Looking for a job after graduation? Interested in developing crucial career-building skills? You’re in luck! The Department of Student Success is putting on a large-scale, high-profile series of events the week after mid-semester break, from March 4 to 8, to help prepare students for their lives after college. 

Monday, March 4: Student Success will be hosting 13 local companies at the General Full-Time Hiring Expo in the Breezeway. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to connect directly with recruiters from The Walt Disney Company, Thrivent Financial, Enterprise Mobility, EBizCharge, or the United States Secret Service. Yes, Disney will be there; a first for Concordia! 

“I would encourage our juniors and seniors to attend the expos,” said Mariah Lucas, 

Director of Career Development & Vocation. “Seniors should attend with a resume in hand ready to apply on the spot. Juniors should attend with resumes in hand to potentially apply for internships or to start building a connection with a recruiter for next year.”

Tuesday, March 5: From 2 to 3 pm, Student Success will put on the Cash and Cookies Workshop, designed to help students become more comfortable with handling their credit score, debt and finances. Enjoy gift card raffles, Insomnia cookies and financial advice in Student Union 201!

“Student loans can feel like a huge looming shadow on the horizon,” said Lucas. “Learning how to budget can feel overwhelming when you start to think about affording a place to rent and utilities and necessities. Students have the opportunity to learn how to utilize their credit score to their advantage and how to create a budget that provides the opportunity for students to plan for the expected and unexpected events that follow graduation.”

Wednesday, March 6: Two back-to-back workshops will be held in the Career Center: “Utilizing Your Transfer Experience” from 10 to 10:30 a.m. and “Brewing Success with LinkedIn” from 10:30 to 11 a.m. 

Transfer Success Coach Joie Annunziato described the transfer workshop. “It will discuss traits that transfer students embody and how those translate into furthering their education with graduate school or into the workforce,” said Annunziato. “Students will hear sample interview questions and practice incorporating their past experiences into their answers.”

Lucas emphasized the importance of understanding LinkedIn. “With LinkedIn receiving over 77 applications per second for the various jobs posted on LinkedIn, it feels overwhelming and daunting trying to find a full-time position. First impressions are made in the first five seconds you interact with someone. These employers want Concordia students and have taken the time out of their schedules to come here to build connections, so don't waste this opportunity to get to the front of a hiring manager's list.”

Wednesday, March 6: The Closets and Close-Ups event will also be held on Wednesday from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Patio! For the third year in a row, generous Concordia staff and faculty will donate professional clothing for students to build their wardrobes at no cost. Free professional headshots will also be offered. 

“Many items we received the past two years included ties, heels, blazers, slacks, belts, dresses and more, many of which were dry cleaned,” said Amanda Norris, who hosts the clothing drive. “During our first Closet & Close Ups about two years ago, one of the students that took a suit came up to me a week later and let me know that they wore it for a job interview and got an offer. It's such a blessing to be able to give back to our students and help them expand their professional wardrobe, as many professional clothing items are not very affordable for the average college student's budget.”

Thursday, March 7: Students will have the opportunity to receive professional advice from Concordia alumni at the Career Compass event. “We will be having guests from Microsoft, Amazon and the Pacific Southwest District Office of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in attendance,” said Lucas. Prepare some questions and enjoy a taco bar from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Student Success Lobby!

Friday March 8: Life after College Week will close out with the Education Hiring Expo. If you’re a senior in education hoping to work locally, make sure to engage with representatives from the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, the Capistrano Unified School District, the Orange Unified School District, Christ Lutheran in Costa Mesa, and the Newport Mesa Unified School District. Several highly competitive districts will be present, offering an exclusive opportunity to make a good first impression!

“Our students are successful in building relationships with employers when they are friendly, approachable and make an effort to understand the company or organization they are talking to,” said Lucas. Taking advantage of the Life After College Week events will help develop the skills you need to be successful in the professional workspace. 

For more information about Career Services, contact careercenter@cui.edu or follow them on Instagram at cui_successcenter to stay updated about career events!  

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