About Us > Career Advocate Program

ABOUT US

CAREER ADVOCATE PROGRAM

Career Advocates - Who are they?

Career Advocates are student representatives from a diverse array of majors and career interests who act as peer career mentors.

Who can become a Career Advocate?

The only qualifications necessary to become a Career Advocate are:

+ Undergraduate student status
+ Federal Work-study eligible
+ Want to develop leadership skills
+ Motivated to assist peers in the career development process
+ Demonstrated professionalism and great work ethic
+ Want to work in a fun, innovative and exciting work environment
+ Able to work about 6-10 hours per week between the hours of 12:00-4pm

What do Career Advocates do?

Career Advocates have become involved in a number of student interactions and projects to assist and promote the Center for Career Services. Some of these have included:

Drop-ins
Advocates are required to assist undergraduate students through drop-in hours (12 – 3pm). Drop-in sessions usually last between 15-20 minutes and are used more for quick informational help. Areas you may be responsible for will be general overview of services, resume and cover letter critiques, interviewing preparation, researching employers and the internship and job search. Training will be provided for all areas of service.

Career Fairs, Events, Workshops & Presentation Support and Facilitation
Throughout the academic year career advocates provide logistical support for various career fairs, workshops and presentation. Some of the request for support will be filtered through unit projects or general staff requests. Training will be provided for unit projects, which require career advocates to facilitate workshops and/or presentations.

Assist with New Career Advocate Training
Senior career advocates will be required to participate in future training and orientation of new career advocates.

Career Advocate Program Evaluation
On-going career advocate program evaluation is requested throughout the academic year. This feedback is generally requested through evaluation forms, group meeting discussions and an end-of –the-year luncheon.

General clerical support
Throughout the academic year, the Center for Career Services may request career advocates to provide clerical support in the following areas: copying, assisting with mass mailings (stuffing envelopes, affixing labels, etc.), and other duties as assigned.

How do students benefit by becoming a Career Advocate?

Students selected as Advocates will undergo an intense, thorough training program to prepare them for advising responsibilities. Advocates will receive ongoing training on leadership, communication via mock interviews, and diversity issues during each semester.

Benefits previously stated by Career Advocates include:

+ The opportunity to discover, develop or enhance a variety of skills including leadership, teamwork, communication, advertising, writing, presentation, research, organization and planning through various projects.

+ A better understanding of the steps and issues associated with career exploration.

+ First hand knowledge of the most successful ways to conduct a job or internship searchs.

+ The satisfaction of developing career awareness among fellow students.

+ Opportunity to meet recruiters and other employers participating in career fairs and other career events.

+ The chance to demonstrate to employers a willingness to play an active role in the campus career center.

What will be asked of a Career Advocate?

COMMITMENT to follow through on agreed upon task and responsibilities.

CHALLENGE to grow professionally and personally.

Are applications currently being accepted for students who want to become Career Advocates?

Yes. Our deadline for applications for Fall 2008 Advocates is May 23.

Students with questions about becoming a Career Advocate should speak with Neal Powless, Career Consultant, in a drop-in meeting or email him at njpowles@syr.edu.

To apply, students will need to 1) complete an application, 2) submit a resume, and 3) interview successfully. Students may complete an online application or print out and complete a PDF version and bring it to the center (235 Schine) with the required resume.

DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CAREER ADVOCATE PROGRAM, ONE OF SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS PEER MENTORING PROGRAMS.