Meet a Counselor: Stanton Morrow

Our Meet a Counselor blog feature profiles a Career Services career counseling intern each week. Our counselors come from across the state and country to work with students at Texas State!

 

Name: Stanton Morrow

Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

Undergraduate: Southwest Texas State University, Bachelor of Science in Geography - Resource and Environmental Studies (1994)

Graduate: St. Edward's University, Master of Arts in Counseling, (projected graduation Aug. 2013)

1. What made you want to pursue counseling and/or career counseling?
   I have always had an interest in mental health and the ability to assist persons with problems/concerns.
2. In terms of career counseling here at Texas State, what are you focus areas?
   Psychoeducation, "what can I do with this major" exploration, resume building, etc.
3. What is your favorite snack food?
   Anything chocolate!
4. What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?
   "Peanuts" with Charlie Brown.
5. What is your favorite type of music?
   Classical.

To set up an appointment with Stanton or another career counselor, call Career Services at 512.245.2645.

4 Steps to Finding Your Future: A Primer

You may not know this, but Career Services utilizes a four-step career development model when helping students like you find your career path and professional trajectory.

Each student we see--in counseling sessions, at job fairs and programs, attending mock interviews and info sessions--is at a different point in this process. And the steps to move forward in the process are different at each point.

So, where are you and what should you be doing to find career and job search success? Learn about the four steps and find out below:

1. Who am I? In the self-assessment phase, you're trying to figure out your interests, your passions and what you want to be when you grow up (and yes, there are still astronauts!).
   Do: Check out Career Services' online and in-office self-assessments, and pay attention to what you like and don't like about your coursework, part-time jobs, internships and hobbies.
2. What's out there? After you've explored your own interests, explore the world of work to find careers that might be a good fit.
   Do: Research online resources like the Occupational Outlook Handbook and Career Services' "What Can I Do With This Major?" handouts, and seek out professionals (for informational interviews), student organizations and coursework related to your potential career.
3. What's that like? It's time to take what you've learned to the streets.
   Do: Take your career for a test drive by seeking out internship or job shadowing opportunities within your industry. Test a variety of interests by studying abroad, volunteering, finding relevant part-time jobs, networking and getting involved on campus.
4. How do I get there? Now that you have an idea of where you'd like to go, you need to know how to make your career dream a reality.
   Do: Start building your professional network by joining LinkedIn and reaching out to faculty, family, peers and other contacts within your industry. Register for Jobs4Cats, polish your resume, cover letters and list of references and get a job search plan in place. Make the most of on-campus job fairs, on-campus interviewing and chances to network with and meet employers.

If you have questions about career exploration, professional development, resumes or other career-related issues, stop by Career Services (LBJ 5-7.1) or call 512.245.2645 to schedule an appointment with a career counselor.

Meet a Counselor: Brad Colbert

Our Meet a Counselor blog feature profiles a Career Services career counseling intern each week. Our counselors come from across the state and country to work with students at Texas State!

 

Name: Brad Colbert 

Hometown: Georgetown, TX

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Applied Sociology (Southwest Texas State University)

Graduate Degree: Master of Arts in Counseling (currently pursuing)

1. What made you want to pursue counseling and/or career counseling?
   I decided to pursue a career in counseling because of my experience as a physical therapy technician. During my time as a physical therapy tech I realized the aspects of the job I most enjoyed were helping others through a difficult time. I most enjoyed the clients. I believe helping people is the most rewarding experience I could hope for in a career.
2. In terms of career counseling here at Texas State, what are your focus areas?
   My focus in career counseling is to assist others in the difficult transition period of career exploration. In our society we are sometimes defined by our career choice. This can be a very difficult time in our lives, and if I can assist others during this transition it is very rewarding.
3. What is your favorite sport?
   As did most people in Texas, I grew up with football being the sport of interest. That interest has never changed. Hook'em Horns!
4. What is your favorite restaurant?
   It is hard to pick my favorite restaurant, but right now I would have to say Bacon, on 10th and Lamar, is at the top of the list. I mean, who doesn't love bacon?!
5. What is your favorite holiday? My favorite holiday is Halloween. We get to play any role that we would like and enjoy every moment.

To set up an appointment with Brad or another career counselor, call Career Services at 512.245.2645.

Meet a Counselor: Joanne Wang

Our Meet a Counselor blog feature profiles a Career Services career counseling intern each week. Our counselors come from across the state and country to work with students at Texas State!

 

Name: Joanne Wang 

Hometown: Austin, TX

Undergraduate Degree: International Business - University of Texas at Dalls (UTD)

Graduate Degree: Student Affairs in Higher Education - Texas State University-San Marcos (currently pursuing)

1. What made you want to pursue counseling and/or career counseling?
   I enjoy working with individuals in one-on-one settings, and I benefitted a lot from my academic and study abroad advisors as an undergraduate. I wanted an opportunity to work with students one-on-one but in a setting that explores more than just academic concerns.
2. In terms of career counseling here at Texas State, what are your focus areas?
   I don’t have an expressed focus area in career counseling, but I try to listen for concerns that students have about exploring different majors and future career paths, and any anxieties they may have attached to those concerns. While many people will change majors or careers several times in their lives, there is a greater desire to “get it right the first time”, and many students put tremendous pressure on themselves in making that choice, or feel anxious or bad about themselves if they want to or have to change.
   
   I also like to help clients gain confidence in themselves by exploring how they can translate their experiences and skills into strengths to put on their resume. Simply wording or framing something differently can have a great impact. I love it when clients realize “Hey, you’re right…I did do that”, or “I didn’t think about it that way”; I can immediately notice their boost in confidence by recognizing, sometimes for the first time, their own accomplishments.
3. What is your favorite type of music?
   I like all types of music…I used to listen to metal all the time, but now I also listen to Korean dance/pop when I exercise, classical when I’m at work, Disney music when I need to unwind, hip-hop/rap when I’m tired of classical at work…You name it--anything but country.
4. What is your favorite sweet treat?
   I’m not into sweets (unlike most people I know) but I do really like (unsalted, unsweetened) almond butter. The freshly-ground kind is the best!
5. What was your favorite TV show as a kid? I liked Japanese cartoons growing up, and I liked Sailor Moon when I was really young. I also liked Animaniacs and the Batman cartoons from the 1990’s.

To set up an appointment with Joanne or another career counselor, call Career Services at 512.245.2645.

Job Fair 101: Fall Job & Internship Fair

If you're planning to attend Texas State's largest job fair this Wednesday (Fall Job & Internship Fair | 2 - 5:30 PM | LBJ Student Center Ballroom | Click to view list of attending employers), there are a few things you need to know. Follow these steps to find job fair success:

1. Do your research.  View a list of attending employers and the positions for which they’ll be hiring on Jobs4Cats. Decide who you'll talk to and what types of positions you're interested in.

If you’re planning to spend a significant amount of time at the fair, create 3 tiers of targeted companies (tier 1: companies you must talk to; tier 2: companies you’d really like to talk to; tier 3: companies you hope to talk to but won’t be crushed if you miss).

2. Bring your professional "A" game. Dress professionally (this means a suit or dress/skirt with a jacket; save your flip-flops and skateboard for the weekend) and bring multiple copies of your professional resume. Greet everyone you meet with a firm handshake, a smile and great eye contact.

3. Develop your “elevator speech”. This is a 30-second-long speech that conveys your professional/academic background and career interests.

It might go something like: “My name is Kim; it's nice to meet you! I’m an English major in my junior year with professional experience in nonprofit marketing and development, and I’m looking to jump into the for-profit sector. I noticed that your company is hiring for management trainee interns next summer; can you tell me a little more about that program and how I might fit into it?”

4. Strategize. Don't walk in without a plan! Hint: Save your first choice company for your second or third interaction; start your fair experience by warming up your pitch where there’s less at stake (perhaps with a tier 3 company).

5. Follow up. Get business cards from everyone you meet and follow up with an email thanking them for their time, asking for more information or letting them know that you’ve applied for a position you discussed. This last step is critical to ensuring the face-to-face connection you made lasts beyond the job fair experience.

And let Career Services help you! We have extended walk-in hours on Monday and Tuesday (1 - 6 PM in Career Services, LBJ Student Center 5-7.1) before the fair, and we're giving on-the-spot resume critiques in the quad from 10 AM - 2 PM, Monday & Tuesday this week. We'll see you soon!