THIS WEEK'S MESSAGE FROM ACTING PRESIDENT GERALDINE JONES
Posted on June 29, 2012
From: Acting
President Geraldine M. Jones Our dedicated faculty members
prepare our students well for life after the classroom. Job preparation is not the only goal of
higher education, of course. Learning has its own intrinsic value. Cal U is
dedicated to giving every student a strong educational foundation and the
skills needed for seeking and establishing a rewarding career. Cal U’s Office of
Career Services delivers the Career Advantage program, which helps Cal U students explore
their career options and prepare to enter the workforce with a competitive
edge. Our Career Services staff guides students through a four-year program
that includes career exploration, job shadowing, fine-tuning resumes, and
building networking and interview skills. By preparing students
for the workforce, the Career Advantage program is a value-added component of a
Cal U degree. And there’s good news for job seekers: Rhonda Gifford, director
of Career Services, reports a definite improvement in the job market for this
year’s graduates. Compared to the
previous year, the 2011-2012 academic year saw a 30 percent increase in the
number of jobs posted on the University’s online job board and a 15 percent
increase in campus recruitment by employers. The jobs outlook for
new graduates is improving nationwide. According to the National Association of
Colleges and Employers spring outlook survey, local, state and national
employers say they plan to hire about 10 percent more new graduates this year, compared
to spring 2011. In particular, graduates who have completed internships or
other hands-on experiences, and who are willing to relocate, even within the
region, are experiencing improved job search success, Gifford says. A number of recent Cal U graduates
have shared good news about their successful job searches. Samantha Burney ’12, for example,
accepted a position as a talent acquisition specialist for PLS Logistics in
Pittsburgh, a firm that has hired a number of Cal U alumni. She’ll be working
with 10 area colleges and universities, finding well-qualified employees for
the firm’s freight brokerage division. After a successful internship last
summer, Aaron McFadden ’12 is working as a tax consultant at Deloitte, one of
the nation’s “big four” professional services firms. And Josh Giffin ’12 has a
new job as an inside sales associate for the New York Yankees. Many other new graduates have
found wonderful positions, too. I remind those who are still exploring their
job prospects that access to Career Services is a lifelong benefit for all Cal
U graduates. And I urge every current Cal U student to get involved with the
Career Advantage program. Give yourself a competitive advantage — and please
keep in touch with Cal U as you move ahead with your career! Please note that I expect to send my
next regular message to the campus community on Friday, July 13. I wish
everyone a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July holiday!
To: All students,
faculty, staff, alumni and University friends
Meet Acting President
Geraldine M. Jones
