Spring 2003
by Lisa Roberts
When Joseph D. Hanlon, a chief financial officer at GE Capital, and Patrick Dillon, a recruiter for UBS Warburg, came to Fairfield University to recruit interns for summer 2003, they weren't necessarily looking for candidates with a financial background. As they recently told a reporter from the Connecticut Post, Hanlon was looking for "intelligence, analytical ability, and leadership capabilities" and Dillon was more concerned with "just finding the right individual."
These two recruiters were among representatives of 102 organizations that filled Alumni Hall on Feb. 6, 2003, during the University's annual career fair. Their comments confirm what Michael Dalton, director of the University's Career Planning Center, has known for a long time now.
"Employers don't shy away from job candidates because of their major," says Dalton. "They shy away from poor grades. That's why it's imperative that students choose a major based on their interests, not on their future career goals." Dalton notes that if students are excited about a subject, in pursuing it they typically develop the competencies most employers are looking for - skills in critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, data analysis, writing, and reporting - and such competencies will be reflected in their grades. Adds Dalton, "For college grads, transferable skills - rooted in proven intellectual ability - are key to internship and job placement."
Dalton believes it's never too early for Fairfield's students to start thinking about their future, and shares the following perspective for parents whose children may consult them from time to time on career advice.
For Parents of Freshmen:
During the early college years, the seeds of productivity, commitment, and relationship building are planted - all of which play a critical role in a successful job hunt later on. So from the get-go, encourage your son or daughter to become actively involved at Fairfield outside their academic courses. In any kind of societal framework, leaders and officers will surface to the top, but active membership is where it all begins.
For Parents of Sophomores:
It is at this stage that college students often become overly concerned with choosing a major. Again, employers talk about looking for fit and proven competencies far more than they ever talk about a candidate's major, so encourage your child to choose a field of interest in which he or she feels confident about excelling. This is also a good time for self-assessment testing and exercises, such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory, both of which are offered at Fairfield's Career Planning Center.
For Parents of Juniors:
Career planning should now become a priority in a student's scheduling. If there has been no internship opportunity to date, this is the time to pursue one. Remember to encourage your son or daughter to target types of employers rather than specific jobs so they will get the most out of their internship. Also, they should begin to attend some of the University's employer presentations (25 each fall), career panels (eight to ten throughout the year), career fairs, and career nights.
For Parents of Seniors:
Job search preparation at this stage becomes highly focused. In a tight labor market, students may fear that no one is hiring, but that's often not the case. Employers tend to hire the same number of college graduates but aren't as aggressive in doing so, so they're not as visible on campus, on job boards, in newspapers, or elsewhere. Seniors, therefore, need to be proactive and use every resource available to them, including the relationships they've cultivated during internships, mentors they may have found through the Fairfield Alumni Network, and a presence in Fairfield University's Annual Résumé Book, which is mailed to more than 300 employers in the New York-Connecticut job market. Also, now's the time to: make an appointment with Fairfield's career counselors for résumé and interview preparation; attend career panels, employer presentations and job fairs the University sponsors; and probe the CPC's job search database regularly at:
www.fairfield.edu/careers
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Save The Date ...
53rd Commencement Exercises
Sunday, May 18, 2003
10 a.m.
Bellarmine Lawn |
Finding "Mom" at the Student Health Center
by Susan Birge, assistant vice president of student services
In the mid-1970s, Pat Jones was pursuing her nursing degree at Boston University when she visited her brother, who was then a student at Fairfield. "I was struck by the beauty of the campus and the sense of community ... and have to admit I was somewhat envious because my college days were in a big city environment," recalls Jones. That memory must have made quite an impact on her, because today Pat Jones, R.N., plays an integral role in the delivery of top-notch medical care at Fairfield University.
A medical staff including doctors, nurses such as Jones, and a nurse practitioner at the Student Health Center diagnose and treat myriad health problems ranging from the common cold to eating disorders. In working with students, Jones believes one of her primary functions is that of an educator. "No question is silly," says Jones, who emphasizes how important kindness and reassurance is to young adults who are away from home. "There is no issue or problem that we haven't heard of, seen, or treated."
While Jones's nursing skills are critical to her job, she feels that the skills she picked up as a mother of three children are just as important. With her youngest child now in school full-time, Jones works 24 hours per week at the Student Health Center so she can still center her life around her kids, but adds that she enjoys playing "mom" at work as well. How does she do that? Jones explains that her dealings with college students include anything from humor to a hug to making soup. For this nurse, being "mom" is clearly an around-the-clock endeavor!
Why work at a university Health Center when the nursing shortage has raised nursing wages, and jobs often include large sign-on bonuses? "I love working with Fairfield kids. They value our medical skills and like having a 'mom' take care of them," says Jones with her warm, infectious laugh. "I've wanted to be a nurse and a mom since I was a little girl. What better job could I ask for?"
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The Student Health Center, located in the rear of Dolan Hall, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a registered nurse on duty at all times (except during extended vacation periods). A medical doctor is available by appointment for two hours each weekday, and a nurse practitioner is available without an appointment for five hours each weekday. Through preventive measures, education, and treatment of illnesses and emotional problems, the Student Health Center fosters and maintains the good health of Fairfield University students. In addition to administering medical treatment, the staff at the Health Center is always available to talk with students about matters pertaining to life-long healthy and holistic habits.
Please Note: No student can receive any medical treatment at the HealthCenter unless a medical report form has been received and is on file at the Center. |
Reference by Appointment
by Joan Overfield, director of library services
 Reference by Appointment, a personalized reference librarian service, offers one-on-one assistance to students and faculty by mail, telephone, e-mail, or in person. Designed for researchers who need more time than a traditional reference desk interaction affords, the service allows a professional reference librarian to consult with individuals on their research needs and determine what would be most helpful. This usually involves developing a list of resources as well as offering instruction in using the library materials or electronic databases.
During its inaugural year, 2001-02, the service aided nearly 60 library users who scheduled individualized sessions for specific research needs. Research topics have been as diverse as the researchers, including such subjects as spirituality and morality, microbiology, the Forbidden City, Irish Catholic family counseling, John Haberle, Victorian period resources, the Argentine financial crisis, the fashion industry, ERIC (an education database), and international studies.
Jazzman's Café
 Fairfield students have welcomed with open arms the University's first cybercafé - stocked with gourmet coffee, tea, and specialty drinks as well as freshly baked pastries, cookies, and scones. In partnership with its food service contractor, Sodexho, the University opened Jazzman's Café on Jan. 21, 2003, on the third floor level of the John A. Barone Campus Center.
Word on campus spread quickly, with student traffic exceeding the University's expectations after just one month of operation. As an added benefit to parents and other family members, the cybercafé also features six wireless computers so students can catch up with their studies and/or stay in touch with family and friends.
New Software Engineering Chair, a Poetry Contest and Marketplace Etiquette
From the
School of Engineering:
The School of Engineering welcomes Dr. Donald A. Joy as an associate professor in and chair of the Department of Software Engineering. His expertise is in the area of software system design and implementation, databases and data mining, text classification, knowledge management, and software development management. He comes to Fairfield from the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was an associate professor.
From the
College of Arts and Sciences:
Dr. R. James Long, chair and professor of philosophy, was elected vice president of the Society for Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy in December. He will assume the presidency in 2004. Dr. Javier Campos, associate professor of modern languages and literatures, earned first prize for his poem, Cats, in the prestigious international award contest, Juan Rulfo 2002, from Radio France and Radio H.J.C.K. of Colombia.
From the
Charles F. Dolan School of Business:
The Dolan School offered its students an edge in the marketplace with its second annual etiquette dinner in February 2003. Ann Marie Sabath, founder of At Ease Inc. and author of six books on etiquette, spent the evening coaching students on a variety of skills, including: how to extend the courtesies that interviewers appreciate; what to do when recruiters don't return calls or e-mail messages; how to get a potential employer to say "yes"; why most job candidates fail; and how to be relentless - politely.
Participation Matters!
by Ed and Maureen Carey P'03
Parents have donated more than $251,778 this fiscal year to support campus programs and student services, representing 72 percent of the $350,000 Parents' Annual Fund goal for June 30, 2003. This is a 27 percent increase over dollars raised at this time last year.
With this good news as our foundation, we'd like to build participation between now and June 30. While we understand that not everyone can join our leadership gift society, The President's Circle, we want to stress that donations of any amount are critical to our success. Your gift - no matter its size - demonstrates your belief in Fairfield's mission and is a further investment in the educational opportunities available to your child.
June 30 - the close of our fiscal year - is fast approaching. Please consider making a difference at Fairfield today with an Annual Fund gift.
For your convenience, just mail your check or credit card number in the gift envelope included in this issue of Parent Ties. If you prefer, you can make your donation by telephone at (877) 748-5123
Thank you for your participation!
The Advancement division of Fairfield University publishes Parent Ties three times a year for parents of undergraduate students. Letters to the editor, address changes, and correspondence should be sent to:
- Parent Ties
Bellarmine Hall Room 318
Fairfield University
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
e-mail: parentties@mail.fairfield.edu
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Editor
Lisa M. Roberts
Editorial Committee
Claudia B. Nielsen
Eileen Bossone
Edward and Maureen Carey P'03
Clare (Carney) Schimpf '76
University Photojournalist
Jean Santopatre
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