We live in a generation where technology is making much of our everyday lives a whole lot easier. While in high school, looking up information about colleges of interests is only a few clicks away; in college, choosing your classes and schedule is a breeze when you can flip between webpages and professor reviews; and despite what upperclassmen and graduates say, looking for internships and jobs via the Internet is pretty easy too. But the question remains: will the ever-evolving world of technology soon completely replace crucial qualities of job-searching such as advising, hard-copy resumes/cover letters, and even the main interview process itself? I interviewed Rachel Wobrak, Program Director and Undergraduate Advisor at the University of Maryland Career Center and the President’s Promise to get her expert feedback on this topic.
The Internet is Proving to be Extremely Helpful to Students, but it Simply Cannot Fully Replace Face-to-Face Advising
Websites such as ResumeBuilder and Optimal Resume have been crucial in truly helping students create interview-ready resumes and cover letters for potential job/internship positions. Ms. Wobrak addresses the importance of these resources, but also how face-to-face advising will be around for years to come.
When Companies are Displaying “We’re Hiring!” on a Window,Do They Actually Mean “Apply Online!”?
When Companies are Displaying “We’re Hiring!” on a Window,Do They Actually Mean “Apply Online!”?
Years ago, job-searching meant physically bringing copies of your resume from company to company and inquiring about open positions. Now, simply going to Internships.com or (as a Maryland student) Careers4Terps allows you to job-/internship-search from the comfort of your home. Ms.Wobrak discusses how the future of job/internship searching still needs to include in-person visits to the company that’s hiring.
FaceTime Video and Skype Can Begin to Replace Phone Interviews, Not Face-to-Face Interviews
FaceTime Video and Skype Can Begin to Replace Phone Interviews, Not Face-to-Face Interviews
Finally, Ms. Wobrak solidifies her argument that while the evolution of technology is quickly adapting and improving its accuracy, a form of technology that completely replaces human interaction during the job-/internship-searching process simply cannot exist.
