Seminar Friday November 10, 2006

SPEAKER : Dale Austin

HOST: Peter Gontheir

Hope College physics and engineering students are broadly prepared for the fast-paced changes of today's business world with a liberal arts education and a well rounded academic program. Employers will want to see that you have specific experience to compliment your broad academic experience. A recent survey by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) revealed that 79% of employers currently offer internships, 87% of new graduates with jobs have internship or internship-related experience on their resumes, and the average employer hires approximately 1/3 of their interns for full-time positions upon graduation. An internship providing specific, hands-on experience, is critical to your success as you pursue employment and graduate school options.

Not only is experiential learning through an internship important, the development of professional networking relationships is a skill vital to the career success of Hope College students as it has recently become the most reliable method for finding employment. According to a recent survey of the Department of Labor, networking accounts for at least 69% of all annual hires. How do you build these networking relationships? How do you gain experience in your field? Come hear tips and resources available through the Office of Career Services to help you with your job or internship search, gaining experience in your field, and building professional relationships.