No matter your major, the goal of every student is a successful, enriching career, and it is never too early to think about professional development.
UNC Greensboro’s Career & Professional Development (CPD) services are here to help students find a path to a career they’ll love and one that maximizes their earnings, but don’t wait until you’re about to graduate to take advantage of this help. Here are five ways that CPD’s resources can boost student’s career readiness now.
1. Score a Part-time Job
Over half of UNCG students have at least one job. Working not only makes college expenses more manageable, but it gives students experience that hones their career choices and builds skills to make them more marketable after graduation.
CPD links students with on and off campus job opportunities through Handshake. Handshake is CPD’s career management platform, which features over 400,000 employers with internships and job opportunities. The software promotes jobs to students whose profiles match the job description. Over 900,000 employers globally utilize Handshake. UNCG is strategically connected with over 22,000 of them, and over 4,100 are in North Carolina.
“There are thousands of job opportunities on Handshake, and companies are posting new jobs every single day,” says Megan Walters, CPD Director. “If you see a job on Handshake, it’s because that company asked permission to post specifically at UNCG, and our team agrees that it’s a good opportunity for you! Nothing is an accident on Handshake.”
2. Decide on a Major
College is the time to explore career paths. It’s the perfect environment to thoughtfully consider your passions, skills, and values. Take classes, join clubs, or work a part-time job to test out careers. Research hiring trends and salaries, and when you need help culling your options, consult a CPD advisor.
CPD’s resources can guide you toward a fulfilling career. First- and second-years can consult the Interest Profiler or Skills Matcher to consider different majors, and career coaches like Justin Golding are available for appointments about major and career exploration.
“We’ll ask the right questions to help you find clarity in your next steps,” Golding says. “My job is to help you be successful!”
3. Build Your Resume and Interview Skills
Whether you’re seeking an internship, a part-time job to help with college expenses, or your first job after graduation, the competition is fierce. Submitting a resume that stands out and taking time to prepare for an interview moves the needle in your favor, and that’s where CPD can help:
- Make an appointment with a career coach to strengthen your resume and cover letter, prepare for interviews, plan for graduate school, and more.
- Use tools like VMock to virtually review your resume and receive real-time feedback based on presentation, competencies, and impact.
- Big Interview is a great tool to learn about and practice interviewing. Use this tool to sharpen your interview answers and get real time feedback.
4. Land an Internship
Aside from placing students in internships through Handshake, CPD also has connections with various organizations that work with employers to fill internship positions for students. The earlier you can share your career aspirations with the folks at CPD, the better your chances are of landing a coveted internship.
Last summer, CPD placed UNCG students from all majors with work experience in Washington, D.C. through The Washington Center. They also partner with programs like Humanities at Work and Campus Greensboro, which place students in local internships, or the State Employees Credit Union Public Fellows program that recruits interns for civic engagement positions all over North Carolina.
5. Find Your Future Employer
As graduation looms closer for students, “what’s next?” is a common question. Last year, more than 2,200 seniors engaged with CPD through appointments, career fairs, tech platforms, and workshops.
“We want Spartans to have their next steps determined before they cross the stage at graduation,” says Walters. “Whether you enroll in a graduate program, transition from an intern to a full-time employee, or land a new career position, we are here to support you. Let us help you identify and secure your next opportunity!”
There are several platforms they recommend for keeping your job search organized. Apps like GoinGlobal help students who want to find an international job after graduation. Career Shift searches postings across several boards in one convenient location for students.
Finally, look out for career fairs which bring employers to campus for recruiting events. Attending a career fair is a great way to browse opportunities and practice networking. They are open to students from all class years and all majors. The Fall Career Fair planned for Thursday, September 26 at the Kaplan Center is your next chance to engage with employees looking for bright Spartans to hire. Don’t miss it!
Fall Career Fair
Thursday, Sept. 26, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Kaplan Recreation and Wellness Center
100 employers & graduate schools will be attending with 1,200+ opportunities available.
More than half of registered companies are seeking interns.
Professional headshots will be available during the career fair.
Get Connected
Whatever your professional development needs, there are lots of ways to tap into CPD’s services:
- Accessing Handshake with your student credentials is your first step to leveraging CPD’s resources. Here, you can find jobs and internships, connect with employers, register for events, and schedule coaching appointments.
- Check the CPD’s DIY Career page for links and apps that will help you research jobs and careers on your own.
- Drop by the Career & Professional Development office on the first floor of the EUC for in-person career coaching.
Don’t delay. Your future awaits!
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photos by Sean Norona, University Communications, unless otherwise noted.
