Every college student is essentially here for one reason: to get a job after graduation. Now during the four years of college almost everyone will be faced with big life decisions, struggle with time management, fight off peer pressure, and choose whether to go out drinking or study, or do a little bit of both.

Almost all are forced to choose between constant forks in the road, and while it is easy to look no more than a few days into the future, it is advised to look further, much further. The career field is increasingly becoming more and more saturated with smart, educated people, and their robust resumes. Instead of waiting until the week of graduation to plan your life, why not get a head start?

“But how do I do that?” You may ask. Well the answer is simple; go meet with the on campus Career Services!

Career Services is located on the top floor of the Cushing Center, and is part of the Center for Experiential Learning, which also includes Academic Internships and the Meelia Center. Career Services is open every day from 8:30 to 4:30, drop in hours are from 1:00 to 4:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and if those times do not work they will even make individual appointments to suit the needs of the ever-busy scholar.

But the general undergraduate may be reading this and thinking, “I know what times they are open, but what can career services actually do for me?”

According to the Director of Career Services, Sam Allen, “it all starts with a resume to help students assess where they have been and where they want to go.” A resume is essentially a college student’s business card, and Career Services has several options to help you create yours and make it as competitive as possible.

Whether through the online Anselmian Career and Employer System (ACES) or through a face-to-face meeting with the Career Services staff, you will sleep better at night knowing the first step to having a better future is done.

While the resume may seem like a small, simple part of the job process, it could potentially be the key that unlocks many doors of opportunity in your life. Assessing where you have been is the key to letting employers know who you are as a student, as a person, and a as a potential employee.

Assessing where you want to go is all about introspection, and while Career Services cannot read your mind, they can certainly help you make up your own, and help you to makes smart decisions about your future.

Along with the resume process, Career Services will gladly assist each and every student with job compatibility, job searching, interviewing, and networking. Career Services is here to help students become professionals. They will equip you with crucial knowledge regarding employers and what they are looking for.

According to Sam Allen, “It’s important to be a good planner and be prepared to engage in experiences that are going to help you be able to market yourself beyond the classroom.” Our years as students are dwindling fast and Career Services will help you complete the transformation from awkward college student to professional, hard working adult.

Career Services is here to help the student body. It is often too easy to get caught up in trivial things while spending your time here at Saint A’s, but it is important to slow down once in a while and think about what type of life you want to lead after graduation. Do yourself a favor and allow Career Services to help out. You will thank them in the not-so-distant future.