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Career Center helps MSU freshmen plan early

University Relations
News Bureau (662) 325-3442
Contact: Mike Pizzitola
June 21, 2007

STARKVILLE, Miss.-Incoming Mississippi State freshmen not yet certain about their academic major or career path should not panic-assistance is readily available to help them navigate this important time in their lives.

Scott Maynard urges students at the university who have not yet declared a major to visit the Career Center and take the Interest Inventory. The goal of the personal profile test is to help students focus on their individual interests and, in turn, determine which major may fit them best, the center's associate director explains.

Once they have determined an area of academic interest and begun seeking a degree, Maynard says it becomes equally important for students to gain practical work experience in that field of study prior to graduation. Wherever they have attended a university or college, job candidates' work experience is key to their success in landing post-graduate employment, he observes.

"Work experience in the student's field of study is extremely important to a prospective employer," Maynard says. "Those with experience are so far ahead of those without it."

In addition to summer jobs, he points to part-time campus jobs or internships, as well as the Cooperative Education Program in which students alternate semesters between traditional campus study and practical work experiences off campus with businesses or organizations.

Maynard also stresses the importance of incoming freshmen getting involved early in campus organizations. "This will help them develop both communication and leadership skills that are very important, whether it be in specific interviews or the job search in general," he adds.

For more information, contact Maynard at 662-325-3344 or smaynard@career.msstate.edu.