BUFFALO, NY - Canisius alumni now have new, innovative career development tools at their fingertips via the Griff Center for Academic Engagement.
The center launched Handshake this fall, a modern job search and career recruitment platform that matches applicants with potential employers. The new software replaces College Central. “Handshake enables Canisius to bridge the recruiting gap so that we may deliver exceptional support to our students, alumni and employers interested in hiring our graduates,” says Anne Marie Dobies ’92, MS ’99, MS ’06, assistant vice president and director of the Griff Center. Once alumni create a Handshake profile, they can filter and find the most relevant jobs related to their career preferences and post resumes. There are currently more than 850 employers enrolled in Handshake. If alumni are interested in creating an employer account to “Hire a Griff,” they can publish job openings, search for prospective candidates, view applicants’ profiles and even request interviews.
But today’s job market is about more than posting well-crafted resumes and cover letters online. “It’s about having a job search strategy, networking and connecting with the right people, and making a great impression,” adds Dobies.
The career coaches at the Griff Center are equipped to provide these services to alumni at every stage of their career development: The team is trained in identifying potential employment opportunities based on individuals’ interests or experiences, building online professional profiles, and conducting practice interviews to help potential candidates distinguish themselves from the competition.
Networking and professional development opportunities are also available through the Griff Center. Events such as career panels, networking nights and luncheons with Western New York business leaders provide alumni with opportunities to continue to their Canisius network. More than 150 people attended the Griff Center’s recent Take the Next Step event, which connected alumni with leaders from the college’s 35-plus graduate programs, as well as representatives from Western New York’s top businesses and non-profits, including Yahoo, People Inc., Rich Products, Catholic Charities, Geico and New Era. Many of these companies brought employees who are alumni of the college to share their experiences and successes.
“The Canisius alumni network is extensive, varied and well-connected, and these professionals are eager to share their knowledge, resources and opportunities with fellow Canisius alumni,” concludes Dobies. “At the Griff Center, it’s our job to make sure those connections happen and lead to successful outcomes.”
Established in 2014, the Griff Center for Academic Engagement takes a holistic approach to student engagement and advisement, in addition to career services. It serves as a one-stop shop of programs and resources designed to engage and support students academically, during their four years on campus and professionally, once they graduate.
To learn more about career services available through the Griff Center or to register for Handshake, visit canisius.edu/griff-center.
