AUM and Alabama Personnel Department partner for career expo

A new career development partnership between Auburn University at Montgomery and the State of Alabama Personnel Department will connect students and alumni with state jobs, internships and networking opportunities.

Through the partnership, AUM will host its first State of Alabama Day to provide AUM students and alumni with a day of resources for pursuing careers with state agencies. The comprehensive career development event will feature a workshop on the application process for state jobs, a career expo, and an employer symposium and employer panel discussion. Activities will be held from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13 on AUM’s campus.

“Our Career Development Center developed State of Alabama Day through conversations with the state’s personnel department in order to strengthen ties between the two institutions,” said Bradley Robbins, director of AUM’s Career Development Center. “And given our proximity to the state’s capitol and the diversity of programs at AUM, we often see many great job and internship opportunities for AUM students and alumni within state organizations so it only makes sense for the state to focus recruitment activities here.”

Check-in for State of Alabama Day will begin at 9 a.m. with the following events scheduled throughout the day:

• Operation Apply | 10-11 a.m. | Taylor Center 221-223 – The State of Alabama Personnel Department will lead a workshop for students and alumni to gain first-hand information from personnel experts about how to navigate the state employment registry and job application process.
• Employer Symposium | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Goodwyn Hall 109 – AUM’s Career Development Center will host this event for representatives from AUM colleges and academic departments to present information to state organizational members about the latest programs and achievements happening throughout AUM.
• Employer Panel and Luncheon | 12-1:30 p.m. | Taylor Center 221-223 – Open to a select group of students, faculty, staff, and administrators, the panel discussion will feature leaders from state departments, including human resources, public health, revenue, transportation and insurance. The panel will provide information about the missions, values, and benefits of employment within their agencies.
• State of Alabama Day Career Expo | 2-4 p.m. | Taylor Center 230 – Recruiters from over 30 state organizations will connect with students and alumni. Many agencies will have AUM alumni employed with the organization on-hand to speak to students about the organization, and the jobs and internships available to students and alumni. See a full list of featured employers.

“[The] State of Alabama Personnel Department is excited to be partnering with Auburn University at Montgomery for State of Alabama Day to showcase our state departments and the great work state employees do for the citizens of Alabama,” State Personnel Director Laury Morgan said.

AUM’s Career Development Center has built relationships with several state organizations over the years, but the career expo will showcase just how many different state organizations are located in AUM’s backyard, Robbins said.

“We know that AUM students and our alumni understand the presence that state government has in our city,” he said. “What they may not know about is the abundance of employment opportunities that are available right now throughout multiple state organizations. We hope to increase awareness of these opportunities and provide information and resources to help students and alumni articulate their professional value.”

Networking events also offer a variety of benefits for AUM students preparing for the professional workplace.

“Many of our students either have roots in the River Region or plan to stay once they graduate,” Robbins said. “Attending State of Alabama Day can help our students learn about different industries and career paths, practice communicating professionally, and develop relationships with professionals that can be influential in helping them find opportunities in their career field.”

AUM’s Career Development Center hopes to offer State of Alabama Day as an annual tradition, Robbins said.

“It’s so important for us to build partnerships with local organizations, so they understand the knowledge and skills that AUM graduates have to offer, and so our graduates can thrive and ultimately contribute to the community,” he said.

Learn more about State of Alabama Day activities at: http://www.aum.edu/ALDay.