At some point in their college lives, students have to face the very important question: Which career to choose? One of the best ways to explore careers is through panel discussions. A panel discussion usually involves a relatively small group of people (4-10 panelists) discussing a topic in front of an audience. In higher education, the most common type of panel discussion is the career panel. A career panel is an opportunity for students to interact with professionals in various career areas and sometimes different occupations in the same industry. The main goal is to learn how to prepare for a specific career and be successful in that career.   Panel discussions can be in different formats. The most common format is Q&A Style where a moderator introduces the panelists, then asks them a few previously prepared questions, followed by about 25 minutes of audience questions and ending with a summary and thanks. The other formats are Initial Remarks Style and Presentatio...

Happy Thanksgiving from the Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning.  As you give thanks, don't forget to give back to those in need!

Fun Fact - Providing service enables individuals to obtain “physical and mental rewards” by focusing on others because it interrupts natural tension-producing patterns and stress. Service opportunities provide potential benefits to students , faculty , and the community . STUDENTS benefit academically, professionally, and personally. v   Allow you to gain professional experience and encourages civic responsibility v   Promote personal growth and self-esteem by making a difference v   Bring people together from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal   FACULTY also benefit personally and professionally by integrating service opportunities into courses. v   Boost course enrollment by attracting highly motivated and engaged students v   Promote active learning, add new insights and dimensions to class discussions by engaging with students who possess different learning styles v   Foster relationships and provides ...

    The resume and cover letter are your main tools in the job search. They’re the number one thing you use to get your foot in the door, highlight your previous experience and characteristics. Yet, many job seekers underestimate the importance of well-written resumes and cover letters – a mistake that can seriously decrease the chances of getting that job you really wanted.     The cover letter complements your resume and gives you a chance to personalize your job application. A well-written cover letter is often more important than a remarkable resume because it gives an idea about your work ethic and personality. The resume might list some very impressive accomplishments, but it means nothing if you can’t communicate your genuine passion or relevance to the position. The cover letter also allows you to market yourself for the position. It’s not meant to summarize or paraphrase your resume. It illustrates the big picture of your qualifications and experie...

Finding your dream job can be long, difficult and at times even frustrating. After spending hours perfecting your resume, researching relevant positions and filling out numerous job applications it is time to prepare for the final step, your interview . Like other steps in the job search process preparing for an interview requires thorough research of the position offered, the organization and the skills desired in a successful candidate. Initiating an effective and specific research prior to attending the interview is a key factor to landing the job. During the interview it is expected of a good candidate to show dedication to work ethics and strong will to learn.    The general guidelines of providing an effective answer for a job interview questions are the same for both difficult and simple ones. An answer should be: ·    Direct – Answer all aspects of the question discussed while providing a significant amount of detail. ·    Concise...

To text or not to text? That is the question…    As many of you know we live in the digital age where texting and emailing are the norm, and sending hand written memos, and even voice calling seem almost archaic. Because texting is now part of the “norm” you might be expected to communicate in a professionally via SMS text message. Below are a few helpful tips on texting professionally:          1.      Get Permission ·          Different individuals/companies prefer different forms of communication. Before hitting the “send” button on your phone, it is always important to verify with the professional contact if it is ok to communicate with them via text message. 2.      Text Smart ·          Treat the text just as you would any professional communication. ·      ...

Are you trying to find some direction for your career? Perhaps a change in careers? Perhaps your first career? It’s critical, at this stage, to conduct research into various careers that interest you. The more research you do, the more likely a career path will become evident to you. What are the best methods for researching careers? Trying to research a career can be overwhelming. Are you getting the most accurate up-to-date information? Are your questions being answered? How much research do you need to do? Here are some good places to start! 1.     Career Development Office C-102 Our office contains a WEALTH of resources most particularly our stellar staff who can provide personalized attention to help you determine direction and the best next steps to take in researching your career. Make an appointment to speak with an advisor and start exploring! Come see us in C102 for an appointment today and follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCCCareerS...

There are  many formats and designs for a resume, but there are essential components that EVERY resume MUST have, no matter what the layout is. HEADER Should contain  your name, full address, phone numbers where you can be reached and a PROFESSIONAL email address. EDUCATION Include the name of your college ( in bold ), location (city and state without zip code), major, and expected graduation date.  If you have any major achievements, such as being on the Dean's List, you can include it here. **Your GPA should be included ONLY if it is a 3.0 or above. EXPERIENCE Include the name of company ( in bold ), location (city and state without zip code), position title, dates of employment (month & year) and, starting with action verbs, list your responsibilities using bullets. Be sure to list your experiences is chronological order starting with the most recent position. SKILLS List computer programs you are familiar with and your skill level ...

Do you know everything about the career you plan to pursue? What are the typical job responsibilities?  What are the education requirements to be successful? What about the outlook for your career?  Will your job even exist in the next 20 years? It's important to research as much as possible about your future career so you can plan accordingly and set goals for yourself! Here's a list of useful sites to help you get started: Occupational Outlook Handbook   http://www.bls.gov/oco / O*NET https://www.onetonline.org / C areer Coach https :// kingsborough.emsicareercoach.com My Next Move https://www.mynextmove.org