Isenberg Hacks

By: Rachel Hall

This week, E-Board Members Alyssa Towle and Tyler Spellman taught us a few Isenberg Hacks! 

Since enrollment for Spring 2020 has now begun, make sure you put your classes in your shopping cart and know when your enrollment time is so you register as soon as possible! Be sure to check course pre-requisite requirements before you put them in you shopping cart to be sure you can register in the class when its time. Some are only for certain majors or years and some require certain classes to be taken beforehand. Your enrollment time is based on your year and can be found on SPIRE. If you have class during your time, most professors are very accommodating so be sure to talk to them beforehand. 

You can also meet with any of the seven academic advisors before registering for your classes. If you are an Isenberg major, you can make an appointment at any time to discuss next semester plans and non-Isenberg students can walk in at anytime outside of registration and add/drop periods. Be sure to review your ARR, fill out your core and/or major requirement sheets and prepare questions before your appointment. If you don’t have an appointment before, give yourself lots of time in case you have to wait for an advisor to be available.

Your ARR (Academic Requirement Report) can be found on SPIRE. It’s super helpful for knowing what requirements you still need and which ones you already have covered. However, make sure to look at your major and core requirement checklists to be sure the ARR got it right! If anything is under the wrong requirement, just email and advisor and they can fix it for you.

When trying to override into classes, here’s a few things to keep in mind. The BBA core course override form is only for non-Isenberg students. If you are trying to override from within Isenberg into a class for another major, you can find these forms online or in the advising office, depending on the major. Classes outside Isenberg have their own override process, so be sure to contact the department for those classes.

The Breadth Requirement is a 21 credit requirement for classes outside of Isenberg. Only one of these courses can be an economics class. Lots of people take these courses while abroad as well. If you are taking a GenEd that fills a diversity (DU or DG) requirement and nothing else, this will count as well. One great tip is to make your GenEds Pass/Fail, so a D or better will get you a pass and won’t affect your GPA. If you do better in the class than you thought, you can revoke the pass/fail and it’ll fill a GenEd, and if not it will still count toward your Breadth. Keep in mind you can only do this once a semester.

If you’re applying into Isenber from another major, the info can be found online. Make sure you know the deadlines and the specific requirements for BBA, HTM, or Sport Management. Each one requires different predictor courses to take before applying and the soonest you can do this is your second semester of freshman year.

Declaring and changing your major from within Isenberg is super easy! Major declaration happens at the beginning of each semester and an email is sent out to all Isenberg students who are undeclared. To change your major from within Isenberg, simply go into the advising office and fill out a form. 

To book breakout rooms in the Hub (located on the second floor), just go to this link (https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/room-request) and fill out the form. From here, you can book breakout rooms, tables, and even classrooms. 

Finally, make sure to use the Chase Career Center. You can make appointments on the same website you would make advising appointments, and meet with a career coach who can help you with anything from building your resume to a five year plan. Chase also provides resources like IsenberWorks, Handshake, and BigInterview!

Lindsey Guenther: Outside of the Box Internship

Lindsey Guenther, our Community Service Co-Director, spoke to our general body about her internship at the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. During her time in Germany, she was a Human Resources Intern where she created a professional development program for other interns. During her internship, Lindsey learned many soft skills such as public speaking, networking, leadership, and responsibility.

Lindsey’s Tips and Recommendations: 

1. Study Abroad or consider applying for an international internships if you like to travel, undergrad is the best time! 

• Start looking early

• Explore different industries that excite you

• Think outside the box and try something new

Lindsey also gave places to start looking for these opportunities. Existing programs include:

• Worldinternships.org

• Goabroad.com

• CIEE.org

Other good resources to search for open positions are:

• Company websites

• Indeed

• Glassdoor

• linkedIn

• Monster

• Isenbergworks and Handshake

  2. Don’t let fear hold you back! Have the confidence to take risks and be independent.

3. Prepare

A lot goes into studying or interning abroad. Keep in mind you need a passport, international health insurance, flights, etc. It is also wise to pack lightly and correctly depending on the climate where you are going abroad. You will most likely end up buying clothes there! Another thing we don’t think about is cell phones. You need to purchase an international cell phone plan or know there will be wifi available. Last but not least, research the culture of the local citizens and community you will be living in.

Final Tips: Why Study or Intern Abroad?

1. Learn about yourself

2. Gain independence

3. Discover the world

Please feel free to reach out to Lindsey if you have any questions about studying or interning abroad at lguenther@umass.edu.

EY: Creating Your Success

Panel Moderator: Tyler Spellman Campus Ambassador

Panel Questions:

1. Please take a minute to introduce yourself, share a little bit about you. What do you do at the firm and how long have you been at EY?

   • Meredith Coughlin: Partner, FSO Audit

   • Addison Hugo: Campus Recruiter

   • Libby Rosenberry: Staff, Forensics

   • Julia Accorsini: Senior, People Advisory Services

2. If you had to define your personal brand at this moment in your career with 3 words, what would those words be?

   • Meredith Coughlin: Client-centric, inclusive, working mom

   • Addison Hugo: Proactive, adaptable, resourceful

   • Libby Rosenberry: Flexible, assertive, social

   • Julia Accorsini: Confident, personable, versatile

3. How have you evolved as a female professional throughout your career? What obstacles have you had to overcome, and what are the lessons you’ve learned from facing these challenges?

   • Meredith Coughlin: I started with the firm during a financial crisis — as I look back, the obstacles were ones that I seeked out. That is what has shaped me.

   • Addison Hugo: I’m a people-pleaser, which is a problem that a lot of women have. I wasn’t a good self-advocate at first, but I have learned to work on it. You pull your own career, so don’t lose out on compensation, roles, and projects… you should feel empowered to grow.

   • Libby Rosenberry: It can be challenging starting your career as a young female professional. You will have clients who are difficult. You may have problems being heard. But, you have a unique perspective, so speak up!

   • Julia Accorsini: I went into a whole new career path because I wasn’t happy. There is a stigma that you can’t “job hop.” Go pursue the place where you fit and listen to your intuition. It’s okay to not know what you want to do at first.

4. Have any of you had a mentor throughout your career? If so, how have they helped or inspired you?

   • Meredith Coughlin: At EY, we are formally set up with a counsellor. This sponsor is always your advocate! They can help with specific things (like promotions). A mentor, on the other hand, is someone who will give you advice.

   • Addison Hugo: Having the EY counsellor is new to me; you just keep them informed, but they’re not your boss. My mentor actually reached out to me when she saw a new opportunity in her team, and even though she was hard on me in that position, I learned so much.

   • Libby Rosenberry: When you’re working or traveling, you end up being a part of teams. Your network expands fast. I think I have a lot of mentors.

   • Julia Accorsini: The counselor system at EY is awesome! They’re a great part of your career. My mentor was someone I worked with on my last project — I respect her opinions, personally and professionally.

5. As strong, motivated females in the workplace, what steps do you take to empower women that are just starting out on their career journeys?

   • Meredith Coughlin: I feel personally responsible for every woman on my team because I’m the only female partner. I try to push women out of their comfort zone, often by having them present. I try to them to remind them, “I wouldn’t put you up there if you were going to embarrass yourself.”

   • Addison Hugo: We have two new team members who graduated a year or so ago, and now I’m seeing patterns that I remember in myself. They seem sacred to ask questions; women are usually taught to be tough, independent workers. I encourage them to break out of that mindset and explore.

   • Libby Rosenberry: I encourage my female co-workers to speak up during meetings and defend their points. I encourage them to present their own updates, instead of having leadership do it for them. Also, give feedback so female co-workers can develop and grow!

   • Julia Accorsini: You have a seat at the table for a reason. You’re not supposed to just sit there and absorb what everyone else is saying — obviously, know your audience, but own your accomplishments. The client wants to know what you think and see you make change. Make effort to give credit where credit is due too, because it’s important to highlight each other.

6. How have you managed to maintain a healthy work-life balance as your personal needs changed throughout the years or as your role in the company changed?

   • Meredith Coughlin: She just got promoted to partner! It’s hard to live out a suitcase and work late hours and maintain your health. It’s a conscious effort. I perform better when I take care of myself and spend time with my family.

   • Addison Hugo: I’ve become a workaholic, but I have a supportive boyfriend, mom, and friends. Plus my team keeps an eye out — they remind me when I should probably take a break. Sometimes I hit a wall, and I need to get grounded. This past weekend, I watched a whole season of The Politician and bought ClassPass. Also, going from campus to a desk is rough, so make sure to even just get in a walk.

   • Libby Rosenberry: It’s important to eat well and exercise, but also take mental breaks! Unwind! Try a new restaurant or show; even just stay in for the night. And please don’t forget about your non-work friends.

   • Julia Accorsini: The work-life balance is a learned process. Heard of the freshman 15? How about the consulting 30? It happens. But, I’m on the road four days a week, so I’ve learned my routine. Again, when you travel, you wind up in teams! I have girls I go to pilates with, or eat dinner with. You get in the groove and meet new people.

7. What are some pieces of advice that you would share with the group as they embark on their career journeys?

   • Meredith Coughlin: Start getting out there and talking to firms. You’ll be most successful where you are happy. It’s really the people who will make or break a workplace for you.

   • Addison Hugo: Don’t freak out if you don’t have a job yet, and don’t forget to advocate for yourself. If you’re interested in someone, tell people and make connections — you’re the driver of your career.

   • Libby Rosenberry: Go for things you see yourself actually accepting. Don’t bog yourself down. Just enjoy your time here!

   • Julia Accorsini: Shop around and try new things. Do research and know that people will talk to you if you ask. Be realistic, you’re Isenberg students and you will get a job!

Majors Panel

“So what do you want to do?”

This is a question every college student hears at least 100 times a year. Sometimes the answer comes to you in a second, or sometimes it’s not there at all. We presented a panel to teach everyone a little bit more about Isenberg majors! Here are a few takeaways with each panelist’s contact information!

Management

Tori Soucy (vsoucy@umas.edu)

• Management involves learning skills in leadership and running an organization effectively

• It offers a variety of career opportunities like working in human resources, business law, and more!

Marketing

Maria Jara (mjarabaca@umass.edu)

• Marketing helps you learn various analytical and creative skills to sell various products or ideas

• Everyone needs marketing - there are a variety of industries available for marketing majors to explore!

OIM

Haley Chupka (hchupka@umass.edu)

• OIM is based around analyzing data in supply chain management and information systems

• It is a field that is constantly evolving with different advancements in technology!

Finance

Mia Celik (mcelik@umass.edu)

• Finance involves learning the ins and outs of corporate finance, banking, and investments

Accounting

Julie Han (hyesoohan@umass.edu)

• Accounting is split into a variety of disciplines like auditing, tax, and consulting so clients can make informed financial decisions

• Since accounting has such a heavy course load, studying abroad can be difficult. But the International Programs Office is always willing to help and find you different opportunities for travel!

Hospitality & Tourism Management

Grace Ford (geford@umass.edu)

• The core of HTM is customer service, whether it be in hotels, clubs, resorts, and more!

• Though working in hotels is a popular career path for HTM students, it is not the only one! Hospitality and tourism is all about people, whether they are in a hotel or not

Sport Management

Ashley Robinson (aprobinson@umass.edu)

• Sport management takes core business courses and applies them to a sports context

• Some possible careers in sport management include managing teams, sports marketing, and player personnel!

Professor Gail Cruise: Career Fair Prep

With the Isenberg Career Fair approaching, Professor Gail Cruise offers her advice for communicating professionally to recruiters in both writing and speaking. What makes communication professional? 

Writing Strategies and Tips:

• Clear and concise sentences: When emailing recruiters, it is important to have a clear focus and goal you would like to achieve by contacting them. Are you interested in an internship program they offer or scheduling an interview? Be specific!

• Provide evidence/support: Back up any qualifications you have in order to convince the recruiter you are a good candidate for the job and should be considered.

• Paying Attention to detail: Make sure that your email or letter is formatted correctly. Also check for spelling and that it is grammatically correct. This is important in order to make a good impression.

• Know your reader: By doing so, you appeal to your audience!

Professional Delivery:

• Body language: The best body language is standing tall, making good eye contact, and smiling. Make sure you are friendly and inviting to avoid nervous tendencies.

• Credibility: Who are you and why should we listen to you? Standing tall and dressing professional comes across as confident in a positive way which intrigues your audience.

• Engagement: When speaking with a recruiter, the delivery is key. Active listening, good eye contact, and asking questions keeps your audience engaged. 

These tips and strategies from Professor Cruise are extremely helpful when speaking with a recruiter and for communicating professionally in the workplace. This is all working towards, “Connecting young, powerful, and professional women.”