Preparing students for a successful career is one of our greatest joys as an institute of higher education. Whatever path our students choose, we want to make sure they graduate ready to have an immediate impact on the job market and their industry. Melissa Kraft, associate director of Business Career Services at the David Eccles School of Business, took a few moments to answer some of the most common questions about preparing for the job search.
Q: What are some of the top skills employers are looking for in today’s job market?
A: In a 2016 National Association of College and Employers survey, employers identified 7 core competencies that are associated with career readiness for college students. This feedback comes from hiring managers responsible for recruiting and onboarding college students.
7 core competencies: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Oral/Written Communication, Teamwork/Collaboration, Digital Technology, Leadership, Professionalism/Work Ethic, Career Management, and Global/Intercultural Fluency.
Q: How does the Eccles School Prepare students to make the jump from theoretical learning to on-the-job practical application?
A: The best way to make the jump is through getting involved. The 2014 Gallup-Purdue Index indicates that students future engagement in their careers is doubled if they were involved in experiential learning while on campus. This may include doing an internship, being a leader in a student club, or worked closely with a faculty member/institute on a project that takes more than a semester to complete. For Eccles students, they have countless opportunities to get engaged here on campus, which will lead to future career engagement as well.
Q: What advantages do students gain by starting their career preparation early on?
A: There are a number of advantages to starting your career preparation early. First, it gives you more time to explore the various career paths available to Eccles graduates. Second, it gives you more time to gain experience. We received hundreds of internships over the year, and some are for students as early as their freshman year. Building your resume with relevant experience substantially increases your chances are landing that dream job and being paid a higher salary. And lastly, it allows you to start your network NOW. Going through the career development process will help you connect with mentors and potential employers through the SMART Start Mentoring Program and our various recruiting events. This network will last you into your first full-time job and beyond.
Q: What does career preparation through your office entail?
A: Our office is here to help students at any stage in their career preparation process. For those who are starting at the beginning, we will help them explore their talents/strengths, values and interests in order to identify areas of potential. Our next step would be aiding students as they explore the various career paths through job shadow experiences, research options and our SMART Start Alumni Mentoring program. Once a students has made a decision on how to proceed, we will help them implement the necessary job search techniques to be a competitive candidate for jobs and internships. We help them perfect their resume, LinkedIn and interviewing skills.