Using internships as springboards to full-time employment is one of the most popular job search methods for Cal seniors, according to our most recent Career Destinations Study. This parallels a national trend identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Their employer respondents reported nearly 36 percent of the 2007 college graduates they hired came from their internship programs, up from 30 percent in 2005. Take a look at how this trend is playing out at Cal:  

Business, Junior	Internship: Cost Analyst, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream "I first found out about Dreyer's through the Career Fair. Since I was the first intern the Operations Finance department had ever hired, it was a new experience for both sides, and I have loved every stop of it. Dreyer's is a fast-paced company, known for their constant innovation and desire to be on the forefront of their industry. Working in such a company, you are always busy, but at the same time you are energized by the work that you do. And there's no need to be stressed out - just eat some ice cream! I have worked on numerous projects that have challenged and stretched me. I am very happy to say that I have received an extended offer to work for Dreyer's due to my work performance."	Janie L.
EECS, Senior	Job: Tech Project Manager, Microsoft Corp. "I interned for Microsoft for several months last semester and beginning 2008, I will work for them full time in Seattle, Washington. I went to a career fair my sophomore year and applied for Microsoft after talking to some representatives. As an Associate Project Intern, I met many people who offered guidance and advice. It really let me experience the company and job. I traveled and expanded my network."	Alina F.
Operation Research Management Science, Alumni	Job: Financial Data Analyst, Morgan Stanley Capital International Barra "I had been an intern at Morgan Stanley for seven months and after my last semester at Cal started in a full-time position. I work as a member of the Data Content Services Team improving efficiency of the data flow process. I am able to apply a lot of ideas I have learned while studying in Berkeley. I interact with Product and Project Managers, VPs, Client Support, and Sales Teams around the world (London, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tokyo, Geneva, etc.), and I run my own independent projects."	Mikal M.

To learn more about internships, visit internships.berkeley.edu or contact Career Counselor Sarah Backes-Diaz.

This spring, the Career Center introduced online Resume Books, a new web-based tool for today’s "plugged in" job and internship searchers. Students can upload their resumes in the Resume Books for employers in different fields such as Business, Communications & Media, Non-Profit/Public Service, Environment, Computer Science, Biotechnology & Sciences, and Engineering. Since launching this program in February, 45 organizations have requested access to this new service and over 700 students and alumni have submitted their resumes.

How will employers use Resume Books?
Employers can download resumes included in the books and contact students directly about job or internship openings, information sessions, or interviews. Employers can also sort candidates by major and graduation dates and do keyword searches.

Are Resume Books for students in all majors?
Yes, all majors can participate as there are no restrictions by major for most Resume Books. However, students should be genuinely interested in the Resume Book’s interest area. We suggest students include a clear objective and relevant course list on their resumes to support their career interests. Employers will then better understand submissions for particular Resume Books.

How are Resume Books different from submitting a resume for On-Campus Recruiting (OCR)?
When students participate in OCR, they submit their resumes to employers for specific positions. With Resume Books, students are not applying for specific positions, but are allowing employers to review their resumes to see if they might fit employers’ needs. Employers who use Resume Books may or may not be interviewing on campus or attending career fairs, so this resource gets students in front of a more diverse set of employers. 

For more information on Resume Books, contact Career Center Assistant Director Nancy McFarland.

"What GPA do I need to get into medical school?" "What LSAT score do I need for law school?" With many Cal undergrads identifying themselves as pre-med or pre-law, chances are you will encounter these types of questions. To help you address them, the Career Center compiles Law and Medical School statistics every year.

Law School
The law school admissions statistics for the class of 2007 show that for the third straight year the number of Cal seniors applying to law school has declined. This reflects a national trend. According to the Law School Admission Council, across the country the number of applicants to law school is down 5.2 percent. 

What can account for the declining numbers? Even though the economy is unpredictable right now, employer activity at our career fairs and On-Campus Recruiting has been very robust, offering many opportunities for employment. Traditionally, when employment prospects are plentiful, graduate school applications go down.

While the number of applicants is down for 2007, those that did apply had an acceptance rate on par with other seniors over the past five years. Those that received offers of admission also received multiple offers to choose from and achieved this success even though they had slightly lower LSAT scores and similar GPAs. With the uncertainty in the economy and the increased attendance at this fall's law school programs, it will be interesting to see if these trends hold true for the class of 2008.

Law School: Graduating Seniors 2003-2007

To learn more, consult the Career Center’s Law School Statistics or contact Suzanne Helbig, Marketing Coordinator/Career Counselor. 

Medical School
Bucking a national trend, Cal seniors applied in slightly smaller numbers to medical school in 2007. But, despite the increased competition, our seniors continue to outpace national acceptance rates, aided by superior programs and resources offered by the Career Center.

Berkeley & National Acceptance Rate – Graduating Seniors 2003 - 2007

Other highlights from 2007 include:

• Cal seniors who applied to medical school with a 3.4 GPA or above had a 73% acceptance rate
• Cal seniors who applied to medical school with a 3.39 or lower GPA had a 11% acceptance rate
• Cal seniors who applied to medical school with a MCAT score of 30 or higher had a 71% acceptance rate
• Cal seniors who applied to medical school with a MCAT score of 30 or lower had a 29% acceptance rate

To learn more and to see how alumni one year out performed, view Profiles of Medical School Admissions, or contact Juhn Verano, one of our Career Center Pre-Health Advisors.

Jumpstart Your Job Search
Once finals wind down, the latest crop of Letters & Science graduates can attend this day-long interactive program on May 22 and leave it with an action plan. Career counselors and employers will lead them through a series of hands-on sessions on resume writing, networking, interviewing, researching employers, handling offers, and professional presentation. Registration details for the program will be available soon on career.berkeley.edu. If this pilot is successful, we plan to launch similar programs for other student populations. To learn more, contact Career Counselor Manisha Lakhotia.

Services for Alumni
Last May, in partnership with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, we introduced a year-long pilot program that allowed graduating seniors to continue using our services for three months immediately after graduation at no cost.  But in light of the current campus budget situation, we will be ending the "grace period" pilot program and May '08 grads will be the final cohort to receive the free 3-month extension of services. Like all past classes, all future seniors will continue to get a few weeks of free Career Center eligibility. After the period of free eligibility ends, all Cal students can continue their access to Career Center services by purchasing a Career Center Alumni Advantage package.

Alumni Advantage grants Cal and other UC alumni access to the full range of Career Center services (except On-Campus recruiting for non-Cal alumni). While any UC alumni can purchase an Alumni Advantage package, its services are optimized for alumni who have graduated in the last five years. Alumni Advantage costs $100 for 12 months of service. If you have questions about Alumni Advantage, please contact Andrew Green, Career Center Assistant Director.

 

Peers Advisers share resources and network at the Peer Summit

Last year the Career Center initiated a "Peer Summit" to bring together student peer advisers from across campus. Based on the success of that event a second summit was held on February 28, attended by 80 representatives from 16 campus peer programs.  

The Career Center Peer Program played an integral role in planning and implementing the summit and co-sponsored it with Student Life Advising Services, Student Learning Center, and College of Natural Resources Peer Advisers. The Summit brought together peers from across campus in order to build a stronger community, to inform one another about resources and services for Berkeley students, and to offer a useful networking experience. Peers from Letters and Science, the Athletic Study Center, the ASUC Student Advocate, International and Area Studies, Residence Halls, and eleven other programs also participated.

Overheard at the Peer Summit:

• "I most enjoyed speaking to fellow peer advisors, especially as it’s my first time being an adviser."
• "I didn’t know there were this many peer advising programs on campus, I am very glad to have had the opportunity to meet such wonderful advisers."
• "The most beneficial aspect was being able to expand my knowledge of other peer programs and ask common questions I get from students."
• "Having the round table discussions was a great way to make individual connections."

To learn more about the Peer Summit, contact Career Counselor Becky Christensen.