Getting Started
Forever a Golden Ram means continued career support.
Many of our events and services are available to you as alumni. We welcome you to schedule an appointmentSchedule an Appointment
A Career Counselor is ready to meet with you to talk about any of your career needs. All scheduling is handled through Handshake, which can be accessed by both current students and alumni. Log in using your WCU Network ID (e.g., AB654321@wcupa.edu) and password.
Once signed on, select the Career Center button and you will find an option labeled ‘Appointment’. From here you can select the day and time that works best for you. Your counselor will be altered, approve the selected time, and send you any follow up instructions if necessary.
As a WCU alumnus, you are granted continued career support from the Twardowski Career Development Center. Alumni will have unlimited access to appointments and drop-in services for two-years post-graduation (I.e., if you graduated in May 2022, you would have unlimited access to appointments until May 2024). After two years, alumni can schedule three appointments per year (30 minutes and/or 60 minutes). All appointments are scheduled through Handshake.
Alumni will have unlimited access to other career resources and platforms, such as Handshake (for resume reviews, job applications, information regarding events, etc.), Big Interview (online mock interview platform), Ram Nation (alumni mentoring platform), and the Career Development Center website. Alumni can attend career events such as our semesterly Job & Internship Fair, networking events, and meet-ups.
Here are some additional career resources, external to the University, that may be helpful:
**Career counselors reserve the right to revoke services in cases of misuse or repeated no showing/canceling appointments.**
Interested in helping current students with their career development? Check out Ram Nation, our student to alumni flash mentoring platform.
Wondering where to begin?
Career development is an ongoing process and our Career Engagement Model can help you figure out where to get started. Below is an outline of action steps to help you explore, prepare and gain experience all while continually reflecting and taking action to fully engage in your journey.
Reflection & Action
The foundation of a successful career is reflection. You will personally evolve based not just on career related experiences but all elements of life. The entire model is encircled in the need to reflect so that you can take any necessary action steps to maintain, change, or grow your career engagement.
Explore
Explore your options by developing an understanding of who you are and the goals you are working toward. Research career options by discovering your personal values, interests, and skills.
New Alum
- Meet with a career counselor to learn about different careers and if needed future continued education
- Explore your Handshake account, which gives you access to internship, and job opportunities
- Complete career assessments such as FOCUS and Strong
- Visit onetonline.org or ohh.gov to explore careers
- Create an account on Ram Nation to connect with WCU alumni in your areas of interest
Experienced Alum
- Ask yourself, what brought you to the career center? I.e., reentering the workforce, change in career path, brushing up on career development skills
- Create your Handshake account to stay connected to the career center and review employment opportunities
- Consider a career assessment such as MBTI
- Evaluate your current work motivators, what propelled you forward in the past may have changed
- Interested in giving back to current students or new alum? Check out Ram Nation to serve as a flash mentor
Prepare
Prepare for opportunity by building your resume, cover letter, network, and interviewing strategies. These preparation pieces act as the foundation of a successful career journey and are elements that will continue with you throughout your entire process.
New & Experienced Alum
- Reflect on current or past jobs to identify your transferable skills to develop your resume and cover letters
- Upload your résumé to Handshake to be reviewed by Career Development staff
- Clean up your social media; update privacy settings social media presence to ensure it is employer-friendly
- Set up a LinkedIn account to begin developing your professional image and connect with 50 people
- Participate in a mock interview and practice utilizing STAR technique
- Develop your elevator pitch/ finalize your 1-minute commercial
- Recognize resources you may need for an interview: Appropriate interview attire, transportation, private space for virtual interview, etc.
- Research and become knowledgeable about a competitive salary range in your field
- Identify and confirm at least 3 individuals who are willing to serve as references
- Review Alumni schools’ websites to ensure you understand required application materials & deadlines
Experience
Experience is putting into action your knowledge and skills while building new abilities and diversifying your engagement. This can take on many forms depending on what stage you are in on your path including employment, internships, and continued education.
New Alum
- Search Handshake to look for a position that can help you gain important transferable skills
- Volunteer at organizations to help you learn more about your interests
- Expand your network by staying active on LinkedIn and Ram Nation
- Join professional associations or organizations in your career field and attend meetings and/or conferences
- Consider a post-graduate internship (yes, they exist!) especially if you were unable to complete one during your undergraduate program
- Attend the Job & Internship Fair (one held each semester)
Experienced Alum
- Evaluate your short and long-term goals, do they need a refresher?
- Examine possibilities within your current role for career growth or new challenges
- Find leadership roles, formal or informal, to get more involved with your field and professional associations
- Engage in mentorship – this could mean roles to serve as a mentor to others or ways to expand your network to find new personal mentors
- Take advantage of certifications and online or community-based learning tools to sharpen or update your skills