Stephanie Ferrone

B.S. in Physics
Minor: French, Religious Studies
May 2009

Where are you now?
Come June 2009, I will be working as a Physicist for Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) in Carderock, MD [West Bethesda].

What was the best part of using the Career Services Center in your job search?
I had never heard of NSWC until the on campus job fair; when I got my booklet and started to navigate the job fair, I saw that NSWC was listed as a possible employer for my discipline. I liked what I saw at the job fair, so I went online to the Career Services Center website and saw that NSWC was having an on campus information session and interview times. I signed up right away, and was even able to schedule my interview online. I was delightfully surprised to see that the Career Services Center brought such amazing opportunities to campus and facilitated all of the follow-up I wanted to do. Had I not gone to the job fair, I would not have found the dream job I didn't know was waiting for me!

Any advice you would give to other students?
First, start looking early! I started my job search at the beginning of the fall semester when I was not going to graduate until spring. I knew it would be a long journey, so I started as soon as possible.

Second, know what resources are available. The combination of the job fair, online lists of employer information sessions, online scheduling of interviews, resume critiquing, information on business etiquette - the list goes on. All of these things are available on campus, which is positively overwhelming!  But if you don't know what's there to use, you can't use them. So even before graduation is on your mind, figure out what you can use to help you after graduation.

Third, take stock of what you want now. You might not know what your dream job is, but you know if you prefer working a day shift or a night shift, if you want to live in the hot or cold, etc. I hadn't heard of NSWC, but I knew that I wanted to be in a position where I could work hands-on. I came to the job search knowing enough about myself to have a manageable list when I started searching.

Finally, be open. As I said, I had never heard of my dream job before I went to a job fair. Had I come to the job fair with my heart set on one or two employers, I would have missed out big time.