By Anissa Rowe
Besides an excellent education and access to a number of career resources and tools, being a Grand Canyon University student has even more career opportunities than students realize.
“The University is looking to hire new GCU graduates,” says Director of Career Services Jacqueline Smith. “We take great pride that our graduates have the knowledge and character to succeed in the professional workplace. What a great way to start your professional career by helping others attend GCU.”
Plans are in the works for an online job board that will allow employers to seek GCU students for hire. Until then, Smith urges students to visit Career Services in the Student Union, or even to visit Facebook.com/GCUCareerServices to view available positions on campus.
Even if there is not an opening in a specific field or major, any work experience is a benefit.
“Many students say they don’t have the experience,” Smith says. “But any job on campus can help with that.”
From meeting employer expectations and dressing properly to learning about good work habits, GCU job opportunities will help establish recent graduates as qualified and quality employees.
“Grand Canyon University is a growing company and there is great potential here,” says Jeff Ogne, a recent graduate and now full-time admissions counselor.
Benefits include the ability to earn a master’s degree under the employee tuition benefit program and generous provisions for paid time off. Even hanging out with college friends during his lunch break has made the transition from school to career an easy one for Ogne.
“I thought that I would never work in an office,” he says. “However, I am around people all day, not just regular people but fun people.”
It is not as if you are stuck as a “lifer,” as Ogne and Smith point out.
“Many employees will get their master’s and move on to other positions outside of Grand Canyon University where they can make our school proud,” Ogne says.
Derek Garth graduated last year with a bachelor’s in history and a business minor, and he now works as an events coordinator in the Athletic Department.
“It was actually a smooth transition,” he says. “Mostly because before being a grad assistant, I did a lot of the same work as a student worker. So I picked up a lot of new responsibilities, but my bosses and many tasks were the same.”
He is now able to afford working toward a double master’s in business administration and leadership.
