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Peer Career Coaches help students prep to meet recruiters

For the past few weeks, 10 undergraduate students have been holding resume review sessions near Nelson Hall’s Port City Java with one goal in mind: to help their fellow students prepare to meet with recruiters.

Poole students’ first two major opportunities to do that will be at the Poole College Career and Internship Fair on October 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at NC State’s McKimmon Center and the Professional Development Expo which takes place this Friday, September 18.

To date, 122 recruiter booths have been reserved. “That’s full capacity for the rooms we have at McKimmon,” said Brian Newton, director of undergraduate career services at Poole College. This is the second year in a row that the fall career fair sold out its available booths. View the list of registered companies at ePACK.

The Peer Career Coaches (PCC) extend the reach of the college’s undergraduate career development team and were prepared for their service by the professional staff. In addition to resume critiques, they answer ePACK questions and connect students to resources offered by the Career Development Center, Newton said. Students are also encouraged to make appointments with the undergraduate career staff members Janet Rakes, career coach, and Elizabeth Vincent, graduate student assisting in the career office. Their offices are in the college's undergraduate suite, 2150 Nelson. 

The 10 undergraduate Peer Career Coaches were selected last spring through an application process and now hold drop-by hours near the second floor student commons. Their schedule is:

  • Mondays | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Tuesdays | 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays | 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursdays |10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“The Peer Career Coaches represent all majors in most of the concentrations, from sophomore through seniors. They bring to their help sessions their own career planning experiences to date and can speak from their perspective on the academic path,” Newton said.

Several of the career coaches provided comments about why they chose to serve in this capacity.

Mackenzie LaBruzzo junior, accounting

Poole is a wonderful community full of opportunities and when I heard about peer career coaches I knew I wanted to get involved within the college. I myself want to learn more information on the steps to my first career and mentoring other students will help me gain a better view.

Kelsey Shevlin, sopohomore, accounting 

I became a Peer Career Coach because I love helping others strive to reach their full potential, and I wanted to become more involved in Poole. I am a big believer that there is always room for growth, and this position will allow me to help anyone further build their resume writing, interviewing, and networking skills.

Theresa Hall, senior, business administration

I joined PCC because I wanted to somehow give back and allow others to experience the same amount of support I have received from PCOM during my academic career.

Sanam Ahmad, sophomore, management, undeclared

I became a Peer Career Coach because I would love the opportunity to learn more about career development and help my peers succeed.

Sara Howard, junior, business administration

I became a Peer Career Coach because I wanted to help students be able to get the most out of their Poole College experience in every way I possibly can. I have learned so much from being a Peer Career Coach for just one year, and I want to be able to spread my knowledge and expertise to students that need assistance.

Similarly, the MBA program's Career Management Center has a team of peer coaches available for MBA students on the first floor of Nelson Hall, across from 1131 Nelson Hall.

Recruiters offer help as well

Recruiters also are scheduling Resume Blitzes in Nelson Hall, providing additional opportunities for students to polish their resumes with input from company recruiters. Their sessions are also held at tables in the student commons area. Following are among upcoming Resume Blitzes.

  • Credit Suisse | September 15, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • IPREO | September 17, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Target | September 22, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Cisco Systems | September 23, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Oracle | September 24, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Edward Jones | September 28, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Deloitte | September 29, 2015, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

A number of top employers will also be at Poole College on Friday, Sept. 18, for the Professional Development Expo. The event, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Nelson Hall, provides students a slate of workshops covering a range of professional topics, as well as advice on resumes, internships and more. Read about registration and other details.

Additional career resources

A new on-line tool for Poole College’s undergraduate students is Optimal Resume, an award-winning on-demand job-readiness technology. Multiple online modules help students assess their current work abilities, create dynamite resumes and cover letters, enhance their interviewing skills, develop a professional portfolio and website, and hone their introductions and pitches. To get started, students should go to the Optimal Resume website.

More resources, including registration for company information and networking sessions, are available through the career offices in the college’s academic program suites or via ePACK, the campus-wide career information system where students can search for jobs and internships, research employers and contacts, register for campus career events, submit their resume for campus interviews, and schedule appointments with a career coach in the Poole Career Development Center. Go to www.ncsu.edu/epack to get started.

Resources for students in Poole College's Jenkins Graduate Programs 

Economics Graduate Program Career Services

Master of Accounting Career Services

MBA Career Management Center