Certified Career Facilitator Joins College's Career Center

Did you know it takes six to ten months on average for students to land their first job?

Susanne Killian, the College of Business’ new career counselor, says it’s never too early to start preparing for your future. She joined the COB Career Center in October 2013, becoming the College’s first-ever Certified Career Facilitator.

Originally from Wake Forest, N.C., Killian brings 20 years of educational and career development experience to her role. She also holds a Ph.D. in Educational Research from N.C. State University. She says she enjoys interacting with business students and exploring their options through self-assessment, networking opportunities, and internships. She works with undergraduates, graduate students, distance education students, as well as alumni – and her services are offered for free through the College’s Career Center.

Killian says she offers different types of one-on-one appointments, with students typically needing a general internship/job search session. At this type of meeting, students discuss their concentration, think about their future ambitions, explore their strengths, and discover tools and resources to network and prospect for jobs. She also offers advice on resumes and cover letters, and she has even been known to help students practice talking on the phone – an important skill to develop with so much done digitally these days.

She says that landing a quality internship is pivotal for many students, helping them gain valuable interpersonal skills in an office environment while strengthening their work ethic – traits that employers stress in today’s marketplace.

“It’s a different world now, so students need to use our services and get on the right track early,” Killian said. “There’s a fine line sometimes between networking properly and being perceived as a job hound. Our role is to support students throughout the prospecting process and enable them to put their best foot forward.”

To make an appointment with Susanne Killian, please contact the College of Business Career Center office at 252-737-1236. For resources and other information, visit online at http://www.ecu.edu/business/careers.

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