UMD Afterlife: LinkedIn & GoldPASS Drop Ins

Networking has quickly become a crucial component to professional success in today’s ever-expanding technological world.

Fortunately, there are more and more networking platforms available for college students. UMD’s career counselors want to help students navigate them.

LinkedIn and GoldPASS Drop In hours are being held every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Career & Internship Services office.

“LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool,” Sherill Yeaton, UMD career counselor, said. “It’s a lot easier if you start developing your network early on rather than two weeks before you need a job because it gives you more time to make connections with people, to research opportunities that are out there and to showcase your resume online.”

According to Yeaton, several students have secured positions after graduation by using LinkedIn.

GoldPASS is also an effective tool when it comes to finding jobs or internships.

“GoldPASS is a system that we use for all of the University of Minnesota campuses,” Yeaton said. “Any student or alumni can access this database to find internships and jobs, to get information on companies or contact information, to sign up for job fairs and to see upcoming events.”

Two to three full-time staff and peer educators will be on hand to demonstrate how to use the site and help students set up their profiles, run searches and sign up for job fairs.

“We want students to feel like anyone can come in and get these questions answered,” Yeaton said. “We hope to see all of the students stop in at some point and take advantage of these resources.”

Graphic by Will Madison