Students take advantage of Career Development Center programs to prepare for jobs
Kathleen Hunt
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: News
At a time when the Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting an unemployment rate of 8.1 percent, students seem to have recognized the increased value of mock interviews, phone interviews and career planning sessions - because student participation at the Career Development Center has increased.
But CDC staffers said they still cannot emphasize enough the importance of gaining an edge on the competition through conscious preparation for the work world - and the sooner, the better.
Freshman year, even, is not too soon to start planning for the future, they said, because, while many freshmen enter college with plans to attend graduate or professional school, their plans often change.
CDC services can help students to determine whether graduate school is necessary for their career choice or what steps need to be taken to create an attractive graduate school application.
And the earlier students seek help, the more likely they will be able to network with the employers and human resource professionals available through the Career Center.
"Students will need to be very flexible in their job search, be willing to move or relocate and be willing to take an entry-level position to jump-start their career," said Barbara Batson, director of the CDC. "They will need to devote longer time to the job search."
Students might also need to temper their expectations.
While CDC staff members will do everything they can to help students score their dream jobs, Batson said, nothing is guaranteed when employment is down.
And it definitely is. Payroll employment dropped 2.6 million in the past 4 months, according to the BLS.
"In this economy, we have to be sensible and perhaps postpone the dream job for a bit," Batson said.
Once backed by sound career advice and realistic expectations, students can further enhance their appeal by polishing their interview skills.
And, in fact, mock interviews are one of the most popular features of the CDC.
"In a mock interview, you can make mistakes and learn on the spot," Batson said. "Interviewing is a skill just like anything else. Practice improves performance."
Many employers now choose to do interviews by phone to save travel costs, according to the CDC Web site, so the center offers mock phone interviews, in addition to more traditional interview practice.
The CDC also sponsors the Professional Development Institute, a program that consists of workshops, conferences and innovative experiences to help students explore their career options and learn job search strategies, according to the CDC Web site.
The Career Center is located in the Nola Holt Royster Suite of the sixth floor of the Arkansas Union. Satellite centers in the College of Engineering and the Sam M. Walton College of Business are also available for students' convenience. More information can be found at career.uark.edu.
But CDC staffers said they still cannot emphasize enough the importance of gaining an edge on the competition through conscious preparation for the work world - and the sooner, the better.
Freshman year, even, is not too soon to start planning for the future, they said, because, while many freshmen enter college with plans to attend graduate or professional school, their plans often change.
CDC services can help students to determine whether graduate school is necessary for their career choice or what steps need to be taken to create an attractive graduate school application.
And the earlier students seek help, the more likely they will be able to network with the employers and human resource professionals available through the Career Center.
"Students will need to be very flexible in their job search, be willing to move or relocate and be willing to take an entry-level position to jump-start their career," said Barbara Batson, director of the CDC. "They will need to devote longer time to the job search."
Students might also need to temper their expectations.
While CDC staff members will do everything they can to help students score their dream jobs, Batson said, nothing is guaranteed when employment is down.
And it definitely is. Payroll employment dropped 2.6 million in the past 4 months, according to the BLS.
"In this economy, we have to be sensible and perhaps postpone the dream job for a bit," Batson said.
Once backed by sound career advice and realistic expectations, students can further enhance their appeal by polishing their interview skills.
And, in fact, mock interviews are one of the most popular features of the CDC.
"In a mock interview, you can make mistakes and learn on the spot," Batson said. "Interviewing is a skill just like anything else. Practice improves performance."
Many employers now choose to do interviews by phone to save travel costs, according to the CDC Web site, so the center offers mock phone interviews, in addition to more traditional interview practice.
The CDC also sponsors the Professional Development Institute, a program that consists of workshops, conferences and innovative experiences to help students explore their career options and learn job search strategies, according to the CDC Web site.
The Career Center is located in the Nola Holt Royster Suite of the sixth floor of the Arkansas Union. Satellite centers in the College of Engineering and the Sam M. Walton College of Business are also available for students' convenience. More information can be found at career.uark.edu.
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