SVSU finds new ways to connect graduates with employers amid pandemic
SAGINAW, Mich. - Next month, at least a thousand students are expected to graduate from Saginaw Valley State University.
Soon, they'll gear up to enter the workforce, but are there jobs available during the pandemic?
SVSU Interim Career Services Director, Bill Stec, says companies are changing things up a bit because of the coronavirus and really taking social distancing into consideration.
While it may be challenging to find a job right now, places are still hiring and SVSU is here to help students in the process.
"Even during this time, they can connect with us," said Stec.
Stec says landing students jobs after college is one of his top priorities.
"We work with around 10,000 companies day in and day out that give us their job opportunities," he stated.
That includes overseas. Because of this pandemic, Stec says opportunities are more slim.
"A lot of companies are on a hiring freeze right now. But once this pandemic is over I can assure you we’re going to see a tremendous amount of job postings from the companies," he said.
Stec says that doesn't mean employers have stopped hiring all together.
They've found new ways to connect with potential candidates.
"All these interviews are definitely being done virtually. It’s up to the company and their policies with their Human Resources department if they want to have them start remotely," Stec stated.
Which is why he is encouraging students to prepare now.
"We have staff available to them when it comes to getting ready for mock interviews, to get ready for that real interview, if they need their resume looked at," said Stec.
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He recommends students now more than ever, think outside the box when looking for that first career break.
"Now you got to expand more of a radius because those job opportunities could be limited," he said.
In the meantime, Stec says it doesn't hurt to make connections online.
He says Linked In and Indeed are great networking portals.
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"A lot of people just apply, apply, apply, but if you go that extra mile to reach out to somebody within that company, that could put you on the radar in a good way of getting an interview," Stec stated.
Stec also says the university is holding a virtual career fair on May 11th for students pursuing education.
For more information on that career fair or the services the university provides, you can head to their website here.