How SLU’s Career Services Launched My Career
When I first walked into the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business fall career fair my sophomore year, I was nervous, and to be frank, a bit scared. Every semester, the business school’s Career Resources Center hosts networking events and career fairs like this one; events that draw in hundreds of eager students and employers. At the career fair, lots of people milled about, and I was intimidated by the professional-looking employers at the booths and tables.
It only took one conversation with an employer for all of my nerves to go away – soon I was networking, having a great time connecting with industry professionals and learning about opportunities at different companies. The people I met were great; they really wanted to get to know me and hear my story, and they spoke highly of other SLU students who they had hired. Although I was nervous at first, I’m grateful I attended that career fair because it opened the door for numerous internship and career opportunities down the road.
I’ve done a lot of internships during my time at SLU; I worked at a nonprofit consulting company, an accounting firm, and a software organization. My internship experiences were diverse and unique, and they gave me a richer understanding of the fields I’m interested in, taught me what kind of work I find energizing and fulfilling, introduced me to mentors and allowed me to learn from experienced professionals across different industries. I also got to take what I’d learned in the classroom and apply it in real, professional settings – that was incredibly rewarding and enhanced my experience as a SLU student.
The business school’s Career Resources Center has been a huge help in my professional development, as has the University’s Career Services. They have assisted me with fine-tuning my résumé, helped me practice and prepare for job interviews, reviewed my cover letters and provided valuable seminars on professionalism. I now feel confident submitting applications and interviewing – a lot more than I did a few years ago!
I’m grateful that I’ve never had to leave SLU’s campus to search for internships or jobs – the employers come to us. It’s incredible that both local and national employers love to hire SLU students. Our reputation precedes us – companies and organizations speak so highly of the preparation, work ethic, dedication and values of SLU students and alumni. Attending a school with such a fantastic reputation is a huge advantage as I prepare to join the workforce. I feel confident that I’m prepared for what’s next and eager to launch my career. I can’t wait to use all that I’ve learned at SLU to build a career that’s exciting, innovative and deeply rewarding.
Sam is a senior at Saint Louis University studying business and Catholic studies. He is originally from Iowa City, Iowa.