Elon students picked up valuable advice from campus leaders on ways to be successful in their first jobs during a workshop held Monday, April 21 in McKinnon Hall. Details...
Nearly 100 students attended “Professional Development and Decision Making,” a workshop sponsored by Elon’s business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi, and the Elon Career Center. Participants heard presentations by Scott Buechler, associate dean in the Love School of Business; David Magee, director of the Elon Career Center; and David Noer, the Frank S. Holt, Jr. Professor of Business Leadership.
The workshop included practical advice about interview preparation, key factors in career decision making and the necessary skills to make the transition from college to the business world. In addition, students were able to ask questions and discuss their individual career goals with the panelists.
Buechler talked about the challenges of choosing a career and emphasized that finding and building a career over a lifetime can, and should be, great fun. He pointed to resources that can help people select a good career fit, such as career counselors at the Elon Career Center, books such as Richard Bolles’ “What Color is Your Parachute,” Web sites such as www.jobhuntersbible.com, and one’s own network of family, friends, and faculty.
Erika Miller, vice president for chapter affairs with Alpha Kappa Psi, said the event was important for all students, not just those with an interest in business careers. “We wanted to do something that was beneficial to everybody, and we felt a campus-wide event like this would provide that opportunity.” Miller said Alpha Kappa Psi’s 55 members all played a role in planning and organizing the event.
Senior Lindsey Goodman attended the event, just hours after interviewing for a job in Richmond, Va. She said the workshop was helpful because the panelists brought practical experience to the table.
“Anytime you talk to someone with experience in the business world, you gain from it. When you see the experience people like these panelists have had, you can definitely learn from that.”