Career Success Starts Here: Maximizing Your College Career Services

So, Why Is the Career Services Center Important?

College can be an exciting, yet challenging, phase in a student’s life. While navigating through your academic journey, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Colleges offer a wide range of resources to help you succeed—and one of the most valuable is career services. 

Whether you are still determining your career aspirations or have a clear vision of your professional path, career services can help you achieve your goals. By taking full advantage of career services, you can better prepare for your future career and increase your chances of success after graduation.  

Six Impactful Services Available to Kickstart Your Career

Discover the benefits of visiting your college or university’s career center and how it can positively impact your academic experience, setting the stage for a successful future. 

1. Career Exploration and Planning

If you feel uncertain about your future career path after graduation, your college career center can guide you in the right direction. 

College career advisers help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, explore potential career options, and develop a plan to achieve your career goals. They can also provide you with opportunities for internships, job shadowing, and networking events, which will help you gain essential experience and make connections in your field of interest.

2. Résumé and Cover Letter Review and Guidance

Visiting your college’s career center for a résumé and cover letter review can be a game-changer in your job search. 

Career center advisers can provide valuable feedback on making your résumé and cover letter stand out to potential employers. With their guidance, you can learn how to showcase your skills and experiences best, tailor your application materials to specific job opportunities, and increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams.

3. Interview Preparation and Practice 

If you are preparing to enter the workforce soon, job interviews are an essential part of that process. To ace your interviews and land your dream job, building confidence, improving your communication skills, and learning how to present yourself are crucial. Luckily, your college’s career center is an excellent interview preparation and practice resource. They offer mock interviews, tips, and other valuable tools to help you succeed in your job search. By taking advantage of these resources, you can feel more confident and prepared.

St. John’s University Career Services’ team goes the extra mile to set students up for successful job interviews by providing gently used business attire through an initiative called  Career Closet.

4. Networking Opportunities 

With numerous events and resources available through college career centers, such as career fairs, you can connect with alumni, industry professionals, and other students who share similar interests. These connections can help you gain valuable insights into your desired career path, learn about job opportunities, and build long-term relationships that benefit you throughout your career. 

Additionally, networking can help you develop essential skills such as communication, collaboration, and self-promotion, which are valuable in any profession. By leveraging the various networking opportunities available through the college career center, you can gain a competitive advantage in the job market and position yourself for long-term success in your chosen field.

5. Internships and Experiential Learning Opportunities  

Are you searching for an effective way to give your career a head start and gain some meaningful work experience before you graduate? Career centers offer various resources and services to help you secure an internship or explore learning opportunities that align with your interests and career goals. 

For example, St. John's University's Career Services offers students an immersive learning experience called career treks, allowing them to explore various career paths.

Related: Watch the St. John’s University Family Webinar Series video, Conversations with Career Services: Internships and Experiential Learning 

6. Graduate School Application Assistance  

If you’ve already graduated from St. John’s and are considering pursuing a graduate degree, you may wonder where to turn for guidance and support. Fortunately, as an alum, you still have access to the valuable resources provided by your college career center, including graduate school application assistance. The knowledgeable advisers at the career center can help you navigate the complex application process, providing personalized guidance and feedback on your application essays, résumé, and personal statements. By utilizing this resource, you can feel more confident in your application and increase your chances of being accepted into your desired graduate program. 

Additionally, the career center can offer support throughout your academic and professional journey, providing access to networking opportunities, job postings, and career resources to help you achieve your goals after graduation. 

How to Maximize Your College Career Services Experience

Utilize the Center More than Once. 

To get the most out of your college or university’s career services, it’s recommended that you utilize several of the services that this office has to offer. Additionally, schedule multiple meetings with an adviser throughout your academic years. This will give you ample time to plan, review, and adjust your career goals as you progress through your program. 

With the help of career advisers, you can gain the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market.

Develop a Professional Connection with Your Career Adviser. 

Developing a professional connection with your career adviser can be highly beneficial. A career adviser can advise on job search strategies and career development opportunities and offer valuable insight into the job market and industry trends. Building a solid relationship with your career adviser can also help you stay motivated, focused, and on track with your career goals. 

Explore Real-World Opportunities. 

Gaining real-world experience is essential for preparing yourself for any career path. It not only helps you get a better understanding of the practical aspects of your field of interest, but it also provides you with the opportunity to build your skills, knowledge, and confidence. 

Take advantage of any opportunity to learn and grow. Whether that be an internship, volunteer opportunity, or education event, real-world experiences can provide you with the necessary exposure and training to excel in your chosen field. Additionally, attending networking events and field trips to companies allows you to interact with professionals in your industry, learn about their experiences, and gain insights into the day-to-day operations of companies in your field.

St. John's University offers its students a unique opportunity to visit companies and explore career options through career treks. 

Attend Events Hosted by the Center, Such as a Career Fair.

College career fairs are an excellent resource for students looking to start their careers. These events offer a unique opportunity to meet with potential employers and learn about the current job market. Career fairs provide an opportunity to network with professionals and gain industry-specific knowledge that can be applied to future job applications. 

They also allow you to practice your communication and interpersonal skills, which are crucial when landing a job. Overall, career fairs are essential to the college experience and can be a valuable tool for any student looking to begin their professional journey.

Related: Watch St. John's University's RedTalk Career Conversation Series. 

Use the Career Center’s Online Resources, Such as Job Boards.

Looking for a job can be daunting, but many valuable resources are available to help you, including online. The career center’s job boards can connect you with job postings relevant to your interests and experience. With so many employers posting on these boards, you’re sure to find a job that’s a good fit for you. Often, these jobs are published to hire students within a particular university as the company may already have a relationship with the school.