Liz Ortiz
Staff Writer
The University of La Verne’s Career Services began undergoing changes to enhance employer relations with the help of new Assistant Dean of Student Career Support and Employer Relations Mindy Baggish.
The restructuring of the center was a part of President Devorah Lieberman’s 2020 Vision proposal. Career Services plans to expand its outreach to potential employers in various job fields and increase employment for undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni.
“The focus of the re-envisioning of Career Services is to continue our quality career counseling and development focus for our students while increasing and enhancing the employer relations aspect,” said Loretta Rahmani, dean of student affairs. “Enhanced employer relations opportunities will have a direct impact for our students by increasing career positions and job opportunities for our students.”
Baggish plans to use marketing techniques as the main component of building employer relations. According to Baggish, she is concurrently reaching out to students, faculty and employers.
“If employers know more about the caliber of education and students at the University, they would arguably find it more favorable,” Baggish said.
Baggish said she is also reaching out to faculty and asking them if she can come sit in class lectures and speak to the students about the center and get feedback from the students of what changes they would like to see occur within the center.
“The economy has drastically impacted the employment outlook for students, not just at the University but nationwide,” Baggish said.
“We (Career Services) recognize how competitive the job market is and we need someone to be on staff and promote the students.”
Baggish said that building relations with employers is a process, and it will inevitably take time before there is a significant increase in the amount of internships, entry level jobs and higher paying positions that students acquire through Career Services.
For now, Career Services began offering drive-thru services for students, which allows students to come in every other week without an appointment and speak with a career counselor.
“Our goal is to make sure this resource is available and accessible to as many students as possible,” said Lori Kiesling, administrative assistant.
The center will have its annual career and internship fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 12 in the Campus Center.
Liz Ortiz can be reached at elizabeth.ortiz@laverne.edu.
