With spring and summer comes job and internship hunting. For some, it is a requirement for the major. Others do it for the paycheck or experience. No matter the reason for looking through dozens of postings and filling out what feels like hundreds of applications, California Lutheran University’s Career Services office is here to assist you in whatever you may need, no matter what step of the process you may be in.
“Here at Career Services we assist students and alumni with all aspects of their career development,” said Shelby Bowman, student employment coordinator and career counselor. “We cover basically all the bases.”
Career Services assists with resumes, cover letters, graduate school applications and interview preparation. Through CLU Postings, students are emailed information about jobs and internships specific to their major, interests and future plans. Not only do they serve current students, but Career Services works with alumni for free for the rest of their lives, Bowman said.
Career Services also hosts different types of workshops, such as “Marketing U: How to Create an Epic Resume” that took place March 8. For this particular event, Director and career counselor Cindy Lewis walked students through how to format and prioritize information, and find the best possible brand through their resume. Resumes are the first step toward getting that job or internship, and Lewis highlighted just how to introduce yourself to employers through a piece of paper.
For example, look at what the employer’s posting is asking for, then work on your resume to showcase the strengths that you have in common with their list, and always send a cover letter that tells them why you are applying with them. And if you have any questions, you can always send your resume to Career Services to have them review it and assist you.
“This was definitely in depth, and I learned a lot that I didn’t know before,” said freshman Delaney Buck, a communication major who attended the resume workshop. “I feel like this will set me above everyone else and make me more professional in the real world.”
These workshops are opportunities for students to gain more insight as to what employers are looking for, and how to use it to their advantage. Past topics have included the “Do’s and Don’ts of Grad School” and how to use social media in your career. Future workshops will include tips on how to tap into the hidden job market, how to negotiate salaries and research jobs internationally.
One of the biggest events that Career Services holds is the Career and Intern Exposition. On March 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., hundreds of employers will be lined up on the Spine to talk with students who are interested in filling their positions. If students schedule an appointment to bring their resume in to review for the exposition during the month of February, they are entered into a raffle to win a gift card.
“Show up with at least 20 copies of your resume,” Bowman said. “Show up dressed professionally, ready to go. And just meet with all the employers. It’s the biggest event of the year. We prepare all year for it. It’s exciting.”
According to a handout on statistics given by the Career Services office, Career Services saw 905 undergraduates, alumni and graduate students last year, and 98 percent would recommend it to a friend.
“Just utilize our services as much as you can,” said Cynthia Smith, associate director and career counselor. “My favorite part about working in Career Services is seeing the success of students. I’m able to see their progress and see the outcome. It’s very rewarding.”
For more information, stop by the Career Services office located in the Student Union, or check out their website and schedule an appointment. For updates on events and other services, look for Career Services on social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Emily Graybill
Staff Writer