Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
gobrien@saintmarys.edu
(574) 284-4579
April 2, 2009 (Notre Dame, Ind.) – You may have heard of speed dating, where singles “date” several people in one evening in hopes of making a love connection. Each “date” lasts just a few minutes as the two people decide whether they have enough in common to pursue a relationship. The Career Crossings Office (CCO) at Saint Mary’s College borrows from that concept with “Speed Networking Night,” an event where Saint Mary’s seniors network with local professionals with the hope of making a job connection.
“The goal is for our students to meet professionals and practice their networking skills,” said Stacie Jeffirs, director of CCO. “Students will have the opportunity to rotate and talk with everyone as well as connect with individuals they would like to talk with more after the program.”
Student resumes will be included in an “e-Resume Book” sent to the professionals, and students will receive the contact information for those they meet. Speed Networking Night will be held on Tuesday, April 7 from 6:30-8 p.m. in Stapleton Lounge of Le Mans Hall. The media is invited to attend. Jeffirs is also available for media interviews any time with tips for finding a job.
Speed Networking Night is just one way that CCO is helping College seniors look for jobs in a fierce economy. There are resume writing and interviewing workshops, and on Wednesdays students can stop by the “CCO on the Go” table in the Student Center Atrium to have a career counselor review their resumes and cover letters.
Jeffirs knows students can get discouraged in their internship and job searches, but predicts they will find work. “It is not impossible to find a job, it just may take longer and they may end of going in a different direction than they originally intended,” she said. Her advise, “Try to avoid listening to the negative talk about the job market on the news and in conversation because it actually paralyzes many students into not moving forward in their search.”
CCO has additional tips when searching for the right opportunity:
• Don’t Panic– Look for resources to help you and know that you are not alone
• Expand Options– If you are not finding the right opportunity, consider other options to pursue
• Network!– This is very important especially during tough economic times. Contacts can be direct or indirect and includes family, friends, friends of family, neighbors and alumnae/alumni
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering bachelor’s degrees in more than 30 major areas of study. The College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary's College ranks among the nation's top liberal arts colleges in U.S. News & World Report's 2009 annual survey. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
