Our New Media Assistant

Serena Nguyen
Career Services Media Assistant

I am currently a sophomore majoring in Business Management. Starting the spring semester of 2013, I have worked as a Media Assistant in the Career Services Center. Even though I have worked in the Career Services for a short amount of time, I have really enjoyed working there because I am doing something I love. What else can top that?

In high school, I taught myself how to use the Photoshop program to edit images and create different effect techniques by watching videos on YouTube or tutorials from other web pages. Photoshop became a hobby and I used the program to edit images and improve on my editing skills whenever I had time. However, once I started college, extra time to work on hobbies was near impossible to find. When I saw a position open for Media Assistant in the Career Services Center that required Photoshop as a skill, I thought this job would be perfect for me. Immediately I began the job application and had others review my resume. I was very excited about the job, so I made sure I completed my application to the best of my abilities. I asked one of my friends to help me revise my resume and my cover letter, since writing in English is not my forte.

I did not realize how difficult it would be to make sure my application showcased my talents. Thankfully, my good friends gave me useful tips on what I should and shouldn't put on the resume, since they had gone through job interviews. It was confusing at first, but eventually I got the hang of it. In addition, the assistance I received from the resume revision made me think about all of my previous job applications. The probably reason why I didn't receive any responses from them was because I didn't take my time to look over my resume carefully and have it revised prior to my submission. Afterwards the last thing I needed to do was to submit my application and wait for a reply.

The next morning I checked my email, and was surprised when I received a reply from Career Services. I was happy and excited because I got called in for an interview. The night before the interview, my friends helped me figure out the proper attire to wear during an interview. I went in for the interview on my last day for the fall semester of 2012, and then went home to Los Angeles right after.

In less than a week later, I received a phone call from my future manager telling me I had gotten the job. I was overjoyed. I called my parents, texted my friends, and my cousin to inform them that I now had a job. Getting a job, made my winter break that much more relaxing.

And that concludes the story on how I was able to land a job on campus. My tips and advice for you are very simple.

●      If you don't know how to find the information about a job, or have no idea where to start, I suggest you visit the Career Services Center, or email them careerservices@ucmerced.edu for questions.

●      If you already know where to find the jobs listing page on the UC Merced website, then start looking for a job that is interests you. You need to make sure that you will be able to have fun with this job.

●      Work on your resume little by little and have someone to help you revise it prior to your submission. If you can bring in your resume during the drop-in hours or schedule an appointment at the front desk, people from the Career Services Center will gladly help you with your resumes and cover letters.

●      Make sure you know the application deadline for the job because you don't want to submit it at the last minute. You never know what can go wrong with the internet.

●      After you submit your application the WAITING game begins, remember to be patient!

●      Once you land an interview, prepare for it ASAP. Don’t wait for the last minute.

●      In the Career Services Center, they will be able to help you with your interview, and even give you a mock interview upon your request.

●      On the day of your interview, make sure to dress appropriately, it is okay to overdress rather than underdress to let your future employer know that you are serious about this job. One last thing, Be confident! You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.