2008 Woodie Awards
Rollins Brings "Networking" to the Table
Communiqué's Networking Roundtable touted as a major success.
Sandra Branson
Issue date: 4/8/05 Section: Holt News
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Students and faculty alike showed up to make the "table surfing" event a success. Companies such as Lockheed, SunTrust, YBP&R Public Relations Firm, Walt Disney World, and The Golf Channel were on hand to offer students their take on landing the job or internship with the prestigious company of their choice.
The company representatives separately sat at tables with students rotating every 15 minutes. The corporation's representatives gave invaluable advice to future and current job seekers on everything from the application process, learning additional languages, global working environments, and how to dress to impress.
Michael Mulleavy, media relations for Lockheed Martin, a multi-billion dollar U.S. Government defense contractor, sat down and gave his advice for success in the job search at his company and other companies for the Holt student. When asked how to go about finding a job at Lockheed, he stated that Lockheed usually hired the person in the top 10% of his graduating class. He stated that a job searcher should pay attention to their GPA and "be relentless" on their job search. "Work to get the work" he stated. An applicant must work to get the position they want, just as they worked to get the grade at a top school such as Rollins.
When asked about the value of internships he stated "Internships were a great way to get in the door." Checking the atmosphere of a work environment without having to accept or go after a concrete job offer is a good way to get "a sense of the company" to see if it will be a good fit for you. If you find it is not, you can leave at the end of the semester without losing any valuable contacts. "Internships are invaluable" states Mulleavy. On dressing for that job interview, Mr. Mulleavy states that today's casual fashions are just fine outside of the workplace, but when you go looking for that "executive position, you have to dress like an executive." Mulleavy stresses the fact that "you can't go back and make a good first impression," so make the first one count! When asked about the majors students take on in their collegiate career and how they apply in today's workforce, he stated that students should be flexible, "don't discount other areas."
Cynthia Flores, First Vice President of International Trade and Finance for Sun Trust Bank, advised that students should "learn another language." The world is changing and wherever you go in several years "will look like central Florida." Ms. Flores stressed the need for those looking into banking to study International Business or Affairs, finance, and accounting. According to her, the ability for one to be "flexible to relocate to other cities such as Chicago, Miami, or New York," if you are serious about banking will be very important. Ms. Flores states that International Banking is import/export driven these days, and in a global economy one must have the ability to "speak the language" of the country or countries they are dealing with and/or located within.
Rick Walsh, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, was on hand speaking about the international company Darden Restaurants has become. The corporation according to Walsh made "5 billion in sales last year" from their operations within and outside the United States and has indeed become a global company.
Walsh states that Darden stands out and will continue to stand out because of their "commitment to diversity." Darden has become the most diverse company among Fortune 500 companies and prides itself with "85% of their workforce comprised of women and minorities," placing them as Walsh concedes, in a position that "will make us powerful." Walsh reiterates the need again for dual language ability. Darden now has restaurants in the US, Canada, Japan, and Italy and employs between 150,000 - 300,000 employees nationwide.
Other corporate representatives such as Mason Moore, Account Executive for the Public Relations Division for YPB&R, a local leading public relations firm, was on hand to give his advice on the value of networking.
He stressed the importance of internships, going to events like this one, networking by joining associations such as FPRA (Florida Public Relations Association), PRSA and OAF. He also let Holt students know that there is an affordable student fee for membership available at these and other trade and professional organizations important for networking. Mr. Moore stated that the contacts he made at his alumni association helped to land him his first job in his field. When asked what one should do to find the job they want, he stated to contact the Human Resources department, find out who heads the department, meet them and form a professional relationship, and lastly, make contact and follow up.
All the corporate representatives invited to the event seemed to enjoy talking about their companies and the value of networking. Students and guests were given advice that did not cost them anything, but could be worth thousands of dollars a year.
Through this networking event, Communiqué has proven once again that to be successful you must communicate what you want and how far you are willing to go in order to achieve the success you have always dreamed of. Opportunities go hand-in-hand with networking, showing that it is possible to land that job of a lifetime. After seeing and speaking with the different successful leaders of these corporations, it became crystal clear; networking not only familiarizes you with people, but gives them the chance to get familiar with you.