Supporting Your Student's Future: Encourage Career Check-Ins Early and Often

As students move beyond their first year at St. John Fisher University, career development becomes increasingly important. Now is the time for students to build experiences, expand their professional network, and prepare for internships and future employment. One of the best ways you can support your student is by encouraging them to engage with Career Services early and often.

Career Check-Ins Make a Difference

Whether your student is a sophomore, junior, or senior, consistent engagement with Career Services is key to career readiness, and it’s never too early (or too late) to start. These meetings align with Fisher’s Career Action Plan, a roadmap that helps students explore, prepare, and launch confidently into their careers.  Career coaches work with students one-on-one to help them:

• Explore Career Options: Connect majors, interests, strengths, and values to meaningful career paths.
• Strengthen Professional Materials: Refine résumés, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and personal branding.
• Prepare for Internships and Employment: Learn effective job and internship search strategies while identifying opportunities that align with career goals.
• Develop Interview and Networking Skills: Practice interviewing, build confidence, and learn how to make meaningful professional connections.
• Plan for What's Next: Whether pursuing full-time employment, graduate school, service programs, fellowships, or another path, Career Services helps students create a personalized plan.

Fall Career Fair: Preparation Starts Now

One of the biggest career events of the year is quickly approaching! The Fall Career Fair will be held on Wednesday, September 24, from 12:30–2:30 p.m. and is an excellent opportunity for students of all class years to connect with employers.  Even if your student is not actively searching for a job or internship, attending the Career Fair allows them to:

• Explore career possibilities and industries
• Learn what employers look for in candidates
• Practice networking in a supportive environment
• Build confidence speaking with recruiters
• Make connections that could lead to future internships or full-time opportunities

Students don't have to wait until September to prepare. Employers are already registering for the Career Fair in Handshake, Fisher’s career management platform, allowing students to begin researching organizations, identifying employers of interest, and preparing thoughtful questions before the event.

Handshake remains your student's career management hub throughout their time at Fisher. Students can use Handshake to:

• Schedule appointments with Career Services
• View the growing list of employers attending the Fall Career Fair
• Register for career events and workshops.
• Search for internships, full-time positions, and on-campus employment opportunities

Checking Handshake regularly helps students stay informed about new opportunities and deadlines throughout the semester.

Research consistently shows that family encouragement plays an important role in student success. A simple reminder to update a résumé, schedule a Career Services appointment, or attend the Career Fair can help your student take the next step toward achieving their goals. Career development is a journey, not a one-time event. By encouraging your student to connect with Career Services early and often, you're helping them build the skills, experiences, and confidence they'll need to succeed long after graduation.