How to Avoid Job Scams

The Career Center at the University of South Carolina reviews every job posting for legitimacy, but on occasion, something made to be deceptive can be difficult to detect until we hear from a student who has had a bad experience. It is important for you to know how to distinguish legitimate job postings from scam attempts, and what to do if you become a victim. If your instincts tell you it’s suspicious, it probably is. A job may be a scam if:
  • You are asked to provide credit card, bank account, or personal financial information.
  • You are asked to transfer money and retain a portion as payment for your work.
  • The contact appears to be from a reputable company, but the domain in their email address does not match the domain used by the company (such as the contact using @gmail, @yahoo, @hotmail, etc.) • You are contacted indicating “we got your resume from your school career center” and the email does not mention USC or JobMate specifically. The email does not contain a specific job title or JobMate ID to refer back to identify the position, or they are requesting your contact information again through email, after you have submitted your resume through the system.
  • The position requires an initial investment, such as having to purchase equipment in order to earn a wage, or having to pay for necessary training.
  • The company website is not active, does not exist, or re-links you to an unrelated site.
  • A high salary is listed for a job that requires minimal skill or experience.
  • It is difficult to find an address, actual contact information, the company name, etc.
  • The employer contacts you by phone, but there is no way to call them back. The number is not available or disconnected.
  • You are “hired” by someone you never actually meet with face-to-face.
  • You receive an unexpectedly large check in the mail. DO NOT attempt to cash it or deposit it into your account. Contact your local police department immediately.
Many job applications will ask you to provide your Social Security number and date of birth, but this information should not be solicited over the phone or by email. This information is typically a part of a formal job application that candidates complete in writing, often on the day of their first in-person interview. You can check the legitimacy of a company by using the following resources: Better Business Bureau: www.bbb.org Chamber of Commerce: www.uschamber.com Hoovers: www.hoovers.com Ripoff Report: www.ripoffreport.com If you feel you are involved in a scam:
  • Immediately contact the local police.
  • Contact the Career Center so the job posting can be removed and other students can be notified.
  • Get in touch with your bank or credit card company and dispute any fraudulent activity immediately. • If the scam happened online, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission’s Cybercrime Division (www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime). Additional Resource:
Federal Trade Commission’s Job Scam page: www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0243-job-scams Original handout from Career Center at http://www.sc.edu/career/Pdf/avoiding_job_scams.pdf

Front End Web Developer at the Computer Science Department

The Computer Science Department seeks to fill the position of front end web developer to work 10 hrs per week. The rate of pay will be commensurate with experience and ability. The proficiency in HTML, CSS, Javascript, jQuery and Bootstrap is desired. Interested candidates should email a brief statement of interest and cv/portfolio to José M. Vidal (jmvidal@gmail.com). Requirements:
  • Proficient with HTML5 (HTML/CSS/JavaScript/jQuery/Bootstrap) programming on client-side
  • Experience with web-application development and database development
  • Experience with Python and Google App Engine is a plus, but not required

Seeking two developers: A Web-Application Developer and a Research Assistant on Twitter Analytics with Spark

ZillionInfo provides location intelligence solutions to help clients deal with large datasets, dig into data insights, and make better location allocation decisions. ZillionInfo is located downtown at 1225 Laurel St, Columbia SC 29201 The Web-Application Developer will join the team to develop cloud-based data analytics tool. The Research Assistant on twitter analytics will work with Spark and develop a tool to download, stream, manage, query, and visualize geo-tagged Tweets. We look for both graduate students and under-graduate students. The under-graduate student will be sponsored by NSF REU as our project is sponsored by NSF. Company: ZillionInfo Website: www.zillioninfo.com ZillionInfo provides location intelligence solutions to help clients deal with large datasets, dig into data insights, and make better location allocation decisions. ZillionInfo is located downtown at 1225 Laurel St, Columbia SC 29201 Part-time (15-20+ hours a week) or Full time Start immediately or in Summer For International student, this position can be paid as University RA through our sub-contract with USC Position 1: Web-Application Developer (Java, HTML5, Database) Duties: Join the team to develop Cloud-based Data Analytics Tool To experience some tools that we host, please sign up at http://services.zillioninfo.com/ with invitation code "zilliontrial". Skills requirement: Proficient with HTML5 (JavaScript, CSS, HTML) Development using JQuery, AngularJS, or other framework Experience with Java and Database Development Position 2: Research Assistant on Twitter Analytics and Spark Duties: Develop a tool to download, stream, manage, query, and visualize geo-tagged Tweets Skills requirement: Experience with Spark and BigData Analytics Technologies Experience with HTML5, Java and Database Development Thanks, Ella Li ella.li@zillioninfo.com 1225 Laurel Street Suite 420 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 386-8709 www.zillioninfo.com

NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates Opportunity: Modeling Salinity-Driven Biogeochemical Fluxes in Shallow Coastal Lagoons

This project examines the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function to better understand ecosystem stability or resiliency during environmental change. Given that microorganisms are the foundation of ecosystem processes, we have been focused on understanding the environmental cues that drive temporal variation of the microbial community (abundance and activity) and the effect on ecosystem resiliency following environmental disturbance. We have been testing our hypotheses in a small lagoon on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. REU opportunity: Open February 4, 2016 This REU will provide undergraduate students the opportunity to explore potential greenhouse gas feedback loops occurring in this ecosystem and provide data that will be fundamentally synergistic to the overall project. Thus, I am looking for one student that is interested in gaining experience in biological lab work (e.g., nucleic acid extraction, DNA sequencing, quantitative PCR, etc…) and one student that is interested in using computational approaches (e.g., network analysis, ecosystem modeling, etc…) to work at the interface of biology and computer science using biological data to construct predictive ecosystem models. Both undergraduate students would work closely with two graduate students at first (experts in each of the topics mentioned above) and then move toward independent projects. Also, students would be provided the opportunity to gain experience with field data collection at our field site on San Salvador Island.Interested students wanting to apply or learn more about the project should contact Dr. Sean Norman (rsnorman@sc.edu). Students should indicate which project area they are interested in (biological or computational) and email a resume outlining any lab/course experience related to the project and the overall motivation to applying for the position. Dr Sean Norman Associate Professor Director, Molecular Microbial Ecology Laboratory University of South Carolina Department of Environmental Health Sciences 921 Assembly Street Room 401 Columbia, SC 29208

Seeking Web Designer/Developer

The Mobile Attic is seeking an experienced, innovative web designer/ developer to finish a website that will further our online marketing efforts. This position requires an individual with recent, extensive WordPress experience - culminating in a portfolio that can be shown and explained. The candidate must have intermediary skill in design/development coding languages: HTML, CSS, PHP and JavaScript to adequately understand and work with custom coding. This is a paid opportunity with flexible hours. Interested candidates should email a brief statement of interest and cv/portfolio to jeff@mobileattic.net DUTIES Organizes prior website design; previewing and editing current design. Develops a detailed sitemap and navigation; establishing a layout that funnels traffic for optimized conversion rate. Creates a website with updated appearance; utilizing the HeadWay Theme in WordPress to maintain current functions. Continues to maintain site’s content and graphics; refining site’s appearance and message to meet potential customers’ needs. Introduces new technology and options to the site; tracking data, evaluating patterns and suggesting improvements to the website in accordance with the needs of the company and customers. Provides and maintains website security; identifying threats and installing site security measures. Exercises consistent communication with colleagues and supervisors; challenging ideas and developing an accurate marketing message. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED: EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE A degree or formal training in web design/development preferred. Portfolio demonstrating recent experience with designing/developing websites in WordPress; experience with HeadWay WordPress Theme preferred. Intermediary knowledge and experience in programming languages: HTML, CSS, PHP and JavaScript; database experience preferred. Skilled in using Photoshop - or equivalent applications - for graphic design. Excellent command of the English language; proper use of grammar and ability to speak clearly and concisely; bilingual skills helpful. Ability and willingness to learn business rules and procedures in relation to technological needs. Ability to develop and enact marketing messages and campaigns; marketing experience preferred. Ability to quickly learn and use Mobile Attic’s proprietary software and other internal systems. Ability to troubleshoot technological issues and devise a solution. Team/Interpersonal Skills Position Location: Mobile Attic, 600 East Killian Rd, Columbia, SC 29229

Headhunter: Various Positions Available

My name is Cody Bunnell and I am a Microsoft Technologies recruiter in Charlotte, NC. Mr. Manton Matthews passed along your contact information and said you may be a good resource to partner and network with about the ongoing opportunities we have here in Charlotte. At this time, I’m working with a company looking for a resource with a BS in Computer Science and 1 or 2 internships under their belt. They need to have experience with a programming language. This team is willing to teach almost everything in their environment but candidates must have exposure to development syntaxes. The manager is looking for someone that is truly passionate about technology and will go above and beyond to get up to speed. This is an AWESOME opportunity for someone interested in development, business intelligence, and getting their foot in the door in a highly sought out company in Charlotte! I appreciate you taking the time to help me with my search, and hopefully together we can identify a few candidates from your program and change someone’s career for the better! Does anyone come to mind that would be a good fit for this opportunity? I would love to setup a conversation with them! Please let me know! Below you will find the opportunity. Thank you, again, for you time! I appreciate it! Carolinas Healthcare System – Jr. SQL/.NET Developer 6 month contract to hire Golf Acres Dr. location in Charlotte, NC $25-$30hr, $55-$60k Top Three Skills: - Development experience- candidates must have development experience with a programming language- it can be from courses in school, internships or projects - Go getter attitude- Someone that just received a Computer Science degree and wants an opportunity to learn will be the best fit. - Willing to learn both onsite and on their own. This resource will be learning a lot of new technology and will need to be okay picking things up on their own time as well. Job Description: This opening is related to a specific project that's starting now. It's tied to cost accounting for physicians. Hospital billing and physician billing are in two different systems and are separate. They have cost accounting for hospitals and this initiative is to add to physicians in as well. This person is going to have to get the data into the McKesson HPM system and that's a big project. Also, this resource will be helping with getting the data into SQL server and building some .NET web apps here and there. This person will be trained on McKesson HPM. Additional Information: CHS is looking for someone at the associate level, but intermediate level might be considered. We are looking for a smart, energetic, self-motivated person who may not have much professional experience outside of school. A Computer Science degree from a recognizable university is highly preferred. Primary focus areas will be SSIS, SSRS, SSAS, and Excel. An understanding of healthcare data would be a plus, but is not required. This position will also work with the McKesson Performance Manager application, but no experience with this is required. We will train on this application. Work Environment: Right now this team is comprised of 3 developers. Tech stack is all MS BI stack- SSIS for integration, SSAS cubes, SSRS for reporting. Some .NET Web applications and doing more. They're using a McKesson system called performance manager and it's a data warehouse decision support system that supports revenue cycle functions for CHS. This team also supports the data integration for that system. A lot of data management, data dev, overall development role. Business Challenge: This opening is supporting a new project for MHR and is going to be directly impacting their revenue cycle/billing cycle to physicians. They need additional support otherwise this will not be completed on time and could cost CHS millions. EVP: - This team is very close. It's small and very laid back. Manager is an excellent leader and is flexible about working from home. Non-Technical Skills: - This resource MUST be a self starter/self motivated sharp candidate. - Ideally this resource will have a Computer Science degree from a 4 year university Cody Bunnell | Microsoft Technologies Recruiter T 704.357.4489 | M 904.945.4478 | cbunnell@teksystems.com 800.380.5473 | F 704.357.4492 200 S. College St., Suite #1900, Charlotte, NC 28202

Custom Software Development

We are a locally owned and operated pest control company. We have been in business over 50 years. We are looking to have a software program created for our inspectors. We need to be able to incorporate an inspection report, pictures, work proposals, promotional material and details into one form. We currently use a combination of word and pdf documents that we combine together. It is time consuming for our inspectors to do this. We would like a faster, more user friendly format. Currently our inspectors use a laptop to write and combine these forms. We would like to move towards a Surface to give them the functionality of both a laptop and tablet in the field. A program that would work on this type of device is our ultimate goal. Will this description be enough? I am not sure how detailed it needs to be to generate some interest from the students. I can give more if needed. I look forward to your feedback. Thank you again for all your help. Glynnis Smith Office Manager gsmith@homepest.com First - Home Pest Logo Second - 14 BOC LOGO no S - Copy Third - 12-2-13 Cola Metro BOC HOF LOGO - Copy P.O. Box 2269 West Columbia, SC 29171 Columbia Area: Office 803 -794-8078 Fax 803 -794-1956 www.homepest.com

Startup Grind Featuring Trey Gordner of Koios - January 26, 2016

Join us for a conversation about what it takes to be an entrepreneur with Trey Gordner, USC graduate and founder of Koios. Click the button below for more information and to register. Register Now When: January 26, 2016 Time: 5:30PM - 8PM Where: USC/Columbia Technology Incubator, 2nd Floor Colab (1225 Laurel Street) Cost: FREE Food: We will feed you!

Web Development and Linux Administration

Research Cyberinfrastructure Group 10-15 hours/week The Research Cyberinfrastructure group (http://www.sc.edu/rci) has an opening for an undergraduate student to assist in web development and Linux administration. Some programming experience (javascript, python, bash) is desirable but not required. This is a great opportunity for an undergraduate student to gain hands-on experience supporting various projects in a research computing environment. For consideration, send your resume to rci@sc.edu with a subject line “RCI IT position”.

Game Simulation Software Development

10 hours/week Under the guidance of the School of Business management department faculty and the USC Research Cyberinfrastructure group, this position will develop, test, maintain, deploy, and analyze the results of a team computer simulation built from the open source game Empty Epsilon. Empty Epsilon is a networked computer-based “Star Trek” style bridge simulator. This position will take the existing open source game Empty Epsilon and develop the additional code to track the performance of each player; the developed solution will need to be fully tested. In support of laboratory simulations this position will deploy and maintain the software to ensure it is ready for each session and the results are being measured and gathered correctly. After the completion of the lab experiments, this position will gather and summarize the simulation results. This position may be asked to proctor the lab during computer simulations. This position is open to graduate and undergraduate students. Submit resume to the Research Cyberinfrastructure Group http://www.sc.edu/rci Email: rci@sc.edu with Subject line “Game Simulation Development”

Tutor for CSCE 101, 102

My name is Melissa Ethridge and I am the Tutor Coordinator at the Dodie Academic Enrichment Center here at USC. Last year, you were able to help me by posting our tutor position on your job board. Once again, I am trying to recruit tutors to work with our student athletes and at this time we have a high need for Computer Science. Specifically, CSCE 101, 102.

Student Entrepreneur Summer Program

Happy New Years, my name is Andrew Gaeckle, Senior Manager Strategic Programs and Operations at the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) a 501(c)3 based in Washington, DC and the largest Women’s Business Development organization in the country. I’m reaching out about our signature Student Entrepreneur Program (SEP) now in its 8th year providing collegiate women tailored entrepreneur curriculum, a pitch competition, and mentoring from the most successful Women Owned Businesses and America’s largest Fortune 500 companies. We have had nearly 150 students from 40 colleges and universities complete our program and we are interested in identifying exceptional candidates from University of South Carolina for our 2016 WBENC SEP cohort. WBENC SEP is FREE for students accepted and will be held June 19th – 24th in Orlando, FL. Application.

Help Needed with Web Application

Help needed with web application: Capstone Connect. New features requested:
  1. Once a student has done and evaluation for another student , that student should be removed from the to do list (as conformation it was done)
  2. See average grade for each student for each grade period
  3. Reset password needs to be fixed, it doesn’t work
  4. Open and close time for each evaluation. This would allow me to set up the evaluations for the entire semester.
  5. The program needs to give the average to the second decimal place and especially all the way to 10. It stops at 9. This is really irritating.
  6. The program needs to be able to copy questions from one evaluation to another or copy an entire evaluation. I have to either retype or copy the same questions one by one each time I open a new evaluation period. (the questions are the same).
I may have a couple more that would add to the work Dr. Dale McCants MCCANTS@cec.sc.edu