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    Space, Missiles, and Fighter Jets – The Compelling Work of Travion Crutcher, America’s Top Intern of 2022

    Growing up in the shadow of the Boeing JetPlex in Huntsville, Alabama, Travion Crutcher often found himself with his eyes on the sky, contemplating ideas about air travel, or fixed upon the latest toy that he was deconstructing and putting back together. 

    Travion always knew that he loved to build things, but it wasn’t until his mother sent him to space camp that he realized his passion could be turned into a pursuit. A pursuit that would involve him finding the answers to the questions he often asked himself regarding the way things worked in the world.

    This passion-turned-pursuit would eventually manifest itself into a role at Boeing, the same company he grew up a few miles away from, working on everything from fighter jets to missile defense systems at one of the most cutting-edge aerospace companies in the world. 

    As WayUp’s Top Intern of 2022, Travion Crutcher exemplified everything companies look for in an ideal candidate. He applies his passions, he is brave in his decision-making, he tempers wisdom with curiosity, and he exudes confidence with everything he does. 

    Recently, we got the chance to speak with Travion regarding his rocket-sized dreams and how they came to fruition during his tenure with Boeing. In our conversation, Travion reveals what it takes to be recognized by your employers and peers on a national level and sheds some insight on the exciting work he took part in the past two summers.

    Setting His Sights for the Stars

    In addition to the support of his mother, the factors that Travion felt amplified his potential the most are his early involvement in leadership and education-based programs, his organization and execution skills, and his unquenchable curiosity for the unknown.

    Travion’s responses to my questions would increasingly shed light on the confidence he had. When I asked him if he had always been this way, he answered in the affirmative and went on to highlight the leadership positions he held from a young age.

    Holding down a leadership role in his community as well as immersing himself in the world of engineering, Travion maintained a busy schedule even from a young age. I inquired about how he kept himself on track and he pointed toward his organizational skills.

    Although he may not be the first person to use this method, Travion would employ the “aim and shoot” method in which every day started with a list of goals on a whiteboard that would get checked off as tasks get done.

    In addition to his commitment to developing everything he learned during his immersions as a young man, Travion’s undying curiosity can also be attributed to propelling him towards success at Boeing and WayUp’s National Intern Competition.

    “I was always curious how planes fly or how these big rockets get all the way to space. That’s what pushed me to pursue aerospace and aerospace-related subjects. Growing up my mom got me involved in a lot of stem-related things. I even got involved in a week-long NASA experiment camp where I met people all across the world.”Travion Crutcher, WayUp Top Intern of 2022

    Eventually, when the chance came, Travion knew he had to take his passion and everything he learned to the next level. So he set his sights on the company he grew up knowing so well for their accolades in engineering – Boeing.

    Do I Need Clearance For That?

    As an intern in both 2021 and 2022, Travion Crutcher’s work with Boeing spanned from fighter jets to missile technology. Although he wasn’t able to tell me much about the work he took part in this past summer, as it relates to top secret advancements in military technology, that only made what he did or didn’t do seem that much cooler. 

    What Travion could share with me, however, is how working across different sectors provided him with an advanced understanding of engineering concepts and a deeper appreciation of the things he was developing.

    At times, it was hard to believe that I was talking to an intern as the experiences that Travion described to me were in no way minimal. But that is the beauty of companies like Boeing – they empower employees at every level to succeed and achieve greatness in whatever realm makes them most passionate. It was clear that Travion felt this way as he would remark on his appreciation of the company that got him to where he is very often.

    Earning a well-deserved vacation, Travion will be spending part of his prize money on an ATV excursion out in Houston where he will be celebrating his anniversary with his girlfriend. If you take anything from Travion Crutcher’s story, know that passion will always fuel your efforts. So if you love something enough, pursue it, and maybe you too can ride off into the Texas sunset with a bag in your hand.

    Stay tuned for 2023 as our competition unfolds again and a new queen or king is crowned! More

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    5 Interview Secrets for Landing a Job at Capital One

    Interviews can be exciting, intimidating, life-changing, and sometimes, all three. As you make your way into the professional world, chances are you will go through tons of different interviews and hiring processes, each one different from the last. 

    But if you happen to be fortunate enough to land an interview with Capital One, one of the most innovative and forward-thinking companies in the financial services industry, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

    From preparation tactics to presentation skills, here is a list of the 5 Ps that recruiters, hiring managers, and employees suggest familiarizing yourself with if you want to land a job at Capital One.

    Preparation

    First and foremost, you want to be prepared going into a Capital One interview. But prepared for what? According to Anna, an associate software engineer, she found success by familiarizing herself with life at Capital One and doing plenty of research prior to her interview.

    By digging deep and finding some relevant information about the company, Anna prepared herself to have meaningful and in-depth conversations with her recruiter. In doing so, she portrayed herself as both informed and interested in the position, two things that recruiters love to see. 

    In addition to gaining hard knowledge of the company and the role you will be undertaking, another thing you can do to stand out is familiarize yourself with the culture of the company. For example, maybe a company does monthly outings or other social events. Mentioning something like that, which may not have to do directly with your position, is a great way to show you want to work at a company and are looking at it from all aspects.

    Presentation

    Once you’ve dedicated enough time to prepare for the interview, then comes the time to present your knowledge, skills, and most importantly, who you are. In our conversation with Abhishek, a Senior Associate and Enterprise Services Project Manager, he shed some light on what he thinks is the best way to present yourself during an interview.

    Abhishek went on to say how at the end of the day, everyone is similar to one another in the sense that we all have lives and interests, and to present yourself as such helps form a connection that will ultimately work in your favor.

    At the same time, you don’t want to come off as overly familiar or unprofessional. By combining a personable and friendly attitude with a professional and corporate one, you will be able to check off even more boxes as a candidate.

    Patience

    Hand-in-hand with presentation skills comes the ability to be patient. Without it, you risk giving off the wrong impression or missing the chance to demonstrate the full extent of your worth. But interviews are nerve-racking! And oftentimes stressful. So what is an eager prospect like yourself to do?

    According to Senior Recruiter Kelly, the best way to remain and appear patient in an interview is to listen.

    Kelly spoke about how much of a turnoff it is for her as a recruiter when a candidate constantly cuts her off or interrupts her. But she agreed that a lot of the time it’s unintentional. So when you’re interviewing, remember to take a breath, take your time, and try not to worry about filling empty space or replying so quickly. 

    There are several things that public speakers suggest in order to help ease this burden. For example, repeating back the question, using a filling sentence like “that’s a great question,” or “let me think about the best example of that” all are ways you can buy time and make sure you answer the question correctly.

    Passion

    Throughout every conversation we had with the Capital One employees, there was one common trait that they all shared: passion. Passion not only for what they do at Capital One as employees but as individuals and what they do in their personal lives as well. 

    Although it may not seem like it, exuding your passions, whatever they may be, will get you very far in Capital One’s hiring process. Just ask Abhishek.

    “My recruiter and I connected on a very personal level after I mentioned my love of motorcycles. It was then that I realized that the people at Capital One are real people too with interests, passions, and beliefs of their own.”Abhishek, Senior Associate and Enterprise Services Project Manager

    Whether or not you end up sharing interests with your recruiter doesn’t matter. What Capital One wants to see out of people applying is that they can get excited about something, no matter what it is. So if there is something you love and are passionate about, don’t be afraid to mention it during the interview!

    Personality

    One factor that bears a lot of resemblance to your passion is your personality. And although they are similar, your personality has to show so much more than what you’re passionate about.

    We spoke with Student and Graduates Recruiter Addison regarding what the best steps are to show your personality during an interview and she responded with an ode to authenticity.

    Recruiters are able to tell when something sounds rehearsed. And it prevents them from getting a true understanding of who you really are. So during your interview process, make sure you’re confident in portraying yourself not only as a professional but as your true authentic self as well.

    Putting It All Together

    While all of the tips shared by these exceptional associates at Capital One are invaluable, there is one critical piece of information that everyone should remember, and that’s to apply.Now is the time to explore opportunities and really see how far your capabilities can get you. So what are you waiting for? Start browsing open opportunities at Capital One today and find the job of your dreams. More

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    How Citi is Paving the Way for African Americans in Finance

    Ever since Maggie Lena Walker established and presided over the first bank to service black organizations, African Americans have been shaping the history of finance. 100 years later, people of color are still making contributions that leave everlasting impacts on the industry.

    Although a lot of progress has been made for people of color (POC) in the banking and finance space, they are still at a disadvantage. The facts of the matter are that POC are disproportionately represented in finance and face a harder time breaking into the industry than their caucasian counterparts.

    As a company that emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion, Citi identifies with these issues wholeheartedly. Citi also knows that if these trends continue, an entire legacy of future Maggie Walkers might cease to exist. Even worse, the ideas that these people of color would have contributed to the space would never see the light of day, slowing down the evolution of the finance world as we know it.

    In order to allow diverse mindsets to continue benefiting their company and the industry as a whole, Citi has made sure to create a space where people of color not only feel welcome but motivated to succeed as well. In order to do that, they have rolled out a series of initiatives that are paving the way for people of color in finance. The first of which has to do with their recruiting strategy.

    HBCU Recruiting and Presence

    In order to employ the brightest minds, first, you have to find them. That’s why Citi decided to set up an aggressive recruiting strategy at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). And we’re not just talking about free koozies and stickers. Citi is going to these campuses and doing presentations on diversity and inclusion, educating students about opportunities, and portraying itself as a company where people of color can really succeed.

    Here is what Global Banking Analyst Brianna Demming had to say about the impression Citi left when they visited Howard University during her time as an undergraduate.

    By continuing to establish meaningful relationships with students at HBCUs, Citi intends on building a workforce that includes both incredibly talented individuals and people from diverse backgrounds.

    HBCU Alumni Network

    By creating groups and communities that allow people from similar backgrounds to come together and share thoughts, companies can create new environments to help their employees thrive. That’s why Citi established the HBCU Alumni Network! As you might be able to infer, the HBCU Alumni Network is a group at Citi that allows alumni from different HBCUs to connect, network, and help one another grow. Which, for a lot of people, helped them succeed and learn in a lot of ways. 

    My involvement with the HBCU Alumni Network has taught me the importance of being proactive when you’re on a team. I was tasked to work alongside another team member to initiate contact with 19 schools. I hesitated on whether I should wait for him to reach out first since he has been employed at Citi longer than me but I ended up having the courage to set up the first meeting. He expressed how impressed he was that I took charge right away and set up a strong foundation for the work we’ll be completing together. That experience taught me to never doubt myself or my capabilities, even if I may be the youngest on the team, and if there is an opportunity to showcase your skills or leadership, you always jump at it! Brianna Demming, Global Consumer Banking Analyst

    Through her involvement with the HBCU Alumni Network, Brianna not only gained more experience and confidence in herself, but she also made a good impression on her colleague. All around wins.

    Black Heritage Network

    Similar to the HBCU Alumni Network is the Black Heritage Network affinity group at Citi. Within this group, people of color can come together, socialize, share their thoughts, seek out mentors, and essentially just share space with people who are similar to them.

    After you graduate, the number of groups and organizations you can join to socialize, grow yourself, and feel welcome gets cut in half. When these groups are no longer available, especially in the corporate world, some individuals face issues that diminish their productivity and most importantly, their self-worth. That’s why establishing affinity groups is so advantageous and why Citi chose to do it themselves.

    POC in Leadership Positions

    One very direct way to help people of color succeed in the finance realm is to place them in leadership and management positions. By doing so, you not only diversify the leadership on your team, but you also create mentors, idols, and individuals who people from similar backgrounds can identify with. As a result, students and job-seeking individuals become more inclined to apply for positions at the company.

    No one likes being the only spotted duck in the pond. It’s comforting to grow with and be trained by others who have similar experiences to you. They are the only ones who can truly understand what it takes to succeed in this business with a background similar to my own.

    As Chike said, it’s comforting to grow and be trained by people who are similar to you. When you can relate to these people, it makes the relationship better on all ends. Corporate Banking Analyst Brielle Self had a similar experience with her mentor during her time at Howard. 

    If it weren’t for Citi putting Brielle’s mentor into that Campus Ambassador position, it’s possible that Brielle may have never ended up at Citi. By creating this position and ones like it, Citi now has talent pipelines that will draw in some of the brightest minds in finance for years to come. Pipelines that might just end up finding you one day.

    What’s Next for Citi?

    While these initiatives may seem bold, Citi has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Much like the Action for Racial Equity Initiative, a $1 billion+ commitment to help close the racial wealth gap and increase economic mobility in the United States, the ideas Citi is putting forth will have a substantial impact on the industry and the world for years to come. 

    If this is an endeavor that you would like to be a part of and contribute to, check out the positions Citi is currently hiring for. Who knows, in just a few years it could be you leading the change. More

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    Is Getting a Minor in College Worth It?

    As you make your way through college, one very important question you might ask yourself is if a minor is worth undertaking. While not everyone graduates with a minor, it’s a great way to add some versatility to your resume and gain some knowledge that will help you build your career.

    When you’re going about this decision, the first thing you have to consider is what your interests are.

    You Gotta Love It

    No matter what you do in college, whether it’s your studies, extracurriculars, social life, relationships, or otherwise, you have to love what you’re doing. Parents and societal pressures can oftentimes cloud these thoughts but at the end of the day, you should be making decisions for yourself.

    So make the choice that truly feeds your soul. Maybe you’re a Finance major who has always wanted to explore theater. Do it. Don’t pursue a minor just because you think it has to align with your major or for some fabricated reason. Choose a minor because it fascinates you and satisfies your thirst for knowledge.

    College is a time to explore curiosities and interests of all varieties. And although it may be hard at times, you have to follow your heart in order to fill your head.

    Workload

    The next thing you have to consider when deciding whether or not a minor is worth it is if you can handle the workload. While passion can fuel productivity, there is only so much you can bare during your college years.

    Don’t feel rushed to choose a minor in your freshman year or even your sophomore or junior year. If you have to stick around for another year or two to finish up your courses, don’t feel like you’ve failed!

    If you end up leaving school knowing you got what you wanted to out of it, who cares how long it takes you? Of course, it’s important to consider tuition costs but what’s more important is getting everything you need out of your time spent at university.

    If you are able to weigh these two factors against each other, workload and passion, you should have an easier time deciding whether or not a minor is worth it.

    Always feel free to use your school resources and consult your advisor. And as always, you can rely on the career tips and professional advice that we put out on our blog weekly! More

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    How to Enter and Win The National Intern Day Competition

    Once considered only for their ability to fetch coffee and take orders, interns are now becoming more and more important. Companies across the country are beginning to see these potential future employees both as valuable assets and future leaders, causing a ripple effect across industries.

    While some companies are just now catching on to the trend, we at WayUp have known for years how beneficial internships can be for both the people who participate in them and the companies that sponsor them. As a job platform that helps people find internships, we have seen first-hand how talented and driven these young entrepreneurs can be. 

    Our support for these so-called “rookies” goes so far that we even came up with a holiday for them – National Intern Day – that we will be celebrating the 6th iteration of on July 28th, 2022.

    Featured on The Today Show, NASA, and even Forbes, National Intern Day has taken the country by storm and for that reason, has grown pretty competitive. To increase your chances of making it on our Top 100 list for National Intern Day, we put together a list of suggestions to help bolster your application.

    Go Above and Beyond

    The first and most important thing you have to do to make your way on the Top 100 list is to be an excellent intern. It’s not enough to be a spectator during your summer internship or just go through the motions. You have to be an active participant who not only accomplishes what you’re assigned but goes above and beyond it.

    Another important factor to keep in mind as you’re excelling in your internship is the attitude you have. If you’re able to go through a really busy day, one that really tests you, and you do it with a smile on your face, your manager and the people around you will take note of it.

    Take Inventory of Your Experience

    On your National Intern Day application, you will be asked a series of questions that have to do with what you do in your internship, what you’ve learned, and how it has shaped your career goals. If you’re not prepared to answer these questions in an engaging and authentic way, then it might be best to take inventory of your experience before applying.

    Don’t just repeat what the job description says, speak from the heart and demonstrate that the internship had as great of an impact on you as you had on it. If you’re able to show that the significance of your internship was far-reaching, your chances will undoubtedly increase.

    Moderate Your Social Media Presence

    If you don’t know already, companies are watching what you do on social media. And when it comes to selecting our top interns of 2022, so do we! With this being said, make sure you moderate your social media presence to portray the intelligent and talented individual that you are.

    Those who are more active on social media and demonstrate someone who can engage audiences will definitely factor into the decision-making process of our internship but will in no way decide it! 

    Apply Early

    Lastly, the worst thing you can do if you’re trying to make it on the “Top 100 Interns” list for 2022 is wait to apply. The sooner you get your application in, the better, so fill out an application and see if you have what it takes to make the cut! More

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    Dell Technologies Reveals 5-Step Process to Land a Job (Event Review)

    You’ve heard resume and interview tips from friends, you’ve heard them from teachers, and you might have even heard them from people who claim to be job acquisition experts. But there is one particular group of people who will be able to provide resume and interview tips that are more valuable than everyone else’s, and that’s the person who is responsible for hiring you.

    Unfortunately, people don’t really get the chance to ask employers what they consider a good interviewer to be or for tips on their resumes, at least not until the opportunity to get a job has sailed.

    That’s why we did it for you. 

    In our recent virtual event with Dell Technologies, we heard from the $100 billion, multinational tech company regarding what they are looking for on resumes and how to nail their interview process. Leading the virtual event was Human Resources Rotation Program Manager, Megan Evangelista, who offered her invaluable insight regarding resume tips and interview advice.

    If you didn’t make the virtual event, that’s ok! The following are a few golden nuggets from Megan’s 5-step guide to help you land a job at Dell Technologies.

    1. Resume 101

    The first and most important tool you’ll need to sharpen for the application process is your resume. As Megan explained it, your resume is “that teaser trailer, that coming attraction opportunity for you to talk about yourself, your experiences, and get your reader excited and more importantly curious to hear more about you.”

    Megan went on to detail how it isn’t enough just to list skills on your resume. Anyone can say they are analytical, detail-oriented, and a leader, but it’s how you describe your experiences and how those skills come to life that really proves you possess them.

    Additionally, the way in which you organize and prepare your resume will go a long way as well.

    2. Interview Prep

    Once you have your resume locked down and prepared, you can move on to the interview preparation part. During the virtual event, Megan explained that the first and most important thing to do is research your audience. Reflecting on a past experience, Meg spoke about the bad impression it left when a candidate didn’t know anything about Dell.

    “When I was a recruiter, there was nothing more disheartening to me than when I’d meet a student, and they were really excited, and then they would say, ‘so, what does Dell do?’”Megan Evangelista, HR Rotation Program Manager

    In addition to researching the company, it is crucial to know your resume, understand the role’s responsibilities, and lastly, prepare some questions to ask your interviewer that show you have an active interest in the position and did your research!

    Finally, make sure you try to get a grasp on some of the questions they may ask you during the interview. Some of these questions might have to do with communication, analytical skills, technical skills, teamwork, or your work ethic, so be prepared with examples from all categories.

    3. Practice

    One thing that a lot of candidates tend to skip over or forget to do is practice, starting with your elevator pitch. A good elevator pitch will include your name, major and class year, education and character highlights, what your ideal role is, and why you want to apply for the company (Dell). 

    The next thing you want to do is prepare examples for questions you might be asked. What Megan suggests using is the EAR method – example, action, result – when creating answers to questions.  

    “If you’re going through an interview you’re probably not terribly relaxed so it’s a great structure to rely on when you’re responding to those sort of questions.” Megan Evangelista, HR Rotation Program Manager

    Lastly, you want to rehearse. Grab a friend or family member and ask them to listen to your elevator pitch or to ask you some interview questions. Record yourself or even do it in front of a mirror until it feels natural. The more you test your preparedness the more at ease you will feel when the interview comes around!

    4. Execute

    The day of the interview has arrived and now it’s time to put your skills and all the preparation to the test. While the main theme of the execution phase is preparation, scenarios will differ if you are doing a virtual or in-person interview.

    If it is in-person, you’ll want to remember to dress professionally, arrive early (15 minutes minimum), turn off your phone, and bring extra copies of your resume. If it is virtual, you’ll also want to dress professionally, turn off your phone, and log in 15 minutes early, but you’ll also want to double-check your WiFi connection and ensure you’re in a quiet space without distractions. 

    “Finding a quiet space and taking a moment to breathe before you meet with anyone and really recenter yourself can really go a long way. So think about what centering and calming looks like for you and then make sure you’re prepared in advance.” Megan Evangelista, HR Rotation Program Manager

    5. Follow up

    Although many candidates may feel that a follow-up message is optional, in some cases, it could be the difference between someone saying “yes, let’s bring them in for another conversation” or “eh, we’ve seen enough.” 

    In her experience as a recruiter, Megan made the point that although “it sounds very intuitive and maybe even a little bit old-fashioned to send thank you notes,” she can guarantee that they go a really long way and aren’t as commonly sent as you might think! 

    Megan even recounted an instance when she was considering five different candidates for a role and the only one that sent her a follow-up email was the one that ended up getting the job. During the virtual event, Megan also provided us with a great template to use when sending a follow-up.

    Summary

    This 5-step guide to help you get a job at Dell Technologies can more or less be boiled down to three main features – preparation, practice, and execution. If you’re interested in getting a job at one of the most coveted technology companies in the world you will make this guide your bible and make sure you exercise those three features religiously.

    If you do, you might just find yourself in the job of your dreams.

    Dell Technologies Summer Series features virtual events that walk through early development tips, tricks, and skills to build your career early. More

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    5 Ways Using Social Media Can Help You Get a Job

    Depending on your age and where you are in life, odds are you use social media for one or two reasons– entertainment purposes, to keep up with your friends and family, or to share moments of your life. 

    When it comes to social media and finding a job, most people elect to keep those two worlds separate. But what many of these people fail to see are all the ways you can use social media to help you get a job. 

    As a company that specializes in helping people get jobs, we have identified various social media tips and tricks that can lead to employment. Today, we want to share them with you.

    In this career tips article you’re going to learn about the following:

    Using your profile as a digital resumeNetworking on social mediaSocial media as a jobUsing social media for educationLearning about employers using social media

    As a Digital Resume

    For better or worse, social media is a great way to understand what someone is like. And as many of us know, employers use this perspective to gain a better understanding of potential employees. For this reason, many people elect to keep their social media pages private. 

    But those same people are missing out on the opportunity to show employers a more personal side of them. Employers want to see a candidate who is interesting and impassioned about life, someone who has hobbies and meaningful interests.

    Social media is a great way to show the company you’re applying for that you’re someone who can get excited about things and someone people like to be around. So when you’re thinking about what pictures you should be posting or whether or not you’re profile should be private, keep this in mind.

    Networking on Social Media

    If LinkedIn showed us anything, it’s that networking on social media is very lucrative. But with so many social networking platforms in the world, why use only one? Every single day, people use the big three – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – to establish connections and help them find jobs. 

    While you can use social media as a means of contacting people directly, you should also use it as a way to interact and engage with them. For example, say the CEO of a company gets interviewed and he or she reposts it on their feed. Why not comment on it with an intelligent thought? 

    Or say someone from a company you want to work for posts something about an objective they met. Why not use that information to follow up with a question? The more you come to understand social media, the more ways you will be able to use it to establish meaningful connections and maybe even score a job.

    Social Media as a Job

    While LinkedIn showed us how to network on social media, TikTok and Instagram showed us how social media in itself can be a job. Even before the days of TikTok, people were using their knowledge of social media combined with their creativity and other skills to pursue careers in social media marketing and brand representation. 

    Whether it’s as simple as being an influencer for a company and posting a picture wearing their clothes or as advanced as running an entire social media marketing operation, the market is littered with jobs in social media.

    Depending on your knowledge of social media and the skills you have, you might be the perfect candidate for a job in social media. Browse tons of social media positions on our job listings page today.

    Social Media for Education

    With all the garbage that exists on social media, there are still several outlets and pages you can follow to stay educated on job tips, career advice, and more. For starters, if you like a company, follow them on social media. More often than not, they will make a post when they have open positions.

    When searching for job tips and information on how you can get a job, social media becomes particularly useful. You can find tons of pages that provide information like resume tips, advice for interviewing, ways to dress, and plenty more.

    Our totally unbiased and personal favorite page for career advice, job tips, and updates on the job market is WayUp. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook if you haven’t already!

    Learning About Employers Using Social Media

    After using WayUp to find current job openings and discover companies that are hiring, take to social media and find the company’s profile. Get a feel for their branding, their voice, and their message then see if it aligns with a company you see yourself working for.

    Are their pictures of company culture? Do they promote similar beliefs as you? All of this and more can be better understood by examining a company’s social media profiles and presence. Just make sure the companies you’re looking at are hiring!

    Using Every Tool in the Shed

    While social media is a great way to help you get a job, we recommend using every tool at your disposal to help lock down that contract you’ve been looking for. At WayUp, not only are we a tool that helps students and recent graduates find jobs but we also talk about it on our blog.

    So no matter where you are in the job search process, whether you’re just writing your first resume or you’ve been searching for a job for years, we’re here to help. Register with WayUp for free and start getting matched with employers today. More

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    How ARISE Is Making Life Better For African American Employees at TCS

    When you join a community, you want to know that you’re going to be getting more than a koozie and a drawstring bag out of it. Depending on who you are, you might join a community to make new friends, learn a new skill, discuss a certain topic, or support a certain cause. But when you join the ARISE community at TaTa Consultancy Services, you can expect to do all of the above.

    The ARISE community at TaTa Consultancy Services (TCS) is an African American employee resource group whose members work, socialize, interact, and grow with one another on a variety of levels. In order to get a better look at ARISE and all the benefits associated with being a member, we interviewed a few members of the group and even hosted a virtual event alongside members where prospects were invited to learn more about the community.

    After the virtual event and all the interviews were conducted, one thing that was emphasized repeatedly within the community was the sense of family that ARISE members felt. Interestingly enough, we found that this sense of family led to all sorts of other benefits for members such as an easier onboarding process for new hires, a stronger sense of community and belonging, and a flourishing system of resources for members to grow themselves with.

    An Easier, Warmer Welcome

    Joining a new company is never easy, especially if it’s your first job out of college. Throw in being a minority and your path gets even more complicated. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a group of people who have similar backgrounds as you that you could rely on and ask questions? People who may have gone through similar hurdles and experiences as you?

    Well, that’s exactly what ARISE provides, and exactly why TCS introduces it to new hires early on.

    Although TCS makes sure every single new hire has the right resources necessary for an easy and seamless onboarding process, the ARISE community offers an extra lever for those new hires to lean on. Plus, sometimes specific questions and inquiries can be better answered by the same people who may have experienced those specific scenarios themselves.

    A Stronger Sense of Belonging

    In college, we had sports clubs, greek organizations, academic groups, and a plethora of other avenues to help us feel welcome and like we belonged. In the professional world, employee resource groups have taken the role of these collegiate communities which employees can use to feel more a part of the company they work for.

    In our conversations with members of the ARISE group at TCS, every single employee reiterated one phrase over and over again – “ it’s like a family.” They spoke about how their relationships with one another felt incredibly natural and close. As if they had known one another their whole lives. 

    Here is what Adele Ruffin had to say about her expectations coming into the company and how they were pleasantly fulfilled.

    When you know you belong somewhere, like your welcome, it makes it that much easier to succeed and be your best self. But when the same group that gives you that sense of belonging also has a system of resources deliberately intended to help you grow, your ability to achieve greatness triples, if not doubles.

    Resources to Help You Grow

    Now that ARISE has helped you get onboarded to the company and allowed you to establish a sense of belonging and friendship with colleagues, it’s time for the community to assist you in growing yourself professionally.

    One of the most valuable aspects of being involved with ARISE is the access you have to other employees that you might not normally come across in your typical day-to-day at the company. These fellow members could belong to different departments who you could discuss new opportunities with or they could be superiors or executives who you get a chance to impress.

    This open-door environment is perhaps one of the biggest contributing factors to growing within a company. You can only get so much from reading a job description. When you’re actually able to meet someone who is responsible for a particular role, have lunch with them, get mentored by them, or just introduce yourself, you increase both your understanding of that role and your chances of one day fulfilling that role. 

    Regardless of what your career path is, building significant relationships in a group like ARISE will contribute to the proliferation of your professional life in one way or another.

    Outside Looking In

    As the WayUp interviewer covering the deep dive into the ARISE program, I did not come away from my interaction with the group unaffected. Having spent hours conversing with members like Jamar, Brianna, Bridget, and Joe, cracking jokes, talking about what drives them and the group, and coming to understand them not only as individuals but as a community as well, really made me see the big picture.

    In its simplest form, ARISE was created to help African Americans at TCS win. The beautiful cycle that’s occurring at ARISE starts with someone making the most of the program, using all the resources that are available to them to boost their life personally and professionally, and then paying it forward to the next new member.

    Will you be the next new member to reap the benefits of this incredible program? Browse current openings at TCS and start the cycle to greatness! More