Career Services at Poly moves

Students passing through the Center Building at ASU’s Polytechnic campus are noticing something new this semester, and it could help them find a job. One of the office suites in the building has been renovated and converted to the new home of the Career Preparation Center.

The center, which helps students create resumes, practice interviews and plan their transition from college to the working world, previously occupied shared space with two other student services units, which made finding space to provide training and resources to the student population a little difficult.

“We have almost 3500 square feet now,” said Justin Finnerty, director of the Career Preparation Center. “Even including the shared areas, our previous location was less than a third the size.”

The new space, which is centrally located for student foot traffic, allows for classes and career workshops, provides rooms for employers to conduct interviews or for students to conduct mock interviews, and accommodates student traffic during the busy periods before graduation and the twice-yearly career fairs.

Glass doors, modern furniture and muted shades of maroon and gold contribute to a space designed to project a professional, welcoming look. A large study area with movable furniture can host either one-on-one sessions with student “career peers” or large groups. The new area also has a conference room for presentations, designed to evoke a boardroom layout so that students can develop their confidence in a corporate environment.

“We want students to know that they can come here with any questions they have, whether they’re freshmen trying to choose their career path or seniors who need to take their resume and job-hunting skills to the next level,” said Barbara Aarestad, career preparation coordinator. “We’re here to help.”

Free career counseling from the center is also available to Alumni Association members and any ASU alumnus within a year of their graduation date.

The Career Preparation Center hosts frequent fairs, presentations and workshops for Polytechnic students. Workshops held this fall – including an etiquette dinner and professional fashion advice – brought in 468 students. The spring career fair, scheduled for Feb. 25, is expected to bring another rush of students looking for resume and interview advice.

According to Aarestad, the center is anticipating greater turnout in its new home.

“A better location helps students to feel good about us,” she said, “and that means it’ll be easier to reach the students who need our help.”

Kari Stallcop, (480) 727-1173
Public Affairs at ASU Polytechnic campus