As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues, so does the work of the Shippensburg University Career, Mentoring and Professional Development Center (CMPDC).

The CMPDC, located in the Ceddia Union Building (CUB) on the first floor in room 108. It offers career-related resources for SU students and alumni.

After SU officials implemented new rules to meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, the CMPDC had to modify some delivery styles of its programming to ensure students’ needs were met.

Tracy Montoro, CMPDC assistant director, said the changes have expanded the number of students officials can help. Montoro said by adding virtual appointments and events, the CMPDC is able to reach more students who may be in a master’s program and do not live in Shippensburg. 

Montoro said virtual appointments also allow for more time helping students. Montoro can now schedule classroom presentation visits and individual appointments back-to-back, allowing for more time with students. The CMPDC is continuing to offer some in-person appointments, which Montoro said helps students both professionally and personally.

“I have some students that make appointments with me because they want a place to go,” Montoro said. “They want a reason to leave their room and come out and see somebody face-to-face.”

Montoro cited the lack of large spaces on campus due to the university using most open multipurpose rooms for classroom instruction during the fall 2020 semester.

Despite this logistical challenge, Montoro said the CMPDC is virtually continuing with networking events, career fairs and service appointments. Students can visit the career center for resume critiques, interview practice, to find job shadow and internship opportunities and to prepare for job fairs and searches.

Officials separated the fall career fair into four separate sessions based on college and industry types, with employers and job searchers attending on Zoom. Montoro said officials modified the etiquette networking dinners into virtual events, which lessened the cost for students.

“In the end, it was really about networking and allowing students to make those connections,” Montoro said.

The CMPDC is continuing to offer the “Raider Ready Professional Dress Closet,” which is a collaboration between the CMPDC and the Women Leaders of the College of Business, according to ship.edu.

Montoro said the closet provides professional clothes for free to any student with a valid SU ID. For more information about the closet, visit ship.edu/life/career/professional_dress_closet/.

Montoro encouraged all students to join Ship Connects, an online networking platform for SU community members. Ship Connects offers students the opportunity to network with alumni working in their field, in regions similar to where they may want to go.

Montoro said 70-85% of people have found their next position through networking and hopes that the SU family can help one another through the platform.

“We’re trying to build your network and help you out there,” Montoro said.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To set up an appointment with the CMPDC, call 717 477-4066 or email career@ship.edu.

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