Penn State Hazleton has named Karen Beruck career services coordinator.
HAZLETON, Pa. — Karen Beruck has been hired as career services coordinator at Penn State Hazleton.
Through the Career Services office, Beruck will counsel undergraduate students and alumni on topics including career exploration and planning, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing skills, internship and job search preparation, and selecting and applying to graduate school programs.
Having worked as a student advocacy specialist in the campus’ Advising and Career Center since 2017, Beruck brings considerable experience supporting students and a strong familiarity with the campus’ degree programs.
“We are excited to welcome Karen into her new role as career services coordinator,” said Director of Academic Services and Retention Karen Sofranko. “With her extensive background, experience and commitment to student success, we are confident Karen will play a pivotal role in enhancing career resource guidance, providing invaluable assistance and further strengthening Penn State Hazleton’s commitment to empowering students as they navigate their professional paths.”
In her new role, Beruck said she is eager to continue providing direction and assistance to students as they apply the knowledge learned in the classroom and work towards their future careers.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting with students to assist them with all their educational and career goals to excel in the world,” Beruck said. “I’m looking forward to engaging, empowering and inspiring students to succeed personally and professionally.”
Beruck said students can expect to receive help with a host of services including career exploration, creating resumes, developing interview skills, searching for internships, and understanding how their degree, experience, and interests can build a professional portfolio. She plans to work closely with degree program coordinators to assist students with internships and job searches.
Among her goals for the Career Services office, she plans to emphasize hosting career preparation-centered events by working with the Alumni and Development and Student Services and Engagement offices.
Her first such event will be a trip to Penn State’s Spring Career Days, a career fair held Jan. 23-24 at the Bryce Jordan Center at the University Park campus featuring hundreds of employers from around the country. Beruck plans to organize a trip on the first day of the event, Tuesday, Jan. 23, that focuses on non-technical full-time jobs and internship opportunities.
In addition, Beruck will continue to promote the Career Services office’s traditional offerings, including interview coaching and the Career Closet. Located in the lower level of the Mary M. and Bertil E. Lofstrom Library, the Career Closet offers professional attire students can borrow for presentations, events or job interviews.
Beruck’s role as a student advocacy specialist saw her support recruitment and retention initiatives by participating in campus open houses, accepted student events and orientation programs. Her responsibilities extended to aiding in the Advising and Career Center, Registrar, and Student Success Center, where she helped address student issues, advocate on their behalf, and guide them to relevant university resources.
Additionally, she played a role in helping students get acclimated to college through participation in orientation programs, facilitating campus requests, assisting with course selection, and promoting awareness of major requirements.
Prior to Penn State Hazleton, Beruck worked for over a decade at Penn State Schuylkill, where she held positions that supported Student Affairs, Admissions, the Bursar’s Office and Development and Alumni Relations. Her accomplishments include overseeing budgets, financial processing, judicial case support, and coordinating special projects and student-programming events.
Beruck holds a master’s degree in higher education, a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a marketing and management option and an associate degree in business administration, all from Penn State
To learn more about career services resources or to meet with Beruck, visit the Career Services website or stop by the Advising and Career Center located in Room 204 of the upper level of the Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center. She can also be reached at 570-450-3011 or at [email protected].
