WCBA Center for Career Management

As a business student, you will have the opportunity to work with the WCBA Center for Career Management throughout your college career. The Center for Career Management hosts several events throughout the year and provides support in the following areas:

• Career Exploration

• Resume Assistance

• Cover Letter Assistance

• Internship and Career Planning

• Mock Interviews

• LinkedIn Assistance

• Networking

• Professional Dress Guidance

• About our Services

  Career Exploration

  The Center for Career Management utilizes an assessment tool called PathwayU. PathwayU is a career assessment which focuses on your Interests, Values, Workplace Preferences, and Personality. The assessment will highlight your primary interests, values, and workplace preferences, as well as provide your score within six (6) areas of personality. Your career matches will be sorted by match strength and you are able to narrow your results through the filters on the left side of the screen.

  Resume Assistance

  A resume tells your professional story and is used when you apply for an internship or job. The Center for Career Management will assist you in creating a resume from scratch or in updating your resume. The Center for Career Management provides suggestions based on employer feedback and research.

  Cover Letter Assistance

  A cover letter accompanies a resume anytime you apply for a position through an application, in an email, or via mail. A cover letter is an introduction to who you are professionally and highlights your professional skills and accomplishments. Cover letters are often intimidating to write, but the Center for Career Management will guide you through each section of a cover letter to ensure you have a professional letter.

  Internship and Career Search

  An effective strategy is key when searching for an internship or job upon graduation. A strategy will ensure you stay on track when searching for positions and when applying for positions. The Center for Career Management will help you develop an effective strategy. We are also here if you need to discuss your different options. We won’t give you an answer, but we will provide you with different pieces to consider.

  Mock Interviews

  It is important to be prepared for every interview, no matter if it is phone, video, or in person. The Center for Career Management will walk you through a typical interview as well as ask you interview questions. We will make sure you feel comfortable answering the questions before your big interview!

  Networking

  Networking is creating connections with individuals to exchange information and ideas. It is important to connect with several individuals both personally and professionally. Networking will happen anywhere, so it is important to always be prepared. The Center for Career Management will assist you with developing your elevator pitch and questions to ask when networking.

  LinkedIn Assistance

  Building your network is important, both at the start of your professional career and throughout your career. One way to keep in touch with your network is through LinkedIn. Ensuring you have a completed LinkedIn profile will help in networking through the platform, as well as in potentially finding a job. Make an appointment with the Center for Career Management to review your profile!

  Dress for Success

  Professional dress is important when networking, interviewing, and in your career. The Center for Career Management has guides for professional dress and will answer any questions you may have regarding professional attire.

• Handshake

  Students

  Handshake is the career management database utilized across campus. Handshake allows you to search internships and jobs as well as make an appointment with your academic advisor and career management professional.

  How to Log in: Log in to your YSU Penguin Portal and click on the Handshake icon halfway down the page on the left.

  

  Connect with hiring Employers!

  Employers

  We ask employers to post all jobs and internships within Handshake. To create an account in Handshake, go to app.joinhandshake.com. Once on this site, you can create your account to get started. If you need assistance in posting positions, please contact our office at 330-941-3660.

• Internships - Credit Bearing

  Student Information

  As a business student, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in your area of study while earning academic credit through an internship. An internship is a professional level experience where you will work for a reputable employer (locally, regionally, or nationally) while earning upper division business credit. All internships taken for credit must be paid experiences. The internship supplements your classroom learning with real-world business experience.

  All business internships must be approved through the WCBA Center for Career Management. You may find an internship via Handshake or on your own. When looking in Handshake for an internship, be sure to look for the label “WCBA Approved Internships for Credit.” If you find an internship on your own, you will need to send a detailed internship description to Christina O’Connell, Director-WCBA Center for Career Management, cloconnell@ysu.edu. Keep in mind, the internship responsibilities must be professional level responsibilities related to your area of study and it must be paid. If taking an internship as a graduate student, the internship needs to have increased responsibilities.

  To take an internship for credit, you must meet the following prerequisites according to you major:

  • Accounting/Finance: declared business major, 2.75 GPA, completion of 1-2 upper division course(s) within the major with a C or better
  • Economics: declared major and completion of 1-2 upper division course(s) within the major with a C or better
  • Management: declared business major, 2.5 GPA, completion of MGT 3725 and one upper division course within your major with a C or better
  • Marketing/Sales/Advertising & Public Relations: declared business major, 2.5 GPA, completion of MKTG 3703 with a C or better
  • Nonprofit Leadership: junior standing and 2.5 GPA
  • Entrepreneurship: juniors standing, 2.5 GPA, completion of ENT 3700 and 3750 with a C or better
  • MBA/MAcc/M.A. in Economics/Master of Financial Economics: check with Christina O’Connell by emailing cloconnell@ysu.edu
  • Communication and Journalism students: check with Dr. Adam Earnheardt by emailing acearnheardt@ysu.edu
  • Telecommunication Studies students: check with Dr. Amy Crawford by emailing agcrawford@ysu.edu agcrawford@ysu.edu
  • M.A. in Professional Communication students: check with Dr. Adam Earnheardt by emailing acearnheardt@ysu.edu

  You must work a minimum of 225 hours during the semester you take the internship for credit. 18.75 hours per week for 12 weeks needs to state: approximately 16.1 hours per week for 14 weeks.

  Employer Information

  All internships are posted in Handshake for students to review. An internship must have professional level responsibilities related to one of the areas in business and you may hire either undergraduate or graduate students. The WCBA has the following undergraduate majors:

  Business Majors

  • Accounting
  • Business Administration
  • Business Economics
  • Economics
  • Finance: Certified Financial Planner
  • Finance: Financial Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • International Business (ICP)
  • Management: Leadership
  • Management: Supply Chain
  • Marketing
  • Marketing: Advertising
  • Marketing: Professional Selling

  The Department of Communication

  • Communication Studies: Interpersonal/Organizational
  • Communication Studies: Media
  • Communication Studies: Persuasion
  • Communication Studies: Social Media
  • Journalism
  • Journalism: Broadcast & Digital Media
  • Journalism: Sports Information & Media Arts
  • Telecommunication Studies: Media Arts
  • Telecommunication Studies: Sports Broadcasting

  Graduate degrees with the WCBA

  • Master of Business Administration
  • Master of Arts in Economic
  • Master of Arts in Professional Communication

  All credit-bearing internships must be paid experiences. Our pay range is between $8.55-$25.00 per hour.

  For more information on our internship program or for assistance with posting a position in Handshake, please contact the Center for Career Management at 330-941-3660.

• Micro-Internships (Non-Credit-Bearing)

  Micro-Internships provide students with unique opportunities to gain professional experience outside the traditional internship cycle. Students can learn and fine-tune the skills employers are looking for, build meaningful connections with organizations, and get paid.

  What is a Micro-Internship?

  Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments. The projects allow college students to demonstrate skills, explore career paths, and build their networks. Micro-internships can take place year-round, typically range from 5 to 40 hours of work, and are typically remote opportunities. The opportunities are posted on a rolling basis, so continuously check the website.

  Benefits of a Micro-Internship

  • Learn and fine-tune the skills employers are seeking
  • Explore new industries and career paths
  • Build meaningful connections with employers by demonstrating your skills and abilities

  Who is Eligible for Micro-Internships?

  Micro-Internships are open to WCBA students. International students should check with International Programs for eligibility since this is not a credit-bearing experience.

  Applying for Micro-Internships

  To begin exploring Micro-Internship opportunities, click here. Creating a profile only takes a few minutes and you can apply for opportunities. NOTE: some projects are time-sensitive, employers may expect their micro-intern to begin working on the project less than one week from being selected. If you are selected for a micro-internship, you will receive an email packet with information on how to contact the employer to set a start date and begin work on the project. Employers choose their micro-intern; you must apply and possibly interview for these opportunities.

  Pay for Micro-Intern

  You will receive pay as sub-contractor with a 1099. Parker Dewey collects the payment from the employer and pays the intern. Pay is typically upon completion of the project. If you make over a certain amount as a 1099 sub-contractor, you will have to pay taxes when filing. Be sure to check tax laws and set money aside if you are selected for multiple micro-internships throughout the year. See Parker Dewey’s payment page for more information and for the tax information.

• Ohio Export Internship Program

  The Ohio Export Internship Program (OEIP) is offered through the WCBA in partnership with Ohio Department of Development. This program combines a spring semester export-focused course covering Global Supply Chain, International Finance, International Marketing, and Global Business Management with a paid summer internship. The class has 5 Certificates and is all hands-on with workshops, speakers, and a field trip. For the internship, students will be matched with an Ohio company where they will get the opportunity to work in a professional setting together with the company's executives and apply the knowledge learned in the classroom. Over the summer, students work 40 hours a week for 12 weeks, earning $17 per hour. Students must have a 3.0 GPA to apply and be at a sophomore, junior, or senior (graduating the December after the internship or later) level. Applications open late August/early September.

• Events

  Professional Development Summit

  The Professional Development Summit is offered in the fall and spring semester. The Summit is a half-day workshop for our sophomore/rising junior students. The workshop consists of an employer panel and an alumni panel. The employer panel focuses on what employers look for when hiring interns and full-time employees, interview tips, networking tips, etc. as well as answering any student questions. The alumni panel focuses on the transition from student to professional, why they chose their profession, and they offer advice and answer any student questions. The event ends with a networking lunch for student attendees, employer and alumni panelists, and WCBA faculty.

  Meet the Employers Day

  Meet the Employers Day is offered each fall and spring semester. This event is an excellent opportunity for WCBA students to network with employers and learn about internship and full-time job opportunities. Students will be able to pass out their resume to employers and employers can collect resumes from students to identify talent for current and future positions.

  On-Campus Interviews

  The Center for Career Management offers employers the opportunity to interview students for internship and full-time job positions. All internships must be approved prior to interviewing on-campus. You may select to have your on-campus interview Monday thru Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. Fridays tend to work best for WCBA students due to class schedules. Advanced planning is appreciated; please contact us as soon as you select a date.

  JCPenney SUIT-UP

  JCPenney SUIT-UP is the perfect event to purchase professional attire for your professional wardrobe. JCPenney gives an extra discount to all YSU students on a designated Sunday in fall and spring semester. This percentage is off designated professional attire, including items on sale.

• Other Professional Development Opportunities

  Student chapters of national professional organizations provide an excellent means to develop leadership skills, network with professionals and increase your exposure to the business world. The WCBA is actively involved in public service with programs and events such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, Dare to Care Day, national competitions, and fundraising activities.

  Through the Williamson Symposium Series and the Executive in Residence Program, you’ll interact with business leaders and exchange ideas with professionals for an added dimension to your education.

  Rigorous academic preparation, career-related work experience, and involvement in activities beyond the classroom create a valuable combination which places business majors in a position for success in the business world.

Meet the Team

Christina O'Connell, Director
Christina is the Director of the WCBA Center for Career Management. She started in the WCBA in 2013 as an internship coordinator and became the Director of the Center once it was established in August 2016. Christina works with employers in establishing an internship program or promoting their internship program through posting positions as well as assists employers in posting full-time positions in Handshake. She also assists students in their career development throughout their college career as well as plan a variety of professional development events each semester. Christina holds a Bachelor of Science in Education degree, Master of Science in Education: Counseling with a concentration in Student Affairs Leadership and Practice degree, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, all from YSU.

Abby Conrad, Coordinator
Abby started in the WCBA Center for Career Management in fall 2017. In Abby’s experience as the Coordinator for the WCBA Center for Career Management at Youngstown State University and previously as a Career Counselor for the Office of Career Education and Development at Slippery Rock University, her passion has grown for working one-on-one with students and alumni to meet their many career needs.  As a School Counseling graduate student, Abby also had experience with students at the elementary and secondary levels, where she was able to help them in all academic, social, and career areas.  She is a strong advocate for all students and will do whatever it takes to enhance their educational experience and give them the best opportunities for success. As the Coordinator, Abby assists students in career preparation as well as assists with all professional development events.

Linda Cascarelli, Business Operations Specialist 1
Linda Cascarelli has been working in the WCBA since 2007 after a successful career as a travel agent. As an Administrative Assistant in the WCBA Office of Student Services, Linda assists both the Center for Career Management and Academic Advising. Linda is the main contact for Handshake and will help you make an appointment, register for an event, assist with scheduling an interview, just to name a few. She is also the main event planner for many of the events in the Student Services Center and sets up the WCBA on-campus interview schedules.