Completed by Guest Blogger: Kayla

According to Inside High Ed, a survey of recent college graduates found that 61% of students who graduated between 2010 – 2016 visited a career center at least once.  This number has increased in recent years.  However, ONLY 17% of students found their college career center to be “very helpful.”  Another 26% reported that the career center was “helpful.”  Taking advantage of your college’s career center is so important because it can lead to employment after college.  Students who visited their career center at least once were more likely to be employed full time after college than those who did not visit.

In order to make the most out of career services, students should:

• Educate yourself about career services: It is important to know what resources career services offers so you can take full advantage of them.
• Visit career services early and often: Everything cannot be accomplished in one meeting. Visit career services serval times starting freshman year.
• Attend career fairs: Many career centers host career fairs to directly connect students with future employers.
• Learn how to get hired: Career services can help you create a cover letter, resume, and teach you valuable interview skills in order to land a job after school.
• Understand your role: While career centers have a lot of important resources, it will be your job to make sure you take full advantage of those resources.

Career services offers many essential tools for college students to utilize.  Also, be sure to check out My College Max and use the Career Readiness Scale.  The Career Readiness Scale can help you build your resume and demonstrate your experiences, abilities, and leadership to make sure you are on the right track to becoming employed!

Steven J. Harvey, Ph.D. 
CEO & Founder, My College Max, Web Site: www.mycollegemax.com
Executive Director, The WNY Consortium of Higher Education, Web Site: www.wnycollegeconnection.com