Welcome to the Career Center Your future starts here!
UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD OF WORK AND EMPLOYER NEEDS
What Employers Say [Employers] generally are...frustrated with their inability to find 360 degree people who have both the specific job/technical skills and the broader skills (communication and problemsolving skills, work ethic, and ability to work with others) necessary to promise greater success for both the individual and the employer. From Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Report of Findings Based on Focus Groups Among Business Executives (AAC&U, 2006) They are seeking entry-level candidates who can: Develop professional relationships Analyze data Pursue continuous learning Communicate persuasively Manage projects Create new knowledge Seek global understanding Garner, Phil. (2009) Collegiate Employment Research Institute Report 3
Increasing Demand for Educated Workforce Note: Brown indicates jobs requiring high school or less and Blue indicates jobs requiring some college or more. Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce 4
UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING CAREER DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
What is Career Planning? Career Planning Models assume that choosing a career involves a series of decisions - it s not a one time thing. The process involves essentially 4 questions: 1. Who am I? 2. What s out there? 3. How does it fit together? 4. What s my plan of action?
Where are you in the career decisionmaking process? http://www.sc.edu/career/decision_checklist.html
CONNECTING ACADEMIC STUDIES TO POTENTIAL CAREERS
Changing Your Major: According to the American College Testing (ACT) Corporation: 16% college freshmen believe they will change their major 65%-85% college freshmen ACTUALLY DO change their major If you want to change your major: Talk with a career counselor who can help you decide what to change it to and refer you to the appropriate academic advisor. Also, you can access the Academic Advisors page at: http://www.housing.sc.edu/ace/res_aa.html Newly revised academic bulletin: http://bulletin.sc.edu/index.php?catoid=1
IDENTIFY EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Who Works And How Much? Full-time college students: Grade Point Average Sources: US Dept. of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Study 1970-2007; Parental Transfers, Student Achievement, and the Labor Supply of College Students, BLS, 2008
Building a foundation for your Career: Career Experiential Le earning Job Shadowing Internships Volunteer Co-op Campus Involvement Part-Time Work Experie ential Learning Education
Get Started Immediately: Get Engaged Visit the Office of Student Engagement website @ http://www.housing.sc.edu/studentengagement/ Become a Peer Leader Participate in Service Learning Have a rich Student Life Visit the Student Organizations website @ http://www.sa.sc.edu/studentorgs/
Work Experience Can Help You: Gain valuable work-related skills Apply classroom theory to real-world situations Understand the world of work Obtain higher starting salaries Secure full-time employment quickly Gain employed within desired field of study Achieve job satisfaction and career progress
Two Offices: Close Building All levels all majors; Freshmen/Sophomore business majors Swearingen All College of Engineering and Computing majors www.sc.edu/career
IDENTIFY RESOURCES TO ASSIST IN CAREER RESEARCH, RESUME WRITING, INTERVIEW PREPARATION AND JOB SEARCH
How Do You Learn About a Career? Good Sources for Career Research: USC JobMate database Internet - Career Center Web Resources (Occupational Outlook Handbook-BLS) Career Center Library Resources Television if a documentary Experiential Learning (job shadowing, information interviews, internships, coops)
Creating a Resume: Freshman year is the ideal time to create a collegiate resume Uses include: employment, scholarship/award applications, graduate school planning, student organization or course requirements Tools include: Optimal Resume software, Career Center tip sheets, resume critiques, and library/online samples
Interview Preparation: Tools include: Perfect Interview software, Career Center tip sheets, mock interviews, and web/library resources
Job Search Preparation: Process is the same for part- and full-time searches Tools include: JobMate software, Career Center tip sheets, and web/library resources to promote employer research 80% of opportunities are never advertised; learn how to network!
Career Center Services: On-Call Counselor Access (1-4, M-F) Career Counseling by Appointment Discovery Tools (FOCUS, MBTI, SII, etc.) Job Shadowing Workshops Internships & Co-ops Mock Interviewing Comprehensive Career Library Small groups Content Packed Website Online tip sheets 4 year timeline Career information & job listings/salary data OptimalResume USC JobMate Job Listings Resume Referrals On-campus Interviews Job Fairs & Events Graduate School Preparation Alumni Career Services/Reciprocity Overview of Services
Stay Connected to the Career Center: Attend Workshops & Events Join CEC Career Center Facebook Group Read Email Updates/Newsletters sent to you Watch the Flat Panel Displays Visit our Office Drop-in the Ms. Fields Cookie Events (3 rd Thurs at 3PM) Follow us on Facebook
Science, Engineering & Technology Fair s on Facebook
Visit Us in the CEC Career Center: Location: 1 st Floor, Swearingen (behind Reading Room) 803-777-1949 or 803-777-1974 www.sc.edu/career Hours: M F: 8:30 am 5:00 pm Drop-in anytime, appointments can also be made