Job. This three-letter word holds the weight of the future for many college students. Especially in times of economic hardship, more and more students begin to worry about their future careers.
The Career Center has developed six 30-minute “Cram Session for Jobs and Internships” to assist both undergraduate and graduate students searching for internships and entry-level jobs. They will run from Jan. 26 through Jan. 30.
Covering “How-To” techniques, the top 10 things to consider while searching and other helpful tips in the 30 minutes, Career Center Director Jim Bretl and Associate Directors Lisa Brockhoff and Jeremy Fisher will compare how people think they should search and how they should correctly go about the process. The sessions will also cover tips about job-search etiquette and alumni networking.
Bretl explained the necessity of early planning in an internship or job search.
“An appropriate search for the suitable internship may last anywhere from three to six months,” Bretl said. “Businesses are looking up to a year ahead to find the best students.”
Bretl explained how an internship or job search is not a “weekend project,” but rather a long-term process with both failure and success. He said students should learn to use entry-level jobs as step ladders to excel to the next job until one obtains his or her desired career.
As students search for the correct internships or jobs, even freshmen are looking at the available opportunities.
“I was recommended by a friend for an internship, although I wasn’t really looking for one,” Arts & Sciences freshman Stephanie Pelan said. “I would love to intern for job experience and money – maybe I will get a better feeling of what I actually want to do.”
Internships are a significant factor in the job search, increasing the possibility of obtaining a job of choice.
“Businesses are looking for out-of-classroom work experience so they can see the student’s potential in action,” Bretl said.
Through the six “Cram Sessions,” the Career Center hopes to encourage students to utilize its services.
“We hope to reach both undergraduate and graduate students, giving them an overall view of the job and internship search as an ongoing process,” Brockhoff said.
Pelan said she was inclined to attend because of the shortened sessions. “Thirty minutes would be good – it’s short and helpful,” she said.
After the initial Cram Session, students are welcome to make individual appointments to further explore possible internships or jobs.
The Web site Jobs4Jays is also available exclusively for Creighton students. Any student can connect with businesses specifically looking for Creighton students. Jobs4Jays gives students the initiative to connect with businesses, as well as other colleges, that may be able to offer normally unavailable possibilities.
The exact times for the “Cram Sessions” are available in the Career Center office, located in the Harper Center room 2015, or on the Career Center Web site.