FAQ
When should students begin using Career Services?
It’s not too early for students to start thinking about, and planning for, their future career. In fact, it’s best to start early in the college experience so that students use their time at Ohio University to make wise decisions. Encourage your students to stop by or make an appointment to discuss how our office can best assist them.
What resources are available for students who are considering graduate school?
The decision to attend graduate school should not be taken lightly. Suggest using our graduate school section on the website which provides general resources and advice on planning and applying for graduate school as well as speaking with faculty and current students in similar programs.
What if a student is unsure of what to do career wise?
What level of importance should I place on experiential learning and internships? How can a student go about finding one?
Work experience related to a student’s academic interests or professional goals is a very important step in a student’s career development process. This experience allows them to apply their classroom knowledge to the real world as well as explore different work settings they may be qualified for upon graduation. Internships are advantageous in the job search process as many employers hire students who have completed an internship experience. You should connect students with information about your program’s internship resources. Internships are typically coordinated through the academic departments; however, if a student would like to make an appointment to discuss internship opportunities we would be happy to help.
What do employers look for in a candidate?
According to the 2009 NACE Job Outlook Survey employers base their candidate selection on a variety of topics. It is important to encourage your student to maintain a high grade point average, of at least a 3.0 as many employers screen candidates by their GPA. As mentioned above, internship experiences as well as work experience in general are also very important in the selection process. The top skills employers look for are communication skills, strong work ethic, teamwork skills, initiative and analytical skills.
How can students find a job?
The Office of Career Services does assist students and alumni with their job search; however, Career Services is only one component in a successful job search strategy! It is the responsibility of the student to conduct a multifaceted job search. Our office provides an online job search system that features résumé referrals, job postings and on-campus recruiting, Bobcat CareerLink. Encourage your student to take advantage of this service.
Our office also sponsors three career events each year—the Fall Career Fair held in October, the Winter Career Fair held in February, and the Teacher Recruitment Consortium in April. Employers sponsor Pre-Nights and Information sessions which provide an opportunity for students to network with recruiters and learn more about their organization(s). Encourage your students to visit the job search tools section of our website to learn more about the job search process. Speak with your students about their transferable skills and how they may apply to various careers. It is also important to encourage students to attend our workshops and make an appointment with a career counselor.
How can I help one of my students plan for a career?
Whether you realize it or not, you are one of the best sources of career information on campus! If you worked professionally in your field prior to coming to Ohio University, your practical, first-hand experience is undoubtedly valuable to your students. In addition, your membership in any professional associations provides you with a huge network of professionals that you might consider extending to a student for anything from an informational interview to a job lead. Your network likely also includes current graduate students and alumni who now work in the field—these are all excellent resources with whom to connect your students.
What services does Career Services provide?
Career Services assists students with a variety of career development issues such as choosing a major that relates to their career interests, developing résumés and cover letters, practicing interview skills, conducting their job search or researching graduate schools. Please be sure to browse the student section of the website to learn more. All of our services are available to Ohio University alumni—no matter when they graduated!
From a career development perspective, it is important that students choose a major and future career based on their skills, values, interests. The Office of Career Services offers a variety of resources and assessments to help students learn more about t
Choosing a major is both exciting and stressful. As you undoubtedly know, students often question whether or not they made the right choice. You are one of the most qualified people to talk to a student in your field about how they are feeling—you may have felt similarly yourself at one time! Sometimes a student’s uncertainty stems from not knowing their options. If the student is interested in exploring other options, you might refer them to faculty in different departments so the student can talk with experts in another field. Encourage your student to utilize our self-assessments and to schedule an appointment with one of career counselors to explore major options. Publications in our Career Resource Center and/or online provide information for various majors and career paths associated with those majors. Whatever you do, avoid pressuring a student to stay in a major they are unhappy or unsure of, this only adds to their stress.
