Discover how to maximize your alma mater’s career center with Kelly’s expert tips. Learn four effective ways to leverage career services for networking, job search strategies, and professional development.
Even though you are no longer in school, your school still has your back when it comes to setting you up for career success. Many college and university career centers offer several services to alumni to help their career growth. In this post we are going to explore what those services are and why you may need them.
Why You Might Visit Your Alma Mater’s Career Center
There are several reasons why someone may want to visit their Alma Mater’s Career Center. A major reason is for advice/resources on your career journey. You could be:
- Fresh out of school looking for your first job
- A few years in your career wanting to know how to experience some career growth
- Or even in the middle of trying to figure out what career change you want to make after years of being in the same place.
Each of these scenarios can benefit from talking to a career counselor.
Some other reasons why visiting the career center is a good idea is to get help with resume and interview help, learn how to grow professionally, and find out about ways to network with other alumni in your career field.
4 Ways To Utilize Your Alma Mater’s Career Center
Now that you are considering visiting the Career Center, let’s take a look at what you can do while you are there.
1. Networking
Career counselors have a wealth of information about what other alumni are up to since graduating. They can give you an idea of who you may need to get connected with to learn more about a specific field or company. The Alumni office can also connect you with others that also attended your school through the Alumni Directory.
Stanford University is a great example of this. Not only do they have an Alumni Directory, but they also have a LinkedIn Group, and alumni communities to support you in your career journey.
2. School-Specific Job Board
Handshake is a school-specific job board that has partnered with over 1.500 colleges and universities to provide career support and job postings. If your alma mater is one of those schools, it’s worth it to create an account. The career center can help you make the most of your Handshake account if you need any guidance.
3. Job Fairs
Did you know that the job fairs that schools put on are available for alumni as well? Whether they are by department or a school-wide job fair, both students and alumni are able to attend them.
Keep an eye on your alma mater’s career center website to stay updated on when the next career fair will be. Then be sure you’ve got your resumes and business cards ready to be handed out. To have the best experience possible at a job fair follow these tips.
4. Career Counseling
Career counseling can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. From getting help with your resumes and cover letters, to practicing for an interview, and even help trying to get through a career transition, there are a lot of reasons someone may set up an appointment.
An example of this is Princeton University’s Career Transition Advising appointments. Some schools have a time frame of when they can help alumni before it goes to someone from alumni services. Definitely check on that before making an appointment to see a career counselor.
My Experience Using My Alma Mater’s Career Center
I visited my alma mater, Liberty University, a few years ago to try to get some career insight. I was currently unemployed and was looking for advice on how to make the most of my job search. Going straight into my chosen career field after graduation didn’t pan out the way I wanted. This time I wanted to do all that I could to ensure that I could find a job I loved.
My main goal during the career counseling visit was to get tips on my resume and how to get more interviews on jobs that I apply for. I left with a lot more than that though. In addition to edits to make on my resume, a renewed sense of hope in my job search, and a new gameplan, I learned of some resources available to me.
These are the same resources that I’ve shared above. I found out that job fairs aren’t just for current students, and that there is a whole job board full of jobs that Liberty students and alumni can apply to. That day I set up my Handshake account and started applying to jobs that I thought were up my alley.
Overall I enjoyed my meeting with the career counselor, I still use some of the tips she shared with me today as I am currently looking for a job again. I recommend that any alumni feeling stuck, in a transition, or just wanting some professional development advice make an appointment and visit their alma mater’s career center.
Now that you know that you have some resources available will you be contacting your Alma Mater? If you do let us know how it goes.
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About the Author
Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.
Website: budding-joy.com