WSU Vancouver

MY STORY

When I decided to change careers, I did research into many areas to find out what kind of field would be a mutual fit. After taking a career assessment, pharmacist rose to the top of the list. I decided to put the informational interview to the test. I followed the directions and conducted three interviews with practicing pharmacists working in a variety of settings. Through the informational interviews I realized pharmacy was not the field for me. At that point, I considered completing a second bachelor’s degree in a different field. To find out more, I attended an open house at WSU Vancouver. I was then able to cross another field off my list, but at the open house I met our Associate Director of Admissions. I started talking with her about her career and what she does within her career.

My interest was sparked, and I knew I wanted to further investigate the Student Affairs field of higher education. After exploring more and gaining advice from professional connections in the field, I applied for an admissions counselor position at WSU Vancouver. I was persistent and was hired after my third application attempt at WSU Vancouver. Following my work in admissions, I have since moved into academic advising and coordinating a student success program. I enjoyed every part of the journey and love the work that I do.

YOUR TURN

What career field are you interested in learning more about? I challenge you to put informational interviewing to the test! Informational interviewing as well as networking can be important tools to use to help determine the best career fit for you. You may learn way more than you expected just like I did.

Click here to learn more about the Career Services available at WSU Vancouver!

By Kelsea Rothaus
SRC Visual Marketing Intern

SRC Visual Marketing Intern, Kelsea Rothaus

The Career & Internship Fair is an event that rolls around once a year at the WSU Vancouver campus and lasts three days. Each day has a specific set of employers that are hand-picked by Career Services staff in the Student Resource Center. This year the employers were dispersed as follows:

Day 1- General Busines

Day 2- Engineering & Computer Science

Day 3- Non-profit, Government & Sciences

Over the course of three days, there were over 80 employers who attended the Career & Internship Fair and the FSC building was packed with employers’ tables and eager students. There were a variety of career fields represented at the event and many students attended more than one day of the Fair because they learned that their major could open doors to a variety of career paths and fields they hadn’t considered before. One student, majoring in Digital Technology & Culture, was enthused to learn they could not only apply their skills to Web Development, but also to positions like Graphic Coordinating.

The event was a success as over 160 students attended each of the three days with resumes and business cards in hand. For some, it was a great chance to practice networking and communication skills. For others, it was an opportunity to see what jobs and internships were available.

Prior to the Career & Internship Fair, Students were encouraged to attend workshops hosted by staff members in the Student Resource Center. Workshops like “Making the Most of the Career & Internship Fair” and Resumes and LinkedIn Labs helped WSUV Cougar students and alumni alike prepare for the event.

An important facet of preparation for the fair was an Online Resume Book. The e-resume book was hosted though an online site called CougLink that students use to create a professional profile and search for career and internship opportunities. Employers that attended the Career & Internship Fair were given access to the student resumes that were submitted to the Online Resume Book.

The Student Resource Center’s Career Services staff is looking forward to planning the 2016 Career & Internship Fair event, which continues to brighten the future of Cougar students and alumni year after year.