While many students view the Career Center as a tool only for seniors approaching graduation, the staff of the on-campus resource said the center is beneficial for all University of Alabama students and alumni.
The Career Center aims to connect students with future employers and internships, but it also has advantages for students of all stages of academia.
(See also “Career center continues to aid students post-graduation“)
Tiffany Goodin, program manager for Student Services, said one of her favorite parts of the job is the variety of appointments she has, from resume critiques to interview preparation and salary negotiation. The Career Center offers more than just the occasional career fair.
Gillian Richard, a senior majoring in public relations, said she met with an advisor in the Career Center several times to talk about her future, both at the University and in the professional world.
“We talked about the best way to contact people in organizations that I wanted to work for, how to write a cover letter and how to build a personal network and use it effectively in the job search,” Richard said.
The Career Center is an effective tool in applying not only for jobs and internships, but also campus organizations, leadership opportunities and scholarships.
Graduate student in the College of Business John Bruhn said he used the Career Center when applying for graduate schools.
(See also “Tips for preparing for graduate school“)
“The Career Center was a huge help when it came to graduate school essays,” Bruhn said. “They are very helpful because they do this all the time and they know what graduate schools are looking for, so they provided excellent feedback.”
Although resume critiques are the most-used service through the Career Center, Goodin said there are many useful programs that students don’t take advantage of, usually because they are unaware of them.
One of the most interesting programs offered by the Career Center is the virtual mock interview resource, Interview Stream. This program allows students to watch a recording of themselves during the mock interview, which greatly increases self-awareness.
Students simply log into career.ua.edu with their student email to access the resources the Career Center offers. They are free to current students and alumni, yet most students have not taken advantage of them.
“Some students wait too late to put together a resume and don’t have time to take it to the Career Center,” Bruhn said. “That is why it is better to go see them as early as possible and put together a plan for future opportunities.”
Career consultants can assist students by assessing interests, preferences, values and skills to discuss how they influence career planning. This can help undecided students choose a major, upperclassmen search for internships or seniors and alumni look for jobs. Consultants use personality, preferable work environment and interests to successfully identify a good fit for a major or job.
“It is difficult to give a percentage of hiring through Crimson Careers,” Goodin said. “However, during the Fall 2013 semester, 6,641 students logged in to Crimson Careers, and at any given moment, there are approximately 700 postings for jobs or internships listed.”
With the ongoing construction of the Ferguson Center, the Career Center is temporarily located in the Old Capstone Medical Building at 700 University Blvd. for Spring and Summer 2014 semesters.
(See also “Expansion ongoing at Ferguson Center“)
While appointments are available for meeting with a career consultant, walk-in hours are also available during specific times.
“Students who don’t have a Crimson Careers account might be missing out on some great opportunities,” Richard said. “It’s a free service. Why wouldn’t you use it?”
