UA News

In these hard economic times, one UA department wants to remind University students that its role is to help them find jobs and internships.

With almost daily new reports of soaring unemployment and layoffs across the country, one University of Arizona division wants students and alumni to know that its primary role is to help them to prepare for interviews and to find jobs and internships.

Career Services, the UA's campus employment support unit, exists to aid University students in their job search - whether on or off campus. Beginning Feb. 9, the division will begin hosting on campus interviews with employers from across the country.

And, just recently, the unit has introduced a number of new programs and services to offer additional support for students as they cope with the nation's economic crisis.

Marie Rozenblit, who directs UA's Career Services, said some employers are reconsidering initial job offers to graduates because they've had to turn around and lay off their own staff.

"It's been a really tough time for students," she said. "But we want them to be proactive and to let them know that while it is a tight market, we are doing things to continue to recruit our Wildcats."

Rosenblit said that while retail positions are on the decline, jobs in healthcare, technology and with the federal government continue to be open, but students need to begin their job search early.

Among the new additions are workshops that help students seek government positions, internships and jobs while at the UA or upon graduation. All Career Services support is open to current UA students, and most services are also available to UA alumni.

Also new is the Wildcat eFolio, a Web-based database that contains information about UA students' experiences at the University.

The unit also has a system – called the "Career Cam" – that allows employers to interview candiates via the Web, cutting down the need for travel and hotels.

Also, Career Services is now offering a "Career Development Certificate" that is granted after students complete a Web-based modular program that informs them on how to create a career plan or a resume.

"Even in a struggling economy, with strategic planning, students can succeed in achieving their career goals," said Susan Miller, the unit's senior marketing coordinator noted in a memo sent to the campus community this week. "We've worked hard to put together a robust package of career resources for students during these difficult times."

Miller noted that despite the economic downturn, some agencies are continuing to hire employees because of the number of Baby Boomer retirees.

In addition to Career Services, the UA Libraries and numerous colleges and departments also offer resources to help students the area of career planning and job placement.

At Career Services, support services include help with resume writing and interviewing, counseling and workshops on a range of topics, including planning for graduate school, federal employment, how to conduct a job search and also what to – and not to do – during an interview.

The unit has also expanded its offerings in the area of career workshops and is now helping students plan for graduate and professional school, Miller said. The Career Services Web site is also more interactive, with podcasts, streaming video and an interviewing system that enables students to practice their skills online with a virtual coach.

Career Services also maintains a resource library, offers one-on-one career counseling and hosts a "career table" on the UA Mall each Thursday for an hour beginning at noon. It also provides access to a database that contains listings of positions posted by more than 2 million employers.

"The bottom line is that we want to let students know that we are here to help them" Rozenblit said. "We want students to know they need not be discouraged. We will do whatever we can. We're doing our best to make a good situation out of a really tight economic situation."