Students unaware of Career Center’s potential

University of Rochester representative Mark Wells talks to seniors Benjamin Hung and Eileen Wu and four other students about transportation, financial aid, and the curriculum at University of Rochester. College representative meetings are just one of the many events and resources that the Career Center offers. Photo by Stephanie Chang.

You have an open second. The library happens to be closed. What do you do?

Off to the Career Center it is!

The Career Center, a small office located at the foot of the A-building, was primarily built with the intention to educate students about college, scholarships, internships, and volunteering and job opportunities. Now, it’s mostly used as a shelter during rainy days and free periods for students who are aware of its existence.

It’s only when the collegiate clock starts ticking do seniors, and some juniors, start seeing and using the Career Center for what it truly is: a resource. Three to four years into your high school career is three to four years too late for a resource that has been there for students since its inception.

There has been a misappropriation of priorities. According to a survey conducted by El Estoque, 51% of students either do not use the Career Center or use it merely as a place to work or print out homework when the library is unavailable. What most students do not realize is that books on topics ranging from career options to the SATs line the shelves. Posters and banners of different colleges plaster all four walls of the room. Flyers, pamphlets, and textbooks are stacked on the counters. Events — such as college representative visits — are posted on the door. Scholarships and internships notices are posted in a revolving bookcase. There’s even a bulletin board for students and parents to post volunteering and job opportunities.

It’s a wonder why students don’t use the Career Center more. According to Ms. Taba, the college specialist who runs the Career Center, the guidance program has never had money taken away or cut, even with all the budget cuts in the past few years.

There’s a reason for that. Since middle school, we’ve been drilled to think about all the things that would look good on our college applications. Starting freshman year, we’ve all been exposed to gossip, personal experiences and advice about this extracurricular activity and that private school program. We’ll blindly believe in what anyone tells us and move forward in that direction. Instead, students should head over to the Career Center to debunk the myth and find the truth. It’s always been here; we’ve just never taken the time to notice.

There are so many other treasures the Career Center has to offer. Don’t just use the Career Center as an extra roof or a warm area to work on homework. Check out the bulletins. Look up the events the Career Center is holding. Find the college and the future that’s perfect for you.

Career Center hours are from 7:25 AM – 3:45 PM. It is closed the hour before lunch.