Interview Workshops--This Week

Internship interviews...a piece of cake? Hmmmm....if you are at all like me, you probably don't think that this is an entirely accurate statement! Interview practice will, however, if not make it seem easy, at least ease your interview anxiety.

To help you prep, Federal Semester has put together a one-hour interview workshop that we're offering at three different times this week in our office, 3103 Susquehanna Hall:

• Wednesday, 2-3 pm
• Friday, 11 am - 12 pm
• Friday, 3-4 pm

The workshop will cover types of interview questions/response strategies along with opportunities to put learning into practice through mock interviews and participatory exercises.

Kindly drop me an email if you are interested...noting which session you plan to attend: manfredo@umd.edu

Cover Letter Assignment and PPS Workshops

Now that you all have polished resumes, it’s time to move on to the next step in an application package – the cover letter. As listed in your red binder, a cover letter is due in class this Thursday.

Since a good cover letter is nearly impossible to write without an actual job description, we’d like you to find an internship (federal government, nonprofit, think tank, congressional office – whatever interests you) and write a cover letter for it. This assignment is designed to get the blood flowing in your job application muscles. Resumes and cover letters are difficult to do, and the old adage of practice makes perfect holds true.

Next week, the Partnership for Public Service is holding two Resume/Cover Letter/Interview workshops in our office, 3103 Susquehanna.

• Tuesday September 29, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register here: http://sept29resumecritique.eventbrite.com/
• Friday September 2, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register here: http://oct2resumecritique.eventbrite.com/
  

We strongly encourage you to attend. You will get feedback on how to navigate the federal application process and learn how to strengthen your resumes and cover letters even more. Even more, attending one will count as a federal event.

While Priya and Joey are happy to answer any questions, please do NOT e-mail drafts for them to look at. Feel free to make an appointment or stop by during drop in hours and they would be happy to sit down and give you personalized advice.

"The Partnership for Public Service works to revitalize our federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works."

-The Partnership for Public Service Mission

Who better to critique your resume and cover letter and offer tips on best practice interview techniques for federal jobs than the Partnership, a Federal Semester collaborator?!

The Partnership's Caroline Pettit and Jenn Carignan (who presented the September 3d and 9th workshops) will facilitate two Resume Critique and Cover Letter/Interview Skills Workshops in the Federal Semester Office, 3103 Susquehanna Hall, on:

• Tuesday, September 29th from 3:30 to 4:30 pm
  RSVP at http://sept29resumecritique.eventbrite.com/
  
  
• Friday, October 2d from 11 am to 12 pm
  RSVP at http://oct2resumecritique.eventbrite.com/

Both events are federal-related, so if you attend one, it counts towards your program requirements!

Updated Reminder: Federal event Monday -- Global Conflict and Terrorism

Calling all Fellows: This Monday, Sept. 14, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) and the Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM), both based here at the University of Maryland, are holding a discussion on global conflict and terrorism trends.

The panel will be held at the Holeman Lounge on the 13th floor of the National Press Club (529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20045) from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

If you're interested in attending, e-mail Priya Kumar at pkumar12@umd.edu and we can get a group together. We'll meet at the bus stop in front of Stamp around 8:15 and take the shuttle to the Metro into DC.

See you Monday!

Get Started on those Security Clearances!

Workshop: Security Clearances for Internships: Sponsored by PPS and led by U.S. Department of State and Office of Personnel Management Representatives
Wednesday, September 9th at 3 pm in 1120 Susquehanna Hall

Jim Onusko, of the Department of State, and Mary Kay Brewer and Richard Weyrauch, of the Office of Personnel Management, work specifically on background investigations and the security clearance process, so we are confident that this workshop is a “can’t miss” for any student who may need clearances for their spring internship.

Internship Fair, University Career Center

Internship and Part-Time Job Fair 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009 • 10:00AM - 03:00PM at the Grand Ballroom - SSU

Did you know that more than 70% of employers recently surveyed hired from their internship pool? Don't be left out! Want extra funds while in school? Looking for a great internship experience before you graduate? Come and learn about part-time and internship employment opportunities both on and off-campus! Students are encouraged to dress professionally and bring copies of resumes as well as their UM I.D.

For more information, contact Megan O'Rourke at morourk2@umd.edu

Feel unprepared? Visit our prep website at www.CareerCenter.umd.edu/FairPrep for fair preparation tips.

Also, check out pre-fair prep workshops: Thursday, September 3, 2009 – UCC Multi-purpose Room

• 3:00pm – 4:30pm Preparing Your Resume for the Internship & Part-Time Job Fair
• 4:30pm – 5:30pm How to “Work” the Internship & Part-Time Job Fair

…Because you can’t stay in school forever!

Federal-Related Event for Monday, 9/14

Global Conflict & Terrorism Trends
Presented by The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START)
and the Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM)

Monday, September 14, 2009, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

National Press Club
529 14th Street NW,
Washington, DC 20045
Holeman Lounge, 13th floor

A panel presentation & discussion by:Joseph Hewitt, CIDCM, Jonathan Wilkenfeld, CIDCM, START, Gary LaFree, START, with comments by Tjip Walker, USAID Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation.

RSVP to infostart@start.umd.edu