In the James White Library on the third floor in suite number 306, Andrews University is hosting a new Career Center. The Career Center, according to its website, is dedicated to helping students in their development for future career decisions. Joydel Trail, the Career Services Advisor, describes how Andrews University did not have a specific department dedicated to student career development until recently. However, students of any standing–freshman or graduate–now can access all the resources that the Career Center provides. Trail also describes the importance for students to “familiarize themselves with [these] services.”
Students can book an appointment on the website. Services that the Career Center provides include résumé building and reviewing, mock interviewing, career planning, professional etiquette skills building, and networking skills building. Experiential learning services are also offered, helping students look for internships, co-ops, jobs, clinical experiences, or even service learning/volunteer work. The Campus Center even offers salary negotiations for students looking for a job.
For students who do not desire to meet with a career coach or counselor, the website is a great tool. Each skill listed has a detailed article describing steps students should take to learn a certain skill set. Finally, the Campus Center has a 4-year career plan that students can review and use to help determine next steps in their career and professional journey each year. These services are important for any student looking to apply for jobs, both on campus while they do their schooling and after they graduate.
Even students who are searching for help to decide their major can benefit from the Career Center. Career counseling, coaching, and assessments are available, using several tests including Myers-Briggs, Strong Interest Inventory, and COPS to help students determine the best job for them. The Campus Center also allows employers to post their job openings onto the Andrews Network. This can provide students (and alumni) looking for internships or jobs an invaluable resource in their career journey. The Campus Center also helps run career fairs and hosts workshops and presentations. Student organizations and career development-focused groups can request workshops for the Career Center to present.
Luckily for students, the Campus Center is “currently open and ready for student use” according to Trail. Trail also expressed the need for graduate students as career coaches. If interested, graduate students can email Trail at joydel@andrews.edu for more information.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.