Guest Speakers

 Department of History Publications Spring Speaker Series, 2014

History and Humanitarianism Spring Speaker Series, 2013

E. Taylor Atkins - Director of Undergraduate Studies

Doctor Atkins is a Professor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies at NIU. He came in to talk to us about History undergrad requirements.

A link to the official catalog of requirements: http://www.niu.edu/history/faculty/profiles/atkins.shtml

He is the master mind and director of the new catolog. It was designed to make sure students don't just choose the same time periods and locations in history, but instead to broaden their horizons and study history  somewhere else. As you can see in the requirements, you must choose one class from each catagory of A, B, and C. Catagory A is pre-modern history, not pertaining to any geography. Catagory B is non-western history (Asia, Africa, Latin America, Global, modern). And finally catagory C is the United States, European, and Russian history. 

 To make sure you are completing all your requirements to graduate, you can also look at your 'Degree Progess Report', located on your myniu page. If you have any questions, you can always contact Professor Atkins or Professor Hink during their office hours in Zulauf.

If ever you want to take a class, but it appears full on your myniu, pick up a 'closed class permit' from the main office on the 7th floor of Zulauf, and contact the instructor of the class you want to take. There's no gaurantee that they'll let you take it, but there's a pretty good chance.

Link to his NIU page: http://www.niu.edu/history/faculty/profiles/atkins.shtml

A link to his personal page: http://www.niu.edu/etatkins/  this page is an excellent resource for writing your own papers. It includes a list of writing guidelines that he uses when evaluating essays.

 Cathy Doederlein - Internship Coordinator 

Cathy Doederlein is the Coordinator of Internships for the Humanities here at NIU, and she came in to talk to us about why it is important to do an internship as an undergrad, and she shared with us some internships that were available. They are a great way to experience work in your field of study prior to graduation, and it looks great on resumes for jobs or graduate schools (Really gets you a step ahead from the competition!) It is also interesting to know that you could earn 3 hours of class credit by doing internships through NIU. Cathy is more than happy to meet with students in person or speak by phone. Feel free to call or e-mail to arrange an appointment and learn what an internship experience is all about!

cdoerderlein1@niu.edu        815-753-1016      Office- Zulauf Hall 307 (call or email first because office might change)

Her facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/pages/NIU-Humanities-Majors-Internships/291502457546601                                                           or search NIU Humanities Majors Internships

From her 'linked-in' page:

"I currently work as the Coordinator of Internships for Humanities Majors at Northern Illinois University. In this role, I serve as the primary point of contact for Internships for Humanities Majors (Communication, History, English, Philosophy, and Foreign Languages & Literatures). I work with students to find internships that will be well-matched to their skills/interests. I help students develop their resumes and assist them in preparation for the interview process. I also work with students during their internships to ensure that the experience is meeting the expectations of a successful internship, and ensure that they are able to apply their classroom knowledge to the work being done in their internship. Additionally, I work with companies to seek out additional internship opportunities for Humanities majors and assist companies in developing their internship programs to ensure they are as beneficial as possible for both the students and the companies." (http://www.linkedin.com/in/cdoederlein)

Additional sources:

Visit Victor eRecruiting (www.niu.edu/careerservices/erecruiting/student.shtml). Post your resume and search the database for internship opportunities.

Attend the Internship Fairs (www.niu.edu/CareerServices). Look for dates and company information.

Read your NIU email. History majors receive occasional emails about current internships opportunities.

Network. Pursue contacts received through family and friends for their ideas and contacts which may lead you to an internship opportunity.

 Teri A. Schmidgall - NIU Career Councelor

Teri Schmidgall is a career councelor at NIU who specializes in assisting students with majors in foreign language, history, sociology, family and child studies, pre-PT and PT. If you ever need her assistance, here is her contact information:

• schmidgall@niu.edu
• (815) 753-1641
• NIU Career Services Campus Life Building, 220
• careerservices@niu.edu
• NIU.edu/careerservices
• Facebook.com/NIUCareerServices

Some advice from Teri and the Career Center:

• Invest time in exploration/clarification of career goals.
  Utilize resources on campus.
  Ingratiate yourself with your faculty.
  Take advantage of additional research opportunities.
  Get involved.
  Plan early for graduate school.
  Don’t wait! Senior year is too late to figure these things out.

Resources/Helpful Links:

• Huskies Get Hired: http://niu.experience.com/experience/login
• Career Fairs: http://www.niu.edu/careerservices/jobfairs/index.shtml
• Major Web Links (list of careers per major): http://www.niu.edu/careerservices/weblinks/index.shtml

What Career Services can offer:

About Résumé Reviews

Students who are living on-campus stop in CLB 235 for a walk-up résumé critique or a career counseling appointment to have your résumé reviewed.

• Fall and Spring Semesters
  Monday - Friday
  8:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
• Summer Semester
  Monday - Thursday
  8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Greg Bereiter - History Graduate Student

Greg is a graduate and Ph.D. Candidate (in the Department of History) here at NIU. He came in to give us a student's perspective on graduate school. He prepared for us some advice:

Lauren Mock - Study Abroad Outreach and Programming Coordinator  

 Lauren Mock is the Outreach and Programming Coordinator for the NIU Study Abroad Office. Lauren comes in to talk to us about the benefits of studying and interning abroad. Not only is it a fun experience, but it also looks good on resumes. Employers are more likely to choose candidates that have experience abroad. She also explains how affordable and easy it is, contrary to what most may think. Conveniently she provided us with a list of Study Abroad programs available through NIU that have  courses and internship opportunities for history majors. Click on the .pdf files below to see the list:

The Study Abroad office is a walk-in office, so you can come in anytime during their office hours with questions.  The staff is very friendly and helpful, and will assist you with any concerns about programs, financial resources, health and safety abroad, and much more. They are located at Williston Hall on the fourth floor, in room 417. Their office hours are the typical on-campus office hours: 8am-12pm, 1pm-4pm, Monday-Friday. You can also call them with your questions: (815) 753-0700 or e-mail them at: niuabroad@niu.edu .