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SoE students gain skills to launch careers in elective class 

Tom Matlock, who has years of experience as a corporate college recruitment director with companies such as Johnson & Johnson and L’Oréal. This extensive background gives him a deep understanding of what companies are looking for when recruiting college talent. 

But on Monday nights, Matlock puts on his Rutgers Engineering hat and heads off to what he calls his “passion job” – teaching a one-credit “Skills to Succeed” elective course. “This is a 13-week boot camp,” he says about the two sections he teaches each Monday. 

Job applicants, according to Matlock, need to expect the unexpected. That’s why he surprises his students by asking unexpected interview questions such as, “how many basketballs can you fit in a classroom.”   

Matlock says, “It’s all about holding your composure and not getting flustered – and being prepared to share your logical thought process when responding to unexpected questions such as this.” 

A Marketing Point of View 

“I started teaching this course in the fall of 2013 – and I’m loving it,” Matlock enthuses. “Over the past eight years, I’ve taught about 300 students. All their other courses are about content, but I tell them that this course is 100% about them.”  

He wants his students to understand the importance of communication skills. While there is a deep demand for STEM – and particularly engineering – talent today, many of the most brilliant students simply aren’t marketers.  

“I teach the course from a marketing point of view,” he explains. “The students are the product, if you will, because they offer diverse talent and value to companies. They need to get into the mindset of telling their stories and selling themselves – through their resumes, cover letters, and answers to interview questions.” 

More than a Teacher 

While the initial plan was to enroll a large number of students in the class, Matlock, together with the School of Engineering’s Office of Student Development, decided that a small, intimate, and interactive format that lets him get to know his students was a better option.  

“They get the bonus of a built-in career coach with this course,” he says. “I have been on the other side of the fence as a recruiter. And I’m available for one-on-one time or zooms for students who want to go over things in preparation for specific events like a career fair or interviews.”  

Over the years, Matlock, drawing on his expansive network of contacts, has helped to connect his students with opportunities and even introduce them to alumni employees at leading companies such as GM, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and L3Harris. 

Keeping in Touch 

One of the hallmarks of a top recruiter is a commitment to keeping in touch with past recruits. Matlock has invited School of Engineering alumnus Josh Kirschbaum, ENG ’02, to speak to his class – and to other students who are interested – on March 7. 

Kirschbaum, the CEO of WWP, a global cosmetics manufacturing company that services more than 600 beauty brands, describes Matlock as an early career mentor who helped launch his successful career. “Lessons learned at L’Oréal with Tom’s mentorship have helped me throughout my career,” he says. 

“Tom met me while I was a sophomore, and interviewed and hired me for an internship position at L’Oréal,” he says. “During the internship, Tom continued to keep in contact and give me advice. The internship ultimately led to a co-op and full-time job after graduation.” 

For Kirschbaum, there is no question that “Tom has a keen eye for talent and can help guide students to bring out the best in themselves.” 

When he meets with Matlock’s students in March, Kirschbaum will do his part to help bring the best out of SoE students. “I hope they can learn from me how to navigate their careers and create a career path that is both meaningful as well as fulfilling,” he says. 

An Interesting Journey 

While Skills to Succeed is guaranteed a long shelf-life by providing students with the skills they need to land internships, co-ops, first, and even second and third jobs, for Matlock it is an interesting, two-way personal journey. 

“My students don’t know how much they help me,” he explains. “I learn so much from them by watching them grow over the 13-week course.”