to-student relationships especially in the realm of career planning because we have much that we can learn from each other.

If you could give any advice to a Tufts Student, what would it be?

My advice to a Tufts student would be to be a sponge. Not in the literal sense of course, but make it your goal to absorb as much as you can during your four years here. Take a class that you are curious about even if it has nothing to do with your major. Make it your goal to get to know all of your professors. Join as many student organizations as you can handle. Your experience here will truly shape what you decide to do after you graduate.

Be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@TuftsCareer), and check our e-News and Calendar to stay up-to-date on what the Fellows are up to this semester!

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Confessions of a Career Fellow

This semester, the Career Fellows have been extremely busy with appointments and drop-ins. Every week, it seems like I see more and more students for resume critiques or discussions on summer internships. And as the weeks progress, I've begun to notice patterns across many appointments: parallels in attitudes, emotions, concerns, and misconceptions. My observations from this sample of students makes me think that these patterns can be applied to the general Tufts undergraduate population (can you tell I'm a science major?); so, to more widely disseminate some common advice I give, I thought I'd combine my two roles in the Career Center this week by blogging about being a Career Fellow. Here are the top pieces of career/internship advice that I think any Jumbo ought to hear:

It's going to be ok.  In roughly half of all of my appointments, the first thing out of a student's mouth is something like this: "I'm freaking out. I can't find a summer internship and I have no idea how to write a resume and what's a cover letter and I am SPIRALING DOWNWARDS INTO MEDIOCRITY." While that last part may or may not have been added for dramatic effect, the sentiment remains: anxiety characterizes many students' internship searches. But it really doesn't have to. My response to every single student who seems nervous about finding an internship is, without fail, "They're out there. You just have to look." If you are truly committed to finding a summer internship, and willing to put in time and effort, you will find something to do this summer. Don't resign yourself to failure before you've given it your all.

Ross's "quiet down" gesture is my "calm down" gesture.

Reflect before applying. If anxiety is the most common feeling I detect from students in appointments, uncertainty would have to be the second most common, especially among first-years and sophomores. Many students often come in with no idea of what they want to do or what career field they're interested in - they just want to find any summer internship. While keeping an open mind is encouraged at the Career Center, it's important to set a clear goal for an internship search before you begin; otherwise, you may end up wasting time wading through every possible internship listing on the Internet. Even if you have no idea what career field you're interested in, you can define your search in terms of the work you want to do. Have you always yearned for an office job? Do you demand total independence every day, or would you rather work as part of a team? Setting even the most general criteria will save you lots of time. If you're utterly clueless about your future, you can always meet with a Career Fellow or Career Advisor - career/major exploration is my favorite part of the conversation. We also have tons of great resources for helping students determine their ideal job or job environment, like Focus 2, the Strong Interest Inventory, and many more (see our website's "Explore Careers and Majors" section for more info).

Since Chandler is my spirit animal, I feel obligated to share this gif that basically summarizes my life. But, I like to think I've gotten a little better at the advice part.

It's always a work in progress. Whether it's a resume, cover letter, or internship search, there will always be a next step. Don't just come in to the Career Center for one 15-minute resume review - go through rewrite after rewrite, and have as many people proofread it as possible. Don't just submit the internship application and cross your fingers - find another great internship to apply for, or send a follow-up email if you don't hear back in a reasonable amount of time. There is always more that can be done. This might sound overwhelming to some students, but it goes back to your commitment to finding an internship. If you're willing to put in the time and effort, your payout will be much greater.

In writing this post, I certainly don't mean to reduce all of my appointments down to assuaging anxieties and telling students to come back to the Career Center. Every appointment is different, and presents its own challenges and excitements. But, a lot of appointments are variations of the same common themes I've discussed above. So, regardless of whether you feel like this advice is exactly what you needed to hear or you have questions about something not mentioned at all in this post, make an appointment with a Career Fellow or a Career Advisor today.

Until next time,
Sean Boyden
Class of 2017

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Introducing . . . the Tufts Career Fellows

The Career Center is absolutely thrilled with the opportunity to be launching the Career Fellows Program this fall. After taking a hiatus for a few years, the program is back in full force! We have decided to unveil the new career fellows for y'all with some fun by following the Vanity Fair style—The Proust Questionnaire. Without further adieu, please help us in welcoming our 5 dynamic Career Fellows...drum roll please...

The Career Fellows enjoyed a rock climbing expedition during training.

Name: Jorge Anton Garcia
Graduation year: 2017
Major: Computer Engineering
Where you interned this summer? BSH Group in Spain: Worked on the maintenance team of a new plant which manufactures electric stoves. (Very interesting!)

What is your current state of mind?

Weird mix of summer relaxation and excitement for a great year.

What is your motto?
The best way to predict the future is to create it.

Who are your heroes in real life?
My parents (I know, very creative). They gave me opportunities they couldn't even imagine having at my age. Gracias!

What is your most marked characteristic?
Smile?

As a career fellow, what are you most excited about?
Actually getting to know people who come in to the office.

Name: Mod Boon-Long

Graduating Year: 2016

Major: Economics and International Relations with a Communications and Media Studies minor

Where you interned this summer: I worked as a Development and Programming Intern at Let's Get Ready, a nonprofit that helps low-income and first generation students apply to and graduate from college. I also worked as a part time tour guide for the Admissions office.

What is your current state of mind?

Happy but nervous. I’m super excited to see my friends back on campus and bask in the glory of having the senior status, but I’m super nervous that graduation will be here in no time and I still have no post-graduation plans!

What is your motto?

Everything happens for a reason.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My dad. Every day he shows me the meaning of hard work and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without him.

What is you most marked characteristic?

Imaginative.

As a career fellow, what are you most excited about?

To help guide underclassmen to all the different resources the Career Center has to offer; I wish there was something like this when I was a freshmen! 

Name: Sean Boyden

Graduation year: 2017

Majors: Biopsychology and Community Health

Where you interned this summer? Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Division of Rheumatology, Section of Clinical Sciences

What is your current state of mind?

Student. Not just in college, but in general. There’s so much that I have to learn in life, and right now I’m just trying to absorb as much as possible and take copious notes.

What is your motto? 

“Be the person your 8-year-old self would look up to.”

Who are your heroes in real life?

My two idols are, in no order, Atul Gawande and Tina Fey. Atul Gawande is my favorite nonfiction author, a surgeon, and a public health researcher – my dream career. His probing analysis of life, and subsequent devotion to constant improvement thereof, inspires me to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be. Tina Fey, on the other hand, is my favorite actress and TV writer – the latter of which is my secret and even less realistic dream career. Everything she does inspires me to be the funniest version of myself that I can possibly be.

What is you most marked characteristic?

I have a tendency to make jokes when I’m uncomfortable, and since I’m a generally awkward person who’s uncomfortable in almost any situation, I make jokes a lot.

As a career fellow, what are you most excited about?

I’m most excited about being able to spread the word about the Career Center throughout the Tufts community. The Career Center is, in my opinion, one of Tufts’ most valuable resources, one that every student should tap into. By facilitating this, I hope that the career fellows program will make a real impact on students’ time on campus.

Name: Bruce Duggan

Graduation year: 2016

Major: Political Science and Spanish 

Where you interned this summer? I interned in the Mayor's Office of my hometown.  

What is your current state of mind?

I can't believe it is my senior year! Where did the time go? I have been thinking about this question a lot as I have gone through my first week of the first semester of senior year! Freshman year felt very distinct. Then, sophomore and junior blended a bit in certain ways. The question, what are you going to do after  Tufts, feels very real now. The question of were you able to cross everything off your bucket list comes to mind. It is an exciting time, but also feels like it happened far too quickly. 

What is your motto? 

Keep pushing yourself. While this is often easier said than done, we have to continually push ourselves within our comfort zones and outside it if we ever hope to be able to grow to the fullest extent. We will never be able to reach beyond what we imagine is initially possible if we don't try to challenge ourselves and what we think we are capable of doing. I think a second part to this would then be to get back up if you fall down. Also if you fall down, don't view it as a weakness but rather a greater understanding of ways to do things better or indeed that you have found your true limits by pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.  

Who are your heroes in real life?

I have many people I look up to and view as heroes, but I think one thing most have in common is their dedication to persevere against all odds and at the same time take a step back and consider how they can help someone else, even on a daily basis. Did they take the time to hold the door open for someone who had many things in their hands?  Did they take the time to give up their seat on the train or bus to someone else who could benefit more greatly than them for a chance to sit down, i.e. someone much older? Did they take the time to help someone in other ways, perhaps a person's bike has a wheel stuck in a hole and needs help getting it out? While we each will never be all of those things all the time and perhaps not even at all, the people who do try to emulate these characteristics should be heralded as everyday heroes in my opinion.

What is you most marked characteristic?

My hair. I know, it sounds like I am quoting the movie Legally Blonde or it's just an odd response. However, I like to have short hair. I don't necessarily favor a bald head, but I don't enjoy long hair strands of hair that curl, spiral and require a lot of combing. Perhaps it is partly because I participated in too many outdoor summer camps as a child and did not like moving long strands of hair out of my eyes when playing playing basketball, dodgeball or kickball. Or maybe it is just because I think that a short hair cut provides for a clean, sharper look. However, whenever I talk with someone who I haven't seen for a while they are likely to comment on the status of my hair, whether it is too long, or not quite the normal length. 

As a career fellow, what are you most excited about?

I think that as a career fellow I am most excited to help underclassmen utilize the many great resources within the Career Center. I sometimes think that freshmen and even sophomores feel that they can only go to the Career Center when they are looking for a job in their senior year or for an internship during the junior year summer. However, that is far from the truth. The career center is there  to help everyone throughout their entire time at Tufts from Freshman year to Senior Year and beyond even as Tufts alumni! 

Name: Stephanie Li

Graduation year: 2016

Major: History major, Studio Art and Entrepreneurial Leadership Studies minor

Where you interned this summer? The Future Project

What is your current state of mind?   Excited! And nervous. Here we go, senior year.

What is your motto? "Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien

Who are your heroes in real life? Pentatonix, Scott Bradlee, and my sister

What is you most marked characteristic? Every now and then, I get these moments where I burst out laughing for no particular reason. It usually goes on for a good ten minutes.

As a career fellow, what are you most excited about? I am super excited about exploring possibilities and passions with y'all!

Come and meet with one of our new career fellows—a professionally trained group of students who are eager and ready to guide you along in your career journey! Career Fellows are here to assist you with resume writing as well as to teach you how to effectively navigate our online resources. They will be available to work with you in the Career Center as well as in residence halls.

Shannon Seaver and Jim McCarthy are Assistant Directors in the Career Center, and they oversee the Career Fellows Program.  

Shannon Seaver began her role as Assistant Director at the Tufts Career Center during summer 2014. As Assistant Director, her programming focuses on seniors and graduate students within the School of Arts and Sciences. Prior to Tufts, she worked at the University of Massachusetts Boston where she also received her Master’s Degree in Education. While at UMass Boston, she served as the career specialist liaison to the College of Liberal Arts, assisting all current undergraduates, graduates and alumni. Shannon has also worked for various nonprofits in the Greater Boston Area serving at risk youth, including managing a youth career center.

Shannon hails from the west coast—Carpinteria, California —a small coastal town near Santa Barbara, known for having the “safest beach in the world” and also for its annual Avocado Festival! As you might guess, Shannon can make a mean guacamole! She then spent five years in cheese and badger country, also known to many as Madison, Wisconsin where she received her B.A. in Spanish. After graduation, Shannon decided that Madison just wasn’t cold enough, so she headed east, landing in Boston where she has resided for the past 13 years. She has learned to love all four seasons, especially summer when she can visit the beautiful beaches of the North Shore, as well as dance salsa in the parks.

Jim McCarthy is excited to be at Tufts. Last summer, he relocated to Somerville (near Davis Square) from Pittsburgh, where he worked for four years with technical majors, including all engineering disciplines, computer science and information science at University of Pittsburgh Career Services. While in Pittsburgh he served on the Board of Directors at the Environmental Charter School and worked with government and non-profit organizations to improve education and public transportation. Prior to Pittsburgh he worked at Rochester Institute of Technology and Grinnell College in career and residence life positions. He received an MS in College Student Personnel Administration from Canisius College in 2008 and a BA in psychology from the University of Dayton in 2005. In his spare time he enjoys playing any team sport imaginable, and he recently finished his first half-marathon and a Tough Mudder. 

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