PI DAY: How about a piece of the EXPERIENCE PIE?

Today is Pi Day! 3/14 in the month/day and month/year! That won't happen again for another 100 years…Let’s talk about 3.14 topics related to getting a piece of the EXPERIENCE PIE.

3 PAID EXPERIENCES (there are more, I’m highlighting these 3):

INTERN: Internships often occur for 8 or more weeks during the summer. Many employers offer internships. Some want you to have a few of your upper level courses before they will hire you. Places to look for opportunities include Hokies4Hire, these internship listing sites and internships.com.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION: Co-op positions may occur during a fall, spring or summer semester. Employers seeking students for these types of positions may expect a student to return to work for one or more semesters after an initial semester. Students participating in Virginia Tech’s program can work for multiple employers for multiple semesters. How do you get started with our program? Attend orientation.

PEER CAREER ADVISOR: Virginia Tech Career Services offers paid positions where students can gain experience as Peer Career Advisors, assisting students during our Walk-In Advising, conducting mock interviews and giving presentations, as well as assisting our advisors with a multitude of projects. If this kind of experience matches your future goals, read about applying here.
 

ONE BIG reason 

to get experience: 

It's the TOP ITEM 

employers seek
 

4 WAYS TO GET UNPAID EXPERIENCES:

SHADOWING/VOLUNTEERING: If you are thinking a medical career is in your future, you will need to have several experiences shadowing health professionals. Shadowing is a beneficial method to test out any career field you are thinking about. Volunteering can be a helpful means to get your foot in the door with an employer. Need help finding contacts? Use CareerShift.

SERVICE LEARNING: Many instructors at Virginia Tech design their courses so service learning is a part of the work you will do in the course. Find out about various service projects here. 

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH:  Yet another means of gaining hands-on experience in your field is to participate in an undergraduate research project. To search for opportunities visit here. Don’t see an opportunity that fits what you want? Go talk to faculty members and create your own research experience.

PROJECTS:  There are so many ways you can gain experience through projects. When I was in graduate school, I worked on 3 different marketing projects in my classes that I shared in a Projects category in my resume. In addition to class projects, you could join one of the Project Teams in the WARE Lab, apply to be a member of SEED, be the director of the fashion show that the Fashion Merchandising and Design Society holds each year, just to name a few projects on this campus.

Make sure you sample a piece of the EXPERIENCE pie before you graduate. Career Services advisors can help you map out a plan to gain the experience you want. Stop by for Walk-In Advising or make an appointment by calling 540-231-6241. What questions do you have about getting experience?

In closing, since it’s Pi Day, I am sharing my favorite pie recipe, one that came from my friend, Kathy’s mother-in-law. It’s so good, Kathy gives her pies as a gifts. Thanks, both Mrs. Kleppins!

RECIPE FOR BEST CHOCOLATE PIE EVER!

One baked pie shell
In a saucepan mix 1 cup sugar, 2 TBSP. flour, 1/4 cup cocoa. Add 1 cup hot water gradually with 3 egg yolks. Add 2 TBSP. butter and 1 tsp. vanilla. Cook over medium to medium low heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Pour into baked pie shell and cool completely. Serve with fresh whipped cream. Bon Appetit!