Dec. 9, 2003

Sycamore CareerLink takes legwork out of hiring

Job-hunting has gone hi-tech.

ISU’s Sycamore CareerLink is geared toward helping college students find employment — from co-ops and internships to that ever-important first professional job.

Sycamore CareerLink is part of a nationwide web-based system that hooks students and employers up to all types of open positions available including internships, co-ops, full-time and part-time jobs.

Registering with of Sycamore CareerLink is a snap. Employers need to contact the ISU Career Center to obtain a user name and password. Employers can list opportunities at one school free of charge, however, there is a small fee to list with multiple schools.

Once given a user name and password, employers are able to search for applicants, post open positions, prescreen applicants by viewing their resumés, cover letters and even set up interviews with student applicants at either ISU or their office. Sycamore CareerLink sends students who are pre-selected for interviews an e-mail message with the name of the position and a deadline by when the student must register for the interview. No notification is sent to students for open interviews.

Once registering with the Career Center, ISU students using Sycamore CareerLink are able to view all types of positions, upload resumés and cover letters and then, apply for a job directly online. Sycamore CareerLink can help students track their job search, receive notification of new openings that match their job-search profile and register for campus interviews. Students currently can store 10 versions of their resumé and cover letter. In the future, they will be able to store writing samples and portfolios.

"Currently, there are approximately 1,000 jobs posted on Sycamore CareerLink," Gary Beaulieu, Career Center assistant director, said. "There are 278 universities using the NACElink system, but that number is growing." ISU is the only Wabash Valley school currently participating; other Indiana schools online include Butler University, Franklin College, University of Indianapolis, Indiana Wesleyan, Indiana Institute of Technology, IUPUI Fort Wayne, Manchester College, Purdue University, University of Notre Dame and Ball State University.

Registered users of Sycamore CareerLink are automatically registered with any school using the NACElink system.

NACElink is the result of an alliance among college career centers and two nonprofit associations — the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) www.naceweb.org and DirectEmployers Association, Inc. www.directemployers.com

Employers participating in Sycamore CareerLink will receive e-mails from the Career Center about upcoming Career Fairs and campus recruitment opportunities.

"Sycamore CareerLink is a convenient and efficient way to hire highly qualified students," Beaulieu said. "It cuts down on the time and travel traditionally associated with recruiting new employees."

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Contact:
Mary Kelly, ISU Career Center, at (812) 237-5000 or toll-free (888) 892-6044, or
Kent Waggoner, ISU Career Center, (812) 237-5000, carwagg@isugw.indstate.edu

Writer:
Paula Meyer, Public Affairs, (812) 237-3783, devmeyer@isugw.indstate.edu

ISU Public Affairs:
(812) 237-3773 or http://isunews.indstate.edu