Annual Report: Office of Career Services
AY2009 - 2010
Prepared by Arlene R. Lowenstein, Director of Career Services
February 28, 1011
Introduction
This report provides an overview of the activities of the Office of Career Services for the
2009-2010 academic year. The report is divided into the following sections:
Section One
Section Two
Section Three
Section Four
Section Five
Section Six
Section Seven
Student and Alumni Career Advising
Teaching
On-Campus Workshops and Recruiting
Job Development
Data Collection
Community Service
Conclusion
The Office of Career Services, part of the Division of Student Services, is led by Arlene
R. Lowenstein, director. The office is open 15 hours per week during the academic year
on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and by appointment.
Section One: Student and Alumni Career Advising
A major responsibility of the Office of Career Services is to provide career planning
advice to CSJ students and alumni. During this academic year the director met with 137
students in one-in-one sessions, Career Workshop classes, and classroom presentations.
These individuals included 117 undergraduate students, 13 graduate students, and 7
alumni. 63 students met individually with the director for a total of 110 appointments.
The number of appointments per student ranged from one to six. Almost all of the
meetings were held in the director’s office. However, the director occasionally held
conference calls during the evening and week-ends to accommodate those who were not
available during office hours. Most meetings took place for 30 – 60 minutes.
Approximately 67% of the students scheduled appointments for the purpose of writing or
re-writing their resumes. Other areas of interest included:
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Building interview skills
Writing cover letters
Career planning
Job search strategies
Part-time and/or summer work
Graduate school information
Internships
Section Two: Teaching
The director taught Career Workshop I in the Fall and Career Workshop II in the Spring.
The classes served a total of 19 students (7 more than AY09) including 9 in Career
Workshop I and 10 in Career Workshop II. In Career Workshop I students explore their
skills, interests, needs and values by using a variety of self-assessment exercises and
techniques. They receive training in career exploration, resume development, and
informational interviewing. This training is designed to help them identify and/or
solidify potential careers. Career Workshop II focuses more specifically on the job
search process. Students learn about a wide variety of print and online resources to help
them plan their job searches, prepare job-ready resumes, and conduct successful
interviews. Students in both classes are required to attend a Career Fair at Castleton
College. The instructor invites business men and women from the community to meet
with the students and provide “real world” advice on the job search process. This year’s
guest speakers included:
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Daire Gibney from the Vermont Country Store
Anna White from the Rutland Regional Medical Center
Jason Cable from the Leddy Group
Lucia (Florence) Boatman from the Vermont Department of Labor
Donna Nobrega from the Vermont Department of Labor
At the request of John Desposito, director of the Stafford Public Safety Program, the
director taught a series of three workshops on resume writing to the Stafford students –
all high school juniors and seniors. At the end of the series each student had completed a
resume that was reviewed by their peers and by the director of career services for
inclusion in their portfolios.
The director also reached more than 100 students during the year through presentations in
the following 11 classes:
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Introduction to College Writing (two sections)
Ethics for the Profession (Fall and Spring)
Fundamentals of English
Drugs and Society
Introduction to Marketing
Seminar in Effective Living
Developmental Writing
Introduction to Human Services
Contemporary Issues in Behavioral Sciences (ACCEL)
Section Three: On-Campus Workshops and Recruiting
The director planned and delivered the following four programs during the academic
year:
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October 23, 2009
Introduction to Career Planning for STEPS students
November 5, 2009
Peace Corps Recruiter Campus Visit
November 30, 2009 Presentation to Prospective STEPS Students
February 4, 2010
“Navigating Your Career in Turbulent Times” - targeted for
seniors this program focused on resume writing,
interviewing, cover letters, and online resources.
Additionally, to support undergraduate student recruitment, the director participated in
the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 Open Houses and corresponded via e-mail with 30
prospective undergraduate students who were undecided about their majors.
Section Four: Job Development
The Career Services director is in regular contact with the Vermont Department of Labor,
regional businesses, and multiple websites to help CSJ students and alumni learn how to
research and to find suitable career opportunities. The director posted 125 positions this
year on the Career Services webpage. This is a 25% increase from last year. These
positions included full-time and part-time positions as well as internships. The director
wrote a weekly e-mail during the academic year for general distribution to the CSJ
community. Working with Director of Development, this information is also made
available to alumni who “opt in.” The e-mails are intended to promote career fairs,
provide tips for job seekers, and serve as a direct link to the weekly job postings. The
complete list is available in the Career Service Office.
During the past year the director worked with several students to find internships and
volunteer opportunities in the communities. These positions included a one-credit, paid
internship at PEG TV and a three-credit, unpaid internship at Vermont Sports and
Fitness.
Section Five: Data Collection
Another responsibility of the Office of Career Services is to collect data for the college
and for publications such as Peterson’s Guide, U.S. News and World Reports, Barons,
etc. about CSJ career services and graduates.
The director began the process of collecting data on 2009 graduates in March, 2009 with
a survey that was enclosed in the graduation packet. In the fall of 2009 the director
contacted alumni by e-mail and Facebook. The director also reached out to division
heads, the director of development, and current students to locate the remaining 2009
alumni. These efforts resulted in updated information on 66% of the full-time bachelor
degree recipients.
The director submitted data to the Academic Dean on the Class of 2009 (full-time
undergraduates) for the U.S. News and World Report annual college survey Among the
30 full-time students who earned bachelor’s degrees in 2009, 6 were in graduate school
and 14 were working in their fields. The remaining 10 did not reply or were not working
in their fields. (This information was accurate as of April 9, 2010). The full report is
available in the Academic Dean’s Office.
The director prepared data for the Academic Dean as part of the interim NEASC report.
This information is also available in the Academic Dean’s Office.
Section Six: Community Service
The director is a member of the Rutland Regional Workforce Investment Board
(RRWIB) and attends bi-monthly meetings at the Department of Labor Office in Rutland.
This relationship enables CSJ to share information about our programs for adult learners,
learn about career/training opportunities in the community, and build relationships with
local and regional employment professionals.
The director also represented CSJ at the following off campus events and meetings:
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September 24, 2009 Rutland Economic Development Corporation
October 23, 2009
November 4, 2009
January 29, 2010
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February 11, 2010
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April 5, 2010
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April 7, 2010
April 16, 2010
Rutland Job Fair
Castleton College Career Fair
Poultney High School Career Planning Conference – delivered
presentation on interviewing skills to high school students
Stafford High School Service Club – delivered presentation on
careers in health care and human services
Preparing for a Career Fair – delivered a one-hour presentation
to 20 men and women enrolled in the Department of Labor’s
“Reach Up” program.
Castleton College Career Fair
Rutland Job Fair
Section Seven: Conclusion
Throughout this year the director has increased her outreach to CSJ faculty and students.
This has resulted in a 16% increase in the number of students participating in one-on-one
meetings with Career Services. The director is looking forward to continuing to deliver
career planning services that will help CSJ students understand how their own skills and
interests match various career paths and how to prepare themselves for the job search
process and successful careers.