With the relocation of the University of Northern Iowa’s Career Services Office in June 2024, UNI is seeing more students utilize the office’s services and benefit from the convenience of its new location.
“The primary driver was to create better connections with the students,” says Matt Nuese, associate director of Career Services at UNI. When Gilchrist Hall reopened in 2008, it housed many departments, including Academic Advising, Study Abroad and Career Services. Students also went to Gilchrist to sign up for classes, meet with Financial Aid and pay their U-Bill.
Once Advising and Study Abroad moved across campus and student services became accessible online, the building became less utilized. “We were isolated from our core population and began looking for options around 2020,” says Nuese. “When the opportunity arose to move to Maucker Union, we were thrilled at the chance to be back where students are, in the center of campus.”
Since moving to the Union, Career Services has seen a significant increase in student engagement, faculty drop-ins and general interaction with the campus community. “Our employers have raved about the space and the chance they have to interact with students for both training and recruitment,” says Nuese.
As a hub for campus jobs, the move has made it easier for students to navigate the hiring process and meet with staff in the new space.
Career Services also hosts various annual events, including career fairs in the fall and spring, Graduate School Day, the Overseas Educator Fair and the UNI Teacher Fair. “Our goal with all events is to help students gain experience in the field they plan to enter,” says Nuese.
On Feb. 18, the Spring Career Fair took place at the McLeod Center. Career fairs offer students the chance to understand how their field of study relates to life after UNI. At the fair, students can learn about job options, meet employers and explore living possibilities. “It’s an exceptional way to find internships and job opportunities,” says Nuese. “Unlike going to a website and submitting your resume, you get the chance to meet their people, see a glimpse of their culture, ask how your skills fit and promote yourself for an interview.”
“One of my favorite parts of every fair is hearing from students who get interview invites or discover a career option they hadn’t considered before. It’s also exciting when a student gets an interview for a job they wouldn’t have made it past the online screening due to their major or GPA,” says Nuese.
For students who may be hesitant to attend, “there is no negative to going. At a minimum, you meet people and improve your speaking skills, says Nuese. “However, when you do go, you’ll have so many options presented to you, and you can fast-track yourself to getting hired.”
Career Services offers several other services for students, such as help with resumes, interviews, applications, internships, campus employment and more. You can read more about their offerings at careerservices.uni.edu or visit their office at 063 Maucker Union.
