Career Week 2024 Activities Prime Mississippi College Students for Successful Job Search
Landing a rewarding job in a fulfilling industry is no easy feat, especially for recent college graduates. It requires creativity, adaptability, critical thinking, and networking skills – and that doesn’t begin to consider the applicant’s educational accomplishments.
The Office of Career Development will sponsor Career Week ±«Óătv from Feb. 13-20 to help equip students to succeed in that daunting task.
Whether seeking full- or part-time employment, internship opportunities, or a place to pursue an advanced degree, Career Week participants can gain a wealth of knowledge about the current job market and continuing education options – all without leaving the Clinton campus.
The slate of activities is a hit with students like Kaitlyn Hamilton, a junior accounting major from Clinton who has attended the event each of the last two years.
“Career Week activities are incredibly beneficial,” said Hamilton, who has honed her interviewing skills in a mock employer interview workshop and volunteered at the Race to Career Day event. “Each one is designed to inform students on how to be successful in their career search.
“The Career Development Team is dedicated to preparing students for post-graduate success. The staff puts a lot of thought into each and every event.”
During last year’s Career Week at MC, Miguel Pablo Quevedo obtained the photo that he now uses as his profile pic on his LinkedIn page.
“It is a great opportunity to train for the future,” said the junior electrical engineering major from Santander, Spain. “It provides valuable networking opportunities and helps you improve your interactions with professionals. I attended CV reviews, polished my resume, and talked with representatives from several companies.
“What you find in Career Week is what you will experience in the professional world, so the earlier you can practice these skills, the better your professional development.”
Maddie White said the interactive activities help prepare students for success in finding and securing employment.
“The events taught me how I should approach the job search, meet employers, and make a good impression,” said the sophomore kinesiology pre-physical therapy major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “The Office of Career Development has some fun activities planned for students to enjoy while learning professional skills and procedures.
“I look forward to the campus involvement that will occur during this year’s event.”
Each of the Career Week activities has been carefully curated to build awareness for the initiative’s signature event: the Career Expo. The Office of Graduate Admissions partners with Career Development to bring representatives from more than 90 companies and graduate schools from across the Southeast onto campus to pitch their programs directly to students.
The 2024 Career Expo is scheduled from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Anderson Hall in the B.C. Rogers Student Center. It is the focus of that day’s activities – dubbed “Career Day” – which will include free professional head shots and resume printing for ±«Óătvstudents.
According to Shreve Tarver, director of career development at MC, potential employers from virtually every industry – from business to education, retail to healthcare, legal to law enforcement – and numerous nonprofit organizations have booked space in advance of the event. They hail from Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, and Louisiana.
“We want to make sure our students are prepared to put their best professional foot forward when they meet participating employers or graduate school representatives,” Tarver said. “Even if students aren’t looking for a job or an internship right now, this will be an amazing opportunity for them to make connections for the future.
“Having representatives from dozens of employers and graduate programs representing industries of every kind – all on our campus, ready to talk with our students – is exciting.”
She said each Career Week activity will prepare students to make a good impression during Career Day.
“Whether it’s shopping for professional clothes at a discount, navigating business lingo, revising their resumes, or obtaining last-minute interview advice, students will receive a wealth of practical information that can help in their career search,” Tarver said.
A brand-new event will kick off Career Week in competitive fashion. Co-sponsored by MCI, “’Professional’ Pickleball” is scheduled from 1:30-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the Parking Garage.
The tournament will provide an arena for “professionals” – Career Week employer partners – and attendees to mingle. Conceived by student “peer mentor” volunteers, the open event will help teach potential job-seekers how to interact socially with potential employers. (Hint: it might be wise to let the employers win.)
±«ÓătvCareers will host “Shop J.Crew!” from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the J.Crew Factory at the Renaissance in Ridgeland. ±«Óătvstudents can purchase business wear at a discount before meeting employers at the Career Expo.
Representatives from Continental Tire will attend “Bingo + Burgers” at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. Students will enjoy juicy, delicious hamburgers while learning how to navigate Career Day through employer interactions and riveting games of Bingo.
Career Development staff will be available to offer students valuable advice about their resumes during “Coffee + Critiques” from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, on Pedestrian Street. Attendees can enjoy piping hot cups of Rollin Beans coffee while having their resumes printed free of charge.
Once again, Fleet Feet will sponsor one of the most popular Career Week activities, “Race to Career Day.” Participants in the one-mile fun run wear business attire on top and athletic wear on the bottom while navigating a course that meanders through MC’s campus and the Brick Streets.
There will be giveaways aplenty, and a representative from ON Running will allow students to try out their new shoes for the race. The fun is set to begin at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, on Nelson Drive.
±«Óătvundergraduate and graduate students are invited to bring their resumes, dress in professional attire, and converse with employers and representatives from graduate schools at the Career Expo on Tuesday. A photographer will be available to take professional head shots of attendees, and resume printing services, refreshments, and giveaways will be available. ±«ÓătvCareer Development employer partners for the event include Continental Tire, FORVIS, Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Enterprise Mobility, Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance, and Skyhawks Sports Academy.
“Many students take advantage of the opportunity to connect with employers,” Tarver said. “They have found the professional headshot opportunity is a valuable bonus, as well as the on-site resume printing service.”
The Career Expo is the event Hamilton looks forward to the most during Career Week.
“I enjoy being able to network with employers on campus and gain insight into what it looks like to have a career in their field,” she said. “All the employers love talking to students and are invested in helping them achieve their career goals.”
Tarver often refers to Career Development as a “launch pad” for students’ careers. Career Week could serve as the rocket.
“We want to launch our students into careers and life outside of MC,” she said. “We cover a wide variety of professional etiquette, documents, skills, and growth that is needed put their best foot forward in the job market.
“This week is an engaging, informative, and fun way to do it.”
Students can view an updated list of employers and graduate schools scheduled to participate in the Career Expo on Handshake. For more information about Career Week activities, click here.
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