The Daily Bulletin Archive

By Tony Astran

With the current global economy experiencing unprecedented struggles, the job market is likewise suffering. Many college students—particularly those preparing to graduate—may feel pessimistic about employment prospects. But Buffalo State’s Career Development Center gives students an advantage in any job market.

The CDC is gearing up for its third annual Job Fair on Thursday, March 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. Judging by the significant increase in visitors to the CDC office this academic year, organizers anticipate a record attendance in excess of 500 students.

“It’s an employers’ market right now,” said Stephanie Zuckerman-Aviles, director of the CDC. “With the economy the way it is, students have to triple their efforts. We’re covering everything, starting with the basics—how to dress and how to be proactive about approaching employers.”

“It’s not about who you know; it’s about who knows you,” added Lisa August, associate director of the CDC. “Students need to have an edge. First impressions and experience through volunteering, service-learning, part-time jobs and/or internships are key. The goal for students is to get the employers to believe in their potential.”

As bad as things may seem, August said, there is hope. All 40 or so organizations that will attend the Job Fair are hiring; some are looking for interesting skill combinations—which Buffalo State students often have as a result of their liberal arts education.

Zuckerman-Aviles said that many students have recently benefited from mock interviews offered by CDC counselors. This is just one of a full range of services that the CDC provides. The center also reviews résumés and cover letters, connects students with alumni mentors, and provides interest and personality assessments and literature to help students determine career paths. Staff members maintain an online database of local and national full-time, part-time, summer, volunteer, and internship vacancies called ORCA—the Online Resource for Career Advancement. They offer workshops on site and in class, and house the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

CDC staff members also organize additional events throughout the year—such as Teacher Recruitment Days and the Human Services Fair. They speak at dozens of classes and student events, and teach two 1-credit sections of UNC 111: Career Planning in Theory and Practice each semester. They organize campus visits from employers seeking to meet and potentially hire Buffalo State students.

“We’re working harder than ever before, taking every phone call and trying to turn over every stone for job opportunities,” Zuckerman-Aviles said. “It’s our job to convince organizations to visit Buffalo State. At the same time, we try to teach students about the ‘hidden’ job market—knowing how to find employers that may not readily list their job opportunities online.”

The CDC isn’t just for seniors. Zuckerman-Aviles said her staff encounters an even mix of students. Many freshmen and sophomores, for example, seek help with understanding different career fields and also look for on- and off-campus part-time and summer jobs to offset tuition costs and to gain career experience. In addition, recent graduates also are using services more than ever.

Zuckerman-Aviles considers her counselors to be “the most talented in Western New York.” And they’re busy. She advises students to book appointments for one-on-one counseling sessions as early as possible. Wait times can run up to three weeks.

Zuckerman-Aviles said the online database is also “humming.” During 2007–2008, more than 4,800 students logged in to ORCA to view more than 6,000 full-time-job opportunities. More than 3,500 employers posted jobs, an increase of 11 percent over the previous year. Job postings rose by 30 percent, and internship listings increased by 24 percent.

August advises students not to give up during this economic downturn. “People are still getting jobs,” she said. And Zuckerman-Aviles tells students to be persistent, have patience, be prepared, and immediately follow up with employers. Most of all, she wants them to take advantage of the CDC’s resources. No matter what the economy, she said, the CDC “will support you in making your dream become a reality.”