As the national economy slows, UNM's Career Services is emphasizing the importance of students planning if they want to find a good job they are happy with upon graduation.
"In a good job market, a graduate may be able to find their way in a less directed fashion, but would still fair better with some planning," said Leslye Ellison, director of Career Services. "But in a time of difficulty and a tightening job market, it becomes all the more critical to plan."
She emphasized the importance of setting a time line and developing long-term goals and working toward them.
"At a time like this, you can't just check the classifieds or talk to friends," she said. "You have to use all the resources at your disposal and utilize all the eggs in your basket."
Ellison said that Career Services can help students understand their options and develop a plan to help find a good job.
"If you were hesitant about using our services before, you should definitely do it now because there is no room for error at a time like this," she said.
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During the fall semester, Career Services helps promote an Anderson Schools of Management and Hispanic Engineering Society Organization career fairs. The department also brings recruiters from national firms ranging to campus to interview students.
"It's not the only way to get a job, but the best part about these fairs and campus visits is the opportunity for students to meet with recruiters," Ellison said. "They get to meet face-to-face with these people and it really helps them get their foot in the door with national employers who they would normally would not be able to talk with."
The campus recruiting visits begin today and run through the last week before the end of the semester, but Ellison said that students who have not already gone through a registration phase through Career Services are already behind.
"You have to prepare a rÇsumÇ and go through some planning with us before we turn you over to recruiters," she said. "If you haven't done that already, you are going to miss out on some of the first few visits."
Starting early is the key to a successful job search, Ellison said, and she encourages students to start their freshman year.
"By starting early, students can take full advantage of everything from career advisement to learning everything from co-ops, part-time work, internships and full-time jobs as alumni," she said. "If you don't start early, you could miss out on chances to have real-world experience to help build you up for that first job."
Ellison said the office can help with career development needs, with services that include developing a major that fits a student's needs and learning about jobs in a student's field of study.
"We work to help get experience, build rÇsumÇs, find a first job, prepare for interviews and identify employers that might be good for the students," she said.
Career Services has gone through staff changes during the last year, with the new crew focused on not only assisting students, but also understanding programs and majors students are using, Ellison said.
"Our staff works with faculty to help make a connection with the student and networks with employers to explain all that UNM graduates have to offer," she said. "We offer the same realm of services as we always have, we're just doing it in a more focused way."
Ellison said that the best advice she can offer students is to plan, plan, plan.
"There are a lot of good jobs out there no matter what the economy is like," she said. "The thing is, you just have to know how and where to look. We can help you do that, but you have to make the first step. You have to come see us."
Career Services can be found online at www.career.unm.edu, in Room 220 of the Student Services Center or by calling 277-2531.
