The pressure for students to secure jobs after college may seem ever-growing, but there are resources on campus to make sure students are ready for the next step after graduation. The Career Center, located on campus in the Ferguson center, offers an array of services to help students choose the right career path and land that first big job or continue their education.

“One of the best services the Career Center offers is being able to meet with a career consultant,” said Mary Lowry, director of career education and development. She went on to explain that these meetings can range from helping students with resume critiques to career choices to exploring different paths for particular majors.

Lowry said the first step is to come in and meet with one of the peer advisers, who take walk-in appointments. Even if a student doesn’t have specific questions, the Career Center can help them get moving in the right direction. After students meet with a peer adviser, they can then get connected with a career consultant.

“It’s never too early to come in and meet with us, because there is always some step you can be taking or research you can be doing to further them on their career path,” Lowry said.

Lowry said that while the career center encourages students to come in, they also know that students are very busy. The Career Center also offers several online resources, including mock job interviews, and crimson careers where you can upload resumes to be reviewed and search job databases.

Dr. Dianne Bragg, an assistant professor in the journalism department, recently teamed up with the career center to have her Journalism 101 class upload their resumes for review by the career center. The career center designed sample resumes, one for freshmen and one for seniors, which students could refer to while making theirs. They also created a video for students.

“Being able to upload their resumes is a good experience,” Bragg said. “It was a good partnership.”

Students can upload their resumes to CrimsonCareers on their own time as well, and the center will let them know how to fix any mistakes they may have.

“A resume is a first impression to employers when you are applying for internships and job opportunities so making sure you are putting your best foot forward is essential,” said Nathalie Hawkins, a current MBA student at the university who worked with the career center for three years. “Mock interviews are also very helpful in becoming more comfortable selling yourself to companies.“

Lowry said the Career Center’s motto “Explore, Develop, Connect” encompasses what students can be doing to prepare themselves for the future while they are at the university. Students are welcome to “come as they are” at any point during their academic career to start planning for the future.