Frequently Asked Questions

How can the Office of Career Services assist me in finding a job?

We have a number of resources and programs to support you in your job search.  We offer Career Resource books, entitled, “Job Choices” which gives you a step-by-step guide to conducting your search in an organized and thoughtful way. Other services include individualized resume writing, weekly interview skills seminars, on-campus recruiting program, The Annual Career Fair, and daily job listings that are listing in binders or on-line through www.Monstertrak.com

When is the best time to register?

You are free to register with us as early as freshman year. You will work with us more closely during your junior and senior years. Many juniors  develop a resume with our staff and are ready for their senior year on-campus recruiting program.  In your undergraduate career, we encourage you to register and participate in the Cooperative Education Program (insert web link to Coop Ed Page). So it’s important to make the most of all services and career resources.

I would like to write my resume, but don’t know where to start. 

We offer individualized resume review.  A member of our staff will meet with you to develop a professional-looking resume that best
articulates your education, skills, experience, and accomplishments. A good resume may take several drafts.  So, we work with you from start to finish on your resume. We also offer a resume-writing guide with real-life samples that can support your efforts. All it takes is an appointment with us to get you started!

How does the on-campus recruiting program work?

Our on-campus recruiting program runs from September to November in the Fall Semester and February to April in the Spring Semester.  Employers visit campus to interview for a number of entry-level positions.  Here are the prerequisites: you need to be a graduating senior, be registered with the Office of Career Services, and have a resume approved by the OCS staff.  We publish a list of recruiting organizations, positions they are recruiting for, and when they are visiting. You need to submit your name on each company’s pre-screen sign up list. This is provided by our recruiting coordinator, Mrs. Herbert. Companies then will select candidates that they wish to interview on campus, and we contact you to notify that you have been selected for the interview.

When is the Annual Career Fair?

The 24th  Annual Spring Career Fair will take place on  April 9, 2008, 9:00 am – 1:00 PM in the McIntyre Lounge (Dinneen Hall). Over 40 employers representing the corporate, government and non-profit sectors are there to interview you for opportunities in their organizations. Career Fairs are open to students/ and Alumni/ae of Saint Peter’s College.

Participation in a Career Fair is a great way for you to connect and network with representatives of employing organizations. A number of our students do obtain part-time and full-time employment as a direct result of participating in the Career Fair.  So it’s up to you to make the most of what career opportunities the Fair has to offer.

We also promote regional state-wide Career Fairs of public universities, that are open to students and alumni/ae of Saint Peter’s College. So keep connected with us!

I am a liberal arts and science major. Should I still register? 

Yes, the Career Services Office can help you! There are many career opportunities for students in the liberal arts and sciences. We help you to focus and locate career options and paths that are relevant to your interests and goals.

How long will the Office of Career Services assist me with my job search?

We work with you from the beginning of the job search until you find suitable employment.  It’s a partnership with us, and it’s up to you to follow up. We can also assist you after you have graduated from College. 

I need to polish up my interview skills

We offer a weekly Interview Skills Seminars for students.  Seminars are usually held on Weekdays at 12:00 PM in the Career Services Conference Center.  We discuss interview preparation, researching a company, and offer useful advice on responding to those difficult interview questions.  We also role-play interview questions and answers in a supportive group setting.  You must pre-register to participate. Stop by the office to check our Interview Seminar schedule and sign-up.

What is the DISCOVER Program?

Discover is a computerized and web-based career counseling program that helps users make informed decisions on choosing a majors and offers relevant information on over 400 different Careers. This program is helpful in focusing your interests and abilities into viable career options. Discover is available students and Alumni/ae by appointment only.

What is the difference between Cooperative Education  and Career Services? 

The Cooperative Education Program assists you in finding a part-time, internship, and or a summer position, and supports you in the process. The Career Services Office assists and supports you in finding an entry-level post-graduate position and sponsors career programs to help you reach your career goals.  It is to your advantage to register with the Career Services by Spring semester of your junior year. We will work with you senior year. Of course, it is to your advantage to work with both offices- even in your senior year and exposes you to more opportunities, and gives you a competitive edge in the job market.

Are there other resources available to assist me in my job search?

Yes, there are many web-based career resources and sites that are wonderful search engines and are free!  We encourage you to register with www.monstertrak.com- the national collegiate internet site, as well as other useful web-based sites.