Jump-start your future

By Megan Walsh, Staff Writer walsh15@up.edu

The University of Portland is overflowing with talented students who are either competitively searching for work or have already secured impressive positions within companies. Although many more than four students are working hard in positions directly related to their fields of study, Clinton Malson, Jessica Morales, Ross Caravati and Christian Berg all have impressive stories regarding their jobs and internships.

Even though searching for jobs may be intimidating, these stories demonstrate the great expanse of opportunities that are waiting to be taken advantage of. Do not be afraid to call companies asking about open positions, to apply for a job that may not be directly in line with your field of study but that interests of you, or to take advantage of the UP Career Services Center. Taking a few hours out of your day to fill out an application could result in hours of beneficial work experience and much needed paychecks.

 

Clinton Malson

Would you like fries with that?" is a familiar phrase for teenage workers in the restaurant business, but junior Clinton Malson was not like most other teenagers.

Malson has worked in the restaurant business since he was 12 years old, when he would stay with his grandparents during the summer and assist them in running their café, the Edgerton Café.

At the young age of 16, Malson began working at The Highway, a restaurant and bar in the small town of Manderson, Wyo. Malson was a cook and waiter for two weeks before his boss realized his capabilities and moved him into management.

"I guess I was overqualified to just be a waiter and cook anymore and the owner had just bought the business and had no idea what she was doing," Malson said.

According the Malson, he managed a team of 15 people, ordered all of the supplies, dealt with customers, and pretty much ran the entire business.

He did this for about five years. And even though he attended the University of Portland, which is nearly 900 miles away from his hometown, Malson continued to manage The Highway over the phone until it was sold this past year.

"I took phone calls and helped with the buying of stuff and customer service problems," Malson said. "It was a little hard to do because of my class schedule, but we worked something out."

Malson now works at the University of Portland Help Desk, but he will always remember his experience working in the restaurant business.

"I got to work for myself, it gave me real life experience on how to manage time and manage people and how to lead," Malson said.

 

Ross Caravati

An all-expenses-paid trip to New York City, free concert tickets, first looks at new up-and-coming artists, a plethora of demos to listen to... For many college students, this sounds like the job that can only be dreamt about, but for junior Ross Caravati, this is reality.

Caravati, who is majoring in psychology and minoring in neuroscience, applied for Sony Music Entertainment's open position of a college marketing representative on a whim.

"I sat there in front of my computer for like 25 minutes deliberating whether or not I should apply for this job that I knew literally nothing about, had no prior experience to and it wasn't even in my field of research," Caravati said.

According to Caravati, the job description entails promoting Sony's music artists, going to tours in the Portland area and writing up reports regarding their success, and things like putting up posters and passing out stickers to build artists' fan base.

Not long after submitting his application, Caravati received the call that changed his life.

"He was like, 'you're hired!'" Caravati said. "And by the way, how would you like to come out to New York in a week or so for our annual New York City meetings, we fly all of our reps out. All expenses paid."

Since this meeting occurred during Fall Break, Caravati knew he was going to have an amazing holiday. He had the opportunity to sit in on executive meetings, listen to private showings of newly signed artists, and meet various important people in the record label business.

Although Caravati is on track for a profession that does not have to do with music or marketing, and is also interning at OHSU in the physical therapy department, this new job has opened his eyes to new possibilities and he is considering taking some marketing classes.

"I have a romantic relationship with hip-hop, I absolutely love it, but I really am passionate about all types of music so I listen to everything," Caravati said. "I am open to everything and that's one of the reasons I applied for the job and I think it's one of the reasons why I got the job. It's for the love of the music."

 

Jessica Morales

Everyone loves a good show, but not many have experienced the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

Since September, junior marketing and Spanish major Jessica Morales has been a marketing/group sales intern at the Rose Quarter. Her duties include basic interning responsibilities, such as making copies and putting up posters, but she also gets first-hand experience working at the extravagant concerts held in the Rose Garden.

"One thing that struck me was when I would be backstage, I would see Hunter Hayes and your inner teenage girl wants to be like 'oh my god, he's right there! I want an autograph' but I had to stay cool and professional," Morales said.

Morales receives no monetary compensation for her work, but she is paid in experience and college credit she said.

"My supervisor is really nice and she used to be an intern at the Rose Quarter too," Morales said.

Morales hopes her supervisor will be a good contact in the future when she is in need of recommendations and help networking.

"After being at the Rose Quarter for a while, I like the atmosphere," said Morales. "In the future I do see myself at a c oncert venue, maybe not at the Rose Quarter because they might not have a job for me, but I'd love to work at the Staples Center, especially because it's so much closer to home."

 

Christian Berg

It is no secret that it is hard for any college student to find a job or internship these days, but what is even harder is finding a job that gives major-specific experience and pays well. Sophomore Christian Berg was lucky enough to find one of these jobs.

According to Berg, after receiving an email listing companies looking to hire UP students from Kitty Harmon, UP's Engineering program coordinator, Berg applied for an engineering intern position at Western Integrated Technologies.

Berg got an interview and eventually secured the position in May. He assists in the design of hydraulic power units and hydraulic manifolds and solutions.

"I get to actually apply what I learn in my classes at my job and see something go from a problem to an idea and an actual solution," Berg said.

According to Berg, he uses computer programs to design various hydraulic power units, which are used in various aspects of industry, like controling heavy machinery such as floodgates on dams. These designs are then sent to production plants to be manufactured and used by large companies.

"It's a fun job but can be stressful at times," Berg said. "I am responsible for projects that cost more than my college tuition."

Not only does Berg enjoy his job because it pays well, but he also understands the importance of strengthening his resume.

"It gives me job experience, which is one of the most important things coming out of college because it distinguishes me from my peers," Berg said.