Racking up thousands of dollars in debt only to not be able to land a job is every college student’s worst nightmare. As walking across the graduation stage gets closer, the anxiety of not securing that first job gets stronger.
Thankfully, UNK offers many resources to students to help students network with professionals.
We support the University’s efforts in connecting students to employers before graduating.
UNK offers several resources to prepare students and help them navigate job hunting, even going as far as bringing employers on campus. The University has already hosted two field-specific career fairs this semester, the Education Opportunities Fair and Health Career Fair. The Career and Internships Fair is also scheduled for next month and brings in employers from a variety of areas.
On-campus opportunities like these encourage students to get their foot in the door. They are more convenient and less stressful than doing it alone. Its accessibility and more relaxed environment make it easier to take that first step into networking. Plus students can visit multiple businesses in one period of time instead of scheduling visits for each individual employer.
Some students might only attend the fairs to fulfill a class requirement, but having that push introduces them to things they may not have been exposed to otherwise. There’s always someone, whether it’s a staff member, employee or other student, who is waiting to guide them through the experience.
We suggest lengthening these fairs to take place over several days. They are normally around two to three hours but with classes, work and other commitments, this timeframe doesn’t reach all students. Certain days of the week are busier than others for some students, so opening fairs to last more than one day would help more students be able to attend.
UNK’s networking opportunities also expand to a few online platforms. Students can sign up for “Handshake,” an online site to connect with employers and browse potential jobs. Accounts can be linked to UNK so campus-specific resources are easily accessible.
Students also have access to “The Range.” This platform is unique to UNK and connects students with alumni who can be mentors or future employers.
These resources show that UNK is investing in us. Instead of focusing solely on being a helpful hand while we are students here, faculty and staff are also leading us into our post-graduation life.
It’s clear we have support for our success beyond our academic careers. We thank all faculty, staff and employees who help lead us beyond the classroom.
