To schedule an appointment with a career advisor, you can either call the office at: 508-531-1328 or schedule on Handshake.
Types of Appointments You Can Schedule:
Career Counseling – The counselor will talk about developing a career path and how to get there. Online tools will be discussed.
Choosing A Major – Meet with a Career Counselor and learn about some of the resources we have to offer. We can help you with self-assessment, career exploration, and developing career management skills.
Effective Interviewing – The counselor will talk about the do’s and don’ts of interviewing, employer expectations, professional dress, commonly asked questions, and follow up.
Grad School Advising – The counselor will talk about whether or not you should go straight to grad school, searching for a school, and the application process.
Hack.Diversity Program – Learn about this nine-month fellowship for Black and Latinx students interested in tech that provides technical training and a paid summer internship in software engineering, data analytics, or mechanical engineering.
International Internships – Come learn more about international internships! There are so many places around the world you can go explore, learn, and make a difference, all while working in an environment that fits your field of study!
Internship Advising – Learn how search for and how to narrow down your search to find an internship that best fits with you and your major! We will also discuss funding opportunities, academic credit, and more.
Intro to Career Services and Internship Program – This appointment introduces students to the many resources available to them through our office such as FOCUS, Handshake, and other areas that an appointment can be scheduled for. Workshops, events, programs, website resources, as well as online tools will be covered.
Job Search – The counselor will talk about how to organize a job search and set a realistic time table, outline action steps, and utilize resources and tips that will help make your first professional-level job search a success!
LinkedIn and Networking – The counselor will talk about what developing a professional network means and how to establish and maintain one. How to conduct an informational interview is one item emphasized in this appointment.
Practice Interview – The counselor will conduct a “real” interview. The student is required to submit a job description they would be interested in applying to and a resume to the counselor. The materials must be received by the counselor a minimum of three days prior to the appointment. It is recommended that the student dress for an interview as well. All elements of the interview will be critiqued.
Resume/Cover Letter – the counselor will critique an already-prepared resume or cover letter for content, formatting, spelling, and grammar.
Semester in the City Program – College for Social Innovation (Semester in the City): Gain experience through an internship in Boston. Make a difference in the world and earn a full semester of college credit while building skills to solve humanity’s toughest challenges. Learn more about the program and application process.
The Washington Center Program – Spend a semester in Washington DC! During this appointment we will explain the options available, talk through the application process, and discuss how to fund the experience.
Drop-In Hours – These are for resume and cover letter critiques or quick questions. They are ½ hour appointments between 11:00am and 1:00pm (the last appointment sign-up is 12:30pm) during the academic year, September – May. One counselor is on-call each day of the week.
What is career advising?
Career development is a lifelong process. Several factors influence your career development, including your personality, interests, abilities, values, background, and circumstances. Career advising is a process that will help you explore all these factors to better understand yourself and the world of work in order to make informed career, education, and life decisions.
Online and in-person appointments are available throughout the year. Students and recent graduates should schedule an appointment with an advisor on Handshake.
What happens in a one-on-one appointment?
You will meet with Career Services & Internship Program (CSIP) staff, and we will ask questions to learn what brought you to the office and what you are looking to accomplish. If there are many things you’d like to work on, we will help you prioritize a focus area. We will guide the conversation and listen throughout your appointment, providing ideas, support, and resources and encouraging you to think critically. At the end of the meeting, we will help you set goals and next steps.
Will you help me find an internship or a job?
CSIP staff members will partner with you throughout your job and internship search process. We aim to ensure you are equipped with the latest job search information to better present yourself throughout the search process. We provide guidance in resume writing, cover letter, interview preparation, networking with BSU alumni and employers, salary negotiation, and evaluating a job offer. We facilitate connections through BSU’s Handshake account for you to connect with employers and possible job and internship opportunities. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to secure an internship or a job!
What if I want someone to simply look at my resume?
It is perfectly fine to simply work with a CSIP staff member to review or revise your resume. However, be prepared to share more about yourself and be open to discussing career options during the session.
How often should I meet with a CSIP staff member?
Everyone’s career development process is very individualized. Hence, your career journey may be different from your peers. How you want to work with us is ultimately up to you. We encourage you to start your career exploration journey early and often, ideally as early as your first year.
Are appointments confidential?
All of the appointments are private. If we are concerned about your well-being, we might discuss or report a situation to another professional advisor or other administrators within the University.
What is the cancellation policy?
We understand that emergencies happen, and you may miss a pre-scheduled appointment. If at all possible, please provide us with at least 24 hours’ notice by emailing careerservices@bridgew.edu. If you miss five or more appointments in one semester, your access to schedule appointments may be revoked for the rest of the semester.
What if I am running late?
We encourage you to email careerservices@bridgew.edu or call the office at 508-531-1328 if you anticipate arriving late for your in-person or virtual appointment. We generally keep your appointment time open for the first 15 minutes. After that time period, Handshake will send you notice that your appointment has been cancelled. Please feel free to reschedule the appointment for a later date.