Looking for assistance with resume writing, practicing interviews, getting connected with an internship or job, or maybe you are thinking about applying to grad school? If this sounds like you, look no further than the Career Development Center. They are located on the first floor of Indiana University Southeast’s University Center South building, a part of Student Central’s Grenadier Hub. The center is run by Misti Jones, assistant director, and Erika Voyles, the office’s internship coordinator.
The career center is a resource available to all students, they help with what Jones described as, “all things professional,” such as resumes writing, conducting mock interviews, assisting in finding jobs, helping to prepare for grad school, and also identifying potential career options. The center also offers career and networking events to students throughout the year. Their next upcoming event is the career fair, which takes place in the Hoosier Room on Oct.15, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend the career fair, it is a great opportunity to network and meet professionals working in the field they’re majoring in.
Jones has been with IU Southeast since 2012, working in the Career Development Center since 2015. The center got moved to the IU Southeast campus around the late 1960’s and has been an important part of the school ever since. When the center started, it was a way to track students finding employment, showing that the university and the degrees held value, but it has expanded much further beyond that. Their mission is to help students figure out what path they want to take, and to help them be their “best professional selves.” Jones says, “For the people who don’t know what they want to do, we want to help them figure out what their options are, and then we want to make sure that they are prepared to go and do those things.” Navigating the professional world can be intimidating, but Jones wants students to know that they are not alone, and the center is there to support them.”
In her 11 years of experience at the IU Southeast, Jones has seen many changes to the Career Development Center. The job market is constantly evolving, as is the technology needed for these jobs, which can be a positive thing. Jones says, “There’s going to be jobs available in four years that aren’t even created right now, so it’s good to have a lot of different options and know a lot of different directions you can go and be able to pivot very easily, rather than having one direct path already planned out.” She understands that many students feel overwhelmed and stressed about planning their future careers, and she wants those students to know the Career Development Center is dedicated to helping them. Jones advises students to, “Take some of the pressure off yourself to find that ‘one perfect path.’” The best thing for students to do is visit the Career Development Center early, as it is a common misconception that the center should not be visited until senior year or after graduation, however it is never too late to receive their services.
Once a student has been admitted to the university, they can begin utilizing the center’s services, and it is a free, lifelong service available even after students graduate. If anyone is unsure of what major would be a good fit for them or what jobs they can get with their major the career center can provide guidance. They take appointments Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be set up from the Student Appointment Scheduler on the One.IU website. Students are welcome to drop by, but Jones recommends they make an appointment so they can guarantee they will be seen. The center’s goal is to provide their services everyone, and if a student needs an appointment outside of their office hours, they are always willing to accommodate.
The Career Development Center is a valuable resource that IUS offers to current and former students. Their goal is to help students succeed, and they are available to support students by helping them find internships, explore potential career paths, build their resumes, and are dedicated to making sure they are prepared to take the next steps for their career. If any current or former IUS students are seeking advice about their future path, the Career Development Center is available to offer guidance and support.
