September, 2009

READYMINDS SERVICES EXTENDED --- Alumni Career Services

Even though we have seen some improvement in the economy, both the Career Center and the Alumni Office are continuing to see numerous alumni seeking help with Career Counseling or Career Transitioning. Here are some of the ways that Career Center and the Alumni Office are helping our many alumni with Career Counseling resources and connecting with other Alumni.

ReadyMinds Counseling Partnership- Spearheaded by the Director of the Career Center, Sabira Vohra and supported by the Director of the Alumni Office, Maureen Plant. This is a partnership that was launched back in February to provide Distance Career Counseling to Alumni. We are pleased to announce that this service is being continued for another six months though to January. Over 80 alumni have taken part in this service which provides career counseling to help with career transitions, job loss, the job search process, career assessments and career development in general.

The partnership consists of National Board Certified Counselors across the nation that provides distance career counseling to alumni via email and phone. The counselors are experienced counselors and can help in a variety of ways to help clarify goals and provide resources. The process involves filling out an online intake form and then counselors arranging a time to talk or converse by email. For more information please see www.msmary.edu/career and click on ReadyMinds Counseling. This is a totally confidential service.

Our goal is to have as many alumni as possible take advantage of this service, at a time when alumni need it the most. Our hope is that we can continue this service in the future. So far the partnership has received tremendous support from alumni, which has led to numerous Thank You emails to both the Career Center and Alumni Office.

"I have developed a sense of direction which I've been missing until I began working with ReadyMinds. My contact, Karen, really helped me find the right career path that will be rewarding both ethically and financially. I had struggled with figuring this out for a number of years and have truly appreciated the guidance she has given me" Alumni participant

Career Services- In addition to the ReadyMinds Counseling partnership, the Career Center continues to provide career counseling, job search techniques, resume writing support as well as resources to help transition into a new position. For further information see www.msmary.edu/career and click on Alumni for full services and how we can help.