 "Photo: Amanda Widoniak")
Boston University and Boston-area students attended a Dove-sponsored career seminar Wednesday at the Fuller Building in hopes of finding their "dream job."
The Programming Council organized the event, which targeted all students interested in working in the field of communication. All attendees were permitted to bring résumés, allowing them to be considered for a summer 2006 internship in New York City with Dove or Cosmopolitan magazine. Ten people were chosen following the seminar for an interview.
Speakers included Wendy Straker, author of Sexy Jobs in the City: How to Find Your Dream Job Using the Rules of Dating, and Kendra Todd, winner of NBC's "Apprentice" Season Three. Cosmopolitan Merchandising Editor Marissa Dyan Lipetz and Senior Public Relations Manager Stacie Bright also spoke at the event.
"It's a great opportunity for students to see successful women who have overcome adversity to get the 'it' job," Programming Council Special Events Coordinator Jessica Howe, a College of Communication senior, said.
Straker, a columnist for the New York Post, discussed the stakes associated with finding the perfect job during college. She also held a book signing following the seminar.
"This is an event we all wish we had when we were in college," she said. Todd said she enjoyed connecting with students and sharing her story.
"This was fantastic," she said. "This is the first opportunity I've had to speak to college-age women and share some of my experiences. It's great to tell young women how it is in the real world."
During the five-part seminar, Straker said she and the three other speakers encouraged students to "find [their] passion," adding that she hoped each attendee would leave feeling "inspired, empowered and confident."
After the speakers expounded on the "Dos and Don'ts" of the interview process, the event hosts stressed the importance of a career experience and demonstrated what not to wear when applying for jobs with a fashion show.
"I got a little bit of something from everyone," Northeastern University senior Meghan Michalak said. "Everyone seemed to mention that if you don't know what you want to do, it's OK. As long as you work and have passion, you can succeed. It's encouraging."
Most attendees said they were interesting in pursuing careers similar to those of the speakers.
"I thought that this was a fantastic opportunity to hear from successful women doing exactly what you hope you can do," Northeastern University sophomore Melanie Harris said.
College of Communication freshman Clare Burns said she was chosen as one of the 10 to be interviewed for the Cosmopolitan internship this summer.
"I'm in complete awe," she said, "but more importantly, honored. [It shows] that women of their status can inspire a young student like me to strive for my ultimate goal and potential dream job."
BU was approached with the idea to host a career seminar last summer by the Dove company, an Alloy Media and Marketing member in Boston. When choosing a venue, Dove considered what students would benefit most from the scheduled speakers, Dove Associate Marketing Manager Divya Ahluwalia said, adding that BU's strong communication program made it a prime candidate.
PC advertised the event through CollegeFest, campus-wide posters, press releases and a Facebook.com message. Dove expressed their gratitude to PC by rewarding the group with $1,000.
The speakers advocated hard work, persistence, confidence and experience in the quest for finding the "dream job" so many college students dream of.
"Life is too short not to love what you do," Lipetz said.
Be the first to comment on this article!