“What should I wear to my interview?” “Is my resume complete?” “Will I be financially successful after graduation?”
Backpacks to Briefcases, the first seminar of its kind sponsored by Career Services, is designed to help students answer these questions as well as other concerns curious students may have regarding life after graduation.
The seminar will be held Jan. 23 in the Busch Memorial Center from 3 to 6 p.m. and will include three one-hour sessions, allowing students to attend the programs they are interested in, said Career Services Coordinator Dee Kauffman.
Kauffman also emphasized that students do not have to attend all three sessions, but may come or go as they please.
The seminar is set up to benefit those looking for internships, summer jobs, careers after graduation and overall financial success, Kauffman said.
“Having this kind of experience is only going to make you more attractive for a job position,” she said.
“This is something we’re offering for the students,” Kauffman continued.
The seminar was created and modeled after similar programs that are offered at other universities, Kauffman said.
Programs include:
“Interviewing 101: Everything You Need to Know to Land that Job;” Sally Quattlebaum, a recruiter at Edward Jones, will show students how to sell themselves in an interview, with an emphasis on Behavioral Interviewing.
“Show Me the Money: Benefits Basics and Salary Negotiation;” Kathy Duda, Saint Louis University Human Resources, and Kevin Allan, Career Services, will teach students the difference between things such as a 401 K and a 403 B and how to better negotiate a salary offer.
“Career Connections Demonstration;” The program focuses on web-based recruiting at SLU.
Sherri Higdon-Fischer and Carol Lunning, both of Career Services, will be instructing students on how to post their resumes online for recruiters.
“Walk-Up Resume Review and Mock Interviews;” Representatives from Famous-Barr, BJC Health Care, Boeing, SBC Communications, Anheuser-Busch and the Career Services staff will be on-hand to review students’ resumes and conduct mock interviews.
“Job Fair Strategies;” Heidi Conway, a recruiter from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, will show students what they need to know about job fairs, such as how to introduce themselves to recruiters and how to follow up on job leads.
“Cover Letters and Resumes and Correspondence, Oh My!;” This program, run by Julie Pfeifer of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, introduces students to resume and cover letter writing, as well as how to keep good correspondence.
“Life After Graduation: Welcome to the Real World;” Ivor Kiwi, of MBNA America, will highlight “The Top 10 Ways to Achieve Financial Success,” as well as understanding credit reports, budgeting and managing monthly expenses and investing for the future.
“You Look Mah-velous! Dressing for Success During the Job Search;” Margaret Bell of Brooks Brothers will host and narrate a fashion show that will show students how to dress for interviews to ensure a good first impression.
The seminar is free-of-charge to all SLU students, but seating is limited, Kauffman said, so those interested should arrive early.
Refreshments will be provided in addition to door prizes being awarded.
More information is available on the Career Services Web site, http://careers.slu.edu.
