The university career centers often have several functions associated with them. Descriptions of the offices often include career assessment, interview and job search preparation, and job placement.
Our question to our readers, is what should be the main purpose of university career services?
February 1st, 2010 at 6:42 pm
I find it hard to believe that Career Services Centers main functionality is on placement and preparation. Student and technology are savvy enough to not need a middle man in the shape of today’s career services. I cannot think of a more inefficient way for students to find jobs than through career fairs and on the constrained campus interview process. Career Services would be much better positioned by helping students assess their skills and interests and target specific companies than try to protect their their place in the university ecosystem by being a lumbering middle man.
February 5th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Wow. Above comment – well said.
February 17th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Ideally, the main purpose of university career services centers should be JOB PLACEMENT. Doing this would include Career Assessment and Interview and Job Search Preparation.
Preparing and positioning students is important. Ultimately each student has to fend for themselves in the job hunt challenge. However, all that can be done by the University Career Services Center to attract employers, and actively network for opportunities would be an immense help.
Some do it better than others and I think Career Services would be held in high regard if they actively attracted serious employers with serious employment opportunities, internships and full time direct jobs–particularly in extremely hard economic times like the present.
February 24th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
[...] Miguel Corona on Targeting Hispanic Graduates: Beyond Traditional CampusesValentino Martinez on This weeks poll: What is the main purpose of university career services centers?Valentino Martinez on Best Practice: Recruiting Hispanic College GraduatesValentino Martinez on [...]