CAREER PLANNING AND PLACEMENT PROCESS

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Originated: April 6, 1998

OVERVIEW

Most career planning and placement activity at SFASU is coordinated by the university's Career Services Center. The College of Business works closely with the Career Services Center to ensure that students are aware of the center's services and that student needs are met. Activities and services related to career planning and placement in the Career Services Center and the College of Business are described below. Additional resources related to career selection and search are available in the University Library.

CAREER SERVICES CENTER ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES

Student use of the services available at the SFA Career Services Center has always been voluntary. Students and parents are told of the services available during freshman and transfer student orientation, and that information is reiterated in the elective SFA 101 (Freshman Seminar) class. The College of Business also encourages use of the Career Services Center as indicated in the next section. The remainder of this section lists the activities and services available in the Career Services Center.

Registration: Many services in the Career Services Center require that a student be "registered." Registration requires that the student supply an original copy of their SFA transcript and fill out information forms. Registration usually takes about five minutes, and there is a $5.00 fee. Students are encouraged to create or update their resume at this time. Related services are described below.

Alumni Services: Alumni are eligible for the same services as current students. Student files remain "active" for six months after graduation at no extra charge. Each additional year costs $5.00.

Interviews: Numerous businesses send representatives to campus to interview students. Only students who are registered with the Career Services Center may sign up for interviews. Some firms pre-screen students before setting up interviews, while others see anyone who is interested. Career Services Center staff coordinate the process and provide both employers and students with any needed assistance. Twenty interview rooms are available, and there is a comfortable waiting area. Furniture and facilities are comfortable and attractive.

Career Day: Once each semester, a "career day" is held for students interested in business and certain other occupations. Representatives from invited firms set up information booths and meet with students to supply information about the firm, its career opportunities, etc. Career day is free and open to the public, but only students registered at the Career Services Center can sign up for interviews with the employers.

Other Services

Personal career planning advice and career testing: A section of the Career Services Center is used only for career planning advice and testing. This section has its own staff and will help students who are unsure about which career to pursue. Career Services Center advisors will interview students, administer tests, and help guide students to the career best suited for them.

Interview sheets and job vacancy sheets: Every two weeks the Career Services Center updates and changes the Interview Sheets, a list of firms that will come to campus to interview students. These Interview Sheets are posted in public places, circulated among the different colleges on campus, and posted on the Career Services Center web page. Those firms not coming to campus to interview but still interested in hiring SFASU students post their job openings on the Job Vacancy Sheets. The Job Vacancy sheets are circulated in a manner similar to the Interview Sheets.

Mailing selected resumes to employers: Upon employer request, the Career Services Center will mail resumes meeting specified criteria from active student files at no charge to the student. For example, a company might request the resumes of all students with a marketing major who also have a 3.0 or higher grade-point average. Later the Career Services Center will contact the students that the employer wants to interview.

Career Services Center library: The large library is full of books, publications, and company information about everything necessary for a student in a career/job search. For each of the hundreds of firms that have interviewed at SFA in the last ten years, there are binders containing corporate annual reports and other company-specific information, including brochures giving detailed descriptions of entry level jobs.

Free career magazines: Students are given free copies of magazines that help them with career choices, writing resumes, and interviewing as well as information about certain industries, firms, and jobs. Some publications specifically provide job search help for women or minorities. The College of Business Dean's Office also has copies of some publications available.

Free career/job search handouts: Many locally prepared handouts are available free of charge in the Career Services Center. These provide students with information about sample questions employers may ask during interviews, sample questions students may ask of employers, and other matters related to the interview process.

Peer advisors: In addition to the full-time Staff members of the Career Services Center, there are 6 part-time peer student advisors who are trained to help and advise students (on their level) with their career/job search.

Dedicated PC's: In the Career Services Center library, one personal computer is set aside for searching for jobs on the Internet. A second computer is set aside for creating and printing resumes. Software is available to help with creating resumes, cover letters, and follow-up letters, and a high quality laser printer is available.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

Business Courses

The elective course MGT 490 (Recruitment and Interviewing) is specifically designed to prepare students for the job search process. Students in the course are required to register with the Career Services Center and receive a tour of the Career Services Center facilities. Additional courses including BCM 247 and BCM 450 contain coverage of resume writing and/or interview skill development. Some instructors in these courses make use of the Career Services Center and its services.

Internships

Both the Career Services Center and College of Business departments serve as liaisons between students and companies interested in hiring interns. If certain conditions are met, a College of Business student can earn up to three hours of credit by participation in an internship.

Student Organizations

Numerous student organizations are sponsored by or associated with the College of Business. Many of these bring in guest speakers (who are often alumni), and many of the speakers assist students in identifying employment opportunities. Some speakers engage directly in recruiting activities while on campus.

Scholarships

Numerous scholarships are provided to College of Business juniors and seniors by business sponsors. Some of the sponsoring businesses use scholarships as a recruiting tool.

Faculty Involvement

Individual faculty are active in the career planning and placement process in several ways:

--by providing personal advice during office hours and at other times inside and outside class.

--by meeting directly with recruiters to discuss their needs and to become more familiar with the firm's employment opportunities.

--by meeting with the respective departmental advisory council.

--by inviting guest speakers to their classes. Many of the speakers assist students in identifying employment opportunities, and some engage directly in recruiting activities while on campus.

--by preparing reference letters, both for student files in the Career Services Center and directly to the employer.

--by announcing position openings, interview opportunities, and Career Services Center activities in class.

On-going Review

The College of Business Student Affairs Committee is assigned the task of monitoring college and university activities related to career planning and placement. The committee meets periodically each year to identify areas of concern and to formulate recommendations. The committee's findings and recommendations are forwarded to the College of Business Dean.

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