THE UNIVERSITY of Virginia is known for its excellent academic facilities and programs. The University helps students achieve their goals in every area of life, including professionally. Unfortunately, students often overlook the valuable resources provided by University Career Services until their fourth year.
UCS seeks to "provide guidance and resources to a diverse student body for the achievement of students' career-related goals." It offers a wide variety of resources, including pre-professional advising, resume review, audio and video instruction for interviews, career panels and career fairs. In addition, On-Grounds Interviewing organized by UCS is a phenomenal way for students to apply for full-time positions and internships starting as early as their first year.
Students should start planning their academic exit strategies as soon as they enter the University. Many students do not start thinking about finding jobs until the semester before graduation, when scores of opportunities already have passed. As a rising fourth-year student, I am particularly cognizant of the looming questions regarding life after graduation. Fortunately, I have become well acquainted with UCS and the industries that come to recruit undergraduates on Grounds.
UCS is headquartered in Bryant Hall, which is attached to Scott Stadium. This is located near many of the first-year dormitories. I would encourage all first years to stop by UCS and begin developing a professional resume as soon as possible. Students can ensure that their resumes follow industry-specific best practices by having career advisors at UCS review them.
Students in the Education School, Commerce School and Engineering School also have their own career services departments that help students secure post-graduation employment. Some of the innovative career-focused programs sponsored by these offices include employer-in-residence programs, as well as industry-specific career fairs.
The Education School's Educators Expo is a prime example of the way career services offices at the University aid students in achieving their professional goals. Students interested in working in K-12 school systems can attend the fair in the morning, meet with recruiters from the various school districts and schedule interviews for teaching positions in the afternoon. The Educators Expo, like many of the resources offered by the various career service offices, is open to all students, even those from outside the University. This provides a wonderful resource for students in the community, as well as for employers.
Particularly for younger students are the educational events offered across the different career offices. Events such as the U.Va Week on Wall Street Finance Trip, sponsored by Commerce Career Services, as well as employer information sessions and interview workshops allow students to become familiar with the different fields they can enter upon graduation.
Even if one is undecided about his major, UCS may serve as a valuable tool to help him narrow his choices based on where he sees himself working after college. Many employers have preferences for what types of candidates they are looking for when they come to hire on Grounds. So one may consider the type of firm he wants to work for as a way to choose a major.
One of the key aspects of the job search process stressed by UCS is networking. Hundreds of applications from qualified candidates flood prestigious firms. Students need to show interest in a firm and let the recruiter know about their intent to apply ahead of time. That way, when the recruiter comes across Jane Doe's application halfway through the 200 submitted, she will recognize immediately the name and flag Jane for an interview.
Students who attend the University must work hard to attain their degrees. What sometimes goes unappreciated is the hard work that individuals from University career offices, such as UCS, exert to make the value of our degrees known to employers around the world. For students who came to the University to enhance their attractiveness within the workforce, UCS is where the value of their degrees is first tested. Judging from my experience, the University has lived up to its promise to both educate students and provide us with the resources needed to make our entrance into the professional world.
Ginny Robinson's column appears Wednesdays in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at g.robinson@cavalierdaily.com.
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