Assisting transition from college to career

 

 

 

Extreme resume makeover a hit By far the most popular Carson Center activity, Extreme Resume Makeover (ERM) is a two-day event where students receive 30 minutes of one-on-one advice to improve their resumes.   Due to the overwhelming response from students, the event was offered three times in 2009-10, with 216 students participating. In the past, about 100 resumes were critiqued in an entire semester.

PULLMAN – The purpose of the Scott and Linda Carson Center for Professional Development in the College of Business is to assist students in their transition from college to career. Since opening in fall 2005, the center has offered services, programs and events to meet the needs of business and engineering students for involvement, professional development, and internship and job searches.

 

To increase student involvement and leadership development, the center started the Business Club Council, comprised of the presidents of 14 business-related clubs and organizations. Council members meet once a month to collaborate, learn about each other’s activities and network with business professionals.

 

Every year, the clubs battle in the Business Club Case Competition. In 2010 they analyzed and presented an ethics case and competed for monetary awards donated by industry sponsors.

 

The Boeing Mentorship Program is another opportunity for students to network with professionals and learn skills beyond the classroom.

 

For professional development, the center in 2010 hosted the second annual Suit Yourself event in partnership with Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and Target stores. This event benefitted 156 students who received new and gently used business attire after attending a short presentation on professional dress.

 

Extreme Resume Makeover is a new event that proved successful and popular. Also new was the Etiquette Dinner, which allowed students to learn and practice so they are prepared for dining with a potential employer or other professionals.

 

The goal of the center’s activities is to prepare students to secure an internship and/or job. To help in this process, a new seminar, Land a Job – Even in a Tough Economy, was presented to students anxious to hear what they could do to get ahead in difficult economic times.

 

The center also hosted Career Networking Night, which began with students learning about different companies. After the presentations, students met and networked with company representatives. Students and employers alike found this to be a valuable opportunity.

 

The next Career Networking Night is 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, in the CUB ballroom.

 

“We participate because we meet the type of students at Career Networking Night that we are looking for to represent our company,” said Melissa Morrier-Turk of Cintas uniform corporation.

 

Other Carson Center services and activities include:

• One-on-one counseling
• Cover letter and thank you letter reviews
• Mock interviews
• Career workshops
• Dress for Success event
• Ace Your Interview event
• Diversity in the Workplace event