Campus community joins effort to enhance students’ professionalism

A meeting with a resume coach

NAU Career Development has launched two programs to help students find employment and improve professionalism, using trained mentors from within the university community.

The Resume Coach Program trains advisors, coaches and other campus partners to work with individual students. The mentors provide input on creating resumes, using a five-topic coaching system.

“The program is a wonderful tool to help students look inward and assess their skills,” said Eric Calderon, a resume coach and NAU financial aid advisor.

The other new offering is the Career Exploration Coach Program. Coaches help students connect their academics with career opportunities and learn specifics about different career paths.

Gateway Student Success Center coordinator Laurah Hagen said the programs are part of the University College’s initiative to influence the culture of professionalism on campus. “Many students have shared how confusing it can be to receive contradictory career advice; these programs will help ensure students receive consistent messaging on relevant career topics,” Hagen said.

This semester, 33 resume coaches have been trained and some of them have joined the Career Coach website, making it easier for students to connect with them.

Individuals interested in attending a 2016 training session and becoming a resume or career coach can email NAU Career Development.