By: Kimber Wenzelburger

As seniors begin to face a still-uncertain job market and underclassmen look to optimize their career potential early, UA Career Development Center representatives are seeing office traffic pick up – and they’re working to ensure students reach their career goals, despite the economic slump.

CDC Director Barbara Batson even said she thinks this year’s graduates will be more likely to find a job than last year’s – though the search may still prove tough.

“I anticipate spring 2010 graduates will have more job opportunities in more areas,” she said. “I like for our graduates to have choices when it comes to accepting a job – however, the choices may be more limited in some fields for a year or so.”

But that’s why the CDC is available – to help students make the best of the job market as is. Celebrating its 60th year on campus next fall, the CDC, in Batson’s words, “assists all students, all majors, all degree plans in exploring their career interests and developing a plan to reach their career goals.”

And it’s not just for seniors, she said. The CDC helps all students find experience to benefit – and complement – their degree.“There is not just ‘one way’ to plan for a successful career,” Batson said. “Some students find study abroad, work abroad, internships, research and volunteering to help point them in the direction of a meaningful career.”

By: Stephen Ironside

Batson and other CDC officials work with UA students throughout their college career, beginning with the most basic element: choosing a major. At the CDC, this is established by not only students’ natural abilities, but also their everyday interests and work values.

From there, the CDC helps students develop skills to accompany their degree programs – and the Professional Development Institute, with more than 1,600 UA students as members, “is maybe one of (the CDC’s) best features,” said Kevin Jones, a CDC career ambassador. “I definitely encourage students to use it.”

Through internships, study abroad, community service, research opportunities and more, PDI “helps students develop the professional skills needed to compete in the job search and/or graduate school application,” Batson said.

PDI “career coaches” determine the best experiences for individual students and guide them through workshops and presentations, like “Diversity in the Workplace” and “Professional Interview Skills.”

“These are invaluable resources to job-seeking students, and they’re free,” said Madalyn Watkins, a CDC career ambassador. “(Signing up for PDI) was one of the best decisions I’ve made at the UA.”

Marshall Carter, CDC career counselor, agreed that the job search strategies learned through PDI give students an edge out of college.

“Their application materials are usually going to be in better shape, and their interview and job search skills are going to be better,” he said. “This counts in the ‘real world.’”

For students, the ultimate purpose of this work is to secure a job, preferably one that pays well and is in their field of interest. But Batson said soon-to-be-graduates might have to shift their thinking, at least for a little while.

“Students need to adjust their expectations to be realistic about the job market and the economic environment,” she said. “No. 1, it may take longer to find a job. No. 2, a graduate may have to relocate or be willing to within a few years. And No. 3, salary expectations need to be realistic – signing bonuses are rare these days.”

Greg Renick, a CDC career ambassador, said it’s vital that students take advantage of the CDC’s services – and because of his own experience at the CDC, Renick said he’ll be able to find a good job, even in a competitive market.

“Today’s economy is the toughest we have seen in years,” he said. “It is essential that students have a strong, tailored resume, great interview skills and the relevant experience needed to land a job in such a tough market.”

The CDC is located in the Arkansas Union 607, Bell Engineering 3158 and 3188, and Old Main 518. Students who want to set up a meeting with CDC officials can visit Career.uark.edu or call 479-575-2805.

“Students need to visit the career center – they’re missing an important part of their college education if they don’t,” Batson said.