As successful and innovative collegiettes, we always have to be thinking about our next step.
The “real world” is fast approaching…and I don’t mean MTV reality show style. I’m referring to the real world of jobs and internships. And you thought you were done with applications and interviews, didn’t you?
Applying for jobs and internships may seem like a buzz-kill. Or maybe for some of you, it is exhilarating to think about the future and all its possibilities!
Don’t make the mistake of going at it solo. Read the following most common questions about how to find and use the right career counselor to your advantage.
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What is the best resource on campus when it comes to finding internships/jobs?
The Office of Personal Career and Development of course! Hopefully this is not your first time hearing about this special place, but if it is… explore the website, casually stop by for a visit, or schedule a personal appointment with a career counselor. Go to resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile reviews, attend Job and Internship Fairs or check out the frequent workshops provided just for you.
What is a career counselor? What is their job?
Their main role is to identify and evaluate your interests, abilities, and motivations through meetings and self-assessments. Career counselors then direct you toward a career in which your personality traits and strengths thrive. The perfect career is to one in which your skills may be most profitably employed, both financially and in terms of job satisfaction.
Remember, a career counselor is a teacher, confidant, advisor and friend. They want to get to know you as thoroughly as possible in order to help you in the best way that they can. So getting to know them, either by visiting them regularly or sharing with them your expectations and ambitions for the future, will only make the career finding process easier.
Why do I need a career counselor?
The internet and all its resources can be extremely overwhelming. A career counselor can help you sort through this vast amount of information and answer your individual questions and concerns. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
How should I prepare for my first appointment?
Bring a draft of your resume, your self-assessment (located on the OPCD website) results and/or thoughts on jobs or careers that have interested you in the past. Also, think about the following questions: Why are you at this school? What do you want to do when you graduate? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Formulating responses to such questions beforehand will help you maximize your time with the counselor.
“More than anything, come prepared with an open mind. You will learn that you have interests or skills you never realized and our career counselors can help you think about new ideas of industries and jobs you can go into,” says Molly McBride, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications at the OPCD.
What do I do after my appointment?
After your first meeting with a career counselor, you will walk away with an Action Plan about your next steps, as well as a list of resources specific to the path you wish to take or paths you wish to explore. The action plan will also let you know how best to prepare for your next appointment.
Ok, so I already know what I want to be. What’s the next step?
It is also important to know that career counselors do not just get you an interview. They will stay with you every step of the way, until you land that perfect job and are ready to fly on your own!
The OPCD will help you tocreate a killer resume, too. Your resume is your chance to make a great first impression. This will determine whether or not you get an interview. Daily walk-in resume and cover letter reviews in the OPCD occur on Monday through Thursday 2-4 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.
It is also important to take advantage of your time with a career counselor in order to practice interviewing. Getting tons of interviews but no offers is damaging to self-confidence and just plain frustrating. Preparation for an interview should NOT be done alone. Setting up informational interviews with acquaintances and friends of friends in industries you’re interested in is a great way to refine your interviewing skills. So is role-playing, especially with your career counselor.
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What makes the OPCD, here at Wake Forest University, unique?
Umm… hello?! Have you seen the office? It is totally modern and exceptionally decorated with bright colors, comfy chairs, walls you can write on, and an almost completely glass-walled room!
Molly McBride also informs us that, “Many career centers are just that, ‘career centers’. They focus solely on helping the student get a job or internship and provide appointments for students. The OPCD is different in that we work with you, personally and in terms of career development. We also have a university-wide employer relations team that goes out and talks to employers about our students. The team travels all over the country teaching employers about Wake Forest and the type of students we produce,”.
Molly also mentioned that the office houses the Center for Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship (CICE), the Mentoring Resource Center (MRC), as well as the Leadership Development and the Family Business Center. The presence of all of these groups in one place makes the OPCD “one of the strongest career centers in the country”.
When are career counselors available? How do I contact them?
Find a time that best fits your schedule! Casually chat with career counselors Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 PM (access the link on the OPCD website). This is the perfect opportunity for those quick Q’s you have been meaning to ask all year long. If you prefer a more personalized experience, schedule an individual appointment by calling 336-758-5902, stopping by Reynolda Room 230, or emailing them at careers@wfu.edu.
As Wake Forest collegiettes, a portion of our tuition pays for the OPCD to exist, whether we use it or not. The office has a variety of staff members that you can meet with, so if you don’t click with the career counselor that you meet with the first time, try another. You should leave the appointment feeling empowered to become as active as possible in your search!
For fun, ‘like’ the OPCD on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to learn about events going on in the office and have the chance to win various prizes!