Career Services CAREER SERVICES Career Services is committed to helping

Career Services CAREER SERVICES: Career Services is committed to helping you meet your academic, career and employment goals. Choosing a course of study and deciding on future career goals are two of the most important decisions that students make during their undergraduate years. In a liberal arts degree students concentrate on critical thinking and analytical skills and for students in pre-professional study, the emphasis is on practical application and experiential learning. FOR UNDECIDED STUDENTS ASK FOR CAREER COUNSELING After registering for classes, students should make an appointment with a career counselor to discuss strategies for determining their career and job-search goals. The counselor and student work together to assess interests and skills, identify career options, prepare a resume and cover letter and address any career related concerns. Students are encouraged to begin utilizing the full range of services as early as possible. Appointments are made by a call or visit to our office in Bellows Academic, Room 156. Hours are from 8:00-4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Each appointment is 50 minutes. Walk in times are available from 1:00-3:00 pm on Tuesdays (first come first served). Other hours and days may be arranged upon request. ATTEND SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS Combining practical information with active participation, seminars are designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of career planning and job hunting. Seminars are conducted regularly throughout each semester. Special seminars are frequently offered on topics such as job networking, early career planning, on-campus recruitment, job search strategies for international students, and networking success. Planning Your Career - Begin to assess interests, values, and skills that are relevant for establishing a fulfilling career direction. Learn how to research career options and discuss ways of making effective career decisions. Resume and Cover Letter Writing - Learn to write an effective resume and cover letter. Topics include format and style, content emphasis, and the latest employer expectations. Interviewing Skills - Topics include interview preparation, proper attire, and appropriate responses to difficult questions. Learn about the callback interview and telephone interviewing. Appropriate behavior and etiquette are discussed. Typical interview questions are practiced and critiqued. Students who want further help with interviewing techniques can make an appointment with a counselor to videotape and review a mock interview. Job Search and Internet Resources - Learn to organize and conduct a job search. Proven techniques for locating employment opportunities including networking and researching employers are covered. Sources for job leads in a variety of fields are identified. Online Job Searching - Learn how to effectively use the Internet to find job opportunities for full time and internships as well as conduct research and gather job information. Students will learn how to create a resume online or to upload their physical resume. Go to Career Services’ website or stop in to pick up a fall or spring calendar schedule. CAREER RESOURCE LIBRARY Career literature, videotapes, resource directories, annual reports, company literature, and how-to guides are available for use during office hours. IBM and Apple computers and laser printers are available for preparing resumes and cover letters. Students can search job opportunities through Internet access at Career Services. Career Services Fall 2008 Page 1 of 3 ATTEND CAREER FAIRS & PART TIME JOB FAIR Each year several fairs are held on and off-site to target private sector and non-profit employers for full-time and internship employment opportunities for SMSU students. The fairs are an effective way to find internships, part-time jobs or full-time employment. It's also an effective way to connect with employers, learn more about job opportunities and to network. See SMSU Career Service for calendar dates and websites. The SMSU Job and Internship Fair on campus focuses on regional employers who want to hire SMSU students and graduates. In addition, the Minnesota Education Job Fair is held in the spring for education majors. The Part-Time Job Fair held in late August helps students meet campus and local employers to discuss positions within their organization. Date August Event Part Time Job Fair SMSU Campus Government Job Fair Minneapolis, MN Comments Anyone looking for part time work in local area October Students and graduates interested in working for local, County, state, and federal organizations November Tri-College Career & Internship Fair Fargo, ND Get the jump on internships and jobs by attending this fair. Most Employers attend this one and the February Minnesota Job Fair. Open to Juniors, Seniors and alumni February Minnesota Job & Internship Fair Minneapolis, MN Networking & Interviews Juniors and Seniors connecting with employers who have internships and full-time employment February South Dakota B.I.G Job Fair Sioux Falls, SD Networking & Interviews Juniors, Seniors and alumni connecting with employers who have internships and full-time employment April SMSU Career & Internship Fair SMSU Campus Great networking event! Any student or alumni interested in finding a career, an internship or full time employment April Minnesota Education Job Fair Minneapolis, MN Any student eligible for licensure or graduate with educational degree looking for full time teaching employment EMPLOYERS CONDUCT ON-CAMPUS RECRUITMENT Representatives from local, regional and national companies and non-profit agencies visit SMSU and interview students at Career Services for full time employment and internships. Watch for signs posted throughout the university or stop in at Career Services for a schedule. FOR JOBS AND INTERNSHIP POSSIBILITIES: MUSTANGJOBS.COM MustangJobs.Com is an interactive internet recruiting system that allows students to connect with employers for fulltime and part-time jobs, and internships. Students can upload their resumes and apply directly to job openings with this system. Career Services Fall 2008 Page 2 of 3 TAKE AN ASSESSMENT: STRONG INTEREST INVENTORY & MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR These are just two of the assessment instruments used to assist students in learning about their interests, preferences and work styles. A fee of $10 is charged for Strong Interest Inventory and $12 for MBTI administered. ALUMNI SERVICES: Alumni of SMSU are welcome to use the Career Services Center. WALK-IN HOURS: Students may talk with a career counselor without an appointment on Tuesdays between 1:00 and 3:00 pm on a first come first served basis. OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Other times by appointment. Office Location: Bellows Academic, Room 156 Telephone: (507) 537.6221 Fax: (507) 537.7979 Website: www.southwestmsu.edu/CampusLife/CareerServices Career Services Fall 2008 Page 3 of 3