Rising Smeal junior Michelle Mayer sent me this photo having fun at Houston’s Jack in the Box, and she has a lot to be happy about!  Michelle took my advice in class to begin career preparations as soon as possible, including participating in career fairs and joining PSU student interest groups (SIGs).

I think Michelle would agree that a student’s first career fair can be quite intimidating, unfortunately, and perhaps one reason why many students may wish to pass or defer this experience.  My impression, however, is that interviewing gets easier with practice.  If a student begins interviewing as a sophomore they will find they are “cool cucumbers” senior year when it really matters.

So Michelle practiced interviewing at a career fair, and followed through by joining the MISA (Management Information System Association) SIG.  As a result, not only did Michelle receive an internship as a sophomore (at Shell in Houston – hence the photo), but she is also a PPG Scholarship recipient and 2010 internship candidate!