Career services a valuable asset for Penn State Hazleton students
Students can use career counseling early in their collegiate career to pinpoint their unique attributes and consider what career paths and academic tracks would suit them best.
Making the transition from college to career can be daunting, but career services at Penn State Hazleton is here to change that by helping students lay the groundwork starting in their first year in college.
Career services offers a variety of means to assist students, beginning with initial interest and personality assessments and extending all the way to preparedness for a job search.
Students can use career counseling early in their collegiate career to pinpoint their unique attributes and consider what career paths and academic tracks would suit them best.
“Talking with a career counselor early is extremely beneficial for any student,” said Career Services Coordinator Kaitlyn Krasucki. “Right from the start, we can ensure that each individual student gets on a path that best suits them. They may have interests they don’t even know are options for a career. We are here to help them navigate and make sense of what may seem complex.”
After students narrow their focus, career services can help them prepare for the working world by assisting in finding an internship, writing a resume and learning how to network – increasing their chance of success when beginning a career or applying to graduate school.
Just a few of the advantages students can receive from Career Services at Penn State Hazleton include:
The Nittany Lion Career Network. All students have an account with this network, which lists approximately 5,000 jobs and internships worldwide at most points in time. In addition to searching for positions, students also have the ability to post resumes on the network and connect with alumni mentors.
“Employers are using this career network to not only post their positions, but to actively seek Penn State students. They want employees with a Penn State degree. This is a great tool that gives students access to thousands of opportunities,” Krasucki said.
The Career Guide for Undergraduate & Graduate Students created by Penn State. This comprehensive guide features a great deal of information about career planning, developing career goals, navigating job offers, applying to graduate school and other important topics.
Tools that can assess a student’s personality, interests, skills and values to encourage creative thinking about how those four areas might fit with different career options.
Career fairs, including the Eastern Region Career Expo and Networking Luncheon. The expo is held each year at an alternating Penn State eastern campus to give students the chance to network with employers, learn more about opportunities at a variety of companies and talk about their abilities and goals.
Students are also invited and encouraged to participate in career services events at University Park or other campuses. Those include Fall Career Days and Spring Career Days held at the Bryce Jordan Center, when approximately 400 employers set up booths and interact with students to discuss internships, summer opportunities and full-time positions.
The relationships that Penn State Hazleton has with employers are a valuable way students can make connections.
“Many of our students are from Greater Hazleton and plan to stay in the area after graduation. It’s important for them to know that Penn State Hazleton has relationships with many employers who are local and looking for local students. We also have relationships with employers that have multiple locations, even international. Depending on a student’s interest, there are plenty of opportunities,” Krasucki said.
Post-graduation, Penn State Hazleton alumni can also benefit from making contact with Career Services if they are looking for a job or considering a career change. With a background in alumni career services, Krasucki is knowledgeable about the resources the university can offer its alumni, including career counseling and web services targeted at alumni.
Krasucki oversees career services at Penn State Hazleton and is available to meet with students or alumni to discuss resources and careers. She can be contacted at 570-450-3566 or [email protected]. Students can also visit studentaffairs.psu.edu/career to learn about upcoming events or other information.
“We have access to so many resources that we want students to know about,” she said. “Most importantly, students should consider meeting with career services early and throughout their college tenure. We can help you take the right steps to pursue success and not leave your career to chance.”
