Career Services helps those who seek to find jobs

By Jim Feighan
Senior Staff Writer
February 7, 2007

With only three months until it’s time for me – and the rest of the class of 2007 – to leave La Salle, it pains me to admit that after seven semesters of avoiding the inevitable (finding a job after graduation), I’ve only recently come across a gold mine on campus that has been discovered by the far and few: Career Services.

We’ve all received those notices and brochures in our mail and at our dorms, encouraging students to attend job orientations, internship fairs and career expos. But many students, like me, tend to overlook these opportunities because we are too lethargic or indifferent to get off our couches and lessen the load of a difficult and intimidating road ahead.

I was fortunate enough to land an internship working in Career Services (located on the fourth floor of the Administration Building), and, while I feel a bit sheepish admitting it, this was my first time in this department. I was stunned to learn about the many steps that Career Services takes to help determine and develop a student’s future.

Aware that there are several components that attribute to landing the job of one’s choice, Career Services provides many useful guides and practices to their student body. One of the most accommodating services that it offers is walk-in hours. No appointment is needed. Anyone can just come in and sit down with an adviser five days a week, from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. to get résumés reviewed. In their meeting, advisers will offer decisive career-planning tests and even mock interviews for students. This helps prepare students for similar, real world confrontations.

Career Services’ most recognized event is the annual Career Expo, in which many respected companies and corporations send recruiters to advertise and also discuss future job possibilities with students. While many students think that only those with business majors can prosper, many of these companies there are interested in all majors, and the results can vary depending on the impressiveness of one’s résumé. Having missed my last opportunity to attend one, I strongly encourage you to attend the Career Expo because, as friends and advisers have told me, it is one of the most helpful services that a La Salle student can take advantage of.

The next event that Career Services has planned is the Experiential Education Fair, scheduled for Feb. 22. Primarily aimed at underclassmen, the fair helps students obtain internships, co-ops, part-time jobs and other opportunities that could eventually result in a permanent job with the company of one’s choice.

So the next time that you see a flier or a door hanger for an upcoming Career Services event, take a minute to actually read it and save yourself hours of apprehension before graduating. It only takes a half hour to set your career in the right direction.

feighanj1@lasalle.edu