EIU Career Services

COMMUNICATION
Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.

EQUITY & INCLUSION
Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism. 

Event

Location

Date & Time

Employer Virtual Showcase - SAS 

Interested in Data Analytics? This is your opportunity to learn first-hand what it is like to work for SAS. The presenter will share their personal story: where they went to college, what they studied, their career path so far and tips they have learned from the School of Hard Knocks. In addition to the presentation, you will have to opportunity to ask questions.

Presenter: Steve Purdy, Analytics Advisor

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.

January 13

5:00 pm  

Employer Virtual Showcase - U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Heartland Region, Illinois Field Office 

Great opportunity for Math or Economics majors or if you want to learn about searching and applying for Jobs in the Federal Government. Learn first-hand from someone hiring in those areas! The presenter will share their personal story: where they went to college, what they studied, their career path so far and tips they have learned from the School of Hard Knocks. In addition to the presentation, you will have to opportunity to ask questions.

Presenter: Mark Schleusener, Illinois State Satistician

Mark Schleusener started working for USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in 1984 in Washington, D.C. After a short while, he transferred to Lincoln, NE and worked there for three years. He worked in Jackson, MS for 3 years, then Madison, WI where he got a Master’s degree in Statistics and was married to Jeanette.

Mark and Jeanette moved to the DC area in 1994. He worked in the Research Division for 18 months and then transferred to the Survey Methods Branch where he focused on the Objective Yield surveys and analytical tools for surveys. He was promoted to the Section Head for the Commodity Surveys Section within Methods Branch.

After 8 years in DC, Mark and Jeanette moved to Springfield, IL where Mark had the job of Deputy Director for the IL Field Office of NASS. In 2013, Mark did a one year Temporary Duty assignment in St. Louis leading a group of data analysts as they worked on the 2012 Census of Agriculture. Since November of 2013, Mark has been working in Springfield, IL as the State Statistician for Illinois. Mark enjoys golf, gardening, and going to Broadway shows with his wife, Jeanette.

Mark can be reached at mark.schleusener@usda.gov

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.

January 20

5:00 pm  

Employer Virtual Showcase - Office of the Comproller of the Currency 

This is your opportunity to learn first-hand what it is like to work for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The presenter will share their personal story: where they went to college, what they studied, their career path so far and tips they have learned from the School of Hard Knocks. In addition to the presentation, you will have to opportunity to ask questions.

Presenters: Michelle Johanpeter 

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.

January 27

5:00 pm

Workshop - How to Prepare for a Virtual Job Fair and What to Expect 

Never been to a job fair before?   Perhaps you have been to a job fair, but not virtually.  Learn how the virtual process works in Handshake.  We will discuss what steps you need to take to be successful along with what not to do.  This a a great session to walk through the process and also get your questions answered!     

Presenters: Bobbi Kingery, John Marr 

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.

January 28

4:00 pm 

Employer Virtual Showcase - FBI

This is your opportunity to learn first-hand what it is like to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The presenter will share their personal story: where they went to college, what they studied, their career path so far and tips they have learned from the School of Hard Knocks. In addition to the presentation, you will have to opportunity to ask questions.

Presenter: Harvey Pettry, Special Agent

Harvey Pettry has been a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 2004. SA Pettry completed the FBI Academy, held at Quantico Marine Base and was assigned to the New Orleans Division where he worked health care and white collar matters. In 2008, SA Pettry was assigned to the Newark Division and worked organized crime including traditional organized crime such as the Italian mob, along with non-traditional crime to include eastern European and Russian groups. In 2011, SA Pettry received transfer orders to the Springfield Division, where he currently works. In Springfield, SA Pettry works a variety of investigations to include bank robbery, narcotics trafficking, child pornography, and counter intelligence. SA Pettry is currently assigned as the Springfield Division Coordinator for Applicant Recruiting, the FBI National Academy, and Training. Prior to joining the FBI, SA Pettry worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Effingham Co., Illinois. SA Pettry received his bachelor degree in Political Science from EIU and law degree from SIU. SA Pettry resides with his wife and children and enjoys the children’s activities along with outdoor hobbies.

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.  

February 3

5:00 pm

Informational Session/Q&A - Northwestern Mutual 

Information will be provided about Northestern Mutual including job and internship opportunties.  

Presenter: Melissa Mutters, Recruiting and Human Resource Coordinator

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.  

February 5

12:00 pm  

Workshop - How to Prepare for a Virtual Job Fair and What to Expect 

Never been to a job fair before?   Perhaps you have been to a job fair, but not virtually.  Learn how the virtual process works in Handshake.  We will discuss what steps you need to take to be successful along with what not to do.  This a a great session to walk through the process and also get your questions answered!     

Presenters: Bobbi Kingery, John Marr 

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.

February 10

12:00 pm  

Employer Virtual Showcase - Lithko

This is your opportunity to learn first-hand what it is like to work for Lithko. The presenter will share their personal story: where they went to college, what they studied, their career path so far and tips they have learned from the School of Hard Knocks. In addition to the presentation, you will have to opportunity to ask questions.

Presenter: Kim Plummer, Campus Talent Specialist  

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.  

February 10

5:00 pm 

Employer Virtual Showcase- Amazon

This is your opportunity to learn first-hand what it is like to work for Amazon. The presenter will share their personal story: where they went to college, what they studied, their career path so far and tips they have learned from the School of Hard Knocks. In addition to the presentation, you will have to opportunity to ask questions.

Presenter: Mark Becicka, Senior Leader   

Mark is an Innovative, highly team oriented, results driven technology senior executive leader with 25 years of proven experience. He is passionate for pursuing challenges that drive “high value” business outcomes into organizations, and skilled at creating vision supported by consumable frameworks for execution. He is proficient at creating strong business partnerships, providing solutions, and he strives for understanding of approaches at any level. Mark is extremely team focused, recognized as a mentor and for people development across various roles, levels, and assignments. He excels at leading transformation of products, services, functions, and businesses.

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.  

February 24

5:00 pm 

Employer Virtual Showcase - HOPE of East Central Illinois

This is your opportunity to learn first-hand what it is like to work for HOPE of East Central Illinois and in the Social Services industry. The presenter will share their personal story: where they went to college, what they studied, their career path so far and tips they have learned from the School of Hard Knocks. In addition to the presentation, you will have to opportunity to ask questions.

Presenter: Harlie Bunyard, Shelter Manager

Harlie is a 2020 EIU Alum with a bachelor's in Family and Consumer Sciences. She is currently the Shelter Manager at HOPE of East Central Illinois. Social Services was always her passion and while at Eastern, she volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and CASA of East Central Illinois. In addition, she was an active member of TRIO and volunteered as a student ambassador through the International Student Office.

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.   

March 10

5:00 pm  

Starting Your Own Business - Learn Tips & Roadblocks 

Thinking about starting your own business? Connect with Steve Popovich in this session and learn about his experiences starting his own businesses. Steve will provide tips, advice and what roadblocks he faced.

Presenter: Steven Popovich
Steve's bio:
Technology enthusiast focusing on new, innovative ways to leverage emerging platforms to provide more opportunities to those having difficulties finding employment. I graduated from university 3 years ago with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering and Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
I started out my exploration of the tech-space through learning machine code and some basic software development from my course curriculum. I then ventured outside of the classroom to discover what sparked excitement within me personally as opposed to just going through the motions of lecture, project, test, repeat. I was always fascinated by mobile app development and wanted to understand what it took to take an idea that I believed could facilitate a daily function for the general public, then build out a market-ready product to help satisfy that need.
I learned a lot along the way through failing…a lot. Each and every time that I attempted to create a product that I thought would be “revolutionary”, it further refined my understanding of not only software development but also customer discovery. Set meetings. Have conversations. Listen and understand the needs of the people you are trying to help. If your product is not helpful, then it provides no value.
Never be afraid to ask questions. Never be afraid to fail. Never be afraid to pursue your interests. In my conversation with you through the EIU Career Services’ event, we will talk about what it takes to get started, challenges you should expect to face along the way and my experiences of going through the process!  

Presenter: Steve Popovich, Operations Manager, Spingig/Employment Solutions   

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.  

Employer Virtual Showcase- J.P. Morgan 

This is your opportunity to learn first-hand what it is like to work for J.P. Morgan. The presenter will share their personal story: where they went to college, what they studied, their career path so far and tips they have learned from the School of Hard Knocks. In addition to the presentation, you will have to opportunity to ask questions.

Presenter: Chris Womack, Vice President J.P. Morgan Asset Management   

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.  

March 31

5:00 pm 

Susan Ericksen and David Colacci, Audio Book Narrators

Ever consider Audio Book Narration as a career?  This is your chance to learn from two award winning narrators! 

Susan Ericksen is a three-time Audie Award–winning narrator who has recorded over 500 books. The winner of multiple awards, including twenty-plus AudioFile Earphones Awards for both fiction and nonfiction, Susan is a classically trained actress who excels at multiple narrative styles and accents.

David Colacci has been an actor and a director for over thirty years, performing coast-to-coast in lead roles of plays by a variety of playwrights, from Shakespeare to Sam Shepard to Steve Martin. He has worked as a narrator for over fifteen years, during which time he has read the works of such authors as Jules Verne, Henry Adams, John Irving, Michael Chabon, and John Lescroart. He has won AudioFile Earphones Awards, earned Audie nominations, and been included in Best of the Year lists by such publications as Publishers Weekly, AudioFile magazine, and Library Journal.

The presenters will share their personal stories: where they went to college, what they studied, their career path so far and tips they have learned from the School of Hard Knocks. In addition to the presentation, you will have to opportunity to ask questions.

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.    

April 13

5:00 pm

Employer Virtual Showcase - North American Lighting

This is your opportunity to learn first-hand what it is like to work for North American Lighting. The presenter will share their personal story: where they went to college, what they studied, their career path so far and tips they have learned from the School of Hard Knocks. In addition to the presentation, you will have to opportunity to ask questions.

Presenters: Kaitlin Stremme, Corporate Recruiter and Brooke Utterback, Recruiting Supervisor 

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.   

April 14

5:00 pm 

Sarah Clare Corporandy - Producing Artistic Director 

Sarah has more than 15 years experience as a theater performer and professional. She is the Managing Director for the Chautauqua Theater Company at the Chautauqua Institution and has also served as Managing Director for Pig Iron Theater Company in Philadelphia. In addition, she has worked with such companies as Barrington Stage Company, New York Stage and Film, and Breathe Art Theatre Project. She is currently on faculty at both Savannah College of Art and Design and University of Kentucky, teaching in the Master’s program for Arts Administration. She serves on the board of the New York Shakespeare Exchange, and on the advisory board of Serenbe Playhouse. Her work has been published in the International Journal of Arts in Society. Sarah Clare holds a MFA in Theater Management from Wayne State University.

The presenter will share their personal story: where they went to college, what they studied, their career path so far and tips they have learned from the School of Hard Knocks. In addition to the presentation, you will have to opportunity to ask questions.

Registration required.  Sign up HERE.   

April 21

5:00 pm