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Resources for Students
The following is a summary of the major services and programs we offer to students.
Individual Career Counseling Appointments
Career Services encourages all students to meet with a Career Counselor to explore and plan for the next stage of career development. We can help with concerns such as choosing a major, exploring majors and careers, gaining related experiences and planning for after graduation.
Career Resource Center
Students will find books, pamphlets, files, videos and internet resources that describe a variety of major and occupational choices in the Career Resource Center. Information on internships, job search, graduate school (including registration materials for the various graduate entrance exams) and volunteering options are also available. Career Resource Centers are staffed by trained student Career Assistants, who are available to assist students on a walk-in basis.
CANE Listings
The CAreer NEtworking (CANE) Listings contain information on CSB|SJU alumni who have volunteered to be contacts for students. Networking with alumni is especially helpful for those students wanting to learn more about specific careers or companies through job shadowing or informational interviewing.
Assessment Inventories
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator instrument is the most widely used personality inventory in history. The form contains 126 items that examine "personality preferences" on four scales:
1. extroversion - introversion
2. sensing - intuition
3. thinking - feeling
4. judging - perceiving
The various combinations of these preferences result in 16 personality types. These personality types explore various preferences for communication styles, leadership styles, and work environments. To utilize this instrument for career exploration, contact Career Services Office to set-up an appointment.
Strong Interest Inventory (SII)
The Strong Interest Inventory reflects today’s constant pattern of change in the world of work. It provides a solid, dependable guide for career change and development. Whether you are exploring careers, considering job change, or interested in career development, the Strong Interest Inventory provides information that can help make informed decisions. The Strong’s 317 items measure interest in a broad range of occupations, work activities, leisure activities, and school subjects. To utilize this instrument for career exploration, contact Career Services Office to schedule an appointment.
Events
Career Exploration Series (CES)
Career Services holds numerous Career Exploration Series sessions throughout the academic year. Each session is centered on a topic (e.g. ‘What can I do with an English Major?’ or ‘Careers in Sales and Marketing’) and is designed to help students gather information about various careers and career paths. Each session begins with a panel-style discussion during which the selected panel members discuss their backgrounds and involvement with the event’s topic. The session concludes with a Q&A session and the opportunity to speak informally with members of the panel. The Career Exploration Series is designed to help students make more informed career decisions.
Commute to Careers
A Commute to Careers event brings together alumni who work in a defined career area (e.g. Careers in Advertising, Sports-Related careers) at an off-campus location. For example, the Sports-Related commute to careers was held at Winter Park (home of the Minnesota Vikings), hosted by an alum employed by the Vikings, and attended by several other alumni working in sports-related careers. Commute to Careers events gives students the opportunity to build business contacts and experience work environments. Students and alumni discuss major and career issues, gaining experience in the field, and employment topics.
Chamber Networking Receptions
Chamber Networking Receptions are hosted by the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce and take place a couple times each semester. These receptions focus on a theme (communications, business, etc.) and give students the opportunity to network with employers and learn more about employment opportunities in the St. Cloud area.
Fairs
Students have the opportunity to attend several job and internship fairs throughout the year. Fairs can be used to find job and internship openings, learn more about employers, and even to take that first step in landing a job or internship. Some fairs focus on a specific area (government jobs, volunteering, graduate school, nursing, etc.), while others are designed for all students, like the Minnesota Private College Job and Internship Fair.
Roundtables
Roundtable events bring companies in a specific field (accounting and human resources are recent examples) to meet with students on campus. The purpose of a Roundtable event is for students to speak with a representative of each company to learn more about the field, the company, and to build business contacts. Roundtables help students build relationships and vital networking skills which may lead to future employment.
Internship and Job Search
E-link is an online system that allows students to browse for internship and job opportunities, apply online for these opportunities, research companies, and schedule on-campus interviews. Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions about E-link.
Resume Writing
Resume writing skills are critical for beginning and advancing a career. Don’t leave college without them! The career staffs CSB|SJU are available to answer questions, make suggestions, and critique resume drafts.
Job Correspondence Writing
An internship or job search often requires several different types of correspondence, including letters and e-mail. This correspondence may be the first impression an employer may develop of you as a possible candidate; make it a positive one! Career staff members are available to assist students in developing their professional correspondence.
Practice Interviews
Interviews are a significant part of a hiring decision. While good letters and resumes may help obtain interviews, good interviewing skills are absolutely essential to turn interviews into job offers. Interviewing, like any other skill, improves with practice. To help ensure students put their best foot forward during the interview process, both Career Services offices offer opportunities for practice interviews.
On-Campus Interview Program
During the fall and spring semesters, organizations send representatives to the CSB and SJU campuses to conduct on-campus interviews for full-time as well as internship opportunities. Some organizations may also request that we collect resumes for available internship or employment opportunities with the potential of scheduling a date to interview on campus. Organizations from a wide variety of occupations and seeking a wide variety of majors will participate in this program. These are actual internship and employment interviews and should not be used as practice sessions.
Career Designs is a monthly publication of CSB|SJU Career Resource Centers. We use this publication to inform about issues such as choosing a major, preparing for graduate school, internship or job search as well as highlighting information and workshops. A special Parent issue is produced each summer.