Experts Available to Share Job Seeking Tips for New and Recent Graduates

Faculty and staff experts at The University of Texas at Austin are available to share their insight on job-seeking strategies for new graduates, the role of social media in job seeking, trends in campus recruiting, the link between education and a career, how to be indispensable at work and how new graduates should negotiate their first salary.

The U.S. has lost eight million jobs since the recession began in December 2007. Unemployment seems to be holding steady. Some forecasters believe the job outlook will improve. In the coming weeks, thousands of students will graduate from college and try to enter the workforce. Faculty and staff experts at The University of Texas at Austin are available to share their insight on job-seeking strategies for new graduates, the role of social media in job seeking, trends in campus recruiting, the link between education and a career, how to be indispensable at work and how new graduates should negotiate their first salary.

Matt Berndt, director of career services, College of Communication

As the director of Communication Career Services for The University of Texas at Austin, Berndt provides career development and job search assistance to students and alumni. He can discuss the role of social media in job seeking, trends he sees in campus recruiting and how recent college students can translate internship experience into a full-time job after graduation. He is a 2010-11 member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers Board of Directors.

Katharine Brooks, director, Career Services, College of Liberal Arts

Brooks is the author of “You Majored in What? Mapping Your Path From Chaos to Career,” which uses positive psychology, chaos theory and visual mapping to help students and alumni connect their education and career. She teaches career courses at The University of Texas at Austin and consults with community colleges and universities on career-related issues. Brooks has trained hundreds of career counselors nationwide on career coaching techniques through the National Association of Colleges and Employers. She is an expert on careers for liberal arts students and alumni and the transition from one career field to another.

John Daly, professor, Department of Communication Studies, McCombs School of Business

Daly is an interpersonal communications expert who researches practical ways people can improve their communication skills. He has examined topics such as shyness, personality difference in communication, communication difficulties people experience in their professional relationships and ways people advocate for their ideas. He has written about topics, including being indispensable at work, advocacy, customer service, communication, teamwork, sales management and leadership.

Gene Kincaid, senior lecturer, Department of Advertising & Public Relations

Kincaid is the author of the book "Killing the Cover Letter," which gives job seekers in the advertising and public relations industry resume tips, strategies for extending their network, methods for securing that first interview and advice on how to discuss salary. Kincaid has taught advertising at The University of Texas at Austin for more than 18 years and spent 20 years in the advertising and interactive industries.

Michael Powell, director of the Engineering Career Assistance Center

As the director of the Engineering Career Assistance Center for The University of Texas at Austin, Powell helps prepare engineering students for their careers and also interacts with engineering employers and those interested in recruiting engineering students. He provides perspective on job search strategies to students and alumni. He can discuss career issues, college recruiting, the job market and hiring trends.

For more subject matter experts, visit The University of Texas at Austin Experts Guide at: http://www.utexas.edu/opa/experts/.