Fleishman Center maintains high level of service for students throughout spring, despite pandemic
The Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development continued to offer students the same opportunities available in years past, ensuring that career services did not stop amid the pandemic.
The center worked with employer partners to offer virtual job and internship fairs utilizing the same fair platform used during the fall semester, hireBING by Handshake, and offered students a comparable experience to in-person fairs. A STEM Fair took place March 10, and the All Majors Fair was held the following week on March 18. Over 550 students and 123 organizations with 338 representatives participated in the fairs. Over 1,600 connections were made between Binghamton University students and employers during the spring fairs.
While the Fleishman Center does not anticipate permanently replacing traditional in-person fairs and recruiting events with virtual programs, there are notable added benefits of the virtual offerings, such as access to new employers and convenience for student schedules. The center hopes to develop a hybrid recruiting model to leverage technology and provide students with access to as many opportunities as possible.
The center was pleased to continue offering current students financial support while completing unpaid internships this summer through the Student Affairs Internship Fund and several other donor-sponsored funds, including two new endowments totaling nearly $30,000. This summer, 40 students were awarded a total of $100,000 to financially support them while gaining valuable experience through high-quality summer internships.
Recognizing that graduates may be facing a disadvantage entering the workforce during a pandemic, the center developed programs and extended services to support the class of 2021. An Accelerated Online Job Search Crash Course was developed to support graduates experiencing difficulty with their job search. A live, virtual one-day session was offered on June 15, with several educational sessions covering topics including job searching 101, resumes and cover letters, maximizing LinkedIn and interviewing. The program concluded with virtual walk-in hours where students could get individual assistance from a Fleishman Center staff member. Nearly 40 graduates attended the one-day program.
A Self-Directed Job Search Crash Course was also created for those who were unable to attend the live session. The online course offers various modules covering the same job search topics and consists of videos, tasks, resources and a checklist to track progress. Class of 2021 graduates also have extended access to career consulting services for one year following graduation for individualized assistance with their job search. The center also worked with the Alumni Association to provide 2021 graduates with free access to LinkedIn Learning for one year.
The center continues to ensure that career services and professional development are easily accessible and remain a priority for students.