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Michigan State University Career Services Network

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Featured Articles

Your journey to career success: expanding cultural horizons.

• Share This: Share Your Journey to Career Success: Expanding Cultural Horizons on Facebook Share Your Journey to Career Success: Expanding Cultural Horizons on LinkedIn Share Your Journey to Career Success: Expanding Cultural Horizons on X

  As Spring Semester comes to a close, take time to reflect on how you can learn from others and find common ground with people from different backgrounds and experiences. Make time to embrace diverse opportunties to gain exposure that may …

Maximizing Your Network for Job Opportunities

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In today’s job market, making connections matters—a lot! Have you ever wondered why some people seem to land great job opportunities effortlessly? It’s often because of their network.

Your network is like a circle of friends, serving as a vital …

Upcoming Events

On-campus jobs.

Bachelor's degree graduates continue education.

Undergraduate students complete an internship.

Bachelor's degree graduates work or continue education.

*Data Source: Post-graduation outcomes and experiences of bachelor’s degree recipients (2019-2023).

CAREER RESOURCES

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Handshake is MSU’s career management platform. Your one-stop-shop for all things career related, it includes:

On-campus job and internship postings …

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Interested in pursuing work or internship abroad? Goinglobal is an online resource with helpful city guides, tips on navigating the …

What Can I Do With This Major?

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This site helps to connect majors to careers. Learn about the typical career areas and the types of employers that …

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Focus 2 is an online, self-guided, interactive program designed to help you explore majors and careers. Assessments are available to …

Candid Career

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Candid Career provides you with a fun and effective way to explore careers and learn about job search strategies through …

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MSU Connect is a career networking and mentoring community for current students and MSU alumni.  This networking site also includes …

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Career Services

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MEET YOUR CAREER ADVISOR!

Kathy Dietzel works with students in the College of Education as part of the Career Services Network team. She accepts virtual and in-person advising appointments for resume and cover letter reviews, interview strategies, developing a professional online presence, graduate school planning, job and internship searches, and more .

Log on to Handshake to schedule a career advising appointment with Kathy or email [email protected].

For drop-in career advising, stop by 134 Erickson on Thursdays from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1 – 4:30 p.m. Available drop-in advising topics include resume reviews and basics, cover letter reviews, and navigating career services resources.

Career Advising

Career advising topics.

Students are encouraged to meet with a career advisor for assistance with topics such as:

• Major & Career Exploration
• Professional Documents : Resumes, Cover Letters, Personal Statements, & Professional Portfolios
• Navigating Handshake & Other Online Career Tools
• Professional Networking Using LinkedIn or MSU Connect
• Career Event/ Career Fair Preparation
• Job/Internship Search Strategies
• Interview Preparation
• Graduate School Options & Application Preparation
• Job Offer Evaluation & Decision-Making

For drop-in career advising options across campus, please visit the Career Services website .

Virtual Professional Document Reviews

Want your resume, cover letter, or personal statement critiqued but don’t want to make an appointment? Email your documents to [email protected].

Online Career Resources

The MSU Career Services Network offers many free online resources for MSU students and recent alumni (up to 2 years post-graduation). Go to the Career Services website for additional information not found on this site.

Handshake is MSU’s online career portal that hosts thousands of part-time, campus, internship, and full-time jobs. All career-related opportunities sent to the College of Education or its departments will be posted on this site. On Handshake you will find:

• Relevant job and internship opportunities
• The latest information from MSU Career Services and your favorite employers you follow
• Resources and events specifically matching your interests – including career fairs , workshops , and professional events .
• Appointment scheduling with career advisors

News & Information for CED Students

KIN-nections: News and Information for Kinesiology and Athletic Training Students – Weekly updates and important information from the Kinesiology advising team. Subscribe at https://education.msu.edu/KIN-nections .

Ed-Connect: News and Information for Future Teachers – Weekly updates and important information for undergrads and interns from the Teacher Prep advising team. Subscribe at https://education.msu.edu/ed-connect .

College-Affiliated Career Fairs

Although MSU hosts many career fairs each year open to all students and alumni, there are two main career events affiliated with the College of Education.

Making KIN-nections: Exploring Kinesiology Career Paths

Making kin-nections event information.

Making KIN-nections is a career exposure and networking event for undergraduate students, sponsored by the Department of Kinesiology. This event is held annually in the fall (typically the first Friday in November) to allow students to meet with alumni and professionals, kinesiology researchers, and student organization leaders to learn more about kinesiology-related career options and opportunities in health, wellness, fitness, sport and more. Although this event is more informal than a traditional career fair, business casual attire is preferred.

For more MSU career fairs, visit the Career Services event page .

MSU Teacher Fair

Msu virtual teacher & administrator fair.

The 2022 MSU Teacher & Administration Fair was held on Monday, March 14, 2022. The 2023 fair will be held in March and registration will open in December of 2022. Check Handshake for more information.

Event Description: The MSU Teacher Fair, typically offered in March or April of each year, attracts more than 150 school districts from across the country seeking MSU teaching interns, young alumni, and local experienced teachers to fill open teaching positions. For in-person events, entry fees are required for alumni and non-MSU affiliated candidates only (interns are free). For more information about the MSU Teacher Fair, please log in to Handshake.

Career Exploration & Planning

Finding your path(s).

Exploring your career options starts with figuring out what you like, what you don’t like, and what professional area(s) will allow you to feel satisfied and fulfilled. Some majors, like those affiliated with teacher preparation, lead to a linear career path (teaching), while others such as kinesiology can lead to working in just about any industry, including health care, sports, fitness, business, nonprofits, health & wellness, research, education, etc. For more on career exploration, visit the Career Services website .

Things to think about when deciding on a career path:

• What kind of environment do I want to work in: a hospital, gym, school, clinic, corporate office… And where do I want to live geographically?
• Do I value working closely with other professionals on a daily basis or do I prefer to work more independently?
• What skill sets do I possess and how would they be beneficial to my future profession or industry options?
• What do I know about the profession(s) I’m most interested in? How and where can I find out more information?

Exploring Options

To learn about career options you have to get up and do something ! Getting involved is a great way to start exploring your career options. Whether it’s joining a student organization, volunteering locally or near your hometown, working a part-time job , or talking informally with a professional in an area of interest, you are doing something proactive to explore what you may want to do after graduation.

Exploring Kinesiology Career Paths

There are many career options for KIN majors, which can be exciting yet daunting to think about. Here’s what to remember when exploring Kinesiology career paths.

• You are not defined by your major. Kinesiology graduates are individuals with a multitude of unique transferable skills and academic knowledge that would be perfect for many different professions. Explore options at What Can I Do With This Major?
• Keep your options open . You may have your heart set on becoming, say, an athletic trainer, but it’s a good idea to consider multiple options. Parallel plans are not something to be ashamed of. It’s healthy to pursue many interests to learn about all the possibilities.
• Determine if graduate or professional school is right for you. Not everyone wants to continue their academic endeavors after finishing a 4-year degree. Learn if graduate school is necessary to reach your career goals (P.S. most health-related fields require some kind of advanced degree and/or licensure). Most years, more than 50% of kinesiology graduates get a job directly after MSU and are working in a variety of professional areas and industries. See career outcomes for Kinesiology grads for a snapshot possible first destinations.
• Know the reality. Not all kinesiology graduates pursue a career in the health care field. The truth is, getting into these programs can be VERY competitive requiring fantastic grades and plenty of volunteer or patient care experiences. We’ve done the math: the average overall GPA of KIN grads successfully admitted to a health-related program is around 3.75!
• Do your research. It takes hard work and effort to learn about all your options. Google should be your friend! Search keywords, job titles, industry areas, and professional/graduate programs. Networking is also important. Reach out to local area hospitals or organizations to seek volunteer opportunities, use resources like LinkedIn and MSU Connect to connect with professional alumni, attend a career-related event, and talk with your friends, family, peers, advisors, or professors to explore your interests, passions, and talents.
• Learn from alumni. Read “What KIN I do with my career?” alumni profiles to learn about what some of our graduates are doing since leaving MSU and discover career options that you may not have even heard of before!

For more career resources on exploring career options, check out the MSU Career Services Network .

KIN Careers – Starting Your Career Right After College

Many kinesiology students jump into a satisfying career soon after finishing their degree. The best way to obtain a worthwhile opportunity after graduating is to become a marketable candidate who can successfully articulate and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities. Increase your marketability by gaining diverse experiences through volunteering, interning, working part-time, research, etc. Use resources like O*Net Online to research job titles and professional areas.

Popular KIN Careers:

• Certified Personal Trainer or Group Fitness Professional (certification necessary)
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Exercise Physiologist/Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist (additional coursework and/or certification needed)
• Health & Wellness Specialist (may require a personal training certificate)
• Health Educator
• Insurance Claims Specialist/Underwriter
• Medical or Pharmaceuticals Sales Representative
• Sports Program Coordinator
• Sports/Fitness Facility Manager
• Strength and Conditioning Coach

Use Handshake to find jobs advertised specifically for Spartans. Work with your College Career Consultant and Career Peers to prepare your application materials and create a professional brand to help “sell” yourself in a competitive job market. Log in to Handshake to make an appointment.

KIN Careers – Going on to Graduate or Professional School

Many professions (including those in health care) require graduate or professional school to be eligible. Research graduate programs extensively and talk to admissions representatives to know if you are a good candidate for the program(s) and do your best to gain exposure to the field early to ensure the time, money, and effort put into graduate or professional school is worthwhile. Use sites like Explore Health Careers to get started and learn more.

Popular options include:

• Certified Orthotist and Prosthetist
• Chiropractor
• Kinesiology Faculty/Researcher
• Nurse (accelerated post-bachelor option)
• Occupational Therapist
• Public Health Professional
• Physical Therapist
• Physician (MD or DO)
• Physician Assistant
• Rehabilitation Counselor
• Sports Psychologist

Although your KIN academic and career advisors know a bit about many different career paths, the MSU Pre-Health Advisors are the authority on health care graduate/professional school planning and preparation. Don’t be afraid to use their online resources and advising options to help you plan your future.

Exploring Education Career Paths

Most education students (elementary, secondary, and special education) have a clear vision of what they will be doing post-graduation . Although education typically offers a more linear career path, exploring options within the field is important. One way teacher preparation students can be purposeful in their career planning is to think about choosing a marketable teaching major and possibly a minor. Pursuing teachable areas such as science, math, special education, foreign language, and TESOL/ESL will make graduates strong and valuable teaching candidates after finishing the program.

Although most elementary, secondary, and special education students complete the Teacher Preparation Program and go on to become K-12 educators, some choose to pursue other career options. It is best for these graduates to think about what transferrable skills were built while training to become a teacher and how they can effectively utilize these skills in other fields or industries. Use tools like What Can I Do With This Major? to see what other career options would be most appropriate for graduates with a degree in education.

The typical alternative career paths reported by graduates include work in business (sales, recruiting, corporate training), nonprofits, ministry, behavioral analysis, or self-employment . Use Handshake and other job search resources to identify options in a new field of interest.

For more career resources to explore career options, check out the MSU Career Services Network .

Information for Employers

Hiring teaching candidates, posting a job.

School districts are encouraged to post all teaching positions on Handshake , a free resource accessed by students, teaching interns (student teachers), and graduates up to 2 years after completing the teacher certification program.

Log into Handshake or set up an account by going to https://msu.joinhandshake.com . For additional employer information, please visit the Career Services Network Employer page .

Part-time/Seasonal Hires

Employers with part-time, seasonal, or (non-student teaching) internship positions for any major are welcome to post on Handshake .

Handshake requires all employers to have a valid company website and e-mail address. For small business or in-home opportunities in which this might not apply, please contact the MSU Career Services Employer Relations team .

Career Fairs

The MSU Teacher & Administrator Career Fair is typically held in the spring semester of every year. Registration for this event and other MSU career fairs and events can be found on Handshake . Search “Teacher” under the Events tab starting in January for more information and to formally register.

Hiring Undergraduate Kinesiology Candidates

Posting a job or internship.

Whether you’re looking for full-time, part-time, or intern candidates, all opportunities can be posted on MSU’s free online job board Handshake . This site can be accessed by all MSU students and recent alumni (up to 2 years after graduation).

All Kinesiology students are required to complete a senior-level internship opportunity. For more on the KINternship program and requirements for hosting an intern, please visit the MSU Kinesiology internship site.

Want to meet with kinesiology students face-to-face to identify future talent? Consider attending the Making KIN-nections networking and opportunity event, offered every fall (typically the first Friday in November). Registration for this event and other MSU career fairs and events can be found on Handshake . Search “Michigan State University KIN” under the Events tab in early fall for registration information. For more about Making KIN-nections, see this informational video .

Career Outcomes

First destination survey results.

The First Destination Survey offers a snapshot of the College’s undergraduate student career outcomes in their first destination after graduation*. This information is a useful tool for students who are researching possible career options/paths. To see the career outcomes for the full University, please visit the Career Services Network website .

*Teacher Certification Reports include the career outcomes of those who complete the requirements for initial teacher certification.

College of Education First Destination Survey Reports

• 2020 Teacher Certification Report
• 2020 Kinesiology Report & Athletic Training Report

Past College First Destination Survey Reports:

• 2019 Teacher Certification Report
• 2019 Kinesiology Report & Athletic Training Report
• 2018 Teacher Certification Report
• 2018 Kinesiology Report & Athletic Training Report
• 2017 Teacher Certification Report
• 2017 Kinesiology & Athletic Training Report
• 2016 Teacher Certification Report
• 2016 Kinesiology & Athletic Training Report
• 2015 Teacher Certification Report
• 2015 Kinesiology & Athletic Training Report
• 2014 Teacher Certification Report
• 2014 Kinesiology & Athletic Training Report
• 2013 Teacher Certification Report
• 2013 Kinesiology & Athletic Training Report

Career Center

The ComArtSci Career Center can help with everything from career exploration, resume and cover letter writing, to mock interviews and job search strategy. We'll help you build your network by assisting with connections to alumni and professionals that work in your field of interest.

Summer 2024 Internship Award Applications are Open!

The ComArtSci Career Center offers funding up to $1500 to help students offset the costs associated with completing an internship. Students must fill out an application form and attach a resume and short statement about their internship and how it will help them achieve their career goals. 

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be a current College of Communication Arts and Sciences undergraduate student with a primary major in the college;
• Must graduate August 2023 or later;
• Current GPA of 2.5 or higher;
• Internship must already be secured at time of application (can be paid or unpaid);
• Internship must meet requirements for funding (see application for additional details).

Applications Due: April 14, 2024

Plan Your Future

Plan your future with the help of our expert MSU Career Center team. Whether you need guidance with internships or job prospects, we can help you find your way.

• Drop-In Career Advising
• Schedule an Appointment
• Document Review

Stop by the career center in Room 181 for quick help with your resume, a cover letter, starting a job or internship search, or making the most of Handshake. No appointment is necessary! 

Spring Semester 2024 Drop-In Hours 

• Monday:                 9:30am - 5:00pm
• Tuesday:                9:30am - 4:00pm
• Wednesday:           9:30am - 5:00pm
• Thursday:               9:30am - 4:00pm
• Friday:                    9:30am - 2:00pm

Need some additional help? 

Schedule an appointment with our professional advising staff., appointment scheduling instructions:.

• Schedule your appointment with us using Handshake .
• Log in using your MSU Net ID and password.
• Click on Career Center on the Left Navigation.
• Select the  "appointment” button.
• Select "Schedule a new appointment".
• Select "College of Communication Arts and Sciences". Please note, if you select Interest Area Advising, you may not meet with a ComArtSci professional advisor
• Select the appointment topic. 
• Select a time that works for your schedule. 
• You will have the opportunity to have your appointment held virtually or in-person. 

Make an Appointment Today

Utilize our Career Center Drop Box!

If you are off campus, or can't find a time to meet with an advisor but need your documents reviewed, take advantage of our resume drop box.

Simply email us at the link below and attach your resume or cover letter.  If you are applying for a specific job, we recommend sending the job description to us as well so we can make sure our advice is tailored to the position you are seeking.

Career Center staff will review your uploaded document and send feedback within 3-5 business days. 

Personal Statements and other professional communications should be reviewed by scheduling an appointment via Handshake.

Drop Box Submission

Internships

Internship opportunities.

Internships and other experiential learning opportunities are key to the success of ComArtSci students. These experiences can help you:

• Explore potential career paths.
• Gain valuable work experience.
• Meet a professional mentor that may help you get your next internship or a job.
• Get your foot in the door to increase job opportunities after graduation.

There are numerous internship opportunities including paid and unpaid opportunities, internships for academic credit, as well as the opportunity to complete an internship abroad.  

Resources for Finding an Internship

The ComArtSci Career Center recommends 2-3 experiences or internships in areas related to your major field of study prior to graduation. In addition to the resources below, it is recommended that you explore the websites of agencies, companies and organizations in your field to find other experiential learning opportunities available.

Search for ComArtSci Internships on Handshake

Search for ALL Internships on Handshake

Make the Most of Your Internship

Internships for Credit

An internship for credit towards graduation combines relevant coursework with related work experience. Learn more about receiving academic credit for your internship by clicking your academic program below:

Advertising + Public Relations

Communication

Media and Information

Financial Assistance Opportunity Award for your Internship

If you already have an internship secured you may be eligible to receive a financial assistance award from the Career Center to help offset the cost of completing your internship. 

Award Guidelines

• Must be a current College of Communication Arts and Sciences student   with a primary major in the college;
• Must graduate the after the end of your internship (post-graduation internships are not eligible);
• Internship must already be secured at time of application;
• Internship must meet qualifications set by the college.

Internship abroad or study away experiences (programs coordinated through MSU or outside vendors) are  not eligible  for the award.

We are accepting applications for Spring and Summer 2024. Please fill out the application if you would like to be considered for funding.  

Internship Financial Assistance Award

Career Center Staff

Meet the ComArtSci Career Center Staff

Randi Martinez

Jess Brandt

Career center resources.

The ComArtSci Career Center provides numerous resources to assist students in their career searches.

View all Career Resources

Student Stories

Journalism graduate finds his career through internship with lansing common fc.

J-School graduate took an opportunity to try something new while working toward his dream career.

Taking the Tech World by Storm: One Click at a Time

Runways and Resumes: How VIM Magazines Can Be a Career Catwalk

Advertising Management Student Uses Resources to Get a Leg Up

PR Student Interweaves Interests Throughout Summer Internship

Are you looking to hire a Spartan? Get information on recruitment, connecting with career services and the university, joining or creating events, gaining visibility and enhancing your brand at MSU.

More Information

Next Steps?

Make an appointment today

"Spring Awakening" Multimedia Rock Musical, April 10-14

Msu esports at bec championship lan 2024, 2024 celebration – strolling dinner and alumni awards ceremony.

Teaching and Learning Success Strategies

Career planning advising, resources, services.

MSU Career Services Network hosts on campus and virtual events, resources and services for all students. You can find more detailed information here:  https://careernetwork.msu.edu/ . College specific information is included below.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Career Exploration and Job Listing Services

https://www.canr.msu.edu/academics/careers/

Experiential Learning/Internships:

Animal Science

Community Sustainability

Food Science

Nutritional Sciences

Arts and Letters

Resources and services are available through our Excel Network: online & remote internships, career advising https://excelnetwork.cal.msu.edu/careers/

Broad College of Business

Individual Career Coaching Appointments , including mock interviews (Zoom, MS Teams, audio-only); contact: [email protected] ; appointments can be made on Handshake https://www.joinhandshake.com/

On-Demand Virtual Career Prep Resources : contact Kristen Hintz [email protected] ; D2L, Russell Palmer Career Management Resources Community https://d2l.msu.edu/d2l/home

Career Document (resume, cover letter) Review : contact: Kristen Hintz [email protected] ; email: [email protected] for review

VMock AI Review : an online resume review tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide feedback and suggested edits for resumes. Available only to Broad students; contact: Tony Mara [email protected] ; https://www.vmock.com/msubroad

Group Career Search Prep Workshops : Students may view all workshops and register (although registration is not necessary) on Handshake https://www.joinhandshake.com/

Virtual Drop-By Hours contact : Kristen Hintz [email protected] ; Drop in hours with Zoom link can be found on Handshake https://www.joinhandshake.com/ and on D2L, Russell Palmer Career Management Resources Community https://d2l.msu.edu/d2l/home

Broad Career Bulletin : Contact: Kristen Hintz ( [email protected] )

Broad Career Guide : While a paper version has been available, the entire Guide can be found online in PDF format on the Broad website and on D2L; contact: Kristen Hintz [email protected] ; https://broad.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Broad-Job-Search-Guide-2020-2021.pdf

Virtual Recruiting Events : contact: Al Hatch [email protected] ; Handshake https://www.joinhandshake.com/

Virtual Job Board Platform : All full-time jobs and internship opportunities can be found on Handshake; contact: Al Hatch [email protected] ; Handshake https://www.joinhandshake.com/

Virtual Career Center information is available at https://broad.msu.edu/career-management/virtual/

Residential Business College (RBC) Success Series : every Tuesday 6:00pm – 7:00pm https://broad.msu.edu/undergraduate/opportunities/rbc/

Residential Business College (RBC) Lunch and Learns provide students with an opportunity to learn professional development tips https://broad.msu.edu/undergraduate/opportunities/rbc/

Women in Business Student Association (WBSA) Mock Career Fair : This virtual event provides direct contact recruiting with members of Multicultural Business Programs student organizations. It is open to all Broad students; contact Person: Ms. Ann Crain [email protected]

Student and Industry Resource Center “SIRC” supports students interested in careers in the hospitality industry. [email protected] 517-353-9747

Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Burgess Institute offers career planning advising, resources and services through tailored communications with students. Contact Desireé Melfi Bozzo, [email protected] , via https://calendly.com/desireemelfibozzo .

Communication Arts and Sciences

Career Advising available via phone, zoom and document review email dropbox  https://forms.gle/DZ236JNyUhWKPvNa7 ; contact: Randi Martinez, [email protected] https://msu.joinhandshake.com/appointments

Field Experience : weekly employer site visits to help students explore communication related careers and expand their networks by meeting with alumni and employers; contact: Randi Martinez, [email protected]  -  https://comartsci.msu.edu/student-experience/field-experience

Virtual Sales Leadership Career Fair : https://msu.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/16309/student_preview?token=LRzY0VYtCTqXePO6f7cr6Mk_3PdiWuVGeAy0dX42Ge_jd0vf2MrGZg

Career Fair Prep Sessions : virtual on-demand workshops for Communication Arts and Sciences student organizations; contact: Randi Martinez, [email protected]  -  https://msu.joinhandshake.com/events

CAS 110 : Creative Thinking is a 400+ person asynchronous experiential learning course. Students engage in small group and class discussions on various topics including empathy, problem-solving strategies and more. They help solve real-world challenges through the design thinking process. They also get to know each other and their professor through "ask me anything" sessions and a class wide talent show.

CAS 492 740 : 1 credit 8 week career planning course; contact: Randi Martinez, [email protected]

On Line Career Resources : The MSU Career Services Network offers many free online resources  for MSU students. Students should go to the Career Services website for additional information not found on this site. https://education.msu.edu/resources/students/career-services/#career-resources

Engineering

The College of Engineering Career Center offers all services virtually and engages students and employers. https://www.egr.msu.edu/careers/virtual-career-center

James Madison

James Madison College’s Career Services Office supports students as they explore their career interests and prepare for post-graduate opportunities https://jmc.msu.edu/current-students/career/index.html

Honors College

Student Services plus Honors College advising and alumni staff team to develop programming. https://honorscollege.msu.edu/programs/index.html

Lyman Briggs

Career Workshops : Career advising as well as workshops; contact: [email protected]

Running Start is MSU’s multi-disciplinary program that helps equip students for work in today's music industry. Running Start prepares students to creatively channel their passions into vibrant careers.  https://www.music.msu.edu/information-for-students/runningstart

Natural Science

Career Planning and Resources : Online appointments can be scheduled with Mr. Brian Telfor, NatSci Career Consultant. Online resources are available on the NatSci College Career Services website. https://natsci.msu.edu/students/current-students/college-career-services/

Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH)

Career Advising Appointments can be made by logging into Handshake, clicking “Career Center” then “Appointments”. RCAH students should schedule an appointment with “RCAH-Allison Fox,” or email Allison directly at [email protected] .

Career and Internship Resources : Fall career exploration events featuring alumni are held each November as part of the college's Wednesday Night Live program https://rcah.msu.edu/current-students/careers-internships/index.html

Social Science

Online Career Development Programs are available at https://socialscience.msu.edu/undergraduate/current-students/careers/index.html

Experiential Learning   Students within the College of Social Science have endless options to participate in credit-bearing Experiential Learning opportunities. These experiences allow students to grow as professionals, scholars and individuals.  https://socialscience.msu.edu/undergraduate/experiential-learning/index.html

Veterinary Medicine

Career Services including resume and professional development workshops, career fairs, and more; Contact: Paul Edwards [email protected]  for more information or visit:  https://michiganstate.sharepoint.com/sites/MSU-CVM/SitePages/Students/Student-Career-Resources.aspx

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Resumes, CVs & Cover Letters

Written credentials -- a cover letter and either a CV or resume -- are often your first opportunity to interact with employers. The resources on this page will help you prepare documents to make your best first impression.

The resume and CV are both documents that list educational accomplishments, work experience, skills, and professional activities. The resume is the more common of the two documents, used by most organizations in the private and public sectors, as well as the non-profit world. The CV, or curriculum vitae, is almost exclusively the domain of scholarly or academic employment, though it can also be relevant when applying for some research, government, and academic administrative positions. The most noticeable difference in format between the two documents is length: the CV has no page limit, but the resume should be restricted to one page (for PhDs a 1.5-2 page resume may also be acceptable). The next most noticeable difference between the two documents is in the level of detail. CVs contain comprehensive lists with full bibliographic information for published papers, conference presentations, and other professional activities; this information is usually too detailed for a resume, which should instead include concise statements, such as, “Published 3 peer-reviewed papers in competitive scholarly journals.” The most substantial difference between a resume and CV is perspective. CVs are focused on the individual, the job seeker, and her individual accomplishments. The focus of resumes should be on the fit between the job seeker and the job, highlighting general skills demonstrated by research, teaching, etc. with less focus on expertise and content details of research. This difference is further elaborated in the Inside Higher Ed article "Sharing Success in New Ways," which gives the following advice about resume-writing:

• Do "not get bogged down in the content details (e.g. Baroque symphony, astronomy, or Canadian First Nations government). Instead draw attention to the more meta-level aspects of your work (e.g., student success, grant writing, growth in programs)." In general, focus on transferable skills, e.g., "effective writing, public communication, awareness of student needs, program development, corporate organization, data analysis, and many others."
• "It is [...] important to quantify your contributions. [...] There are many avenues to do this: specify amounts of time you spent on a project, indicate numbers of students effected by your work, highlight relevant efforts that contributed to the department’s mission, provide concrete measures of success, and explicitly frame direct responsibilities within an initiative. [...] remember to select and frame your numbers in ways that will indicate your transferable skills. 'Developed an engaging bridge program for the math department for 125 community college transfer students annually; a program with a 95 percent completion rate and contributed to a 20 percent increase of higher at-risk students declaring a math or science major' is much easier to transfer into another position than, 'Taught a summer semester introduction to calculus course for two years.'"
• Resume Writing Guide for PhDs [PDF - MSU PhD Career Services]

Cover letters are generally required when applying for all jobs, but their formats differ depending on whether the job is an academic position or a position in the public sector, private sector, non-profits, or higher education administration. The most striking difference between cover letters for academic positions and other positions is length: cover letters for most academic positions are 2-5 pages in length (depending, to some degree, on the discipline and the position). Academic cover letters are expected to cover a person’s research and teaching activity in detail, as well as other professional activities and future research and book and/or creative projects. Cover letters for positions in industry, government, non-profit, etc. are much more concise, generally not exceeding one page in length and including only one or two examples that illustrate the person’s experience that directly relates to the posted position.

The following links provide additional information on how to compose a professional cover letter:

• Cover Letter Guide [PDF - MSU PhD Career Services]
• Learn From These 6 Real-Life Cover Letter Failures
• The Cover Letter: Relic or Still Relevant?

Versatile PhD has example resumes, cover letters, and other written credentials for a wide variety of careers in the public and private sectors, non-profit, and higher education administration. Follow the link to the PhD Career Finder .

Instructions for accessing Versatile PhD for the first time:

• Go to: VersatilePhD.com
• Click on link for “Michigan State University”
• Log in through MSU
• Click on link to return to Versatile PhD
• Create an account with Versatile PhD and continue to access the site directly for 1 year (after 1 year you will need to log in through MSU again)

Example CVs for industry positions:

• Engineering CV [PDF]

Example CVs for faculty positions:

• CV Template [PDF]
• Forensic CV [PDF]
• Media Information Studies CV [PDF]
• Music CV [PDF]

Resources for Academic Cover Letters:

• Our handout "Academic Cover Letter Basics for Advanced Degrees"
• Understanding Cover Letters

The MSU Career Services Network website also contains excellent guidelines for writing resumes and cover letters , and publishes Career Passport , which contains tips for writing resumes and cover letters and examples of well-formatted documents. Even though these resources are geared towards undergraduate students, the general advice is applicable to doctoral students as well. The same can be said for examples of resumes and cover letters on other websites: advice designed for Bachelors degree holders can often be translated to PhDs. Useful general resources include:

• Vault resumes

Several books on the job search for graduate students include information on how to write effective resumes, CVs, and cover letters. Some general resources with this information include:

• The Academic Job Search Handbook by Julia Miller Vick and Jennifer S. Furlong (2008)
• “So What Are You Going to Do with That?”: Finding Careers Outside Academia by Susan Basalla and Maggie Debelius (2007)

Watch the PhD Career Services video " Resumes for PhDs " and review our resume handout before booking an appointment.

Click here to set up an appointment with PhD Career Services.

Check out our video "Resumes for PhDs"!

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College of Engineering  | Careers 

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CAREERS START HERE

Got a quick career question? Need to jump start your job search? Evaluate a job offer?

Drop by C108 Wilson Hall Mondays 1-4 pm / Thursdays 3-6 pm or 

drop by the Career Cafe (EB lobby) Tuesday - Thursday noon-2pm. ​

No appointment needed!

Questions? Email [email protected]

RESUME REVIEW

Upload your resume to VMock to get a comprehensive review of your resume!

CAREER ADVISING

Schedule an advising appointment to devise a job search strategy or analyze offers.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Find resume samples, interview checklists, LinkedIn tutorials

 Log in to research companies, apply for jobs, register for events and send peers questions. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Engineering Career Café: Third Party Recruiting Day

For those of you who have not found a position (intern/co-op/fulltime) with a company, we invite you to connect to a Third Party. Third Party companies can provide you with paid engineering career experience with "big name" employers on a contract basis. Monday, April 15th | 11am-2pm | Career Cafe in EB Lobby

Scholar Day at the Engineering Career Cafe

Are you interested in Electric Vehicles / Mobility and/or SemiConductors? Stop by to learn more about the Michigander Scholars Program.

Tuesday, April 16th | 11am-2pm | Career Cafe in EB Lobby

Summer Send-Off

ALL Engineering Students should stop by report their summer plans and grab some free Dairy Store Ice Cream!

Wednesday, April 17th | 12pm - 4pm | Engineering Courtyard

Free LinkedIn Photos @ the Engineering Career Café

Plan to stop by the café for a LinkedIn and Handshake picture update with our staff photographer.

Wednesday, April 17th | 1pm-4pm | Engineering Courtyard

EGRx Pre-Employment Seminar

Learn how engineering students can gain academic credit for there engineering work experiences. The presentation will include an in-depth review of the EGR X course series, as well as, informing students of academic waiver options in addition to earning credit.

Monday, April 22nd & Tuesday, April 23rd | 2-3pm | C108 Wilson

Engineers Get Hired Career Fair

Find your next position at ESD’s Engineers Get Hired Job Fair! Stop by learn about great job openings in your field and meet more than 25 employers looking to hire – with possible on-the-spot interviews.

Monday, April 29th | 2pm-7pm | Suburban Collection Showplace

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2023 engineering graduate outcomes, 94.3% placement rate (employment/education), $76,806 average starting salary.

59% Were employed in  Michigan

MSU Extension 4-H Careers & Entrepreneurship

Four steps to help youth write a resume.

Debra Barrett <[email protected]> , Michigan State University Extension - July 27, 2022

Michigan State University Extension suggests four steps to help youth begin to write a resume.

According to the Michigan State University (MSU) Career Services Network , resumes are an important piece of communication to tell the story of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Resumes are still often required as part of applying for a job.

Prospective employers and organizations use  to glean a first impression of an applicant’s qualifications. Your resume needs to be a precise description and reflection of what you have done, as many times its contents are quickly scanned to sort out who may be interviewed for a position, or even a scholarship. It is never too early to start to work on a resume.

Help youth create winning resumes with these four steps:

• Define the purpose of the resume. Are you applying for a job? Do you want to be a volunteer? Are you interviewing for a scholarship or educational opportunity? 
• Choose a format. Depending on the literature, you will find descriptions of three or four resume .  Chronological resumes  emphasize work experience in reverse chronological order and are typically used by individuals that have established experience and have chosen a career path.  Functional resumes  focus on skills. The  combination format  is a cross between the chronological and the functional resume where you change the order of sections to best market your attributes. The  targeted resume  format is used to highlight your skills related to a specific job, not a broad career cluster.
• Draft   your content . List your contact information, education, certifications, trainings, and employment experiences. Do your best to keep your resume to one page in length. And keep the design simple – no pictures, no fancy fonts, no borders, etc. There is a time and place for these extras, but not on a starter resume.
• Edit, proof and critique. Typos are not professional and may be interpreted as an indication of lack of attention to detail, completing tasks last-minute and the like. Your resume needs to be thoroughly proofed by yourself and others for spelling and grammatical errors. It is helpful to read your resume out loud to see if it makes sense and flows.

Whether preparing for a full-time job, a summer job, internship or volunteer role, young people should consider writing a resume. A resume is a written snapshot of your skills and accomplishments; it is also a living document that should be tweaked and changed as your life and work experiences grow. Although written for a post-secondary audience, MSU Career Services Network also provides a wonderful

Michigan State University Extension and Youth Development helps to prepare young people for successful futures. For more information or resources on career exploration, workforce preparation, financial education, or youth entrepreneurship , email us at [email protected] .

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension . For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu . To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters . To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts , or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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Spring Career Close Out

Looking for some final career support before the summer? Look no further!

Career Services is here to help you clean up your resume, build a cover letter, find summer opportunities, and more! We’ll have the professional photo booth set up so you can make your LinkedIn or other professional online sites are up to speed.

Come enjoy a root beer float while our staff helps you navigate future options and prepare your different career items.

Plus, if you’re graduating and still looking for job opportunities, staff from the MSU College Advising Corps will be present to talk to you about options in their program!

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Resumes, CVs, & Cover Letters

Clear written communication is vital when producing your professional documents.

Good writing skills positively affect careers, and it is important that your documents reflect your competencies and accomplishments. Below are examples of professional documents commonly used during the job search process and additional resources to enhance documents.

Resume, CV, and Cover Letter links

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U.S. News & World Report ’s 2024 Best Business Schools ranking places the Broad College at No. 1 for graduate supply chain/logistics programs for eight consecutive years. See the numbers .

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Interviews, Resumes and Correspondence

First impressions matter..

Present a professional image during your internships and as you begin your career! Work with SIRC to learn about business correspondence and practices; resume content and design; writing cover letters and thank-you notes; comparing, accepting and rejecting job and internship offers; dining in a business setting; professional dress; and interviewing skills.

Open Houses

Open Houses are designed to give you information about the company, its internship and management program, and to facilitate initial contact between you and the recruiter. Business casual dress is acceptable. Open houses are usually held in a classroom in the Business College Complex, hosted by SIRC staff. A schedule of company open houses can be obtained from SIRC.

At an open house, you can confirm an interview. If you are interviewing with a company, attendance at its open house is mandatory. Companies expect students to attend, and it will reflect badly on you during your interview if you were not present at the open house. Bring resumes and be prepared—research the company before you attend.

• Company research resources such as company synopsis sheets and industry files with hospitality company information are available in SIRC.
• Greet recruiters with a handshake and smile. Be prepared to sell yourself.
• Always bring extra resumes to an interview. Also bring a list of references in case it is requested.
• Professional dress is expected at interviews if you want a job!
• Many interviews are behavioral based. That means the employer will ask for specific examples of how you performed in a given situation. So be prepared!

Making a Lasting Impression

• Following the interview, you are expected to send a thank-you letter.
• Request the recruiter’s card so you have the correct title and address.

Sample Thank You Letter

Tips on Interviewing

The current demand for your degree is certainly a large factor in your employment prospects. However, whether or not you land the job you want often depends upon your skill in marketing your potential.

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression! This theme is especially important during an interview. Your grooming and dress are important aspects of putting your best foot forward. Always remember that the clothing you wear should enhance your personal style and identify you as a person the employer would want to represent his/her company or organization. Unless the employer specifically states otherwise, you should dress in corporate attire.

Suit Choices

• Observe what management professionals wear in the field of employment you wish to enter, and choose your professional dress accordingly.
• Choose a good fabric with a tight weave that drapes well in neutral colors such as gray, tan, black or navy. Navy blue and medium to dark gray suits are considered staples. A good business wardrobe includes several suits of varied weights and conservative colors.
• Suits should be properly tailored and freshly dry-cleaned. Stick with a classic, conservative suit; avoid fashions that will go out of style.
• Important notes on pant and skirt lengths: Men’s trousers should be hemmed appropriately for wear with dress shoes. Women’s skirts should be of sufficient length for modesty. If you have no skirts of appropriate length, it is preferable to wear dress slacks.

Shirt/Blouse

• A white shirt or blouse is the preferred color. However, tasteful, neutral, solid colors are acceptable. A professional wardrobe includes several shirts or simple blouses in white, blue and other neutral colors.
• Hair should be clean and conservatively styled. Men should generally be clean shaven.
• Keep cologne or aftershave to a minimum because scents can be overpowering in a small interviewing room. If you use cologne or aftershave, it is best applied at least two hours prior to your interview.
• Traditional dress shoes are your best choice. Avoid trendy heels. Shoes should be freshly polished or shined.
• Men should make sure their socks match their suits and are preferably darker than their suit color.
• Women should consider a practical pump-style shoe. Women’s hosiery choices should be neutral to their skin tone.
• Jewelry should be kept to the minimum and be tasteful.
• Women should not wear any more than one, small, conservative pair of earrings.
• Men should generally avoid earrings altogether for an interview.
• Nose, tongue, eyebrow and other visible body piercing should be removed for an interview.

Jobs are seldom secured during the first few minutes of the interview. You can, however, kill your chance for success during that initial critical period. Here are examples of negative factors to avoid. Each has resulted in rejections during job interviews.

• Lack of planning for career – no purpose or goals – no interest in employer.
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm – passive, indifferent
• Lack of confidence and poise – no eye contact.
• Lack of courtesy – ill mannered.
• Lack of social understanding – radical ideas.
• Lack of knowledge in field of specialization.
• Dress and grooming not compatible with vocational standards.

It is the interviewer’s responsibility to investigate and evaluate your qualifications and suitability for employment with his/her company. Be positive in your responses to his/her questions.

• In what college activities have you participated? Why?
• What courses did you like best? Least? Why?
• If you were starting college all over again, what courses would you take?
• Why did you decide to go to this particular school?
• How did you rank in your graduating class in high school? Where will you probably rank in college?
• Have you changed your major field of interest while in college? Why?
• Do you feel you have done the best scholastic work of which you are capable?
• Do you feel that your grades are an accurate reflection of your knowledge and ability?
• How do you spend your spare time? What are your hobbies?
• What extracurricular offices have you held? What motivated you to seek these offices?
• Do you think your extracurricular activities were worth the time you devoted to them? Why?
• How did you spend your vacations while in school?
• In what type of position are you most interested? Why?
• What qualifications do you have that make you feel you will be successful in your field of interest?
• What are your long-term goals?
• Do you prefer working alone or with others? Why?
• What kind of boss do you prefer?
• What have you learned for jobs you have held?
• What have you done which shows initiative and willingness to work?
• Why do you want to work for our organization/company?
• Tell me about yourself.
• Who are your best friends? Why do you value their friendship?
• Describe your value system.
• What is your major weakness?
• What type of people seems to rub you the wrong way?
• Do you think employers should consider grades? Why? Why not?
• Who or what had the greatest influence on your life?
• Have you ever used or tried liquor? Drugs? To what extent?
• What are your major strengths?

If weaknesses exist in your experience or academic background, don’t try to hide them if questioned directly. Mention them in context with, or relate them to, factors of strength. Talk about what you are doing to improve areas of weakness.

Occasionally, an interviewer may pose personal questions that you consider inappropriate. For example, questions about race, religion, marital status, political affiliation, age, sexual preference, and physical and mental status or condition are generally illegal as grounds for making employment decisions. How you respond to such questions, should they arise, is up to you. Keep in mind, however, that the nature of your response may affect the outcome of your interview.

Career Services and Placement expects employers interviewing on campus to maintain the highest possible ethical and legal standards in their recruiting activities. If you are asked questions that seem inappropriate during a campus interview, please call the SIRC office immediately after the interview. For more information, please see the “Pre-Employment Inquiry Guide” published by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Since laws vary among states, you may want to check with the civil rights department in the state in which you are looking for employment. Also refer to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990.

Don’t assume that the interview is, or should be, a one-sided affair. The initiative should remain with the interviewer as s/he tries to gain insight into your character, job aspirations and preparation, and how you might fit into the company in general and the job in particular. However, you should also ask questions. Your questions should be designed to help you evaluate the job and its organizational environment to see whether they match your needs, aspirations and aptitudes.

Stay alert for clues that you are on the right track and have the interviewer with you. If the person seems interested and relaxed, and is following closely and encouraging you with comments, nods and expressions of interest, you’re probably right on. If the interviewer appears puzzled, stop and restate your reply. If s/he obviously has lost interest (starts doing things not related to the interview, such as sorting through papers or looking around), try getting the interviewer back by asking if you covered the point adequately. Maintain eye contact at all times to try to aid in holding interest. Watch for indications that the interviewer has received enough information and is ready to close the interview. S/he will make this evident. Don’t try to extend it unless you have an extremely important question to ask. If so, make it brief or you run the risk of overselling yourself and losing the good impression you have made.

Finally, your objective is to create a job opportunity. Conduct your portion of the interview in this vein. Don’t waste precious minutes talking about job security, sick leave, retirement benefits or salary. If you are successful in the interview, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to investigate these aspects of the job at a later date.

How to Write a Winning Cover Letter

Whenever you mail a resume or application to an employer, it should be accompanied by a cover letter. However, cover letters are not necessary when you present your resume to an employer you do not have an appointment to see, or when presenting your resume at a career fair such as CAREER EXPO.

The cover letter is often the first contact you have with a prospective employer. Its purpose is to create a favorable, professional impression while you introduce your background and interest in employment opportunities. It is called a “cover” letter because you always put it over your resume and fold them together to go into one envelope. It is also used to “cover” the key elements of your background that you want an employer to consider.

Sample Cover Letter

Keep the following points in mind as you prepare your cover letter:

• The cover should be typed neatly on a single page of stationery that matches the paper of your resume.
• Fold them together and mail in a matching envelope or, because employers are increasingly scanning resumes, it may be more appropriate to send your cover letter and resume unfolded in a large envelope.
• Address the letter to a specific individual. The SIRC office can help you locate contact names for various employers.
• Keep in mind that your cover letter is also a writing sample. Show the employer your best “simple and direct” writing style.
• How you learned of the opening (or why you are writing)
• What special elements of your education or experience would enable you to do an outstanding job
• What attracts you to this particular opportunity
• What action you would like the employer to take in response to your letter

Have someone read over your letter for content and style.

Resume Content Example

Note: Please remember there are many resume formats; the following example is just a suggestion and a frequently used format

PERMANENT ADDRESS NAME LOCAL ADDRESS

If both addresses are the same, use only one (centered under your name).

OBJECTIVE: Make this statement focused, interesting and unique so that it grabs the reader’s attention. If you are seeking an internship, indicate your interest in obtaining an internship in your field. Explain that you have classroom theory and related skills that can be applied to a practical experience. NOTE: Feedback from employers varies – some prefer an objective, some do not. Keep it simple and to the point!

EDUCATION:  List the degree you are currently pursuing first and continue in reverse chronological order. Identify the university name, city, state, title of degree, major, minor and the expected date of graduation. Grade point may be listed if it is 3.0 or more on a 4.0 scale. Some students indicate the GPA in their majors.

EXPERIENCE:  Start with your current or most recent employment and list data in reverse chronological order. Identify employer, city, state, period of employment, job title and duties. Bullet your duties versus listing them in paragraph form. Include volunteer work and summer jobs of significant duration and importance – it all counts. Volunteer work could be listed under a separate section as well. NOTE: If you have experience that is directly related to your major, you may want to include a section called “RELATED EXPERIENCE,” which would appear prior to the “EXPERIENCE” section.

ORGANIZATIONS:  List the organizations and clubs that you are (or have been) a member of, whether on or off campus. Also include the dates of your membership. If you are an officer within the organization(s), indicate the office.

HONORS/AWARDS:  Include any honors, awards and scholarships that you have received. These may include dean’s list, honors programs, organization recognition, etc. (This section could be part of the EDUCATION section as well.)

COMPUTER SKILLS:  List the computer software/hardware that you know. Do not include phrases such as “familiar with” or “understanding of” as these may imply weaknesses. (These may be listed in a two-column bullet format.)

COURSEWORK:  This can be a separate section or part of the EDUCATION section. List the courses that you have taken that are in your major or related to your area of study. List them by course title versus course number. (These may be listed in a two-column bullet format.)

PROJECTS:  List projects in which you have been involved that are related to your major.

SPECIAL SKILLS/INTERESTS:  Special skills, hobbies, travel, ability to speak other languages, etc. (it is helpful to list interests that demonstrate transferable skills needed for employment opportunities.)

REFERENCES:  List “Available upon request.” Create a separate document that lists the name, title, company name, complete address and phone number of at least three references that can be distributed to employers when requested. It is suggested that these are professional references rather than personal references. (Always ask permission before using references’ names, etc.)

Resume Template

Resumes should be only one page. Put it on really good resume quality paper. Professional colors are cream, white or beige. Be mindful that colors that are very bright will detract from the information that’s on your page.

Name and Address

The first section you want to deal with is your name and address. Don’t forget that employers like to email, so put your email address on it as well. If you might be home during the summer, you might want to put your permanent address as well as your school address. That way employers can reach you at both locations.

Objective Statement

Our hospitality employers simply want to know if you want an internship or a permanent management job. Indicate that only. Do not make extraneous, flowery sentences. Simply list, “my objective is to obtain a management position (or an internship, or work experience).” If you know what segment of the hospitality industry you want to enter, it’s best to list that. Employers really like to see whether you’re food and beverage or you’re lodging. Also, remember that you can have an objective for a variety of different purposes. So it’s okay to have various resumes with different types of objectives.

Education Our next section is education. Remember, you want to list your degrees and certifications. Many in the hospitality industry do not have a formal degree, so it’s important for you to mention your bachelor of arts in hospitality business. Make sure you also list that you got it from Michigan State University. If you’d like to list the Eli Broad College of Business, you’re welcome to do that as well. Following your degree, you might want to list your GPA. It is a personal choice. The rule of thumb is, if you get a 3.0 or better, you might want to put that. Also, make sure you put when you’re graduating. It’s really difficult for employers to find out if you want a permanent job or an internship because they don’t know when you’re graduating. If you have any certification specific to hospitality, those would go next. Certification such as TAPS or TIPS, or your Servsafe certification, will be important to list as well. Another section under education would be whether you did a study abroad. Employers love to see international experience, so if you’ve done one, also list that. Be sure to include how many credits you might have taken and what particular discipline that it covers. For instance, 9 credits in International Hotel Lodging Development, taken in India.

Your next section is your hospitality work experience. Now remember, all work experience is in reverse chronological order, meaning your most current job is listed first. You want to have a beginning date and an end date for that particular job. If you’ve had all hospitality jobs, then list them as hospitality jobs. But, for instance, what if you’ve had another job, say janitorial? Then I would like you to make that a different section than your hospitality section, because our employers are looking specifically for that hospitality experience. So, if you have a number of other jobs, non-hospitality specific, please put them in a different section after this one called “additional work experience.”

Now underneath each job, if it’s not evident by what you do, you might want to give an explanation, especially if the company is not a recognizable one and employers may not know what kind of company it is. So, for instance, you might be in food and beverage, and you might have been a server, and I have no clue of the restaurant. So you might want to say, “I’ve been a server at a 400-seat fine dining restaurant.” Some kind of description that allows the employers to know a little bit more about that company you worked for and what your duties and jobs entailed would be helpful. Don’t use complete sentences; just list two or three different phrases about the duties that you performed on that job.

Honors and Leadership

Our next two sections are honors and leadership. You can put them together under one category, depending on what your personal experience is. If you have a number of honors, simply list them and the year you received them. Under leadership, you would list any of the activities you’ve been involved in, any sports, anything that shows your extracurricular activities. Again, you can combine the two categories, if you don’t have a lot of things to list.

Our companies are particularly interested whether you have presentation skills. So Excel and PowerPoint are critical things that you need to put down. Also, under the computer area under skills, I want you to list anything that has to do with property management systems or property operating systems. List what those systems are, such as MICROS or ALOHA. Companies will be particularly interested that you have those type of skills.

The other thing listed under skills would be any languages that you speak. I use three different ratings for competency, whether you’re familiar, whether you’re proficient or whether you’re fluent in written/spoken French, for instance.

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Preparing Resumes

Think of your resume as a well-crafted marketing document for yourself. It’s designed to catch the interest of a potential employer and highlight skills related to your career interests. It connects your story to future employers and includes your academic achievements, volunteer experiences, extra-curricular activities, job history and internships. Often, employers initially scan a resume for only a few seconds so you need to communicate your story clearly and concisely to land the interview.

Looking for feedback on your resume? Contact the Career Development Center to set up an appointment.

• Consistency and clarity are key to formatting a resume.
• Keep it brief. A one-page resume should be plenty of room to discuss your experiences.
• Utilize action verbs to begin each of your bullet points, but vary your word choice.
• Tailor your resume to each position.
• Highlight your unique skills and how they would encourage success in the position for which you are applying.  
• Continually update your resume with each new experience, accomplishment or position.
• Have your resume reviewed by the Career Development Center, a friend or professor. A second set of eyes can find mistakes you miss.

Although every person has unique experiences as students and professionals, there are a few topics that everyone should be addressing on their resume.

Name and Contact Information

• List your name, current or permanent address, telephone number and personal email address.
• List institutions you have attended including city and state in reverse chronological order.
• Include the degree you will receive/have been awarded.
• Optional Information: GPA (3.0 or above), course highlights, awards/honors, or study abroad.
• Describe work, internship, extracurricular, leadership and/or volunteer experiences.
• Include your title, name of the organization, location and employment dates.

Activities and Professional Affiliations

• Consider including optional sections that highlight your involvement outside of the classroom or place of employment.
• Consider including optional section that highlight skills not mentioned in other sections (examples: foreign language, computer skills)

Bullet points convey a concise yet complete description of experiences, transferable skills and accomplishments. Use the simple template below to create quality, informative and effective bullet points to add to your resume.

Additional Tips for Bullet Points

• Focus on your accomplishments, but make sure never to exaggerate your experience.
• Avoid using abbreviations. Assume the employer reading your resume is not familiar with the work you have previously done.
• Don’t state your previous salary or hours worked.
• Don’t use personal pronouns.
• Utilize compelling verbs to add interest to your resume.

Using action verbs makes your resume come alive. They keep the person reading your resume engaged and can help showcase your ability to be creative. Utilize the list below while crafting your resume to help showcase your talents and accomplishments.

Below are some sample resumes.

• General Sample Resume
• Sample Resume with Course Work
• Sample Resume Horizontal Format
• Sample Resume for Teaching
• Sample Resume for Internship Experience
• Sample Resume for Professional and Leadership Experience
• Major & Career Exploration
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