Nikki Schaffer
Features Editor

In today’s competitive job market, it is important to know the right people, because as they say, “It is not what you know, but who you know,” that can help land you a dream job. Hard work can only get you so far; more often than not, what it comes down to is effective networking.

Students learn how to build networking skills at events like Networking @ Noon.
Students learn how to build networking skills at events like Networking @ Noon.

This Friday, Sept. 20, Millersville’s office of Experiental Learning and Career Management (ELCM) is hosting an event called Networking at Noon in the ECLM office located on the third floor of Lyle Hall from 12-1 p.m. Although the event is featured at lunchtime, don’t worry about becoming hungry, because the first 15 students who attend the event will be provided with a free slice of pizza.
The workshop will primarily focus on networking for college students because ELCM has identified a need for this information. This topic was also specifically chosen for this week because of the upcoming Marauder Mixer, an event where students will be able to meet successful Millersville Alumni in fields related to their major.
Audrey Bare, a graduate assistant currently working for ELCM, says that any major can benefit from attending this event, “This will be a way for them to have personal contact with staff members in our office to learn more about how to network effectively, as well as how to use social media in their job search,” Bare said.
While networking is the focus of this week’s event, there are also other resources available for students wishing to prepare for a job or internship. “Drop-in resumes are also available during this time, as well as personalized help from career educators,” Bare shared.
Although paper resumes may be the traditional way to market one’s self, another resource that ELCM is able to provide is with helping students set up a “LinkedIn” profile. LinkedIn currently boasts 200 million users and is the largest site for professional business networking, according to The Social Ballot.

Margo Sassaman, Associate Director for Career Management, working with students at a School of Education resume workshop.
Margo Sassaman, Associate Director for Career Management, working with students at a School of Education resume workshop.

“LinkedIn functions as an online resume and is basically Facebook for the professional world. Jobs are posted and connections are made. It is a social media platform that students can connect to,” said Bare.
ELCM will be having drop-in, no appointment necessary resume critiques available Mondays and Tuesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are unable to set up a meeting time to go over your resume, consider sending it electronically to Careers@Millersville.edu and someone will respond to you with a critique.
If you are unable to attend the event this Friday there will be many more opportunities. Networking or social media workshops will be conducted every Friday at noon through November 15.
Instead of sitting by and watching other people make connections and land jobs, make an effort to attend ELCM’s Networking at Noon to learn how to network effectively and use social media in your favor when conducting a job search.