|
 |
|
More
Bang for your Tuition Bucks
by Michelle Watson |
Identifying effective service
professionals, like doctors or mechanics, is sometimes a difficult and time-consuming
task. References, a successful service history, and a range of services are factors for
choosing a professional who will give you the most bang for your buck.
However, as a college student, you only have two choices when it comes to your college's
career center: take it or leave it. Before you ditch it and strike out on a solo job
search, check out these services that all centers should offer.
Career Counseling
- Choosing a Counselor--All career centers, no matter how small, should offer individual
career counseling. Choose a counselor as you would a doctor--for their "bedside
manner" and philosophy of helping others. You should feel comfortable talking to this
individual. Counselors shouldn't choose a career for you, or steer you in a direction you
don't want to go. Don't be afraid to ask to see another professional; counselors differ in
approach and counseling methods. (Ask friends for recommendations on the best counselors.)
Confidentiality is an important issue as well; centers that practice confidentiality won't
tell anyone what you've discussed--not even your parents.
- Counseling Issues--Expect counselors to be able to assist with a range of issues, from
uncovering your career interests, to choosing a major or career, to developing job search
skills. Ask if personality or career interest assessments are available to help your
decision-making process. Other topics counselors cover might include: how to research a
company, networking skills, portfolio development, how to use alumni contacts, and
negotiating a job offer. All career centers should offer guidance for resume writing and
interviewing skills (usually in the form of role-played mock interviews).
Resources
- Books and Web Sites--Thousands of guides and directories on every career-related topic
are written each year--finding the best one for your purposes can pose a challenge. Your
career center should be able to refer you to a vast array of books both within and outside
their library. The same goes for Web sites that seem to multiply overnight. Find out the
counselor's favorite Web sites and why.
- Alumni Contacts--Lehigh University maintains a database of 800 alumni volunteers willing
to provide information and advice to students. Students fill out a request sheet and
indicate four job titles, cities, and industries, and in return receive a list of alumni
matching those criteria. If your center does not provide alumni contacts, check with the
alumni office. (Hint: Tell them you want to contact alumni to learn more about various
occupations. Mention "job search" and some alumni offices won't provide any
information.)
Job Search Tools
- Workshops--What kinds of workshops offered and how often are they offered? Many of the
issues mentioned above are topics discussed at workshops, where you can learn the basics
in a group setting before signing up for a one-on-one appointment. Other workshops to look
for: Internet job searching, career fair strategies, career panels, semester-long or mini
career courses, and career-specific seminars.
- Job Listings and Recruitment--All career centers should maintain job listings of some
sort, even if it's simply a binder of positions with local companies. Keep in mind not all
centers have resources to actively seek out hundreds of employment opportunities,
especially in very small offices. That's when the other resources mentioned above become
extremely important. In mid- to large-size universities and colleges expect to find an
on-campus recruiting program. Learn how the recruiting system works through all its stages
of application, selection, and interviewing. Don't believe the myth that only Business or
Engineering students are interviewed by employers. Request a list of companies that
recruit Arts & Sciences graduates or all majors.
Reprinted with permission of CareerBuilder.com.
CareerBuilder, Inc. has emerged as the leading provider of E-cruiting (electronic
recruiting) services with the CareerBuilder Network, its pioneering model to provide
employers with a choice of the best career sites on the Web from a single vendor. The
CareerBuilder Network is made up of over 25 leading professional, broad appeal, diversity,
and industry career centers.
WomensFinance Links:
------------------------
Find a Job
Back to Work
The Workplace
Working Mom |
