It’s three weeks and counting until graduationat SPP. The question of the hour has been coming at me from two directions: those soon-to-be alums and hopeful prospective students:
ARE THERE ANY JOBS OUT THERE?
The simple answer is:”yes”. Last year, the answer was more like “maybe” or “it depends where you’re looking.” It some cases, it was even, “maybe you should take the summer off." But this year, the job climate is getting measurably warmer and our whole school and alumni cohort is getting smarter about navigating the marketplace.
It turns out the rules of the road are simple:
1. You’re faster off the mark if you’ve got one toe on the line before the gun goes off: get an internship before you graduate.
More than half the graduating class who already have jobs got them either as a continuation of an internship or an enthusiastic referral from an internship employer. That’s why we encourage students to sign up for an internship during their second year OR continue an international or DC internship via the Internet once they return.
I can hear you nay-sayers now: “But those internships don’t pay!” Maybe not, but look at the economics. The most that most of you could earn during the last three months of school would be about $2,500 working part-time at a retailer or a restaurant. Your starting salary as an MPP is likely to be at least $48,000. Assuming you converted your internship into a full-time job, you’d start immediately. In less than three weeks, you would have made up that $2500 you “lost” from not working.
In today’s market, you can expect it will take 90 – 120 days to land a good job. Every day you’re not working is $132 that’s not lining your pocket. Every month, four thousand dollars. Ponder that.
2. The very worst thing you can do is nothing – even if you need to temp or intern after graduation, DO it. This rule is a corollary to rule 1. Think of it as traction – you’re honing your skills, gaining momentum, building your resume (and by the way, your network), and proving your worth. Just as with rule 1, many of these less-than-real-jobs will convert. This is particularly true in Washington DC where “try before you buy” is a respected way of life.
There’s one more factor to consider. When employers look at your resume, do they see a person who takes initiative, works hard and has workplace-proven skills? Is there a growing gap between your last employment or internship and where you are now? After typos, gaps are the worst resume offenses; don’t let them collect.
3. If you might want a Federal job, apply the year before you graduate. I know that sounds crazy, but you can file up to a year before you're available. If you are called up, you can defer until graduation. In many cases, it will take the Federal government a year for the basic hiring process, especially if you need clearances. When you wait until the filing cycle that begins in February of your graduation year, you'll start working the following fall at the earliest. Not all bad, if you want a summer break, but you can do better.
There’s another reason to apply for a Federal job a year early – it takes awhile to master the Federal resume. Starting a year in advance gives you time to figure out what will pop your resume to the top of the lists. I teach three or four workshops a year in getting a Federal job, and some of you have attended; still, practice makes perfect.
4. Work your network. Some of you are cringing. I have heard every excuse not to network. “I don’t want to beg.” “It’s cheating.” “It’s abusing the relationship.” Wrong. How would you feel if someone you knew and liked came up to you and said, “I know you have a lot more experience working in this field than I do and I’ve always admired your business sense. I’ll be graduating in a few months and I wonder if you could give me some advice.”
Would you say “no” and walk away? Of course not. You’d ask the all-important follow-up question: “What can I do for you?”
Several member of the Class of 2010 have already tapped into their networks and found jobs. People are basically kind and they like the feeling of being regarded as an expert. Networking is a simple quid pro quo with an implied pay-back. Your network friend expects that you will be just as supportive of someone else in a year or two when you are in position to offer expert advice. This brings me to a twin of number 3:
5. Work Pepperdine’s network. The School of Public Policy is young, but we’re 385 strong in alumni. Most would not hesitate to help you. Every week, they email four or five strong job leads. Those are “hot” – don’t let them cool. If I send you an email or drop a notice in your box, often it’s from an alum who is holding open a slot for an SPP student or alum.
In the last two years, alumni have shepherded students into Booz Allen Hamilton, the Library of Congress, the Federal Election Commission, the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, Human Rights Watch, Cerrell Associates, the State Auditor, Capitol Hill plus a wide variety of less well-known entities.
Maybe none of those employers appeal to you. Okay, cast your net wider: check out the online Pepperdine Alumni Network and search for university alums who are working, or have worked, at places that interest you. Check the Pepperdine Groups on LinkedIn. Look at the MPA-MPP Group on LinkedIn or Facebook set up by NASPAA, the trade association of schools like ours.
When you reach a contact, remember - you're not asking for a job; you're seeking advice. If the two of you click when you talk, request one or two leads.
6. Treat your job search like the most-important job you’ve ever had. It just might be that. Although your first job after graduate school probably won’t last more than a year or two, where you start your career is the place you learn to be a professional. Make it one you love and you’ll do a great job. You’ll be promoted and sought after by other departments and employers. Settle for "just a job" and you might get stuck.
So, make it a habit to check EPPIC every couple of days and search the archives and Seaver listings. Look up the employers and click through to the websites of those that interest you.
Whenever you’re ready to apply, I’ll be happy to check your cover letters and review your resumes. If I think we might have a lead that could help you, I’ll connect you to that person. So will anyone on the faculty or staff. Just ask.
CARROT-GINGER SOUP
This is so simple I’m embarrassed to include it, but it’s so good Sheryl Kelo has been begging for it. I make it every couple of weeks when I’ve got a chicken carcass that needs to be turned into broth, but it’s even easier and almost as tasty with a low-sodium package.
2 yellow onions, peeled and chunked
2 T. olive oil (or one each of butter and oil)
2 T. honey
Knuckle of fresh ginger, peeled
1 medium package of peeled baby carrots (or peel your own)
1 seet potato, peeled and chunked (optional)
2+ cups of chicken broth (amount varies – see below)
Pinch of nutmeg and a dash of red pepper flakes
Half-teaspoons of herbs – your choice (thyme, basil, tarragon)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1. Melt the oil and cook the onions over medium heat, stirring until transparent. Add the honey and continue stirring until the onions turn golden – maybe 10-15 minutes. Add the ginger and cook to coat.
2. Dump in the carrots and pour in chicken broth to cover. Bring to a boil.
3. Add spices and herbs and lower heat. Simmer 30-45 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
4. Using either a blender or a food processor, puree the soup in batches until it is as smooth as you want it. Adjust seasonings to taste and serve.
It's equally good hot or at room temperature.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Looking Good on LinkedIn
Will you be my friend?
Every day, I get emails from students and alums asking me to be their “friend” on Facebook, LinkedIn or Plaxo. And, almost every day, I am found by a friend I’ve almost forgotten I had, people from a long-distant workplace or neighbors I knew “back when”.
Then, once or twice a week, someone I don’t know contacts me to connect . Usually, this is someone looking for someone to hire or wanting a reference for someone on my list.
Welcome to the brave new world of online social networking!
If you’re not already on a site, you’re either a recluse or a misanthrope. What’s wrong - are you hiding out from your colleagues? Or, perhaps you’re a throwback to some, ancient pre-mechanized past: a Luddite. Do you handwrite your lecture notes and pass on a mobile phone?
Seriously, the web is where your future lies.
Simply canvassing the major sites proves my point. Only a very few alums – maybe 10% - are not on Facebook, and more join every day. Fewer SPP Waves have discovered the virtues of LinkedIn, but that list is also growing fast. Of our 385 alums, 200 are among LinkedIn’s 43 million registered users. And, did you know there were 130,000 people registered on the site as recruiters?
If you’re in the market for a job or a project, LINK-IN. LinkedIn is the platform of choice for working professionals. Sure, Facebook boasts more users, but that site is truly social, a space for brags about weekends and co-misery about right-brained feelings.
LinkedIn is a left-brain domain specifically crafted to make you a standout in your field.
So how can YOU look good on LinkedIn?
You need a PROFILE – your definitive professional image. One perfect for today, that you can tweak any time you feel it’s not pulling for you.
It can be as long as you like – and lard it generously with keywords that you think might be search terms used by somebody trying to find you. The system allows you to cut and paste your standard resume – and that’s okay for the experience section, but be more creative in the “blue”, that space at the top of the profile, highlighted in pale azure. That heavenly shade is the only section accessible outside the LinkedIn firewall so every keyword there can boost you high on a Google search, as well as any searches within LinkedIn itself.
There are Four Main Sections:
I. Headline Lets the world know what you’re doing right now
“The Blue” –a slogan for your personal brand: in a nutshell, who are you?
1) Job Title: for many students, this is a descriptor rather than a job title: “Policy Analyst”, “Program Manager”, “Team Leader”, “Community Organizer”
Or, it might say, “Master’s degree candidate 2010” … at [employer or university – since this might be a search term]
2) Location: “Southern California” may yield more matches than “Malibu”; but “Los Angeles area” is a strong option. If you’re open to relocation, mention that here
3) Industry/ Sector: Think keywords: Use this to highlight sector expertise or particular skills such as “public affairs” or “environmental sustainability”.
4) Photo: Although many people leave this out, a friendly professional-looking photo makes you seem more approachable – and remember, a professional web photo can be taken by a cell phone. Digital reproduction on the web negates any need for a professional shot.
II. Summary Your “elevator pitch”.
Write the best 140-character “tweet” of your life and paste it here
Specialties – list the unique qualities that make you most valuable as an employee or contractor. People search on these terms.
List and then search-test your keywords. The summary is the only searchable section outside the LinkedIn firewall; exploit it.
HOT TIP: Link to your LinkedIn profile in your regular email signature line to improve your visibility and at the end of your blogs
HOT TIP: If you’re job-searching, enable Google access by selecting “Full View”
III. Experience The work and/or internships or volunteer experience that qualifies you
1) Organization/ Employer: For students, the employer is often more impressive than your job title; leverage the “halo effect” of major entities
2) Organization line two: If the employer is not well done, explain what it does; give it scope and mission. Include the industry or sector.
3) Title: If you’ve been interning, give yourself your functional title and put (intern, (paid or not) in parens) as in “Research Assistant (Paid Intern)”.
4) Dates: Include the months with the years since it gives you more time in service when recruiters .
5) Resume summary: Briefly summarize your duties, but make sure you showcase your accomplishments.
HOT TIP: Don’t forget to include non-profit board and advisory positions; leadership positions in volunteer work
IV. Education Degrees, sure, but add whatever helps you sell yourself
· Areas of academic excellence – majors and specializations; honors and awards – GPA if over 3.4; relevant coursework
· Publications – theses and capstones, major research projects, team projects, formal presentations, editorial, blogs, professional writing
· Activities – especially those where you were held a leadership role
· Credentials and licenses; continuing education units
HOT TIP: Join all your collegiate affinity groups – your school has one; your fraternity or sorority does. Look around LinkedIn for connectors
ABOUT Recommendations
· Collect them – from employers and faculty, absolutely; from peers on project teams and colleagues who know you work
· Screen them before posting – you need never be dinged on LinkedIn
HOT TIP: Recommendations dramatically boost your search rankings
ABOUT Connections
· Collect them – but only from people you know and trust
· The more connections you have, the more you are assumed to be an authority
· Like recommendations, connections boost your rankings in the search algorithm – people with 20 connections are 34 times as likely to be reached as people with 5
Additional Information
· Public Profile: Use your linked-in URL and replace the number with your name
· Add website links - if you have a blog, look at the LinkedIn section entitled “Applications”; you can dynamically update snippets from your blog.
· Add activities and interests
HOT TIP: Use your public profile URL as a tag to your regular email address – it allows people to link directly to your credentials
HOT TIP: Include mini-reviews of professional books you’re reading or conferences you’ve attended
HOT TIP: LinkedIn Mobile – There’s an iPhone app so you can access your LinkedIn network anywhere
Contact Settings Customize why you want to be reached.
· Be specific – you can change this at any time
· A Word about Contact Information: use your good judgment on posting phone number, email address and personal information
Groups and Associations
HOW TO JOIN A GROUP: Your school has a group – look for it and ask to join.
· Find an alum to act as a mentor
· Post news and updates regularly to the group – it keeps you “top of mind”
Note: In your Profile, Groups are LinkedIn Groups. This list is automatically generated whenever you join one. Keep that in mind when you want to look professional.
Affinity Group. You can create your own for any professional purpose. For example, share job search tips or review resumes.
QUESTIONS and ANSWERS Become the expert – or find one
· Ask - under a group, in “Discussions” – enter a topic or question
· Link to a news article, and start a discussion about it
· Post jobs on the job board – notices will go out to your group
· Answer a question – the initiator may choose yours as “best” and boost your search ranking
For further tips:
· Guy Kawasaki’s “Ten Ways to Use Linked In” and then see his own “Extreme Makeover”
· The yellow book primer: “LinkedIn for Dummies” by Joel Elod
· A networking’s pro’s free download: www.how-to-really-use-linkedin.com by Jan Vermeiren. He also has a book for $17.
· A savvy site for business users: http://LinkedIntelligence.com/smart-ways-to-use-linkedin
· Profile Tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsXZ5ET9-bA&feature=related
· LinkedIn for Dummies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV_7yAPnkFw&feature=related
SAUSAGE LINKS and SPINACH PASTA
Thinking about links to me straight to sausages. Thinking about quick results took me to straight to this fast and easy mid-week supper – it’s a favorite at my house, even better the next day, if there’s any left. It’s a classic Tuscan dish, perfect for a rainy day, since most of the ingredients are pantry or freezer staples.
Serves 4
¾ pound fusilli (dried corkscrew pasta – or use penne)
1 onion, sliced thin
2 T. olive oil
½ pound kielbasa sausage, quartered lengthwise and sliced into 1/2” thick pieces
3 t. minced garlic
½ cup dry white wine (optional)
1 package fresh spinach or kale, sliced
1 small can chopped tomatoes or chicken broth (optional)
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Toasted pine nuts (optional garnish)
1) Cook pasta in large pot of lightly salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water. Drain and lightly rinse pasta in a colander.
2) In a heavy frying pan, caramelize onions in the oil by cooking over medium heat until they’re transparent and then covering the pan until golden and sweet. Don’t let them burn because it will make the whole dish bitter. Add a pinch of sugar if the onions are still too sharp.
3) Toss the kielbasa in the oil to coat and cook 3-4 minutes. Drain off excess oil.
4) Add garlic and cook another minute. Deglaze with wine, if desired – boil off the liquid.
5) Stir in spinach with ½ cup cooking water, chicken broth or canned tomatoes. Simmer partially covered until greens are tender.
6) Toss with the pasta and cheese. If it’s too dry, add more pasta water or a splash of cream. We never make enough.
Every day, I get emails from students and alums asking me to be their “friend” on Facebook, LinkedIn or Plaxo. And, almost every day, I am found by a friend I’ve almost forgotten I had, people from a long-distant workplace or neighbors I knew “back when”.
Then, once or twice a week, someone I don’t know contacts me to connect . Usually, this is someone looking for someone to hire or wanting a reference for someone on my list.
Welcome to the brave new world of online social networking!
If you’re not already on a site, you’re either a recluse or a misanthrope. What’s wrong - are you hiding out from your colleagues? Or, perhaps you’re a throwback to some, ancient pre-mechanized past: a Luddite. Do you handwrite your lecture notes and pass on a mobile phone?
Seriously, the web is where your future lies.
Simply canvassing the major sites proves my point. Only a very few alums – maybe 10% - are not on Facebook, and more join every day. Fewer SPP Waves have discovered the virtues of LinkedIn, but that list is also growing fast. Of our 385 alums, 200 are among LinkedIn’s 43 million registered users. And, did you know there were 130,000 people registered on the site as recruiters?
If you’re in the market for a job or a project, LINK-IN. LinkedIn is the platform of choice for working professionals. Sure, Facebook boasts more users, but that site is truly social, a space for brags about weekends and co-misery about right-brained feelings.
LinkedIn is a left-brain domain specifically crafted to make you a standout in your field.
So how can YOU look good on LinkedIn?
You need a PROFILE – your definitive professional image. One perfect for today, that you can tweak any time you feel it’s not pulling for you.
It can be as long as you like – and lard it generously with keywords that you think might be search terms used by somebody trying to find you. The system allows you to cut and paste your standard resume – and that’s okay for the experience section, but be more creative in the “blue”, that space at the top of the profile, highlighted in pale azure. That heavenly shade is the only section accessible outside the LinkedIn firewall so every keyword there can boost you high on a Google search, as well as any searches within LinkedIn itself.
There are Four Main Sections:
I. Headline Lets the world know what you’re doing right now
“The Blue” –a slogan for your personal brand: in a nutshell, who are you?
1) Job Title: for many students, this is a descriptor rather than a job title: “Policy Analyst”, “Program Manager”, “Team Leader”, “Community Organizer”
Or, it might say, “Master’s degree candidate 2010” … at [employer or university – since this might be a search term]
2) Location: “Southern California” may yield more matches than “Malibu”; but “Los Angeles area” is a strong option. If you’re open to relocation, mention that here
3) Industry/ Sector: Think keywords: Use this to highlight sector expertise or particular skills such as “public affairs” or “environmental sustainability”.
4) Photo: Although many people leave this out, a friendly professional-looking photo makes you seem more approachable – and remember, a professional web photo can be taken by a cell phone. Digital reproduction on the web negates any need for a professional shot.
II. Summary Your “elevator pitch”.
Write the best 140-character “tweet” of your life and paste it here
Specialties – list the unique qualities that make you most valuable as an employee or contractor. People search on these terms.
List and then search-test your keywords. The summary is the only searchable section outside the LinkedIn firewall; exploit it.
HOT TIP: Link to your LinkedIn profile in your regular email signature line to improve your visibility and at the end of your blogs
HOT TIP: If you’re job-searching, enable Google access by selecting “Full View”
III. Experience The work and/or internships or volunteer experience that qualifies you
1) Organization/ Employer: For students, the employer is often more impressive than your job title; leverage the “halo effect” of major entities
2) Organization line two: If the employer is not well done, explain what it does; give it scope and mission. Include the industry or sector.
3) Title: If you’ve been interning, give yourself your functional title and put (intern, (paid or not) in parens) as in “Research Assistant (Paid Intern)”.
4) Dates: Include the months with the years since it gives you more time in service when recruiters .
5) Resume summary: Briefly summarize your duties, but make sure you showcase your accomplishments.
HOT TIP: Don’t forget to include non-profit board and advisory positions; leadership positions in volunteer work
IV. Education Degrees, sure, but add whatever helps you sell yourself
· Areas of academic excellence – majors and specializations; honors and awards – GPA if over 3.4; relevant coursework
· Publications – theses and capstones, major research projects, team projects, formal presentations, editorial, blogs, professional writing
· Activities – especially those where you were held a leadership role
· Credentials and licenses; continuing education units
HOT TIP: Join all your collegiate affinity groups – your school has one; your fraternity or sorority does. Look around LinkedIn for connectors
ABOUT Recommendations
· Collect them – from employers and faculty, absolutely; from peers on project teams and colleagues who know you work
· Screen them before posting – you need never be dinged on LinkedIn
HOT TIP: Recommendations dramatically boost your search rankings
ABOUT Connections
· Collect them – but only from people you know and trust
· The more connections you have, the more you are assumed to be an authority
· Like recommendations, connections boost your rankings in the search algorithm – people with 20 connections are 34 times as likely to be reached as people with 5
Additional Information
· Public Profile: Use your linked-in URL and replace the number with your name
· Add website links - if you have a blog, look at the LinkedIn section entitled “Applications”; you can dynamically update snippets from your blog.
· Add activities and interests
HOT TIP: Use your public profile URL as a tag to your regular email address – it allows people to link directly to your credentials
HOT TIP: Include mini-reviews of professional books you’re reading or conferences you’ve attended
HOT TIP: LinkedIn Mobile – There’s an iPhone app so you can access your LinkedIn network anywhere
Contact Settings Customize why you want to be reached.
· Be specific – you can change this at any time
· A Word about Contact Information: use your good judgment on posting phone number, email address and personal information
Groups and Associations
HOW TO JOIN A GROUP: Your school has a group – look for it and ask to join.
· Find an alum to act as a mentor
· Post news and updates regularly to the group – it keeps you “top of mind”
Note: In your Profile, Groups are LinkedIn Groups. This list is automatically generated whenever you join one. Keep that in mind when you want to look professional.
Affinity Group. You can create your own for any professional purpose. For example, share job search tips or review resumes.
QUESTIONS and ANSWERS Become the expert – or find one
· Ask - under a group, in “Discussions” – enter a topic or question
· Link to a news article, and start a discussion about it
· Post jobs on the job board – notices will go out to your group
· Answer a question – the initiator may choose yours as “best” and boost your search ranking
For further tips:
· Guy Kawasaki’s “Ten Ways to Use Linked In” and then see his own “Extreme Makeover”
· The yellow book primer: “LinkedIn for Dummies” by Joel Elod
· A networking’s pro’s free download: www.how-to-really-use-linkedin.com by Jan Vermeiren. He also has a book for $17.
· A savvy site for business users: http://LinkedIntelligence.com/smart-ways-to-use-linkedin
· Profile Tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsXZ5ET9-bA&feature=related
· LinkedIn for Dummies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV_7yAPnkFw&feature=related
SAUSAGE LINKS and SPINACH PASTA
Thinking about links to me straight to sausages. Thinking about quick results took me to straight to this fast and easy mid-week supper – it’s a favorite at my house, even better the next day, if there’s any left. It’s a classic Tuscan dish, perfect for a rainy day, since most of the ingredients are pantry or freezer staples.
Serves 4
¾ pound fusilli (dried corkscrew pasta – or use penne)
1 onion, sliced thin
2 T. olive oil
½ pound kielbasa sausage, quartered lengthwise and sliced into 1/2” thick pieces
3 t. minced garlic
½ cup dry white wine (optional)
1 package fresh spinach or kale, sliced
1 small can chopped tomatoes or chicken broth (optional)
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Toasted pine nuts (optional garnish)
1) Cook pasta in large pot of lightly salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water. Drain and lightly rinse pasta in a colander.
2) In a heavy frying pan, caramelize onions in the oil by cooking over medium heat until they’re transparent and then covering the pan until golden and sweet. Don’t let them burn because it will make the whole dish bitter. Add a pinch of sugar if the onions are still too sharp.
3) Toss the kielbasa in the oil to coat and cook 3-4 minutes. Drain off excess oil.
4) Add garlic and cook another minute. Deglaze with wine, if desired – boil off the liquid.
5) Stir in spinach with ½ cup cooking water, chicken broth or canned tomatoes. Simmer partially covered until greens are tender.
6) Toss with the pasta and cheese. If it’s too dry, add more pasta water or a splash of cream. We never make enough.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Every January, students face the shock of first semester grades at about the same time they see the reading lists for spring. Panic sets in. Ignore it!
Breathe and follow these directions:
HOW CAN I GET AN “A” IN GRAD SCHOOL?
For the most part, your basic intelligence isn’t what’s stopping you. If you were admitted to the school, you’re smart enough to do the work and make the grade.
So, what’s stopping you?
Why are you just scraping by when the guy or girl sitting next you is breezing along with a GPA of 3.6?
Looks effortless, doesn’t it?
Well, it pretty much is. You just need to practice a few, simple techniques.
Be there – or be square. Just sitting in class – preferably near the front – on-time and alert, gets you out of the grade cellar. Even, if you do nothing else.
Contributing one useful, critical thought each class session boosts you right up the grade scale to some form of “B”, assuming you hand in all the assignments. Even, if you sort of blow them.
This begs two questions: 1) How do you come up with something useful to contribute every time?
And, 2) What else do I have to do?
After all, I promised you an “A”.
Clean up your Communications. Most of what flows into your in-boxes is waste. Let your mental bilge pump suck it out and plug the holes.
If you check Facebook more than once a day – and spend more than 15 minutes on it when you do, you have wasted fifteen minutes of your Life that you will never, ever get back. Same thing with tweets and TMs. This is your Life; prioritize it – allocate a certain amount of time each day to staying in touch and shut it down when the ceiling is hit. As Nancy Reagan once famously said, “Just say no.”
Instead of transmitting and receiving a thousand nowhere messages a week, block out “quality time” to spend with the people you care about – and set the start and stop time parameters before you meet. You’ll have closer relationships – and lots more time.
Slice the Salami. This is a cute reminder that the way to get through anything daunting is to chop it up and digest it in chunks. This applies to studying, reading and writing.
Even if you plan your time well, it’s obvious that you cannot actually read every single word in every book you’ve been assigned for the semester. I’ve looked at the reading lists. More than half your professors assign a book a week and then they hand out articles in class. That’s four books a week to read on top of class time, commuting, your part-time job or internship and a little bit of sleep and personal hygiene.
Here’s the secret process to “reading” a book in 90-minutes:
Hint: Most of your contemporary books on policy were articles once. Google the author and subject and read the article first. [Yes – you still need the book!]
Have a scribble pad and a packet of post-it flags by your side.
Start with the Covers – what does the inside flap tell you the book is about? On the back flap, who is the author? Google him or her. With luck, Wikipedia has a summary that tells you what s/he’s all about.
What about the back cover blurbs? Are there authors you know offering recommendations? What does that tell you? Jot it down. You may have a good question for class based only on what you’ve read so far.
Scan the Table of Contents. What is the book's structure? In modern writing, books are structured as inverted pyramids with the thesis statement first; supporting arguments in order of importance; a separate section for refuting arguments; and a conclusion. You should be able to quickly determine the arguments.
Check out the Index. Note any words or phrases with large chunks of content. These will be the critical examples that support the arguments. Jot them down.
Read the First Chapter. Find the thesis statement. Very often, all the arguments will be summarized here. Jot them down. What is the tone of the book? Who do you think the book is trying to influence? Why? Another possible question to ask in class.
Scan the Last Chapter. The conclusions should be obvious and the thesis restated. Does the author suggest a Call to Action? What do you think of that?
Skim the Book. Read the first paragraph or two of every chapter and then skim it, looking for examples. When you reach one mentioned in class or on the syllabus, flag it. When you reach one you find compelling, flag it. Remember to write on your flags for you can find them again.
On the Refutation. Every good modern author knows it is essential to build your case by destroying your opponent’s. Read the opposing argument carefully and really think about whether the author makes his/her case.
Read Reviews. After you think you have a handle on the book, read the reviews. Most will summarize the book – it’s a great way to ensure you understand all the most salient points. Remember that every reviewer has a point of view that is unlikely to coincide (exactly) with that of your author. Don’t believe everything you read in a review, but consider it in light of what you now know.
Flock together. If you can do it, meet with a small study group before class to discuss the readings and assignments. Establish a structure and stick to it. A study group is best if it is fewer than 5 people to keep it manageable – two is usually too small (and gossipy). Try for three or four and stay on target.
NEXT WEEK, I’ll tell you how to ace the papers.
FAST FOOD
If you’re pressed for time – and who isn’t – you’ll need all the time-cutters you can get. That said, it’s a real mistake to head to the fast food chains for dinner – everything you swallow is loaded with salt and fat and heavily processed carbs. The heck with that!
Here’s how to eat faster and healthier so you can get back to chunking through all your readings. Since you’ll have most of ingredients on hand, stopping to pick up one or two items at the grocery store takes less time than McDonalds.
Feed-a-Crowd Tri-tip
1 2-3.5 pound tri-tip roast
Garlic salt and freshly ground black pepper
An instant-read meat thermometer
1. Preheat oven to 450-degrees.
2. Rub seasonings all over the roast and let it rest 15-20 minutes while you keep reading your assigned books.
3. (Optional) Sear fat-side down in a non-stick (preferably cast-iron) skillet before roasting.
4. Put the roast in the oven and heat on high 15-minutes, then turn the heat to 325-degrees. Test with the thermometer at 30 minutes. When the meat reads 125-degrees (medium rare), pull it out of the oven. (Obviously, if you like it done more, keep it in).
5. Let the roast rest 15 minutes before slicing, at an angle to the grain.
Crab Cakes in a Flash – or salmon, on a budget
1 can flaked crab meat or salmon (pick out shell and bones)
1 T. mayonnaise
3 T. minced onions
1 egg
1 T. Old Bay seasoning (or use Emeril – it’s spicier)
1. Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
2. Mix ingredients together with your hands and, when well-mixed, form patties about the diameter of an apple and 1 – 1 ½ inch thick.
3. Place on a non-stick baking sheet and cook ten minutes.
4. Flip and cook ten minutes more.
Serve hot with lemon and a quick tossed salad.
Quick Home-made Honey Vinaigrette
1 t. Dijon mustard
1 squirt of honey from the bear
2 T. olive oil
1 T. fresh lemon juice or balsamic (or sherry) vinegar
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard and honey.
2. Whisk in the oil and add a splash of lukewarm water. Beat until it thickens – 15-20 seconds.
3. Blend in the acid – juice or vinegar.
Season packaged greens with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper and toss with the dressing. Great, quick add-ins: crumbled Feta cheese, dried currants or cranberries, toasted pine nuts, chopped hard-boiled eggs, crumbled bacon. Use your imagination.
The Absolutely Best Brownies You Can Buy
1 package Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix (canola oil + egg)
3 T. Ghirardelli cocoa or Droste’s unsweetened cocoa
1T. butter
1 package chopped pecans (optional)
4. Use butter to grease an 8” x 8” pan.
5. Follow package directions in the mix, adding in the extra cocoa and pecans (optional). Forty strokes only.
6. Cook approximately 35-minutes, or until a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out dry. Do not overcook.
Cool before cutting. They’re addictive!
Monday, January 11, 2010
This week, I’m not answering a question as much as responding to a gripe. It’s one I hear two or three times a week – and if you’re one of the gripers, read on:
I THINK I’D LIKE THE WORK, BUT I DON’T WANT TO DO THE JOB ALL THE REST OF MY LIFE …
This is not a problem!
The Department of Labor reports that the current crop of graduates – that’s you – can expect to have 10-14 jobs by the time they’re 38.
Only 1 in 2 employees have been in their current jobs more than 4 years. Looking ahead ten years, the ratio will be 1 in 4.
There is no more cradle-to-grave job protection in the United States. Forget about it. It no longer matters what your first – or even, your next, job is you won’t be doing it very long. What really matters is that you develop skills that will be invaluable in the next job. And then, the next.
This knowledge whacked my cerebral cortex this morning like a sharp slap to the forehead when first-year student, Nikhil Mathur, sent me an email that rocked the socks off my feet.
Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY.
The video clip was developed by Sony for a private presentation at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Intended for an invitation-only executive conference comprised primarily of Wall Street analysts and high-level strategic partners, the video found itself onto YouTube. There, this 5-minute exploration of the post-information age has already garnered more than 9 million hits and a 5-star rating. The message ? We “live in exponential times” and the statistical support Sony provides for their assertion will stun you with its public policy implications.
I picked up the stats I just quoted from the clip. Another startling revelation I found was that technical information is developing so quickly that it has only a 2-year lifespan. Think of it. For undergrads getting a 4-year technical degree, half their knowledge is obsolete before they graduate.
That doesn’t apply to you. What you learn here has more to do with skills development than knowledge per se. The actual factual information you get from your coursework about countries, policies and leaders has a half-life shorter than a frog, but critical thinking skills are timeless. So, hone your ability to ask good questions and question the answers. Ponder the ethical and societal ramifications of public policy as much as the financial. Ethics is forever and societal change is slow. These are the things to carry with you into a job.
This brings me to internships and your first, apprentice-level, jobs. The pay is likely to disappoint you. Most of you will not start at more than $55,000 and some will receive far less. Fear not, most alums find that their salaries five years out are anywhere from 40 – 100% (or more) higher than the starting pay.
When you begin your career, the hiring assumption is that you don’t know much, but you’re bright and you have proven learning skills and subject interest. As much as you feel you are taking a risk by investing your time in an unpaid or low-paying job, so too does the employer perceive he is taking a risk in you. If you do well, you both prosper. If not, the risk was low on both sides. Move on!
That’s the way the thinking goes in a buyers’ job market and a decade of exponential change. You can beat the odds and make the situation work for you, but only by shifting your perspective:
Since the days of our founding, Americans have swallowed their anxieties in gobs of pasta and cheese. It was on all pub menus in the colonies and gained a popular resurgence during the Great Depression. When Kraft introduced the orange facsimile in the familiar blue box, it was almost instantly popular for its convenience, but there’s nothing like the real thing. Try this – it feeds a hungry dorm room with leftovers. You’ll never go back to the box.
Serves 6 to 8
3/ 4 stick butter
3 T. dry bread crumbs
3 T. grated Parmesan
2 T. minced parsley
2 t. fresh thyme leaves
3 t. sweet paprika
1/ 4 c. flour
2 t. dry mustard
1 t. sea salt
Pinch nutmeg, to taste
2 1/ 4 c. milk
2-3 peeled garlic cloves
3/ 4 c. crème fraiche (or cream and sour cream mixed in equal parts)
1 package grated sharp cheddar, I used Kraft
1/ 2 package grated cheddar + Asiago (again, Kraft)
8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente, drained and rinsed
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Melt 2 T. butter. Toss with bread crumbs, Parmesan, herbs and half the paprika. Set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt remaining butter. Whisk in flour, mustard, salt, remaining paprika. Whisk until smooth and bubbling lightly. Cook until it starts to color and become fragrant. Slowly, whisk in milk. Add garlic and simmer until thick bubbles form, about ten minutes. Be careful not to let it scorch. Remove from heat and beat in crème fraiche and all but about half a cup of each cheese. Discard the garlic cloves.
4. Butter the bottom of a baking dish and dump in the cooked macaroni. Stir in half the cheese sauce, making sure each noodle is well-coated. Sprinkle with half the bread crumbs. Pour on the rest of the cheese sauce, then remain crumbs and top with reserved cheese. Dot with butter.
5. Bake about 20 minutes, until toasty brown and bubbly. Serve hot.
I THINK I’D LIKE THE WORK, BUT I DON’T WANT TO DO THE JOB ALL THE REST OF MY LIFE …
This is not a problem!
The Department of Labor reports that the current crop of graduates – that’s you – can expect to have 10-14 jobs by the time they’re 38.
Only 1 in 2 employees have been in their current jobs more than 4 years. Looking ahead ten years, the ratio will be 1 in 4.
There is no more cradle-to-grave job protection in the United States. Forget about it. It no longer matters what your first – or even, your next, job is you won’t be doing it very long. What really matters is that you develop skills that will be invaluable in the next job. And then, the next.
This knowledge whacked my cerebral cortex this morning like a sharp slap to the forehead when first-year student, Nikhil Mathur, sent me an email that rocked the socks off my feet.
Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY.
The video clip was developed by Sony for a private presentation at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Intended for an invitation-only executive conference comprised primarily of Wall Street analysts and high-level strategic partners, the video found itself onto YouTube. There, this 5-minute exploration of the post-information age has already garnered more than 9 million hits and a 5-star rating. The message ? We “live in exponential times” and the statistical support Sony provides for their assertion will stun you with its public policy implications.
I picked up the stats I just quoted from the clip. Another startling revelation I found was that technical information is developing so quickly that it has only a 2-year lifespan. Think of it. For undergrads getting a 4-year technical degree, half their knowledge is obsolete before they graduate.
That doesn’t apply to you. What you learn here has more to do with skills development than knowledge per se. The actual factual information you get from your coursework about countries, policies and leaders has a half-life shorter than a frog, but critical thinking skills are timeless. So, hone your ability to ask good questions and question the answers. Ponder the ethical and societal ramifications of public policy as much as the financial. Ethics is forever and societal change is slow. These are the things to carry with you into a job.
This brings me to internships and your first, apprentice-level, jobs. The pay is likely to disappoint you. Most of you will not start at more than $55,000 and some will receive far less. Fear not, most alums find that their salaries five years out are anywhere from 40 – 100% (or more) higher than the starting pay.
When you begin your career, the hiring assumption is that you don’t know much, but you’re bright and you have proven learning skills and subject interest. As much as you feel you are taking a risk by investing your time in an unpaid or low-paying job, so too does the employer perceive he is taking a risk in you. If you do well, you both prosper. If not, the risk was low on both sides. Move on!
That’s the way the thinking goes in a buyers’ job market and a decade of exponential change. You can beat the odds and make the situation work for you, but only by shifting your perspective:
- Cast your net wide. Consider any job that looks interesting and that promises to develop critical skills you don’t yet possess.
- Stay as long as you can in a job - as long as you’re still learning and stimulated on a daily basis. It’s a resume-builder – anything more than 90 days begins to look good. For a first job, stay two years, at least.
- Build bridges – and never, ever burn them. Everywhere you work you’ll make friends and allies. Cultivate them. The traditional job search techniques worse less well every week. It is becoming a world of, “who you know” and “how to access your options” rather than any knowledge you possess. Remember: knowledge is transient.
- Plan for change. From your very first weeks on the job, start looking around for projects you can take on that teach you new things. Ask for growth. After about six months, start looking around you for opportunities where you can apply the new skills. Never stop learning. Very often, the best opportunities to grow are in the same organization where you currently work or in another one in which your job brings you into daily contact.
- Position yourself to be picked up when new positions open up. The approach you use with everyone is “I truly love my job, but I’m always open to hearing about new challenges”.
TIMELESS MAC ‘N CHEESE
Adapted from “It’s All American Food” by David Rosengarten
Since the days of our founding, Americans have swallowed their anxieties in gobs of pasta and cheese. It was on all pub menus in the colonies and gained a popular resurgence during the Great Depression. When Kraft introduced the orange facsimile in the familiar blue box, it was almost instantly popular for its convenience, but there’s nothing like the real thing. Try this – it feeds a hungry dorm room with leftovers. You’ll never go back to the box.
Serves 6 to 8
3/ 4 stick butter
3 T. dry bread crumbs
3 T. grated Parmesan
2 T. minced parsley
2 t. fresh thyme leaves
3 t. sweet paprika
1/ 4 c. flour
2 t. dry mustard
1 t. sea salt
Pinch nutmeg, to taste
2 1/ 4 c. milk
2-3 peeled garlic cloves
3/ 4 c. crème fraiche (or cream and sour cream mixed in equal parts)
1 package grated sharp cheddar, I used Kraft
1/ 2 package grated cheddar + Asiago (again, Kraft)
8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente, drained and rinsed
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Melt 2 T. butter. Toss with bread crumbs, Parmesan, herbs and half the paprika. Set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt remaining butter. Whisk in flour, mustard, salt, remaining paprika. Whisk until smooth and bubbling lightly. Cook until it starts to color and become fragrant. Slowly, whisk in milk. Add garlic and simmer until thick bubbles form, about ten minutes. Be careful not to let it scorch. Remove from heat and beat in crème fraiche and all but about half a cup of each cheese. Discard the garlic cloves.
4. Butter the bottom of a baking dish and dump in the cooked macaroni. Stir in half the cheese sauce, making sure each noodle is well-coated. Sprinkle with half the bread crumbs. Pour on the rest of the cheese sauce, then remain crumbs and top with reserved cheese. Dot with butter.
5. Bake about 20 minutes, until toasty brown and bubbly. Serve hot.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Query of the Week: “How do I get a Federal Job?”
RECIPE: Snickerdoodle Cookies
During the month of September, you’ll meet representatives from Federal agencies with lots of great jobs just designed for people like you – State Department, the CIA and FBI, DEA and DHS, and oh, the IRS. A whole alphabet soup will be offered and you’re probably wondering how to get these jobs and internships.
In my last blog, I talked about worthy goals always having obstacles in their path. A Federal job must be the worthiest since you’ll be forced to climb small mountains in order to secure an appointment. Alums who have ascended swear it’s worth it – and they’re willing to help you. The recruiters will, too, and you already know my door is open.
The rewards of Federal service are many:
· service to your country
· job security
· normal hours for most people
· competitive salaries
· wonderful medical benefits
· generous vacations
· attractive – and early – retirement options
Still, the real reason our MPPs have found Federal jobs irresistible is a factor few think about, looking at the bureaucracy. The work is interesting; even, fascinating – and important.
Not one of our almost sixty grads in Federal employment has ever copped to being bored or feeling like “just a cog in the machine”. Instead, they talk about what a “privilege it is to serve”.
So, how do you get one of these jobs?
This year, the Federal government will hire 127,000 new employees. Getting one can’t be impossible.
Here are your steps:
1. Find the Opening
2. Submit a Competitive Resume
3. Ace the Test
4. Ice the Interview
5. Pass the Clearances
6. PATIENCE!
7. Hit the Ground Running on Day One – and don’t be dismayed if the job you thought you had is different from the one you’ve now got. It will work out.
For today, I’m going to focus on the first two steps, since you’re nowhere without them. That said, take a deep breath and prepare for a process that will try your patience and weaken your will. Keep breathing. Remember the rewards are bountiful.
FINDING THE OPENING
First, create an “agent” on www.USAJOBS.gov.
Some keywords I recommend are:
· California
· Analyst
· Specialist
· “Career Intern” or “FCIP”
· Management
If you’re just starting out, check every week for new openings that are in the GS-07 to GS-09 range, knowing that you’re leaving out hundreds of openings that are not in the government’s standard Civil Service database. Some agencies use a different classification scheme, so check for jobs in the same salary range, roughly mid-forties to high fifties. (Don’t worry, our MPPs move up fast).
Now that you’ve got your agent, about half the jobs – and virtually all the internships – you want will not be posted on USAJOBS. “Gee, thanks” I can hear you mutter. Do not despair.
Team up with your classmates and set one of you to keep track of openings on the agency websites you care about. Scan for jobs that might say “MBA Fellows” or “MPP Fellows” or even, “MPA Fellows” or graduate interns – these are all full-time jobs at competitive salaries with one to two-year terms. They’re the fast-track paths. You WANT these. Watch for them. We’ll post them on EPPIC when we find them, but don’t count on our scans. Find them yourselves.
When you do, file for the job right away. Even if the deadline is a week in the future, Human Resources may decide to stop reviewing after the first hundred applications. You won’t want to miss out.
WRITING THE COMPETITIVE RESUME
There’s a detailed explanation of “how to” in the online EPPIC Document Library, but here are some critical tips:
1) Use the space available to you. These resumes offer you lots of room to write about your accomplishments in each and every relevant experience. Don’t limit yourself to the skeletal bullet points of your standard one-pager, but stick to the word or character limit. Anything longer is truncated.
2) It’s not just about Employment, Internships, Academic Programs and Volunteer Experience count. List not only the jobs for which you were actually paid, but anything that led to your acquiring the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) the job specifies. Although the government is officially phasing out KSA’s as screening tools, the principles still exist in masked form (see below).
3) Those dreaded KSA’s. Here’s what they are:
Knowledge – Factual learning gained either on the job or in school. You may be knowledgeable about Federal regulations in some particular issues area. If it has any relevance, put it in, especially if you are expert.
Skills – These are tools in which you develop proficiency through use, usually languages and technology usage, of some sort.
Abilities – “Soft skills” or things you’re born with that you have developed through experience, such as team-building or leadership, presentation, writing.
In the past, government applications had a section entitled KSA’s in which applicants were asked to answer questions about requisite KSA’s, giving examples of where they had been used. For a variety of reasons, mostly having to do with manpower, this approach was abandoned in favor of computer screening. Now, computers seek out the KSA’s (see below).
4) Keywords in Context (KWIC). Since your resume will first be screened by a computer that crawls through your words looking for specific keywords, make certain every keyword you can truthfully insert is in your resume. It will boost your score. Also, if you have reasonable fluency in a critical language – Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, Russian, Korean – put it in. It may not be relevant to this particular job, but you might get bonus points for it. Veterans and ROTC/ National Guard members also get bonus points.
5) Do NOT hit submit until you’re ready. Preparing this resume is a cut-and-paste exercise. Prepare carefully crafted Word snippets just the length you want with all the keywords you need. Copy and paste into the federal application slots. Just keep hitting “Save” as you fill in the form. Before you submit, print it out and review it – and, have your friends and counselors check it over. Never hit “Submit” until you’re happy.
Note that some agencies, including the CIA, only give you 72-hours to start and finish the resume. Make sure you start it on a weekend when you’ll have plenty of time to work on it.
6) Don’t lie – or, omit any important details. This should be obvious, but it catches up even the most honest applicant. On their one-pagers, most people leave out lots of jobs that don’t seem relevant. For the Feds, include every job for which you were paid with an IRS record. One of the first checks the system makes is for non-disclosure. That can get your application tossed. If you’re male, you must have applied for Selective Service. Check the box. If you don’t, your application will be tossed. If you had a traffic ticket you forgot about and it went to warrant, include it. In most cases, the ticket won’t disqualify you; the omission will.
7) CCAR - Challenge, Context, Action, Results. This is all you need to know to boost your scores. Familiarize yourself with both the duties and qualifications sections of the Position Description. Jot down key words. Now, look at each “job” you’ve held and think about how you developed the requisite KSA’s in the qualifications. There are stories here.
Distill those experiences into very short stories of 20 – 50 words that describe the CHALLENGE you faced; the CONTEXT of the challenge – sometimes your job title is enough; the ACTION you took to meet the challenge; and the RESULTS, quantified, where possible.
You’re the hero of this story, of course, but if the job you want calls for teamwork, note your role in the team and how the entire team benefited from your actions. It’s simple.
Now, try a few with your own resume, using this skill and ability for practice:
· Experience with creating content for a website
· Experience dealing with an authority figure or elected official
CCAR’s are very useful tools because you can quickly expand the little stories into interview responses. When you’re in the mood, write lots of CCARs even if they don’t fill the needs of this particular job. It’s good to have a stash so you can swap them out for another application when a new opening pops up.
8) The Personal Statement. Often, this is the last block of space to be filled on a Federal resume. Applicants are rushed for time and they skim over it. Don’t! This could the most important essay you’ll ever write. For most federal jobs, it will be the first thing the reviewer sees because that’s the way it presents to H/R.
The Personal Statement is so important, it warrants its own blog, but I’ll say just a few words here. Use the full number of characters allowed.
Make sure your essay does these three things:
1. States why you’re passionate about doing this particular job for this specific agency
2. Highlights your particular skills that make you an asset for this job
3. Explains why this particular job is crucial to developing you for the career you seek
9) A word About deadlines. They’re getting tighter every week. And, although a date is given, the surge in applications for GS-07 and GS-09 jobs is so high that many agencies stop review after a few hundred applications are received, regardless of deadlines. If you see a job you want, act fast! The way to do this is to …
10) … Store Sample Federal Resumes. Once you develop your first Federal resume and you decide you like it, have a friend and a career counselor, check it over. When you’re happy with it, store it on USAJOBS. You’ll be ready with a solid foundation when the next opportunity comes your way. Often, you’ll only have to swap out a few CCARs and you’re good-to-go.
Whew! Are you still with me? You probably need a break by now. Ready for cookies?
There is nothing more American than snickerdoodles. I love the name, and even though the original derivation is Dutch, these are not like anything you’ll find in Amsterdam. Crispy on the edges and tender in the center with a snap of spice – very American. Enjoy with friends!
SNICKERDOODLES
About 6 dozen cookies
1 ½ cups sugar plus 1/3 cup
¾ cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 ¾ cup flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Pinch of salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1) Preheat oven to 400-degrees.
2) Whip together butter and 1 ½ cups sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
3) Mix together flour, soda and cream of tartar. Stir into butter mixture. Form into a large ball and chill 30-60 minutes, until firm.
4) Mix the remaining sugar with the cinnamon. Roll pieces of dough into 1” balls and roll them in the sugar mix before dropping them onto ungreased cookie sheets* in rows about 2” apart.
5) Bake 8 to 10 minutes until the edges brown and the center is still puffy. Overcooking results in a crispier cookie.
6) Cool on wire racks and store in airtight containers, up to 2 weeks. They ship well, if you want to send a gift to your favorite troops.
RECIPE: Snickerdoodle Cookies
During the month of September, you’ll meet representatives from Federal agencies with lots of great jobs just designed for people like you – State Department, the CIA and FBI, DEA and DHS, and oh, the IRS. A whole alphabet soup will be offered and you’re probably wondering how to get these jobs and internships.
In my last blog, I talked about worthy goals always having obstacles in their path. A Federal job must be the worthiest since you’ll be forced to climb small mountains in order to secure an appointment. Alums who have ascended swear it’s worth it – and they’re willing to help you. The recruiters will, too, and you already know my door is open.
The rewards of Federal service are many:
· service to your country
· job security
· normal hours for most people
· competitive salaries
· wonderful medical benefits
· generous vacations
· attractive – and early – retirement options
Still, the real reason our MPPs have found Federal jobs irresistible is a factor few think about, looking at the bureaucracy. The work is interesting; even, fascinating – and important.
Not one of our almost sixty grads in Federal employment has ever copped to being bored or feeling like “just a cog in the machine”. Instead, they talk about what a “privilege it is to serve”.
So, how do you get one of these jobs?
This year, the Federal government will hire 127,000 new employees. Getting one can’t be impossible.
Here are your steps:
1. Find the Opening
2. Submit a Competitive Resume
3. Ace the Test
4. Ice the Interview
5. Pass the Clearances
6. PATIENCE!
7. Hit the Ground Running on Day One – and don’t be dismayed if the job you thought you had is different from the one you’ve now got. It will work out.
For today, I’m going to focus on the first two steps, since you’re nowhere without them. That said, take a deep breath and prepare for a process that will try your patience and weaken your will. Keep breathing. Remember the rewards are bountiful.
FINDING THE OPENING
First, create an “agent” on www.USAJOBS.gov.
Some keywords I recommend are:
· California
· Analyst
· Specialist
· “Career Intern” or “FCIP”
· Management
If you’re just starting out, check every week for new openings that are in the GS-07 to GS-09 range, knowing that you’re leaving out hundreds of openings that are not in the government’s standard Civil Service database. Some agencies use a different classification scheme, so check for jobs in the same salary range, roughly mid-forties to high fifties. (Don’t worry, our MPPs move up fast).
Now that you’ve got your agent, about half the jobs – and virtually all the internships – you want will not be posted on USAJOBS. “Gee, thanks” I can hear you mutter. Do not despair.
Team up with your classmates and set one of you to keep track of openings on the agency websites you care about. Scan for jobs that might say “MBA Fellows” or “MPP Fellows” or even, “MPA Fellows” or graduate interns – these are all full-time jobs at competitive salaries with one to two-year terms. They’re the fast-track paths. You WANT these. Watch for them. We’ll post them on EPPIC when we find them, but don’t count on our scans. Find them yourselves.
When you do, file for the job right away. Even if the deadline is a week in the future, Human Resources may decide to stop reviewing after the first hundred applications. You won’t want to miss out.
WRITING THE COMPETITIVE RESUME
There’s a detailed explanation of “how to” in the online EPPIC Document Library, but here are some critical tips:
1) Use the space available to you. These resumes offer you lots of room to write about your accomplishments in each and every relevant experience. Don’t limit yourself to the skeletal bullet points of your standard one-pager, but stick to the word or character limit. Anything longer is truncated.
2) It’s not just about Employment, Internships, Academic Programs and Volunteer Experience count. List not only the jobs for which you were actually paid, but anything that led to your acquiring the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) the job specifies. Although the government is officially phasing out KSA’s as screening tools, the principles still exist in masked form (see below).
3) Those dreaded KSA’s. Here’s what they are:
Knowledge – Factual learning gained either on the job or in school. You may be knowledgeable about Federal regulations in some particular issues area. If it has any relevance, put it in, especially if you are expert.
Skills – These are tools in which you develop proficiency through use, usually languages and technology usage, of some sort.
Abilities – “Soft skills” or things you’re born with that you have developed through experience, such as team-building or leadership, presentation, writing.
In the past, government applications had a section entitled KSA’s in which applicants were asked to answer questions about requisite KSA’s, giving examples of where they had been used. For a variety of reasons, mostly having to do with manpower, this approach was abandoned in favor of computer screening. Now, computers seek out the KSA’s (see below).
4) Keywords in Context (KWIC). Since your resume will first be screened by a computer that crawls through your words looking for specific keywords, make certain every keyword you can truthfully insert is in your resume. It will boost your score. Also, if you have reasonable fluency in a critical language – Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, Russian, Korean – put it in. It may not be relevant to this particular job, but you might get bonus points for it. Veterans and ROTC/ National Guard members also get bonus points.
5) Do NOT hit submit until you’re ready. Preparing this resume is a cut-and-paste exercise. Prepare carefully crafted Word snippets just the length you want with all the keywords you need. Copy and paste into the federal application slots. Just keep hitting “Save” as you fill in the form. Before you submit, print it out and review it – and, have your friends and counselors check it over. Never hit “Submit” until you’re happy.
Note that some agencies, including the CIA, only give you 72-hours to start and finish the resume. Make sure you start it on a weekend when you’ll have plenty of time to work on it.
6) Don’t lie – or, omit any important details. This should be obvious, but it catches up even the most honest applicant. On their one-pagers, most people leave out lots of jobs that don’t seem relevant. For the Feds, include every job for which you were paid with an IRS record. One of the first checks the system makes is for non-disclosure. That can get your application tossed. If you’re male, you must have applied for Selective Service. Check the box. If you don’t, your application will be tossed. If you had a traffic ticket you forgot about and it went to warrant, include it. In most cases, the ticket won’t disqualify you; the omission will.
7) CCAR - Challenge, Context, Action, Results. This is all you need to know to boost your scores. Familiarize yourself with both the duties and qualifications sections of the Position Description. Jot down key words. Now, look at each “job” you’ve held and think about how you developed the requisite KSA’s in the qualifications. There are stories here.
Distill those experiences into very short stories of 20 – 50 words that describe the CHALLENGE you faced; the CONTEXT of the challenge – sometimes your job title is enough; the ACTION you took to meet the challenge; and the RESULTS, quantified, where possible.
You’re the hero of this story, of course, but if the job you want calls for teamwork, note your role in the team and how the entire team benefited from your actions. It’s simple.
Now, try a few with your own resume, using this skill and ability for practice:
· Experience with creating content for a website
· Experience dealing with an authority figure or elected official
CCAR’s are very useful tools because you can quickly expand the little stories into interview responses. When you’re in the mood, write lots of CCARs even if they don’t fill the needs of this particular job. It’s good to have a stash so you can swap them out for another application when a new opening pops up.
8) The Personal Statement. Often, this is the last block of space to be filled on a Federal resume. Applicants are rushed for time and they skim over it. Don’t! This could the most important essay you’ll ever write. For most federal jobs, it will be the first thing the reviewer sees because that’s the way it presents to H/R.
The Personal Statement is so important, it warrants its own blog, but I’ll say just a few words here. Use the full number of characters allowed.
Make sure your essay does these three things:
1. States why you’re passionate about doing this particular job for this specific agency
2. Highlights your particular skills that make you an asset for this job
3. Explains why this particular job is crucial to developing you for the career you seek
9) A word About deadlines. They’re getting tighter every week. And, although a date is given, the surge in applications for GS-07 and GS-09 jobs is so high that many agencies stop review after a few hundred applications are received, regardless of deadlines. If you see a job you want, act fast! The way to do this is to …
10) … Store Sample Federal Resumes. Once you develop your first Federal resume and you decide you like it, have a friend and a career counselor, check it over. When you’re happy with it, store it on USAJOBS. You’ll be ready with a solid foundation when the next opportunity comes your way. Often, you’ll only have to swap out a few CCARs and you’re good-to-go.
Whew! Are you still with me? You probably need a break by now. Ready for cookies?
There is nothing more American than snickerdoodles. I love the name, and even though the original derivation is Dutch, these are not like anything you’ll find in Amsterdam. Crispy on the edges and tender in the center with a snap of spice – very American. Enjoy with friends!
SNICKERDOODLES
About 6 dozen cookies
1 ½ cups sugar plus 1/3 cup
¾ cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 ¾ cup flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Pinch of salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1) Preheat oven to 400-degrees.
2) Whip together butter and 1 ½ cups sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
3) Mix together flour, soda and cream of tartar. Stir into butter mixture. Form into a large ball and chill 30-60 minutes, until firm.
4) Mix the remaining sugar with the cinnamon. Roll pieces of dough into 1” balls and roll them in the sugar mix before dropping them onto ungreased cookie sheets* in rows about 2” apart.
5) Bake 8 to 10 minutes until the edges brown and the center is still puffy. Overcooking results in a crispier cookie.
6) Cool on wire racks and store in airtight containers, up to 2 weeks. They ship well, if you want to send a gift to your favorite troops.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
I'm confused: What should I do with my life?
“Follow Your Grail”.
Recipe: Berry Fool
Saturday, I saw the Broadway export, “Spamalot”, at L.A.'s Ahmanson Theater. It was a crack-up!
Based on the equally funny 1975 film, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, the modern musical is full of foolish wisdom under the guise of farce. For example - you public policy folk would enjoy a classical political dialectic worthy of inclusion in “Roots of the American Order” between King Arthur and the about-to-be Sir Galahad. Dr. Gordon Lloyd could use these three pages of script as a springboard for a three-hour lecture on rights of the governed.
A few scenes further on, John Cleese as God, commands Arthur and his knights to “find the grail - and get on with it; the people don’t have all night.”
“God be praised,” cries Arthur. “We have a quest!”
Sir Robin cheers, “To the quail!”
“No, no, the grail. The vessel used at the last supper.”
“They had a boat at the last supper? A sort of dinner cruise?”
Galahad interjects, “The grail is a cup.”
Robin sputters, “God the Almighty, all-knowing misplaced a cup?”
Galahad shrugs. “Apparently”.
“Can’t we just buy him another one?” suggests Robin.
Arthur stands and addresses his assembled knights. “Look, it’s not about a missing cup, it’s a metaphor. We must all look within us. That’s where we’ll find the grail.”
So on, they march into “The Very Expensive Forest”, each person seeking his own personal grail. In no time, the knights paths diverge, each seeking his own route to fulfillment.
Behind them, a chorus of Laker girls pops up singing this very good advice:
“Life is really up to you. You must choose what you pursue.
Set your mind on what to find – there’s really nothing you can’t do.”
So in the way of everone, including well-guided public policy students, Arthur and his knights stumble on, encountering perils and occasional humiliations along the way. They wander down dead-ends, and when they do, they get back to their feet, proclaiming, ”I’m not dead yet!”
As long as you’re still alive, pursue the goal that lies within - and only you can know when you find it. Over the course of your life, that grail may lose its luster. That's perfect - it's the way of things. Go, seek another one.
In Spamalot's finale, another foolish bit of wisdom tumbled out of the mouths of Arthur’s hapless knights: “Always look at the bright side of life.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_tgjj4ieQc.
“When you’re feeling in the dumps, don’t be silly chumps. Just purse your lips and whistle – that’s the thing.”
And, smile – you’ll find your path. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? If you're lost or just cruisin', stop by and say “hi”.
The Recipe: Berry Fool
Fools are favorites of mine. They’re like court jesters, wise enough to admit they “simply don’t know the answers”. That's why there's a smiling clown on my wall.
Fools as desserts are delicious – easy to make and loved by all. The recipe originated, at least, in the late Middle Ages, where it was served weekly at Cambridge University. This 21st century version updates the classic with an infusion of creamy white chocolate.
WHITE CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY FOOL
Serves 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: Best, prepared in stages
4 cups sliced fresh berries – blackberries, strawberries (your choice)
Sugar, to taste (usually about 1/ 4 cup)
1/ 4 cup cassis or Chambord, optional
1 /2 pint very cold heavy cream
4 ounces white chocolate, melted
1) Mash berries with sugar to taste. If using liqueur, add. Let rest 30 minutes.
2) Whip cream plus 2-3 tablespoons sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in the white chocolate, gently. Stir in the berries, reserving ½ cup for garnish. Be sure to leave pale streaks in the mix for authenticity.
3) Chill for at least one hour before serving.
Recipe: Berry Fool
Saturday, I saw the Broadway export, “Spamalot”, at L.A.'s Ahmanson Theater. It was a crack-up!
Based on the equally funny 1975 film, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, the modern musical is full of foolish wisdom under the guise of farce. For example - you public policy folk would enjoy a classical political dialectic worthy of inclusion in “Roots of the American Order” between King Arthur and the about-to-be Sir Galahad. Dr. Gordon Lloyd could use these three pages of script as a springboard for a three-hour lecture on rights of the governed.
A few scenes further on, John Cleese as God, commands Arthur and his knights to “find the grail - and get on with it; the people don’t have all night.”
“God be praised,” cries Arthur. “We have a quest!”
Sir Robin cheers, “To the quail!”
“No, no, the grail. The vessel used at the last supper.”
“They had a boat at the last supper? A sort of dinner cruise?”
Galahad interjects, “The grail is a cup.”
Robin sputters, “God the Almighty, all-knowing misplaced a cup?”
Galahad shrugs. “Apparently”.
“Can’t we just buy him another one?” suggests Robin.
Arthur stands and addresses his assembled knights. “Look, it’s not about a missing cup, it’s a metaphor. We must all look within us. That’s where we’ll find the grail.”
So on, they march into “The Very Expensive Forest”, each person seeking his own personal grail. In no time, the knights paths diverge, each seeking his own route to fulfillment.
Behind them, a chorus of Laker girls pops up singing this very good advice:
“Life is really up to you. You must choose what you pursue.
Set your mind on what to find – there’s really nothing you can’t do.”
So in the way of everone, including well-guided public policy students, Arthur and his knights stumble on, encountering perils and occasional humiliations along the way. They wander down dead-ends, and when they do, they get back to their feet, proclaiming, ”I’m not dead yet!”
As long as you’re still alive, pursue the goal that lies within - and only you can know when you find it. Over the course of your life, that grail may lose its luster. That's perfect - it's the way of things. Go, seek another one.
In Spamalot's finale, another foolish bit of wisdom tumbled out of the mouths of Arthur’s hapless knights: “Always look at the bright side of life.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_tgjj4ieQc.
“When you’re feeling in the dumps, don’t be silly chumps. Just purse your lips and whistle – that’s the thing.”
And, smile – you’ll find your path. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? If you're lost or just cruisin', stop by and say “hi”.
The Recipe: Berry Fool
Fools are favorites of mine. They’re like court jesters, wise enough to admit they “simply don’t know the answers”. That's why there's a smiling clown on my wall.
Fools as desserts are delicious – easy to make and loved by all. The recipe originated, at least, in the late Middle Ages, where it was served weekly at Cambridge University. This 21st century version updates the classic with an infusion of creamy white chocolate.
WHITE CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY FOOL
Serves 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: Best, prepared in stages
4 cups sliced fresh berries – blackberries, strawberries (your choice)
Sugar, to taste (usually about 1/ 4 cup)
1/ 4 cup cassis or Chambord, optional
1 /2 pint very cold heavy cream
4 ounces white chocolate, melted
1) Mash berries with sugar to taste. If using liqueur, add. Let rest 30 minutes.
2) Whip cream plus 2-3 tablespoons sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in the white chocolate, gently. Stir in the berries, reserving ½ cup for garnish. Be sure to leave pale streaks in the mix for authenticity.
3) Chill for at least one hour before serving.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Hot Query of the Week: “Tell Me All About Internships” - The Top Ten FAQs
Plus a topical recipe: Groundnut Stew (see below)
A student’s internship is the centerpiece of Pepperdine’s two year master’s program in public policy. Every student – without exception – has to do one, and most people choose to take advantage of the four-month break between the first and second year to do an extended internship during the summer. I think of it as a gift the school forces the students to give themselves since there is rarely a time in life that you can try on something completely new. For almost every student, their internship is a wondrous time of transformation. They go places they never imagined being able to visit, let alone work in, countries like Uganda and Rwanda, India and Bangladesh, Bolivia and Azerbaijan. Last summer, students worked in all of these nations and more. Another small group went to Washington DC. Check out the internship blogs at: http://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/admission/student-blogs/.
When those students returned this week, every single one was charged up, passionate about pursuing their careers in public policy. They’ll be recounting their experiences at the Mixer Wednesday night, September 2nd, so get ready for a fun evening.
Every year, there are a few – very few – who made an unwise choice for themselves and picked an imperfect fit. That’s okay. Truly. In fact, you might think of it as GREAT news! Only with an internship can you take a job, work awhile, and if it doesn’t work out, walk away. No harm; no foul. No hole on your resume. No failure to excuse. The internship disappears.
Here’s more good news about a bad internship. While you were working – wishing you were elsewhere – you learned some crucial truths about yourself: what you like to do and what you don’t. Next time, you’ll make a better choice.
Here, in Career Services, we work hard to help you make smart choices the first time out. We study your resume and your interest sheets, meet with you to really get to know you – how you work and how you like to work with others. We offer personality assessments and suggest career paths that might suit your personality and interaction style preferences. Where appropriate, we pair you with a student or alumni mentor who can help guide you to getting (and keeping) the job you want. And, as soon as we’re confident we know where your interests lie, we’ll shoot you email notices when there are openings that might appeal to you.
Every week or so, we have recruiters and alumni panels on campus showcasing career options. This week, Ed Kulakowski will be here from the State Department and, on Monday, recruiters will be here from the CIA and FBI.
Check out the four hundred internship organizations listed on the school’s database and browse prior year students’ comments about working in two hundred of them.
New postings are added daily to the EPPIC database, so watch for news and announcements. You can even check for jobs posted by Pepperdine’s Seaver College and Graduate School of Education and Psychology. The Business and Law Schools have separate proprietary systems.
So, take a breath – if you’re a new student, you needn’t do anything yet – relax and begin to dream.
Because there are always a few questions everybody asks, here are:
The Top Ten FAQ’s about Internships at Pepperdine SPP:
1) What are the requirements?
Every student in Pepperdine’s two-year Master of Public Policy program is required to do a minimum of 240 hours of professional-level work in policy formulation, assessment or execution – anywhere in the world. At least, anywhere that is not on the State Department’s Travel Watch list. That internship must be for a single employer – or, for certain international projects, on a single project with no more than two organizations and a single supervisor who can evaluate your work.
2) Is this just a summer thing? When should I do it?
You can do the internship at any time. In fact, more than half our students do two, and most students far exceed the 240-hour minimum on their primary internship. That said, we strongly suggest that you take the first semester to focus on your schoolwork. There is a lot of reading and at least some of the material will be very new to you, regardless of background. After that, many students arrange their electives to allow them two full days on the day in an LA-based internship.
3) Can I work for a corporation?
Sure. The only restriction is that the work must be public policy. Virtually every corporation has public policy issues to grapple with – regulatory affairs, taxation, permitting, foundations and community affairs, lobbying and government affairs, public service announcements, trade, international currency exchange, and a whole host of other activities that come under the purview of public policy. If you have any questions as to whether your proposed job is appropriate, simply stop by and ask.
4) I’ve already completed (name the number) public policy internships. Why do I have to do yours?
The purpose of the Pepperdine internship is for you to apply what you’ve learned at a professional level in a field you propose to work. Before you came here, you did not have the knowledge or skills you’re attaining. Isn’t that why you’re here? Remember, the internship is a gift; not a punishment. Enjoy the opportunity to explore new options or to build your abilities in the same organizations you worked before. You’ll find you do things better.
5) Where can I go?
Anywhere in the world that is not on the State Department Watch List. The university wants you to be safe – and does not want to incur any liability that might accrue is you went to a “hot spot”. If you have any question about a target country, here’s the link to the list: http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.
6) Do you give me one? If not, how do I find one?
No – we are not a placement service. That said, we are in frequent contact with hiring authorities at the many organizations that regularly hire our students. We post their notices on EPPIC and I’ll alert you if you appear to be an exceptional fit for the position. Securing the job is always up to you.
In addition, employers visit campus to talk about jobs and internships that might interest you. Attend these sessions, even if you think you’re not interested. You’d be surprised at what these large employers actually do, and how you might fit in.
Alumni and second year students are great resources. Ask for help and introductions, but be discreet. You can overdo it if you’re not judicious.
Finally, dozens of openings for jobs and internships are posted every week on EPPIC, the Career Services portal. Check at least weekly because many employers cut off review after the first hundred applications, regardless of stated deadline. Remember I said, “Carpe Diem” during Orientation.
7) I’m interested in international affairs, what kind of work can I do in Los Angeles?
This is an interesting question for several reasons. First, you’re here and the school is here and L.A. is a huge, complex international area with 12 million people and a $698 billion economy. That’s larger than most countries.
Of course, if you’re truly interested in international relations, make your summer internship an overseas one, but when you come back, keep working. You can volunteer at an LA-based foreign consulate or at one of the State Department’s local offices. Consider interning for the Mayor of Los Angeles. With a hugely diverse constituency and trade, a big part of the economy, Mayor Villaraigosa has his own foreign policy, handled by the Protocol Office. Check out the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Or, take a look at the Department of Commerce International Trade Agency. Print and broadcast media news organizations. Corporations. International non-profits. The World Affairs Council. LA-based think tanks. You can learn a tremendous amount about the world working right here in L.A.
8) Are internships paid? Or, do I have to pay for it?
Until this year, about half our students’ internships were paid, but that number dropped drastically when the economy fell. Still, about a third of the LA-based employers pay modest hourly wages or stipends. Virtually no international internships are paid.
Students pay the university nothing – zip, zero – for the internship. It is a required, zero-unit course that is graded pass/not-pass. The reason we gave it zero units was to keep fees lower in recognition of the fact that internships typically cost the student something, at least in housing and travel. Students who invest in international internships universally report it “was worth it”. This is especially true for students seeking international jobs. That in-country work experience is an essential asset on their resume.
9) Are there internship fellowships?
In recent years, the school has been fortunate to be able to offer a few internship fellowships. These fellowships are competitive with awards based on merit – a combination of GPA, essay, quality of the program proposed and faculty recommendations or references. At this point, there is no way of knowing was next summer’s funding will be. It could be nothing. We will try to make it happen, but don’t count on it.
10) From foreign students: The employer pays for this internship but it’s not legal for me to work in the US. Can I get paid?
Yes. During your two years with us, all foreign students are eligible for payment under a Federal program called Optional Practical Training (OPT). Your internship is a requisite part of your degree, so the US Government has ceded you the right to be paid while you work. The internship and the OPT must be pre-approved. Check with Judy Lee in International Student Services for details and paperwork: judy.lee@pepperdine.edu or (310) 506-4246.
The Recipe: Groundnut Stew
What do you eat when you’re interning in Africa? If you read their blogs, you’d think sub-Saharan Africa was an outpost of the Valley since Mike Belina’s stories were replete with burgers, pizza and Coke. Not so, in my experience. Sure, you can get a Coke and, as Mike pointed out, they’re pretty good made with cane sugar instead of the US recipe with corn syrup. It’s a safe drink, too, as long as your skip the ice.
HOWEVER, very few Rwandans, Ugandans or Kenyans eat cow – all that cattle is a sign of wealth and you wouldn’t cull the herd for supper. What most east Africans eat most often is some form of braised vegetables, almost always with squash and plantains, or bananas. Some like it mild; some like it spicy; but everybody likes it.
Here’s a version I tried out on my book club a month or so ago after we read Dave Eggers’ chilling fictionalized memoir of the Lost Boys of Sudan: “What is the What?”. If you care about Africa and what to understand it better, read the book. It’s a profound “read”.
GROUNDNUT STEW
Serves 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Total time: 40-50 minutes
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 chicken, cut in pieces
1 cup chicken broth (optional)
1 onion, chopped
4 sliced zucchinis (or 1 cup squash of your choosing)
1 small can crushed tomatoes, drained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Pinch cayenne (or more, to taste)
1 teaspoon ground ginger and/or pinch coriander
3/ 4 cup peanut butter (I prefer creamy)
1 10-ounce package frozen okra
1) In a heavy Dutch oven or casserole, brown chicken in 1 tablespoon oil. Add salt and pepper. Add broth or 1 cup water. Bring to a boil and simmer.
2) In a frying pan, brown onions and squash and any other fresh vegetables in remaining oil. Add onions, spices and peanut butter with a splash of liquid. Stir to mix. Add to the Dutch oven. When it returns to a simmer, season to taste, adding garlic, herbs, raisins or whatever inspires you.
3) When the chicken is cooked through, add the okra and cook until the vegetables are firm but hot.
4) Serve over rice with condiments of your choice: chutney, chopped tropical fruits, nuts, hard boiled eggs.
Plus a topical recipe: Groundnut Stew (see below)
A student’s internship is the centerpiece of Pepperdine’s two year master’s program in public policy. Every student – without exception – has to do one, and most people choose to take advantage of the four-month break between the first and second year to do an extended internship during the summer. I think of it as a gift the school forces the students to give themselves since there is rarely a time in life that you can try on something completely new. For almost every student, their internship is a wondrous time of transformation. They go places they never imagined being able to visit, let alone work in, countries like Uganda and Rwanda, India and Bangladesh, Bolivia and Azerbaijan. Last summer, students worked in all of these nations and more. Another small group went to Washington DC. Check out the internship blogs at: http://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/admission/student-blogs/.
When those students returned this week, every single one was charged up, passionate about pursuing their careers in public policy. They’ll be recounting their experiences at the Mixer Wednesday night, September 2nd, so get ready for a fun evening.
Every year, there are a few – very few – who made an unwise choice for themselves and picked an imperfect fit. That’s okay. Truly. In fact, you might think of it as GREAT news! Only with an internship can you take a job, work awhile, and if it doesn’t work out, walk away. No harm; no foul. No hole on your resume. No failure to excuse. The internship disappears.
Here’s more good news about a bad internship. While you were working – wishing you were elsewhere – you learned some crucial truths about yourself: what you like to do and what you don’t. Next time, you’ll make a better choice.
Here, in Career Services, we work hard to help you make smart choices the first time out. We study your resume and your interest sheets, meet with you to really get to know you – how you work and how you like to work with others. We offer personality assessments and suggest career paths that might suit your personality and interaction style preferences. Where appropriate, we pair you with a student or alumni mentor who can help guide you to getting (and keeping) the job you want. And, as soon as we’re confident we know where your interests lie, we’ll shoot you email notices when there are openings that might appeal to you.
Every week or so, we have recruiters and alumni panels on campus showcasing career options. This week, Ed Kulakowski will be here from the State Department and, on Monday, recruiters will be here from the CIA and FBI.
Check out the four hundred internship organizations listed on the school’s database and browse prior year students’ comments about working in two hundred of them.
New postings are added daily to the EPPIC database, so watch for news and announcements. You can even check for jobs posted by Pepperdine’s Seaver College and Graduate School of Education and Psychology. The Business and Law Schools have separate proprietary systems.
So, take a breath – if you’re a new student, you needn’t do anything yet – relax and begin to dream.
Because there are always a few questions everybody asks, here are:
The Top Ten FAQ’s about Internships at Pepperdine SPP:
1) What are the requirements?
Every student in Pepperdine’s two-year Master of Public Policy program is required to do a minimum of 240 hours of professional-level work in policy formulation, assessment or execution – anywhere in the world. At least, anywhere that is not on the State Department’s Travel Watch list. That internship must be for a single employer – or, for certain international projects, on a single project with no more than two organizations and a single supervisor who can evaluate your work.
2) Is this just a summer thing? When should I do it?
You can do the internship at any time. In fact, more than half our students do two, and most students far exceed the 240-hour minimum on their primary internship. That said, we strongly suggest that you take the first semester to focus on your schoolwork. There is a lot of reading and at least some of the material will be very new to you, regardless of background. After that, many students arrange their electives to allow them two full days on the day in an LA-based internship.
3) Can I work for a corporation?
Sure. The only restriction is that the work must be public policy. Virtually every corporation has public policy issues to grapple with – regulatory affairs, taxation, permitting, foundations and community affairs, lobbying and government affairs, public service announcements, trade, international currency exchange, and a whole host of other activities that come under the purview of public policy. If you have any questions as to whether your proposed job is appropriate, simply stop by and ask.
4) I’ve already completed (name the number) public policy internships. Why do I have to do yours?
The purpose of the Pepperdine internship is for you to apply what you’ve learned at a professional level in a field you propose to work. Before you came here, you did not have the knowledge or skills you’re attaining. Isn’t that why you’re here? Remember, the internship is a gift; not a punishment. Enjoy the opportunity to explore new options or to build your abilities in the same organizations you worked before. You’ll find you do things better.
5) Where can I go?
Anywhere in the world that is not on the State Department Watch List. The university wants you to be safe – and does not want to incur any liability that might accrue is you went to a “hot spot”. If you have any question about a target country, here’s the link to the list: http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.
6) Do you give me one? If not, how do I find one?
No – we are not a placement service. That said, we are in frequent contact with hiring authorities at the many organizations that regularly hire our students. We post their notices on EPPIC and I’ll alert you if you appear to be an exceptional fit for the position. Securing the job is always up to you.
In addition, employers visit campus to talk about jobs and internships that might interest you. Attend these sessions, even if you think you’re not interested. You’d be surprised at what these large employers actually do, and how you might fit in.
Alumni and second year students are great resources. Ask for help and introductions, but be discreet. You can overdo it if you’re not judicious.
Finally, dozens of openings for jobs and internships are posted every week on EPPIC, the Career Services portal. Check at least weekly because many employers cut off review after the first hundred applications, regardless of stated deadline. Remember I said, “Carpe Diem” during Orientation.
7) I’m interested in international affairs, what kind of work can I do in Los Angeles?
This is an interesting question for several reasons. First, you’re here and the school is here and L.A. is a huge, complex international area with 12 million people and a $698 billion economy. That’s larger than most countries.
Of course, if you’re truly interested in international relations, make your summer internship an overseas one, but when you come back, keep working. You can volunteer at an LA-based foreign consulate or at one of the State Department’s local offices. Consider interning for the Mayor of Los Angeles. With a hugely diverse constituency and trade, a big part of the economy, Mayor Villaraigosa has his own foreign policy, handled by the Protocol Office. Check out the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Or, take a look at the Department of Commerce International Trade Agency. Print and broadcast media news organizations. Corporations. International non-profits. The World Affairs Council. LA-based think tanks. You can learn a tremendous amount about the world working right here in L.A.
8) Are internships paid? Or, do I have to pay for it?
Until this year, about half our students’ internships were paid, but that number dropped drastically when the economy fell. Still, about a third of the LA-based employers pay modest hourly wages or stipends. Virtually no international internships are paid.
Students pay the university nothing – zip, zero – for the internship. It is a required, zero-unit course that is graded pass/not-pass. The reason we gave it zero units was to keep fees lower in recognition of the fact that internships typically cost the student something, at least in housing and travel. Students who invest in international internships universally report it “was worth it”. This is especially true for students seeking international jobs. That in-country work experience is an essential asset on their resume.
9) Are there internship fellowships?
In recent years, the school has been fortunate to be able to offer a few internship fellowships. These fellowships are competitive with awards based on merit – a combination of GPA, essay, quality of the program proposed and faculty recommendations or references. At this point, there is no way of knowing was next summer’s funding will be. It could be nothing. We will try to make it happen, but don’t count on it.
10) From foreign students: The employer pays for this internship but it’s not legal for me to work in the US. Can I get paid?
Yes. During your two years with us, all foreign students are eligible for payment under a Federal program called Optional Practical Training (OPT). Your internship is a requisite part of your degree, so the US Government has ceded you the right to be paid while you work. The internship and the OPT must be pre-approved. Check with Judy Lee in International Student Services for details and paperwork: judy.lee@pepperdine.edu or (310) 506-4246.
The Recipe: Groundnut Stew
What do you eat when you’re interning in Africa? If you read their blogs, you’d think sub-Saharan Africa was an outpost of the Valley since Mike Belina’s stories were replete with burgers, pizza and Coke. Not so, in my experience. Sure, you can get a Coke and, as Mike pointed out, they’re pretty good made with cane sugar instead of the US recipe with corn syrup. It’s a safe drink, too, as long as your skip the ice.
HOWEVER, very few Rwandans, Ugandans or Kenyans eat cow – all that cattle is a sign of wealth and you wouldn’t cull the herd for supper. What most east Africans eat most often is some form of braised vegetables, almost always with squash and plantains, or bananas. Some like it mild; some like it spicy; but everybody likes it.
Here’s a version I tried out on my book club a month or so ago after we read Dave Eggers’ chilling fictionalized memoir of the Lost Boys of Sudan: “What is the What?”. If you care about Africa and what to understand it better, read the book. It’s a profound “read”.
GROUNDNUT STEW
Serves 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Total time: 40-50 minutes
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 chicken, cut in pieces
1 cup chicken broth (optional)
1 onion, chopped
4 sliced zucchinis (or 1 cup squash of your choosing)
1 small can crushed tomatoes, drained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Pinch cayenne (or more, to taste)
1 teaspoon ground ginger and/or pinch coriander
3/ 4 cup peanut butter (I prefer creamy)
1 10-ounce package frozen okra
1) In a heavy Dutch oven or casserole, brown chicken in 1 tablespoon oil. Add salt and pepper. Add broth or 1 cup water. Bring to a boil and simmer.
2) In a frying pan, brown onions and squash and any other fresh vegetables in remaining oil. Add onions, spices and peanut butter with a splash of liquid. Stir to mix. Add to the Dutch oven. When it returns to a simmer, season to taste, adding garlic, herbs, raisins or whatever inspires you.
3) When the chicken is cooked through, add the okra and cook until the vegetables are firm but hot.
4) Serve over rice with condiments of your choice: chutney, chopped tropical fruits, nuts, hard boiled eggs.
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