College is a pivotal time for students to start thinking about their future careers. Navigating the path from academia to professional life can be daunting, but with the right resources, students can effectively plan and prepare for successful careers. Augustana College provides a comprehensive suite of career development tools designed to support students throughout their college journey and beyond.
Online and Virtual Career Development Resources
Recognizing the evolving needs of students, Augustana College’s Career Development team offers a robust collection of online and virtual resources. These platforms ensure that students have access to career guidance and professional development services, regardless of location. Students can leverage these virtual tools to explore career paths, refine job search skills, and access valuable industry insights. Explore Augustana’s comprehensive online and virtual resources to get started.
Viking Score: Charting Your Course to Career Readiness
The Viking Score program is a unique career-readiness initiative designed to guide students in connecting their academic experiences with their career aspirations. This program encourages students to identify the links between their academic choices, personal interests, skills, and work values. By reflecting on how coursework and extracurricular activities translate into tangible skills, and by fostering connections with faculty, alumni, and employers, students build crucial professional networks. The Viking Score tracks student involvement in various activities throughout their four years at Augustana, awarding points for experiences that enhance their understanding of the value of a liberal arts education in achieving career success. Learn more about Viking Score and Check your Viking Score to monitor your progress.
Handshake: Your Gateway to Jobs and Internships
Augustana College utilizes Handshake, a leading online platform connecting students with job and internship opportunities. This powerful tool is used by over 65,000 recruiters seeking talented students like you. Handshake personalizes job and internship postings based on your interests, major, and preferences, ensuring you see opportunities that align with your career goals. Whether you are a current student or an alumnus, Handshake provides a centralized hub for launching your career.
• Students and alumni: Log in to Handshake using your Augustana email and password to begin your job and internship search.
• Employers: Discover step-by-step instructions on how to use Handshake to recruit Augustana students.
Internships: Practical Experience for Career Advancement
Internships are invaluable for college students, offering the practical application of classroom knowledge and skill development in real-world settings. At Augustana, internships are structured to include clear learning goals, objectives, and a final assessment, ensuring a meaningful and educational experience. Internships can be tailored to fit various student needs, with options for part-time or full-time commitments, paid or unpaid roles, and academic credit or non-credit arrangements. Exploring different types of internships is a crucial step in career planning.
Career and Graduate Fairs: Connecting with Employers
Augustana College facilitates connections between students and potential employers through career and graduate fairs, including participation in the virtual QC College Career Fair twice annually. These events provide a platform for students to engage with a diverse range of organizations offering internships, apprenticeships, and part-time and full-time positions. Through virtual booths, one-on-one sessions, interviews, and group meetings, students can network with employers from various sectors, including business, government, healthcare, manufacturing, non-profits, science, and social services.
Personalized Guidance from Career Coaches
Career coaches at Augustana offer personalized support to students in all aspects of career planning. From crafting effective resumes and cover letters to mastering interview techniques and networking strategies, coaches provide expert guidance. They also assist with job fair preparation, graduate school applications, and internship and job searching. If you are undecided about your major or career path, career coaches can administer career assessments, discuss various options, and introduce you to tools that will help you navigate the professional world with confidence.
Career Ambassadors: Peer-to-Peer Career Support
The Office of Career Development employs highly trained student career ambassadors to further extend its reach and support services. These ambassadors offer peer-to-peer assistance, helping students with resume and cover letter development, LinkedIn profile creation, and initiating job and internship searches. Career ambassadors hold walk-in hours during mornings, afternoons, and evenings for convenient access. They also conduct workshops in residence halls and for student clubs and organizations, and represent Augustana at career events, making career resources readily accessible to the student body.
Conclusion
Augustana College offers a comprehensive and diverse set of Career Planning Tools For College Students. From online resources and career-readiness programs to personalized coaching and career fairs, students have numerous avenues to explore and prepare for their future careers. By actively utilizing these resources, students can gain a competitive edge and confidently embark on their chosen career paths.
