Marshall University's Office of Career Education Services: Empowering Students for Success

Marshall University's Office of Career Education Services plays a crucial role in equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to navigate their career journeys successfully. Recognizing that career development is a continuous process, the office offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to assist students at every stage, from exploration to advancement. By fostering connections with employers and alumni, providing personalized guidance, and offering practical workshops, the Office of Career Education empowers students to achieve their post-graduation aspirations with confidence.

Comprehensive Career Advising and Support

The Office of Career Education provides personalized support through individual career advising appointments. Whether a student is exploring career options, preparing for an internship, or seeking a full-time job, the office's professional staff and Peer Career Advisors (PCAs) are available to help. As a Marshall or Leventhal major, scheduling a one-on-one career advising appointment is highly recommended, regardless of where you are in your career journey. Career Advisors help each student explore job prospects and develop job search strategies through one-on-one meetings, workshops and events. During these sessions, students can develop an individual career strategy, gain access to valuable resources, and learn how to prepare for recruiting and networking activities.

Building Connections with Employers and Alumni

A key aspect of the Office of Career Education's mission is to connect students with employers and alumni. The office organizes recruitment opportunities and a signature mentorship program (CAP) to facilitate these connections. The Leventhal School of Accounting is committed to providing our students with opportunities to interact with accounting professionals and to explore employment options. USC Leventhal students are highly sought after by accounting firms and companies in many geographic locations. By participating in our programs and leveraging a strong Trojan network of alumni, faculty, and corporate partners, we successfully connect Leventhal students locally, nationally, and globally.

MBA Alumni Mentor Program

The MBA Alumni Mentor Program, one of the longest-running programs of its kind at USC Marshall, pairs MBA students with seasoned professionals, many of whom are USC alumni. These mentors provide invaluable perspective on the business world and guide their mentees through the MBA program and job search. As such, our mentors are uniquely qualified to provide perspective on the business world and advice to their mentee on managing their way through the MBA program and job search.

Alumni Involvement

Marshall University alumni can significantly impact students through their presence, words, and support. The Office of Career Education encourages alumni to stay connected to the university by:

Returning to campus to connect with students and share professional advice.
Assisting with face-to-face student mock interviews.
Giving to Marshall University financially through individual or company contributions.

Career Education and Readiness Workshops

To help students navigate career exploration, internship and job applications, and more, the Office of Career Education offers a variety of career education and readiness workshops. These workshops cover a wide range of topics, equipping students with the practical skills needed to succeed in their job search and beyond.

Financial Services Career Hub

The USC Marshall Financial Services Career Hub (“Hub”) aims to immerse Marshall’s highly motivated students in the financial services industry, elevating Marshall’s standing as a premier institution for finance education and broadening Trojan opportunities at prestigious and highly sought-after financial services firms. The Hub demonstrates the commitment to providing specialized resources for students interested in this field.

Preparing for Career Fairs

Preparation plays a major role in how students experience the fair. Through Handshake, students can register, preview attending employers, review company descriptions and see which recruiters will be present. To help students prepare for career fairs, the Office of Career Education distributes a Career Fair Prep Guide that includes suggested questions organized by class level, room layouts and preparation strategies. Brown described the event as a low-stakes learning environment. Employers are prepared to meet students at all class levels.

Professional Attire Assistance

Recognizing that professional attire can be a barrier for some students, the Office of Career Education partners with JCPenney to offer discounts on professional clothing. The Office of Career Education is partnering with JCPenney at the Huntington Mall to offer up to 40% off professional attire for students, faculty, staff and alumni. The event includes discounts on suits, skirts, pants, shoes, belts, ties and accessories. For students who need additional assistance, the office also serves as a referral site for Dress for Success and Hire Attire, organizations that provide professional clothing at no cost through an application process.

Utilizing Available Resources

The more you engage with our office, the better positioned you become in achieving your post-graduation goals. The Office of Career Education encourages students to take advantage of the full range of services and resources available, including:

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One-on-one career strategy and coaching
Career skills workshops
Mock interviews
Case/technical interview preparation
Offer negotiation strategies

We also collaborate closely with the USC Career Center, which manages USC’s On-Campus Recruiting program (OCR).

The Importance of Early Engagement

“Your career development starts as soon as you step on campus,” Brown said. Professional confidence often begins long before a student shakes hands with a recruiter. Brown described the event as a low-stakes learning environment. Employers are prepared to meet students at all class levels. The Office of Career Education emphasizes the importance of starting career development early. By engaging with the office's resources and services from the beginning of their academic journey, students can build a strong foundation for future success.

Read also: Marshall University Careers

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