Gespräch mit Mr. Hartzler (Conversation with Mr. Hartzler)

Alex Hartzler speaking with student

It was a pleasure to have Alex Hartzler visit our campus and talk to Honors students on October 25^th. I had heard a great deal about “the Alex Hartzler” before meeting him; he is the man who generously supports our honors program at Penn State Harrisburg, which we are all grateful for. I honestly expected him to be boring and lacking in sense of humor. Oh boy was I proved wrong. Mr. Hartzler is actually an amazing, witty, and altruistic man, who wants nothing but for our generation to get international experience like he did when he was a student.

Mr. Hartzler is the donor of the Hartzler Travel Award for the Honors Program. He visited our campus to share his travel experiences and how they have shaped him as a person. The conversation also provided me with the opportunity to learn about how he became involved in the Capital College Honors Program.

A 1990 Penn State Harrisburg graduate himself, Mr. Hartzler has strived for success since graduating. He was an Executive Vice President and partner of Webclients.net, and started the Harrisburg Young Professionals group in our capital city.  He is currently a partner at WCI Partners, LP, concentrating on "acquiring, rehabilitating, restoring and re-selling historic homes" in Harrisburg and other urban areas.

He used his travel experiences to help him build his magnificent career.  During the session, he shared his fond memories of Germany and how making connections internationally helped him in later life.  His traveling also helped him with his communication skills in different languages.

Being from a different country, I was curious to know if that held any advantages compared to those who were born in America.  He told me that students who were born in a different country can sometimes have more opportunities than others.  They already have a basic knowledge of a different culture, and they can use that to their advantage.  

Mr. Hartzler was adamant that students should take the opportunity to travel, whether in school or when they graduate. Having traveled to many countries himself, he expressed that he learned something new and different from each country he visited. I couldn’t agree more, because even though I was also brought up in India and the US, I think there is much more for me to discover in the world.

With his travel award, Mr. Hartzler has afforded honors students an opportunity that other students do not have.  His generous donation gives us the financial support that we need to travel.  But he did more than just give us money; he also took the time out of his day to come and share his inspiring story with us.  It was a worthwhile conversation for curious students in the Honors Program!

Written by Jyothi Kakuturu

A Schreyer Afternoon at Penn State Harrisburg

Dr. Christian Brady

Over thirty Penn State Harrisburg honors students attended a wonderful afternoon gathering with Dr. Christian Brady, the Dean of Schreyer Honors College on September thirteenth.  Now that honors students at Penn State Harrisburg have the option of graduating from the Capital College Honors Program or the Schreyer Honors College, Dean Brady came to answer any questions the students had.  When answering one of his questions, Dean Brady emphasized that the general education requirement at Penn State provoked students to think critically and globally, and that was why employers tended to hire Penn State Graduates.  He also spoke about his successes while answering questions, informing the students of how he reached to where he is today.  To wrap up the session, one of the final points he made was that he opened himself to opportunities, and he encouraged students to do the same.

Written by Rosemary Yee

Sophomore, American Studies Major at Penn State Harrisburg

Photo Credits:  Marques Paige

Resumes, Cover Letters, and More!

Some tips from Career Services!

Why is a Resume important?
It is, in most cases, your first contact with a prospective employer. Unless you are handing the resume in person to an employer, it is the only means that employer has to assess your fitness for a position. Without that personal contact, such as at a job fair, the resume is your "first impression" and perhaps your only chance to impress.

Therefore, your resume needs to be concise and easy-to-read with a format that allows employers to pick up on your Accomplishments, Background and Capabilities (ABCs) and want to interview you for their positions. The Career Services website at www.hbg.psu.edu/careers has instructions and numerous student resume samples under the link of  "Employment documents".  Check these out to see how your fellow students have showcased their abilities and get ideas for your own.

Is a Cover Letter important?
In a word, YES. Unless you are meeting an employer face to face at a job fair, where you have a chance to further introduce and explain your goals, etc., you should always send a cover letter with your resume.  The cover letter should be in a professional, business letter format, clearly explaining why you are writing, what makes you an excellent candidate for their position, and how they can contact you or that you will followup.  Again, see our web pages for examples of the cover letter.

What about a Thank you letter? 
ABSOLUTELY. A brief  thank you letter should be sent to any employer who interviews you, or whom you meet at a fair. This extra step, showing an awareness of business etiquette  (and just general good manners) can go a long way to helping you make a good impression on anyone who has helped you in your job search.

For more information please visit the Career Services blog at the link here.