Career Services gives graduates hope for the job market
The Pointer
nmeye177@uwsp.edu
As a new batch of graduates gets set to enter into the job market, the looming cloud of the current economic state in the U.S. can seem like an impossible thing to overcome. Employees at Career Services, located in 134 Old Main, don’t see it that way and are working to help graduates see the light.
“In these times, it’s really tough. Students have to be both proactive and reactive,” said Career Specialist Lauri Martin Keefe.
For students and graduates wondering where they fit in and what kind of job would best suit them Career Services offers many different types of help. They have a small library of career and graduate school-related books, hold workshops on effective cover letters, resumes and interviews and overall hope to help each individual articulate what their skills are.
“Being able to identify your skills and being able to articulate them verbally and in writing, meaning cover letter, resume and in an interview, and how all of that fits in and is unique to whatever the job position is you are applying for is important,” Martin Keefe said.
Career Services also offers networking services online at CareerPoint. CareerPoint has a searchable employer database where all types of jobs and internships are posted. Here students can research prospective jobs or employers and even apply and set up interviews.
As much as Career Services can offer, it’s still up to students and graduates to get motivated and fend off discouraging factors as they get out into the job market.
“When I’m talking to students, I am making it a point to bring up the current nature of the market, what I think people can realistically expect, because there are some scary parts to it that people need to understand, but also point out to people that there are continuing to be jobs there and if you don’t put bait in the water you don’t catch fish,” said Career Specialist Mike Pagel.
According to Pagel, the biggest mistake graduates can make is assuming it’s pointless. In a good job market, students may have to make 30 to 50 attempts before they find a job and in an unfavorable market, it could take double that. The key is being active in your search.
Pagel said there has been a change in recent years. Previously, many students were walking out with jobs in hand; now students wait and what they find when they begin their search is often frightening, but students need to see that it’s still possible. The change in student attitudes has caused Pagel to make a change in his approach.
“I have made a change, injecting people with my version of reality and getting them to realize it’s going to take more effort, but it’s doable,” he said.
Pagel also stressed that students should not put blinders on and seek jobs only directly related to their major as many jobs are available that will accept any major. The key is to not limit yourself, know your skills, be able to sell yourself and be proactive, according to Martin Keefe and Pagel.
Students who are just learning about Career Services now or may have been too preoccupied with other things to take advantage of the help they can offer need not worry; Career Services is one of the few services offered to graduates for life.
