BY: Chris Porter
Here at AUM, we have so many resources to offer our students that most of them get overlooked simply because there isn’t enough publicity placed on them. One resource that should be put in the spotlight is the Career Development Center (CDC). This is a program designed to develop and prepare college students for the world of work they are bound to enter once they graduate. This is also a place that creates opportunities for its students to kickstart their careers. If you are a student struggling to figure out options for yourself, this is the right place for you to find solutions.
At the CDC, the ultimate goal is to assist in building professional success for students of AUM. For more information about the CDC, I talked to one of their career advisors, Mabs Seay. Ms. Seay had this to say when asked about the list of resources they had: “We have several services that are offered through the center. Such as:
- Career Decisions and Planning (AdvisorTrac)
- Online Career Resources (Focus2, Handshake, O*Net, LinkedIn)
- Internship Search
- On-Campus Employment Opportunities
- Resume/CV, Cover Letter, Interview Preparation Assistance
- Career Development Workshops and Programs
- Employer Spotlight Events (Career Fairs, Employer Information Sessions)
- Job Search and/or Post-Graduate Programs – Research and Networking Strategies
Most importantly we are here to educate, empower, and create opportunities for all Warhawks to achieve individual professional success.”
Despite the cool services that the CDC offers, most students don’t even know that it exists. When asked what students could ultimately gain from the center, Seay said, “I always say we should be one of the first offices you visit on campus, not the last. Our goal is to help students to reflect more and sooner on their skills, interests, and values, and how that will help aid them in creating a stronger, more satisfying career plan. I think one of the most important roles we play in our students’ lives is the ability to help them think outside of their degree box. College is so much more than a degree machine, it’s an opportunity to learn more about who you are and where you see yourself in the world. Here in the Career Development Center, we hope to most importantly be encouragers for our students. Giving them the tools and knowledge to be fearless in their approach to learning and engagement in the workforce.”
If you want to learn more about the Career Development Center, contact them at 334-244-3344 or visit their office located in Room 323 of the Taylor Center. Their office hours are 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.