While a college student's undergraduate career is very bried, the biggest mistakes a student can make during the short four years on campus are procrastinating and not planning enough until the diploma is in his or her hand and real life becomes a real problem.
The Academic & Career Advising Center (ACAC) is capable of propelling a student to post-grad employment and self-fulfillment.
The ACAC offers re- sources, such as books and pamphlets, with tips on how to write an effective resumé, how to finance for graduate school and more. The office also hosts multi- ple workshops throughout the year with tips on how to hold a successful interview, how to dress professionally for any career type, as well as multiple events, including job fairs and networking events.
Nancy Ventura, student assistant of the ACAC, said, “I think people miss this office a lot of times.”
She said, "If they use thier resources, they could graduate with jobs rather than come the last week of finals, [saying], 'I need a job.’” With job fairs hosted by the ACAC on campus, it is only a win-win situation for students and employers alike who participate. Ventura said, “These employers are coming on campus. Students don’t have to go any- where.”
She further stated, “I think we kind of forget that – yes, we’re in college, and we’re young – but ultimately we have to get jobs.”
In preparation for the upcoming job fairs, Ventura suggested students have both their resumé and business cards handy to give to employers. Resumés and business cards can be printed on professional grade paper at Longwood Printing Services.
With job training fairs, workshops and walk-in hours, every student can learn how best to prepare themselves, from that first handshake to that wonderful phrase, "You're hired."
Excited for the upcoming Job & Internship Fair on Feb. 19, Ventura said, “You never know. You could come in for 15 to 20 minutes, and you have no idea who you could meet.”
“You just have to have an approach that you want to do this. You want to meet people. And, you know, I think a lot of us forget that down the road because it is college,” she said.
With the Academic & Career Advising Center, the fear students may feel about graduating and entering into the real world can be diminished into pure confidence and excitement.
Once a Lancer, always a Lancer; the ACAC believes that to be true. Even after graduation, alumni are still able to itilize the Center's services whenever needed.
Ventura recommended for students to get started early on understanding what major is right for him or her, on what careers may be available outside graduation, but most importantly on utilizing the resources available to them.
With the help of the ACAC, growing up becomes a little easier, and suddenly the real world isn’t so scary anymore.
The Academic & Career Advising Center is located in Lancaster Hall Room G08A and is open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-in appoint- ments are available from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. from Monday through Friday. To schedule an individual appointment or a mock interview, call (434) 395-2063 or email career@longwood.edu. For more information, go online to www.longwood.edu/career.
"Don't just look at the name of the company and what they do; opportunities will surprise you," said Mary Meade Saunders.
