Union County College is taking big steps in assuring that it helps the community beyond campus borders. Now students are not the only ones who can benefit from Union County College's career services. At its Elizabeth campus, students, county residents, and local businesses are all welcome to use the College's career resources.

"As a college, we want to help our students become better prepared...but we can't ignore the economic development going on in Elizabeth, and the fact that their parents need jobs," says Margaret McMenamin, President of Union County College.

According to McMenamin, there was never a clear focus to the career services provided at UCC in the past. Now with her idea to improve career services, academic departments will be made to help provide supportive in this particular area. The Career Services Center will serve as a portal for professional resources. It is part of UCC's effort to support students and the community in finding and applying to jobs.

"I don't want individuals being given the bureaucratic runaround with staff, saying, Oh, that's not my department. How I present this concept internally is that this is everybody's job," says McMenamin.

Being that the idea is in its early stages, there are very limited financial resources. The College has decided to combat this by teaming up with other organizations and pooling resources together to make the new career portal a success. Union County College has gotten several companies involved. The Elizabeth Development Co., UCEDC, Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce and Suburban Chamber of Commerce are a few who have agreed to join UCC. McMenamin is also working to have Union County's Workforce Investment Board join the efforts as well.

This action to encourage the community and student body to utilize career services is part of the County's "Union County Means Business" initiative. The Career Services Center celebrates its Grand Opening today.