The Retriever Weekly

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Career Week helps students land jobs

By By Gavin Way
Editorial Staff

Achsah Joseph -TRW Resumes, reviews, and alumni panels will be a part of career week to help students find and attain good jobs.

With daily coverage in the national news and multiple articles published here in The Retriever Weekly, it should be no surprise to our readers that the employment prospects for students are limited. "In today's economic climate, now more than ever, it is important for UMBC students to begin exploring their career options as early as freshman and sophomore years," the website for Career Week states. "We are committed to helping our students draw the connection between their academic majors and career paths while also engaging alumni in the mentoring process of current students," offers Anne Scholl-Fiedler, director of the Career Services Center. "We want our students to succeed professionally."

This will be the third time this annual event has been hosted, meant to help students "bridge the gap" in understanding the relation between majors and careers. A collection of workshops and sessions, the week will span March 22 through March 26. It is organized by the Alumni Relations Alum from Day One program, Career Services Center, Shriver Center, and the Office of Academic and Pre-Professional Advising. "This event is for all students from freshman year to those in their graduate studies— not just job seekers. It is important that all students take advantage of Career Week-[to help them] articulate their strengths and obtain a better understanding of career options in their majors, to network with professionals and alums for future career and internship opportunities," says Christine Routzahn, director of the Shriver Center.

Career Week has several types of events all designed to reach a diverse population of students. The highlight of the week may be the Spring Career Fair, on Thursday, March 25 in the UC Ballroom, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. There are currently 50 employers scheduled to attend, including the Defense Information Systems Agency, Johns Hopkins, and the US Peace Corps. To prepare students for the meet and greets common at job fairs, the CSC has multiple prep events for students eager to make the best impression.

One of the most valuable will be the resume review and interview tips sessions running Monday through Thursday. Be aware that sessions are based on majors, so make sure you check what session you should attend and reserve your spot.

The alumni panels should be of interest to many students. These panels, spanning the whole week and covering multiple industries, could be an important resource for students confused about what job titles really mean and what kind of work they can really expect, all from former UMBC students who experienced it first hand. These kinds of opportunities are meant to also help students understand the importance of networking and in-person communication. "The face-to-face time is critical in developing contacts. When networking with others, talk about the strengths you want to utilize in various environments rather than talking about job titles. Job titles mean different things to different people. Ask network contacts for advice on how you might combine your strengths in various opportunities. People who ask for advice get further along in the process," advises Monique Armstrong, assistant director of Alumni Relations, in comments forwarded to The Retriever Weekly.

Job prospects are a major concern for many right now, not just students. With the latest unemployment figures holding around 9.7%, students are facing stiff competition for jobs. The university does a lot to prepare students for the world after graduation beyond giving them a solid education, and the commitment of the CSC and Shriver Center are evidence of that. However, it is up to us students to capitalize upon the resources available to us.

For more information and listings of events, times, and locations, visit Career Week's website at http://www.careers.umbc.edu/careerweek/.