Section B · Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, September 20, 1999
Career
Career centers provide guidance
By Erin McHugh Special to the Kansan
When students approach graduation, they scramble to find internships and jobs in their fields of interest. The University has many programs available to aid students in their career planning.
"We help students explore all opportunities so they can find meaningful employment," said Gail Rooney, director of University Career and Employment Services.
Rooney said the program was split into four separate divisions, with each division providing both general and specialized services. University Career and Employment Services serves students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of
Education, the School of Fine Arts and the School of Social Welfare.
The School of Engineering's Career Services Center, the School of Journalism's Career Center and the School of Business' Career Services Center serve students in those specific schools.
General services offered at each center include job search resources and a career library, career counseling, job listings, salary information, workshops, company information and on-campus recruiting.
Along with general services, University Career and Employment Services offers videotaped mock interviews, part-time student employment opportunities, internship opportunities, credential files and Internet access.
The School of Engineering's cen
ter assists engineering students through on-campus recruiting, resume writing assistance, internship help and the Engineering and Computer Science Career Fair, which will be held Sept. 28 in the Kansas Union. Students will have the opportunity to network with more than 100 corporate recruiters from a variety of industries.
The School of Journalism's center provides internships, contacts and job leads across the country and also maintains a database of paid and credit internships.
Jayhawk Journalists, a network of KU Journalism alumni, connects students with potential employers through on-campus visits, guest speakers, informational interviews and site visits.
"Networking is the key," said
Patty Noland, career development coordinator for the center. "It can open so many doors for students."
The School of Business' center offers a corporate library with information on more than 450 companies, on-campus interviewing, resume workshops, interview workshops and the Business Career Fair, which will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Ballroom in the Kansas Union.
Trudy Lutz, office manager for the center, said about 800 students and 110 companies are expected to attend this year's Business Career Fair.
"Some recruiters can leave with up to 150 resumes from interested students," Lutz said.
—Edited by Jennifer Roush
Develop an interview strategy. Think about what strengths you want to emphasize, what disadvantages you want to minimize and what you need to know about the job and the organization.
INTERVIEWING TIPS
Research the company and refer to specific brochures, journals or contacts.
- Wear appropriate clothing. A business suit is always a good bet. Take care of details — make sure shoes are shined, pantyhose don't have runs, etc.
- Practice. Put on the clothes you plan to wear and rehearse entering the room, shaking hands, sitting down and answering questions. Ask a friend to interview you.
- Bring extra copies of your resume and names, addresses and phone numbers of your references.
During or immediately after the interview, write down the name of the interviewer, what the intervie
seemed to like about you, any negative points, answers to your questions and when you can expect to hear from the company. This is especially useful if you are interviewing at many organizations.
Answer positively and confidently.
Ask specific questions based on knowledge of the industry and company. Personalize your questions: "What would my duties be?"
Answer positively after community.
Be your best self at the interview. Sit up straight. Don't mumble. Look at people when you talk. Be aware that many people respond negatively to smoking.
Close with an assertive statement.
You could say: "This job seems to be a good match between what you're looking for, and that I'd like to do."
Looking at what
Source: Business and Administrative
Communication, by Kity O. Locker.Tips for
Successful Interviewing
Some questions are unlawful in employment interviews
By Clay McCuistion
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
A job interview is stressful enough.
But if students are asked about their race, marriage plans or sexual preference in the interview, there's an easy reply. "I'm sorry. I don't have to answer that question."
Gail Rooney, director of Career and Employment Services, said that questions pertaining to an applicant's personal life were strictly off limits for interviewers. Queries about race and other personal matters could lead to charges of discrimination.
"You can't ask women if they have plans for having children or a family," Rooney said. "The appropriate questions are those that are directly work-related."
Rooney said an applicant had
a right to refuse answering a question.
"Of course, if you choose not to answer, you risk losing your chances of the position," she said.
Rooney said that the applicant could redirect the interview if asked an illegal question.
For example, a person who was being interviewed could answer a question about future family plans by emphasizing his or her commitment to work.
"You focus on the career things." Rooney said.
Anna Williams, Powell, Wyo.
sophomore, said she had been asked a dubious question once.
When interviewed by a Wyoming bank, Williams was asked if she drank.
She didn't redirect the conversation. She took a more direct approach.
10 ILLEGAL QUESTIONS
Do you have plans for having children or a family?
What are your marriage plans?
Where were you born?
Where were your parents born?
Do you have a nanacap?
What is your religion?
What is your religion?
Do you have religious beliefs that would keep you from working certain days of the week?
Do you think your race or color will be a problem in your ability to perform the job?
What is your sexual orientation?
source: Career and Employment Services
Williams said in her other jobs, interviewers stayed away from the subject of her personal life.
"I told them I didn't, because I was afraid they wouldn't hire me if I did." Williams said.
By Michael Terry writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
For University of Kansas students, graduating from college is just the beginning. The real work starts when it comes time to find a job.
Many schools at the University have career service centers that help students find a job after graduation.
Ann Hartley, associate director of Career and Employment Services, said that the schools of Social Welfare and Education both had good placement rates once their students had graduated.
"The placement rate for the two schools is between 80 to 85 percent for each graduating class," Hartley said. "There's always a high demand for people in these two fields and this helps to make our placement rates higher."
Hartley said that 70 to 75 percent of School of Education graduates who found jobs stayed in the Kansas and Missouri area. The School of Social Welfare also had a high percentage of graduates who stay in the area, she said.
Ashley Rogers, Topeka senior in social welfare, said she was not aware placement rates were that high for graduates of her school.
"I know there's a demand out there for social workers . . . and I think the career center does a good job of preparing us to get those jobs," Rogers said. "I especially like that such a high percentage of graduates find jobs in the area, because I would like work in this area after I graduate."
Hartley said some reasons graduates couldn't find jobs included unwillingness to relocate, financial or personal reasons.
The schools of Education and Social Welfare are not the only schools with active career services centers. The schools of Engineering, Journalism, Law and Business also have career service centers.
Trudy Lutz, office manager of the School of Business' Careers Services Center, said that 66 percent of last term's graduates had responded to the school with how their job search was progressing.
Lutz said 62 percent of graduates who responded had either found
employment, decided to continue their education or followed other career plans, while the other 38 percent were still seeking employment.
One of the ways the school tries to help their students find jobs is by putting their resumes on the Internet, Lutz said.
She said the Web resume book, where student resumes were posted, allowed businesses to browse the data base at home or at the office, without having to visit the campus.
Lutz said the school kept a detailed account of the students who graduated, but that it did not have an exact percentage on how many stayed in the area.
"Kansas Park, Mo., St. Louis, Mo., Overland park, Topeka and Denver were among the top 10 geographic locations of where graduates took jobs," Lutz said.
The goal for all career service centers is to help students find jobs, which includes participating in events like career fairs, she said.
—Edited by Katrina Hull
Do you know where your future is?
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