MADDIE LEUBKE
STAFF WRITER
Career Week for second semester is coming up in the end of January. Students are encouraged to attend these events in order to broaden career prospects and gain interview skills—among other things.
“There is a wide variety of events. Mock interviewing with alumni, an opportunity to purchase business attire at JcPenney with a large discount, a workshop on cultural awareness in the workplace (on MLK day), a panel discussion for student athletes, and presentations on paying for graduate school, interviewing and salary negotiation, and a LinkedIn workshop,” said Maria Jones, Director of Career Coaching.
The JcPenney Suit-Up event is new to career week. There have many displays and signs on campus advertising the event, including mannequins in SAC.
“While there, students will get 40% off all clearance, sale, or regular priced items,” said Jones when asked about the deals at this event. “Two weeks ago a women’s blazer was on sale for $20; at the least, students would get an additional 40% off that price. It’s a great opportunity to get new professional outfits or simply just a nice pair of shoes or a pair of black pants for work. Raffles, snacks, and a measuring station will also be at the event!”
The JcPenney event takes place at the Alma location on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm. There is a shuttle taking students from campus to the event and back in order to allow students to take full advantage of the perks of this event.
Unlike the stigma around the event, this is not a week structured only for business majors. “All of our events pertain to students from all majors and have no specific focus other than where you are in your professional development,” said Jones.
The Alumni SpeedInterview event is a great example of how this weeklong event can apply to many different majors. “We have a lawyer, a toxicologist, a teacher, an epidemiologist from the CDC and many other industries represented,” said Jones.
Some of the favorite career week events include the Suit-Up event with JcPenney and the workshop with Dar Mayweather about diversity in the workplace.
Student assistants working in the Center for Student Opportunity have been working hard with Jones to make the events of this week a success.Career week events take place from Saturday January 19th through Friday January 25th.
If you have any questions about events, contact Maria Jones at jonesma@alma.edu.