NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Career Center has relocated to a newly refurbished office space on the first floor of the Student Union and will host an open house so visitors can tour the office and learn about how the center connects students with employers and other services offered there.
Career Services Coordinator Rachel Cunningham and Job Location and Development Officer Sarah Burkhalter invite the public to visit the space from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, March 2 to tour the office and take advantage of hourly giveaways. The Career Center’s new location is Student Union Room 156.
In addition to hosting career fairs and part-time job fairs, the Center helps students with resumes, job searches, interview skills and preparation for post-baccalaureate education.
NSU Career Services encourages students to use the free online career management platform Handshake to find jobs and internships. Employers utilize Handshake to identify prospective employees.
Cunningham said that while Handshake is an important tool for students heading into the workforce, employers are still interested in meeting students in person to discuss what they offer and do interviews. Employers are also reaching out to college freshmen and sophomores in addition to upper level students, to develop relationships that could lead to internships and employment after graduation.
The Career Center will host the Spring Career Fair Tuesday, Feb 28 with over 40 companies registered to participate. Students who attend should dress professionally and be prepared for an interview. The Center will also present career fairs specifically for students in the School of Education and the Department of Engineering Technology. The Center also coordinates a yearly part-time job fair for students looking for employment while completing their degree.
Burkhalter has also done presentations for the community, most recently at the Ben Johnson Education Center and the Louisiana Young Professional Conference. She is working with the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce on a workforce development conference set for April 20 that is intended to create a pipeline of employment opportunities for youth and adults.
Follow the Career Center on Instagram at nsulacareercenter and on Facebook at NSULA Career Center. More information is available at https://www.nsula.edu/careercenter/.
