Amy Cavanaugh, Director of Career Services, shares how the UP Career Center has adjusted to meet the needs of students during this time.
The Career Center is Virtual! We realize that all of our partners, including students, alumni, faculty, staff, employers, and parents, have been through a significant amount of transition these past couple weeks. As students and faculty have transitioned to online courses, the Career Center has transitioned to virtual services. While the delivery method of our services has changed, we remain committed to our mission of educating and empowering students and alumni throughout their lifelong career development journey.
Not only has this global pandemic significantly impacted colleges and universities, it has a major impact on the world of work. Our Career Center team is here to guide students as they navigate their future. As students adapt to a new norm of taking courses online, finding ways to remain connected to friends, and adjusting to living in a different environment, their career development may not be their top priority right now. However, many parents and families may be wondering about summer employment. Our professional staff is regularly monitoring employer feedback about hiring plans, encouraging employers to consider remote internships, and reaching out to employers to post internship and job opportunities for UP students.
We are here to support students whenever they are ready. Students can schedule a phone or video conference appointment with a staff member to talk about a range of career topics, including career exploration, resumes and cover letters, interview preparation, conducting informational interviews, developing an internship/job search strategy, using Handshake, networking, and more.
For students who are not sure where to start, the 30-minute Virtual Career Chat provides an opportunity to talk to a staff member about next steps and to have career questions answered. Seniors can also schedule a 30-minute Senior Game Plan appointment. Appointments can be scheduled online through Handshake (all students have access) or by calling 503.943.7201 between 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. and again from 1–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also send an email to career@up.edu to make an appointment.
While your student is at home and practicing social distancing, now is a great time for them to log in and activate their Handshake account if they haven’t done so already. Handshake is a centralized hub for internships, part-time, and full-time opportunities. Encourage them to explore this robust platform and reach out to the Career Center if they have any questions.
If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to reach out to Amy Cavanaugh at cavanaug@up.edu.