Editor’s note: This is the last of a three-part series on how to make the most out of the services UTEP has to offer whilst being an international student.
You might have heard about the University Career Center during orientation. You might have had multiple people speak to you about the office. Yet, you may still not know who they are or what they do. The University Career Center, as the name suggests, is an office that centers on student success. They challenge students by identifying and preparing specific steps towards their career goals. From job searching services and professional advising, to mastering the interview process and building an effective resume, the University Career Center will make sure you are one hundred percent ready for the job hunt process.
“In the University Career Center, we make sure we are meeting everybody’s needs,” Betsy Castro-Duarte, MPA, Director of the University Career Center, said.
Visiting the University Career Center in person or virtually will open UTEP students to many opportunities that will enhance their professional skills, as well as equip them with the necessary tools to tackle the employment world with confidence.
Get advised
“First of all, I would encourage students to come in and have a career advising appointment,” Castro-Duarte said.
Students can contact the University Career Center through phone or email to arrange a session tailored to their needs. No matter your college or year, the advisors at the University Career Center will tell you everything you need to know to get started. In fact, you can never be too late or too early to reach out.
Get your résumé reviewed
“Let us make sure you have the right tools in your toolbox,” Castro-Duarte said.
Once you go into the office and have spoken to an advisor, the next step is to make sure you are ready to present yourself. Students are encouraged to simply walk in and ask for advising on résumés and training.
Having a LinkedIn profile is also necessary, according to the University Career Center director. The University Career Center advisors will be happy to assist you with any questions you have.
Get paid with the Employer-led Professional Development Institute
“When we were frozen due to COVID, we still wanted to offer students professional development,” Castro Duarte said. “We were optimistic saying ‘this will get better’ so we put together the Employer Led Professional Development Institute (EPDI).”
The Employer-led Professional Development Institute is a paid, six-week program for all students to further enhance their professional skills. It consists of diverse, one-hour workshops led by local and regional leaders from corporate, public, and nonprofit sectors.
The EPDI provides students with meaningful contacts, hands-on career exploration, and many disciplines to choose from – all while receiving a monetary incentive at the end of the institute.
The EPDI will take place during fall 2022 and spring 2023. Please visit the EPDI website for details.
Going global
Going Global is another service meant to help international students to seek job opportunities outside of the U.S. Coordinated with the Office of International Programs. Going Global has many job posts and internship positions in any country around the world. Think of it as Job Mine, but global.
The fully paid service is accessible through Job Mine. Reach out to the University Career Center if you need assistance navigating the website and reach out to the OIP to make sure all your documents are up to date.
So, there you have it, Miners. UTEP has many offices dedicated to your success. The Office of International Programs, MineTracker, Jobmine and the University Career Center are all built to serve you during every step of the way. All it takes to get started is to reach out.
And the good news is that UTEP will be available to you even if you are a freshmen or years after you have graduated.
“You can come back time and time again,” Castro-Duarte said. “We have students that graduated a year ago. If you graduated from UTEP you can still come, schedule appointments, and we will help you any time you want.”
Hugo Hinojosa may be reached at [email protected]
