By: Michael Tamsuriyamit ‘23

As the country slowly starts to reopen and return to normalcy, many people may be working from home for the very last time. While stuck at home, many have found it difficult to stay as productive as they were in the workplace before the pandemic. Now that it’s summer, some people may find it even more challenging to complete the work they need to get done.

Below are just a few tips on how to maintain one’s productivity while still working remotely:

Getting Your Day Set-Up

Completing one’s morning routine is essential to staying productive at home. Although you may not be traveling to school/work, little things such as getting out of bed, brushing one’s teeth or having your daily cup of coffee indicate that your day is about to begin. In fact, actions like getting dressed motivates you to get into work mode. “The simple act of changing clothes serves as a signal that it’s time to wake up and get things done,” says Regina Borsellino from The Muse.

Choosing Your Workspace

Finding a quiet place to work inside your home may be challenging yet very important. Your workspace should not be your bed, but rather a table where you have ample space, a source of lighting, outlets for any electronic devices (e.g. laptop), as well as any other amenities you may need to help you get work done for the day.

Once you have found your spot, try to stick with it. Laura Mae Martin, a productivity advisor for Google, says that “By working in the same space each day, your brain starts to associate that spot with working.”

Outlining Your Day’s Goals, and Then Accomplishing Them

Although some people may try to make a mental note of everything they need to get done, it’s good practice to write down what you want to accomplish on a daily basis. You can do this by using a planner or even a notepad where you can write down all the individual tasks you plan on doing that day. Be sure to check/cross off tasks as you completed them in order to keep track of your progress.

Scheduling Time for Yourself & Taking Breaks

Working from home over time may become a bit monotonous. It’s crucial you take breaks throughout the day so that you avoid experiencing burnout.

Breaks can consist of many things, including but not limited to: getting up from your chair to stretch or exercise, taking a ten-minute walk around your block, or even going on your phone to check your personal messages or watch some YouTube. Also be sure to schedule time to eat breakfast and lunch – it is not healthy to skip meals just so you can finish your work.

Other Useful and Miscellaneous Tips

• Distributing Your Time to Various Tasks: You may easily find yourself working on one particular task longer than you expected. Try setting a timer (i.e. designating specific periods of time) for different tasks, and when the time is up, work on something else. The Pomodoro Technique has helped many people improve their time management and work productivity.
• Limit Distractions: While working from home, it’s easy to become distracted by the news on your TV screen or the notification sounds coming from your phone. Try to minimize any disruptions to your workday so that you can stay concentrated.
• Finding “Accountability Partners”: Some people may find themselves to be more productive within a group setting. If you’re not required to be on a work call 24/7, try finding colleagues to do work over zoom with. It’s a good alternative for those looking to keep themselves accountable by working with people other than their family members and coworkers.

For additional tips and advice on how to be productive from home, check out the following links:

Vault: 8 Tips to Stay Productive When Working from Home

The Muse: 7 Essential Tips for Working From Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic

The Balance Careers: How to Optimize Productivity While Working From Home

Time: 5 Tips for Staying Productive and Mentally Healthy While You’re Working From Home

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Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email Jamie.Ruden@mhc.cuny.edu.

By: Anne Hwang ‘23

From BarkBox to Bloomberg, you’ll find plenty of businesses and companies within New York City that represent both startups and corporations. While it’s often easy to pick out which companies are which, you may not necessarily understand the differences between the way in which these companies operate and what it’s like for employees at the companies. Here’s a simple breakdown of some of the key differences between working for a startup versus a corporation and things you should consider when deciding which one is right for you. 

Roles and Responsibilities

When comparing job positions at a corporate versus a startup company, one of the most notable differences is the roles or responsibilities. In a corporate setting, when you’re hired for a specific position, you tend to stick to tasks and responsibilities that were listed in the job description. Since corporations already have a very well-established structure, you’ll be focusing on set skills and tasks that were defined for your position. On the other hand, working in a startup often means that you may find yourself with responsibilities that weren’t necessarily included in the job description.

Since startup companies are often very new, their employees tend to take on tasks that may cross into another department or field outside of their own. It’s not uncommon for startup company employees to be working on projects that are far from their job position, yet it’s quite rare to see employees in corporate companies working on tasks outside of their job title. Thus, depending on whether you prefer a more rigid or dynamic work experience, you may be more inclined towards either a corporate or startup position.

Structure 

Similar to the roles and responsibilities, corporates and startups also have drastically different structures within their respective companies. In a corporate structure, there usually exists an established hierarchy with more clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Therefore, you’ll find you may not have much influence over the decisions that are made. However, since employees at startup companies often balance multiple responsibilities both within and outside of their fields, working at a startup tends to provide you with a bit more influence over the final decisions that are made.

Based on your preferences, if you are more comfortable with having a set structure, you’re more likely to favor corporates, but if you enjoy the flexibility of tapping into many skills and projects while having more of an impact with your opinions, then startups are the way to go. 

Stability

Last but not least, stability between corporates and startups can also vary. Since corporations have been around for a longer period of time, the companies already have a system in place as to how the entire corporate structure functions. As a result, you’re usually to have more stable hours and set time off. For startups, because the companies are still often very new and working to establish a structure and efficient system, it’s very likely that you’re going to be working more unstable hours and time off may be less predictable.

Ultimately, there are pros and cons to both the corporate culture and startup culture, but one of the main differences to consider is whether you prefer a set and rigid structure or a more flexible structure. If you’re unsure of which to pick, it’s always a good idea to reach out to alumni and/or professionals from both fields. For networking opportunities, feel free to check out Macaulay’s LinkedIn groups! 

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Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email

Jamie.Ruden@mhc.cuny.edu.

By: Anne Hwang ‘23

What is Imposter Syndrome 

There’s an imposter among us! As we work our way through finals, and approach summer internships or programs, you might find yourself doubting yourself. What if I’m not smart enough? What if I’m not right for the internship? You get the point— the list goes on. Yet what you probably neglect while you embark on a rabbit hole of what if’s, is that many of your fellow students probably share the same concerns as you. And what’s even more surprising is that oftentimes, these thoughts that undermine your capabilities and intelligence are probably not true. In fact, you’re more likely to be facing Imposter Syndrome than reality in these situations.

So what is Imposter Syndrome? Well, according to Verywellmind.com, Imposter Syndrome is an internal experience where an individual believes they are not as smart or capable as others may perceive them to be. In other words, Imposter Syndrome is when you feel like you aren’t as good enough and you’re an “imposter” or “phony” amongst others who are actually qualified and capable. Frequently, an individual who may have Imposter Syndrome will tend to be very harsh on their own performance, and often overlook successes they’ve accomplished by undermining them with failures or shortcomings along the way. Other forms in which an individual might experience Imposter Syndrome are in social situations where an individual may have social anxiety. Ultimately, Imposter Syndrome can encompass a wide range of symptoms, and if you’re interested in learning more about it, check out this article or speak to a healthcare professional! 

How to Cope

As college students, many of us are prone to encountering Imposter Syndrome at some point. Here are some tips that may help you cope with Imposter Syndrome: 

Acknowledge your feelings

One of the most important steps to overcoming Imposter Syndrome is acknowledging the way you feel. By recognizing the way you feel, you can then start to see what causes you to feel this way and also speak with others about your concerns so that they may be able to help you with the situation you are in.

Differentiate between facts and feelings

Individuals who have Imposter Syndrome often feel a certain way that may not actually be based on facts. By figuring out what is factual and what is emotional, this may help you to recognize that your success or accomplishments are truthful and not based on pure luck. 

Create a healthy cycle for dealing with both success and failures

By developing a way of handling the accomplishments and failures, you can provide yourself with a more solid foundation of how to react. This can help provide you with a structure so that instead of defaulting to feeling like an imposter, you recognize moments when you succeed and ways to react when you don’t.

Lastly, if you find yourself still struggling with coping, never hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional. Here at Macaulay, we offer free mental health and counseling services. If you feel that you may be experiencing Imposter Syndrome, reach out to the Macaulay Mental Health and Wellness Center!

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Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email Jamie.Ruden@mhc.cuny.edu.

By: Anne Hwang ’23

If you’re currently searching for an internship, program, or job position, then you’ve likely come across an application that has “cover letter” listed as one of its requirements. So what exactly is a cover letter?

What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter, also known as a covering letter or motivational letter, is a letter of introduction that is intended to introduce a job applicant’s professional background, skills, and personal interests in the job. Typically, the cover letter is one page in length, and it is usually attached to a resume or CV, which allows for the job seeker to elaborate on the information that is included in these documents. Ultimately, the main purpose of writing a cover letter is to showcase your personality and explain why you would be a good fit for the position. Thus, it’s important to make sure that your cover letter is meticulously crafted so that it catches the attention of the hiring manager and gets your point across clearly.

Components of a Cover Letter

Since a cover letter tends to be one page in length, its components can be broken down into the following:

1. Professional Heading

This is the section where you will include your name and relevant contact information. Underneath your information, you will list the name and contact information of the employer that you are addressing.  

2. Greetings

After the relevant information, the next part of the cover letters begins like any letter— with a professional greeting. Typically in this section, you will see “Dear (employer name),” with either the employer’s first or last name, depending on how formal the cover letter is intended to be. Note that the employer name inserted here is the same employer whose contact information is listed above. To ensure professionalism, it’s a good idea to always double check who the employer or hiring manager is and utilize the appropriate name and pronouns if applicable. 

3. Content 

Following the greetings, this is where the main component of the cover letter begins. Depending on the source, you’ll find that there are plenty of ways to construct the main content of the cover letter. In general, the content will include an attention grabbing introduction, followed by a relevant story or experience, and conclude with the reasons why the job applicant is a good fit for the job and how the applicant can contribute to the team. This portion of the cover letter is the most flexible component, as you can decide how you want to go about writing the cover letter. However, it is important to note that if you don’t have much experience writing cover letters, your best option is to follow along with a guide that will help you craft a structured and effective cover letter. 

4. Salutations

Lastly, the cover letter ends with salutations, where you thank the reader and leave a positive note about your excitement and eagerness to hear back or further discuss the position. There are plenty of ways to sign off on a letter, but there are definitely ways to sign off that can make your cover letter stand out! 

To learn how to formulate cover letters and tips for making your cover letter stand out, check out these websites: 

• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/cover-letters-4161919
• https://zety.com/blog/cover-letter 

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Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email Jamie.Ruden@mhc.cuny.edu.

By: Gennady Vulakh ‘22

Having the opportunity to help people get better when they don’t feel well is something many aspire to do. But the wealth of roles in healthcare can overwhelm and confuse those who want to get involved with health professions. 

This is made more difficult by admission requirements for the programs having different requirements. For example, some programs want to see a certain amount of courses, a specific amount of volunteer hours, and possibly even a standardized test. 

Your timeline of courses, applications, and balancing of other requirements like experiential learning or studying abroad may vary depending on the schools you choose to apply for, so knowing those requirements ahead of time is helpful.

Attending the Macaulay Pre-Health Virtual Graduate School Fair is a great way to learn about the various health professional programs you can apply to! 

Explore the Field

There will be many programs attending from varying fields within healthcare. You can expect to see representatives from medical, dental, MD/PhD, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacy, public health, veterinary, and many more programs. 

Whether you’re looking at different fields or set on one, this is a great way to see what your pre-health studies can lead to. Given that the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced opportunities to gain insight into healthcare fields, the virtual fair can help you learn more about life as a healthcare professional.

Learn From the Programs Themselves

During the fair, you’ll have the opportunity to speak to admissions representatives and other staff directly from the programs you’re interested in. Speaking with the programs you get a chance to understand everything the program offers and what it requires. 

See the End Result

Often, the representatives sent by programs have completed the programs they are telling you about. You’ll thus have an opportunity to explore what the life of that health professional looks like, which can be helpful in making a choice to commit to a type of program.

Practice Making an Impression

You can learn how to ask questions about programs, put your best foot forward, and build a network of people to reach out to later in your career. Making yourself known to these program representatives can positively influence your application to the program because you will better understand the program’s mission and how you fit in it.

The Macaulay Pre-Health Virtual Graduate School Fair will be held on April 23rd, 2021 from 11am-2pm. Save your seat by April 16th by registering here!

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Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email Jamie.Ruden@mhc.cuny.edu.

By: Anne Hwang ‘23

If you’ve kept up with Macaulay news or emails, then you’ve most likely heard of Career Development’s Industry Talks and Professional Lunch Series before. Both of these events are vital events that are hosted by Career Development year-round, and they can be of great help to students who are interested in learning more about a certain career field or networking with professionals. Learn more about both of these two events below!

Industry Talks

Industry Talks is a fairly new event that was developed in lieu of Career Fairs, an event we found to not be as effective for both employers and our students. Instead of inviting multiple companies from different sectors, each Industry Talks focuses on one specific field, and includes 4-6 panelists who are professionals from the field. Additionally, Industry Talks also provides a personal opportunity to network with a panel of professionals within a specific sector.

So, how does the event work? Well, each Industry Talks is usually about 2.5 hours. The event is broken up into two sections: the first half, which includes a moderated Q&A session, and the second half, which includes breakout sessions where students and attendees will have the chance to speak with each panelist about their own personal experiences working in the industry.

Lastly, the most unique part of Industry Talks is that since the series was created in lieu of Career Fairs, each Industry Talks also provides Macaulay Honor students with internship opportunities and/or entry-level positions with the respective companies from each panelist. Each panelist who attends Industry Talks will always bring along with them a job opening, and so Macaulay students who attend not only get to learn about the industry, but they also have the opportunity to speak with each professional about the job openings at their respective companies!

Check out one of our previous Industry Talks below:

• Industry Talks: Consulting

Professional Lunch Series

Our Professional Lunch Series is similar to our Industry Talks in that the event focuses on a specific field, but rather than featuring a panel of professionals, the Professional Lunch Series features one speaker from the field. The main purpose of the Professional Lunch Series is to allow for students to gain an intimate understanding of our speaker’s career trajectory and experiences in the industry. Speakers for the Professional Lunch Series may not always bring a career opportunity with them, yet they come with many invaluable experiences and advice to share with students/attendees. Our Professional Lunch Series events also usually host a rather smaller audience, allowing each and every one of the attendees to be able to engage in conversation with the featured panelist and ask questions they may have. 

Check out some of our previous Professional Lunch Series!

• Professional Lunch Series: Public Health

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Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email Jamie.Ruden@mhc.cuny.edu.

Harleen Ghuman ‘22

Networking is a key component in contributing to career success. It is essentially creating long-lasting professional relationships with people you meet during your professional journey. When a lot of people think of networking, they are immediately drawn to networking within their own preferred career industry or specific job function. While it is beneficial to network with those of the same career interests and same aspirations as you, stepping out of your comfort zone can help you gain more insight and widen your career interests!

A Great Learning Experience

No matter how much we know about our own career industry or the career path that we want to take, there is never a moment where we stop learning. Learning about different career industries may pique an interest you never thought would have! By doing so, you may have a new interest to pursue or a new industry you may want to enter and develop some experience in. Remember, there is a job for everything in each industry. You can still pursue marketing while working in the legal industry or work with data in the non-profit sector. Your options are endless when you widen your career horizon!

Build More Business Connections

Each new connection, regardless of career or industry, has the potential to grow into a stronger relationship. There is always room to grow your professional or mentor network. This is your chance to get a deeper understanding of the different experiences and job functions that happens in different departments of your intended industry. Additionally, you never know when you might have a career change in the future, and when you do, it is always good to fall back on some of the connections you have made when networking outside of your career field or industry!

Where Do I Start?

Networking outside of your comfort zone can aid in finding a new profound interest in your career journey. So where should you start? A great place to start is by attending Macaulay Career Development events! These events range from Industry Talks, a panel discussion of several professionals with similar to distinct job functions in the same industry, to our Professional Lunch Series, an individual discussion with a professional from industry to talk on a more personal level about their professional journey. Career Development events allow the chance to network with the invited professionals and to learn more about the industry. It is not uncommon to hear of instances where students walk out of our events with a new career interest! Visit our Career Development Events page to view any upcoming events. 

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore the professional network. The career world is your oyster!

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Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email Jamie.Ruden@mhc.cuny.edu.

By: Anne Hwang ‘23

As you begin your search for a job or internship, you are bound to come across certain positions that require you to apply via email. When sending an email for a job application, it’s important to structure your email professionally and neatly in order to increase your chances of advancing forward in the application process. 

Subject Line

As you can probably imagine, you are definitely not the only person who is going to be applying for the job position via email. Therefore, it is crucial that your subject line is concise so that hiring managers can easily filter through their emails. If the application directions list a certain subject line or position number to include, use what it is provided. If there is no specific subject line mentioned, include your name and the position title.

Greetings

The greeting of your email is the first thing that is read by either Human Resources or the Hiring Manager, so your first impression is important. When sending out an email to submit a job application, you want to keep your greetings professional and brief. Do not skip over the greetings, because just like in a real-life conversation, you would never jump immediately into a conversation without a proper introduction. Generally, starting the email with “Dear (name or title)” or “Hello (name or title)” are formal ways to greet the recipient. Afterwards, you can feel free to include a sentence hoping that they are well, and then you can continue to the main content of your email.

Content

In the content of your email, you want to be as concise and clear as you possibly can. Remember that the hiring process is a tedious one for employers, so the easier your email is to read, the higher your chances are for moving on to the next stage. In the content of your email, make it clear that your intention is to submit a job application for a certain position. If needed, you can also include where you saw the job posting. Don’t forget to attach the necessary files and information as well! Keep it detailed but concise.

Salutations

After you have completed structuring your email, end your email with a kind note. In your salutation, you can thank the employer for their time or thank them in advance for their consideration. You may also want to include a sentence expressing your enthusiasm to hear back. Once you are finished, don’t forget to sign off with your full name. Signs off such as “best,” “sincerely,” “thank you,” and “regards” are all fitting for the occasion.  

Don’t forget to read aloud and proof-read before sending!

Timing 

Lastly, before you send out your email, double-check the time to ensure that you are sending out your email at an appropriate time. Generally speaking, a business email is sent during weekdays, Monday through Friday, from roughly 8 AM to 7 PM. When sending an email for a job application, stay within this time frame to avoid any conflicts and unprofessionalism. 

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Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email Jamie.Ruden@mhc.cuny.edu.

By: Anne Hwang ‘23

Over the past few months, students have grown accustomed to a new style of learning, interviewing, and even working via virtual platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Blackboard Ultra Collaborate. While there hasn’t been any official CUNY announcement regarding the foreseeable future of the Spring semester, the majority of classes are likely to continue being online, and most internships and programs will follow the virtual trend too. With that being said, it’s important to make sure that you know about netiquette and how to present yourself professionally on these virtual platforms.

What is NETiquette?

You’ve probably heard of etiquette, but have you ever heard of netiquette? Netiquette is exactly what it sounds like: net + etiquette = netiquette, which translates to a set of defined rules that are considered acceptable and appropriate for online behavior.   

Zoom and Other Virtual Platforms

As classes and internships continue to be conducted virtually, a variety of different virtual platforms are being utilized, from Zoom to Google Meet to Blackboard Ultra Collaborate. While each platform is designed differently, they share many of the same functionality, including an option to raise your hand, a chatbox, and sharing your screen. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with all of these functions prior to joining any calls to ensure you understand what is happening. 

Raise Hand Option 

The raise hand option is a relatively simple concept: you use it as you would in a live scenario, but remember to lower your hand after you are done speaking if the host hasn’t already done so. Keeping track of your own virtual hand, it can avoid any confusion as to whether you have input or commentary. 

If you are in a class setting, be aware and considerate of your peers in the class when answering questions. It can be harder to take into account your surroundings virtually but pay attention to who has spoken and who hasn’t, as you want to avoid dominating a conversation. 

Chat Box

While it can be tempting to socialize in a chat box, note that it’s best to avoid doing so in a classroom or meeting setting. Leave the chat box as a place for important notes, details, links, or even files that need to be shared with all the participants in the call. When sending messages in the chat, make sure to proofread what you have typed before sending it out. Most of these platforms do not have an option to “unsend” a message, so double check your message to avoid any errors. Messages sent in the chat box should also be concise, specific, and adhere to grammatical and spelling rules. Remember that the chat messages are being held within a professional setting, not an instant messaging app. 

Sharing Your Screen 

Prior to sharing your screen, it’s a good idea to look over everything you have open on your laptop or desktop to ensure that there isn’t anything confidential or inappropriate. If you find something that is unfitting for the call, close that application, website, or document to avoid any embarrassing and awkward situations. After you’re all set, go ahead and share your screen!

Other Tips

• If you have a meeting or interview, remember to still dress in proper business attire. If you’re uncertain about whether or not you will be required to turn your camera on, it’s best to be dressed appropriately and prepared!
• Make sure your audio works properly, and if you are joining a meeting with your camera on, inform and communicate with others in your house so they know you are on a call. If possible, you should also take into consideration your background and lighting. 
• Be ready to adjust to different types of virtual environments and calls. Sometimes what you envisioned to be a serious call may end up being a lot more casual than you thought. Other times it might be the opposite. Regardless of which situation you end up in, observe the environment and vibe of everyone in the call, and adapt accordingly. 

For more information, check out these resources:

1. https://www.webroot.com/us/en/resources/tips-articles/netiquette-and-online-ethics-what-are-they 
2. https://sites.google.com/site/groupofthreeeducators/what-is-netiquette
3. https://www.wsj.com/articles/seven-rules-of-zoom-meeting-etiquette-from-the-pros-11594551601  

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Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email Jamie.Ruden@mhc.cuny.edu.