University launches new and improved career services

^{Students study in The University’s Student Success Center located in Stephens-Burnett Memorial Library. The Center has re-launched the Office of Career Services that will assist in preparing students for life after graduation.}

(August 11, 2015)—Carson-Newman University will re-launch the Office of Career Services, a branch of the Student Success Center, this fall. This builds on the progress of the Student Success Center since it moved to the newly renovated second floor of Stephens-Burnett Memorial Library last summer.

The office plans to improve the career service experience by putting a renewed focus on early career and internship preparation, working closely with each academic department and building relationships with alumni and local businesses.

Student Success Center Director Patti Self says part of the purpose of the Career Services is to polish students for the professional world.

“I want Career Services to be a finishing school,” Self says. “Not just for writing resumes, but understanding the importance of professionalism in all its forms.”

One of the biggest changes is the hiring of Career Services Coordinator Drew Story. The Student Success Center staff has worked to help students with their career service needs as a team over the years, but now it will have a full-time staff member dedicated exclusively to Career Services.

Story says his goal is to get students focused on their career preparation the moment they step on campus.

“Through volunteer work, internships, study abroad, or real-world positions, it is imperative that our students develop the necessary career skills and experience that are expected of them in order to succeed in today’s world,” Story says. “Students can’t put it off until the second semester of their junior year.”

Career Services will also help students with social media skills, money management, networking, looking for internships and more.

The Student Success Center will host a welcome event for students to get acquainted with the new and improved Office of Career Services from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, September 17 on the Stephens-Burnett Library lawn. They will hand out free food and drinks and answer any questions students have.

Career Services is located on the second floor of Stephens-Burnett Library, along Russell Avenue.