By Randy Dineen, Arts and Sciences Career Services Office at The Ohio State University

 

Students entering today’s job market face many challenges. Not only are they are competing against other recent graduates, but they are also competing against those who are re-entering the applicant pool because of job cuts and lay-offs. One advantage, however, that recent graduates may hold is the time they can spend utilizing career services offices on their respective campuses.

 

The mission of the Arts and Sciences Career Services Office at The Ohio State University is to assist undergraduate Arts and Sciences majors in their career development process. Our office offers services for students at any step along their career development path. The first step for many students is refining their resume and cover letter. During daily walk-in hours, students can meet with front-line staff to have those documents reviewed without scheduling an appointment. Once those documents are ready, students can meet with Internship Advisors to discuss options for internships that are available throughout central Ohio. Then, as students move closer to graduation, they are able to meet with Job Search Advisors to map out their job search strategies and set goals for the process.

 

The Arts and Sciences Career Services Office also manages a database of jobs and internships called FutureLink, where students can post their resume, search for opportunities, and apply for those opportunities directly through the system. A mock interview can be helpful for many students as they prepare for interviews, as our trained staff can provide tips on ways they can improve their interviewing skills. The office also maintains a Resource Room stocked with books and journals outlining different career opportunities and fields.

 

Aside from one-on-one advising, the Arts and Sciences Career Services Office also provides workshops and career fairs throughout the school year. Workshops such as resume writing, interviewing skills, or career fair strategies are a great way for students to engage with the office and learn valuable tools for their own career development. Spring Career Day, the Government Career Fair, and the Nonprofit Career Fair, combined, bring over 200 companies and organizations to Ohio State to recruit qualified students. Find out more about our office at http://asccareerservices.osu.edu/.