From the EditorWelcome to the latest and greatest

edition of the Inside sCoop! We have a totally new look—edgier and up-to-date—for your viewing pleasure. And of course, all the good stuff is still here: co-op related updates, career tips, and profiles of outstanding students. This issue features Michael Burek, a Nantotechnolgy Engineering student who spent his eight-month work term at Penn State researching nanoscale materials—and playing the bar scene with his band on the side. He tells the sCo-op about maintaining a balance between school and free time. Also featured in this edition are Shannon Knutson and Kim Harder, two upper year co-ops who worked as Recreation Therapy Interns at the Westpark Healthcare Centre on their

most recent work terms. Both students made presentations at the Therapeutic Recreation Ontario conference in June. How many books and articles have you read about acing the one-on-one job interview? There are other types of interviews that take place at UW. Jayne Hayden from Career Services lets you know what to expect during group, phone, and video interviews. If you would like your story published in the Inside sCo-op, send it to Olaf Naese with the subject line “Inside sCo-op Story.”

Thanks for reading!

ANDREA LORENTZMedia and Publications Assoc.

InsidesCo-op

In This Issue

STUDENT PROFILEDefending the “Nerd” Word Nanotechnology Engineering student Michael Burek discusses the “nerd” stereotype

STUDENT PROFILEA Different Kind of RehabShannon Knutson and Kim Harder recount their work terms as Recreation Therapy Interns

CAREER CORNERInterviews of the Not-So-Usual KindCareer Services preps us for group, phone, and video interviews

FROM THE EDITORNew editor, new look!

CECS UPDATESImportant Dates, Career Services Workshops, Employer Information Sessions

SUMMER 2008EDITION 2

CECS RemindersVOLUNTEER FAIRVisit with representatives from a variety of agencies to find out about volunteer opportunities. This event is being held in the SLC Great Hall on Tuesday, September 16, from 11:00A.M - 2:30 P.M.

PART-TIME JOB FAIRAttend the UW On-Campus Part-Time Job Fair to find a part-time job that fits around your schedule. Bring your resume and meet potential employers, including service departments and faculties. This event is being held in the SLC Great Hall on Wednesday, September 17, from 11:00A.M - 2:00 P.M.

CAREER FAIRNetwork with potential employers at the Career Fair, being held at RIM Park on Wednesday, September 24, from 10:00A.M.-3:30P.M.

HOUSING AVAILABLEOur winter 2009 application is available on the Housing and Residences website. Spaces are available in UW Place, Village 1 and Columbia Lake Village South. If you’re looking for Off-Campus accommodation, we can help with that too! Check out the Off-Campus Housing website or contact our Off-Campus Housing Specialist.

EMPLOYER INFORMATION SESSIONSCECS invites hundreds of employers to campus to present information about their companies and to network with co-op students. Find one that interests you on the Sessions page.

WORKSHOPSCareer Services offers a variety of workshops throughout the term. Visit the Workshop Calendar to register for one today.

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Co-operative Education & Career Services | Phone: 519-888-4026 | Fax: 519-746-4103 | E-mail: cecs@uwaterloo.ca

Playing paid gigs in American bars—while on a co-op term at Penn State researching nanoscale materials—Michael Burek is breaking the nerd barrier. He’s a Nanotechnology Engineering student, whose rock band, Kayla’s Wasted, took him out of the lab and onto the social scene. Burek tells the Inside sCo-op about his high priority job, his rising star supervisor, and why Engineers don’t have to be nerdy.

It’s true. Engineering students have garnered themselves a reputation for

being dorky, studious types that have trouble finding dates. We envision them in lab coats, toiling away with wires and computer chips, under oppressive fluorescent lighting that makes everything look sterile. That Michael Burek is one of them—a tall, powerfully built, bass player—is truly surprising. Sure, he’s a ridiculously smart Nanotechnology student, and practically runs to nano-theory seminars, but his cool demeanor and laid-back attitude fend off the “nerd” word. Burek spent his last work term—all eight months of it—at the

Pennsylvania State University, or Penn State as it’s more commonly called, researching nanoscale materials with the best and the brightest. “The project itself is basically taking a membrane-based synthetic approach and applying it to the building of nanowires with inherent multifunctionality,” he says, realizing I didn’t catch a word of the nano-jargon, then clarifies, “What I mean is, different material segments are placed within the same nanowire, and are used to exploit different ways of external control and chemical functionality.” From there, he’s been going through all the relevant literature, grasping the latest results, and refining

them to what he’s interested in. “It’s great to just dive into the science and really get a taste for what research and academia is like, and what graduate school is like.” So what about graduate school? “I know that I would love to have a Ph.D. in chemistry,” he says, “I’m definitely thinking about going to graduate school.” He raves about Penn State’s resources and student support system stating, “It’s going to be hard to top Penn State. They’ve set the bar very high for me.” This is owed in large part to Burek’s immediate supervisor, Dr. Mary Beth Williams. She’s a rising star in her field—which is nanoscale materials—with Burek himself stating, “She’s definitely the person you’d want to work for.” He also tells me that Dr. Williams’ group was the first to make several important discoveries, “There have been a lot of breakthroughs in the lab, although being small steps forward, are very crucial within our field of research.” These include the development of techniques for the controlled motion of magnetic nanoparticles in micro fluidic systems,

Michael Burek, playing with his band Kayla’s Wasted in a Pennsylvania pub. “We definitely had a good time just catering to the students,” the Nanotechnology Engineering student says of his extracurricular activity. “We had no shame up on stage because the songs made people happy.”

Defending the “Nerd” WordSTUDENT PROFILE

by ANDREA LORENTZ | Media and Publications Associate

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rapid chemical functionalization of nanoparticle surfaces, and more: “We’re building up the knowledge to eventually get into biomedical applications such as diagnostics and biomolecular sensing.” Dr. Williams’ recognition as an agressive researcher has earned her tenure at Penn State in July 2007. When the ‘I need to get out’ feeling starts to set in, Burek flees the lab and hits the Penn State bar scene. No, not to get wasted—as his band name, Kayla’s Wasted, may suggest—but to play bass in said band. After all, he’s not of legal drinking age in Pennsylvania (which is unfairly high at 21). “With three quarters of the student population being underage, the rules are extremely strict,” Burek says of the university town. “It does cut down on socializing and what you can do.”

(Yeah, what can you do after football season?) “Things got kind of boring, so I impulsively started up a band and it took off,” he says. And he was paid for it too, with the cash split amongst the four other rock-‘n-rollers in the group. “We were paid pretty well. I think at the end we were gigging every weekend for about a month and a half. It was a good time.” Then I asked Burek what he thinks about the “nerd” stereotype assigned to hard working Engineering students, because, clearly, he doesn’t seem like one. “I don’t deny that,” he says, laughing. “Engineers are probably the nerdiest people on campus! It’s very tough to not get excited by research results, or by a seminar you saw with some really cool science.” Surprisingly, he blames the

non-stop work/study sequences of co-op for keeping academics on the brain: classes can be tiring, and work can be repetitive. “It’s what you do to balance that,” he also reminds me, “Having an excuse to leave the lab keeps me motivated to come back.” He considers his band to be a pleasurable distraction, and has experimented with several other activities within the three years that he has been in the Nanotechnology program. With all of that said, it’s easy to see how the “nerd” label affixes itself to people in certain fields. Whether or not it’s a fair or accurate depiction, well, you can decide for yourself. As for Burek, he sits back, hands clasped and smiles, “I’m not saying that engineering students are not nerds—we’re nerdy. When you boil it down, we enjoy what we do and we’re going to work hard.” ◊

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A Different Kind of RehabSTUDENT PROFILE

by ANDREA LORENTZ | Media and Publications Associate

“Seeing smiles on the patients’ faces during consulations makes me feel like my work is worthwhile,” says Shannon Knutson, Theraputic Recreation.

Sitting atop nearly 27 acres of lush, emerald grass, blossoming gardens,

and tree-lined walkways is the West Park Healthcare Centre—northwest Toronto’s kindhearted provider of rehabilitation, complex continuing, and long-term care services. Patients at this facility are survivors—some have lost a limb, some suffer brain damage, some rely on an oxygen tank—and yet all of them live full, enjoyable lives. This is because of special programming hosted by Therapeutic Recreations students, such as UW’s Shannon Knutson and Kim Harder. “My main function is to run small therapeutic groups of eight or less,” Knutson

says. “I garden with the residents in Complex Continuing Care, and teach leisure education with our Respiratory Outpatient Services.” Knutson and Harder also complete consultations for community reintegration for those with special needs. The opportunity to positively affect someone’s life is the number one reason the interns were attracted to the job, but also being able to implent their own ideas and creativity was a bonus. “In Therapeutic Recreation, you are constantly trying to find ways to adapt and modify activities so everyone can participate,” Harder says. “When you see the smiles on [the patients’] faces when they succeed — it’s priceless.”

Both co-op students presented a project they have been working on throughout the term at the Therapeutic Recreation Ontario conference this June. Knutson spoke about team building efforts, while Harder focused on therapeutic art programs. ◊

Believe it or not, there’s a good kind of rehab—the kind where patients suffering from debilitating ailments, such as amputation, stroke, and lung disease, go to reclaim their freedom. Senior co-ops Shannon Knutson and Kim Harder give a snapshot of their most recent work terms as Recreation Therapy Interns at the West Park Healthcare Centre.

Co-operative Education & Career Services | Phone: 519-888-4026 | Fax: 519-746-4103 | E-mail: cecs@uwaterloo.ca

Interviews of the Not-So-Usual Kind

Much has been written about acing job interviews – and you’ve likely

read some of that here in Career Corner. But what about effectively handling those interviews that aren’t the typical face-to-face type? Telephone interviews are a common type of interview conducted at CECS. Some students find these a welcome break from the visual scrutiny that comes with the face-to-face interview, while others dread them for the same reason: What should I do when they can’t see me and I can’t see them? Although the lack of visual cues does weaken communication (body language contributes as much as 70% of our communication with others), there are ways to compensate for this, at least partially. And, there are also some advantages to not being observed. First, prepare and bring note cards or an outline of the key points you want to make. It’s also a good idea (whether face-to-face or telephone interview) to bring a copy of your resume. You can then easily refer to both throughout the interview: just ensure that you spread these out on the desk prior to picking up the phone so there isn’t a rustling of papers each time you answer! Also, be sure not sound like you’re reading your answers: while you don’t want to fumble with important points, it’s important not to come across as scripted. Due to the lack of visual

communication, listening becomes even more important in a telephone interview. If there is any question in your mind that you have not heard correctly, ask if the interviewer can repeat the question. (Note: Never make it sound as though it is their fault that you didn’t hear the question. Merely

say, “I’m sorry, could you please repeat the question?”) Jot down pertinent points being asked so that you are sure to address each of these in your answer. Don't feel you have to fill in the silences. If you've completed a response, but the interviewer hasn't asked his or her next question, don't start rambling just to fill in airtime. Instead, be silent, or ask a question of your own related to your last response. Just as the importance of effective listening increases in the absence of visual cues, so too does effective speaking. Without body

language to help you convey the confidence, enthusiasm, and interest that are essential in any interview, you must use your voice to achieve these goals. Speak clearly and succinctly, and vary your tone and pitch. Don’t forget to smile: you can “hear” that smile on the phone, and it helps to convey

a pleasant and upbeat personality – just the kind employers want to have on their teams. Of course, it’s goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway!) that you shouldn’t eat or chew gum during a telephone interview (or any type of interview for that matter). And do be sure to turn your cell phone off: definitely not professional to have ringtones in the background while being interviewed! Finally, you might want to consider dressing up for your telephone interview. This may sound silly because they can’t see

you; however, many have found that dressing professionally helps them to feel more confident, and thus better able to project this confidence and professionalism in the interview. What about the video-conferenced interview? As more employers acquire this technology, you can probably count on encountering this type of interview as well. With this format, you do have body language, so that’s a bonus. However, where should you look when speaking? Eye contact is very important in any interview (it’s recommended that you make

CAREER CORNER

by JAYNE HAYDEN | Career Services

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Every UW co-op student receives training on how to master the one-on-one job interview—senior co-ops remember the days of COOP 101, newer co-ops complete Professional Development courses, and Engineering co-ops hone their skills in PDEng courses. Career Services re-acquaints us with the forgotten group, phone, and video interviews.

Co-operative Education & Career Services | Phone: 519-888-4026 | Fax: 519-746-4103 | E-mail: cecs@uwaterloo.ca

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eye contact with the interviewer(s) approximately 80% of the time), so to achieve this in a video-conferenced setting, look into the camera as you speak. Check the screen periodically in order to monitor reactions to your responses and adjust accordingly. It’s also a good idea to watch the screen when questions are being asked of you as this will help in your understanding of the question. Sometimes there is a delay in the sound with video-conferencing. You know, like the foreign correspondent on the news, who appears to be standing there stupidly after the news anchor asks them a question? It’s all because they didn’t hear the question immediately. You may see the interviewer’s lips moving, but not hear anything for a few seconds. Don’t let this throw you: just be patient and wait for the audio portion to catch up. The reactions of the employers to your responses will also be delayed, so mentally adjust to this as well. And lastly, there is the group interview. At UW, this usually entails

an employer presenting company and position information to a group of students who they will later interview individually. In such a situation, it is important to arrive a few minutes early, to show interest and enthusiasm while the employer is speaking, and to ask thoughtful questions. If there is an opportunity following the presentation, try to connect with the employer and comment positively on what you have learned about the company, and indicate that you look forward to meeting with them in the individual interview. Try to stand out in a positive way so that they will remember you when you arrive at the individual interview. However, group interviews of a different flavour are beginning to grow in popularity (at UW and elsewhere). In these, rather than being the sole interviewee, you may be placed in a group consisting of several interviewees. These interviews are particularly popular for positions where group work is a significant component in the work setting. They allow the interviewers to assess your

communication skills with teammates, how you use your knowledge in a discussion, and, potentially, your leadership skills. In such an interview, the group may be asked how they would solve a problem that may be characteristic of this particular work environment. Your goal should be to contribute effectively as a team member: provide well-thought out responses that highlight your strengths and skills, listen attentively and with genuine interest to others when they speak, and provide support for their ideas. You should not monopolize the discussion, nor should you sit back and let others do the work. Try to connect topics from different people to create a sense of cohesiveness. It is strongly recommended that you try to make the last or summarizing contribution to the discussion. And don’t forget to smile! Got more questions about interviews? Career Services offers workshops, individual appointments for mock interviews, and a host of resources via shelf and online materials. Check us out! ◊

Meet the Spring ‘08 CECS Co-ops!CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION & CAREER SERVICES

Back Row: Nick Cloet (PD 2 Tutor), Deb Roth (JobMine Support), Brad Chen (Web Developer), James Lamb (PD 2 Tutor), Katie Schafer (PD 1&5Tutor), Andrea Lorentz (Media and Publications Associate)Front Row: Julie Yang (Student and Faculty Relations Assistant), Delia Garrido (PD 3 Tutor), Jenna Dawson (WatCACE Research Intern), Parthan Thangaraj (Technical Support Assistant)

The Inside sCo-op eNewsletter is published six times a year for co-op students, by co-op students, through the Co-operative Education & Career Services department.

Co-operative Education & Career Services | Phone: 519-888-4026 | Fax: 519-746-4103 | E-mail: cecs@uwaterloo.ca