At the beginning of the Fall 2017 semester, UofL switched its career management system from Cards Career Link to Cards Career Connection powered by Handshake, an all-encompassing interactive web platform that connects students and alumni with jobs, employers, and staff members.

Unlike the previous system, Cards Career Connection not only features postings for internships and part-time and full-time positions, it allows students to login using their ULink information and post resumes and schedule appointments with career counselors. Students are also able to see upcoming events from the Career Development Center and register for workshops.

Overall, this system will be easier for students to use and will give students access to a nationwide listing of job and internship opportunities. Cards Career Connection is also able to show students positions that they may be interested in based on the skills they put on their profile.

“It works almost like a LinkedIn page,” said Caroline Houchins, acting director of the Career Development Center. “Our entire office believes that Cards Career Connection will help the campus as a whole because it is a one-stop shop. It’s very easy to use.”

All students have access to this new system although the College of Business, Speed School and Law School will continue to use their career management systems.

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The “topping off” event was celebrated by the campus community and dozens of people signed the beam before it was hoisted into place.

The four-story,150,000-square-foot is on track to open fall 2018 and will enhance learning and provide academic and career services to students. It will primarily serve undergraduate students on the Belknap Campus and will feature more than two dozen classrooms, as well as science labs and group study areas, gathering spaces and food service options.

“This building is vital for many reasons,” said Greg Postel, interim president. “It will provide the learning environment and the related services that will help drive our students’ success, both while they are undergraduates and after they have moved on to careers, families and positions of leadership in the community.”

A major part of the new structure will be a program that helps students align their abilities, academic degree and possibilities for future employment as part of their college success. The Career Development Center, open to all university students and housed in a building nearby, will be a partner in the programming for the new building.��

Jim Begany, Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success, lauded the planned focus for the building said it will help students “navigate any roadblock on their path to graduation.”

Student Government Association President Vishnu Tirumala said the building is “nothing short of transformative” for students, who want to see more innovative classrooms and labs.��

The Kentucky Legislature approved funding for the building in 2014 to address a significant lack of classroom space at UofL. According to a Kentucky Council on Postsecondary ����ֱ�� study, UofL had the most significant shortage of classroom space among all Kentucky’s public universities.

The new facility is being built on the site that previously housed the Crawford Gym. Built in the 1960s, Crawford once served as the practice facility for the UofL basketball and swimming programs and, later, as home to the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development’s Department of Health and Sport Sciences.��

Postel thanked employees who have had an especially large role in the ongoing construction of the building including Physical Plant and Planning, Design and Construction.

Video from the ceremony is below: 

Aimee Jewell, employer engagement coordinator at the Career Development Center, was recently elected to the position. Jewell’s presidency will begin on July 1, 2018. Her goals include diversifying YPAL’s membership, implementing better recruitment strategies, and increasing community engagement.

“I really wanted to lead an organization that instills the love of community in young professionals,” Jewell said.

YPAL is an organization that provides leadership development, educational opportunities and philanthropic support to Louisville’s young professionals. The mission of YPAL is to connect, engage and develop metro Louisville’s young professionals through community, professional and social opportunities.

Jewell joined YPAL in 2012. Since joining, she has served as the director of professional development, vice president of development, and vice president of community. Jewell won the Young Professional of the Year Award in 2014 and was granted a scholarship from YPAL to pursue her master’s degree.

The Louisville native graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Communication in 2013 from the University of Louisville. She then earned a master of arts in Communication from Bellarmine in 2015.

She joined the Career Development Center in 2016 and works with a lot of students who are on the verge of entering the workforce. She shared the advice she offers UofL students.

• Never underestimate the power of networking. Everyone you meet could potentially play an important role in your life or vice versa.
• Always show up. Taking initiative and putting in effort is vital to achieving success.
• Get a mentor. Or five. Cultivating meaningful relationships with people who can advocate for your character is important.
• Always be true to yourself. Authenticity goes a long way.
• Always be grateful and give back. Being thankful for the lessons you learn and the privilege and gifts that you have goes a long way.

“I love to see people thrive in their environment and like their job,” said Jewell. “It’s really important to feel fulfilled in your work. I feel most valued when I’m being a ‘connector,’ whether it’s through YPAL as I work to connect young professionals to each other or to organizations they might be passionate about, or through my role at UofL, where I connect students with potential employers in the city.”

UofL’s Career Development Center will host the 2016 Part-Time Job Fair from 11 a.m.��to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30 in the Bigelow Hall Auditorium, Miller Information Technology Center.

The fair will feature employers seeking students for part-time work throughout the city. Featured employers include Louisville YMCA, Target, Louisville Marriott, Enterprise and UPS.

Students wishing to attend should bring their resume. Attire is business casual or better. All majors are welcome.

The fair aims to allow students find part-time work, but also build connections with employers that could lead to other opportunities including internships and full-time post-degree jobs.

“We know a lot of students need money to get through school,” said Caroline Houchins, associate director of employer engagement at the Career Development Center. “And this is a good opportunity for our students to network.”