Location / office hours / scheduling an appointment
Hours: Career Services is here to serve you Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Evening appointments may be scheduled by calling (305) 628-6688.
Location: Career Services is located in the Student Center, adjacent to the main lobby – look for Student Affairs.
Scheduling an appointment: You can schedule an appointment by calling or emailing a Career Advisor:
Tim De Palma, Director - tdepalma@stu.edu, (305) 628-6788 or;
Cristina López – Associate Director - cclopez@stu.edu, (305) 628-6577
Why are appointments recommended? You are welcome to drop-by, however, it may be necessary for you to wait to see a Career Advisor, or you may find that the time slot for which you had hoped, has been filled. STU students lead busy lives and waiting for a Career Advisor to finish their meeting with another student can cut into precious time.
Services available to me
What services are available to me as a student?
· Career Advising: one-on-one and online self-assessment
· Assistance with job search correspondence – resume, cover letter, thank you & acceptance letters, etc.
· Information Resources: numerous electronic and hard copy resources are available
· Job & Internship Listings: available in job binders and online (registration required – see a Career Advisor for details: careerservices@stu.edu )
· Career Expos and Community Service Fairs: fall & spring
· Employer information tables – available on campus throughout the year
· Graduate School - exam preparation booklets, individual advising and assistance with your letter of interest
· Career Services suggests that you meet with a Career Advisor who can answer YOUR questions/concerns and introduce you to the many resources available to you as an STU student or alumni.
Career planning – choosing a major or career
Can Career Services help me decide on a major, internship or career?
Yes we can! Career Services specializes in one-on-one career advising while using the latest in career-related computer technology. Allow a Career Advisor to introduce you to the many resources that are available to you as a St. Thomas University student or alumni. Call, email or stop by the office for personalized assistance with your career planning.
Can I take an online assessment or some type of career test to help me decide on a major or career?
Yes. Whether you are a first semester freshman, or a graduating senior or alumni, Career Services may suggest you use our online system, SIGI3, for self-assessment. SIGI3 means System of Interactive Guidance and Information. It will check your career pulse by having you complete three self-assessments in about 30 minutes. Once SIGI3 knows what makes you tick, you are presented a list of occupations for review and exploration. Some students report that they “already completed a career test in high school and it told me I should be a (fill in the blank)”. Chances are you have changed since high school, so completing SIGI3 now will be very helpful. How? It will identify how you have changed and incorporate your development into its career recommendations. Meet with a Career Advisor for information on accessing SIGI3, which is a password-protected online resource.
What sorts of issues should I be thinking about as I work on my undergraduate degree?
It sounds like you need to meet with a Career Advisor, so you can review the Career Timeline. We have career timelines that address the specific career issues of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Each timeline is different, so schedule an appointment to meet with a Career Advisor and we will show you the appropriate timeline.
Should I wait until my senior year to meet with a Career Advisor?
Absolutely NOT. Many students enter college undecided about the major they will pursue. Other students arrive with a major in mind, but later find themselves looking for alternatives. If you feel some pressure to choose a “major”, it may be a good thing. Sometimes the stress we are feeling motivates us to “take action”, yet making an informed choice is important. Fortunately, Career Services staff have more than a quarter-century of experience to aid you in your decision-making. Plus, we have some of the best tools and resources available in the career field to guide you in the process.
I am a senior (or graduate), but I have never visited Career Services. I need career help now!
If you waited until your senior year or you have graduated and are only now exploring Career Services, we’ll still meet with you! J In fact, we’ll be happy to do so AND we’ll continue to assist you with your career planning and job search throughout your life. Why? Because we Develop Leaders for Life!
How can I meet with a Career Advisor?
Career Advisors specialize in working with students from certain majors, for example:
Tim De Palma, Director, focuses on students in the following majors:
§ Biscayne College:
o Dept. of English & Humanities
o Dept. of History, Philosophy & Global Studies
o Institute for World Languages
o Dept. of Social Sciences & Counseling
§ School of Science, Technology & Engineering Management:
o Institute for Applied Computer Applications & Engineering Management
o Dept. of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science
§ School of Leadership Studies:
o Dept. of Education
Cristina López, Associate Director, focuses on students in the following majors:
§ School of Theology and Ministry:
o Dept. of Religious Studies
o Institute for Pastoral Ministries
§ School of Business:
o Institute of Global Entrepreneurship (Proposed)
o Dept. of Finance & Accountancy (Proposed)
o Inst. For Sports Adm. & Tourism/Hospitality Mgmt.
o Dept. of Mgmt.
o Dept. of Business Admin.
§ School of Leadership Studies:
o Institute for Comm. Media & Entertainment Arts
o Dept. of Prof. Studies
See “Location/office hours/Scheduling an appointment” above
Internships
Why should I consider an internship?
The benefits you can derive from an internship are many. Interning with professionals who are familiar with the field can greatly reduce the learning-curve you would otherwise encounter. The ability to network with other interns and especially professionals can launch you into your next internship or full-time job. An internship allows you to polish skills needed in the field and to emulate the seasoned worker. Projects you complete on-time give you important new elements to add to your resume, aside from the attention you bring to yourself for a job well done. Lastly, successful completion of a few projects, or effective collaboration with others on the team could lead to a job offer!
Will the internship be appropriate for my major?
You need to decide how the internship will fit into your major/program. Be careful when choosing, as if you are looking for an internship in Business, for example, doing some type of community work might not be necessarily related to your major. If in doubt, check with your Academic Advisor. You need to discuss with your academic advisor, and/or chairperson to learn about eligibility, requirements, and the process for receiving credit.
How do I get started?
Schedule an appointment (305-628-6688/careerservices@stu.edu) to meet with a Career Advisor to review your resume and discuss internship search strategies. A Career Advisor can acquaint you with other resources, including, the on-line internship (& jobs) database, networking, cold calling, informational interviewing, and how to develop effective correspondence with employers.
How can I prepare for an interview?
Participate in a mock interview by contacting Career Services. A mock interview places you in an interview setting where you will respond to typical interview questions and receive feedback from an employment recruiter or Career Advisor. In addition, numerous handouts related to the interview process are available for your review – just ask us. Be sure to make use of online resources that include video vignettes on the telephone interview, interview questions and business dinner etiquette. Go to: http://www.stu.edu/static/majors/html/CareerServicesVideos.html.
Who is eligible for Internships/Experiential Learning?
Internships are open to all full-time registered undergraduate students who are in good academic standing and have been at the University for at least two semesters; transfer students, one semester. International students must meet with Mrs. Toni Mountain (tmountai@stu.edu) for eligibility determination before participating in an internship experience. Eligibility requirements vary depending on degree program. Please see your Program Coordinator or advisor to verify your academic status and internship requirements.
Can I earn academic credits for an internship?
Some employers require that you earn academic credit while interning with their organization, while other employers are more flexible. The hours you agree to work each week typically determine the number of academic credits you earn. You can establish the number of hours you will work by speaking with your internship site supervisor and your academic advisor.
When can I participate in an internship?
Most students enroll for internship credits and begin work at an internship site during the academic year, working approximately 10-20 hours/week while attending classes, 8-15 weeks during an academic semester. Some employers also offer internships during the summer months, usually full-time. Typically, internships are a 3 or 6 month commitment. Time commitments, working hours and prerequisites may vary by academic program. Please see your Academic Advisor or Program Coordinator for more details.
Resume & cover letter
Can Career Services help me with a resume, cover letter and other job search correspondence?
Yes. In fact, we can provide you with advice on all types of job search correspondence. When you meet with a Career Advisor you will receive recommendations on the type of resume you should consider using, along with suggestions on each section of the resume. We suggest you begin drafting your resume before you need it. Waiting until you need to send it to a prospective employer often results in a resume that gives you less credit than you deserve. When you schedule an appointment for assistance with your resume or other job search correspondence, you will be asked to develop a draft prior to your meeting. At a minimum, you should include your education, where you worked along with your title, dates of employment, duties and achievements. Putting your best-foot-forward takes time and with the help of a Career Advisor you can develop job winning correspondence!
Must a resume be one page?
Yes, most often, a one-page resume is sufficient. There are exceptions, however. Most new graduates that have minimal work experience will find that a one-page resume will represent them well. If one finds that they have 1 ¼ or 1 1/3 pages, try reducing the margins to no smaller than “.8”, remove lines that extend across the page and reduce white space by removing tabs. It is advisable to use a size 12 font, but a size 11 font may be used if it allows one to stay within one-page. If a job seeker has held more than a couple of part-time jobs, a two-page resume may be required to adequately convey their education, skills and achievements, extracurricular activities, etc. If resume content is powerful and brings the employer to a more complete understanding of your qualifications and how they relate to the job, he/she will want to read page two!
What is a cover letter and must I have one?
Nine out of ten applications you submit will require a cover letter. A cover letter is usually one-page in length and presents an opportunity for you to highlight a few related skills and abilities. The content of your cover letter should be centered between the top and bottom of the page and should include a date at the top, followed by your address, then the name and address of the employer. Always include the name of the employer next (e.g., Dear Ms. Fernandez :).You must always make an effort to secure the name of the Human Resources Director, or hiring manager that will receive your cover letter and resume. Call the organization, or search online for the name of the H.R. Manager, or the department manager for whom you expect to work. Proceed with 3-4 paragraphs of skills and abilities that you have identified as being important to do the job well. Contact Career Services for a cover letter sample, which can help you develop the content of your cover letter. Your attending a Career Expo may be the only time when you do not need to present a cover letter with your resume.
Should I send my resume and cover letter by email or snail mail?
Many employers ask applicants to submit cover letters and resumes via email or their online employment web site. Today, students that attend Career Expos are being asked to submit their resume online. Always follow the employer’s preference. The prevalence of applying electronically may be the reason you will want to follow up with a hard copy via snail mail. Doing so will give the employer the chance to see and touch your work product, perhaps placing you above the competition.
What should I know about proper formatting when sending job search correspondence electronically?
When submitting your resume electronically, follow these guidelines: Add link for electronic resume submission (MU PDF)
What type of resume samples can Career Services provide me?
A chronological resume is most often used by a job seeker that has a verifiable employment record and no employment gaps. Content is presented in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent job is noted, first. A Career Advisor can provide an explanation of each resume section and modifications that may be right for you.
A functional resume is commonly used by a job seeker that either has little work experience or is changing career fields.
Should I use action verbs to aptly describe my knowledge and experience?
Yes, action verbs help bring to life your education and work
experience. Click here for a bountiful list of action verbs!
How can I have my resume critiqued?
Most students find that meeting with a Career Advisor can help them on their way to developing an effective resume. Email Career Services (careerservices@stu.edu) a couple of dates/times when you are available to meet with a Career Advisor and Mr. De Palma or Ms. López will confirm one. Remember, it takes time to develop a resume that adequately describes your life. Summarizing, for example, four years of college and part-time jobs into one page is a labor of love that typically requires drafting and re-drafting. Students /alumni are advised to never think of their resume as “completed”, rather always be ready to tweak it for the particular job to which you are applying. Students that work full-time and cannot take time off work to visit Career Services should consult with a Career Advisor about submitting their resume via email for a critique.
Interviewing
How can I prepare for an interview?
Career Services has a lot of resources you will find helpful as you prepare for your upcoming interview, including handouts, online videos and videotapes, aside from one-on-one advising and mock interviews. Hopefully, you have not waited to the day before your interview to begin preparing. As you see, it can take time to adequately prepare for that important interview. Our web site has a few helpful videos you can review, which will help you increase your confidence level: http://www.stu.edu/static/majors/html/CareerServicesVideos.html. Contact Career Services to discuss your individual questions with a Career Advisor; (305) 628-6688 or careerservices@stu.edu.
Career Expo
Does Career Services host Career Expos on campus? If so, when?
Traditionally, Career Expos are scheduled twice each year in early October and late March. In 2007, however, Career Services is collaborating with the Southeast Florida Career Consortium (SFCC) to host an E-fair in October, rather than hosting a Career Expo on campus. Stay tuned for details. The spring Career Expo will be held in March 2008.
How should I prepare for a Career Expo?
Traditionally, Career Services hosts an evening program in the residence halls prior to the Expo where students can learn tips they can use to perform well at the Career Expo. If you are unable to attend the workshop prior to the Expo, contact Career Services for a helpful handout.
Job Listings
Does Career Services have current job openings for student review?
Yes. Students have access to current hard copy job binders as well as jobs online. Online access requires that a student have his/her resume critiqued, whereupon he/she is provided a password for online registration and access to our job and resume database. Whether students are reviewing the job binders or online jobs, they will find professional f/t, p/t and internship opportunities. Scholarship information is maintained in the Career Services office and a few up-to-date books are also available for student review; please ask for them.
Graduate School
Can Career Services help me apply to graduate school?
Yes we can and do assist students with their applications to a variety of graduate and professional programs. Students are advised to start early, usually at least a year in advance, by assessing programs, faculty members, downloading applications and noting deadlines. Students will find helpful a ppt presentation that is available for review; ask a Career Advisor about it – careerservices@stu.edu. Visit the Graduate School link for a preview of the ppt and for graduate school exam dates: http://www.stu.edu/graduate-school-information-article-2640.html.
Still need help?
Contact Career Services with other questions you may have, and feel free to submit a question that does not appear in the above FAQ’s, so we can add it for the benefit of other students / alumni: careerservices@stu.edu
THANKS for reviewing these FAQ’s and remember, we would love to see you in the office!