Tools of the trade for job searching, networking

Amanda Melillo Contributing Editor

When starting a search for a summer internship or full-time job, many students may not know where to start. Between the hundreds of public Web sites with job postings and elusive internship listings, tangible tools for finding a job can ease the stress of the search. The Career Development Office (CDO) has an extensive library for students to peruse, with topics ranging from graduate school to working abroad. The E-Recruiting database is also a cornerstone of career services (vassar.erecruiting.com). E-Recruiting allows students to search for jobs and internships across the country.

Vassar also takes part in the Liberal Arts Career Network (LACN) along with 27 other liberal arts colleges. LACN is an online database of “selective jobs” including both entry-level and upper positions. Additionally, “Spotlight On Careers,” a project that runs in conjunction with LACN, is an online database in which colleges contribute in-depth information about particular career fields.

Vassar is also part of the Selective Liberal Arts Consortium (SLAC), making the College one of 12 with recruiting days with large companies in Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago and San Francisco. SLAC also offers a “First Look” resume referral program for students that are geared towards finance and consulting firms.

One of the perks of being a Vassar student is access to the extensive network of alumni/ae. What were previously known as CAP files in paper form have been transferred to an electronic format and posted on the Vassar Career Advisory Network (V-NET). On V-NET, students can search different majors, geographical locations or industries to find out what past graduates have done with their liberal arts education. The system allows students to find alumni/ae that are willing to assist with a student’s job search at all stages of the process, from initial questions to job shadowing.