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Having many interests - history, science, music, foreign languages
- can make for a rich life. But as Meredith Green '05 discovered,
it can also make life complicated when you are a college student
trying to figure out which interest to make your major.
During her freshman orientation, however, Green
learned about the services of Bluffton College's Career Development
Center. "I made an appointment right away, because I had a lot
of possibilities for my future career but just couldn't narrow
it down on my own," she said.
For the next three months, Jacqui Slinger, the
center's director, guided Green in an in-depth exploration of
her interests, skills and job preferences. Through a series of
tests, one-on-one discussions and reading material, Green learned
about herself and her career options.
When teaching stood out as a career choice,
Slinger encouraged Green to take Introduction to Teaching, a class
that provides field experience in the classroom for students contemplating
an education major. In the end, Green decided to major in Spanish
education, with the goal of teaching at the college level some
day.
The Career Development Center provides a variety
of services for students and alumni who are making important decisions
about their future. "Whether you are choosing a major, trying
to gain some experience in your field, looking for a job after
graduation or contemplating a career change long after you've
graduated, we are here to help." said Slinger.
Services offered by the center
Alumni network
Alumni who are interested in participating in the network provide
detailed information about their career path and specify the ways
in which they are willing to help students. Some alumni make themselves
available for phone conversations or one-on-one meetings with
students.
Mock interviews
Several alumni also participate in a mock interview program. They
volunteer to interview students over the phone, or face-to-face
on campus, to give them experience with the interviewing process.
Most of the face-to-face interviews are videotaped, which Slinger
says "can be painful sometimes for the student, but also eye-opening."
Finding a job
The Career Development Center focuses a lot of energy in assisting
seniors in their job search. "We are not a placement office,"
stresses Slinger. "We teach job searching skills, because students
will be finders of new jobs forever."
Club Job Search
Among the many programs the center offers is "Club Job Search."
Students are placed in small groups and they meet weekly to learn
skills such as resume writing, networking, searching for jobs
on-line and interviewing techniques.
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