Career Day lets students explore job opportunities

Nicholls’ fall Career Day, which took place on Wednesday in the Cotillion Ballroom of the student union,
presented an opportunity for students to meet with prospective employers and explore potential job
opportunities.

The university encouraged students to bring their résumés to present to any of the 43 featured
companies and organizations, ranging from chain restaurants to hospitals.

John LaJaunie, a professor of business at Nicholls, presented graduate study opportunities on behalf of
the university. He said that the graduate studies program is currently recruiting students for masters of
business administration, marine and environmental science, mathematics, nursing, education and
school psychology which offers Nicholls’ highest degree, a specialist degree.

LaJaunie said that he would like to see students participate in graduate programs to enhance their
critical thinking skills.

“We live in a new society that stresses the ability for you to think at new and higher levels, and so I think
the more students can do to develop their ability to think their way through problems and solve
problems, the better off we are and the more opportunities the students have going out for career
paths,” LaJaunie said.

Career Day is important because it lets students see the amount of job opportunities that exist, said
LaJaunie.

“I think the typical student doesn’t have a complete picture of the opportunities that are out there, so
an event like Career Day gives them an opportunity to see what’s out there,”

Among the restaurants represented at career day was local Cajun restaurant Boudreau and Thibodeau’s.
Cathy Wheeless, general manager, said that the restaurant is offering both front-of- the-house and back-
of-the- house positions as well as management positions. Wheeless said that working in an environment
that represents Louisiana’s culture can help a student to become familiarized with the area.

“If you’re from this area, it’s like being at home with your friends and families. If you’re not from this
area, it teaches you a little bit about the area so you become more comfortable,” said Wheeless.
Allen Parish Hospital met with students seeking jobs as social workers and nurses, said Zona Lee-
Pietrogallo, director of the behavioral health and recovery unit for the hospital. Lee-Pietrogallo
commended Nicholls’ nursing program and the students in it and said that Career Day allows students to
see what opportunities their degrees can offer.

“You get out of school with a business degree, and that’s so broad, but this career fair gives you an
opportunity to see how many different aspects to your degree are available,” Lee-Pietrogallo said.

In the spring semester, Nicholls’ Career services will hold more career opportunities, including a Nursing
and Allied Health job fair, a Culinary Career Day and Career Month in March.