Crafting careers for Pirates

Crafting careers for Pirates

While East Carolina University students are busy attending class, doing homework, and engaging in campus activities, their future careers are looming. When the time comes for them to begin their employment pursuits, the ECU Career Services office is ready to assist.

From start to finish

Chris Fortunato, associate director of employer relations, said the career services office works with students primarily in three ways: making career decisions, gaining experience and securing employment. The career services staff had 15,000 student interactions during the 2023-24 academic year.

"We work with graduate and undergraduate students, as well as ECU alumni, to help them make career decisions," said Fortunato. "It could be their major or their career focus, but we strive to create confidence in the major they've selected and work to achieve the career they desire. We want to work with them so they're very confident and perform well."

Students who need help choosing a major are often referred to career services by an academic advisor, hear a classroom presentation from a staff member or reach out on their own. During an individual meeting, students may take an assessment to discover their career and academic interests before discussing majors and careers.

"We believe that experience informs decisions. If students will make effective decisions, they need experience," said Fortunato. "This experience is gained through career fairs, workshops, internships and other high impact practices."

"The third area is helping students prepare for and secure employment or take the next step in their academic pursuit, whether it be graduate or professional school," said Fortunato. "Career services staff focus on professional readiness with students by helping them compose resumes, personal statements for grad school, and mock interviews."

One of the biggest tools the career services office uses is Handshake, a job and internship database. According to career services staff, 23,000 jobs and just shy of 4,000 internships posted in 2024 are available to students on Handshake.

Forming a high ROI

In a UNC System report earlier this spring, 96% of ECU undergraduate programs have a positive return on investment (ROI). In the 2022-23 ECU First Destination survey, which is the most recent data available, over 90% of graduates are either employed or advancing their education within six months of graduation. Fortunato believes that experience is a component in producing those results.

"We're confident that regardless of the major ECU students select they will have transferrable skills which makes them employable," said Fortunato. "They gain these skills through the experiences they enjoy as Pirates, on campus or in the community. If they get the experience, they'll be competitive and have a positive ROI regardless of the major."

Experience comes in many forms, including jobs, internships, co-ops, academic research, volunteering or service learning.

"We've found that employers are looking for at least two professional work experiences," he said. "While one experience can inform students a great deal, it may not show the commitment that employers are looking for. More opportunities and more doors open with additional experiences."

Going to the fair

Career services will host seven career fairs this semester, with the two biggest being a part-time job fair and a fall job and internship fair, both of which were held in September. Approximately 5,000 students attended career fairs last academic year.

Planning begins between six and eight months in advance, with events being held in both the Main Campus Student Center ballrooms as well as the Greenville Convention Center depending on the number of employers and students in attendance. Career services contacts employers who have previously attended their events and will also reach out to the chamber of commerce as well as alumni to identify potential job opportunities.

At the part-time job fair on Sept. 4, 1,265 students attended the event in search of a position. This is a 17% increase over the 1,041 students who attended the 2023 event. One of them was freshman Raymond Anderson, an accounting major from Concord. Sporting a light blue suit, Anderson made his way through the Main Campus Student Center ballroom, stopping at multiple tables.

"I was looking for anything geared towards my major," he said. "I was able to build off what I know. Using that knowledge gives me a head start over my competition."

Anderson feels that the event will help him as he continues in his academic and professional journeys.

Alan Plunket, regional recruiter for Fastenal, was one of 24 employers at the event. Plunket said that he looks for students who have good communication, teamwork and leadership skills. He also seeks students who are eager to work, flexible and can think on their feet.

ECU alumni are another source of job and internship opportunities for the next generation of Pirates.

"We know alumni are great sources of opportunities," said Fortunato. "Alumni want to give back to their alma mater. When we hold job fairs, we do have recruiters self-identify whether they are alumni and identify them with different badges. We connect with them for job and internship opportunities and believe they see the value when hiring ECU students."

College of Business alumna Ashley Dickerson earned her bachelor's degree in 2023 and immersive Master of Business Administration (IMBA) in 2024. She represented Hyster-Yale Group at the fall job and internship fair, which had 100 employers and 857 student attendees, which is an increase of 197 students from the 2023 event. Now on the other side, Dickerson can relate to the range of emotions students are feeling at the event.

"It's definitely a full circle moment," said Dickerson. "I think since I did just go through a job search that I understand what students are going through trying to find those jobs or internship and feel inclined to let them know more about company and help them out."

"I would encourage them to get out of your comfort zone. It is intimidating to go up to companies and stations, but just put yourself out there. You never know what will happen if you talk to somebody."

Alumni can also help current students through networking.

"Networking is vital for students to make a connection with employers and alumni, particularly when seeking advice," said Fortunato. "There is a significant difference between 'Do you have any jobs for me?' as opposed to 'What advice might you offer to someone who is looking for a job in this industry?' That student or recent graduate needs to impress the alum so that they'll be willing to share jobs or put in a good word for them. We really focus on contacting more people that can help to get advice and impressing those you meet with."

Rosslyn Honse, a senior marketing major from Richmond, attended the fall job and internship fair with the goal of building her network.

"I wanted to see everything and figure out a plan for myself," she said. "I've been walking around talking to people, networking and hope to build relationships."

Preparing students for future success

Once students are ready to begin their job hunt, career services has multiple staff members prepared to assist students through the process, from resume writing to dining etiquette to interviewing. While some may be intimidated by the process, career services staff members are ready to help students be as prepared as possible.

"Career services is one of the most important services students should utilize when in college because it can directly prepare them for life after ECU," said Fortunato. "Many students wait until their senior year to take advantage of interview preparation, resume reviews and mock interviews. However, career preparation should actually start during a student's first year in college so that they are more comfortable with the process by the time they are a senior."

In addition to career and job planning, the office also helps students prepare for graduate school.

Career services has a partnership with the Center for Pre-Professional Advising to help students enrolled in professional study programs.

"We help students understand the graduate school process and consider what the best option is for them," said Fortunato. "Once they determine it's right for them, we help them select an area of study and what opportunities that may lead to. We work with students on their personal statements and have found that is an area they often need assistance with."

Fortunato believes there is one attribute that employers are looking for that can't be taught in the classroom or any advising session.

"The one thing I try to get across to students in mock interviews is that employers hire for desire," he said. "Employers can teach skills for the most part, but they can't teach desire."

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