IUN Career Services and the Division of Business and Economics are taking steps to ensure students don't just leave with a degree, but also possess the skills necessary to translate that degree into a job.
In today's competitive workplace where higher education is a necessity not an extra asset,
an attractive resume and good grades may not be enough to land students that ever important first
job. Employers have more choices today than ever before and that means stiffer competition for today's graduates.
IUN Career Services and the Division of Business and Economics are taking steps to ensure students don't just leave with a degree, but also possess the skills necessary to translate that degree into a job.
The Division of Business and Economics requires its students to complete "Business Career Planning & Placement", a course designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to secure professional employment after graduation. In addition, students are taught how to successfully negotiate an employment change and career shifts throughout their professional working lives - which in this era of downsizing can be extremely valuable.
The emphases of the course content (career planning, effective job search strategies, interviewing skills, on the job conduct, and career management tasks) are reinforced through presentations given by local representatives of business, industry and government.
Requirements for the class include production of a cover letter and resume, registration at the career office, and a career portfolio which includes: an Occupational Outlook Handbook description, occupational report, employer research results, the cover letter and resume. Mock interviews are also conducted in the class to give students exposure to answering questions and to having their performances critiqued.
Another way IUN prepares students for employment is by pairing them up with local businesses in internship programs. These opportunities play an important role in providing students with real world experience to add to their educational background. These initial contacts often develop into full-time positions. The office of Career Services provides numerous internship possibilities and is constantly working to add even more employers to its growing list of partners. Other internship opportunities are also available in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and the Sociology and Psychology departments.
These are just a few of the employment assistance opportunities offered at IUN. A variety of services is also available to all IUN students and alumni through the Office of Career Services which includes: on campus recruiting with companies like Walgreens, NBD and NIPSCO; job fairs and careers days; and a resume referral service for graduating students and alumni.
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