Neil Anderson ’07 (PhD), at left, shares career advice with Jason Tiemer ’19, an optics major, at a Starbucks across from College Town. Anderson, director of strategic marketing at IDEX Scientific Fluidics and Optics, volunteers as a “real reader” for the class entitled Communicating Your Professional Identity, which is now required of students at the University of Rochester’s Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. Anderson’s feedback on the resumes and other material Tiemer prepares for his portfolio—and on Tiemer’s communication skills—are an important part of the class. (University of Rochester photo / Bob Marcotte)
Aaron Swerdlow-Freed ’15 says the insights he received as a student from a “real reader” have been critical to his career.
Lisa Bobich ’04 and Philip Breitfeld ’79M (MD), ’82M (Res) wish they could have benefited from a similar experience.
All three are now real readers themselves, part of a unique approach by the University of Rochester to give its students an edge in applying for internships and jobs.
Real readers are University alumni, parents, and friends who volunteer their time to give students “real world” feedback on the resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and other materials they prepare for their portfolios as part of a 2-credit course called Communicating Your Professional Identity.
The course is required of all engineering undergraduates, and comparable courses are optional for students in other majors.
