In a world of Internet shopping, job hunting and dating, it’s an idea that was bound to come — online networking.

Now that idea is a reality for the University of Houston as faculty, staff and alumni offer words of wisdom to students electronically via the University Career Advisory Network (UCAN) at http://www.career.uh.edu/ucan.

A one-year initiative of University Career Services (UCS), UCAN’s goal is to prepare students for life after graduation, according to Rachel Eddins, career counselor and coordinator for alumni career services at UCS.

“UCAN enables students to locate and network with advisers, based on job titles, industry types, academic majors, geographic locations, colleges attended, and other search criteria,” Eddins said. “The initial contact is facilitated by e-mail; follow-up might include a phone conversation, an in-person meeting and/or visit to the UCAN advisor’s workplace.” She added that students could learn much from people who are doing the same jobs they are interested in pursuing.

“The service is of value to students and alumni seeking a variety of facts about careers. For example, students deciding on an academic major are generally not aware of the many career options open to them when they are making this decision,” Eddins said. “UCAN provides a real world perspective to this facet of undergraduate life.”

The program engages more than 240 UCAN advisers, including 13 faculty and staff members, according to Eddins. She hopes even more faculty and staff will participate in UCAN.

“Faculty and staff can provide students with information about their industry and their own career path. They serve as a resource for students who are unsure about their major, career or industry opportunities available,” Eddins said.

“Faculty and staff members might also offer advice for returning alumni or graduating students considering graduate school,” she said.

The alumni role is also crucial, especially considering today’s competitive job market.

David Small, assistant vice president for student services, said alumni can not only hire students for internships and full-time employment, but also provide guidance before graduation.

“We recognized the importance of students linking up with alumni and other experienced professionals, and the technology allowed us to develop that easily,” Small said. “We’re very satisfied with the reception UCAN has received thus far.”

Currently, about 500 students log on to the network each month, asking advisers such questions as which courses to take, how they got started in the business and what life is like in the work force.

Nancy Bradford, client services manager at IBM, joined the network to reconnect with UH and help students venture into the work force.

“I helped one recent graduate interested in the energy industry look for ways to enter the field,” Bradford said. “We looked at different things, like the offerings of the Global Energy Management Institute on campus, and other such avenues where he could get more exposure without having a lot of investment.”

“We’re always looking for more advisers,” Small said. “We want to provide a network representing a broad range of career fields, including academia.” Advisers who sign onto the network can control their level of involvement, from an exchange of e-mails to serving as a speaker for a student organization.

To volunteer as an adviser or find out more about UCAN, please visit www.career.uh.edu/ucan or contact Rachel Eddins at 713-743-5088, reddins@uh.edu.

Leticia Vasquez
and
Francine Parker
fparker@central.uh.edu