Final Countdown: We Need Your Voice to Fill 80+ Career Prep Slots before Wednesday!
Following up on our call to action, we still need your direct help to get our students across the finish line. With our hard sign-up deadline coming up this Wednesday, September 30, 80+ open slots remain unfilled for Cardinal Career Prep.
Our visiting alumni and employer partners—including leaders from Fastenal, Northwestern Mutual, Mayo Clinic, Cigna, Knights of Columbus Insurance, and the City of Winona and more—are ready to support our students. However, we are at risk of having to cancel these visiting professionals if we cannot fill these spots immediately.
We know that a student’s decision to sign up almost always comes down to a personal nudge from a professor, coach, advisor, supervisor, or mentor. Your direct encouragement today will be the deciding factor.
Key Messaging to Relieve Student Hesitation
When encouraging your students today, please help break down these common barriers:
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No Exact Major Match Required: Students hesitate when they don’t see their exact major listed. Remind them that in real-world hiring, interviewers rarely share an applicant’s exact academic background. This event is not a job interview—it is a fail-safe environment to practice general communication, answer behavioral questions, and build confidence with real managers and HR experts.
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Low Time Commitment: Sessions are only 30 minutes long—a student can easily complete a mock interview or resume review (or both!) in an hour or less between classes.
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Open & Beneficial to ALL Class Years: First-year students build their initial resume foundation, while seniors fine-tune their pitch for upcoming opportunities.
Quick Actions You Can Take Today
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Faculty: Post a quick announcement with the Handshake link https://smumn.joinhandshake.com/stu/events/1994308on your Canvas course pages or take 60 seconds at the start of class today to highlight the event.
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Coaches & Athletic Staff: Remind student-athletes that mock interviews build high-stakes muscle memory for life off the field. Consider adjusting practice schedules slightly so they can participate.
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Student Affairs, Residence Life & Campus Leaders: Mention the deadline during housing/floor meetings, club gatherings, advising sessions, or mentoring check-ins today.
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Student Employee Supervisors: Encourage your student workers to attend and consider allowing them time away to participate.
Key Event Details
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What: Cardinal Career Prep (Mock Interviews & Resume Reviews)
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When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
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Where: David R. Thies Arena (Winona Campus)
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Student Registration Deadline: Wednesday, September 30 via Handshake
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Direct Sign-Up Link: Register on Handshake
Please help us honor the commitment of our visiting employers and alumni by ensuring every single spot is filled. Thank you for stepping up to make this transformative experience possible for our students!
