Alumni Career Day offers chance to explore options

Today students in departments ranging from pre-law to education to information technology can hear the wisdom of former IU students and develop a clearer vision of their career possibilities at Alumni Career Day.\nThe event, sponsored by the Student Alumni Association, the Career Development Center and the IU Alumni Association, will be held from 12:30-5 p.m. in the Tree Suites of the Indiana Memorial Union.\nThe presenters are alumni, and aim to help students gain a better understanding of what might lie ahead in their academic and professional careers. Ten career panels will serve a variety of student interests. Students can ask questions of the alumni about their experiences at IU and beyond.\nIn the past, the event has been a round-table discussion, said junior Patricia Surfus, IU Student Alumni Association vice president. But this year, with the introduction of discussion panels, Surfus said the association hopes students will play a more interactive role in discussions.\n"I hope that students not only gain insight about careers and job opportunities, but make a connection with one of the 25 IU alumni participating in the event," said Surfus, the primary student organizer.\nOlivia Martinez, an administrator with the Career Counseling Services division of the Career Development Center, said the event should be beneficial to all who attend, regardless of their academic interests.\nThe alumni presenters represent a variety of backgrounds and are involved in an array of activities. Representatives will have backgrounds in business, nonprofit management, education, health care, new media, entrepreneurship and law.\nOne alumnus, Marshal Chaifetz, director of the Upward Bound program for IU, said the event will be a good networking opportunity for students.\n"Having a strong network of contacts is one of the most overlooked business resources," Chaifetz said.\nPre-registration is not necessary for the event, Surfus said, and anyone can join the discussions. She said she anticipates 100-200 students will attend.\n"Freshmen and sophomores are able to gain insight of what direction/field they would like to pursue and possibly use the experience to aid in a search for a major," Surfus said. "Older students can use this opportunity to make a contact with a particular company, learn about internships and job openings, learn the appropriate steps to obtain a certain position or help pinpoint a career interest"