The start of the new semester is the beginning of the end of many students’ college careers, which means job search mania for many graduating seniors.
The Career Development Center is hosting many events this semester to help prepare students to find a job that they will love, whether they are seniors searching for the first job of their career, or freshmen still searching for a major that fits their interests.
Cindy Norberg Boe, assistant director of the Career Development Center, said the center can help students at any point in their academic career start the job search process. The center has a large list of workshops lined up for the semester, ranging from job search basics to March Major Madness.
The “job search basics” workshops include sessions on how to write a resume, cover letter, professional email and how to find the right job.
March Major Madness is a group of workshops in March to help students determine which major and subsequently, which careers are right for them.
“The March Major Madness workshops are about getting down deeper into ‘Who am I?’ ‘How can I put my best foot forward in my major?’ and digging into yourself,” Boe said.
One of the best opportunities to meet potential employers is by attending a job fair, Boe said. The Career Development Center has many career fairs listed on their website, from the Minnesota State University Job and Internship Fair in Minneapolis held on Feb. 19, to the MSUM Internship and Career Fair hosted at MSUM on March 27, there is an option for every student.
At the Minneapolis job and internship fair there are expected to be 145 employers. Boe said it is worth the drive because at no other time will you ever have 145 potential employers gathered in one room waiting to meet you.
“You start thinking about all these 145 companies and there may be 80 or 90 that you could actually work for, and you could meet them all in one day,” Boe said.
While the MSUM Career and Internship Fair will be a smaller affair, the Career Development Center has invited about 40 local companies to attend, as well as many local non-profit groups, who Boe said are looking for interns. It will be held in the CMU Ballroom on March 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
“The most important part is that you have to start right now. It is not too early for seniors to start applying for jobs within the next six weeks,” Boe said. “More than 75 percent of jobs are never posted online because we hire someone we know, right? Most students will spend a vast majority of energy applying online, when in reality we need to go out and connect with people. I mean, yeah, we live in a digital age, but people have not forgotten to talk to each other.”
NDSU is also hosting a two-day career fair at the Fargo Dome on Feb. 26 and 27, which MSUM students have been invited to attend. The first day brings in employers from business, agriculture and liberal arts fields, the second day hosts engineering and technology employers.
There is also the Minnesota Education Job Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center on April 15, and Concordia is hosting an education job fair on April 18 at the Knutson Center Centrum.
To register for any of the career fairs, you must register in person at the Career Development Center in FR 151.
Before attending any job fairs, Boe said students should consider coming to the ‘prepare for the fair’ workshop.
“Prepare for the fair will show you what to wear, what to say and we will tell you what you need to bring,” Boe said. “It will give you the information you need to get the most out of attending a career fair.”
In addition to all the workshops planned, the Career Development Center offers weekly career exploration sessions, daily walk-in resume review hours and opportunities to make individual appointments to talk with the staff about starting a career search.
Boe said according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, a senior who uses a career development center four times or more in their last semester was offered, on average, $5,700 a year more in their first job offer than a student who did not us the career center in their last semester.
“No matter where you are at, we can help you,” Boe said. “There is always room for growth. The sooner you become mindful of the need for additional skills, the more successful you will be.”
To find more information about the workshops and career and internship fairs being held this semester, visit the Career Development Center website at mnstate.edu/career, call them at 218.477.2131 or email careers@mnstate.edu.
BY KAYLA VAN EPS
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