Cindy Polanco provides one-on-one career support for RIC students in the School of Business.
Cindy Polanco is one of three career specialists recently hired by Rhode Island College’s Career & Life Design Center to help prepare you for the future.
Though she works primarily with students in the School of Business, she can work with any student, including those whose major is undecided, as does her colleagues. They are part of RIC’s dedicated effort to make sure RIC students not only leave with a degree but leave career ready.
Polanco notes that most students in the School of Business have already decided on a major; however, they may not know the many ways in which they can use their major. One of the tools she uses to help them explore the wide range of options within their field is a website called ONET.
“A marketing major could type in the word ‘marketing’ and ONET will list all the job titles that fall under marketing,” she says. “Click on one of the job titles – say, marketing analyst – and ONET will give you a deep dive into what it’s like to do that job, the average salary by state and what kind of certifications you can earn in that position.
“When you get to the bottom of the page, if you’re not fully sold on being a marketing analyst, it lists similar job titles. ONET provides a lot of information and helps students get a clearer idea of how and where they want to use their degree.”
Polanco also hosts informative workshops twice a month so that business students can brush up on important job-search skills.
Though she specifically works with students in the School of Business, anyone can attend her workshops because the content is for everyone.
Topics include writing resumes and cover letters, effective internship and job search strategies, networking and navigating a career fair.
Networking is an important skill to have, says Polanco. One of the best places to network, she says, is at a career fair. A career fair is a chance for job seekers to meet multiple companies and for companies to find potential hires.
“But you need to come to the fair having done your homework, having learned a little about the companies you’re interested in, so that you stand out to a potential employer,” she says.”
“You also have to be able to deliver a good elevator pitch,“ says Polanco. “An elevator pitch is where you talk about yourself: This is what I’m studying. This is what I’m interested in. These are the skills I have.”
An elevator pitch is short enough to deliver during a brief elevator ride (30-60 seconds) and intriguing enough to make the listener want to learn more about you. “If your elevator pitch is successful, you’ll have gotten the person thinking about how you might be a good fit for their company,” she says. “The point is to make an impression.”
For Polanco, being a career specialist is more than just a job; it’s a way of paying it forward. Of Dominican heritage, she is the first in her family to go to college. This was largely due to her high school guidance counselor.
“I attended Central High School and never considered going to college until my guidance counselor helped me see my own potential,” she says.
“She helped me get into the Talent Development Program at URI, which is similar to the PEP program at RIC. It’s a program for first-generation, minority, prospective students to get a head start on the college experience.
“What my guidance counselor did for me, I knew I wanted to do for other people. I majored in psychology at URI and worked in mental health right after graduation for five years. Then I became a career counselor at CCRI’s Educational Opportunity Center, working with underrepresented students. A lot of them were ESL, minority or first-generation students.
“I think representation matters. When people feel different, they might feel that they’re not meant for certain paths in life. So, this is not just a job for me. I do it to help people move forward in life. I want to make an impact.”
Make an appointment with Cindy Polanco or any of the career specialists at RIC’s Career & Life Design Center, (401) 456-8031. Current undergraduate students may also schedule an appointment on Starfish, while grad students and alumni use Handshake.