Faculty Soapbox: The Abby Code: Don’t leave Alfred University without the following

The Career Development Center is housed in the Steinheim (castle) that was built by Alfred University’s second president and his wife, Jonathan and Abigail Allen. What appears to be a headstone for Abigail can be found on the second floor of our building and we like to think that Abigail’s spirit remains. In fact, a ghost hunter who visited Alfred University last semester visited the Steinheim and noted the presence of a benevolent older female and a mischievous male child (but that is another story for another time). Abigail Allen was and remains an inspiring individual – I recommend that you read Susan Strong’s biography of Abigail, Thought Knows No Sex: Women’s Rights at Alfred University.

Abigail inspired the CDC staff to come up with a code or a list of skills, knowledge and experience that we want all students to have before they leave Alfred University. Here is a brief overview of these items, which constitute the "Abby Code":

First, every student should have a workable resume and cover letter. There will not be another time in students' lives when they can step out their door and have the opportunity to work on a resume face-to-face with a career counselor/advisor. Not to mention it's free.

Second, we want every student to have a meaningful internship, co-op or summer job. To that end, we offer the Internship & Summer Job Fair to make sure they are on students’ radar. This year’s event is scheduled to take place on Friday, Feb. 19 from noon to 2:00 p.m. in Kenyon-Allen-Davis. By no means is this the end of the internship search for most students, which is why the CDC subscribes to a number of resources (including print, electronic and human) to help with the internship/summer job search.

Next, it is essential for students to understand that interviewing is a skill that significantly impacts a person’s ability to secure employment. Time and again we see students with a 2.8 GPA being offered jobs over students with a 3.5 GPA primarily because they prepared (by practicing and conducting research) for the interview.

Another necessary skill is the ability to network. According to our annual grad survey, over 50% of newly minted Alfred University graduates report that their first job offer was a result of networking. A person’s network includes previous employers, alumni, family, friends, professors, bartenders and religious leaders.

While there are several additional items in the Abby Code, the last one to be noted in this article is the development of one’s professional image. Knowing what you have to offer an employer with respect to skills, values, experiences and personality traits and presenting yourself as a self-aware and mature candidate drastically increases your likelihood of being hired.

The Career Development Center provides a number of services to make sure students leave AU with these skills intact. We offer one-on-one appointments, workshops, a career preparation class, career fairs, networking events, and an etiquette dinner and professional image show.

If you want to be prepared for the job/internship search, then contact the CDC to set up a meeting or to learn more about upcoming events - cdc@alfred.edu / 607-871-2164.