Career Corner: Planning for the Year Ahead
You are likely excited and anxious about your student’s journey into higher education. One of the biggest challenges that students face is choosing a major that aligns with their career goals. While some students enter college with a clear idea of their career path, many are still exploring their options.
This is where the career exploration tool, “What Can I Do With This Major?” can be incredibly valuable.
“What Can I Do With This Major?” is an online resource designed to help students understand the connection between academic majors and career opportunities. The tool provides comprehensive information on a wide range of majors, detailing potential career paths, types of employers, and strategies to enhance employability. It offers insights into a variety of majors, from the more common options like management and psychology to specialized fields including sustainability and cybersecurity, allowing students to explore a wide range of interests and discover new possibilities. For each major, the tool lists potential career paths and employers—giving students a clearer picture of what they can do after graduation. This can be particularly helpful for students who might be passionate about a subject but unsure of the practical applications.
Encourage your student to visit the Career Services website through mySJF or Handshake’s Resources page to make use of the variety of tools available to them (Handshake can be accessed via the Launchpad on mySJF). Exploration can spark meaningful conversations about their interests, strengths, and potential career goals. Together, you can navigate the exciting journey of college and beyond, ensuring they are well-prepared for a fulfilling career.
Get Ready for the Fall Career Fair
As the new academic year begins, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming annual Fall Career Fair, the only one of its kind this year, happening from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center Fieldhouse.
This event is a fantastic opportunity for all students to connect with potential employers, explore various career paths, get a professional headshot via the PopCam, and gain invaluable professional experience. Remind your student that it is never too early to start searching as employers start recruiting in the fall for spring and summer semester internships!
To ensure your student makes the most of this event, we recommend the following preparations:
Dress the Part: First impressions are crucial. Encourage your student to dress in professional attire to present themselves as serious and ready candidates. We will have a PopCam on site so students can take professional headshots for their LinkedIn profiles!
Résumé Review: A polished résumé is essential. Suggest they check our resources on the Career Services website or visit us for a thorough review to ensure their résumé is up-to-date and effectively showcases their skills and experiences. In-person and virtual appointments can be scheduled via Handshake and we will be offering walk-in résumé review sessions on campus leading up to the event.
Research: Check out the employers attending the Career Fair and what postings they have open. The list of employers is accessible directly through the event posting in Handshake. This will help your student develop a plan for the event, who they want to see, and what opportunities they have available. It is also impressive to employers when students do their “homework.”
Students are encouraged to register for the event via Handshake. We look forward to seeing your student take full advantage of this opportunity to advance their career prospects.