DEVELOPING A PERSONAL BRAND
One of the newest terms used in the job search business is "personal brand." Employers are looking for high-quality talent who know how to "sell" themselves in a positive and productive manner. Consider discussing this concept with your student.

Creating a Personal Brand
There are many ways for your student to create a personal brand, such as:

• Know your passion. What makes you get out of bed every morning? What makes you smile in your school and work environment?
• Develop your goals and dreams. You have to know where you want to go even if you don’t know how you will get there yet. Dream Big!
• Be honest with yourself. Assess your strengths and areas for opportunities.
• Discover what is unique about you. Determine what you stand for and what makes you different.
• Be visible. Go above and beyond simply because you love what you are doing.
• Attitude is everything ... make sure yours is a positive one.
• Ask others for feedback. Ask your peers, mentors, supervisors, family, friends, professors, etc. Get a wide range of feedback so you know what areas you need to focus on for personal and professional development.

Adapted from a PaperClip Communica-tions article by Brenda Andrews, Disney College & CareerStart Education Programs Manager, Disney University, Disneyland(r) Resort

The Elevator Speech
Encourage your student to create an "elevator speech." This is a 30-second introduction of who she is, what her interests/goals are, and the desire to make a connection with someone who could assist in her career growth.

An elevator speech can be used if your student is in an elevator with someone who could have an impact on her career; someone she simply wants to introduce herself to, share a few goals with, and ask for 30 minutes of time to discuss her career history and the skills needed to be successful in the desired field.