Career Services' welcome event draws success

9/18/09 - More than 1,000 University of Rhode Island students and faculty filed through the tent in front of Roosevelt Hall yesterday at the annual Welcome Party. The event, hosted by Career Services, featured numerous booths displaying services offered across campus, and in surrounding areas. Although many students entered desiring only the free pizza supplied by sponsor Walgreens, many left with valuable information and opportunities.

Many booths were dedicated to making college life more fulfilling, both for incoming freshmen and upperclassmen. For example, the Counseling Center offers one-on-one and group sessions intended to help deal with emotional, academic, social and personal problems. These include relationship problems, eating disorders, alcohol abuse, and many more.

Other organizations were more focused on recruiting students.

A Peace Corps representative was on site, and offered an informational meeting while the Office of Internships and Experimental Education offered pamphlets and information on pursuing internships.

And of course, Career Services was in attendance, displaying the many services offered to students including resume writing, job search assistance and career counseling. Students are encouraged to set-up confidential career counseling appointments, but walk-ins are accepted.

Career Services also offers online services such as Rhodynet. This comprehensive job search gives students a chance to post resumes and profiles for prospective jobs. The exclusive URI site provides options such as part-time, full-time, summer, internships, or on-campus as a way of narrowing your search. There are over 2,500 organizations and contacts ranging from local to international job opportunities.

According to the URI Web site, Career Services believes providing Rhodynet is a fair way to provide and display job opportunities for students.

Also present was a representative for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, a company that has been one of the top 10 internships in America for the past 13 years, according to their Web site. All majors and grade levels are eligible to apply for these openings, which consist of 15 to 20 hours a week.

Director of Career Services Bobbi Koppel is proud of the Welcome Party's success, and welcomes students to visit the organization's office on the second floor of Roosevelt Hall, in room 228. Whether students are looking for a job or confused about what major to choose, Koppel is enthusiastic about working for students.

"We do everything we can for students, even if we have to stand on our heads.