New career app for iPhones

Fort Worth, TX

11/10/2010

You’re waiting in the lobby for a job interview and wonder, “What will I say if they ask me about my weaknesses?”  Don’t worry.  Look at your iPad.  TCU Career Services has an app for that. You’re at a fancy dinner and can’t figure out whether your bread plate is the one to the right or the left.  Don’t sweat it.   Look to your iPhone.  TCU Career Services has an app for that.

 

There are six parts to the new application developed by TCU Career Services that was just released for students using iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad, although you don't have to have of these to access the information.  It's also online at https://careers.tcu.edu/resources/. The six sections include interviewing, dining etiquette, business etiquette, upcoming events, videos, and Career Services at TCU.

 

You don’t even need to be a TCU student to use the Career Services applications.“iTCU is completely free and our career app is a part of that overall app that anyone can download from the iTunes App store—not just TCU students and alumni, but anyone,” says Susan Nethery, director of student affairs marketing who is responsible for Career Services marketing and programs.

 

Nethery conceived the idea for the career-related app and developed all of the content in-house.  She turned to a Fort Worth firm, Ardent Creative, for the design and the programming. TCU’s own institutional research showed that iPhones, iPods and iPads are the third most popular platform to access the University website.  Nethery knew it was time for Career Services to take this step.

 

“This app allows students and alumni to access information on their own time, without making appointments or being in front of their computer.  It is one more way in addition to one-on-one advising, events, Facebook, our website and classroom presentations to assist them with their career needs,” she says.

 

In the interviewing section of the app, more than 50 possible interview questions are anticipated and responses proposed.  More than 75 videos are available on topics ranging from internships to salary negotiation.  The dining etiquette section covers table settings, the different types of wine glasses, ordering protocol and other things.  There are also links to the TCU Career Services website, Facebook fan page and upcoming events.

 

The new application is being marketed to TCU students and alumni, Nethery says, through graphics e-mailed to students and graduates.  Ads are running in the The Daily Skiff, both online and print versions, TCU Career Services is reaching out to faculty and staff and asking them to promote the app to students and it will be available at the iTunes store.

 

Nethery hasn’t heard of other colleges and universities doing this.  “There are universities that have iPhone apps like iTCU but to my knowledge there isn’t a university that currently has an app specifically focused on career topics,” she says.  “TCU is committed to providing a world-class university experience 24/7, and this is just one more example of TCU being on the forefront and delivering on that commitment.“