By Aislinn Forbes Contributing Writer
UMF Career Counselors Cyndi McShane and Stephen Davis have made themselves more available to busy students by beginning a new service, Drop-in Career Counseling, for those seeking advice on their career path or academic exploration.
Cyndi McShane, a UMF career counselor and graduate, helps guide students to success after they have completed their time at UMF.
Right now, students who need to go over their resume or an application have to make an appointment a week in advance and travel to the second floor of Franklin Hall. With the Drop-in Hour, students can have a resumé proofread in under 10 minutes by a professional. This will make McShane and Davis more available to students in need of longer, one-on-one sessions.
McShane’s goal was to encourage students who might not have anyone else to turn to. “I like to think I can offer comfort and support,” said McShane. Recent graduate Madison Uliano visited the Career office only once, but that visit had a lasting impact. “Career services really increased my confidence in myself and my career options,” said Uliano.
Astra Pierson, who graduated in Spring 2018, said, “I went to see Steve at a very turbulent time in my life. I never would have gotten through my senior year without Steve’s help.” Pierson is now a grassroot organizer for the Maine Democratic Party.
“It’s fun to work with university students,” said Davis. “I like to hear their stories, learn about where they come from.”
“We subscribe to what’s called the ‘Planned Happenstance’ philosophy,” said McShane. “Planned Happenstance” work
s by searching for opportunities to explore their interests and skills by going to events and meeting people in that field. When in doubt, “action is the right answer,” said McShane.
There are many events planned for the rest of the semester. October is Graduate School and Other Post-College Opportunities month. The career office will be driving students to graduate and professional school fairs at Bates and Colby, which students can sign up for by emailing McShane at cynthia.mcshane@maine.edu. Other events will be on the MyCampus calendar.
Both counselors encouraged students to visit anytime. “There is never a wrong time to talk to a career counselor, about anything,” McShane said.
McShane has a few perks if you schedule a meeting. “I have chocolate,” she said. “And I have a dog, his name is Cosmo, I’ll tell you about him and show you pictures if you come and see me.”
UMF offers career counseling in the Fall, Winter and Spring, to all students and alumni. For students who are interested in meeting one-on-one for the full hour, meeting can be scheduled on MyCampus. Go to the Career Counseling page, click on Davis or McShane, and a calendar will be provided of their availability and instructions on how to contact them.
Drop-in Counselling will be available in Olsen Student Center room 108 on Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. McShane and Davis will alternate staffing every week.