College of Education Students Get a ‘Jump Start’ on Their Job Search

Students network at Jump Start Your Job Search event.

Getting an interview and landing the job means that students need to be prepared for everything that comes before, during, and after the job application process.

On November 14, at Jump Start Your Job Search, a dinner held at Stamp Student Union, teaching students in the College of Education had the opportunity to meet with alumni who shared their wisdom and advice, as well as helped them hone their interviewing skills.

“I’m looking to find a job and don’t know where to start,” said Ariana Lulli, a senior middle school math and science education major who will be graduating in May and is preparing to apply for teaching jobs in the area. “I thought this would be a good place to start.”

Lulli is in good company: among COE undergraduates who received a bachelor’s level degree in 2016, 98 percent of students were working full-time or part-time or were continuing their education, Dean Jennifer King Rice said at the event. Almost all of the graduating undergraduate students who completed a survey had jobs directly related to their field of study.

Not only are COE graduates getting hired, they are also leaders in their fields, with Dr. Karen Salmon (M.Ed. ’76, Ph.D. ’86), Maryland state superintendent of schools, as well as Dr. Theresa Alban (Ph.D. ’02), superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools and Maryland’s 2017 Superintendent of the Year, among their ranks, Dr. Rice said.

“Students, you should stand tall,” Dr. Rice said. “The bar is very high, but you’re in very, very good company among alumni in the College of Education.”

Carole Goodman (’73, M.A. ’78), a retired associate superintendent in Montgomery County Public Schools’ Office of Human Resources and Development, gave students advice about preparing resumes, acing the interview, and landing the job.

Working as an educator has its challenges, but is also a rewarding career to pursue, according to Goodman.

“Welcome to the best profession ever,” she said.

Doug Anthony (’92, M.A. ’01, Ed.D. ’16), associate superintendent of Prince George’s County Public School’ Office of Talent Development, gave his top 10 tips for being successful once applicants are hired. Among them: ask questions, be proactive and positive and build relationships.

“There’s really nothing more important and critical to me than building relationships,” he said. “That really helps you to navigate the system and build your own craft.”

During the networking dinner, tables filled with students and alumni buzzed as the students responded to practice interview questions and the alumni gave feedback based on their answers. Following the interview roundtables, students had a chance to ask alumni questions about career planning and solicit other advice, as well as to seek out alumni at the event who worked in relevant fields or school districts.

This is the seventh year the Office of Advancement has organized the Jump Start Your Job Search event, as a way to ensure COE students have an opportunity to capitalize on the knowledge of alumni who are veteran educators.

Event Photo Album