Health and Human Services Professional Development

WHAT YEAR SHOULD I ATTEND MY FIRST JOB FAIR? It is never too early to attend your first job fair. Although you may not be on the job market as a freshman or sophomore in college, attending a job fair could give you an idea of the types of organizations that exist in your field, or the types of jobs that you can get. Make sure you go to job fairs prepared regardless of what stage of career planning you are in. You never know who you will meet or what kind of opportunities the career fair can bring. Therefore, dress appropriately (see  Making the Most of a Job Fair ), and if you ARE on the job market, bring a few copies of your resume (make sure your resume proofed by a mentor or career services counselor).  Written by: Jill Bowers Additional resources for attending job fairs: How to Prepare for a Job/Career Fair [Virgina Tech website] Top Ten Tips for Students Attending Career or Job Fairs [Quintessential Careers] Job Fair 101; What to Wear Bring, and Ask [Men’s Life Today] ...

Is College Worth It? by   Roberta Kingery   on   July 17, 2013   This is the big question today.  The news media is painting a picture that is beginning to scare students and their families as they look at the cost of a college education.  We see news reports highlighting the number of college students who are unemployed, and I’ve seen it personally in my position as a Career Counselor.  But is it really as bad as the media wants us to believe? I don’t think so.  But the key to personal success after college is YOU.  Earning a college degree does not ensure that you will get the job of your dreams after graduation, in fact, simply doing enough to get by in college may not open the doors you seek.  You get out of it what you put into it – and it takes more than that. Let’s start with what you accomplish in school.   GPA is important.   A 2.0 GPA means you earned a C average.  Let’s focus on the word “av...

Networking as a Student by   Jill Bowers   on   June 3, 2013   Many students graduate and cannot get a job or find opportunities in their field. Networking plays an essential role in this. To network is to exchange ideas, interests, or desires with another person. In the professional arena, networking can mean making a connection to a professional or establishing a mentor in your field of interest.  Work and volunteer opportunities allow students to meet professionals in the field; work or volunteer opportunities also give them the opportunity to connect with other students who share similar interests.  Being able to hear what others are doing may help you to learn about opportunities or motivate you or other students to seek mentors or other job opportunities. Professors can serve as mentors throughout school and offer tips to help make you successful on the job market. Work, volunteer opportunities, or doing research for a professor will also bo...