• Rol Walters, Director of the Career Services Office
• Leslie Holden, Career Advisor
• Trisha Butler, Receptionist

How can the Career Services Office (CSO) assist you?
The Career Services Office (CSO) at Ferrum College helps students early on establish career objectives and, closer to graduation, initiate a job search that meets the individual needs of the student.  Career searching is a process that should begin in the freshman year and continue well after one's college years. It includes such activities as self-assessment, career exploration, and the employment search process. Satisfactory career choices are based on knowing one's interests, values, strengths, and personality. Summer jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities help students make informed decisions leading to positive employment and/or graduate school choices. 

What Services Do We Offer?
Career Advising – Members of the professional staff advise students from freshman year through senior year about choosing a major, career concerns, and assist them in preparation for employment or advanced studies. Students are welcome to discuss self-assessment, academic planning, summer job search, internship opportunities, or plans for graduate or professional schools. Appointments should be made by contacting Trisha Butler at ext. 4259.

Website Resources – The CSO website is the next best resource if you, at the moment, cannot visit the Office in the Career and Leadership Office, Franklin Hall.  Here are some of the resources you can access at www.ferrum.edu/career (also accessible from the Ferrum.edu website): Calendar of Events; About the Center and Staff; Career Exploration information; employment search process information; links for internships, employment position notices, employer web pages, and graduate school links.  You will want to check out this page weekly as a Senior because of additions to employment openings and special programs like career fairs that are added through the year.

Career Assessment Surveys – Computer-administered surveys are available for students who want to gather information about their interests and values as related to career and academic major choices. The interpretation of career surveys are provided in group settings or individually. There is no charge for Focus, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the Self Directed Search surveys.

Graduate and Professional School Application – Assistance with the graduate school application process and computer administrated sample tests are available for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).   Please call Trisha Butler for an appointment at the above phone number.

Employment Search Process – Our staff encourages each student to make an appointment to discuss a plan of action regarding their employment or graduate school search.  Areas of assistance include Internet search, internships, resume writing, interviewing skills, and critiquing video-taped mock interviews. Employment search workshops will also be conducted throughout the semester and advertised to students and faculty.

Resume and Cover Letter Reviews – Our staff is available to assist students with writing and editing resumes and cover letters, which are critical to the employment search process.

Internships and Summer Employment – Information and advice are provided concerning opportunities to gain work experience through participating in internships, volunteer programs, and summer employment. Alumni and on-campus sponsored internships, internship files, and directories are available in the office and internet links on the CSO website.

Career Library – An extensive collection of books, brochures, videotapes and handouts are available in the office, covering all aspects of career opportunities, graduate and/or professional schools, internships, and business and professional directories. Students are welcome to walk in and explore and spend time researching the career/employment search resources

Campus Employment Interviews – Students with a resume on file in monstertrak.com at the CSO may participate in scheduled on-campus interviews with recruiters from numerous organizations representing business, industry, education, non-profit, and governmental agencies.

Career Fairs – Currently there are two career fairs provided by the CSO each year.  During the fall semester, the Career Services Office sponsors an on-campus Human Services Career Fair, focusing on Criminal Justice and Social Services fields. The major Spring semester career fair is a joint fair which includes students from Averett University, Bridgewater College, Ferrum College, Liberty University, Mary Baldwin College, Radford University, and Virginia Western Community College.  The joint career fair held in Roanoke will draw from a base of about 30,000 students seeking internships and full and part-time employment.

Professional Protocol Dinner for Seniors – A dinner co-sponsored by Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and area businesses.  The dinner gives students an opportunity to practice networking with employers as well as learning the proper dinner protocol.

Alumni Career Network – A network of Ferrum College alumni provides career assistance to students in cooperation with the office to provide internship information, career advice, and employment prospects.  Alumni are welcome to seek assistance with the employment search process when needed.