Sifting through graduation, senior classes, internships and future jobs is a monumental task. Fortunately for George Mason University students, University Career Services is available to help.
“I don’t resolve confusion,” said Finian McGaffey, a career counselor for University Career Services. “My job isn’t to resolve it. My job is to help you resolve your confusion. I don’t do it for you. I’m full of resources, information, guidelines, tips and tricks, but the actual process itself belongs to the student.”
Career Services offers counseling to any Mason student who seeks it, though some — such as those in the School of Law, the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution and some of the professional programs — are better suited to go to a more specialized career services offered by their program.
“Students can start [using Career Services] at any point within their career,” McGaffey said. “You show up, you’re a freshman and you don’t know what you want to do. We can help provide tools.”
McGaffey said there are three transitions classes to help students make the most out of college: University 200 looks at selecting a major and career; University 300 is aimed at transfer students and juniors who are looking at landing an internship; and there are two different versions of University 400. One is focused on a successful experience in trying to find a graduate school while the other is job and career-oriented.
“If you’re really on your A-game and you know where you’re going when you’re a freshman, there’s no such thing as starting networking too early,” McGaffey said.
ICAR boasts one of the more specialized career services on campus.
“As an interdisciplinary field, there are often not the clear-cut career paths that other academic disciplines may have, and the students recognized a need for support in learning how to job search specifically for conflict-related careers,” said Julie Shedd, associate director for administration at ICAR’s career services, in an email.
Shedd said it is important for students to look to develop their career within a timeline of 10 to 15 years.
“Few students achieve their perfect job right after graduating,” Shedd said. “What is important is to identify the kinds of jobs you want to have in the future and evaluate current opportunities in terms of the learning, skill development and experience you will be gaining from that job that will make you a better candidate for your ideal job.”
McGaffey said he recommends that students look for an internship before committing to a certain career path.
“For many people, it can be an invaluable experience,” McGaffey said. “I’ve received significant feedback on this in terms of either affirming or denying a decision. Isn’t it better to have a decision where it’s five to 20 hours per week before you dive in and it’s your full-time job and you find out you hate it?”
University Career Services has walk-in hours for students who want anything from advice to résumé touch-ups Monday through Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m., with additional slots at 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and 10 a.m. to noon on Friday. Individual appointments can be made by calling 703-993-2370.
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