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Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture Student Success

Meet the Spring 2024 Career Services Team!

Were excited to introduce the Internships and Career Services staff for the Spring 2024 semester! Accompanying director Sandi Brabb is our career coordinator, Maya Salsbury; Sydney Troy, our graduate career coach intern; and Emmy Farrell, Molly Gooding and Tyler Kazen, our undergraduate career coach interns.

Please see below for more information about our new team members:

Sandi Brabb

Internships and Career Services Director

Sandi Brabb was born in southern California, but lived in six different states before making Pullman, WA, home. She began working at WSU in the College of Vet Med’s department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology (VCAPP), now known as Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience (IPN), where she worked for 18 years in a variety of positions including assistant director of Neuroscience. While in VCAPP, she earned an MBA from WSU in 2004 and in 2007 President Lane Rawlins awarded her the President’s Excellence Award. Sandi was the founding director of the Murrow College Student Services and is currently the Director of Internships & Career Services in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. She is a proud Coug alumna, and together with her husband, John, are proud Coug parents of three Coug alumni.

Maya Salsbury

Career Coordinator 

Maya, is from Moscow, Idaho. She has an M.Ed. degree from Johns Hopkins University, School of Education, and a Bachelor’s from the University of Idaho, Maya brings both expertise and a passion for education to her role. Beyond her career, Maya finds solace in the serene landscapes of the Palouse while cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Palouse Divide. She enjoys experimenting with new cooking and baking recipes. Maya also boasts an impressive 12-year competitive swimming background. What truly sets Maya apart is her genuine love for students and her unwavering dedication to their success. At the VCEA Internships and Career Services office, she thrives on forging connections with students, helping them flourish in their career pursuits, and making a lasting impact within our team.

 

Sydney Troy 

Graduate Career Coach Intern

Sydney is from Bremerton, WA, and is currently in her first year as a graduate student and her fifth year at WSU, majoring in Architecture. Outside her academic pursuits, Sydney shares a unique bond as a fraternal twin and is a proud parent of two cats. Growing up, she honed her skills on the soccer field, playing premier soccer with Kitsap Alliance and Gig Harbor Premier. Sydney’s passion for helping students find opportunities that align with their interests and goals is what drives her dedication to the career and internship services office, making her a valued member of our team.

 

Emmy Farrell 

Undergraduate Career Coach Intern

Meet Emmy Farrell, a fourth-year Architecture major from Spokane, WA, who brings her love for creativity, tennis, crafts, and coffee to her role as a Career Services Intern at Voiland College. With a passion for helping students navigate the transition to the professional world, Emmy finds fulfillment in offering guidance and support in resume building, interview preparation, and career exploration. Her dedication and empathy shine through as she empowers her peers to pursue their dreams with confidence and determination. Emmy’s unwavering commitment to making a difference embodies the spirit of excellence within the Career Services team, ensuring that every student she encounters is equipped for success on their journey forward.

Molly Gooding 

Undergraduate Career Coach Intern

Meet Molly Gooding, a fourth-year Business Marketing major from Rocklin, California, and a vital member of the Voiland College Career Services team. Molly’s love for the outdoors shines through in her hobbies of running and playing pickleball with friends, reflecting her vibrant and active personality. As a Career Services Intern, she finds fulfillment in guiding her peers towards their professional goals. With Molly’s invaluable assistance and marketing skills, every student she mentors is equipped with the tools and encouragement needed to flourish on their individual career journeys.

 

Tyler Kazen 

Undergraduate Career Coach Intern

Meet Tyler Kazen, a dedicated Voiland College Career Services Intern hailing from Wenatchee, WA, currently in his third year at Washington State University pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. When Tyler isn’t immersed in academic pursuits, he can be found enjoying the great outdoors, indulging in water activities like fishing and wakeboarding during the summer, and hitting the slopes as an avid skier during the winter months. Tyler’s passion for helping others shines through in their role at Career Services, where he derives immense satisfaction from assisting fellow students in pursuing their dream jobs. With Tyler’s enthusiasm and support, students can navigate the complexities of career planning with ease.

Career Services LinkedIn

Hey Cougs!

Want to stay updated with Voiland college career services events like resume/cover letter reviews, employer information sessions, and career networking events? Looking for internship and job opportunities? Searching for scholarship applications related to your major interests?  Make sure to join the Voiland College Career Services group on LinkedIn where the career services team keeps you updated on any and all career related events and opportunities!

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See you on LinkedIn Cougs!

Mastering Critical Thinking: A Guide to Enhancing Decision-Making and Career Success

In our fast-paced world, the ability to think critically is paramount for success in both personal and professional realms. In a recent article by The Muse, the concept of critical thinking is explored in depth, highlighting its importance and offering practical strategies for improvement.

Critical thinking, as defined in the article, involves questioning assumptions, conducting thorough research, and rigorously testing ideas to arrive at well-informed decisions. This skill is not only essential for problem-solving but also for building relationships and advancing one’s career. Job seekers, in particular, are increasingly valued for their ability to think critically, as it signifies resourcefulness and adaptability.

The article outlines seven actionable steps to enhance critical thinking skills:

  1. Asking probing questions to gather comprehensive information.
  2. Engaging in regular self-reflection to analyze past experiences and decisions.
  3. Embracing change and diverse perspectives to broaden one’s understanding.
  4. Cultivating a diverse network to access varied viewpoints and feedback.
  5. Improving active listening skills to fully comprehend others’ perspectives.
  6. Expanding knowledge through wide reading and study of diverse topics.
  7. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone by tackling new and challenging tasks.

Moreover, the article provides valuable insights on how to showcase critical thinking abilities during the job search process. It advises job seekers to highlight decision-making processes and problem-solving skills in resumes and cover letters, and to demonstrate critical thinking during interviews by thinking aloud, asking insightful questions, and identifying opportunities for innovation within the organization.

Find the full article here!

 

Crafting Your Career Story: A Quick Guide to Resume Building with WiseDoc

In the digital age, a compelling resume is your ticket to unlocking new career opportunities. WiseDoc, a user-friendly platform, makes the resume creation process seamless and efficient. Let’s explore how you can harness the power of WiseDoc to craft a standout resume that showcases your skills and experiences.

What is WiseDoc?

WiseDoc is a versatile online platform designed to simplify the resume creation process. With its intuitive interface and robust features, WiseDoc empowers users to build professional resumes that capture the attention of potential employers.

Getting Started

Sign Up for WiseDoc:

  • To begin your resume-building journey with WiseDoc, sign up for a free account on their website. Use your WSU email to gain access to templates and examples compiled by Career Services. 

Navigate to the Resume Builder:

  • Once logged in, locate the “Templates” feature. This is where you’ll start crafting your personalized resume.

Choose a Template:

  • WiseDoc offers a variety of professionally designed templates to suit different industries and job roles. Choose a template listed as “ATS-friendly” if you plan to submit your resume online. 

Building Your Resume:

  • WiseDoc will provide you with fill-in-the-blank sections to craft your resume. You may add or edit sections as needed, as well as rearrange the order of sections as they appear on the final document. To access your documents once you are finished, navigate to the “My Drive” section on the home screen. 

» More …

How To Kickstart Your Career in The New Year

Wendi Weiner and Jenna Arcand, Work It Daily 

January 02, 2024

Do you have career goals going into the new year? Do you feel like your career search is in a rut and you’re not sure what to do? Here are some ways you can successfully kickstart your career in the new year!

Resumes are no longer about objectives or daily job functions. Today, resumes are strategic marketing documents that must prove a candidate’s worth and value. A resume must properly brand the candidate within his/her areas of focus and be targeted toward the actual job position. 

1. Updating your resume and reflecting on your recent achievements and accolades is a sure way to provide more value to the reader. Quantify your work and project experience and consider reviewing your internship or job performance evaluations so you can list projects you have led, skills you have acquired, and results you’ve achieved for organizations.

2. Consider Professional Assistance from a Voiland College Career Coach

Many job seekers are struggling to find a job right now and they’re becoming increasingly frustrated with the job market. A Voiland College career coach can be a great resource and tool when you’re having trouble finding a job and achieving your career goals. 

A career coach can also help job seekers realign their career direction with solution-focused ideas, provide positive praise and motivation, and offer guidance in self-discovery.

3. Use Social Media to Your Advantage We are now living in a heavily advanced digital age. Job seekers can reach out to CEOs and employers on various social media platforms, post a Facebook status to alert their friends and family members about their job search, and use their LinkedIn profiles to apply for a job, connect with hiring managers, and even expand their network to connect with other professionals.

In short, social media, specifically LinkedIn, is an excellent tool for your career. Make sure you optimize your LinkedIn profile to take full advantage of all of its benefits and features.

4. Network Like There’s No Tomorrow

Your network is your net worth! If you want to land your dream job, building your professional network is essential. Create an online networking strategy and locate networking events through Facebook, LinkedIn, and even sources such as Eventbrite. Be sure to have business cards handy. Pass them out and take the business cards of other networking professionals. 

Don’t forget to follow up through a connection request on LinkedIn after the event is over. You need to nurture your network so when it comes time for you to find a new job, they’ll be more than happy to help. After all, it’s all about who you know! 

Make this year your biggest and best year yet by following these helpful career tips! Don’t wait for January to pass you by. The new year is here now!