Category Archives: Experts on Campus

Virtual Networking 101

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As college students begin to navigate the world of work, meeting with professionals is an important step in learning more about industries, companies, and internship and job opportunities. What often comes to mind is traditional forms of networking activities, such as meetings that take place over a cup of coffee or a meal, events attended by people who share common interests, professional association conferences, and career fairs where job seekers meet with recruiters. These in-person activities provide the chance to have authentic conversations and often lead to continued communication.

Benefits of Virtual Networking

While there may be no replacement for face-to face opportunities, the current circumstances have also created some new opportunities for virtual networking. Virtual networking breaks down some of the barriers that may have existed in the past, opening new doors for students who may have been limited by geography, resources, and time.

Virtual networking is new for all of us, including our staff, students, and employers. The Career Center just finished hosting two virtual career fairs through our online platform Handshake, where students learned more about internships or jobs, and heard from employers during group sessions and individual meetings. With the ubiquity of online communication today, there are even more opportunities than virtual career fairs to network with professionals.

For many students, building a network virtually provides the opportunity to develop new skills as they stretch their comfort zones. It provides them with the chance to demonstrate their flexibility, adaptability, communication, and perseverance. Networking in a virtual setting requires students to take initiative to reach out to professionals for informational interviews via video, phone, and email. Students also need to have a strong digital presence on Handshake and LinkedIn, where they can connect with alumni and employers, find job/internship opportunities, and participate in virtual events.

Virtual Networking Tips

With the semester more than halfway over, students may feel saturated by virtual learning and may need some encouragement to take advantage of virtual networking opportunities. Remind them that they are not alone and the Career Center is here to help! Students can access staff for individual appointments and during Open Office Hours. Knowing that parents and family members are often the first people students talk to, here are some recommendations you can provide:

  1. Be active in online professional networks. The Career Center utilizes Handshake as the centralized system for internship and job postings, a calendar of virtual employer events, and general advice and support. LinkedIn provides students an opportunity to find internship and job postings, to make connections and strengthen professional relationships, and to learn skills.
  2. Update your digital profiles on Handshake and LinkedIn. Be sure to highlight skills, applied experiences, and interests. Connect with and follow companies.
  3. Take initiative and reach out to professionals for a (virtual) coffee chat. Be patient and persistent (it may take more than one try) when requesting to connect. Be mindful of time zones.
  4. Attend virtual professional networking events. Check out the calendar of events on Handshake and Engage.
  5. Be prepared when you show up to a networking event! Prepare an elevator pitch and questions to ask.
  6. Follow up after a conversation or interview. Say thank you and keep in touch.
  7. Practice wellness. The pandemic has impacted everyone. Take time to breathe and acknowledge where you are. Utilize resources such as the Health & Counseling Center wellness resources.
  8. Not sure where to get started? Schedule an appointment or visit the Career Center Open Office Hours.

Amy Cavanaugh serves as the Director of the UP Career Education Center. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from St. Mary’s College and master’s degrees in both Organizational Communication and Business Administration. During her own college years, Amy completed a variety of experiential learning opportunities including study abroad, community engagement, research, and internships. Her first destination was participating in post-graduate service through Holy Cross Associates where she was introduced to careers in education. Amy leads the Career Center team by integrating career education and readiness into the student experience, collaborating with colleagues to guide students to develop as a whole person, and partnering with alumni and professionals to make connections that lead to meaningful opportunities for students.

Preparing for the Upcoming Transition to College: Tips for Parents

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Right now your student may be experiencing a wide range of emotions, from the joy and excitement of preparing for college, to feelings of fear and anxiety as they continue to navigate the effects that COVID-19 have had on their education plans. Although these emotional responses are normal, some individuals may begin to feel stuck in their fears, or avoid acknowledging their feelings and struggles during this time of uncertainty.

As parents, it is important to recognize that now is a time during which you can help prepare your student for college (and how that looks during the pandemic) in a way that fosters their growth and resilience.

It will be helpful to encourage your student to learn how to face and cope with their various emotional responses. Listen actively to your student’s feelings in a way that is empathic and nonjudgmental. Validate your student’s feelings by letting them know it is okay to feel anxious, overwhelmed, and confused about their college experience. At other times, ask them about their positive emotions – what they are feeling good about and grateful for at this pivotal time in their life.

For students who will be taking mostly online courses this spring, remember that they are going through a significant developmental change into young adulthood, even if they will still be living at home. As parents, we want to encourage them to grow as young adults by giving them some distance and allowing them to establish their own schedule for studying and sleeping. Recent surveys indicate that college students do not want their parents asking them a lot of questions about their homework or daily schedule.

The academic workload and challenges in college are very different than in high school, so it may take your student some time to adjust. Be patient and respect that they will need to focus on their studies. Even if they live at home, they may not be available to do spontaneous activities with the family, so work with them to spend time together in a way that fits well with their schedule.

Here are other tips for how to support your student:

  • Ask open-ended questions to help your student practice effective problem-solving skills during challenging times in college. Examples: “What do you think you should do about that problem? What are your options? What are the pros/cons of that idea?”
  • Emphasize the importance of practicing good self-care and monitoring their own physical and emotional health regularly.
  • Help your student create time and space to identify and feel their emotions, such as anxiety and fear, rather than avoiding them.
  • Encourage them to seek social support or positive distractions (such as music, exercise, or books/movies) if their emotions feel overwhelming at times.
  • Students needing mental health support can contact the University’s Health and Counseling Center at 503.943.7134 to make an appointment with a counselor.

As parents, it may take time to adjust to this upcoming transition, so carve out consistent time to care for yourself as your student gets ready for college. By taking good care of yourself and prioritizing your personal health, you will be better equipped to support your student and model effective ways to manage stress.

Here are tips for your own self-care:

  • Be gentle with yourself and your routine as you initially adjust to your student being in college.
  • Strive to cultivate quality social connections with friends and family members for general support, and for those moments when you need to talk through your own reactions and needs.
  • It is also common for parents to experience a wide range of emotions during this time, including excitement, worry, sadness, and grief. It is a time of separation; make sure to provide yourself some time to process these different reactions.
  • Limit your exposure to constant news updates, and be selective about what you see and hear during this time of adjustment.
  • Learn to accept uncertainty and change, and strive to live in the moment, appreciating simple but valuable moments in your day. This is a good practice for all of us!
  • Focus on what is within your personal control, such as healthy eating, exercising, focusing on what’s important to you, and trying something new or creative to explore other sides of yourself.

As parents, we ultimately want to support our children throughout college, and help them learn ways to effectively manage life’s challenges. Here at the UP Health & Counseling Center, we understand that during these uncertain times, you will also need support and a clear focus on your own physical and mental health. We are wishing all UP students, families, and community members well as we navigate this outbreak together.

Dr. Carol Dell’Oliver is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience in college counseling, supervision, and clinical leadership, as well as in providing outpatient mental health services to adolescents and young adults in private practice settings. She is currently the Director of the Health and Counseling Center at the University of Portland.

Q & A with Matthew Mass

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Matthew Maas joined the UP team last December as the Associate Director of Parent Giving. Learn about Matthew and his work of helping parents and family members build a stronger relationship with UP through philanthropic giving.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I joined the University of Portland in December of 2019 as the Associate Director of Parent Giving. My formative years were spent in the mid-west where I completed college and grad school in Minnesota. Without the cumulative experiences and friendships formed in this time I would not be who I am today. My family and I moved to Portland five years ago and we enjoy the Pac NW music scene and the hiking trails in the Columbia Gorge. 

Tell us a little bit about your role as the Associate Director of Parent Giving.

My role is to help parents and family member build a stronger relationship with UP. I want to hear how they imagine making a difference through philanthropic giving, and in turn share how philanthropy can make a direct impact in the lives of students.   

What excites you most about this role?

When I walk around campus, I hear story after story of how parents and families gave philanthropic gifts which funded the educational and campus programming which make UP renowned in higher education. I am excited to be a part of moving the University forward in several new strategic areas. We can’t do this alone, and that’s why our partnership with our UP families and parents is so important. 

What does philanthropy mean to you?

Philanthropy is giving to what you love. One of the best parts of my job is hearing what inspired someone to make a gift. While each gift is always unique, they all share this common thread.

What philanthropic opportunities are there to support UP?

There are several ways to make an immediate impact in the life of a student or the entire community. One of these ways is the Parent Impact Fund. This fund directly supports the student service areas of campus which make student life and well-being a priority. Without these funds, many students would not have access to the resource centers which help students successfully graduate.

What is your favorite UP memory so far?

Watching the women’s basketball team win the WCC Tournament with such brilliance and tenacity.

If you only had 24 hours to spend in Portland area, what would you see and do?

I would spend the morning at the Portland Japanese Garden for tea, then enjoy a mid-day hike/lunch on Mt. Hood, followed by a visit to one of our award-winning breweries.    

What is your favorite restaurant in Portland?

Han Oak remains one of my favorites with its non-traditional take on Korean cuisine.

Learn more about how parents and families can show their support through philanthropic giving, or contact Matthew directly at maas@up.edu.