Kent State University Career Exploration and Development

Fun Fact: Justin once ate nothing but bananas for a full month! 🍌

Mood because classes start in two weeks! We can’t wait to see everyone back on campus! 😁
 

Happy National Intern Day! Meet Kenzie Savage, SSP Intern.

"My internship this summer with SSP has been an amazing opportunity to see more behind-the-scenes of what goes into the programs I love and have worked in for the past few years. It has given me amazing chances to connect with other staff members and make an impact on this campus that I can walk away from feeling proud. I have especially enjoyed working at the resource fair for the DKS students and representing SSP, making connections with the incoming class of Flashes, and I can't wait to see all of them in the fall!"

We had so much fun attending the NCCA Summer 24 Conference this week! It’s a blast to be able to learn and have fun together as an office! 💼

Happy World Emoji Day! Language is important when trying to convey professionalism. If you've got questions about communicating professionally, schedule an appointment with a Career Advisor today! 😏

Life with career services 😁 vs. Life without career services ☹️

Are you looking for on-campus employment this fall? Join us June 27th at 10 a.m. for an info session to prepare for your job search. We'll discuss student employment, how to use Handshake to apply, learning about jobs you're eligible for, and also offering resume and cover letter assistance individually or in small groups. Click the link to register!

https://kent.joinhandshake.com/stu/events/1540552

Last week, we had our annual CED Staff retreat. We discussed work preferences, did some team building, and learned how to encourage critical thinking. See if you can spot your advisor's face! 👀

Help us congratulate LuAnn Linson Coldwell, Senior Career Advisor on her retirement. LuAnn's dedication to students has been impeccable and we wish her well on her next adventure! 🎉

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! We are so proud of your accomplishments and want to know where you're headed next. Check out the link to fill out the First Destination Survey to help us celebrate you and your post-grad plans! 🎓

https://www.kent.edu/fds-survey

As you approach graduation, many of you are or will be in the middle of job searching and interviewing. We wanted to bring attention to some of the most common job scams so you can avoid any unwanted trouble. 🚩

1. Job posting sites: Some sites do not have filters or staff to scan the site for scammers. Handshake has its own staff to filter and scrub through job postings, ensuring they are legitimate.
2. Have you found a job posting but are unsure if it's legit? Look it up on the company's website or career page, or reach out to someone at the company to see if it's real.
3. Along with company websites, if you see a job posting but cannot find a real website or address for the company, that is a red flag.
4. Organizations that claim they will reimburse you for making a payment or buying them gift cards before being hired are places you should avoid. They most likely will not reimburse you and are a scam.
5. (*MLMs may be accepted IF they are legitimate companies. Selling Mary Kay products may require a payment upfront; however, the company is legitimate.)
6. If companies only want to communicate via phone calls and not emails, mail, or text messages, they most likely are scams and do not want any paper trail as evidence.

In conclusion, always try to look for anything suspicious. We realize that the job search process can bring on many different emotions and reactions, but it can never hurt to get a second opinion if you are suspicious of any red flags.

If you aren't sure, make an appointment with a career advisor, and they can give you a second opinion!

Yesterday, we hosted the Student Employee Awards Celebration! It was a joy to see a community of people celebrating the remarkable work of our on-campus student employees. Thanks to everyone who joined the celebration!

Join us in celebrating Student Employee Appreciation Week starting April 7th! We are incredibly grateful for all the student employees who make this campus a little brighter. Check out the link for more details! ☀️

https://www.kent.edu/career/student-employee-appreciation-week

Get ready to elevate your career journey with the expert guidance of Dr. Justin Edwards, Exec Director Kent State University Career Exploration and Development From resume polishing to networking, pave your path to a successful future! Get to know more about Dr. Edwards in our latest interview! https://bit.ly/3TTzKcQ

Fair day, best day! We had a blast at the career fair yesterday. Thanks to all our employer partners and students who stopped by!

If finding a job is on your to-do list, get ready to check it off! Join us for the Internship, Co-op, and Job Fair on March 19th from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. 💼

No cost, no problem! Stop by our Career Closet to check out the variety of professional clothing you can take home for free! 👔

Come stop by!

Join Career Exploration and Development for Meet the Employers on Wednesday, February 21 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the DI Hub. This event is an opportunity to network, explore organizations, ask for career advice and more. For more information, visit the CED website: https://www.kent.edu/career.

Friday uniform- on! We're ready to focus on the future. Are you?

The Summer Job & Internship Fair was a hit! Over 440 students came by to talk with a variety of employers. We are already looking forward to the next fair happening in March!

Join us on February 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Summer Job & Internship Fair in the Student Center. This event is your opportunity to find jobs & internships, network with employers, and refine your interviewing skills.

Meet Keith Smith, Associate Director of Career Exploration and Development. He has been with the university for about 7 years. During his time at Kent State, he has learned that most students don’t lack experience but need assistance articulating their experiences to others! He enjoys sharing what he’s learned in his career journey as an example to students. His advice to students would be to “ask lots of questions!! People learn through curiosity, and if you don’t ask, you are limiting yourself and the relationship you can build.” Keith is always walking around campus, so if you see him, be sure to say hi!

Meet Laura Stephens, Career Advisor for the Engineering, Technology, and Data Career Community. One of her favorite aspects of her job is learning about the hidden strengths of the students she works with. Outside of work hours, she spends her time gardening and baking. A piece of advice she gives to students is to not “shut doors on yourself. We all make the mistake of jumping to conclusions prematurely. Whether it is getting more insight on your qualities or gathering more information, allow yourself to really come to understand an opportunity before you rule it out.”

Photo of the Week: Kent State’s spring Student Employment Fair offers students opportunities to explore jobs, network with employers and get a free, professional headshot. https://bit.ly/3NU2Y71

In partnership with Career Exploration and Development, we are excited to offer Graduate Career Peer Drop-in sessions. These sessions are a way for you to get help with quick questions about programs and careers, resume and cover letter critiques, accessing and navigating Handshake, increasing your networking skills, learning interviewing tips, and more! ⁠
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Sessions will be offered on Thursdays in University Library 314 from 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Join us as your schedule allows and know we are here to help you with all of your career needs!⁠
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Each drop-in visit will typically last about 10-15 minutes. You are welcome and encouraged to attend multiple drop-in sessions throughout the semester.⁠

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Have you considered working in a student employment position on campus?

Join us January 18 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Dining Room to learn more about roles across campus. Click the link to register for the event in Handshake!

https://kent.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/45205/student_preview?token=WC8zEzDTFnFrZRhXr2EIauqOvYYyXjKl-8WLyhsWyfCWg40N_iYARQ

Our Career Peers had a blast getting ready for the upcoming semester! A morning full of preparation and homemade blueberry muffins, what could be better? 🫐