March 26, 2009
Still haven’t declared a major? Can’t choose between Finance and
Education, or between Journalism and History? Utilizing a
wide-array of program initiatives directed towards the discovery of
majors, the staff at St. John’s University’s Career Center are
working tirelessly to help you discover your passion.
Represented by dedicated educators whose shared mission is
to assist students in academic and career preparation, the Career
Center sponsors an assortment of programs to build beneficial
partnerships for students with alumni, faculty and employers.
Through career counseling, experiential learning, employment
programs and other services, the Center introduces students to the
demands of an evolving workforce.
Spearheaded by Jennifer Grauso, Assistant Director of the Career
Center, the S.H.A.R.E program (Students Having a Real Experience)
targets sophomores with undeclared majors who seek to gain
experiential learning in a potential field of interest. Through a
one-day “shadowing” experience, students partner with alumni
mentors to gain hands-on experience in a workplace setting.
According to Grauso, first-year students are exposed to the Career
Center through their Discover New
York (DNY) classes, third-year students visit the Center to
prepare for internship searches and fourth-year students utilize
their services for full-time career preparation. But the
second-year students seem to need more valuable hands-on
attention.
“We [Career Center] want to engage sophomores,” Grauso says. “We
want to provide second year students with a more defined reason for
taking advantage of our services. The S.H.A.R.E program is a
real-life experience for the students who seek to gain knowledge in
their industry of interest.”
In its fourth semester, this highly interactive program has grown
from 50 participants to over 100 mentors and students. Twice a
year, students partner with various organizations, including NY1, Verizon, Northwestern Mutual Financial
Network, UNICEF, local law
offices and accounting firms, to gain exposure to practical work
environments. They spend the day learning, listening and
observing through attending executive meetings, courtroom sessions
or meeting with clinic patients.
“Overall it is a great experience for the students,” Grauso adds.
“The mentors are committed to offering their time and knowledge to
assist students in the academic and professional career
goals.”
This one-day commitment allows students to adjust their schedules
in an effort to grow their career interest without a long-term
obligation. In some cases, students gain new professional contacts
in the field and obtain internships through the “shadowing”
experience.
A Fall Majors Fair and a Spring Majors Declaration Celebration
serve to provide second-year students with information and
resources from faculty members, administrators and deans from the
University’s five undergraduate colleges. In addition,
students struggling with selecting a major can engage in one-on-one
and group counseling sessions conducted by the Career Center
staff.
InSIDE St. John’s
In Fall 2008, the Career Center launched InSIDE St. John’s
(Internal Student Internship Discovery Experience), an on-campus
internship program established to encourage first- and second-year
students to gain transferable skills and exposure in a business
environment. The program enlists University employees on a project
basis to mentor students during the fall and spring
semesters. To join the program students must maintain a
minimum 2.75 average, complete an application and interview process
and commit to a10-week period, accruing 60 total semester
hours.
Jennifer Friary, Associate Director at the Center, coordinates
InSIDE along with other employer-based programs ranging from
on-campus recruitment to employer job postings. InSIDE students
participate in developmental activities including guest lectures,
workshops, seminars and interviews. Lists of available
opportunities are posted on St.
John’s Career Link.
“Faculty and administrators are the mentors, they assign the
projects and evaluate the student’s progress—in essence they take
on the role of the employer,” Friary explains. “InSIDE allows
students to connect with the University and enhance career skills.
The programs developed at the Career Center are aligned with the
University’s mission of student engagement and service.”
A Weekender series was designed to bring students together with
alumni and employers to learn about prospective industries,
challenge their networking skills and obtain practical advice to
help them succeed in a professional setting. These Saturday events
are open to the entire campus community several weekends each
semester.
A Student’s Experience
A sophomore psychology major reflecting on the S.H.A.R.E experience
says, “I cannot describe how beneficial and rewarding this
experience was. I was fortunate enough to get into the program and
am eternally grateful for this opportunity. I shadowed a school
child psychologist, who provided excellent advice and a detailed
account of the profession. I left with the confidence and
reassurance needed to pursue my passion in Psychology.”
For additional information on Career Center programs or to speak
with a representative, call 718-990-6375 or visit their website.