Workshops and Special Programs
Workshops are offered for students and alumni on a variety of topics. To register, or for more information, please contact the Office of Career Services at 375-2303, or e-mail careers@roanoke.edu. All workshops will meet in Career Services - located in the Fowler Alumni House - unless otherwise designated. DATES FOR SPRING 2009 WORKSHOPS WILL BE POSTED SOON!
SUPER SENIOR SATURDAY covers all of our basics in one workshop, early in the semester, before students get really busy with class projects and other work. Topics include Resume Writing, Cover Letters, Interviewing Skills, and other Job Search Tips.
NOW THAT YOU'RE A JUNIOR covers the following topics: Resume Building Before It's Too Late; Developing a Professional Resume; and Job Search/Graduate School Admissions Overview.
GETTING INVOLVED: ROANOKE 101 is our freshman/sophomore workshop which covers these topics: Get Involved, Get Ahead (Extracurriculars and Resume Building); Graduate & Professional School Opportunities; and Internships & Experiential Learning Opportunities.
"A LA CARTE" WORKSHOP SCHEDULE:
| DATE | TIME | TOPIC |
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*Requires pre-registration in Career Services.
Roanoke College Career Nights:
What are Career Nights, and Why Should I Attend? Career Nights are programs scheduled for each city in which we have an alumni chapter. They are held at times when students are not in classes on campus, such as Fall Break and Semester Break. These events are excellent networking opportunities for summer, part-time, and/or full-time jobs and for internships. The question we attempt to answer with the Career Night programs is "If I want to live and work in (city), what can I realistically expect?"
How Does a Career Night Work? We ask that students and graduates register for the various Career Nights by specified deadlines. The Director of Career Services then works directly with an alumni committee in each chapter to put together the program based on student needs. We attempt to find alumni, parents, or other individuals closely connected to the occupational interests of the students who plan to attend in each city. The program consists of a panel presentation and question-and-answer period regarding employment in that city in general. Panelists are then available on an individual basis to talk with the students about specific needs and interests. Many times the panelists become mentors for the students for the remainder of their college years.
What Do You Have To Do To Attend a Career Night? First of all, complete a registration form (available from Career Services). In addition, seniors who attend are required to have submitted a resume to Career Services; all others are strongly encouraged to submit resumes as well. A minimum of five students or graduates must be pre-registered for a location before a program will be planned.
When Are the Career Nights? Generally, programs are held during Fall Break for Baltimore, Washington D.C., Richmond, and Hampton Roads. Those in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Charlotte are held during the Semester Break. The schedule for 2008-2009 follows:
| Location* | Date |
| New York, NY | December 15, 2008 - cancelled |
| Boston, MA | December 16, 2008 - cancelled |
| Philadelphia, PA | December 17, 2008 - cancelled |
| Atlanta, GA | January 6, 2009 - cancelled |
Charlotte, NC | January 7, 2009 - cancelled |
Students and graduates may attend any or all of the Career Nights. They will be held approximately 5:30 or 6:00 until 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. The specific location for each will be included in the packet of information given to all registrants. Travel arrangements and costs are the responsibility of each student. Career Night information sessions are held at the beginning of the Fall Semester to give students more information about these programs, and attendance is encouraged but not required. Please call Ms. Toni McLawhorn, Director of Career Services, at 540-375-2303, or e-mail her at "mclawhorn@roanoke.edu" if you have any questions or wish to participate. (She would also welcome calls from those who might like to serve on a Career Nights panel!)
*NOTE: A minimum of five students or graduates must be pre-registered for a location before a program will be planned.
UPDATE (11/11/08): ALL SEMESTER BREAK CAREER NIGHTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO LOW PRE-REGISTRATION NUMBERS!
"What Can I Do With a Major in ....?" Programs:
Many times students will ask questions similar to this one. In order to help find some answers, the Office of Career Services and the Roanoke Valley Alumni Career Development Committee will co-sponsor a series of career information programs, by academic department. These programs are open to all students and have no pre-requisites for attendance.
Why Should You Attend These Programs? As a freshman or sophomore, you may want to find out some of the typical and not-so-typical careers followed by those who have graduated with a certain major. As a junior or senior, you might want to make contacts with people who are employed in fields of interest to you, to find out about possible internships and part-time jobs, and to begin the important networking that could lead to full-time job contacts. Most of the panelists for these programs are alumni of the college, and they are eager to help current students.
What Should I Expect At The Career Programs? All of the career programs, with a couple of exceptions, will follow the same time schedule, which is: 5:30-5:45 arrive, network, and enjoy refreshments; 5:45-6:30 panel presentation, questions and answer period; 6:30-7:00 time for individual networking with panelists and refreshments. This time schedule will allow for students and faculty with evening classes to attend the programs. Unless otherwise noted, programs are held in the Colket Campus Center in the designated rooms below.
What is the schedule for the various Departmental Programs?
| Date | Department/Majors | Location |
| January 21, 2009 | Sociology | Kime Conference Room |
| January 28, 2009 | Political Science | Kime Conference Room |
| February 4, 2009 | Biology | Kime Conference Room |
| February 11, 2009 | International Relations | Kime Conference Room |
| February 18, 2009 | Criminal Justice | Kime Conference Room |
| February 25, 2009 | Education | Garrett Meeting Room |
AD2 PORTFOLIO REVIEW DAY:
This event is co-sponsored by Career Services and the local chapter of Ad2, a professional organization for the public relations/advertising/marketing/graphic design fields. Students will have an opportunity to attend workshops on a variety of topics. Additionally, students may make advance appointments to have their resumes and portfolios critiqued by a professional in the industry. This year's Portfolio Day will be held on Saturday, March 28, 10am-2pm, in the Colket Center. Details will be available later in the year.
INTERNSHIP FAIR:
This event provides an opportunity for students to speak directly with employees of businesses and organizations about potential internship opportunities. A casual, walk-through event that does not require pre-registration. The Internship Fair date for Fall 2009 TBA. Interested employers should contact Amy Foster: foster@roanoke.edu.
MAJORS FAIR/MAJOR CONNECTIONS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE
(will include information on minors and concentrations, too!)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2009
11:30AM-1:00PM
WORTMANN BALLROOM
Faculty representatives will be available to speak with students on the various majors, minors, and concentrations offered at
YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PROGRAM TO INVESTIGATE THE MAJORS, MINORS, AND CONCENTRATIONS AT
You are cordially invited (and encouraged) to attend
MAJOR CONNECTIONS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2009
11:30AM-1:00PM
Wortmann Ballroom
MAJOR CONNECTIONS is an event designed to help sophomores, juniors, and seniors declare a major, minor, or concentration.
Faculty advisors will be available to process the necessary paperwork immediately. Departments will also be able to assign department advisors to those interested students who may not yet qualify for a major. This event should help you to make an easier, quicker connection with a major.
No pre-registration is required. Just stop by Wortmann Ballroom during the hours listed above, and you will be provided assistance.
Prior to MAJOR CONNECTIONS, you may want to visit the MAJORS FAIR – taking place at the same time and location - to pick up check sheets of courses required for completing each major of interest to you, to ask initial questions of faculty advisors, and to gather information that will help in your decision-making.
QUESTIONS???
Contact the Center for Learning and Teaching in the Library, 375-2247, or ask your advisor.
CAREER FOCUS DINNERS:
This special program series is co-sponsored by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Workforce Education Advocacy Group and by Roanoke College, Hollins University, Ferrum College, Radford University, and Virginia Western Community College. It is designed to bridge the gap between education and business. Each session takes place at the respective business site, and includes an informational program on career opportunities for college graduates within the industry and/or business, a tour of the business, and a delicious dinner provided by the sponsoring business. These programs provide excellent opportunities for students to network with area business leaders, as well as to find out what skills employers value in their employees. Details on each visit will be provided through email and WebAnnouncer each week during the time the series is offered, and they will be available in Career Services. The schedule for spring 2009 will be posted as soon as it is available to us.
All sessions will meet on Tuesdays from 4:30-7:00pm on site for the sponsoring business. Spaces for each visit are limited. All students are eligible to attend, though seniors and juniors will be given first priority. A very limited number of spaces is available for each program, and a Wait List will be developed for each. Once the schedule is posted, students are encouraged to register as soon as possible, as businesses must make plans with caterers for food needs and so on. Please register only if you are very serious about attending; "no shows" will have a charge of $15 placed on their RC Business Office Account, in order to recover fees for the employers' catering and other costs. Registrations are now being accepted for all of these programs in Career Services!!
| DATE | LOCATION |
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Questions? Contact Career Services as indicated above.
If you have questions on any of the workshops or programs listed above, contact Ms. Toni McLawhorn or Mrs. Amy Foster in the Office of Career Services.
This page is maintained by: Toni McLawhorn,Director of Career Services mclawhorn@roanoke.edu
Last Updated: 11/21/08
