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Career Services
Career Advising

Below is a year-by-year breakdown of steps you can take as you advance through SUNY ESF to stay on track to successfully explore your selected major and prepare for entering the professional world.

Appointments and Office Services

What can the Career Services Office do for you?

  • Help you to determine or refine your career direction
  • Explore the benefits and methods of self assessment, including assessment testing
  • Plan a job or internship search strategy
  • Coach you on interviewing and/or negotiating
  • Help determine if Grad School is for you

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment the Office of Career Services

  1. Log into Handshake.
  2. Once logged in, click 'Career Center' button at the top right of your screen.
  3. To request a new appointment, scroll down, and click the blue 'Schedule Appointment' button.
  4. For 'category', select Career Services.
  5. Select the type of appointment you are interested in scheduling.
  6. Click on date/time that works for your schedule.
  7. Select your 'Appointment Medium' and provide appointment details.
  8. Click the green 'Request' button at the bottom of the screen to submit your appointment request.

Appointments:

Whether you are a first year student, returning alumni revising your resume or anywhere in between, we are here to help. You can set up appointments via Handshake, by calling the office, or stopping by 105 Bray Hall.

First Year - Explore Major and Career

A small percentage of students obtain internships following their first year. For the majority of first-year students, it is important for them to gain as much insight into their field as possible.

To prepare, first-years should:

  • Start off on the right foot — study hard! Some employers  exclude  students from participating in internships and eventually full-time offers with GPAs below a certain level (3.0)
  • Learn about all the resources and opportunities the Office of Career Services can offer you including Handshake, our internship/job search system
  • Discover resources within your academic department
  • Create a resume and a LinkedIn profile
  • Attend the Career + Internship Fair to build your network
  • Conduct informational interviews with professionals in your field
  • Participate in a club, group, or on a team

Second Year - Seek Opportunities to Gain Experience

It is highly recommended that students seek an internship or experiential learning opportunity during the summer following their second year.

To prepare, sophomores should:

  • Keep your grades up!
  • Attend Career Workshops/Networking Events
  • Attend the Career + Internship Fair to keep building network
  • Investigate possibilities of an internship through the Office of Career Services, LinkedIn, job search sites, Handshake, academic department, friends, and relatives
  • Seek opportunities to work in labs on campus for those interested in research-based careers
  • Start building relationships with faculty and staff to seek their assistance with research or for future recommendations
  • Consider taking on leadership positions within organizations to gain experience and develop skills
  • Participate in an externship or job shadow

Third Year - Evaluate Decisions & Commit to Goals

It is common practice for employers to convert interns to full-time hires. Therefore, it is  essential that third year students be prepared to utilize every option to obtain an internship.

To prepare, juniors should:

  • Update resume/LinkedIn profile
  • Attend Career + Internship Fair
  • Investigate possibilities of an internship through the Office of Career Services, LinkedIn, job search sites, Handshake, friends, and relatives
  • Seek advice from the Office of Career Services
  • If you’re considering graduate school, investigate your options and get information on entrance exams that may be required (e.g. GRE)
  • Network with alumni and professionals in your field of interest
  • Participate in an externship or job shadow opportunity
  • Join professional organization within your field

Fourth Year - Prepare for the Transition to Career

Students who have actively sought and obtained internship/research opportunities and other hands-on experiences are well positioned to competitively seek consideration for a full-time position.

To prepare, seniors should:

  • Update your resume/LinkedIn profile with all related projects/internships
  • Attend the Career + Internship Fair and/or Graduate and Professional School Fair
  • Search for full-time positions through the Office of Career Services, LinkedIn, job search sites, Handshake, academic department, friends, and relatives
  • Seek Advice from the Office of Career Services
  • APPLY, FOLLOW UP, APPLY, FOLLOW UP, APPLY, FOLLOW UP!
  • Develop a job search action plan and prepare for your job interviews
  • Solidify professional references

Inspired in part by: Syracuse University Career Services, Cornell Career Services, UC Berkeley Career Center, and RIT Career Services