‘Career Cafe’ offers free coffee, advice

The West Virginia University Career Services Center would like to make a coffee date with students.

Career Cafe is a new idea launched by the center to help students with any questions they may have about jobs, said David Durham, director of the Center.

The purpose of Career Cafe is to get students into small groups and explain why it is important to get started on a career early and what services are available to them, Durham said.

Members of Student Government Association were invited to the Center to have coffee and learn more about the services during the first Career Cafe on Thursday.

Fourteen members of SGA were on hand to offer feedback on how the Center can better promote their services, such as utilizing Facebook and YouTube more.

"(Facebook) is just a way of advertising and saying what events you have," said Nelson France, SGA liaison to City Council.

SGA President Chris Lewallen suggested the Center post videos on YouTube of successful WVU graduates describing how they got to where they are.

Gov. Ryan Campione inquired whether the Center produces business cards for students or would consider offering the service.

The Center does not,

Durham said, since most recruiters have indicated they are just looking for a resume.

Students can visit the Center though to receive help on writing a resume, applying for jobs, preparing for graduate school or figuring out a benefit package, Durham said.

"Things have changed dramatically in the way companies hire," Durham said.

The Center has made adjustments to keep up with those changes and wants to assist students in the changing job market, he said.

"What we've been doing for the last two years is developing our programs and services," Durham said.

National statistics show that half of all college seniors won't look for a job before graduating, he said.

WVU hopes to change this trend at the University by reaching out to students through things such as the Career Cafe, Durham said.

Durham and members of the Center will continue the Career Cafe by meeting with WVU fraternities and sororities on Wednesdays throughout the semester.

The Center will then begin targeting different departments throughout the University, Durham said.

The Career Cafe is a good idea to get students thinking about jobs, Lewallen said.

"It's an interesting way of getting more students involved," he said.