Arlington School & Family Magazine October 2016

UTA Unveils State-of-the-Art Career Development Center Graduates of The University of Texas at Arlington will have a critical advantage over their job-seeking competition as the University’s new Career Development Center begins serving their needs in a revolutionary way. Venturing far beyond conventional employment advising programs long a staple of universities, the UTA Career Development Center is engaging students at the earliest possible moment, as freshmen, helping them identify their interests and talents, possible professions associated with those abilities, the right classes to take and mastery of important workforce-related skills during their time at UTA. “The Career Development Center will be transformational not only for our students, but also for our alumni, since it will serve both,” UTA President Dr. Vistasp Karbhari said. “We will ensure that our graduates are not just the best prepared in their fields, but are the most sought after by all employers.” Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams called the facility a game-changer and noted the growth and quality of prominent new faculty hires. Referencing several new improvement projects in downtown Arlington, he called UTA a major catalyst behind development. Williams, president of Arlington-based Graham Associates, Inc., an award-winning engineering and planning firm, said he has hired many UTA graduates and that it has made a difference because of their work ethic and the skills with which they are equipped when they leave UTA. The largest employers of UTA graduates nationwide are: Lockheed Martin, Texas Health Resources, Baylor Scott & White Health, AT&T, Tarrant County College, Bank of America, American Airlines, Fidelity Investments, the Dallas Independent School District and IBM. In planning the center, UTA sought the advice and guidance of many area corporations and businesses to determine what they look for in potential recruits for their respective industries and advise the University on how to equip graduates with a complete suite of professional characteristics to make them attractive employment candidates. “One of the most significant measures of a college education is meaningful employment after a student receives a degree,” said Timothy Quinnan, vice president for student affairs. “We expect the Career Development Center will give current and newly graduated students improved opportunities to connect with employers and offer our corporate partners a concierge-level experience that encourages them to see UTA as their campus of choice in workforce recruiting.” Lolín Martins-Crane, the new director of the center and a UTA alumna, said the center will encourage students to begin exploring the resources available there from day one of their journey at UTA. “It’s about helping engage students in a different kind of way to help them understand that there are things they can do every single year that they are at UTA to start building their dream job and dream careers.” Alumni also are welcomed to explore the center and engage in mentoring and internship opportunities. The UTA Career Development Center is open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 817-272-2932 to schedule an appointment with a career consultant or visit uta.edu/careers for more information. 16 Arlington School & Family Advertisement

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