Start Now for a Future Career

by Erin McCormick

What do Boeing, Micron Technology, the USDA, the Peace Corps, and Montana Fish,Wildlife & Parks all have in common? Probably more than you think, especially when you consider that each regularly recruits MSU students for internships and full-time employment. The recruiting season for employers starts as early as the beginning of September for May positions. This means students need to plan to attend early recruiting events by preparing their resumes in advance, researching organizations, and watching for open positions.

As the experts on campus for career-related information, MSU's Career, Internship & Student Employment Services team stays updated on what employers are looking for by keeping in regular contact with hiring authorities. Our office also hosts several career fairs each year to connect these employers with qualified students, in addition to offering free coaching and advising services, resume critiques, practice job interviews, and job-search assistance. We also have an exclusive job-search portal (mycatcareers.com) which offers one-stop searches and applications for full-time jobs, student employment, internships, and volunteer experiences. Students can also sign up for interviews and receive advance notice of which employers will attend upcoming career fairs.

Planning early and gaining experience pays off with employers. Employers report that they're looking for students who have built their resumes while in school by holding leadership positions in clubs and activities, working, doing internships, and even conducting research. In fact, most employers indicate that internship experience is the number one reason they will offer a new college graduate a position with their organization.

Even in a tough economy, employers say they are hiring. But students need to be well versed in their abilities to be competitive. Generally speaking, MSU students are highly qualified for jobs due to their work ethic, trustworthiness, and academic training. By planning ahead, gaining valuable internship and work experience, and putting together a competitive application package, students can get the jobs they want when the time comes.

Erin McCormick is the assistant director of the Career, Internship & Student Employment Services department at MSU. For questions or assistance, call 994-4353 or visit here. 

Pet Perfect

by Patrick Hessman

If you’ve moved into your own apartment or house, you may be looking at the opportunity to have an animal friend in your life again. That year in the dorms without pets was terrible, wasn’t it? Don’t just go out and grab any animal, though; each pet has pros and cons of its own. Here is a handy guide for commonly accepted pets in most apartments, so you can bring an animal friend into your life.

Dogs

Let's get this out of the way now: Most apartments and many houses forbid dogs. Dogs may be the animal that was expertly bred to be the perfect pet, but most landlords don’t appreciate the mess and noise they make. On top of that, dogs need outdoor space you may not have available, and many require daily exercise you may not be able to easily provide. Yet if you do brave the search to find a dog-friendly rental here, it will all be worth it to have man’s best friend in your life. If you do plan to get a dog, consider adopting. There are many dogs out there who need a home, and will love you just the same. Also, be sure to clean up after your pooch—no one likes stepping in the presents they leave behind.

Cats

Unfortunately, for many of the same reasons they prohibit dogs, most landlords are not cat-friendly. They tend to dislike cats for the smell they leave and their kitty trails of destruction. In fact, it’s probably easier to find a dog-friendly apartment in Bozeman than a cat-friendly one. Yet still, they’re out there, so there’s still the possibility of having your own meme generator in your college years. You might just adopt the next Grumpy Cat pictured below.

Birds

Now we’re getting into the rental-friendly domain of the pet kingdom. Birds can often be negotiated on rental leases because they are primarily cage animals. This is a lot more appealing to a landlord than a free-roaming poop machine. They make nice scenery and can come to be affectionate eventually; but also consider bird calls can be as shrill and annoying as their singing can be beautiful—don't say I didn't warn you when Paulie starts shrieking at 2am the night before a major exam.

Birds also claim the "Most Stylish Pet" award.

Reptiles, Fish, and Amphibians
Even if you’re staying in the residence halls, reptiles and fish are an option. Since a tank is even more contained than a cage, most landlords will be okay with a scaly/slimy friend joining your new home. They may all be interesting animals to watch and always look cool, but unlike mammalian and bird pets, these animals will never come to be loving or affectionate. Reptiles also can carry salmonella, so be sure to buy from a reputable pet store.

Who says reptiles can't be cute too?

Something else to consider about reptiles would be their long lifespan: If you plan to travel after graduating, you may have a lizard or turtle that still has decades to live, so be prepared to make accommodations.

Pocket Pets

In many ways, these small mammals are the compromise of pets that are both contained yet still loving. A trip to PetSmart presents you with hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, mice, and my personal favorite, rats. These animals always make a cute conversation piece and rats in particular come to be very loyal and loving animals. They often take some time to acclimate to you though, as rodents haven’t been as thoroughly domesticated as dogs or cats have, but even wild rodents have shown some pet-like tendencies.

Why are people afraid of these things again?

The downside to many small-mammal pets is their short lifespans; they won’t be with you as long as a dog or cat will. As a rat owner, I can attest to the heartbreak that comes from having such a dear friend for such a short time, but they’re worth every minute you have with them.

Few people deny the wonderful effect pets bring to your life. Just make sure to do the research beforehand, and always clear a new addition with your roommates and landlord. Little else is more heartwarming than an animal that thinks you’re the entire world.

Roommate Relations

Keeping things happy on the homefront
by Dan Tang 

After hours of sitting through lectures, trying not to fall asleep, I head back to my room to study for a test... only to find my roommate "having fun" with his girlfriend. He asks me to give him some time. Being a considerate roommate, I decide to grab a cup of coffee and study in the living room, but the coffee I made this morning is gone. Eventually beaten by the Sandman, I fall asleep on the couch, which ultimately leads to a bad test score the next day.

Sound familiar? What can you do when your life is messed up by a bad roommate? Here are some common roommate issues and how to deal with them.

   
1. Cleanliness is a concept lost on your roommate. Your roommate's personal area looks like a jungle, with clothes and junk everywhere. The botany department stopped by last week to take samples.

Advice: Set the standard and provide a model. Clean your part of the room in front of your roommate, putting things in order and moving his stuff out of your own space. Strategic sighs and subtle head-shaking can go a long way here. Chances are, he's simply oblivious; make it clear that you appreciate a clean environment, and that his slovenly ways annoy you.

2.  “Can I borrow everything?” You come home to find your mountain bike covered in mud, your best shirt missing, and your razor covered in hair. 

Advice: Make a point of asking to borrow something of your roommate's, again to set the standard. Make it clear that permission is required, not optional. If needed, create a "sharing list" that defines what's okay to borrow and what's not. If that doesn't work, electrify your hangers.

3. “Do you mind if my friends come over for a while (read: forever)?” Your roommate seems to think you like hanging out with her spastic friend Muffy as much as she does.

Advice: Be as accommodating as possible in this area, especially if you want to have your own friends over once in a while. If it becomes an issue, the best course of action is to establish visitors' hours – evenings, weekends, etc. If your roommate violates them or is abusing the system, speak up – silence is consent. In extreme cases, consider a small party the night before she has a big test. She'll get the picture.

4. The bathroom is your roommate’s second bedroom. You often wonder if your roommate is drowning or sleeping in the tub. You also fear that you're doing permanent damage to your bladder by holding it so long.

Advice: Communicate your needs and coordinate schedules. Your roommate obviously enjoys his private time and doesn't want to be disturbed; chances are he'll choose a time to linger when he knows you won't be banging on the door. A rubber snake dropped into the shower works great, too.

Remember that communication is key, and that the best way to deal with all types of situations is to discuss the situation and negotiate. As the old saying goes, honey attracts more flies than vinegar – be nice, not confrontational, and things will usually work out. If not, you can always get a real snake.

Life is great when you have good roommates.