With the US Department of Labor reporting national unemployment rose from 7.2 to 7.6 percent in January alone, it has never been more important for students to take advantage of every opportunity when it comes to landing a job after college.

“”No one is going to hand you a job,”” said Susan Miller, marketing and special events coordinator for UA Career Services. “”Especially in this economy, you have to use all the resources you can get your hands on.””

In response to the struggling economy, career services has implemented new programs and resources to help students succeed in achieving their career goals.

“”We have eight new additions in response to the economic downturn,”” Miller said. “”We recognize students need a little extra help and a little extra information and we think it’s important to address the situation we are currently under.””

One of the new programs, “”Job Search for Internships or Career Jobs: Tough Economy Edition,”” is a workshop that aims to provide students with effective strategies and methods to finding internships, career positions and summer jobs.

The “”Career Development Certificate Program””, another new addition to Career Services will help students continue their job search through an online modular program that is funded by the UA Parents and Family Association.

To achieve the certificate, students must go through six online units, which vary on the student’s goals. When the student is finished, they are given a certificate, which will be made available to employers or graduate/professional schools, Miller said.

“”The CDC is designed to help students utilize resources to go from the classroom to their career,”” Miller said. “”The certificate is useful because it will show potential employers that students are motivated and willing to do what it takes.””

Currently there are slightly fewer than 200 students enrolled in the CDC, a turnout that Miller said Career Services is extremely pleased with.

“”We wanted to fund a program that would benefit the most number of students,”” said Kathy Adams Riester, assistant dean of students and director of the UA Parents and Family Association. “”We hope that many students take advantage of this resource.””

Miller said that even while many companies are cutting jobs, the government is actually looking to bring new people on, the “”Federal Government Job Search”” aims to help students find employment and/or internship opportunities within the government.

“”The government is actually hiring,”” Miller said. “”The ‘baby boomers’ are retiring, so there is actually a lot of job opportunity within the federal government. We’ve got a special workshop just on helping students get through the application process.””

Career Services also has resources to help students build a stronger, more professional resume, she said.

“”Bring in your resume. People that professionally look at these will go over it with a fine toothcomb and make it even better. Every thing you can do with us is going to improve your confidence,”” Miller said. “”It will you make you feel like you gave your best effort.””

Although Career Services encourages students to attend their workshops, many career finding tools can be found on their Web site. Students can listen to podcasts, which stream topics ranging from graduating without a job, to opportunities with the Peace Corps, Miller said.

“”The reality is that students have to be very self motivated,”” she said. “”We have a tremendous amount of resources here and that is what students need to be aware of. The sooner they come talk to us, the better.””