On Tuesday, professionals gave students advice about what is going to help them succeed after graduation.
The discussion was led by Brandon Bute from the Career Center, Stephanie Medley from Enterprise, Josh Aber from Shelter Insurance, Charlie Cherry from Housing and Residence Life and senior public relations major Jenny Pyle. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions regarding how to land an interview and become employed.
A vital point highlighted during the discussion was that you need to show an employer what you will add to their business.
"Employers are hiring people not to fill a spot but to add value to their organization," Aber said.
Knowing more about an organization that you are interviewing for will put you a step ahead of the other contenders.
"Gone are the days where just earning a degree will get you the job," Bute said. "What will get you the job is what extra value you bring to an employer."
The interview does not remain solely in the room once your finished, but the interview is how you constantly carry yourself, Cherry said.
"When you're going through the job search, it's your entire life, everything you put online, everything you say to a person walking down the street after the interview," Cherry said.
Medley reinforced the importance of practicing interviews prior to the actual one for an internship or job.
"Please don't let your first interview be your first interview," Medley said. "Make sure you have the verbiage, make sure you have the opportunity to be put on the spot and describe yourself."
The panel agreed that the more practice with mock interviews, the better the chance to feel comfortable when faced with the actual one. The Career Center offers mock interviews to students and graduates.
Becoming a part of student organizations is also essential in landing an internship and future job position, Pyle said.
Pyle has completed an internship in New York and two in Washington, D.C. She gives credit to her role as executive director for Cardinal Communications, Ball State's student-run public relations and advertising firm for her success.
"The biggest asset I have is that I have been in Cardinal Communications for four years," Pyle said. "I have something huge to talk about in interviews now."
Another huge adjustment for a recent graduate is the realization of the immense difference between college and the real working world.
"No longer did I have the professors handing me the assignments," Cherry said. "I didn't have a syllabus. It was ‘you have the credentials to do this, show us how to do it.' There was no real guideline, no real plan."
Griffin Corn, junior economics and finance major, found the panel beneficial for his future.
"I found it helpful, because we have a group of young professionals who have recently graduated," he said.
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