The Career Office Comes to You

Students can now get career advice without leaving the comfort of their homes, thanks to a new program implemented in the office of Career Services.

Melissa J. Hubbard, a second-year graduate assistant, recently initiated a way for students to contact the office using Yahoo, MSN and AOL Instant Messenger programs to assist students with any job-related inquiries that they may have.

According to Hubbard, students can contact counselors by simply adding "ubcareeradvice" to their buddy lists and sending a message.

"The instant messaging system is a new way of providing outreach for students who are using technology both on and off campus," said Hubbard.

Before students were able contact the Career Office through online services, they could either schedule an appointment with one of the seven available counselors or graduate assistants, or speak to someone through the telephone or e-mail.

On many occasions, if questions could not be simply answered over the phone or through e-mail, it was necessary for students with issues concerning their career developments to schedule appointments to speak with a counselor.

"Sometimes it can be difficult for off-campus students to actually come down to the office and speak with someone. This is just another way for these students to contact us," said Hubbard.

Hubbard anticipates most students will have questions concerning jobs they may be interested in, and how to go about getting those jobs.

"I expect that most students will ask questions like, 'What should I wear to my interview tomorrow?' or 'Can someone look at my resume?' I am willing to help students with any questions that have with respect to career development," Hubbard said.

UB students have already begun taking advantage of the easy-going process of online messaging

Amy N. Forbes, a sophomore psychology major, said she was relieved when she saw the fliers around campus explaining the office's new system of contact.

"Using AOL messaging is so much easier than what I was doing before," Forbes said. "I live off of South Campus and I don't have a car, so it was difficult for me to have to drive all the way to North and make an appointment to speak to someone when I just had a quick question. Now I don't have to worry about making time between classes to get to Capen and talk with someone in the Career Center."

Junior architecture major Andre M. James said the new service would allow him to avoid braving the Buffalo winter.

"I'm from Trinidad, so I'm not used to all of this cold," said James. "I talked to someone about an architecture firm from my desk at home, and I didn't have to trudge through the snow and sleet to do it."

According to Hubbard, the Career Office has been in the process of getting the new service up and running for about a month. They went live with the program at 1 p.m. on Jan. 3 and have had a substantial amount of students contact them so far.

The AOL Instant Messenger program allows employees at the Career Center to respond to students immediately and more easily.

"By using methods like the phone or e-mail, we could mostly respond to students' questions within one or two days. By using AIM, we are able to respond to them quicker than usual," said Hubbard.

Hubbard said she first encountered the University's use of online messaging services through the on-campus admissions program. She spoke with the admissions office before deciding to implement the online plan.

"Not only is it good for the students because it is easy and free for them, but it is also beneficial for us," said Hubbard.

There are currently seven counselors and graduate assistants who are available to deal with students' instant messages throughout rotating hours on both Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The career office, in 259 Capen Hall, is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students can reach the office using online messaging every Tuesday and Thursday between 1 and 4:30 p.m.