Career Services continues virtually

11/20/2020 

Through untraditional methods, the Career Services staff has remained connected to students through this semester.

The office continues with regular sessions to coach students who are thinking about life after college. Programming features virtual seminars on creating and revising their resume, landing a job interview, honing their interviewing skills, attending real-time networking meetings with alumni in their chosen field or getting familiar with Handshake, a tool that links students with employers.

For example, an event titled “STEM: We Can Build It: Virtual Information Session” took place Dec. 3.

“We are offering everything we always have,” said Nan Pasquarello, director of Career Services. “We’ve also tried to expand our offerings and tailor them to how things have changed with COVID-19.”

With many aspects of university life going virtual, Career Services strengthened its online presence by improving its webpage. With several specific tabs added, the site is more user-friendly and in depth than ever.

Career Services also continues to hold weekly events on everything from creating a resume to preparing for an interview. To attend an upcoming Webex meeting, register via Handshake. This application is accessible to all Cortland students.

Additionally, Career Services staff offer extended online office hours from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. No appointment is needed for these career counseling appointments.

Despite the remote nature of the office’s programs, student interns continue to play a key role in facilitating the work of Career Services.

This semester, Career Services peer mentors Matthew Montelibano, a senior majoring in business economics and dual minoring in computer applications and psychology, and Cassidy Fitchett, a senior health care management major with a minor in psychology, have assisted their classmates with the most basic aspects of job readiness, such as showing them how to write their own resume.

“Working with students virtually has definitely been different, but I’m happy I’m able to still have the opportunity to meet and help students,” said Fitchett. “Everyone has been very understanding of the issues that come with the new platform. I feel that I have learned so much about working remotely and using this technology through this experience.”

Fitchett and Montelibano also provide presentations for COR 101 classes informing first-year students on Career Services programs. Additionally, the interns participate in any events and projects created by the office.

Career Services staff have worked to continuously provide for students. Pasquarello encourages students to get involved with the team soon.

“Don’t put off a first appointment or drop into office hours,” she said. “The earlier you start tracking what your experiences and skills are, and you figure out where you need to grow, the easier it’s going to be to job search or apply to graduate school.”

Prepared by Communications Office writing intern Nicholas Boyer