Written & Published by Sacred Heart University
Don’t wait until senior year to get major, internship and job guidance
We asked Annie Suffredini, executive director of career & professional development, and Senior Director Amy Novak to explain the many ways the Center for Career & Professional Development helps graduate and undergraduate students at Sacred Heart University explore programs, careers, internships, grad schools and more.
Early-stage assessment
From day one, you can explore your future possibilities at SHU’s Center for Career & Professional Development. The first-year Discover YOU program helps students explore majors and career opportunities, developing confidence in their well-considered choices, Novak said. Personalized services—like one-on-one interview coaching and résumé writing—helps students showcase the skills they’re building in class, extracurriculars, internships and summer jobs. The center encourages students to earn digital badge credentials tailored to industry needs like leadership and remote work to be showcased on a résumé, LinkedIn, job applications and more.
The Center’s dedicated professionals identify your strengths and interests, working with you on a customized plan to boost your skills and confidence, Suffredini said. “The earlier you come in to see us, the more you can really learn about what your interests are and how that translates into your goals,” she said.
Personalized networking advice and tools
SHU students can take advantage of the SHUConnect portal–a one-stop shop to learn about shadowing, mentoring programs, job fairs, visiting panelists and networking events to get you ready to land a prime job or internship. Such events provide a wealth of information on job prospects at specific companies and organizations and put you in touch with the people you’ll want to know.
The career center also can help you tap into your college’s alumni network. SHU’s more than 50,000 alumni are eager to support current students like you as you launch the next phase of your journey.
Custom job banks
Look at any employment search portal, and you might be overwhelmed by the number of jobs—and the number of applicants. How will you find the right position and stand out from the pack? At SHU, students and alumni use our exclusive online job search tool—Handshake—that houses over 3.5 million jobs and internships around the globe.
Companies like ESPN, Deloitte, Hartford HealthCare, Morgan Stanley, Microsoft and Sikorsky are looking specifically to work with SHU students and alumni, who have a strong reputation as top performers. The career center can help you target the perfect place that’s looking for your skills and interests.
Exploring your interests outside the classroom
You might think your major is all that matters when it comes to landing a job. “Your major doesn’t always equal your career,” Novak said. She suggests using tools to assess your interests and then looking at the things that you do every day with a professional career expert. What are your hobbies and extracurriculars? What catches your eye on social media? The things you engage with might provide strong clues to future career happiness or offer pursuits to build your résumé. A career counselor can help suggest careers and graduate school paths you haven’t even considered.
Tips for job offer negotiation
You got the job? Great! SHU’s career professionals can help you navigate the sometimes confusing next-step conversations about salary, vacation time, hybrid work situations and more. While some things might not be negotiable, campus career experts are well-versed in helping you get a fair offer that best meets your individual needs and explaining the questions you should ask before you sign on the dotted line.
A lifetime of support
At SHU, career center support extends from the day you arrive as a first-year student through all phases of your work and education journey. Working with a host of tools and faculty and staff across campus, our career counselors provide guidance for students in undergraduate and graduate programs and alumni looking for continued networking and trusted advice. They also welcome alumni volunteers and mentors to support the next generation of Pioneers!
Think SHU might be right for you?
It’s easy to see why 99% of SHU graduates are employed full time or enrolled in graduate school. Want to know more about SHU’s more than 90 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs? Visit our website to contact your undergraduate or graduate admissions counselor at SHU.
For more information & to read the full article visit https://www.sacredheart.edu/news-room/news-listing/6-things-your-college-career-center-can-do-for-you/
