CogSci Career Forum

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CogSci Career Forum

• October 30, 2007
• Presented by
• Prof. Dennis Proffitt, Dir. of CogSci Program
• Heather Rudd, Career Counselor

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CogSci Overview

• What is Cognitive Science?
• Purpose of CogSci Career Forum
• What can I do with a degree in Cognitive
  Science?
• Finding and applying for opportunities
• CogSci online resources
• Helpful resources from University Career Services

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What can I do with a degree in Cognitive
Science?
Some students choose to pursue their academic
interests in graduate school immediately
following their undergraduate experience.

• U.Va. Graduates
• U.Va. Curry School of Education
• U.Va. Post-bac pre-med program
• JMU, Speech-Language Pathology
• VCU Health Care Administration
• University of Houston - Clinical Neuroscience
• Johns Hopkins
• Inst. of Polish Diaspora and Ethnic Studies
• VCU, MCV Biostatistics
• ECU, Ph.D. in Physical Therapy

• UC Berkeley Grads
• Architecture
• Cognitive Science
• Communications Research
• Computer Sciences
• Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Industrial Engineering
• Information Management Systems
• Information Sciences
• Interior Design
• Law
• Linguistics
• Medical Science
• Neuroscience
• Speech/Language Pathology
• Theology

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What can I do with a degree in Cognitive
Science?
Job titles and employers of recent Cognitive
Science graduates these are their First
Destinations after U.Va. (May 2005, 2006, 2007)

• Research Assistant, Parent-Child Health Project
  at GWU Medical Center
• Clinical Assistant, Applied Behavioral
  Consultants
• Research Assistant, NIH
• Systems Analyst, Delta Solutions Technologies,
  Inc.
• Systems Administrator/Webmaster, U.Va. Rare Book
  Program
• Analyst, Goldman Sachs
• Sales Associate, The Corporate Executive Board
• Account Manager, Xerox
• Private Junior Kindergarten Lead Teacher, Goddard
  School at Robius
• Teacher, CEIP Aleberto Alcocer in Spain
• Curatorial Intern, Monticello
• Midfielder, Major League Lacrosse
• AmeriCorps Volunteer, Philadelphia YouthBuild
  Charter School
• Independent travel in Africa and Europe

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What can I do with a degree in Cognitive
Science?
Job titles and employers of U.Va. CogSci
graduates who have volunteered to offer career
assistance to current students other alumni

• Software Systems Engineer, Logicon TASC
• Developer, The Harbour Consulting Group
• Technical Training Engineer, The MathWorks
• Software Development Manager, Rosetta Stone
• Game Designer, Electronic Arts
• Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.
• Director of HR, Community Academy Public Charter
  School
• Admissions Marketing and Public Relations
  Specialist, Darden School of Business
• Sales Support Analyst, Mercedes-Benz USA
• Math Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools
• Housing Counselor, Neighbor to Neighbor
• Sous Chef, The Club at Seabrook Island

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What can I do with a degree in Cognitive
Science?
Skills and abilities of interest to and developed
by CogSci majors

• Ability to apply and integrate fundamental
  scientific principles
• Research laboratory experience
• Strong quantitative skills
• Attentive to detail
• Effective communicator - present information
  clearly and effectively
• Apply and integrate fundamental scientific
  principles
• Statistical analysis skills
• Analytic thinking and complex problem-solving
  ability
• Use of technical tools and scientific equipment
• Source
• Brain Cognitive Sciences Majors Guide - MIT
  Careers Office
• http//web.mit.edu/career/www/infostats/science/br
  aincog.html

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Major-to-Career Connection

• Interdisciplinary nature of the field
• Explore and research options
• Self-assessment inventories
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Riley Guide
• Books on the field that will address career paths
  from a broader perspective

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Major-to-Career Connection

• Visit UCS for more information on strategies if
  you are
• Pre-law
• Pre-health
• Thinking about graduate school immediately
  following graduation
• Interested in business-related careers

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Major-to-Career Connection

• Alumni trends
• Research Assistant in labs
• Research Analysts for consulting firms
• Web tech positions
• Business roles
• Health-related careers

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Identifying places of employment
job/internship opportunities

• Online resources for Research careers
• See an interesting First Destination of a
  previous graduate? Search for the employer and
  current opportunities.
• CAVLink (Job/internship listings by
  industry/interest area)
• CareerSearch (Database of existing organizations
  that match your industry and geographic
  preferences)

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CAVLink
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CareerSearch
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Pursuing CareerSearch Contacts Employers

• Quantitative Software Management, Inc.
• Consultants in resource planning for computer
  applications efficiency. Publish research
  results.
• Hello.
• My name is _______ and I will complete my
  Bachelors degree in Cognitive Science from the
  University of Virginia in May. I have developed
  research and analytical skills by working for
  several of my professors, and I have also
  interned for companies assisting with their
  computer and technology operations (your
  qualifications).
• Quantitative Software Management (name of
  employer) caught my attention while researching
  organizations providing technology-related
  research services in Virginia because of the
  products, services, and resources it makes
  available to its clients (employer research).
• I did not see any position openings posted on
  your website but would like to be considered for
  future opportunities. Who would be the best
  person in the organization for me to speak with
  regarding my interest (follow up)?

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Identifying places of employment
job/internship opportunities

• Utilizing personal contacts as resources
• Professors
• Friends/family/family friends
• Alumni through HoosOnline/UCAN

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Networking with Alumni

• Sample email message for initiating contact
• Hi ____. My name is ____, and I am a student at
  the University of Virginia. Thank you for being a
  career resource in HoosOnline/UCAN for U.Va.
  students and alumni. I'm very interested in ____
  (industry/field/job title) and am looking for
  more information on the field. I would like to
  conduct an informational interview with you to
  ask a few questions and learn about your
  experiences in the field. Would you prefer that I
  call or email you? If you prefer that I call,
  please let me know times that are most convenient
  for your schedule.
• Thank you for your assistance!

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Networking with Alumni

• Sample questions to ask during an informational
  interview
• How did you get your first job in this field?
• Please describe what a typical workweek may look
  for you.
• What do you find the most rewarding about your
  job? What are the challenges of the position?
• What are the industry compensation norms for this
  career?
• What job search strategies do you think are most
  effective to find out about jobs in this field?
• Do you mind if I send you a copy of my resume to
  review? As an employer in this field, what
  aspects do you think are strong? Need work?
• Thank you for your time and advice. Do you know
  the names of 2-3 people who might also be willing
  to provide me with insight?
• Do you know the names of 2-3 organizations that
  may be hiring?

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Identifying places of employment
job/internship opportunities

• Sourcing opportunities through special events
• Diversity Career Day, Thursday, November 1
• Over 150 corporations, non-profit organizations,
  and government agencies are recruiting for
  internships and full-time positions.
• Spring Job Internship Fair, January 30-31
• Last year 109 organizations sought full-time
  hires and 62 were interested in summer interns.

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CogSci Online Resources

• Indiana Archives of Cognitive Science
• http//www.cogs.indiana.edu/iacs/
• Cognitive Science Society
• http//www.cognitivesciencesociety.org/
• Summer workshops programs
• See handout for existing opportunities

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UCS Resources

• Self-assessment inventories
• Externships
• Resume cover letter critiques
• Mock Interviews
• Walk-in advising, M-F, noon-345
• Call 924-8900 to schedule an appt.

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CogSci Career Forum

• Questions?