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Dayton Engineer

Flyer Resources are Forever

By Adrienne Zandvoort '19

“Forever a Flyer” is not just a slogan for Career Services Assistant Director Lisa Witt. The career adviser and liaison to the School of Engineering enthusiastically assists students who are beginning their careers as well as alumni who are in various stages of employment after graduation.

Renee Brotzki, a 2014 School of Engineering graduate, now works as a manufacturing engineer at Crown Equipment Corporation. Brotzki was nominated as a 30 Under 30 Honoree by the Society of Manufacturing Engineering (SME).

“After learning I would be nominated for SME's 30 Under 30, I was asked to submit my résumé.  I had not updated my résumé since my initial job search several years ago, so I had a lot of new content, and my draft was really rough,” Brotzki said.

With the help of Witt, Brotzki felt confident in her nomination.

“She helped me realize that my draft résumé resembled more of a task list from a job posting rather than highlights of my unique efforts and accomplishments. Her timely and professional feedback helped me craft a much more impactful résumé to submit to SME,” Brotzki added.

Witt notes that Career Services helps alumni of all ages. Whether you are a recent graduate who is unhappy in your first job or a seasoned veteran who has been unexpectedly let go from the company, Career Services is able to help. Witt also assists alums who are relocating and need to find jobs in their new homes and is available for one-on-one consultations in person or by phone. She advises undergraduate, graduate and doctorate students in addition to assisting alumni.

Before graduation, there is special programming for undergraduate student groups such as the Minority Engineering Program, Society of Women Engineers and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers. They learn various topics such as dining etiquette, networking, personal branding, professional attire and résumés. Students are offered internship and job search strategies in addition to the “soft skills” needed in business. 

Career Services also assists international students, particularly during grad school. The University’s UDayton Global partnership, which launched in August, offers international students professional and career development classes in addition to academic programming.

Career Services has an interactive website including videos, templates and samples of interviews. They host workshops and PATH point modules all about what employers are looking for. Résumé and cover letter preparation and salary negotiation skills are other areas Career Services can help with.

Faculty, staff and their families also can take advantage of Career Services’ expertise. They are frequently assisted with their résumé or CV updates and how to create, update and use their LinkedIn profiles. Faculty and staff provide a vital link between current students, alumni and employers, so it is helpful for them to understand how to best use LinkedIn for the role.

So what is the most rewarding part of Witt’s job?

Hearing the words “Lisa, I got a job.”

She adds, “You should never feel frustrated in your job search. If you do, come see me.”

Renee Brotzki would second that recommendation.  In July, the 27-year-old rising star was named a 2018 30 Under 30 Award winner by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

“I would recommend others to use career services often and remind them that these are unique resources that not every university offers. Many of my coworkers were impressed to learn about all the services available to me even years after I graduated,” said Brotzki.

So the next time you are pondering a career move, reach out to Lisa Witt with the University of Dayton Career Services. Once a flyer, always a flyer!

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