Corporate Connections
CLDC Launches SIMON Underground Site
Envision this scenario: Fictional student Joe College is seated on an airplane, en route to an important job interview. He decides that he needs to brush up on the “dos and don’ts” of interviewing. He pulls out his iPhone and watches a 20-minute Webinar on interviewing skills conducted by J.P. Matychak, assistant director of CBA’s Career and Leadership Development Center (CLDC). Joe then downloads the latest CLDC podcast, that allows him to review professional event announcements and reminders. Finally, with the remaining time on his flight, Joe checks out a CLDC blog featuring the etiquette of accepting a job offer.
This moment is brought to you courtesy of the CLDC’s latest venture SIMON Underground, a Web site that utilizes the latest technology to provide CBA students with 24-hour access to career development tools. SIMON Underground is built to compliment SIMON, an existing site provided by the CLDC that allows CBA students to review internship and job postings, upload their résumés, and register for career events. SIMON Underground takes students behind the scenes, delving into the details of career planning and preparation. This idea is clearly illustrated through the site’s logo, a New York City manhole cover.
SIMON Underground includes a wide range of information, including a live feed from The Wall Street Journal, which allows students to keep abreast of the latest business news. Additionally, the site incorporates articles, student profiles, event photos, and slideshows. The heart of the site, however, is its focus on career development. SIMON Underground tools include:
Workshops Approximately 20 minutes in length, workshops on career related topics mirror the in-person training sessions that CBA students can attend on campus;
E-tutorials These five minute videos cover topics that do not require a full workshop like writing a cover letter or thank you note;
Podcasts “SIMON says” podcasts are regularly updated audio segments highlighting upcoming events, announcements, and current topics related to recruitment; and
liveWIRE A blog featuring the CLDC’s Hillary Koller that regularly reports on a topic of current interest.
Students are able to view SIMON Underground material online or download it to their computer or portable device of choice (such as the iPhone, iPod, or PSP) or subscribe to have the materials automatically downloaded.
Does SIMON Underground replace a student’s interaction with the CLDC? “Definitely not,” reports Matychak. “The workshops and E-tutorials often lead students back for a follow-up meeting with a CLDC staff member. For example, students can use the résumé workshop and supporting materials to complete their résumé before schedule a meeting with a staff member to fine-tune their résumé to best meet their needs. While nothing can replace the value of attending live networking functions and career fairs, SIMON Underground is another way we at the CLDC communicate with students. To reap the full benefit our services, students must take advantage of all of the resources available to them, combining online tools with live presentations and events.”
Check out SIMON Underground.