EC Parent Council Newsletter: Center for Career Planning & Applied Learning

Special Edition: News and Information from the Center for Career Planning & Applied Learning

Dear Parents,

The Center for Career Planning & Applied Learning (CCPAL) is pleased to support your student as he or she develops personally while enrolled at Eckerd and progresses professionally after graduation. CCPAL is composed of Career Services, Internships, Service-Learning, and Sustainability. Together, these offices have a unified mission of "IBM"--Increasing awareness, Building relationships, and Meeting the needs of our students. The mission is in full effect, as evidenced by our updates and commitments thus far. Keep reading to find out what we've been up to and how we can help your student!

Sincerely,

Jessica Neander

Executive Director of Career Planning & Applied Learning

Increasing Awareness

Over the summer, the Career Services team instituted a weekly email update to help bring awareness to local and national opportunities. Between June 1 and October 1, the Career Services Office informed students and alumni of 120 positions--77 full-time opportunities, 34 internship opportunities, and nine part-time opportunities.

Also during this timeframe, the Career Services staff met with and provided support to 99 individuals--39 Eckerd alumni and 60 Eckerd students! Support ranged from resume reviews to grad school applications to career guidance.

Building Relationships

Career Services developed and launched a social media presence that included a Facebook page and a Pinterest account. To date, the Facebook page has obtained 69 "likes" and receives about 40 views per post. Please "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Pinterest to keep up with the latest news from our office!

The Career Services Office offers at least one event a week, and often times two. Events include nationally renowned guest speakers chatting about interviewing tips and tricks (Interview Intervention), information sessions from local organizations (City Year and Northwestern Mutual), and resume workshops (101 & 201). Be sure to check out our Web site for a full listing of events!

Meeting the Needs of Our Students

After conducting a student focus group in May, the Career Services team received feedback that students felt the office needed to be updated and organized to better meet their needs. Their voices were heard, and over the summer the Career Services Office underwent a complete makeover. A fresh coat of paint; a generous furniture donation; a new aquarium; updated technology; and a massive reorganization of files, cabinets, and books have transformed the office from simple to chic.

Also to better serve our students, office hours have been extended to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Office of Service-Learning launched a pilot program to engage interested students in an internship that will equip them to become leaders in service. The internships involve organizing and facilitating discussions around servant-leadership, maintaining a visible presence in the office, and advising the Service-Learning staff. Eighteen students have made the commitment to give six to 10 hours of their time per week.

On Tuesday, September 4, 409 Eckerd students and representatives from 50 local organizations attended the annual Community Service and Internship Fair. The students were able to review, learn about, and/or apply for opportunities with both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. This was our largest turnout ever!

With Eckerd's focus on being "green," the Office of Sustainability joined forces with U-Haul and introduced a Car Share program, which allows students to "share" two brand new Toyota Priuses. Students can use the cars to go to interviews, commute to work, or run errands. An hourly rate covers gas, insurance, 24/7 customer service, and roadside assistance. To join, students can register online at uhaulcarshare.com. Registering consists of a one-time $25 fee for a quick driving-record check.

Career Resources Frequently Asked Questions

How can my son or daughter learn about job opportunities?

Every Monday, the Office of Career Services sends an email to all students showcasing a myriad of opportunities, both locally and nationally. While some opportunities are labeled "volunteer" and others are labeled "intern," neither should be a deterrent because all experiential learning is beneficial for development and critical for marketability. In fact, all Eckerd students are encouraged to complete at least two internships/long-term volunteer experiences prior to graduation.

Another email is sent on Mondays to all students and alumni highlighting local and national full-time and part-time job opportunities.

Also, anyone who visits the Career Services Web site

is able to view the "Internships Spotlight" and "Jobs Spotlight" for more information.

Do you offer workshops and if so, how are they promoted?

We do. In fact, workshops, info sessions, guest speakers, fairs (career, internship, and graduate school), and symposiums are offered throughout the year, with at least one event scheduled per week.

All events can be found on our Web site, on the white board outside our office, on our Facebook page ("like" us!), and via email.

Can my daughter or son receive resume assistance?

Yes! Our office offers one-on-one coaching and advising. Whether a student is looking for advice on how to begin a resume or how to refine one, we are here to help! Appointments can be made by stopping by the Career Services Office, located in Lindsey Hall, or by calling 727-864-8258.

In addition to assisting with resumes, our team facilitates mock interviews and personality assessments (MBTI/iStrong) and also offers career coaching, grad school advice, and assistance with applications.

Are services offered after graduation?

The Office of Career Services is committed to providing assistance to all Eckerd alumni regardless of the year they graduated. Our support is everlasting!

How can parents become more involved?

Many parents have internship and entry-level opportunities available at their offices. If you're one of these parents, please share this with the Office of Career Services by submitting an online referral form. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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