Written by Julie Jernigan, Asst. Copy Editor

Connecting students with employers is the main goal of Career Opportunities at VSU, according to Kevin Taylor, associate director of the career development team.

When students begin their journey at VSU, one of their first stops should be Career Opportunities where counselors set them up with a four-year plan that ultimately helps them leave with a job right after graduation.

“Going through college is a process, and they need to know there is help here,” Taylor said.

Counselors help students identify their skills, which helps them decide on a major where they can shadow or intern in a field of their choosing. The office also hosts career fairs and workshops to help students network throughout each semester.

One service that’s overlooked is a test on Focus 2, which can be found on Blazer Briefcase. The test can determine what major is best for a student.

Blazer Briefcase, which can be found on VSU’s website or on the Blazer Briefcase app, lists internships and full-time and part-time positions in a student’s field of choice. The program draws from different companies’ websites across the nation, using patent-pending technology called Career Shift.

The site also hosts helpful videos on how to master small talk and a poor GPA.

Recently, Career Opportunities hosted the Spring Career Expo and the Blazer Ready Workshop, which helped students apply for jobs and network with the community.

“We’re the middle man,” Taylor said when asked what the office hoped to accomplish with these events “When employers come with opportunities, we want to directly connect them with students.”

Taylor stressed student participation at these events to help better their experience.

“The more students we have, the more employers will come,” Taylor said.

The office also hosts résumé walk-ins to help refine résumés every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Seniors, don’t fret. Career Opportunities still has upcoming events, which can be found on their website, such as the Last Chance Job Fair on April 27 from 6-8 p.m.