2019-2020 Purdue University Career Success Handbook

Dear Boilermaker Job Seekers: The scenarios on the previous page are not hypothetical, but closely parallel actual circumstances. For this reason the Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) takes very seriously the breach of ethics represented in violations to the participation agreement that every student agrees to each time they sign in to their myCCO account. The types of decisions described in the aforementioned scenarios reflect poorly on the students that make them, often affects other peoples’ lives in a negative way, and can damage the university relationship with the employer – ultimately these decisions could cost future students’ job opportunities. Please know that we recognize that there are sometimes complex dilemmas associated with choosing between job offers or when accepting an offer. Rarely are any two circumstances alike. In case you’re facing difficult, job offer-related issues, we offer the following suggestions: Seek Advice: We welcome you to visit to CCO to discuss your circumstances with an experienced professional. We’ll listen, we provide you with our perspective, we can help you flesh out options, and we can share the likely results of your decision-making. You can do this through our drop-in hours – 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday. Request a Job Offer Extension: There are many employers that are open to granting students more time to make a job offer decision. They’ve reported to the CCO that they would much rather extend the date of an offer than to have the student say “Yes” now, but say “No” later. Be Transparent: Employers often share with us that they prefer to hear directly from the students and have helped them with their decision-making. Students have reported that employers took their dilemmas seriously and advocated for win-win situations. The good news is that unethical job search behavior is unusual among Boilermakers. As a result, Purdue University is among the most heavily recruited university campuses in the country. In

2016-17, more than 1,600 unique employers visited the West Lafayette campus recruiting students for internships and post-graduation positions. Why do so many employers recruit at Purdue? First and foremost, you’re part of a student body that is highly respected for the great education they receive in West Lafayette. Also, employers have a track record of success at Purdue for recruiting students that demonstrate a strong work ethic, expertly apply their classroom learning to the workplace, and exhibit the sound judgement, integrity and depth of character. This reputation makes us all proud to be Boilermakers! The CCO is….

Yours to Count On, Tim Luzader Tim Luzader, Director, CCO

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