Recently I asked a friend to meet me outside of the UGA Career Center. After a few minutes of waiting, I called her to see where she was. Apparently, she thought that the Career Center was across the street from Snelling (it’s actually located on Lumpkin, next to the Tate II parking deck in Clark Howell Hall).

This story is not meant as a negative reflection upon my friend, but to show how many UGA students have not yet utilized the Career Center as a resource for life after graduation.

From résumé critiques to mock interviews to general guidance for the transition from Athens to the real world, the UGA Career Center is a place that every student needs to visit often.

Want to make sure your résumé stands out to employers? Career Consultants know what employers are looking for and can help you tailor your résumé to target industries and specific jobs. Need help finding an internship to add experience to your résumé? The Career Center can help you find that internship and prepare you for the application process. Nervous about an upcoming interview for a job or an internship? You can set up an appointment for a mock interview with a Consultant to get you ready for the real deal!

Many of the opportunities and resources offered by the Career Center may seem like they are targeted towards upperclassmen. This is absolutely not true! Every student, regardless of class, needs help with résumé, finding internships, or obtaining a part-time job on or off campus.

Are you a freshman trying to decide which major to choose? Consultants can walk you through the process, providing you with information about what you can do with specific majors and how to apply your interests, skills and personality to the process of choosing a major.

The UGA Career Center has many exciting opportunities coming up soon. In addition to the Terry College of Business career Boot Camp that finishes up today, the Fall Career Fair is rapidly approaching.

On Sept. 23 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Classic Center, employers representing the corporate, government, nonprofit and educational sectors will be present to talk with UGA students and alumni about internships and full-time positions.

Do not wait until your last semester to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities offered by the UGA Career Center. Employers and internship coordinators are looking for highly-qualified candidates and the UGA Career Center can make sure that you are one of them.

- Bryan Cruce is a senior majoring in political science and economics and is a career development intern at the UGA Career Center