Early in December a group of select students accompanied advising and outreach staff on a Career Kickstarter Exploration trip in Seattle. The students met with a special group of UW alumni and communication professionals for two days of career exploration, networking, and a unique chance to learn more about what it would be like to work and live here in the Pacific Northwest.
Companies featured during the Career Kickstart Exploration trip included:
- Q13 Fox News – Fox affiliated television station that serves the Seattle-Tacoma market
- Amazon – Online retailer of books, movies, music and games along with electronics, toys, apparel, sports, tools, groceries and general home and garden items
- Shelley Morrison Associates (SMA) – Consulting firm specializing in improving idea generation and interpersonal communication across cultures
- Starbucks – American coffee company and coffeehouse chain
- POSSIBLE – Global digital agency that offers clients award-winning strategy, performance marketing, and creative design
The Career Kickstart Exploration hosts provided students with invaluable insights into the communications industry, as well as several best practices for job hunting.
“For me, one of the most important things our speaker shared was the importance of trying things out, even though they are not part of your original plan,” one Huskie reported. “When Door A is closed, Door B might open for you!”
Amazon employees shared that including metrics that illustrate the value students have provided previous employers is one strategy for making a resume stick in the mind of a recruiter. Shelley Morrison, a UW Communication alumna and pioneering sport journalist and marketer, encouraged students to ABL, or “Always Be Learning.” Finally, multiple company representatives told our students to “network, network, and network” for success, which is one of the core values of the Career Kickstart program.
“Our hosts were very engaging,” one international student wrote on the post-event survey, “I loved learning about their working environment!”
Students interested in applying for future Career Kickstart Exploration trips to Los Angeles and New York City during Spring 2017 are encouraged to keep an eye on the department website. They can also visit the Communication Commons & Advising Office in CMU 118 or email comadv@uw.edu for more information.