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    Learn How This Company is Helping Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities Return Safely to Campus

    Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, helps their customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics and therapies and increase productivity in laboratories. Today, they are also playing a critical role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 continues its global spread, certain populations, including people of African heritage, are being impacted more than others, both through increased risk of COVID-19-related illness, hospitalization and death and as a result of the economic fallout of the pandemic. 
    In the U.S., historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are experiencing major disruptions in their enrollment, fundraising and other revenue streams (i.e., tuition, housing, food services and bookstores) and many HBCU students, who may rely on student loans and other financial assistance, may have difficulty accessing online classes on laptops and through Wi-Fi at home. It’s therefore critical that these colleges and universities have a way to get students, faculty and staff back to campus safely as soon as possible.* 
    Thermo Fisher Scientific is uniquely positioned to help, not only because of the breadth and depth of their capabilities, but because of their commitment to advancing STEM education and giving back to the communities in which they live, work and serve. 
    Here’s a look inside this ambitious new effort by a company committed to enabling their customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.
    Honoring The Legacy Of Dr. Ernest Everett Just—By Providing Cutting-Edge Science Equipment And Testing To HBCU Students
    The Just Project honors biology pioneer and educator Dr. Ernest Everett Just, who uncovered the role of the cell surface in the development of organisms (and a former professor at Howard University, one of the oldest HBCUs in the nation). This initiative will bring no-cost Covid-19 testing to member schools, through a $25 million donation of cutting-edge lab equipment and reagents in an effort to bring students, faculty and staff safely back to campus during the 2020-21 school year
    Here’s a look at how that works: First, Thermo Fisher will provide the instruments, reagents, kits and technical support  to bring COVID-19 testing to up to 10 HBCUs that will serve as testing centers on their campus and for other HBCUs in their region.
    To date, Thermo Fisher has signed up several universities that will serve as testing centers, including Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Xavier University of Louisiana, Hampton University, Tuskegee University and others. These will serve as hubs for processing the tests conducted at all of the HBCUs around the country.
    Not only will these efforts support the continued access of educational programs for HBCU students this semester, but they’ll leave a lasting legacy in the health care of scholars, faculty and staff on these campuses for many years to come.
    Building An Even More Diverse Team At Thermo Fisher: Hiring 500 Additional Interns And Full-Time Employees From HBCUs
    Thermo Fisher is already a leader in diversity and inclusion, especially in the science industry, with their unique approach to diversity and leadership development programs designed to advance the careers of all professionals. The Just Project is taking those efforts to the next level.
    As part of The Just Project, Thermo Fisher plans to hire an additional 500 students from HBCUs into internship, entry-level and professional roles over the next three years. And it’s not just candidates with a science background who can benefit from this, either. Thermo Fisher has development programs and internships in finance, marketing, sales, technology, and more.
    Plus, with innovation at the heart of Thermo Fisher’s culture it requires an ever-more-inclusive and welcoming environment in order to thrive and continue to lead in science and technology. Professionals of all backgrounds contributing and collaborating to solve the world’s biggest challenges make it a great place for anyone to succeed personally and professionally.
    Ready to start your career at a company that goes above and beyond for its communities? Check out open opportunities at Thermo Fisher Scientific on WayUp!
    *Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA Today, The Conversation More

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    Why joining a virtual info session can change your career

    Why joining a virtual info session can change your career
    In the midst of a pandemic, typical ways of meeting recruiters and expanding connections through means such as career fairs have been put on hold. Information sessions that students and recent graduates are used to are not happening and finding an internship or a job has been more difficult than ever in recent months. This does not mean that companies aren’t sharing knowledge and opportunities with young talent. Virtual information sessions hosted by company recruiters, universities, or career sites like WayUp’s Lunch and Learn Series, are still connecting young professionals with mentors and career opportunities as well as providing information and knowledge that can change your future.
    Why Attend An Information Session?
    Attending an info session first and foremost shows that you are both interested in the company or subject, and are proactive in advancing your career.  They also provide valuable insight into the career that you are pursuing. For example, past guests at WayUp’s Lunch and Learn series included: Michael Seibel co-founder of Twitch and current CEO at Y Combinator, Cathy Polinsky, CTO at Stitch Fix, and Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg.  At the top of their fields, these presenters and those to come next can share advice to help advance your current career path and expose you to a different opportunity you were not aware of before. 
    Information sessions with specific companies reveal what recruiters in a certain field are looking for in qualified candidates, and what roles are currently available. Most of the time, the company hosting the session will offer interviews to the attendees of the session! Even if an interview is not guaranteed after a session, you now have the knowledge and insight to bring to your future job application, use it as an interview talking point, or create networking opportunities through digital connections. This is especially important for recent graduates who are looking for that perfect entry-level position. 
    How Can I Prepare?
    Simply researching the company, and the individual speaking is the best way to get the most out of a virtual info session. You may not be able to speak one on one with the presenter since it is a large video conference, but being able to make connections between your research and the presentation is a great strategy. Come with a list of questions for a potential Q&A or just to even keep track of personally for potential future interactions or job applications.
    What About After?
    If a Q&A session does happen, be sure to ask well-thought-out questions.  A good question shows that you were engaged throughout the presentation and can help you to stand out for any future opportunities at the company. 
    Share your findings from the session on social media! Posting about the session and tagging the company or speaker, can help you stand out and improve your professional network. Lastly, remember to follow-up! Chances are the leaders volunteering to put on info sessions are open to connecting with young talent.  Use the notes that you took during the session to find what really grabbed your attention and start a conversation! Sending a follow-up email with questions about what interested you in the presentation or their career path can be a great way to build a new connection and grow your network.  
    Where Can I Find Them?
    Tons of companies are hosting information sessions over the next few months! We’ll be keeping the list below updated with all the different sessions hosted by WayUp—so be sure to check back here to see them all and apply! More

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    A Go-To Guide To Growing Your Career This Summer Without An Internship

    For students, summer is a time of relaxation and reflection. It’s also a great opportunity to build on their education with experiences they may not have had time for during the school year. For many, this experience is provided by a summer internship, but that’s not the only way. 
    Here are a few strategies students and new grads are using to build up their resumes and create some talking points for future interviews. 
    1. Volunteer
    Community service is as important as ever and can easily showcase your commitment to both personal and community growth. In the midst of COVID-19, families who have never been in need are seeking support. Volunteering at your local food bank or meal delivery service can make a huge impact on your community and resume. Check out volunteer apps like Deed for easy ways to get involved. If an office or professional environment is a must, look toward non-profits, health care organizations, or political campaigns. In many instances, these volunteer opportunities provide the same experiences as paid internships. 
    2. Become A Virtual Tutor  
    This summer, students from elementary school all the way through college are looking to have a safe and productive summer. A great way to help make this possible for them, while also being productive and safe yourself, is to apply to remote tutoring positions with organizations like Varsity Tutors or Care.com. There’s a great social impact to tutoring, too: You’ll help to prepare this generation of students for the future. 
    Plus, tutoring can provide you with professional development opportunities, a flexible schedule, and a summer income.
    3. Contribute To Positive Change
    College students around the world are taking the summer to educate themselves on what is important to them or to learn a new perspective that they can share with their community. Creating grassroots fundraisers and book clubs are great ways for students to raise awareness and money for causes they care about. Students can also tap into larger movements across the globe through websites like DoSomething.org and Change.org and others which help to mobilize young people in the fight for equal rights. 
    4. Improve Yourself With Online Courses
    Summer courses are a great way to get ahead for the upcoming semester, work on what you know needs improvement, or expand your future career. Online summer courses are a great option to improve yourself while classes are not being held in person or internships have been canceled. Online learning partners like Pathstream, Emeritus, or Springboard offer certificate classes that prepare students for a career in a high-demand digital environment. This is a great opportunity to stand out while adding to your resume and skills! 
    5. Start A Side Hustle And Write About It On LinkedIn
    No matter what you choose, showing an eagerness to gain transferable skills and achieve your financial goals outside of traditional office work are great ways to demonstrate your drive to employers. 
    If you do not have an internship this summer, then create your own career-growing, wallet-fattening opportunity! Social media makes it easy for students to leverage their networks to expand their online presence. House-sitting, lawn mowing, and selling old clothes or textbooks you no longer need are all great ways to start. Be creative! 
    Documenting your progress for your network with posts and images keeps you in the front of their minds if new opportunities arise. You can also find new connections to help grow your side hustle!
    Written by: Gabriel CohnRecruiting Operations Associate at WayUp More

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    5 Digital Skills That Will Help You Get A Better Title And Make More Money At The Start Of Your Career

    Getting your degree is a major investment in yourself, but your learning shouldn’t stop there. While a science or liberal arts education can serve as an important foundation for your other skills, you’re still going to need those “other skills” to get the job you want. And we’ve all seen those “other skills” on job […] More

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    Venmo Emoji Hacks, Innovation Tournaments, And More: My Summer Internship At PayPal

    Some internships are memorable because of the friends you make. Others are important for your career because of the skills you learned or the connections you made. And sometimes you get to do work that really makes a difference at the company—and in the world. Luckily for Justine—an intern-turned-employee at PayPal—she got to make memories […] More

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    This Company Is Helping Government Serve The People And They’re Hiring People Who Want To Make An Impact

    Cana started his college career with a lofty ambition: He wanted to be a neurosurgeon. What did he like about it? It was a challenging discipline that required expertise and intelligence, and had a direct, positive impact on people’s lives. It only took a few classes for him to realize something: He was excelling in […] More

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    4 Amazing Benefits At This Tech Company (That Make It Perfect For Recent Grads)

    A benefits package is more than just health insurance options. It’s also a reflection of how a company views its employees and values their experience and engagement. A great example of this: the benefits package at CenturyLink. CenturyLink is a technology leader delivering hybrid networking, cloud connectivity, and security solutions to customers around the world. […] More

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    From Interns To Area Managers: How We Fast-Tracked Our Careers At GE Appliances

    These days you can find Emily and Sam—two sales professionals at GE Appliances–giving their clients business cards with titles like “Area Sales Manager” and “Senior Manager.” But they didn’t start at GE Appliances with roles like these. In fact, both Emily and Sam started in the company’s sales internship program. Where they went from there—and […] More