New career services chief lives what she loves

By Miranda Davis

ESU Public Affairs and Marketing

ESU’s new interim director of career services is doing the work she enjoys best.

“Your job ought to be something you like,” said Susan Dollar. “It isn’t something you wake up and decide.”

Dollar will oversee the daily operation of the career services center, work with freshman choosing majors, help students find internships, provide workshops on professional skills and career counseling.

She comes to ESU from Texas A&M, Kingsville, where she worked as director of career services for ten years. She is working toward her Ph.D. in Education Administration at Texas A&M.

According to Dollar, the career services office is available to all students as a tool that allows them to be prepared for the professional world. Her team works with students giving them assessments to find what career best suits them and arranges internships and other work experiences.

The center also has a resume service that gives helpful hints or insights to a better resume. For $15, students can enter their resume into the electronic database for employers to review.

Dollar believes that Emporia is a “hidden jewel” and would like to bring more employers to the area for career fairs.

“I really like Emporia, it has a lot going for it,” said Dollar, “as an outsider looking in, you can see people working for the betterment of the community.”

Looking back at her former workplace, she sees a key difference between ESU and Texas A&M-Kingsville is the minority culture. Susan said Texas A&M-Kingsville had a 72 percent Hispanic enrollment. Students at both schools have great work ethic, she says.

Dollar feels her main challenge will be to face marketing issues.

“We have to market career services, students need to want us, and same with the employers,” said Dollar. “Career services must work on facilitating connections, and virtually spread the word.”

Technology is a key component of her work. The electronic resume database and most other services offered through career services are available online, allowing career counselors to connect with ESU’s distant learning students. But Dollar cautions that the career market is losing the personal touch. Some businesses will now only receive on-line resumes.

To help counter the lack of work experience students might have at graduation, Dollar recommends they get involved with their campus community early.

“I think it’s important to volunteer, join clubs, and strive for scholarships. Companies are looking for students who have the skills that can’t be taught,” said Dollar.

Dollar wants her office to be a “visible mobile career unit” with a table in the Memorial Union three days a week promoting career services. She also has plans to hold a business etiquette dinner to teach the art of fine dining.

“I want students, faculty, and staff to know we are here to provide services, and to let us know what we can do,” said Dollar. “It is really important that people find what they love and are good at.”

The main career services office at ESU is located at 433 South Morse Hall. The number is 341-5407.

 

Last Updated July 2, 2007>