Issue date: 2/24/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Ginger Dadone The co-op office has many resources for sneiors looking to find employement after graduation.

The Cooperative Education and Career Services Office, better known as the Co-op office, provides career planning and assistance to students. The goal is to enable students to develop professional exposure and earn some college credit, in addition to earning income as well. Juniors, and especially seniors, can most benefit from their services offered.

"At this point, we have a good amount of seniors coming in the office," Jennine Picini, the assistant director of co-op education and Career Services. Picini continued, "We could have more. After spring break we have a rush of seniors coming in."

Co-op offers an online resource, www.collegecentralnetwork.com. Students can post their resumes at this website so that they can get career opportunities. The co-op offers help in drawing up a resume to give out to employers as well.

Matt Dzuryachko, a senior exercise science and health promotion major, used the co-op office's services to develop a resume for his internship at Main Line Medicine and Exercise, where he currently works in the physical therapy department. Dzuryachko said that he thinks that co-op is useful for those who want to earn money off campus.

"I find it very beneficial for those who are unable to achieve work study or work grant that need money," Dzuryachko said. With the help of a Cabrini alum, who he at the fitness center, where Dzuryachko also works, he was asked for a resume and to submit to LA Fitness, a potential job after graduation.

Kendall Neil, a senior English and communications major, said that the co-op office's motivation and enthusiasm helped her find an internship this past fall semester of her senior year. "They called me and kept track of my progress. They gave me options and helped me follow through with my internship," Neil said.

The director of Cooperative Education and Career Services, Nancy Hutchinson, said seniors have to be smart about future career plans. "Of the graduated seniors, 59 percent are offered full-time or permanent employment with their co-op placements," she said.

Picini said that the best way to find jobs is networking through people. She said, " Through the mentoring network, which is a network of alums that have posted their info in systems, a Cabrini student can see what former students have done and how they got where they are today."

On Tuesday, March 22, 2005, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Dixon Center, Cabrini will be hosting the Intercollegiate Career Fair. There, students can meet with organizations seeking full-time, part-time, co-op and internship employees. Students should bring resumes and dress for success.

Hutchinson and Picini both agree the myths that there are no jobs for recent graduates are false. "The trend is shifting. Most employers are looking for entry level positions. Many companies are responding to the Career Fair," Hutchinson said. "Seniors need to get prepared and get their butt's in gear!" Picini added.

Posted to the web by Shawn Rice