Career Services has been undergoing major transformations. In the past year, the office has added three professional staff members, completed major office renovations, and formed partnerships with several online career readiness platforms to better serve students.
The Career Services renovation resulted in a studio model suite. There are computers for students to search for jobs and work on resumés, as well as space for group collaboration and workshops.
“We are excited to start the new school year in our freshened space, but our renovation is more than just the office,” Shelly Drouillard, director of career services and experiential learning, said. “This studio model gives us the flexibility we need to help more students prepare for the ever-competitive job market. With meeting space equipped with computers and printers, more students can drop in and work with career ambassadors, our peer educators, and our professional staff to review resumés or cover letters or complete assessments and career plans.”
Starting fall semester, the center located in Thompson Student Union Room 1533 will be open some evenings and Saturdays to accommodate students and alumni with busy workday schedules.
An added convenience, Drouillard noted, is that students can access any one of five new software platforms — remotely 24/7 from their own computers or mobile devices — that are designed to support their career goals.
One of the new platforms launched in collaboration with the UT Alumni and Annual Engagement Office is called Rocket Connect. Students and alumni can create profiles on the system and join different interest-based communities for the purpose of mentoring and professional networking. Students can obtain career-related advice and tips from alumni, and alumni have the opportunity to engage with the University in a unique and meaningful way.
“These changes have positioned Career Services well to offer Rocket Ready, a new internship readiness guarantee program set to launch this September,” Drouillard said.
Rocket Ready offers support, education and guidance for students in programs that do not have required internship or co-op components. Students who participate will have the opportunity to identify possible career paths; plan and carry out a search for internship or other experiential learning opportunities; and polish networking, interviewing and other skills. The Rocket Ready program ensures that all UT students have the opportunity to do some form of internship even if it is not a requirement of their degree program.
Learn more about Career Services and its new programs and online resources at utoledo.edu/success/career or stop by during an open house Thursday, Sept 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
