Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Use Your Resources: Top 5 Things at Drexel to Take Advantage Of

 
 
1. Steinbright Career Development Center / Co-op Coordinator
I cannot stress enough how vital this is. The SCDC offers so many more things than just help finding a job, which in itself is unique to this university. In a world where unemployment is rampant, especially for recent college graduates, keeping your employment experts close is more important than ever. There is a reason the SCDC is called a "Career Development Center", because not only do they help you find a job/jobs/co-ops, but they offer so many things to prepare you for the work force. The things that can be learned from their countless workshops will make you much more independent in the future and allow you to excel over other similarly qualified candidates. Monthly resume workshops, job search resource overviews, and the availability for 1-on-1 assistance at flexible times are all things offered by the SCDC and your Co-op Coordinator. In conclusion, do not be afraid to ask your Co-op Coordinator for help with things. They are not a robot that generates jobs and critiques resumes. Most of them have a lot of real world work experience that has helped them transition into helping the next and brightest batch of professional hopefuls be better prepared than the competition.
 
2. Campus to Career: Student/Alumni Panel Discussion
This event was one of the most beneficial required things that I did during my freshman year. Even though there were no professional alumni from the Sport Management program, there were 4-5 from the business field. Almost all of the panelists were in administrative positions that included the responsibility of hiring people across many different departments at many different levels. Hearing this insight gave me a lot of great tips for preparing myself for interviews and allowing myself to tailor my own experiences to what the employer really wants. Look out for this event, it is a really great, free event that will be very beneficial to you! (Free food, too)
 
3. Drexel's Campus / Philadelphia
Whether it be for employment, fun, food, entertainment, exercise, or learning, Drexel's campus and the surrounding area has it all. Attending Drexel and living in the city of Philadelphia costs way too much money to not take advantage of all of the great things that they offer. Incredible restaurants and coffee shops are habitual in every neighborhood around Philadelphia. Supporting these businesses not only boosts the local economy and generates a better general community for all; it will expand your horizons on the rest of the world and whatever city you move to next. The Drexel Recreation Center has so many incredible options for physical activity. Basketball, tennis, squash, football, soccer; all free of charge. Not to mention the state-of-the-art gym and rock climbing wall. Philadelphia has been rated one of the best, most comfortable and most beautiful places to run and bike in the Northeast United States. Bike and running paths are everywhere and inviting of all consumers. Go explore and learn about the city of Philadelphia. I have lived within 10 miles of City Hall my whole life and I still learn things about this incredible city often that I didn't know existed. There are so many great things that you can learn and experience that may not be mentioned in The Triangle or on a poster in your dorm; just go out and find stuff to do.

4. Your Classmates
Drexel is blessed with one of the most diverse student body's in the country. Not only is the University culturally and racially diverse, it is economically, politically, and socially diverse. The incredible range of people you find at Drexel is a statement to what this city and University is built on. Take advantage of the relationships available to you, because by letting them go by, you are missing an incredible chance to better yourself.

5. Your Professors
Ask questions, incite conversation, inquire about assistance, and chat about life. Do whatever you can do to get to know and build relationships with your professors. People teaching at a University like Drexel had to have done something right or known some great people to wind up here. It is not accident that life experiences, past jobs, and connections are a major part of the hiring process for Drexel professors. The whole point of Drexel and the co-op program is to combine academics with experiential learning opportunities. To best do that, the University must hire the professors that know those two things the best: their field and how to work in it. Building a relationship with a professor got me not only a job, but the opportunity to work as a co-author for two different works, one of which has already been accepted for professional publication. The piece to be published has also been accepted for presentation at the NCAA Scholarly Colloquium in Grapevine, Texas. This opportunity came solely from a built relationship, network if you may. Make relationships with your professors and they will take you a long way.


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