SPRING-OA 2022

AVENUE TAKE YOU?

• • Getting referrals to potential employers; and Boosting networking skills. The College is planning to create a Student Success Center in Rooney Library, where career functions will be housed in the future. “We’ll be a one-stop shop for everything student success,” says Jeffers. Many of the activities between students and the Career Center take place in Handshake, an online platform used for recruiting, registration for job fairs, employer informational sessions, and scheduling of on-campus appointments and interviews. And, like all Career Center services, it’s open to both current students and alumni. As with much of the world, the Career Center and the students it serves, have been impacted by COVID-19. According to Jeffers, the pandemic has isolated people, both those seeking a job and those actually working. A hybrid model (with some or all remote work) is popular

with firms right now. This model, however, requires a different kind of skill set than what students may be used to. “There are different nuances to remote working relationships, and different kinds of communication skills are needed,” she says. “We help students navigate both worlds.” Jeffers is enthusiastic about what the future holds. She says, “There are so many moving parts to career services. We have much planned.” Activities on the horizon include the growth of internship opportunities (including international experiences), assembling an entrepreneurial panel and further integration of career readiness into the curriculum. “We want The Avenue to lead students to a happy and successful life,” says Jeffers. “Whether that takes the form of graduate school, a fulfilling career, or entrepreneurship, we are here to help.”

ATTENTION ALL ALUMS: Enjoy your job? Want to make a difference in the life of a student by sharing what you know? WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU! The SMWC Career Center is working to build an alumni network for the following in-person and virtual activities: • Talk with a student one-on-one about your career • Make an informal presentation to a class about your profession • Serve on a panel to enhance career services • Assist in other ways If you’re open to sharing your knowledge, please contact Stephanie Jeffers, director of Career Center, at 812-535-5121 or stephanie.jeffers@smwc.edu . We’ll get you added to the roster and reach out to you when specific needs arise. Thank you!

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