UD OPCD Blog

OPCD brings dozens of employers to campus every semester. Not only are guest speakers eager to talk about their experiences and give advice, many are alumni and they WANT to hire UD students. Meeting a speaker in person can improve your chances of getting an interview when a position comes open. Even if you see an event that pertains to a field you’re not sure you’re interested in, come anyway! What you hear could give you insight into a career field you haven’t considered.

Getting involved with campus organizations isn’t just something to pad your resume’. Employers tell us that they are looking for candidates with interests outside the classroom. Explore what different organizations have to offer and what skills you can offer in return. Not only will you make new friends, but you will also gain valuable experience that will prepare you for life after graduation. Visit Crusader Connect to find out more about UD’s campus organizations.

Finding an internship can feel overwhelming at times. Semester break is a great time to scour the databases and hunt for that perfect opportunity. You can also make a list of companies you’d like to work for, then dig through their websites, Facebook pages and Twitter feeds to learn about any opportunities they might have. And don’t forget about volunteer work. Look for organizations that align with your interests and research opportunities to help others while gaining experience at the same time. Click here for a list of databases to help you in your search for an internship or volunteer opportunity. Be sure to check out our internship deadline calendar and highlight important dates.

Not sure what you want to do when you grow up? Can’t decide on a career, let alone a major? Make an appointment to take Focus2, an online education and career interests assessment and planning tool.  After you complete the assessment, a career counselor will go over the results with you. But remember, the purpose of the assessment is to start a conversation, not to lock you into a particular field. To make an appointment to the Focus2, click here.

Does your resumé need some work? Do you need to practice interviewing? Contact the Office of Personal Career Development to make an appointment. A career counselor can evaluate your resumé for a job, internship or graduate school. We can also schedule a mock interview so that you’ll be ready for any questions an interviewer might throw at you. Click here to make an appointment.

While you’re sitting by the fire with family and friends this Christmas, practice telling stories related to your work and volunteer experience. Review the information on your resumé and cover letter, and craft a story about how you did what you did. Think about STAR: Situation you were in, Task you were given, Actions you took and Results you achieved. Try to have a story that illustrates each skill you list on your resume’. These stories are invaluable in an interview situation. Click here to read more about preparing for an interview.

The UD Office of Personal  Career Development offers a free job notification service organized by job categories. If you’re interested in finding out what types of jobs are available in your field, are looking for a job, or just want to see what’s out there, then subscribe to this service.

You can receive job information via text, email, or both from the UD OPCD. Simply OPT IN for your field(s) of interest and you will receive a message when a job opening becomes available. OPT OUT when you no longer want to receive messages. Click here to use this valuable service.

Will you be catching up with old high school buddies or distant cousins over the break? Make a point to ask them about their career choices. Here are some good conversation starters: How do you like the field you’re in? What’s the average day like? Is there anything you wish you would’ve known while you were still in college? What would you have done differently? You could get some great advice and may even hear about a career field you’ve never considered.

You probably already know that a LinkedIn profile is nothing like a Facebook profile, but is your ready to be viewed by future employers? Take some time to schedule a professional-looking head shot. If you can’t get a head shot over the break, contact OPCD after the semester resumes and we’ll schedule one for you. In the mean time, update LinkedIn with all of your relevant information. Click here for instructions on how to make a great LinkedIn profile.