Kiley Wellendorf | Contributing Writer

On a rainy Friday morning, students around Buena Vista University (BVU) were given the opportunity to sit and listen to alumni talk about their careers, answer any type of question regarding their professions, and even give advice to students who wish to pursue a specific job area. This Career Symposium is brought together every year as a way to guide students in the right direction with their class choices, internship opportunities, and overall success as a BVU college student.

The Career Symposium typically consists of three separate events: discussion panels, which allow students to sit and ask questions to a group of five to eight alumni about their profession, a luncheon, acquired through an RSVP invitation, and one-on-one opportunities with alumni in the afternoon.

While ACES credit is offered through the various panel discussions, students are encouraged to attend as a way to better prepare for interviews, internships, and overall future success. Regardless if students missed out on a majority of the events or committed to more than one panel, BVU gave both new and previous students a special opportunity to converse about the job force or even shape ideas of what life is like outside of college.

Discussion panels met in classrooms around BVU and were offered to any student interested in learning more about a future career. Each panel featured a handful of BVU alumni who specialized in careers relating to the subject discussed. There were around sixteen separate panel discussions, and they ranged from undecided majors to specific majors such as Marketing and Computer Technology. Students were encouraged to ask questions throughout the discussion and alumni warmly answered every question to the best of their ability.

Alumni introduced themselves, explained the workforce they’re involved in, and shared experiences with students about their time at BVU and what happens within their career. Although panels were held for 50 minutes, time flew by as stories were passed around amongst students and alumni. These discussions were set up for students to learn more about their desired options. Students were given ice-breaker questions on the back of a piece of paper and at times strayed away from the subject matter, asking personal questions directed towards alumni.

At the end of the discussion, students were encouraged to either talk with alumni, go on their way to another panel, or attend the one-on-one sessions later that evening. BVU has a warm way with welcoming students into brand new possibilities and holds together a bond stronger than most universities have to offer.

While discussion panels were offered to any student freely, luncheons and one-on-one interviews were by prior reservation only. Luncheons were held in Dows Conference Center and offered students an opportunity to eat with alumni and network. Although this may have been a great way to talk with alumni in a more personal way, this opportunity also opened doors to future internships and job opportunities.

Just like the luncheon, a one-on-one opportunity was offered as a way to sit down alone or with a few other students and go over career options with BVU alumni. Students were encouraged to dress their best and bring a resume for alumni to look over and critique. During this hour, alumni answered questions about their career and gave students the opportunity to learn more about the ups and downs of finding a career right out of college. While this either ran as formal or informal, both parties were able to develop a genuine understanding of the goals they must have and classes they will need to take at BVU that will help down the road.

According to Assistant Director of Career Services for Internships Cindy Cone, this Career Symposium was one of the biggest yet.

“It seems to me that we have a lot of fairly recent graduates that are coming back so that’s exciting, and I think that’s good for our students too,” Cone said.

She expressed her excitement and overall gratitude towards this helpful event.

“Just the fact that we bring our alums back for this special day because it’s both a win-win for them; they take a day off work; they come and spend the weekend; they get to come to homecoming,” Cone said.

While students were able to get a pretty firm grasp on what life is like outside of BVU, the tone for this special day held nothing but excitement and encouragement.

This opportunity given to students is a remarkable way for those who find it difficult to make up their minds or finalize their decisions for the future. While some students may be nervous about what the future holds, BVU has a way of making sure students feel at ease with the transition into the real world.