By JOANNA MCINTYRE

Staff Writer

Many students do not have a plan for their future after graduation and are unaware of the opportunities offered by the Louisiana Tech Career Center.

The Career Center offers internship assistance, seminars, on-campus interviews, career days and other services to help better prepare students for life after college.

"There are three main things that students should do while earning their degrees," Cheryl Myers, director of the Career Center, said. "They should maintain a strong academic performance record, build leadership skills through participation in student organizations and activities and accept leadership positions as they arise, and also students should gain career-related work experience through internships, co-op employment or summer jobs."

So far, four seminar topics have been scheduled for winter quarter: "Career Center Orientation," "Writing an Effective Resume," "The Successful Interview" and a "Professional Dining Seminar." All seminars are free to students and alumni, with the exception of the "Professional Dining Seminar."

Most seminars are conducted twice per quarter.

For students who are unable to attend the seminars, private meetings can be scheduled with employees. Magazines and brochures are also available at the Career Center in Keeny Hall, Room 337.

Myers said approximately 60 percent of students at Tech register to utilize the services of the Career Center.

Jan Grigsby, coordinator of the Career Center services, along with Myers, organizes and conducts, all seminars offered by the Career Center.

"Seminars are offered to assist students in job search preparation, including skill development in resume writing, interviewing and related topics," Grigsby said.

Annually, approximately 900 to 1,000 students attend the career seminars, which are offered in the department classroom as well as in academic classrooms and organizational meetings upon request.

The business dining seminar is a favorite among students.

"The primary goal of the business dining seminar is to increase the participant's level of confidence in business and social situations," Grigsby said.

Jeanna Thibadeaux, a junior interior design major, recently attended a business dining seminar.

"It's a great experience because you are in a causal environment, yet you learn proper etiquette," Thibadeaux said. "It helps students gain confidence for a real business setting."

The Career Center also heavily promotes the use of their Web site. All dates and details concerning seminars and Career Days are available there.

Students can also access a form to enable their use of the Career Center on the Career Center Web site at http://www.careercenter.latech.edu.

The Career Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. All students are invited to attend.