Pilots Prevent
October 19, 2021
Although summer seems like eons away, now is the perfect time for students to start thinking about what jobs and internships they might want to have when the school year is over. Just carving out a little time now to take some small steps can have a big payoff in spring when applications are due. But if you’re feeling like you don’t know where to start and are confused about how the pandemic has affected the job search landscape, we’ve got the answer: UP’s Career Education Center.
“If you don’t know how to get started, come meet with one of us,” says director Amy Cavanaugh. “Just take that first step. You don’t have to know what you’re doing. Everyone starts somewhere different.”
The counselors in the Career Education Center are readily available to help students no matter where they are on their path toward a career—starting with declaring their majors. “In collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences, we have a program called Destination Declared for first- and second-year students who are considering changing their majors,” Cavanaugh says. Through the program, students get assistance in exploring different majors and finding one that’s the right fit.
But that’s just the beginning. The center has a wide range of career exploration and career counseling programs, plus resources and handouts available 24/7 on the website. Counselors are available for appointments every day of the week, including evening appointments with a peer advisor, and daily drop-in appointments (times are often posted on the center’s Instagram account) if you need help right away. All meetings are held online so they’re automatically COVID-safe and easier to fit into your schedule. Check out the list of below of appointment hours and upcoming events.
“Many students think they need to know what they want to do before meeting with us, or they need to have a resume or cover letter started, but they don’t. We have internship and job search action plans to help with career exploration. We help with resume and cover letter development as well as review. We’ll help you create a LinkedIn profile and learn now to maximize the platform. We conduct interview workshops, can practice interviews with you and teach you how to negotiate a job.”
The pandemic has made the internship and job search landscape a lot trickier, limiting some opportunities while creating new ones. Some are even now completely virtual. And interviews are often conducted online. The counselors at the Career Education Center can help students navigate through it all, so they can maximize their college journey with real world experience. But first, they must activate their Handshake account.
“A lot of students aren’t aware of Handshake, the tool where we post job opportunities and career events happening at our school as well as over 1,000 schools around the country,” says Cavanaugh. “Through it they can see part-time and full-time and internship and job opportunities all over the US. We do an extensive review of all postings that come in through Handshake, and help students narrow down the choices. They’re not alone in deciding is this a good internship for me? Will I get anything out of it?”
Handshake is also how students can schedule their appointment with the career center’s counselors and take advantage of all the advice and guidance they have to offer. “We’re trying to encourage students to meet with us early and often,” says Cavanaugh. “Now is a good time to start focusing. There’s a lot happening in October and November for job and internship searches, and winter break is a good time to get the application ball rolling, especially for companies that have cohort-based internship programs that fill up fast. There are many steps so you want to start soon, and we can help make it more manageable.”
Drop-In Hours are held at the following times:
Monday: 2 – 3 p.m.
Tuesday: 2 – 3 p.m.
Wednesday: 2 – 3 p.m.
Thursday: 10 – 11 a.m.
Friday: 10 – 11 a.m.
Evening Career Peer Advisor Drop-In Hours
Tuesday: 8 – 9 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 – 9 p.m.
Individual appointments for a variety of career topics and can be scheduled through Handshake.
Internship Search 301, Tuesdays Oct. 19 & 26 from 4–5 p.m. and Fridays November 12th and 19th from 11 a.m.– 12 p.m.
Looking for an internship? Wondering how to most effectively use your time to find the right opportunity? If you are thinking about gaining applied experience outside the classroom, but don't know where to start or feel stuck: this workshop is for YOU! Internship Search 301 is a 2-part series to help you create an Internship Search Action Plan and orient you to the resources that will help you along the process! The workshops will take place in person and it is expected that you will attend both sessions. Advance registration in Handshake is required. Topics include: internship search strategies, aligning opportunities with your goals and values, and creating an internship search plan. Email internship@up.edu with any questions or ADA accommodation requests.
Together with Pacific Northwest institutions the University of Portland Career Center is hosting a series of virtual career treks that provide students with an opportunity to learn more company culture, employee experiences, career pathways and open internship and job opportunities! All treks will be posted in Handshake.
Thursday, October 21, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
The next virtual trek is with the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and their fast-growing Seattle chapter on Thursday, October 21 from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm. For more information and to register (must do so in advance to receive the Zoom link), visit Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Virtual Career Trek
SHPE STEM Career Programs and Events
Monday, October 25, 5-7pm
SHPE STEM Lightning Talks - SHPE STEM Lightning Rounds are an opportunity for students to sit in on a virtual industry information panel by industry with multiple employers and multiple students. All years are welcome.
Tuesday. October 26, 9 – 11 a.m., noon – 2 p.m., and 5– 7 p.m.
SHPE Bomba Blast Resume Review – Hosted by the SHPE student chapter the SHPE STEM Resume Review is an opportunity for juniors and seniors to get their resumes individually reviewed by STEM professionals from the SHPE Oregon professional chapter. Slots are limited to 100 students, please register in advance to secure a spot. If you are planning on attending the SHPE STEM Recruiting Expo, join this event to be prepared to meet with recruiters. Slots will be available in the three blocks (all times in PDT): morning (9am to 11am), mid-day (12pm to 2pm), afternoon (5pm to 7pm).
Register by October 9 for priority registration. Priority registration will close on Saturday, October 9th at 11:59pm PDT. Registrations after this date will be placed on a waiting list pending availability.
Wednesday, October 27, 5 - 5:30 p.m.
“How to Work a Virtual Career Fair” Workshop. For students attending the SHPE STEM Virtual Career Expo, this workshop will help students prepare for, actively participate in, and follow up on virtual career connections.
Friday, October 29, 2 – 5 p.m.
SHPE STEM Virtual Career Expo is an opportunity to attend 1:1 sessions with hiring companies followed by drop-in sessions from 2 – 4 p.m. and from 4 – 5 p.m. students can drop-in to meet with company representatives. Advance registration is required. Go online to find the full list of registered companies and links to sign up for 1:1 sessions.
Thursdays, November 4, November 11, and November 18, 3 – 4 p.m.
Job Search 401 is a 3-part series to help students prepare now for life after graduation. Participants will learn job search strategies, get to know the tools and resources for creating a plan including where to look for jobs and what role networking and connecting plays in the search, and how to write effective resumes and interviews.
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
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