Career advice, workshops and alumni panels go virtual
April 2020 – As Drew University’s learning and business operations go virtual, career readiness remains at the forefront of the university’s outcomes-focused approach.
Drew’s Center for Internships and Career Development, which helps prepare students for the job market while assisting in job and internship coordination and networking opportunities, has adapted to social distancing measures taken by the university by creating virtual opportunities for students to take advantage of their resources.
“I see this as an opportunity to have students connect and focus on what they can control in this time of uncertainty,” said Carolyn Parelli, associate director of career engagement and education.
Through virtual drop-in sessions with staff and peer coaches, the center has continued to offer its regular advising on résumés and cover letters, as well as tips for job and internship searches, networking and interviews.
Through Zoom meetings and Handshake appointments scheduled by students, career advice drop-in hours are made available Monday through Thursday from noon to 2 p.m., peer coaches meet with students Mondays through Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m., and the center holds wide-ranging workshops every Monday through Thursday at 4 p.m.
Also on the virtual docket are weekly career readiness workshops designed specifically for seniors, as well as virtual alumni panels scheduled throughout April, with alumni offering insight into industries like law (April 2); STEM and business (April 6); arts, communications and languages (April 13); social impact, education, law and government (April 20); and business, finance and entrepreneurship (April 22).
Of course, the center has also continued to provide its typical weekly updates of internship and job opportunities within each of Launch’s career communities, as well as regular blog posts addressing timely topics.
“Our goal was to be able to offer support to students wherever they were in their career journey,” said Parelli.
“We have fantastic resources for students to be able to utilize in addition to having the support of the entire career center staff. We wanted to make sure students knew we had their backs in all of this.”
For the latest information regarding Drew’s response to the coronavirus, visit the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) resource site.
