Centre College - Monthly Online Newsletter

February 1, 2006

Summer Internship Deadlines

Workshops and Events

Resume Writing Workshop	February 7, 11:30am
UK Ovarian Screening Research Program Presentation (Summer Internship Info)	February 7
Interviewing Skills Workshop	February 13, 4:15pm
Resume Writing Workshop	February 21, 11:20am
Resume Writing Workshop	February 22, 4:15pm
Summit Energy Recruiting Deadline	February 24
Peace Corps Info Session	February 27, 5:30pm
Spotlight Job and Internship Fair	February 28, 2:00-5:00pm
Interviewing Skills Workshop	March 2, 11:30am

Internship of the Month

The EPA's NNEMS program is a comprehensive fellowship program that provides students an opportunity to participate in a fellowship project (related to the environment) that is directly related to their field of study. If you know of any interested students, please have them contact Mindy Wilson at 8792 for more information.

Quick Questions Hour

Don't forget! For students who only have a quick question for a career counselor, we offer a "Quick Questions" hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30-12:30. A counselor is always available during these times to answer questions that students have.

Contact Career Services for more information about Internships, Workshops or Events. If you'd like to see other offerings, would like Career Services to make a presentation for your class, group or major, or assist with planning a career panel for a major or club, please give us a call or drop us an e-mail. We'd be happy to help!

Bluegrass Works

Deb Jones, Director of Career Services, recently attended a day-long event in Lexington called “Bluegrass Works Summit: Investing in Human Capital.” This summit brought together business representatives and people in post-secondary and adult education from throughout the Bluegrass Region to discuss a variety of employment related issues.

In one session attended, they broke into groups to address the question “What are the current and future challenges in maintaining a skilled 'Business/ Financial/Professional Services/IT' workforce?” Although the question addressed specific industries, the issues raised are valid for all.

One of the issues discussed was that of “soft” skills new employees possess. The employers in the group identified things such as (1) dress etiquette (Do employees know how to dress professionally?), (2) professional communication, including proper grammar, (3) work ethic/motivation, (4) leadership skills, (5) teamwork, and (6) listening. Other skills employers stated they want to see in a new employee included critical thinking, problem solving and the ability to think outside the box. They also want employees who are adaptable and continuous learners with good academic skills. Two areas in which employers expressed concerns were the lack of experience in new employees and the “idealization of skills,” which they defined as new employees thinking that their skill levels are much higher than they actually are.

All of the small groups were in agreement regarding these factors and this is consistent with answers employers provide in the annual National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey of employers. Fortunately, Centre students can develop these skills while at Centre through their classes and extracurricular activities. In addition, we highly recommend that all students complete an internship (whether for credit or not) so that they enter the workforce with relevant experience and a realistic view of their skill levels.

Spring Workshop Schedule

Career Services will be offering a number of different career-related workshops this spring. Below is the workshop schedule for the coming term (All programs held in Career Services. Call 5283 to register.):

Resume Writing
Tuesday, February 7 at 11:30
Tuesday, February 21 at 11:20 (Tech Workshop)
Wednesday, February 22 at 4:15
Thursday, March 9 at 11:30

Interviewing Skills
Monday, February 13 at 4:15
Thursday, March 2 at 11:30
Thursday, April 6 at 11:30

Graduate School
Thursday, April 20 at 11:30

Internship Information Session
Wednesday, April 5 at 4:15

Preparing for Your Senior Year
Wednesday, April 19 at 4:15

U.S. Census Bureau Recruits On-Campus

The U.S. Census Bureau, the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy, will be recruiting for full-time Statistician positions on Thursday, April 13th. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 31st. For more information, contact Career Services.

Introduction to our Newest Staff Member

Please join us in welcoming our new graduate intern, Kathy Hahn!  She comes to us from the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Kentucky where she has completed her Masters degree and is currently working toward her Ph.D.  She joined our office in January and will be here until early May.  In March, when Joy Asher, our Associate Director, goes on maternity leave, Kathy will be working with her students (all Centre students with last names starting K-Z).  If you have any questions for Kathy, feel free to email her at katharine.hahn@centre.edu.  She will be in the office on Wednesday and Thursday of each week.