Introduction: How Career Services Help Working Adults
College is key to success, they say. While partially true, what you learn in college is only part of that key. Equally important is how you navigate the transition from academia to the workforce. This is where career services come in.
Career services bridge the gap between theory and practice. Career services for working adults are particularly crucial. This student demographic has less time on their plate to independently navigate career transitions and job placements. Working adult students may need extra support in optimizing their resumes.
Some students may think that career services are only important near graduation. However, this service is important even during the first year of college. Why?
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Career services will actively prepare you for the workforce. Your university’s career center is the go-to place for information on local and global internships or work placements. Employers often contact these centers to find student interns.
It’s never too early to start finding hands-on learning experiences. Remember that internships and job placements are competitive. The earlier you apply for them, the more chances of securing an opportunity.
Career services centers will bridge you to career fairs and events where you can start making your own network. These opportunities will help you explore your possibilities within and beyond your field of study. They aim to give you potentially life-changing insights.
In this post, we will list down the top career and job placement support colleges. These institutions are applauded for their high job placement and employer and student satisfaction rates. Let us begin!
Top 10 Colleges Offering Career Services
Pennsylvania State University, University Park
With a vast alumni network of over 760,000, students can expect a lot of networking opportunities in the school. Penn State is also popular for its vast and diverse career services, including:
- Career Counseling
- Major and Career Planning
- Resume Assistance for Adults
- Internship and Job Search
- Interview Prep
- Job Offers and Negotiating
- Grad and Professional School
Penn State also hosts several Virtual Career Services to ensure that even its fully online students have the same opportunities as on-campus students. The university also has an “Explore by Who You Are” program that provides students with tailored support.
Bentley University
Bentley’s career services center is hard to compete with. In fact, its Pulsifer Career Development Center ranked #1 in Princeton.
From day one through graduation and beyond, its career center supports students in building essential skills and connections for career success. They offer programs and services at every step of career planning, including:
- Guidance from freshman year onwards
- Skill-building workshops
- Networking opportunities
Northeastern University
Thanks to Northeastern’s vast network and comprehensive career services, students will have a vast choice of where to work. They take resume and interview preparation for college students very seriously. Other services offered at its career center include:
- Academic Advising
- Career Design
- Career Counseling
Drexel University
With one of the largest co-op programs, Drexel University has a 96.9% job placement rate. Its graduates earn 11% above the national average. These data alone showcase how good Drexel’s career center is!
The Steinbright Career Development Center at Drexel offers the following services:
- Career Fairs
- Career and Educational Counseling
- Workshops
Drexel’s workshops include comprehensive career guidance, job searches, and interviews. The university also holds one-on-one sessions that provide students tailored support for transition to new roles after college. Graduates can also enjoy its vast alumni network.
Claremont McKenna College
CMC has various career centers. They have a center for students, employers, and even families.
The Soll Center for Student Opportunity at CMC offers several career readiness services, including:
- Individualized Coaching and Support
- Early Real-World Career Experiences
Students will also gain access to a tight-knit community of successful CMC alumni. Additionally, they’ll enjoy several sponsored internships and experiences.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Rose-Hulman is continuously ranked for offering the most career and internship placement opportunities. It actively prepares students for an exciting career journey, from resume building to salary negotiation.
Kansas State University
As the nation’s first land-grant institution, Kansas State University has proven its capacity to help students and graduates land great opportunities. Some of KSU’s esteemed career services include:
- Free Career Assessments
- Job Search Training
- Career Advising
- Employer Connection
The school understands that there are no students alike. Despite being in the same majors, each student has unique career aspirations and goals. Students can have personalized job search assistance through the school’s Salina Career Engagement Department.
Wabash College
Wabash’s Professional Development Center is ranked among the best by Princeton Review. It is dedicated to guiding its students in discovering and building their leadership skills and career paths before they finish school. Some of the school’s career services include:
- Trips and Internships
- Resume/Cover Letter Assistance
- Mock Interviews
University of Florida
UF, with an alumni network of over 45,000 and deep local and international connections, offers its students endless opportunities. This university is especially sought after by students who want to prepare for careers in research and teaching.
UF offers an Eight Semester Career Readiness Guide focused on empowering students in career development. Students receive personalized guidance based on their preferences and interests. Here are some of the services you can expect from UF:
- Real-time market insights
- Job and Internship Hunt
- Resume Writing
- Interview Preparation
Southwestern University
Southwestern University is also known for its career preparedness programs. Students believe that the Southwestern curriculum strongly emphasizes their growth and progress.
SWU’s Center for Career and Professional Development offers highly personalized services to ensure students are well-prepared for their careers. Some of the services they offer include:
- Resume Building
- Networking Opportunities
- Customized Connections with Employers
Essential Career Services
Students choose their college and program with one goal: to build a better future. But even with a degree, many graduates find it hard to land their dream careers.
Reaching for your success is challenging. However, it’s easier to advance careers with college help. Here are three of the most important services to look for in college career centers:
Resume Assistance: Crafting the Perfect Resume
A resume is the first thing employers look at when reviewing applicants. The importance of this piece of paper is twofold: 1. it helps corporations pick qualified candidates, and 2. It helps job seekers showcase their talents and skills.
It’s a very competitive job market. A well-crafted resume makes you stand out from other college graduate applicants. You may think it’s easy to create a resume, but it’s really not.
While the internet offers resume templates, they aren’t tailored to your unique skills and experiences. College career services will meticulously help you craft a resume based on three factors:
- Your skills and strengths
- The specific demands of your target industry
- Current trends in resume formatting
They ensure your resume isn’t just a generic list of qualifications but a strategic document that aligns with what employers seek. This personalized approach maximizes your chances of standing out and securing interviews in competitive job markets.
Interview Preparation: Acing Your Job Interview
The job interview is the final and most crucial stage of the hiring process. It’s a chance for you and the employer to meet, share information, and form initial opinions about whether you’re a good fit for the job and whether it is right for you. Remember, it’s a two-way street: You’re assessing the employer just as much as they assess you.
College career services play a crucial role by guiding you through thorough preparation for various types of interviews. Colleges will conduct a mock interview, usually consisting of a 30-minute interview and about 20 minutes of feedback. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for an interview, according to colleges:
- Learn as much as you can about the company.
- Find out as much as you can about the position.
- Know your resume inside and out.
- Know the interview format ahead of time.
- Make a list of questions to ask that demonstrate your interests.
Job Placement Support: Landing Your Dream Job
You should also look for additional career support for adult learners in the form of job placement support services. These include career fairs and networking events.
Colleges with job placement programs effectively bridge the job readiness gap, resulting in high job placement rates. These programs will connect you with potential employers, giving you an extra hand in landing your dream job. It is necessary, especially considering that almost 85% of positions are not posted.
Let us share some success stories.
A recent college graduate, Holly Pierce achieved her dream job at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide in Portland, Oregon, through proactive networking. By leveraging her connections and reaching out to professionals in her desired field, she quickly secured interviews and impressed her future employer.
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A political science major, Isabel Nieman defied conventional wisdom about career fairs. Despite her background in liberal arts, she approached the event with open-mindedness, treating it as an opportunity to connect rather than just an interview. Her proactive networking landed her conversations with unexpected prospects like the US Army Corps of Engineers, initially seeking engineering students. She secured a role at the Corps’ San Francisco District through genuine engagement and showcasing her diverse skills, leveraging her international affairs expertise.
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Throughout Becky Grossman’s journey at CMC, the Center’s job support services played a crucial role in shaping her career in international human rights law. They provided guidance and connections that led to pivotal opportunities, from fellowships and internships to her current role at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. These experiences have solidified her path and prepared her for future endeavors in law school.
Choosing the Right College for Career Services
Knowing the efficiency of a college’s career services may often be challenging. But here’s a pro tip: look at the school’s job placement rate. Institutions topping the national average of 85% generally translate to great career services. Nevertheless, this is only the first step in assessing the college’s career services.
Keep the following career services in mind when choosing a college:
- Internship and Networking Opportunities
- Career Counseling and Advising
- Professional Development Workshops
- Accessibility and Availability
- Support for Graduate School Preparation
Conclusion: Maximizing Career Services for Success
It’s important to seek help with career advancement from colleges. They provide unique support, including personalized assistance with resume building, interview preparation, and networking events that facilitate connections with potential employers. These resources, often free or part of your tuition package, are invaluable for advancing your career in ways you won’t find elsewhere.