Career Center News
Laker Lifetime Learning - Career Center Alumni Resources
March 26, 2024
By Tina Milosavljevic, Career Center Writing Intern
Graduated but can’t find a job? Want a change in career paths? Need advice on how to progress within a company? There’s no need to worry! The GVSU Career Center offers plenty of resources for alumni that can help accomplish these goals!
Career development doesn’t stop after graduation or once you land your first job. That's why the Career Center resources are available to Lakers post-graduation. Whether it's planning career paths, exploring the world-of-work, preparing professional materials, or building professional networks, the Career Center has got you covered! Plus, there are many resources available specifically for alumni who have already made strides in their careers.
Dani Lauer, the Coordinator of Adult and Alumni Career Resources at the Career Center, plays a vital role in addressing the needs of these populations. She has put together a set of tools, programs, and guides to fill the gaps for GVSU alumni, ensuring they have access to the support they need at every stage of their professional journey.
All of the tools for alumni can be found on the Alumni Career Resources Site, which is divided up into three categories: Strategize, Discover, and Engage.
Strategize
In the Strategize section of the resource site, you’ll find tools that will assist you in the job search process. PathwayU offers a free career assessment that will provide you with detailed career options based on your hobbies, values, and preferences. Also in the Strategize section, you’ll find Handshake resources, resume builders, and job search strategies. Make sure to check out these resources if you're beginning the task of finding a job.
Discover
The Discover section acts as a toolkit for expanding your understanding of career skills. The Career Readiness Series provides videos about taming imposter syndrome, organizing your job search, creating a stellar resume, and evaluating job offers. In the Discover section, you’ll also find many Work Like A Laker podcast episodes fit for every possible career need. Another additional toolkit on the Discover page is a list of identity-based career resources for students/alumni of color, students/alumni with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students/alumni, and many more identity-based resources.
Engage
Last, but certainly not least, the Engage section of the Alumni Career Resources site offers ways to connect with employers, career coaches, advisors, and fellow alumni. One of the newly introduced resources is the Job Fit Assessment Workshop, or JOFI. This two-part workshop, developed in partnership with JL HR Consulting, includes a career assessment and helps individuals assess their strengths matching them to suitable job categories. It's particularly beneficial for those who are unsure about their career direction or considering a change in their professional path. Another new resource is the Career Coaching database, which provides access to ten certified coaches specializing in various career stages. Dani explains that the database eliminates the guesswork for individuals seeking coaching, offering a curated list of professionals approved by GVSU. Alumni can explore coaches based on their career stage and specific needs before reaching out for assistance. As a bonus, all coaches are offering at least a 10% discount on their fees and services to GV alumni who contact them through the database.
Committed to YOU!
To further support alumni in their career endeavors, the Career Center offers advice and encouragement. Dani stresses the importance of knowing that alumni are always welcome to attend events like career fairs where they can network and seek guidance as well as access resources like podcasts. She emphasizes that GVSU is committed to supporting alumni throughout their professional journey, encouraging them to stay involved and take advantage of the resources available.
Make sure to check out the Alumni Career Resources site at https://www.gvsu.edu/careers/alumni and all of the Career Center resources at https://www.gvsu.edu/careers/.