When you visit the first floor of Benton Hall, you might hear the sounds of foot traffic, running printers, laughter, and brewing coffee. These subtle sounds echo from the employer relations (ER) suite, the Career Services team dedicated to connecting employers with 冈本视频 students.
The work done here helps students explore career paths by developing long-standing relationships with alumni in a variety of professional fields. Jobs and internships brought in by the team are featured on and sent to students in Career Services weekly emails. This is one of the primary ways that students may benefit from the 冈本视频 network.
鈥淲e act as an advocate for students,鈥 says Nolan Snyder, assistant director of ER operations.
Discovering your career path takes a balance of interests, academics, and exploring fields. The job market can be competitive, but there are dedicated 冈本视频 alumni excited to open doors for students. The 冈本视频 Premier recruiting program is how Career Services leverages these relationships and how students can take advantage of being a member of the 冈本视频 community.
鈥淲e partner with nearly 200 employers from a diverse range of industries every year to bring jobs and internships to students, most of which are connected to 冈本视频 alumni,鈥 Nolan explains. 鈥淭hese employers understand the value of 冈本视频鈥檚 liberal arts education and specifically seek the qualities it provides the University鈥檚 students.鈥
鈥淲e invest a great amount of time and human capital in managing relationships with external partners who support our students,鈥 adds Aaron Bushey-Hansen, assistant director of employer relations.
The team focuses on the many facets of the job-search experience, dividing responsibilities between operations and outreach. Shannon Enders, assistant director of employer relations, enjoys the problem-solving aspect of finding employers and delivering opportunities to the students effectively and equitably. She works to have a positive influence on the lives of students.
鈥淢uch of what we do is maintaining relationships with our employers 鈥 whether alumni, recruiters, or company owners,鈥 she explains. 鈥淓ach organization is unique, and we find ways to support their recruiting objectives while presenting some wonderful opportunities to students. Each employer has a unique approach to recruiting and how they recruit to 冈本视频 specifically. It鈥檚 about finding what works for them and being able to deliver that information and opportunities to students.鈥
Aaron further highlights the importance of organization in such an endeavor, especially when seeking employers.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a pretty complex process to navigate,鈥 he shares. 鈥淥ur approach combines thinking strategically about the types of opportunities 冈本视频 students are interested in pursuing and what companies or opportunities may inspire a different kind of career exploration while leveraging relationships with employers and alumni that historically recruit our students. We鈥檙e always looking to connect 冈本视频 students with wonderful opportunities that will support their journey on the hill and after they depart campus.鈥
There are many resources available to students at Career Services, and preliminary steps can be taken to begin building a relationship with the office if students have not already done so.
鈥淎ctivate your Handshake account and fill out your career interests,鈥 recommends Nolan. 鈥淭he more we know about what employers and industries interest you, the more we can offer opportunities that are relevant to where you want to go in your career.鈥
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Employer Relations Team
Aaron Bushey-Hansen, Assistant Director of ER; Shannon Enders, Assistant Director of ER; Teresa Olsen, AVP of Career Initiatives; Amanda Pike, Administrative Assistant of ER; Nolan Snyder, Assistant Director of ER Operations; Keith Watkins, ER Assistant.