The perks of being a TCU Horned Frog are not limited to a beautiful campus and a bachelor's degree. There is a frequently overlooked office within student affairs that is dedicated to helping you with your education choices and future.
Bridging the gap between school and a resume is not something many students are prepared to deal with, and the frequent question of “what do you want to do after school” from adults is disheartening. There is a little thing here at TCU that makes going to a smaller liberal arts school a huge plus, and that thing is Career Services.
For me personally, when I first heard of Career Services, I pictured it being a place I would have to force myself to visit come senior year, but when Christopher D’Auria, an FTDM liaison, came and spoke to one of my classes, it became clear that this was a place to which every student needed to belong.
Whether you’re a freshman trying to decide on a major or a senior preparing for a job, Career Services is a place every TCU student needs to visit before they graduate. While the term “career” seems daunting and irrelevant even to recent graduates, this office situated in the first floor of Jarvis offers a multitude of helpful services when it comes to all things professional.
I will relay my undercover experience with Career Services advisor Christopher D’Auria in attempt to enlighten you on all the benefits he and his fellow advisors have to offer for each TCU student. I needed help creating a resume for an internship, and like many other students, my first question to Chris was, “where do I start?” He helped me construct a professional FTDM resume as well as teach me what employers are looking for in an undergrad.
Here are some common questions students often ask Chris:
What is Career Services?
“We are there to help students develop a career path.”
Chris explained how this path starts with students finding out their strengths, diving into a major, exploring internships, getting involved in leadership opportunities at TCU, and eventually making connections and landing a dream job after graduation. It is not simply a place to go when you are thinking about a job, it is where you can start as a freshman or sophomore. This place is essentially free, hands on help for entering the professional world, even as an undergraduate student.
What do most students come to Career Services seeking?
“Usually specifics is what people want. Students need help with resumes or cover letters, but there are also what I call ‘exploratory students’ who need less concrete help and more of an answer to ‘where do I start?’”
Like me, most people come in for help with one thing, and leave with way more information and help than they even knew was available. Chris sent me away with all kinds of pamphlets labeled “Resume & Cover Letter” and “Job Interviewing,” as well as confidence to take the next steps in finding an internship.
What are some common misconceptions about Career Services?
“Students think we’re here for upperclassmen, but we also can help freshman and sophomores when it comes to Frog Camp and RA applications, and finding a major.”
Career Services advisors can offer “career assessments” that, if anything, help one to gain self-awareness in their studies. Career Services might come off as intimidating for those who think they know nothing about their future, but in reality, it can be a vital tool for anyone -- even alumni! Chris says that people change careers an average of three times throughout their life, and alums are always welcome for help after graduation.
What I think is cool about Career Services is how personally it is catered to each student's needs. As Chris put it, Career Services offers a Liaison Model that assigns a career advisor for each school at the University, thereby “giving a name and face for students to identify with.”
He believes these “concrete relationships,” are much more beneficial because it accommodates “a need-based level for each student.” It is more than just a way to find a job as webinars, workshops, and networking nights are organized and offered to anyone throughout the year.
I sincerely recommend you check this place out sooner rather than later. You won’t be sorry. For upcoming events and info on who to contact for your school, go to https://careers.tcu.edu/index.htmls.
