Gaining on-the-job experience relevant to a student’s major gives our graduates an edge during the inevitible job search. 

Events designed to help students make academic and work connections will be held in a one‐stop environment Monday, April 27, from noon to 5 p.m. (note corrected time, please) in the UNM Student Union Building, Ballroom B.

UNM’s University College Advisement Center will host the “Explore A Major Fair,” to raise student awareness regarding the multitude of UNM academic opportunities. Representatives and advisors from several departments will be available to share detailed information about majors and minors.  

“This is a great opportunity for students to have face time with advisors and to get information on the different majors and programs available. It is especially beneficial for students who have not selected a major,” said Sarah Kieltyka, academic advisor, University College Advisement Center.

UNM students are also invited to participate in a Student Job Fair, sponsored by the UNM Graduation Task Force Student Engagement Committee. UNM departments as well as community organizations with work‐study contracts will be on hand in the ballroom to discuss the benefits of student employment and to recruit UNM students for summer and fall employment.

No fooling, the UNM Parent Connection Workshop Wednesday, April 1, is focused on getting your student a job and on the path to a meaningful career.

Students will get ahead of the Lobo pack by gaining professional experience during the college years. UNM Career Services expert Marty Apodaca will talk to families about ways students can explore interests that may lead to a college major. He will also discuss how to find summer internships, co‐ops, and employment opportunities, and how to land a “real” job after graduation. (more…)

Career Expo ’09 is Thursday, Feb. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the UNM Student Union ballrooms.

The event is New Mexico’s largest and most premier career fair with more than 100 local and national employers recruiting employees to work in various industries, including accounting, aerospace & defense, banking, communications, education, engineering, financial services, government, military, marketing, nonprofit, real estate, retail, transportation services and more. 

The expo is open to students, alumni and community members, who should bring copies of a well‐polished resume. To learn more about preparing for the event and for more information, visit the UNM Career Services web site or call 277‑2531.

Projects ranging from designing surgical innovations to developing tomorrow’s Internet will be demonstrated at the UNM School of Engineering Open House on Saturday, Nov. 8. The open House will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the new Centennial Engineering Center on the UNM main campus. High school students interested in engineering, computer science and construction management are invited along with their families, guidance counselors and teachers.

Visitors will be able to see the latest technologically advanced labs, hear about the school’s top‐ranked programs and meet internationally recognized faculty. Each of the five academic departments will show creative solutions to global challenges and UNM students will be on hand to discuss their projects and research.

There will also be presentations on financial aid, scholarships, student support programs and admissions. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, visit the School of Engineering web site.

By Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

For many college students, determining a direction and selecting a major can
be a daunting task. Parents and friends usually offer their suggestions, talk
about their experiences and voice their opinions. However, with so many
options and uncertainties tugging at them, students may find that little seems
clear. It is no wonder that they can feel overwhelmed and confused.

Although some students become paralyzed by the confusion, most of you will
eventually gravitate toward one of your options. If you are having trouble
selecting a direction, here are a few ideas and suggestions that should ease your
mind and improve your odds of making a good decision.

a. Recognize That You Don’t Have To Get Too Precise Too Quickly — You
probably won’t have to select a major until your sophomore year. (Check with your
advisor.) Even then, the courses you select in your junior and senior years
will determine your specific area of concentration. However, it is important for
you to be both active and diligent in gathering information, about possible
choices, throughout your freshman and sophomore years.

b. Start With Broad Areas Of Interest — When you are a bit unsure about your direction but think that you will be happy in a certain field, don’t
immediately settle on one job title in that field. Instead, it may be better for you to
come at it from a broader perspective. Since every field of study offers a wide variety of employment opportunities, start broadly and then methodically narrow your choices during the first few years of college.

c. What Have You Enjoyed Doing? - Reflect back. Make a list of the
activities and behaviors you already enjoy. Include any activities you think you would
like. Consider previous school classes, school and community activities, work, hobbies, sports, etc. What topics do you like to read about? What were you doing when you felt good about yourself? Where would you like to make a difference? Remember, you will be more successful when you enjoy the work you are doing. (more…)

Is your student’s major area of study going to lead to a secure career? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics compiled data from 2004 to 2007 in order to predict the security of careers in more than 270 fields. At the top are health care, education, security, environmental sciences and government. Below is a glimpse into the future:

Health Care: As the U.S. population ages, the demand for health care professionals will increase. As well, an emphasis on activities involving physical fitness is creating a need for positions in athletic training and physical therapy. By the year 2014, health care positions are projected to increase by an astounding 52 percent for medical assistants, 40 percent for physical therapists, and 43 percent for dentals assistants – far surpassing the projected growth for most other career fields.

Education: Our nation’s focus on improving education is creating demand for teachers of all levels. Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle and secondary school teaching positions are expected to increase 18 percent, while postsecondary careers are predicted to rise 32 percent.
(more…)

The UNM College Bowl Team finished second at the National College Bowl Tournament, the fourth consecutive year UNM’s team has made it to the national tournament. This year they reached the final four and placed second behind the University of Rochester. The event was held at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn.

Students Jason Zuffranieri, Vanessa Gatsch, John McCulloch, Chad McCoy and John Ogren make up the team. (more…)

With gas prices expected to reach $4 a gallon this summer students from the UNM Anderson School of Management are developing an advertising campaign aimed at tackling the ever‐present “pain at the pump.”

UNM is one of 11 universities participating in a program sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association designed to give marketing students the opportunity to develop national and local marketing campaigns for public transportation.

The partnership is an industry‐education program, known as “Green Means Go: The American Public Transportation Association Campus Challenge.” The focus is for students to inform their 18 – 25 year old peers about mass transit and encourage them to use it. “What makes this program so exceptional is that it is run entirely by students, for students” says John Benavidez, marketing professor at UNM. (more…)

The UNM Alumni Association is hosting the 2008 Senior Conference Friday March 28, from 11:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. in the Student Union Building. The event includes an etiquette lunch, information sessions and a network reception.

“The Senior Conference is a great opportunity for graduating seniors to prepare for life after college. Seniors will get information on a variety of things ranging from how to manage money, interviewing skills and preparing for graduate school,” said Sue MacEachen, Senior Alumni Relations Officer.

Door prizes include an iPod Shuffle, a gift from Lieber’s Luggage, UNM Bookstore gift certificates, a Satellite Coffee gift basket and a Kaplan prep course. More information on the event and registration can be found at www.unmalumni.com/seniorday2008 or contact Natalie Armijo at 505.277.1968 or njarmijo@​unm.​edu.

Information about internships and job opportunities in the fields of print and broadcast journalism, public relations, advertising and communication will be available at the Communication and Journalism Career Fair Tuesday, March 4, from 1 – 4 p.m. in the Student Union Building ballrooms A&B.

Representatives of various companies and offices employing individuals or accepting interns will be on hand to meet with students.

For more information or to participate as a potential employer or internship mentor, contact Jerra Gonzales at (505) 860‑0918 or e‐mail to jerrag@​unm.​edu.