Help (Not) Wanted

Name: Brigitte Pentecost
Major: English
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Job Interviews: 0
Job Offers: 0
Dream Job: High-end party planner or world-famous journalist
How Worried Are You?: Not too worried. I think I have grad school all lined up. If not, I'll take a year off and revisit my options for further education.
Career Advice: Throw caution to the wind, and go for what you love. If that means being a musician, move to L.A. and audition band members. If it means becoming a vicious shark of a lawyer, take the LSAT and start applying to law schools. Nothing is beyond reach when you truly want it.

How can your college help you find a job?

PHOTO COURTESY OF NYTIMES/MICHELLE AGINS


Just read this interesting article in The New York Times about how college career services office are helping their students find jobs in the recession.

I couldn't find any information on Santa Clara's Career Center website, but they have been sending out e-mail with tips on how to succeed in a tough economy.

Is it time for SCU to do more? How could they help?

Off to the Interview I Go...

So, an update on my job seeking efforts: As I mentioned, I received the coveted "call back" for a position I applied for in Chicago. After a couple phone interviews, they expressed interest in interviewing me at their office, and off I was to the Windy City... Because this was only my second time to the city, I was quite nervous, to say the least. After a day of traveling, I finally checked into my hotel at 7:30PM (my plane was supposed to leave from San Jose at 6:40AM if that gives you an idea of my day...) This being my first occasion as a solo, "business" traveler - and starving - I walked across the street to the John Hancock building, which sits on a Cheesecake Factory. Because my food was going to take a while, and it was 12 degrees outside, I did what all businessmen do in the movies - I went and got a beer at the bar! I chatted up the bartender to get the 411 on Chicago and, lo and behold, he's from Oakland. Figures. Finished playing businessman dress-up, I headed back to my room, devoured the food, and prepared for my interview by doing research and looking over some sample questions. Here's a good list from JobSearch.com of questions to be prepared for:

Job Interview Questions About You

• What is your greatest weakness?
• What is your greatest strength?
• How would you describe the pace at which you work?
• How do you handle stress and pressure?
• What motivates you?
• What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?
• If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say?
• Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
• Give some examples of teamwork.
• What type of work environment do you prefer?
• How do you evaluate success?
• Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.
• Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it.

So how did the interview go? More details to follow...

Help (Not) Wanted

Name: Mike Brown
Major: English
Hometown: Chico, CA
Job Interviews: 0
Job Offers: 0
Dream Job: ESPN Anchor
How Worried Are You?: Not too worried
Career Advice: Find a unique way to separate yourself from the pack and create your own luck.

Help (Not) Wanted

Name: Sarah A. Kurobe
Major: Communication
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Job Interviews: 0
Job Offers: 0
Dream Job: Having my own cooking show.
How Worried Are You: Not too worried...
Career Advice: Do something you love; don't do it for the money.

It's Not Time to Press the Panic Button

It's time to calm down, folks. Yes, the San Jose Sharks just returned from a less than perfect road trip, returning with a three game losing streak and only one win. Yes, Boston has overtaken them with a five point lead in the league standings. Yes, goalie Evgeni Nabokov is not exhibiting his best form to date. These facts are depressing, but certainly not debilitating, as many "fans" seem to think. What makes me sad is not our local hockey team's suddenly average play, but the accompanying poor attitudes toward the Sharks that I have observed around campus. Of course it's more fun when to be a fan when the Sharks are stellar, but part of being a true "fin- atic" is supporting a team through both the highs AND the lows. Instead of getting riled up over the missed saves and blocked shots that have tended to define the last string of games, let's focus on the positive: The Sharks are still second in the league, first in the Western Conference and first in the Pacific Division. They are heading into a three game home stand at the Tank against teams that they should be able to systematically annihilate. Finally, they still have three games in hand against the league-leading Bruins.

So let's not despair, Sharks fans. The play exhibited in the last few games should only have been expected in an 82-game season.  So please, take a deep breath  and remove your hand from the panic button. We're going to be just fine.

Profiles in Debt

Name: Mariana Pappageorge

Major: Communication

Year: 2010

Debt: $0

Deep Thought on Debt: "People focus on going to a good school where they believe they will gain a good education in order to get a top notch job. Once they graduate, they are in so much debt and they are more worried about paying off those debts instead of following their career goals."

Some Things Never Change

My dad has a habit of telling stories over and over again. And then one more time. One such story is how my dad found his first job.

Both of my parents attended San Jose State and graduated in 1984. It was a year of economic downturn, and while my mom had a nice job lined up teaching pre-school, my dad, armed with a mechanical engineering degree, had sent out resume after resume with no avail. My mom still talks about laying them all out on their apartment floor and licking the envelopes - ah, the prehistoric days before e-mail.

Anyway, days were ticking down before graduation and my dad was convinced that all of his hard work was only going to earn him a position as a french fry roaster, and he had already filled out an application to Togos.

However, lo and behold, the next day he received three offers.

Now, what does this have to do with me 24 years later?

Well, as I'm graduating in exactly a month, I too am applying for jobs. Let me rephrase that - have been applying for jobs and, surprise surprise, to no avail.

However, just as I was considering picking up an application to Togos for my own, I got a call for my "dream job"... in Chicago.

More details to follow...

Help (Not) Wanted

Name:Ryan Rosendin
Major: History
Hometown: Saratoga, CA
Job Interviews:0
Job Offers:0, going to Law School
Dream Job: Lawyer
How Worried Are You? Not Worried
Career Advice: "Work hard and your dreams will come true." 'Be happy with what you ever do."

Help (Not) Wanted

Name: Steve Scordelis
Major: History
Hometown: Saratoga, CA
Job Interviews: 2
Jobs Offered: 1, but he is going to go to Law School
Dream Job: Lawyer
How Worried Are You: Not really
Career Advice: "If you have a dream, pursue it."

Help (Not) Wanted

Name: Lauren Johnson

Major: History and Classics

Hometown: San Carlos, CA

Job Interviews: 3 interviews in the near future with Google, Yahoo and Amazon.

Job Offers: Not yet.

Dream Job: I'd like to feel around in different areas and then set that goal.

How Worried Are You: Not very. I already have a job with a paralegal firm that I can keep until I find something better.

Career Advice: Don't get stuck in a job you hate. Look for a job that will keep you motivated and striving for advancement. Motivation is key in performing your job well.

Help (Not) Wanted

Name: Nutty Professor
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Las Vegas
Job Interviews: 2
Job Offers: 0
Dream Job: Stand Up Comedian
How Worried Are You?: Extremely (keep this succinct)
Career Advice: Look, I don't have a job, what advice could I offer? I guess just to not give up and don't get discouraged.

Profiles in Debt

Name: Holly Griggs
Major: Communication; Political Science minor
Year: 2010
Debt: $0
Deep Thought on Debt: "I've been raised to absolutely hate debt. Upon entering college, I was fortunate enough to have pulled off several academic scholarships, and what they didn't cover, my parents chose to pay off the rest. As long as my scholarships continue, I shall leave college debt free, which is an extremely great feeling."

UNC versus Duke

Eight miles and two shades of blue separate the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University. Between those eight miles and two hues lies a basketball rivalry unmatched by others. These two programs were brought to prominence by Hall of Fame coaches Dean Smith (UNC) and Mike Kryzewski (Duke). Roy Williams now mans the sidelines of the Tar Heels and has guided UNC back to the upper echelon of college basketball. On Wednesday night (9 PM EST) the great coaches will play a part in another chapter of college basketball's greatest rivalry.

There are too many memorable moments made by UNC and Duke to recount them all. Each team has fielded Naismith Award recipients, NBA superstars, but most of all champions. However, it is not the quality of players or the legendary coaches that separate this rivalry from others, it is the mutual respect, intense passion, and character each player and coach involved has.

Wednesday night at Cameroon Indoor Stadium (Duke's historic arena) will play host to an unparalleled atmosphere. Both teams have National and ACC Championship aspirations and as history has shown, they will need to go through each other to achieve these goals. Naismith Award winner Tyler Hansbrough, and forwards Danny Green and Marcus Ginyard are on a quest to finish their collegiate careers with unheard of 4-0 record versus Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. As all fans of this rivalry know - achieving that will not be easy.

As for me, I will be anxiously sweating this game out hoping for a UNC victory. I suggest everyone who appreciates passion and beautiful competition watches on Wednesday night even if you do not care about college basketball. I promise it will not disappoint.

Profiles in Debt

Name: Dylan
Major: Undecided
Year: 2012
Debt: $14,000
Deep Thoughts on Debt: "I tried forgetting about it but since you ask - I am worried. Since I am still uncertain on what I want to do when I get out of college it is tough for me to have a plan for paying it. I am confident that I will be able to pay it off within a few years out of college, but the prospect of getting a job during this time isn't looking too good. On top of that I have always dreamed of going to Africa and helping out there but that doesn't bode well financially. Luckily, I still have a few more years here to see where the road leads me."

Profiles in Debt

Name: Beth
Major: Sustainable Globalization (a product of individual studies) and Environmental Studies
Debt: $25,000
Thoughts: "It sucks because it means I can’t do what I want. For me, wanting to make social changes doesn’t work with the capitalistic system because it’s trying to subvert that. The system creates jobs for people that continue to make it work. That’s the point of the capitalist system. That’s the point of an education in the United States -- to create workers. If you are trying to change that then there’s not a place for you. You have to create your own place. Of course there’s philanthropy, but those jobs are few and far between."

Profile not in debt

Janna Goebel will cross the stage, shake President Engh's hand and receive her diploma June 13 without a financial debt to repay. "I was fortunate enough to be fully financially supported," Goebel said.

Though she may not have had the burden of student loans, Goebel applauds those who take on the responsibility. "I think it's admirable that people come to Santa Clara knowing that they will leave with large amounts of debt because they value their education so much. I'm not sure I would have had the courage to do that," she admitted.

The Spanish major may not escape financial ties for long, however. "I've gained an appreciation for education and I plan to continue on to grad school," Goebel said, "though I will most likely end up in debt as a result."

Profiles in Debt

Name: Sean Wells-Rutherford
Major: Physics
Year of Graduation: 2011
Estimated Debt at Graduation: $20,000
Deep Thoughts on Debt: "I will not let debt affect my career choice. I plan to pay it off with my job."

Profiles in Debt

Name: Annie Hagerty
Major: Finance
Year of Graduation: 2011
Estimated Debt at Graduation: $5000
Thoughts on Debt: "It is a little unsettling to think that I am going to owe money after graduating. At the same time I am not worried about paying it off because it is such a small amount."

A Beautiful Escape

My parents and I recently took advantage of the unusually warm January weather and explored a new hike. Our search led us to Point Lobos State Reserve, located in Monterey County, three miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.

There are a number of trails to conquer and regardless of which one(s) you take, you're almost always guaranteed a spectacular view of the ocean. But the view isn't the only part of the hike worth mentioning. Sea lions are everywhere, whales can be seen in the distance, and many hermit crabs and other marine life lurk in the tide pools.

The trails include small wooden benches that face the ocean, perfect for a quick break, or even a picnic. China Beach was our favorite spot, located on the southernmost part of the hike, a small, somewhat hidden beach enclosed by thriving mountainsides.

Point Lobos is the perfect getaway on a sunny day and it's relatively close to Santa Clara University. Be sure to bring binoculars for whale watching and wear long pants to avoid the poison oak.

Downtown Monterey is only about five minutes away from Point Lobos, an ideal spot to watch the sunset and enjoy a nice dinner. If you're lucky enough to not have to drive, take a nap in the car on the way home and your day will be complete.

The Best Part of Super Bowl Sunday

Call me out of touch, but I didn't know who was playing in the Super Bowl until Saturday afternoon. The part of the United States' biggest annual sporting event that I was really looking forward to? 

The commercials.

At 3 PM my roommates and I settled ourselves down on the couch with our homework in our laps. We munched on homemade trail mix instead of chips and guacamole and drank tea instead of soda. We turned the volume down during play and up during the commercial breaks. We gasped not at spectacular athletic feats, but at the new Transformers trailer. We laughed not at fumbled passes but at the new Jack Black and Michael Cera movie and smiled not at touchdowns but at the Pepsi commercial featuring Bob Dylan and Wil.I.Am. 

I was upset that the underdog didn't win, but even more upset that E*Trade produced yet another advertisement for that horrible, talking baby. 

Despite this, I believe that Super Bowl 43 resulted in a plethora of good commercials that I will be adding multiple "views" to on YouTube. 

A match to remember down under

The rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal was elevated into another stratosphere at the 2009 Australian Open Championship. The two gracious champions scrapped and clawed to fend one another off in a match for the ages. It was a match full of story-lines and turned out to be a worthy sequel to their Epic at Wimbledon last year. In the end, Nadal came out on top and tears flowed from the eyes of both remarkable athletes.

Federer entered the match seeking a 14th Major Championship, which would tie Pete Sampras for the most ever. Nadal was in search of his first Major Championship on a hard-court. Last year he destroyed Federer on the red clay of Roland Garos where he has won four straight French Opens. He followed that victory by overcoming Federer's dominance on grass at Wimbledon. Federer bounced back by winning his 13th Major at the US Open, setting up an opportunity to tie the record in Melbourne.

The match exceeded expectations for those who stayed awake during the early morning to watch. From the first game to the final game both men raised one another's level of play resulting in rallies full of "Ohhhs and Ahhhs" from the crowd. Nadal broke Federer three times in the first set to win 6-4. Roger would bounce back in the second set despite having a first serve percentage in the 30's. Both men hit winners from impossible angles and chased down balls with mind-boggling determination.

The third set looked as though Federer would take control as Nadal appeared to be feeling the effects of his five hour semi-final match. Trailing 0-30 Nadal battled back with two back-breaking rallies. He went on to win the third set 7-5. However, the match was far from over. Federer was down but not out and he stormed back to win the fourth set.

The stage was set for a fifth and final set. The record was in Federer's sight but in front of it stood the impeccable Nadal. They split the first two games but Nadal broke Federer in the third. The fifth set turned into a beat down as the sturdy Nadal let Federer self-destruct with countless unforced errors. The final point ended with Nadal falling to the ground and a distraught Federer standing in shock. The two men embraced and shed tears while speaking to the fans. When Federer and Nadal meet in Major Championships it becomes more then a tennis match. Both men carry themselves with class and humility. Beneath their calm demeanors are competitive spirits that made this a match to remember.