Events, new space celebrate careers

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is celebrating seniors for their success in landing career opportunities and admission to graduate school prior to graduation. UNG Career Services will host two Career Signing Days and launch its new Nigel's Career Closet to celebrate students.

The first Career Signing Day will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Gainesville Campus, during which students can share their job acceptances in the Career Services office located in the Student Center.

The following day, Dec. 5, students at the Dahlonega Campus will celebrate their decision to join their future employers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Dunlap Hall's atrium.

Graduating seniors who have secured full-time employment before graduating during the 2023-24 academic year are invited to attend. They will be able to grab photos with Nigel and enter drawings for prizes like a free iPad.

"Signing Day is all about building momentum for students to find careers sooner rather than later. We want to help them be prepared," Lisa Walker, assistant director of Career Services, said. "One way to encourage the earlier search is to celebrate them. As this is the first time, we hope that it's fun for all students involved, and in future years we can invite employers."

Career Services designed the events with one of UNG President Michael Shannon's strategic big bets in mind. Encouraging students to make wise career decisions before graduation is meant to serve as a huge step in the direction of the "supercharge workforce development" strategy.

"We want to recognize and celebrate students who have been hired or admitted to grad school before they walk across the stage. For those who are still working to achieve their next destination, Career Services is here to help, even after graduation," Diane Farrell, director of Career Services said.

To aid in the preparation for job hunting, Career Services has also launched Nigel’s Career Closet locations in Stewart Center at the Dahlonega Campus and Career Services office at the Gainesville Campus. The initiative has been available to students all semester and allows them to utilize donations from local sponsors to put their best foot forward in professional attire during interviews.