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Career Services offers jam-packed schedule of events

Tech students may not know that Career Services has a lot to offer them this year. This service offers students a variety of help in landing that job after graduation. “I feel like they could help a student out a lot,” Job Kriebel, computer science major, said, “I’ve chatted with them a few times, and they have really helped me chose the right field of study for my future. I would definitely recommend them to anyone, especially a graduating senior.”

They help students by holding workshops and career fairs to show them exactly what their major has to offer after college life is over. They give the job outlook for that particular year. This helps those graduating seniors know what they are up against when it comes to finding a job. They offer a Resume ER, which is a chance to meet and talk about a student’s resume. Along with all of these benefits, they are going to be helping students by telling them exactly what employers are looking for as far as skills and qualities.

“I really never knew that career services could help out the way they do with students,” nursing major Christy Cassetty said. “Personally, I’ve never been to see them or learn anything about them, but now I think I’ll check them out.”

Career Services offers a view of the job outlook for 2011. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the class of 2011’s job market is off to a very good start. Of the companies surveyed, 47.7 percent plan to increase their hiring capabilities. The industries that provide a more positive outcome include motor vehicle manufacturing, wholesale trade and any engineering services. As of this year, the top-five degrees that are in demand are accounting, finance, electrical engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering.

Along with the job outlook for 2011, Career Services has brought back Resume ER. This is not the first time they have tried this, and it is back after an overwhelming response from students. These are basically walk-in clinics where a student can sit down with a representative and talk about their resume one-on-one. The first ER was held last spring, and reportedly more than 100 students came in for a review on their resume.

There are three opportunities remaining for students to bring their resume in for a check-up. Every ER is held between 2 and 4 p.m. as follows: Feb. 3 in the Tech Pride Room; Feb. 22 in the RUC Multi-Purpose Room, and March 22 in Johnson Hall Student Lounge. There is no need for an appointment, and students are encouraged to just drop by.

With everything else that career services has going on, there are also a number of career fairs and workshops in the upcoming months. On Feb. 8, there will be a Nashville Career Fair and Teacher Fair. They are going to hold a Healthcare Fair in the RUC on Feb. 17.

February 24 is probably the big one. This fair is for engineering and tech majors. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the RUC.

Finally, on March 24, there will be a business and non-tech major fair 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the RUC.

As if all of this was not enough, the representatives of Career Services are also offering some advice on what employers are looking for, what kind of skills you need, and what kind of qualities you should possess.

Every year, National Association of Colleges and Employers asks employers to rate importance of certain skills and qualities when hiring possible employees. Strong communication skills come out on top as the most important every year.

Verbal communication is far more important than writing skills in the job market. Along with verbal skills, most employers are looking for strong work ethic, team working skills, initiative, problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, computer skills, and flexibility or adaptability.

If this isn’t enough to stress you out, most employers say they will screen the job candidates by their GPA. As it’s always been, the cut off is a 3.0.

“If Tech students have this opportunity to learn about the job market and which major would be best when you graduate to find a job,” sociology major Dustin Paschal said, “I feel like you would be an idiot not to take them up on it.”

Whether you are a communications major or a nursing major, Career Services can be helpful in many different ways. They will help you find and land a job after graduation, along with preparing you for the road to that point.

With all the career fairs and workshops, students can get a clear view of just what their major will offer them in the future.

To get in touch with Career Services, stop by their office in RUC, Room 328.