Binghamton University’s Career Development Center has created a series of events to help students manage the daunting task of finding a job in these hard economic times.

The series, “Smart Moves in a Tough Economy,” started Feb. 5.

The program is offering students “a smart move to start moving now,” said Holly Horn, assistant director of the Career Development Center.

There are 22 “Smart Moves” programs scheduled for February and March, although more programs could be added this semester, as well as for fall 2009, said Career Development Center director Nancy Paul.

So what are some “Smart Moves”?

Help with resume writing, preparing for the job fair, mock interviews and dining etiquette sessions are just some of the programs.

Paul said the purpose is “actively engaging students in [the] process of searching for internships and jobs.”

She said she also hopes the series will help motivate students to add time to their schedules to continually search for jobs.

“Smart Moves” will hopefully offer students hope and give them constructive things to do in their job searches, Paul said.

The series is divided into two kinds of programs.

“Some are workshops to engage students, and others are more informational sessions where there will be a speaker to discuss a topic with attending students,” she said.

The series is not limited to senior job-seekers or School of Management students.

“This is an opportunity for all students to get the skills they will need later on,” Horn said.

Paul and Horn created the program after seeing students struggle to find jobs and internships during college.

“In these bad economic times, we would be irresponsible as the [Career Development Center] to not do anything,” Paul said.

Students who attended the first session, “Prepare for the Job and Internship Fair,” last Thursday said they have also seen the benefits of the program.

“They talked about a lot of things I wouldn’t have known unless I had gone to the program,” John Hogan, a senior political science major, said. “There was also a lot of information and tips on how to present and engage employers.”

Courtney Hotchkiss, a junior business management major, also commended the program. “This method is a much more informative way of presenting the material,” she said.

But the resources go beyond the series. Both Paul and Horn urge students to use the eRecruit Web site at cdc.binghamton.edu. The Career Development Center Web site offers a list of upcoming events, as well as a space to create a profile and job search.

Both Horn and Paul encouraged students to come to programs with any questions they may have regarding a resume, cover letter or personal statement.

“Students should realize that 4.0s do not guarantee anything,” Horn said. “Having a well-rounded resume with extracurricular activities will give students a stronger resume.”

The next “Smart Moves” program, “Explore Job Options With the Federal Government,” is Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 4:40 p.m. in the University Downtown Center, room 220A.

“Employers are looking for their leaders of tomorrow, and the programs will give some of the tools to demonstrate that,” Paul said.