First Impressions!

First impressions often speak volumes to a person's character as well as what type of worker they are. For us CFP interns, it can be nerve-wracking to even think of giving off a bad impression to our employers. Thus, we remain steadfast in showing them our best work ethic and professional behavior. Yet on the other hand, we are also forming our own first impressions of our nonprofit organizations. It is these initial impressions that I encourage you all to share amongst each other using the Center for Career Development's various social media sites. Haven't started yet? No sweat! You can get connected today!

Facebook

Be sure to like the Adelphi Center for Career Development's Facebook page and feel free to post any positive comments you have regarding your internship journey. Keep your posts relevant to your CFP experience so that others are encouraged to share their internship experiences as well!

Twitter

I personally created my own twitter account so that I could be further connected with my NPO, Girls Inc. of Long Island. Compose tweets using the #communityfellows and follow tweets@HIREaPANTHER to stay in the loop with whatever is trending that is pertinent to your CFP internship. (**Tip: this is also a great way to network for and promote your NPO to various groups and individuals)!

Instagram 
Make use of this social media portal by posting your "on-the-job" photos, using the@HIREaPANTHER handle. Again, keep these picture appropriate and professional, but you can certainly have fun with posting them!  

LinkedIn

Last, but certainly not least, update your LinkedIN profile. Keeping your profile abreast with new job descriptions and current place of employment demonstrates that you are maintaing an active presence in the professional social media sphere.

Never underestimate the importance of first impressions and how we can leverage social media's accessibility to our advantage. Let us fully live up to our title as Community FellowInterns, by supporting each other and sharing our experiences with the world. Go get 'em!


Reminder: You can also nominate yourself and send it via the CFP email for a chance to win Community Fellow of the Week!

Get Pumped!

For all you eager 2014 Community Fellows interns out there, I just have one question for you: are you ready to get pumped?!

Some of you may have already started your internship while others are still anticipating all that is about to unfold. Either way, here are some tips for you to maintain this eager attitude as well as how to share your experiences with other interns so to embolden each other on this CFP journey!

Tip # 1: Keep your long-term goals at the forefront of your mind. Doing this will serve as a reminder of what you came to accomplish during your internship as well as to remain steadfast in the role your non-profit organization wants you to play.

Tip #2: Have an open-mind and be flexible. You'll find that more opportunities to contribute at your NPO arise out of your willingness to try new things. Also, being available to your NPO as much as possible exhibits dedication and passion.

Tip #3: Stay connected! Let's face it, we are all going to reach a dry patch in our internship at some point or another. To prevent ourselves from remaining apathetic, see what your fellow CFP interns are posting by following the Career Center's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page (@HIREaPANTHER), which I strongly encourage you to join if you haven't yet.

**Remember to share your experiences on Instagram and/or Twitter using the #communityfellows. You can also nominate yourself and send it via the CFP email for a chance to win Community Fellows of the Week!

If you're pumped up about this summer, please don't hesitate to continually share your journey on social media! I'll be sharing my own personal CFP experience at Girls Inc. of Long Island on this blog. Get pumped UP because it's going to be one amazing summer!

I Got My Placement...Now What?

You are a Community Fellows intern and you have received your non-profit organization placement. You have arrived at the precipice of your next collegiate experience...now what? Well, I'm here to reassure you that you can prepare yourself in advance so that you are fresh and ready to start on your first day. Use this acronym as your guide:

Contact them. You and your non-profit representative or supervisor will need to keep in contact prior to your internship. Make it a point to meet them in-person or to call them ahead of time so that they can get to know you. If your NPO has not contacted you by the end of this week, ask a CFP Career Counselor about the person you are to be corresponding with ASAP!

Find out. Do your research and find out more about your NPO by visiting their website. What were some programs or events they recently hosted? What were their outcomes? Are there any activities or developments your NPO is working on that you wish to inquire about? Doing this may result in receiving an opportunity to collaborate with your NPO on a project that personally interests you.

Plan ahead. Remember to update your resume (and perhaps even your wardrobe). Do you have sufficient business casual and formal attire for your internship? Plan ahead by revising that resume and going on a shopping trip before your internship. You are not only representing your school, but also your work ethic, both aesthetically and practically.

Once your final exams are over (and what a relief that will be!), review these steps. Allow the time between the end of this semester and your first day as CFP intern to do some soul-searching. How do you really want to make a difference while working with your non-profit? What does this say about your character? Why did you want to become a CFP intern in the first place? Think about it.

What If...I Don't Get My Placement?

It is the dreaded question that every CFP intern asks: "What if...I DON'T get any of my top three placements?!" Now before you hop onto that roller coaster of worry and doubt, take a moment to consider your options. Yes, not getting into one of your top three non-profit organization (NPO) choices for the Community Fellows Program can be disappointing and can leave you saying "What now?" Fear not! Here are some pointers to help keep you motivated and passionate in light of these unexpected circumstances:

You Never Know Until You Try

• Remember that at the end of the day, you are going to have a rich CFP learning experience. Regardless if you are working with your NPO preference or not, you need to give the NPO you are assigned to a chance to prove itself worthy of your internship experience.

Do Your Homework

• Some non-profit organizations are more than what they seem. Before you sigh and say “Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to make the most of this,” do some research on your non-profit. Their mission may just expand your horizons on how to explore different career opportunities as well as how to better your community.

Be Eager

• One thing that can really ruin your overall CFP experience is a poor attitude. Remember to be grateful that you were selected as a well-qualified candidate from a pool of over a hundred applicants- all of whom wanted your position. Be eager to learn, no matter where you are placed. At the end of the day, your CFP experience is what you make it out to be.

So what if you don’t get your preferred placement? Odds are you’re going to be surprised at how things work out for a greater purpose. What will yours be?

Be Prepared

You cannot control everything that takes place for the Community Fellows Program or whatever position for which you are applying. However, take charge of the things that you do have control over, such as your attire. Here is some advice on how to be prepared for the CFP Orientation Meeting, on April 10, 2014:

Tip #1: Dress like a professional, not a student. What does this mean? It means that when an employer looks at you, they should be able to identify you as a person who is serious about the position and conscientious about their appearance. 

Tip #2: What is business attire? Leave behind your jeans, sneakers, T-shirts, gaudy accessories (i.e. blatantly branded handbags, sunglasses, hoop earrings, rings, etc.) and anything else considered "casual attire." Dress to impress: modestly yet tastefully, as you would for a professional interview. Ladies: no heavy make-up or platform heels, and wear pantyhose if necessary. Gentlemen: no white socks, and remember your dress shirt (preferably a suit), dress shoes, belt, and tie.    

Tip #3: Be punctual!  Not only does this reflect poorly on your time management skills (even if you do have a legitimate reason for being late), but it can also affect your confidence and composure. Be early so that you can mentally prepare for whatever comes next.

Note: International Students

Be sure that you are qualified and have submitted your Curricular Practical Training (CPT) form and documents to the International Student Services Office. Failure to do so will result in not being able to participate in the Community Fellows Program. Here is a link to access the CPT form:

 http://students.adelphi.edu/sa/iss/pdfs/curricular-practical-training.pdf 

Remember that you are an upcoming professional and that you need to prove this to every employer you come to encounter. Be prepared so that you can do your best!

What If...?

If you've been playing the Community Fellows Program Waiting Game for a while now, let's face it, you're probably asking yourself a lot of "what ifs." Well I can tell you from experience that too many “what ifs” will not only cause you to doubt yourself and whittle away your self-confidence, but it may even impede you from staying positive and seeking out other employment opportunities. Be anxious about the outcome of a job after you've applied is normal. However, here are some tips on how to be actively optimistic:

•  Regardless of the outcome, remind yourself that it was good practice for you to exercise time management and preparing your resume and application to meet the deadline.
• Keep an open mind. Although you may not want to look into other summer job opportunities because you are hoping to be accepted into the CFP, don't let that keep you from continuing your search.
• Consider attending the Job & Internship Expo, which is Wednesday, April 13, 2014 at 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Center on the 2nd Floor. The more you network and apply yourself, the greater your chances are of receiving a position. Visit http://career-center.adelphi.edu/newsevent/job-and-internship-expo/ to see which employers will be attending (be sure to have your resume reviewed beforehand!).
• Check PantherZone on your eCampus account frequently to keep current on new job and internship postings you could apply to.

Take a deep breath. Rather than always asking “What if I didn't get the position?” or “What if I’m not good enough?” start asking, “What if I challenge myself to stay positive andproactive?” That is a challenge, I believe all of us, should not shy away from meeting.

The Waiting Game

You've finally applied to the Community Fellows Programs after days, weeks, maybe even months of preparation. The application deadline has passed and you ask yourself

"Now what?" Welcome to the Waiting Game. Did you know that you can be an active waiter? You heard right, an active waiter- a person who waits on the outcome of one project while continuing to research and seek out additional projects as preparation for whatever may come next.

Even though applying to the CFP is good start to your job and internship search, don't let it stop there! Here are some additional steps you should take:

• Consider attending the Job & Internship Expo being held from 12-3pm on the second floor of the UC, Wednesday, April 23, 2014.
• Research non-profit organizations that may be participating in the Community Fellows Program that you would like to learn more about if you had the opportunity to intern for them.         Have a LinkedIn profile? If not, create an online professional presence at https://www.linkedin.com/ and start connecting with peers and employers. If you do have a profile, make sure it is updated with current information about your academic credentials and employment history.
• Lastly, keep current on job openings listed on PantherZone, which you can access via your eCampus account. Make sure your resume is updated and have cover letters and references available upon request.  

Ever hear the phrase, "patience is a virtue"? This is easier said than done for most of us as we struggle to keep up in our fast-paced lives of to-do lists and deadlines. But being patient does not always translate as sitting around waiting for the next opportunity to come by. Being proactive in your job/internship search is when you actively wait on some opportunities while looking into others. This is how you play the Waiting Game.