Media School peer advisor helps students prepare for job, internship search
Employers spend about 10 seconds looking at each resume they receive. In those 10 seconds, they need to see concrete reasons to hire you.
Media School students who want to be sure their resumes pack such a punch have an additional weapon in their arsenal: Alex Miskus, a senior majoring in journalism with a minor in counseling and a certificate in higher education and student affairs.
As a peer advisor in the Walter Center for Career Development, Miskus meets with Media School students to offer guidance on resumes and cover letters as well as to lead them to the career center’s other offerings.
She started advising about nine months ago after shadowing her mentor, Media School career advisor Lauren Little.
“Advising is definitely in the line of what I want to do,” said Miskus, who intends to pursue an advanced degree to help college students with academic or career advising.
Miskus was not always set on an advising career path, however. While still in University Division, Miskus began to see expand her interests beyond journalism. Her UD advisor, Connie Hanson, noticed her passion for helping students and suggested she consider exploring the idea of career advising, Miskus said.
“If it wasn’t for her actually paying attention, I think I would have figured it out eventually, but not at that moment,” she said.
While working in the Office of Scholarships, Miskus learned The Media School was looking for a peer advisor. She spent time with Little, sitting in on advising appointments, and now blogs for the Walter Center website, attends lectures and speaks with students.
Students often come to her because they do not think they have done enough in their undergrad work to get them to their next step. Because she is a student herself, Miskus said she connects with her fellow students going through similar situations as she has.
“I want students to have faith in themselves and not get discouraged,” Miskus said.
Little said peer advisors are not only additional support for students, but they connect to fellow students in a different way.
“It tends to be a situation where they feel like they’re not going to be judged by her,” Little said of her assistant. “She understands the path they’re taking because she’s still on that journey.”
Miskus’ advice usually starts with a suggestion of networking with people you already know. Professors are in their fields to help students, so speaking with your professors can help you find connections. Even if they cannot help you directly, they may know someone who can, she said.
Consider emailing a person who has your dream job and ask them to describe their day-to-day activities. Keep the conversation going if possible. They may let you know about internships or new openings. When you apply for a job or internship with their companies, they may be willing to recommend you.
“The worst that can happen is being told no, and being told no is not a reason to not keep going,” Miskus said.
For the all-important resume, she recommends using numbers to quantify your tasks in previous jobs and tailoring your experience to match the company’s needs.
Know which of your skills to highlight for each job, she said. Ask yourself, what makes me stand out among everyone else?
Use social media to your advantage, such as adding your LinkedIn profile link or a link to an online portfolio to give employers the opportunity to see the kind of work you can do.
Miskus herself juggles the three jobs on campus with her classwork load. She also is involved with several campus organizations, including University Conduct Board, Delta Phi Epsilon and Tulip Tree Apartments. And, she’s applying to graduate school to gain expertise in advising.
As sad as the eventual goodbye to IU and friends will be, Miskus said she is ready for her future.
“I’m ready for the next chapter, and I’m pretty excited for it,” she said. “I want students to feel ready to move on, too. I know it’s hard, but you have to jump.”