Hi everyone, and welcome back to the Penn State Career Conversations Podcast. I’m your host Zach Follador. It’s been a while since we last spoke, I hope everyone had a restful holiday break and a good start to the new semester. As a reintroduction to the podcast, this week we’re releasing the Salary Negotiation Series, which is a series of three episodes that will tie into the Financial and Occupational Wellness days. The purpose of these episodes is to provide some tips and reassurances on negotiation tactics while going through the interview and job offer process. Two episodes will focus on the candidates viewpoint, and the third will be based on the recruiters perspective. This first episode will be candidate focused, and I’ll be joined by a few fellow Penn Stater’s who were kind enough to join the show.

In the first interview in this episode, I’m joined by Latrese Morris, a 2019 grad who obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and now works as a Technical Writer in her hometown of Rockville, Maryland.

To close out this episode, I’m joined by Matt Corlew, a current senior at the Behrend campus in Erie. Matt will graduate in May with his degree in Mechanical Engineering, and he has already accepted an offer to join the rotational leadership development program at Ford upon his graduation. I think both interviews offer some great perspective on interviewing and negotiating, and I hope you’ll find some value in them.

On this episode of the podcast, I wanted to cover career transitions. Everybody wants to have a job that fulfills them and excites them, and oftentimes self-reflection and assessment can lead you down the right path towards a career that you love. Joining me on this episode is Brian Case, Manager of Corporate Talent Management at PPL Corporation in Allentown. Brian is an individual who has successfully transitioned more than once in his career. He was nice enough to discuss what prompted him to switch careers, as well as how he was able to do it successfully. Even if you're at the very beginning of your career, or if you're not yet sure what you want to do, Brian gives some great advice and some resources you can utilize to figure out what may be the best fit for you.

If interested in learning more about opportunities at PPL, feel free to visit https://www.pplweb.com/careers/.

This week, I'm joined by two guests: Jill Thomas, Talent Acquisition Manager at Enterprise, and Kalie Schmitt, Talent Acquisition Partner at Lowe's. Jill and Kalie stop by to discuss emerging trends in recruitment and hiring practices, and how students and job seekers can prepare for an interview given these trends. 

https://careers.enterprise.com/

https://corporate.lowes.com/careers

This week, I'm joined by two guests from LB Foster: Nicole Wilson, Manager of Talent Development, and James Swanson, Talent Management Specialist. Nicole and James drop by to discuss how to build a strong LinkedIn profile, and how to utilize that LinkedIn profile to be a strong digital networker. 

Transcripts for this weeks' episode can be found here: https://pennstateoffice365.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/All-Staff/Ef_3KDwbxr1OkOEPMfrhde0B_hQkjeX_ybvbszAK8OOK4A?e=gTryLd

For more info on LB Foster: https://www.lbfoster.com/en/careers

This week on episode 2, I'm joined by Madie Hudac, Talent Acquisition Campus and Community Program Specialist at Highmark Health. Madie joins me to discuss how to properly prepare for a virtual interview! Many thanks to Madie for joining me. 

Transcripts of our conversation can be found here: 

https://pennstateoffice365.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/All-Staff/EvRkCVDQoGBBhiQBh7B5amIBnUph0GJHku1pNdQSX0RCTQ?e=cZFWcN

On this episode Zach is joined by Tori Hoffman, Recruiter at Kohl's, to discuss how to best prepare for a virtual career fair. 

Fall Virtual Career Prep Expo

Want to know all about Career Services? Need some resume, cover letter, interviewing, or career fair tips? Looking for resources to connect with employers and alumni?

Attend the Fall Virtual Career Prep Expo hosted by Career Services on September 15th and 16th from 11am to 3pm. More information here: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/fairs/fall/student/virtual/before/prep

Hosted on the Brazen platform.

September 15th: https://app.brazenconnect.com/a/psu-career-center/s/a7nx4/4xgrP

September 16th: https://app.brazenconnect.com/a/psu-career-center/s/a7nx4/G99n7

Brazen Series

Anxious about using the Brazen platform to attend a virtual career fair?

Attend a virtual workshop to discover how the platform works. Visualize screenshots with a step-by-step tutorial on navigating the Brazen platform.

September 10 from 9am to 10am

September 11 from 12pm to 1pm

September 14 from 6pm to 7pm

https://psu.zoom.us/j/97157034103

https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/fairs/fall/student/virtual/before/prep

Transcripts available here: https://pennstateoffice365.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/All-Staff/EvRkCVDQoGBBhiQBh7B5amIBVMmVT8cQINIlQTJi_9R_rA?e=6PpDDN

Struggling to find an internship? Worried about entering into the workforce after graduation? Looking to switch your career path? We’re here to help! Welcome to Penn State Career Conversations, the new career-focused, student centered podcast hosted by Penn State Career Services. In each episode, host Zach Follador is joined by guests such as recruiters, Career Services staff, and recent alumni to help current students get prepared to enter the real world. Conversations will center around career readiness, including topics such as:

· Finding your fit/picking a major

· Diversity and Inclusion

· Resume and cover letter tips

· Job/internship search tips

· Interview and networking tips

· Navigating the technology of a job search