CSI’s career center points students on the right path for careers and future endeavors before graduation to help set them up for success.
By: Amanda Musto
Some students start college and know exactly what they want to do in life, some have no idea where they’re headed, but all of them have one thing in common – they can benefit from aid from CSI’s Center for Career and Professional Development.
The Center for Career and Professional Development is one of CSI’s most useful departments because it gives students the tools they need when it comes to a job search while in college as well as a long term career search for later on. The center helps students build their resumes and teaches them how to write a perfect cover letter, helps them hone in on their interview and public speaking skills, advises students on internships, holds career fairs to network with possible employers, plus so much more. Every resource they offer is specifically designed to help students in the long run. While the classes give them academic skills, the center gives them life and job skills. They work well together to help make students well equipped for the future.
One aspect of the career center that is extra beneficial is the website, Handshake. Every CSI student has access to Handshake and can log into their account with their CSI stu.email account. Handshake is a great tool for students to utilize and when they create a strong profile it helps them network, be noticed by possible employers, and search for jobs and internships. Think of it as a less intimidating LinkedIn.
Handshake has so many positives to it for CSI students. The site is free to use and very easy for students to access. It also is useful for students who want to meet with a career center advisor because appointments can be made right on the Handshake website.
“Students with complete and active Handshake profiles are 80% more likely to receive messages from recruiters and 2.5 times more likely to find relevant job opportunities,” says the Handshake website. “Filling out key profile fields—such as work experience, skills, and interests—significantly increases visibility, with some data indicating a 5x higher likelihood of employer outreach.”
While students of all ages and grade levels are able to visit the career center and use their resources, freshmen and sophomores are even more encouraged because it’s never too early to get a head start on one’s future. The center can help students figure out the field they want to get into which can help them decide what major they want to declare and study because of that.Between the center’s resources and Handshake, students can work towards success even while still in school.
The career center has an Instagram as well, csicareer, which students can follow to be up to date on events that the center has going on or will happen. This is always a great way for students to make sure they don’t miss their chance to attend a career event. Both the career center and Handshake are such valuable tools and all students should take advantage of the chance to use them.
Careers don’t wait until you graduate and neither should you – schedule an appointment with the career center and build your Handshake profile today!
