Frequently Asked Questions | Career Services

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Frequently Asked Questions

Career Services: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make an appointment to see a counselor?Individual appointments can be scheduled by calling 503-943-7201 or stopping by the Office of Career Services, Orrico Hall, lower level.
If you have an immediate need, stop by during drop-in hours which are held during the academic year:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Thursday, Friday: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Drop-in hours are on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to 15 minutes. No appointments are needed.

What services are available through the Office of Career Services? Professional staff members are available to meet individually to discuss choosing or changing a major, writing a resume, preparing for an interview, developing a job search strategy, discovering career options, identifying and applying to internship opportunities, applying to graduate school, and post-graduate service options. In addition to individual appointments, students are encouraged to visit the office to use the resources including books, local journals and periodicals, networked computers, photocopier and fax machine. If you need someone to review your resume or cover letter, professional staff members are available during drop-in hours, no appointment is necessary.

Who does career services assist?The Office of Career Services serves undergraduate and graduate students as well as UP alumni.

Can career services help with choosing a major?Research indicates that the majority of college students change their major at least once during their college career and many change their major several times. Professional staff members are available to meet and discuss your options. In addition, major information and career planning advice is available online for current students. Visit the career resource library for books and resources on majors and careers.

What if I have never written a resume or cover letter before?The Office of Career Services has many resources available to help you get started with resumes and cover letters. Take a look at the resume handout that is posted on the website and stop by to see sample resumes and cover letters.

How can I get help with my resume and cover letter?The Office of Career Services provides several resources for resumes and cover letters. We offer individual appointments for resume and cover letter reviews. There are numerous reference materials on resume and cover letter writing in the office. If you're looking for a quick critique of your resume or cover letter during the Fall and Spring semesters, try our drop-in hours, Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Thursday & Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

What steps should I take to prepare for an interview?

Whether you are interviewing for a summer job, internship, or full-time job, the interview is a very important part of your job search. The Office of Career Services has many resources available on how to interview and successfully land a job. We offer mock interviews to practice your interviewing skills and provide feedback in preparation for internship and job interviews. Take a look at the interview handout and visit the office to find resources on interviewing.

Where can I find salary information? The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) publishes a quarterly salary survey. Stop by the office to view the latest copy. Another valuable resource is the NACE Salary Calculator.

Where can I find information about career opportunities for my major?If you are seeking information about career opportunities in relationship to your major, there are several resources in the office. Stop by anytime between 8:30 am -4:30 pm to browse the resources. In addition, the Mentoring Network is a valuable resource to connect with alumni and learn more about different career paths. If you are interested in learning more about connecting with a mentor.

Are there job fairs on-campus?There are three internship and job fairs held on-campus. The Society of Women Engineers hosts the engineering job fair which is open to all students and alumni. The 2012 SWE Engineering Career Fair will be in Spring 2012. You have an opportunity to meet employers and learn about internship and full-time job opportunities. With over 150 organizations in attendance, the First Avenue Career & Information Fair provides opportunities for summer jobs, internships, full-time jobs and graduate school. The 2012 First Avenue Career & Information Fair will be in Spring 2012 at the Chiles Center. For more information visit First Avenue Career & Graduate School Fair. The NW MBA Consortium Career Day is held at the World Trade Center. The 2012 Career Day will be in Winter 2012.

Where do I find out about job and internship postings?

The Office of Career Services maintains an online internship and job database at College Central. Keep in mind that almost 70% of jobs will not be advertised and that networking is often the key to uncovering "hidden" job opportunities. It is recommended that you meet with a professional staff member to learn more about how to network and identify positions that are not posted.

Where can I get information on internships? Attend the annual UP Internship Fair in the fall. Meet with representatives from over 30 organizations. In addition, we have an online internship and job database at College Central. Here you will find many local employers that are interested in hiring an intern. However, keep in mind that this is a very small percentage of the number of internships that actually exist so do not limit yourself to that database.

Feel free to stop by the Office of Career Services to talk about how to find more internship opportunities.

What is an internship? An internship is a work experience that provides an opportunity to receive hands-on training. Some internships are paid, some are unpaid.

What are the benefits of an internship? Some students get involved with internships because they want to test drive a career field before they graduate. Even first and second year students find internships helpful because it can help determine their choice of major. Other students know which field in which they want to work after they graduate so they are looking to increase their chances of getting hired by gaining related experience. Regardless of your year, an internship will help you to meet professionals that know people… who know people… who know other people… who are looking to hire recent graduates. Start expanding your network now. When you graduate, you’ll want to be connected!

When is a good time to start looking for an internship? The best time to start looking for an internship is now. There are many benefits to having an internship during college. In many cases, an internship leads to a full-time job offer. It is never too early to gain applied experience.

Can I get paid or get academic credit for my internship? You can get paid and receive academic credit. However, many students start with an unpaid internship. T he toughest part is getting your foot in the door. An unpaid internship can be a good foot in the door.

What if I am thinking about graduate school?The Office of Career Services provides assistance with the graduate school application process. We help provide suggestions on how to identify programs and feedback on personal statements. Call 503-943-7201 to schedule an appointment with a staff member. Also, you should discuss your options with your advisor and faculty members.

How do I participate in on-campus interviewing?Each year the Office of Career Services brings organizations to campus for information tables and employer information sessions. In addition, several organizations conduct on-campus interviews. In order to be eligible for on-campus recruiting, you must meet with a professional staff member to participate.

Can I connect with University of Portland alumni? The UP Alumni group is a valuable resource to identify and connect with UP alumni both locally and nationally. To access the UP Alumni group, visit LinkedIn UP Alumni Group . For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations. For more help with informational interviews, contact career services?