Drexel University is renowned for its model of education, where students develop professional skills through immersive, real-world experiences. That commitment to experiential learning doesn’t stop after graduation. One of the important resources that Drexel Alumni offers is career counseling, with actionable tools for professional advancement provided by a dedicated Alumni Career Counselor, Arnie Kohen.

Arnie holds a master of education degree in counseling psychology and worked in several professional settings before coming to Drexel 25 years ago. At Drexel’s Steinbright Career Development Center, Arnie started as a co-op advisor and then served as Career Counselor for 20 years working with undergraduate and graduate students, as well as alumni. In 2021, he transitioned to Alumni Relations and now works exclusively with alumni.

Drexel alumni of all ages and life stages reach out to him for guidance. Arnie remarks, “People think I see mainly younger alumni because they’re just starting out. I also see alumni 20 or 30 years out from graduation, because career changes can happen anytime.”

Arnie has a reputation for being truly invested in alumni success and taking the time to develop personalized career strategies. “One size doesn’t fit all,” says Arnie, “so I start out with a series of questions – what’s their work history, what are they looking for, in what areas are they doing well or struggling?”

While strategies vary, the services he provides fall into some common categories. Says Arnie, “Most alumni want to revise their resumé, learn how to use LinkedIn, or how to start a job search. I also provide assistance with cover letter writing, interview preparation and advise alumni on networking strategies and salary negotiation.”

One of many alumni who have benefitted from Arnie’s guidance is Ava Zubia ’22, a product design major who was looking to change jobs.

Explains Ava, “My last job was in a large corporate setting. It didn’t turn out to be a good fit because I have a more artistic background, and there wasn’t a lot of room for me to be creative. In terms of company culture, there weren’t the opportunities for team building or collaboration I was hoping for.”

Ava continues, “Arnie taught me how to approach a job search, provided specific pointers on how to structure my resumé, and offered guidance on writing a strong cover letter. He also encouraged me to join Dragon Network and the Drexel Alumni Networking Group on LinkedIn. He helped me understand that I need to break out of my comfort zone and network with people.”

Updated professional materials made a difference. Says Ava, “I highlighted specific skills and awards at the top of my resumé, I revamped my LinkedIn profile, and I think these things helped me get noticed. I now work at a small boutique company, where I can be more creative and in an industry that aligns with my long-term career goals. It’s a collaborative environment, and I feel like I’m a valued member of the team.”

In addition to providing alumni like Ava with some of the traditional tools of career counseling, Arnie also stays up to date with new technologies through professional associations, webinars, and carefully listening to people.

“Some companies are now doing video interviewing,” says Arnie. “You don’t talk to a person. You record a video answering a series of questions and submit it through a website, and then employers decide if they want to interview you further. A lot of alumni asked me about it, and we now have a Drexel website where alumni can practice that type of interview.”

Continues Arnie, “ChatGPT is another game changer that’s being used to write cover letters and other correspondence. You have to be careful because it’s not always going to produce what’s truly representative of you. These are things alumni are experiencing or will experience.”

In his counseling, Arnie underscores the importance of the human element. He explains, “Even with AI-driven platforms, people are still making the hiring decisions. Employers want to know how well a person communicates, works on a team, and handles conflict. People still need to network through online communities such as LinkedIn or Drexel's Dragon network, as well as professional associations and other alumni interest or affinity groups.”

Arnie’s guidance has made a real difference. Ava reflects, “Before I met with Arnie, I was feeling a little lost, but he steered me onto the right path. Now I better understand what I want to pursue long term. He suggested networking, career fairs, resumé pointers, and it helped me land a phenomenal new job. He really cares about alumni achieving their professional goals.”

“Hopefully, alumni will have more confidence, motivation, and the tools and strategies to help them move forward,” says Arnie, “but they can always come back, and many do.” Arnie’s virtual career counseling sessions are free for all Drexel alumni and there is no limit to the number of sessions someone can have.

To learn more about Alumni Career Services at Drexel and to schedule a career counseling session with Arnie, visit https://drexel.edu/alumni/career-development/advance-your-career/.