It’s easy to think that college is just another step toward your career. The truth is, it’s the beginning. College is where your professional life kicks off: research, internships, experiential learning… It’s all designed to help you get exactly where you want to go – with confidence.
Many campuses have built-in tools to help you get started – like your college career services offices. These hubs are your go-to for all things career, from career counseling and internships searches to resume review and cover letter workshops.
Here are seven ways you can take advantage of your university career services office to help you during your college experience and far beyond:
1. Connect with Your Career Advisor Early On
Whether you’ve always known what you want to do or are still trying to find a profession that speaks to you, meeting with career advisors early is the first step toward turning those aspirations into reality.
Career advisors can help you:
- Choose a major based on your skills and interests, if you’re undecided
- Explore common career paths for your major
- Take career assessments to determine your strengths
- Find job shadowing opportunities
- Develop essential industry skills
- Prepare a resume and cover letter
- Navigate the prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace
- Search databases for job openings and internships
- Connect with alumni in your industry
- Build a personalized action plan with next steps
There’s no need to have it all figured out, especially at your first appointment. The only thing you need to do is make your first appointment and keep showing up – your advisor will help you take care of the rest!
Pro tip: You should visit your college career services office early and often! Starting your first year can help you adjust to university life and keep your plans on track.
2. Go to Resume, Cover Letter, and Interview Workshops
Application processes for jobs and internships can be competitive, so it’s important to put your best foot forward with your resume and cover letter – two documents that are nearly always required to complete a job application.
Your career advisor (or even your peers working at your college career center!) offer one-on-one resume reviews, cover letter feedback, and tips of tailoring both to the job you want.
3. Gain Familiarity with Common Job Databases
It’s increasingly common to apply to jobs online through digital platforms like LinkedIn, Handshake, and Indeed. Your career services office can show you how to build your profile, search effectively, set up job alerts, find alumni, and spot postings that match your major and interests.
At Valpo, Handshake – the Career Center’s chosen job and internship database – features opportunities targeted specifically to Valpo students and alumni. The Career Center also provides all Valpo students and alumni access for life!
Pro tip: Fill out your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles completely, and check back often. The more complete your profile, the easier it is for the right opportunities to find you.
4. Practice Your Interviewing Skills with Mock Interviews and Etiquette Dinners
Butterflies, excited jitters, last-minute once-overs of your resume – all normal things when it comes to preparing for a big interview! Nervousness, stress, and sweaty palms – these are things your career services office can help you tackle.
Many career offices host special mock interviews, a safe space to practice commonly asked questions, refine your talking points, and get a strong idea of how you can share your skills with a future employer. Your advisor or peer can also help you pick out an interview-ready outfit, get fresh copies of your resume and cover letter, or help you with etiquette for interviews done over a meal.
Pro tip: Many career centers can connect you with services that make professional attire for interviews more accessible to students. Ask your advisor!
5. Attend Career Fairs and Networking Events
If you’re wondering if colleges help with job placement, the short answer is yes. Career offices host many on-campus events that connect you directly with employers – like job and internship fairs, and networking events with industry professionals.
These fairs are the perfect opportunity to shop for post-graduate positions and companies, or internships that fit into your academic schedule. Industry connections, handshakes, and job offers, here we come!
6. Stay in Touch and Get Support After Graduation
You often will not lose access to your college’s career services once you graduate. Many institutions will specifically offer support to new graduates to help them find their first post-graduate jobs. (And like we said, at Valpo, you have access for life!)
If you ever find yourself between jobs, looking for something new, or trying to develop new skills, you can continue to find help after graduation at your alma mater.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Still trying to figure out what you want to do after graduation? You’re not alone. Nobody has it all figured out, and it’s okay to come to your career center with questions. The more questions you have, the answers you can find together!
Not sure where to start? Here are some questions you can bring with you:
- How can I start exploring different majors and programs?
- How will I know if my major is right for me?
- What jobs are highly available right now?
- What are common career paths for my major?
- What’s the first step toward applying to a job?
- How can I prepare for the job search after graduation?
- Where can I find job openings?
- What do I wear to an interview or career fair?
- Which of my professional experiences should I put on my resume?
- How can I talk about my skills to potential employers?
- How can I make connections with alumni in my industry?
- How can I develop my professional skills?
- How can I prepare for the introduction of AI in my field?
Start Early, and Keep Going
College career offices are for more than seniors polishing a resume before graduation – they’re for personal and professional development, future job opportunities, preparing for life after college, and building a robust network.
The Valparaiso University Career and Alumni Network is here to help you connect what you learn in the classroom to internships, careers, and life after graduation. With lifetime access to our career services, you’ll always have a place to turn – whether you’re preparing for your first interview or planning your next move years down the road.
Explore Valpo career services and the resources available to help students prepare for internships, careers, and life after college: valpo.edu/vucan.
