Seize the Season

By Jason Ioffe

Peers for Careers/SCDC Correspondent

(As originally published in The Ticker – http://ticker.baruchconnect.com/)

As December nears, the sweet glow of the fall 2012 semester’s end looms on the horizon. After battling through finals, projects, and other sources of academic anxiety, the winter intermission offers an excellent opportunity to rest and recharge for the spring semester. However, diligent students should also realize how valuable the next couple of months are to their professional development. Effectively juggling a full-time class schedule with the job hunt is no simple task; intermissions grant the convenience of being able to focus mostly on pursuing your career. With over 17,000 students currently enrolled at Baruch College, and competing for top jobs and internships, the importance of supplementing your degree with networking efforts should not be underestimated. Whether your academic path takes you through Business, Public Affairs, or the Liberal Arts, your college degree alone is not sufficient to guarantee a full-time position after graduation. Add value to your degree by gaining experience through internships, jobs, volunteering, and, above all, the expansion of your professional network.

Networking effectively during the holiday season may seem foreign or overwhelming, but the Starr Career Development Center is determined to aid all Baruch students’ professional development year-round. Before the winter break, take advantage of some of our most powerful networking workshops. On November 27, join us in room 750 of the Library building during club hours for the Diversity Pipeline Programs Panel Networking Event – invaluable to prospective professionals diving into the New York City workforce. Also on November 27, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, the SCDC is hosting another installment of our highly acclaimed Small Talk workshop: Small Talk 2: It’s a BIG DEAL! This is a fabulous opportunity to learn to make the most of your interactions with professionals in your industry and propel your professional network forward.

Additionally, prepare yourself for a winter internship or job search with our Mastering the Job Interview and Making the Most of Your Internship workshops on November 28. Since both holiday time and the interview process will likely have you socializing over a meal or light refreshments, learn the ins and outs of Dining Etiquette at the Center’s workshop on December 4th. Furthermore, learn to effectively use Facebook and LinkedIn to your professional advantage during our Social Media mini-workshops on November 29. Finally, to learn more tips on Holiday Job Hunting among other topics, check out Job Maven Blog at https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/scdc/.

Full monthly listings of SCDC sponsored events and workshops are available on Starrsearch, which you can find through the URL http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/careers. Be sure to RSVP early – seats fill up quickly!

Don’t allow the winter intermission to break your professional stride. Seize the season. Visit the SCDC today to learn more.