Times have changed.

Now, you're likely to change careers — not just jobs — three or four times.

In today's job market, job security means developing skills that will enable you to adapt to changing situations and pursue new opportunities. While you'll likely make a series of turns on your professional path, having a plan is important. It will help you make informed decisions with an understanding of where you are and where you'd like to go.

To help you on your way, most colleges have on-campus career service centers that advise you on targeting and contacting potential employers for internships, part-time jobs and full-time jobs in your field of interest.

Starting early, with assessments such as the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) or the Strong Interest Inventory, can help you gather more information about your interests and how they might be channeled into an occupation. Most college career centers provide tests and interpret the results for free. Talking to a college career adviser about your results will open a discussion about your interests and may lead to identifying what you enjoy doing and how that translates into finding a job in your particular field of interest.

In addition to career planning, some centers are staffed with career advisers who will talk to you about the mechanics of the job search process. They will review your resume and cover letter as well as help prepare you for the interview process.

It's always a good idea to get acquainted with the staff of your college's career center. It’s the first place employers go when seeking to hire students and recent graduates.

Larger schools offer on-campus interviewing. Typically, during this process, you search for a position through the career center listings and submit a resume through the center. If you’re selected for an interview, you schedule it through the career center, and the interviewer comes to campus to meet with you. It provides a convenient way for you to meet potential employers, and even if you don't land the job, you still gain experience in the job search and interview process.

College career centers also sponsor on-campus career fairs, which are usually held each semester. Generally open to students in all majors, career fairs can attract representatives from companies from across the state and region that are looking to hire students and recent graduates.

Career fairs provide an opportunity to practice speaking to and making a connection with professionals in your field of interest.

Many career centers use online placement programs, including Monster.com, NACElink and MonsterTrak to help you search for jobs and to help employers search for ideal job candidates. Check the career center's Web site, which is likely to include links to resume- and cover letter-building sites, links to Arkansas-based companies and other online resources.

Contact your college's on-campus career services center to assess your strengths, explore your options and connect with potential employers.

Tips for Making the Most of Job Fairs
• Bring along multiple copies of your resume, but, before you do, make sure to have someone proofread your resume for you. Recruiters hate typos. Avoid creative fonts; substance is the key.
• Take time before the career fair to find out which companies will be represented there and make an effort to learn something about companies before approaching recruiters.
• Have a game plan and focus on three companies you are truly interested in, so you'll be able to devote enough time to them.
• Prepare a two- to three-line script for yourself. Tell the recruiter your name, your class year, your major, and whether you’re interested in a full-time, part-time or internship position. Follow with why you came to the company’s table. You should try to impress recruiters within the first few minutes of conversation. Remember to maintain good eye contact.
• Don’t ask the recruiter personal questions.
• Don’t skirt the GPA issue. If you’re asked, tell the recruiter your cumulative or semester GPA. If you aren’t sure, be honest about what you think it is.
• When you give a recruiter your resume, ask what the next step is.
(JobWeb.com, National Association of Colleges and Employers)