Students learn skills for job employment

Clarion University Sigma Phi Epsilon | The Clarion Call

“Hired or Fired” first-place winner Zach Motyl (far right)
stands with his fellow contestants.

CLARION, PA. – The brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon hosted a one-of-a-kind career development competition Thursday, Nov. 29 in Hart Chapel.

“Hired or Fired” was a competition to see which contestants are the most professionally prepared based on their resume, elevator speech, attire and interview.

Recognized student organizations and recognized university organizations sponsored 12 students to participate in the event.

Erin Lewis, assistant director of Career Services, emceed the competition. Zach Motyl, sponsored by the Theta Xi fraternity, won first place in the competition.

Greg Jacobs came in second, and Maddie Robinson won third place.

Motyl received a Pepsi gift basket with more than $120 worth of professional development items; the  sponsoring organization of the first place winner also received $100.

Motyl said he was excited to win representing Theta Xi and apart of the university because it shows how well Clarion had prepared him for the job market.

“You come and do four years, not just to get an education, but to get a job,” he said.

“Hired or Fired” was judged by three local professionals: Todd MacBeth, principal of Clarion Area Elementary; Jim Crooks, owner of F.L. Crooks & Co: and Pam Watkins, site administrator of PA CareerLink.

New website launched to hire sorority and fraternity members

Another channel into the process of getting a "real job" after graduation.

HireGreeks.com launches new website to hire sorority and fraternity members - Springfield Job Interview Skills | Examiner.com:

"If you belonged to a fraternity or sorority in college, you now have another opportunity to network your way into a job. HireGreeks.com is a new website that creates an easy way for Greek alumni and Greek undergraduates to communicate and network about job opportunities, based on the values they cherished in the Greek system in college."

'via Blog this'

USC Greeks Speak Out Against Misconceptions

Greek Misconceptions

By Rachel Cannon

Most non-affi liated students hold at least one misconception about what it means to be Greek. But a little research reveals that most of these ideas simply aren't true.

"A lot of people hear ‘Greek' and think, ‘Oh, those guys are all about drinking and partying," said Anthony Garcia, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, "Yeah, there's a lot of partying, just like with any college students. But there's so much more."

Partying is only one aspect of Greek life. Fraternities and sororities also contribute a lot to their communities through philanthropic events, and most hold their members to high academic and behavioral standards.

In fact, while every chapter has members known for partying and crazy antics, many Greeks choose not to drink at all.

"Greek organizations benefi t their members by teaching us about leadership, time management, co-operation and give us far more real-world business and life experience than college alone can offer," said Asher Kalef, Consul of Sigma Chi.

In fact, these opportunities play a major role in many students' decisions to go Greek.

The real-world benefi ts of being in a fraternity or sorority are very real.

According to Ecu.edu, almost all U.S. presidents and vice-presidents, 42 percent of U.S. senators, 40 percent of Supreme Court justices, and 30 percent of Fortune 500 executives are Greek – out of a mere 2 percent of the American population.

"I love knowing that after college, I'm going to have so many opportunities due to networking through my sorority," said Whitney Pataky, president of Zeta Tau Alpha.

Many other stereotypes about the Greek system pervade college campuses as well.

"A sorority is just paying for friends - I think that's one [stereotype] we all hear when we go through Rush," said Pataky.

In fact, this is a perception that I myself held before I went through sorority rush last year. But as I found out, this just isn't accurate.

Practically all organizations – from fraternities to sports teams to special-interest clubs – charge some type of fee. It's generally understood that these payments keep operations running, as well as allowing members other perks such as matching shirts, get-togethers, and other events.

This is epitomized in Greek organizations, which provide members with clothing, dances, events, and other great perks.

The benefi ts of being Greek last long before members have graduated from college, and they far outweigh the fees chapters must charge to keep things running.

Being Greek makes one feel a part of something so much larger than his- or herself, and larger even than one's college campus.

If you hold these or other negative beliefs about fraternities or sororities, you should get to know members here on campus and learn more about Greek life firsthand

A cool personal branding site for college students « Wally’s Follies

A number of years ago business guru Tom Peters wrote an article called "The Brand Called You" about personal branding importance and strategy. The article spawned lots of interest and the self-help guys made buckets of money showing people "how-to." The ideas even made it into SigEp CLA programs for a few years.

The idea of personal branding is, if anything, even more important today. The sooner you get started on the work of presenting yourself to the world honestly but with your best foot forward, so to speak, the better off you will be.

Most college kids today are already deeply into the Internet, but few have thought about how to use the Internet to help build a career. That’s what brand-yourself.com is all about. As students get closer to that dreaded day when they have to find a job, they’re going to find that MySpace profiles and silly stuff on Facebook just ain’t going to work.

Suffice to say a good personal brand is more than a snappy resumè and a Facebook page full of keg stand pictures.

A cool personal branding site for college students « Wally’s Follies

Across the Pond: Livin' la VDBL*

Mark, A 20 year-old SigEp from Drake, is living in Geneva for the summer and keeping track of it on his blog. SigEp features in the title of this post and a bit more in the body of it.

"I told them my life story and they were a little shocked to hear that I was only 20. Raffy was 27 and Mirko was 31. They began lamenting about how old they were and what not. To make them feel worse, I told them about how I'm going to be only a junior in college at Drake next year and I of course mentioned--now the reason for my clever title--SigEp.

I tried in vain, as I do with most people even in America, to explain what a fraternity is, why I'm involved, all of the benefits and what not."

Across the Pond: Livin' la VDBL*:

Just graduated? Looking for a job?

SigEp HQ has announced another partnership arrangement, this time with JobBound.

SigEp Job Guide
10/18/2007 9:41:10 AM

Sigma Phi Epsilon has partnered with JobBound to offer members a guide to landing their first jobs. The Job Guide offers advice on resume writing, cover letters, interviewing, networking, and other job search activities. Additionally, the Job Guide offers guidance on how to excel once you've landed your job. JobBound taps into the experience of Brad Karsh, a nationally recognized recruiting expert. One of the qualities that sets JobBound apart is the fact that all of our resume writers are former Recruiting Directors. Resume and interviewing advice is plentiful, but nowhere else will you gain the perspective of the Recruiting Director-the actual person responsible for making the hiring decision. You really can't beat that. JobBound offers individual job prep services to job seekers to help them land the job of their dreams. In addition, Brad shares his insider advice in dynamic presentations and workshops that he gives to colleges, student organizations, and companies across the United States. Check out the SigEp Job Guide at: http://www.sigep.org/memdev/resources.asp. Scroll down and click on SigEp Job Guide.

...or, just click here to get straight to it: Job Guide

An interview with a Wright State comedian - News

Steve Hofstetter isn't the only comic in SigEp. Here's a guy from Wright State who seems to be making a career of it as well.

Meet Sherif Hedayat: writer, actor, comedian, and Wright State alumni. After owning his own business, getting his degree in communications, and opening for the Axis of Evil comedy tour, Sherif has found himself back in Dayton for a Homecoming show along side MadTV's Aries Spears. I asked Sherif a few questions to find out more about his life and his experiences after Wright State.
[...]
Tell me a little more about the Homecoming show you're doing?
Hedayat: Well, I was in town helping out my frat, Sigma Phi Epsilon, during rush week. I started talking to an old friend and he told me there was a Homecoming show coming up. He put me in contact with the people in charge of the show. Again, it wasn't luck. It was me talking to people and being prepared when the opportunity showed itself.

An interview with a Wright State comedian - News