CofC Podcast: Tips for Career Exploration Fair
Leap into your future at the College of Charleston Career Exploration Fair on Feb. 29, 2024.
On this episode of Speaking of … College of Charleston, Julia Heslin, a senior majoring in communication, speaks with Jim Allison, executive director of the College’s Career Center, and Karen Fritchman, the Career Center’s director of employer relations.
Allison kicks off the conversation by talking about the various offerings at the Career Center for College of Charleston students.
“In higher education and student development, probably the areas that are most underutilized or areas that would be the most appropriate to emphasize for soon-to-be graduates, are to please make sure to have your résumé critiqued by someone in the Career Center before you graduate,” he says. “The hardest thing for an undergraduate student to do is apply for a job after graduation cold.”
Allison adds that “national data has shown for several decades that students who utilize their college career centers have a much higher percentage of securing an internship, as well as securing an interview for a full-time job.”
The most frequent questions students ask, according to Fritchman, are:
- Does my résumé have to be one page?
- Do I need a cover letter?
- Where do I start if I have no job experience?
Fritchman talks about the upcoming spring Career Exploration Fair that will be held at the Charleston Gaillard Center on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, 12–4 p.m.
Curated for all students, including those just starting to take a peek into what career might fit their passions and interests, and those who are graduating and ready to start their careers.
The exploration format will encourage career exploration and discovery, as well as extensive networking options beyond the traditional career fair. The Career Center will have workshops and programming before the fair to help students prepare for things like writing a résumé, planning professional attire and enhancing communication skills.
Featured on This Episode:
Jim Allison, executive director of the College of Charleston Career Center, earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Wake Forest University and a second degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He earned his master’s degree in counseling with a concentration in student development in higher education. When he is not busy in the Career Center, Allison enjoys spending time with his family, his dog and his bird.
Karen Fritchman, director of employer relations in the College of Charleston Career Center, earned her bachelor’s degree in communication and her Master of Education in the art of teaching from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Her previous experience within Higher Education includes alumni engagement, student advising, event planning, recruiting and fundraising. She and her family love spending time at the beach with their rescued German shepherd, Ivy, and at home with her 20-pound cat, Beefy.
Resources From This Episode
