For those interested in ways to support the work of Career Services, there are opportunities to sponsor and support specific events and services, and to have rooms and spaces in the Smith Career Center named for donor organizations or individuals. We are very grateful for our kind supporters!

 

Events and services needing sponsorship

Throughout the academic year, student events are held and services offered that we could not provide without sponsor support. Sponsors are recognized in advertising and other materials for the sponsored event. Giving levels begin at $500.

Events

Annual Open House Tailgate Party
First Friday of Fall Semester

• 2008 event will be on Friday, August 29, 2008
  10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  
• A welcome event for all students, held on the first Friday of fall semester, held since fall 2004, our first semester in our current facility. The purpose is to introduce Career Services’ programs, resources and services to students in a fun and entertaining atmosphere. The event is open to all Virginia Tech students. Past events have brought in up to 1,000 students.
• Funding covers:

Pizzas (300 large): $1,800
Bottled water (40-50 cases): $1,200
Tent rental: $300
Decorations and give-aways: $1,500 – $3,000
Door Prizes: $200 each
Publicity: $1,200

• Committment deadline: July 2008 for the 2008 event.
• 2007 event sponsors were: Apex Systems, BearingPoint, Caterpillar, Danaher Motion, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Ernst & Young, Haley & Aldrich, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Newell Rubbermaid, Tindall, and Ferguson, a Wolseley company,

Fall Dining Etiquette Program

• Held annually in October. 2008 date to be announced.
  2007 event was held on October 10, 2007, 5:30 - 8:00 pm
  2008 event sponsorship inquires welcomed!
  

  • This annual event accommodates up to 250 student participants, and our staff and sponsor table hosts.  Sponsorship of the event offsets the cost of dinner for students and supports costs of venue, program supplies and advertising.  Sponsor representatives are welcome to serve as table hosts during this event. More about the dining etiquette program.
  • Funding needed: $1,500 per sponsor; 2 sponsors needed.
    • 2007 sponsors were Wolseley North America (Ferguson), the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, and Apex Systems.
  • Commitment deadline for 2008: Summer prior to the event.

   

 

Ongoing services

VT Career Services t-shirts for students

Career Services t-shirt

design for 2006-2007

• T-shirts in VT colors (orange and maroon) are very popular with students to show our Virginia Tech spirit throughout the year. For two years we've produced give-away t-shirts, funded by our sponsors, that include Career Services information and sponsor logos.
• Our 2006-2007 sponsors were Capital One and Norfolk Southern Corporation.
• Our 2007-2008 sponsor is Ameriprise Financial.
• Funding needed for 2008-2009:
  $4,000 to produce 1,000 t-shirts for academic year 2008-2009.
• Commitment deadline: September 2008.

MyPlan.com

• An Internet-based resource offering students the opportunity to explore academic majors, plan for their first career, and consider making career changes. This career exploration tool also includes career assessments and information about 900 occupations.
• Funding needed: $1,000 (for one-year license); funding needed for 2008-2009.
• Commitment deadline: Summer 2008.

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Smith Career Center

Building opened in summer 2004. Career Services opened in our current location for regular student and employer services on Monday, June 28, 2004, then named the Career Services Building. Our location is adjacent to the Student Services Building, across from McComas Hall and Litton-Reaves Hall, and near to student dining and residence halls. We have experienced a significant increase in student traffic since moving from Henderson Hall to our current facility.

Our grand opening ceremony and open house, with recognition of contributors and dedication of the first named area, was held Wednesday, September 22, 2004. We recognized Ferguson Enterprises (now Wolseley North America), for whom the Ferguson Interview Reception Area is named.

Dedication of the Smith Career Center in October 2007.

On Saturday, October 20, 2007, the Smith Career Center was dedicated, named for Garnett E. and Patsy T. Smith, generous and long-time supporters of Virginia Tech.

 

Donors for whom spaces within the Smith Career Center are named:

• Ferguson Enterprises (now Wolseley North America): Ferguson Interview Reception Area (2004)
• Norfolk Southern: Interview Rooms 1 and 2 (2006)

Donor recognition: Donors at particular giving levels (1-page PDF, 146KB) are formally recognized in the building with elegant brass plaques seen by the students, employers, faculty, and administrators who visit Career Services.

Opportunities still exist to have rooms and spaces named for donor organizations or individuals. Giving levels begin at $15,000.

All supporters of Career Services are listed on our home page.

View west from

Ferguson Interview

Reception area

Building features:

• Two floors, solely housing Career Services, designed to meet student and employer needs. Wireless Internet access throughout.
• 32 private, large, air-conditioned interview rooms.
• Two interview waiting areas: one for students and one for employer-greeters to meet with candidates.
• Space for information sessions and receptions; including a servery equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, and ice machine.
• Spacious Career Resource Center and adjacent computer lab for students.
• Classroom, seminar room and two conference rooms.

 

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Contacts for print literature, tours and conversations about giving and recognition:

Donna Cassell Ratcliffe
Career Services Director
540-231-8077
OR
Kimberly Ware
Career Services Associate Director for Employer Relations
540-231-8079