MSUM Career Center Coaches Students and Alumni for Jobs, Graduate School
By Samantha Gust, Interim Director, Career Development Center
In 2015, Rahil Pereira was a Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) freshman in the same predicament all young adults face—landing his first job. With most on-campus jobs requiring a resume as part of the application process, Rahil turned to the university’s Career Development Center (CDC) for help. There, he found the expertise and support of faculty and staff who genuinely care about his experience. We asked him a lot of questions and guided him toward developing a strong resume. After his first appointment, he walked away feeling equipped and confident to begin his job search. It was the start of his four-year journey with the CDC—from new student to prepared professional.
In addition to resume writing assistance, the Career Development Center offers student and alumni development through one-on-one career coaching, professional skill-building programs and workshops, networking events connecting students to employers, and an extensive resource library. Our goal is to empower every Dragon with the skills necessary to build a rewarding career.
Our goal is to empower every Dragon with the skills necessary to build a rewarding career.
After Rahil’s first appointment with the CDC, he continued connecting with the staff each semester to fine-tune his resume and brush up on his interview skills, and it paid off. After being offered an internship with Doosan Bobcat that he was certain he was not qualified for, Rahil asked his supervisor why they chose him for the position. His response? He had a stellar resume and his interview skills were impressive. With his foot in the door, Rahil has contributed his time and talent to various departments within the company and is currently a member of the Product Management Analytics and Reporting Team.
With over 700 career coaching appointments and 130+ employers participating in campus events annually, the Career Development Center’s impact is significant, benefitting students, alumni and local, regional and national employers. With the onset of COVID-19, the services and opportunities we provide are more important now than ever. The process of finding an internship or job and the way employers recruit has shifted dramatically within the last nine months, and so has the way the CDC works. Moving appointments and events to a virtual platform has allowed us to provide the same great support to students and alums that we’ve always offered, regardless of where they live.
“I don’t know where I would be without the Career Development Center,” Rahil said. The coaching he received during appointments and events has prepared him for his next adventure—graduate school to earn a master’s degree in business analytics. After deciding to continue his education, Rahil reached out to us again to get assistance in writing his personal statement. After receiving offers to four of the six universities he applied to, he checked in once more to brush up on his negotiation skills.
Rahil encourages students and alumni alike to take advantage of the services provided by the Career Development Center. “It’s an excellent resource, especially during these times.”
Students and alumni can reach the Career Development Center at www2.mnstate.edu/career, careers@mnstate.edu, or 218.477.2131.