5 ways to prepare for the job search before you graduate

While your senior year can often seem like the end of an era, it is also a stepping stone for your career. Start early with proper preparation to help lead you in the direction of your undoubtedly bright future.

1. Get experience. If you haven't already, find internships (either paid or unpaid), to help gain valuable knowledge and experience in your field. If you somehow find some time to spare in your indisputably maxed-out calendar, lend your expertise as a volunteer for committees, organizations to which you belong, community events, etc. Accounting major? Try to nab a role as treasurer for a student organization. Future event planner? Pitch (and execute) a new idea to your Mortar Board chapter.
2. Educate yourself. Start regularly reading industry or career-search blogs so you are amazingly up-to-date with news in your field and familiar with the numerous factors that go into the job search process from which type of resume you should use (chronological or functional?) to whether you should call to follow up after submitting a job application (one blogger says "don't").
3. Be active in your community. In addition to your academic history and relevant experience, being a caring individual dedicated to your community can wow an employer. By being a member of Mortar Board, an organization invested in service, you are already off to a great start. Stay involved in your chapter's service and philanthropic activities this year and note it in interviews or on your resume.
4. Start your digital clean-up. Many college students are guilty of posting less-than-professional photos or inappropriate comments online on sites such as Facebook. The standard rule used to be hiding your profile behind advanced security settings, but this can send up a red flag to employers that you have something to hide, even if you don't. Start de-tagging photos and clean up your profile early, and update your settings so work and education information are visible to all.
5. Network, network, network. You've heard it dozens of times - networking can lead to success. Join local professional organizations as a student member, print some professional business cards and get out there to network!

Members are eligible for Kaplan test preparation discounts

Many Mortar Board members choose to further their education with a postgraduate degree. In preparation for those studies, some students turn to Kaplan's various test preparation courses.

As a Mortar Board member, you are eligible to receive 15 percent off all GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, SAT, ACT, PSAT classroom and online courses for members.

To receive your discount, simply visit the Kaplan website at www.kaptest.com/mortarboard and enter the code MORTAR during the checkout process. To work properly, the code must be entered in all caps and without any spaces before or after the code. Please note this offer may only be redeemed online and eligibility is restricted to Mortar Board members, their spouses and children.

Support "Reading is Leading" by participating in the Virtual Book Drive

For the second year, Mortar Board has launched the Virtual Book Drive held in conjunction with First Book. With the Virtual Book Drive, chapters, alumni and supporters can unite nationally while working toward a common goal consistent with the "Reading is Leading" initiative - to give children across the country access to books. 

This virtual drive is easily accessible, allowing anyone to donate funds online. Many chapters hold fundraisers or campuswide events, while others simply share the donation link as a way to widely promote literacy. A donation of just $2 can provide a child with their first book, and contribute to the national goal of raising $30,000.

Donations will allow a worthy program selected by each individual chapter to purchase books online in the First Book Marketplace. Even if your chapter is not planning a large event, share the link (www.firstbook.org/mortarboard) with your friends and family to ensure that children across the nation are given the opportunity to read.

Share your accomplishments with Mortar Board

Mortar Board members are among the most successful scholars and leaders on their campuses. It is therefore no surprise that numerous members are recognized with notable awards and various honors.

Whether a member receives a scholarship, gets a paper published, receives a campus award or otherwise, they deserve to be celebrated by Mortar Board. Please submit your recent accomplishments to the Mortar Board Forum magazine to receive your much-deserved recognition.

Member submissions can be sent via e-mail to mbforum@mortarboard.org or submitted online using a simple form.

Connect with Mortar Board

Mortar Board provides great benefits to its members

Mortar Board makes every effort to provide beneficial opportunities, outstanding discounts and valuable services to members. 

Be sure to check this list regularly to be sure that you are taking advantage of all the benefits Mortar Board has to offer!

Find your job with the help of Mortar Board

In conjunction with JobTarget, Mortar Board has launched the Mortar Board Career Center, a search engine for all members, both collegiate and alumni.  Mortar Board members are able to search for a variety of jobs, both nationally and locally. National employers will have the ability to post positions and exclusively recruit Mortar Board members.  Anonymous résumés can be posted and easily searched and seen by potential employers.

Start searching today. 

How much “Kash” can you save (or have you saved) with GEICO?

Tell us and you can win prizes!

Congratulations to our outstanding chapters!

Each year at the annual national conference, Mortar Board’s excellent chapters are given awards for their outstanding devotion to the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service.

Congratulations to the 2008-2009 recipients. It is the hope of the Mortar Board National Office that all the chapters will strive to be on this list next year! Check this list to see if your chapter was honored at the 2009 Mortar Board National Conference.

Need a scholarship?  Search now.

Mortar Board members are given access to a scholarship search engine, hosted by FastWeb. There, members access to more than a million scholarships with more than $3 billion in awards. 

Browse the search engine now.

Having problems viewing this e-mail? View it as a Web site or download a printer-friendly PDF.

If you would like to update your subscription preferences or wish to be removed from this e-newsletter distribution list, you may do so here.

Mortar Board | 1200 Chambers Road, Suite 201 | Columbus, OH 43212 | 800-989-6266
mortarboard@mortarboard.org | www.mortarboard.org
© Mortar Board