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(09/10/18 2:30pm)
Many students struggle to decide exactly what they want to do after college. This year, Mercer’s Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) will connect students and alumni with Handshake, a job recruitment platform allowing users to seek out jobs and internship opportunities as well as view upcoming career workshops and employers who are recruiting on campus.
Previously, Mercer’s CCPD used a platform called BearLink. Although the platform served the same purpose of helping students with career related topics, the office transitioned to Handshake during the summer of 2017.
“We felt students didn’t heavily engage with BearLink. It’s important to us that our students feel connected to opportunities that larger schools have,” said Stefanie Swanger, CCPD Career Consultant and campus administrator for Handshake.
Handshake is a young product with a mission statement that aligns more with the best interests of Mercer students and alumni, Swanger said.
As a group of student engineers at Michigan Technological University began their job search, they found an inequality gap in access to job opportunities. They discovered that students at smaller universities were not being exposed to the same opportunities that larger universities were.
Currently, Handshake unites 500 schools and over 9 million students.
“We are one year into using Handshake and already have connected with larger companies. We see students engaging more with the platform also,” Swanger said.
The Mercer CCPD has created an account for all students and they only have to be activated through MyMercer.
“I want every student to get into the product. Every student has unique situations and will use it differently. Just don’t wait until senior year,” she said. “Start using it now. Come meet with us even if you don’t have a specific reason to, because we are here to help.”
Handshake offers an option to set an appointment with Mercer’s Career Consultants. During these appointments, students have the option to receive resume assistance, interview assistance, internship guidance, career guidance, Handshake guidance and other topics essential to their success.
“A really great thing about Handshake is that you can upload your resume and it will be sent directly to one of the career counselors. They usually review it as soon you as upload it and it will be accessible on your profile, making it easier and quicker to apply for jobs and internships,”, said Jabril Edmonson, senior at Mercer University.
(08/31/18 2:00pm)
Jordan Harlacher built a golf program at his alma mater, Kenyon College in Gambio, Ohio, that moved into the category of Top Division III colleges/universities in the country. He is originally from Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania, a town outside of Pennsylvania’s capital, Harrisburg.
Harlacher is the new men’s golf associate coach at Mercer. He played golf at Kenyon for four years and was heavily involved with the development of his team there.
“For the past two years, I was in the financial industry and wanted a change of scenery from the office setting,” Harlacher said for why he came to Mercer.
Harlacher said he will continue his studies as an online graduate student in the Stetson School of Business.
“I wanted to get back into golf after grad school and Mercer had this perfect opportunity for me to do that,” he said.
The men’s golf team has 17 more matches before they qualify for the conference tournament. So far their record includes one tie and two wins.
“My goal is to get the NCAA regional tournament and see where it goes from there. We have solid players, good competition and a strong schedule. If everything goes well, we should have a chance to qualify for nationals,” Harlacher said.
Harlacher said he is looking forward to traveling to play at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, home of where U.S. Opens and Professional Golfers’ Association Championships have been hosted. The team will also participate in the Linger Longer Invitational hosted at Reynolds Lake Oconee.
"I'm excited to have Jordan join our program as an assistant coach,” said Kirk Kayden, Mercer men’s head golf coach. “Jordan brings great qualities to our program and being a collegiate golfer at Kenyon College, he will be able to relate to our players' needs on and off the course.”
Harlacher has only been here for a couple of days but already loves Mercer.
“The best thing you can do is be genuine and honest. Giving honest feedback holds players accountable and allows players to hold you as a coach accountable,” he said as advice to aspiring coaches. “Put in the work and do things the right way. Don’t try to take shortcuts.”
(04/22/18 8:48pm)
It’s that time of the year when us students are profusely searching for internships and summer jobs. Once the position is secured, what comes next?
Much emphasis is placed on finding an internship or summer job, interviewing for it and being selected to participate. Most internships provide training for participants to equip them with the knowledge necessary to successfully complete the program.
With these tips, you can get a head start on impressing your new employer.
When participating in an internship, it is important to remain professional no matter what. An internship is like a long-term interview. The impression you give your employer can make you or break you. If you remain professional, pleasant and show that you are a thorough worker, you open the door for a possible permanent job after graduation, and even recommendations for other programs/jobs/positions/clubs you may apply for in the future.
What to Wear
Even as an intern, you are representing the company. There are many styles of dress you can mix and match while still looking professional.
Females
Fingertip length dress/skirt. If you have to keep pulling it down, you probably shouldn’t wear it.
Appropriate, non-revealing blouse. If you have to keep it up, you probably shouldn’t wear it.
Blazers can serve as a fashionable, but also a professional addition to an outfit.
Conservative pumps, conservative sandals or flats. NO high heels.
Conservative, small, non-distracting pieces of jewelry. NO loud or costume jewelry.
Neat hairstyles. This does not exclude natural hair.
Do not wear strong fragrances. Do not wear any if you don’t have to.
Do not wear overly excessive makeup.
Clean, trimmed nails. When talking with your hands, you don’t want your nails to be a distraction
Males
Fitted suit
Button down shirt
Blazers
Dress pants
Dress shoes or loafers
Neat, groomed hairstyles. This does not exclude natural hair.
Do not wear strong fragrances. Do not wear any if you don’t have to.
How to Address/Contact People
It is not enough to only look professional. Although you are only an intern, you should aim to leave a positive lasting impression. You can do this by always communicating in a professional manner.
If you are going to be late, contact your supervisor beforehand. Call/leave a message AND email.
When replying to an email, unless it is specified, make sure you don’t reply all.
Be honest about your progress on projects and assignments.
If you are still working on a project and receive another one from another co-worker, do make them aware in a respectful way that you are currently working on something. This does not mean tell them no. Usually, they will understand and/or extend the deadline. Try to complete each project.
Ask for help if you need it.
Be honest if you make a mistake, and ask how you can fix it.
Sign off emails using: Best, Professional Regards or Sincerely
When companies hire interns, it is not just a job. It is equally an investment in the education of students. Internships provide mentorship and first-hand experience that not everyone receives. Make your opportunity a rewarding one by always putting your best, professional foot forward.
(05/09/17 2:47pm)
Leslie “Gabby” Carter began her journey at Mercer University as a nursing major, but her interests have since changed.
“I’m on the pre-med track, but I decided to do an art major because I’m really interested in art,” Carter said.
Carter is a junior studio art major at Mercer from Macon, Georgia. She said she has been creating art since she was four years old.
She attributes her talents to two things.
"I would say half of my skill comes from natural ability, and the other half comes from taking art classes in middle school,” Carter said. “That’s where I really learned the basis of shading and mixing colors.”
Carter said she is inspired by her favorite artist, Vincent van Gogh, and her favorite painting of his is “Starry Night.”
“I like his use of color and line, and I like his whole story,” she said.
Carter has won several art awards over the years.
As a Macon resident, she participated in a local young artist competition during high school and won first place.
Carter also won third place in a statewide art competition by Savannah College of Art and Design as a high school student.
At Mercer, she won first place in a show she participated in freshman year.
“Gabby is amazing. I sent her minimal direction after seeing examples of her work because I love her style and believed in her vision,” said Hugh Hunter, one of Carter’s customers. “She gave me two panels that are very distinct but tied together thematically. The detail of her work is immaculate. The way she blends colors together evokes emotion, and [I’m] unequivocally in love with everything she has painted for me.”
Carter said she wishes to someday have her own art show with a lot of publicity and a great turnout.
“Hopefully I can reach selling in the thousands like other many artists do,” she said.
After graduation, Carter plans to take a couple of gap years before going to medical school. During this time, she plans to pursue a master of fine arts degree in art, she said.
Carter said she believes it’s best to not follow the traditional path when it comes to life.
“I don’t feel like you have to be successful in a certain amount of years,” Carter said. “Take your time and coast along life . . . when you get there is when you get there.”
She also encourages younger artists not to compare themselves to other artists.
“It’s okay if someone else has better skill and technique than you. There are artists who are not the best but still sell their art for high prices,” Carter said. “Perfect your own craft and your own style.”