Saint Mary's students can now get career advice over lunch.
Stacie Jeffirs, Director of the Saint Mary's Career Crossings Office, has initiated a program called Hot Topic Tuesdays, which invites students to sit down during their lunch and discuss career-related topics.
She decided to start the program after she noticed how many students were coming into the Career Crossings Office (CCO) with specific job-related questions.
"You're eating lunch, so why not just come and join us?" she said.
Jeffirs said she hopes to answer many of these questions in a format that makes sense to students.
During the first meeting, she explained the Go Belles job search database, which is available to Saint Mary's students. This database has students set up a profile so interest-specific information can be sent to them. The website provides listings of jobs and internships currently available in the South Bend area as well as different events going on through the career center.
Even though the Go Belles website is reserved for Saint Mary's students, Jeffirs said Hot Topic Tuesdays can be helpful for anyone interested in either finding a part-time job for the school year or for starting their career.
Her plan is to host a meeting once a month from noon to 1 p.m. in the Saint Mary's dining hall. The idea is to reach a broader audience by offering the sessions during lunchtime.
Students who are unable to go to the meetings can come to the Career Crossings Office for personal assistance with building a resume, writing a cover letter or obtaining graduate school information by making an appointment with Stacie Jeffirs or Maureen Baska, assistant director of the CCO. The office also has many professional resources available, including book and study tools.
"All students are welcome to come even if they don't plan to participate in on-campus interviews," Jeffirs said.
Jeffirs said everyone is encouraged to join and learn about what options and resources they have available when going through the stressful search of finding a job and building a resume.
Jeffirs said she plans to talk about items like the professional database Linkedin.com, networking with alumni and alumni clubs available to students. Projected meeting dates are scheduled for Oct. 12 and Nov. 16.
