Castleton University’s Career Services Department helps students prepare for the real-world career search after college with practical tools, which is more important now than ever in the COVID-19 job market.

Spartans turn to Career Services for help with job search strategies, resume and cover letter assistance, LinkedIn profiles, career exploration and more.

Renee Beaupre-White is the director of career services and is also an alum of Castleton where she graduated with a social work degree. Her introduction to Career Services began her junior year at Castleton as a work study student.

“Having worked in the Career Office while a student made me realize how valuable this department is to the college experience. I was fortunate to have a supervisor that not only assigned me projects, but also mentored and inspired me to be where I am today,” she said. “The more I know you, the more I can help you,” she said. “I always tell students to be proactive about their career … and I follow that up with ‘treat your college experience like a professional job.’”

Work related experiences and job interview preparation and knowledge are essential components to obtaining a position.

“When they’re looking at a resume in those 20 seconds, what they want to see pop out are your major and work-related experience,” she said. “It is so important. More than ever right now employers want to see that you’ve had some related experience.”

Alex Fernald is a social work major at Castleton who has been interning with the department, just as Beaupre-White did when she was a student.

“It’s just really important that we use these services, especially for seniors. It has made me a lot more prepared,” Fernald said.

He added that working in the department gave him some insight on guiding younger students to find careers in the future without higher education opportunities.

The Career Services Department is a completely free tool for all students and has adapted to the COVID landscape with virtual job fairs and workshops, continuing to pair students with the likes of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, the Vermont State Police, and the Rutland County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Career Services workers say their department can help change students’ career trajectory.

It certainly did for Castleton alum Rob Coloutti.

Coloutti majored in management and was introduced to the F.W. Webb company at a job fair. He has since been promoted numerous times, and currently serves as the contracting supply giant’s operations manager, Beaupre-White said.

But not all students know about the services at their disposal.

“I did not [know about the Career Services Department] but it sounds like an interesting opportunity for those looking for a job. It will be especially useful to me when I reach my junior and senior years,” said undeclared Castleton freshman Kassidy Carvey.

Fellow first-year nursing student Gracie Greenaway agreed.

“I think the mock interviews will be really helpful, and the assessments that help you choose a major are a nice add-on as well,” she said

For a complete run-down of how the Castleton University Career Services Department can help students, visit the Castleton University website and click on the Career Services and internships link under the academics tab, or call the office at (802) 468-1339.

“As an alumna of Castleton, it’s so great to give back to my alma mater,” said Beaupre-White. “Networking is so important, and I love connecting students with fellow Spartans. Spartan Success Is Our Success!”