Career Services FAQ/Help

CATEGORIES:

GENERAL

COUNSELING AND RESUME CRITIQUES

INTERNSHIPS

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GENERAL

Q) Where are you located?
A) We are located in Starbuck Center on the 2nd floor, right at the top of the stairwell.

Q) What are your hours?
A) When classes are in session, our hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. During academic breaks and the summer, our hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.

Q) What services do you offer at Career Services?
A) Our services, available to Skidmore students and alumni only, are individual career counseling (including graduate school and choice of major advising and job search coaching), drop in sessions, seminars, a career resource center and computer lab, on-campus and off-campus recruiting, job and internship listings, resume, cover letter and personal statement critiques.

Q) Do you offer computers for Skidmore student and alumni use?
A) Yes. There are currently 7 PCs and 1 printer available for Career Services related work during office hours.

Q) How do I find a job on campus?
A) Check with Student Aid & Family Finance. Full-time jobs at Skidmore are listed through Human Resources.

Q) If I am relocating to another part of the country, can Career Services still help?
A) Yes! We can set up telephone appointments (during normally scheduled counseling hours, EST), communicate by email or IM, try to arrange reciprocal services at other colleges around the country or help you to identify qualified career counselors in your new location.

COUNSELING AND RESUME CRITIQUES

Q) Can I meet with a counselor?
A) Skidmore students and alumni can schedule a 30-minute or 60-minute appointment with a career counselor. Call X5790 or stop by to schedule an appointment in advance (during crunch periods, there could be a two-week wait for an appointment). In addition, during the academic year, counselors are available for 20-minute drop in sessions on a daily basis.

Q) When can I have my resume and/or cover letter reviewed?
A) Skidmore students and alumni can always discuss resume and cover letter development during a counseling appointment, as well as have your drafts reviewed, but drop in sessions are most appropriate. The 20-minute drop in sessions are typically helpful for rough drafts as well as final reviews. All drop in sessions and resume/cover letter review hours are on a first-come/first-served basis, so please plan accordingly:
Drop In Schedule

Q) I am a senior and I haven't done much about planning my future career. How do I decide what I want to do and how to get there?
A) Our staff of professional counselors is trained to provide personal and individual assistance with these important issues. They are attuned to the stresses that seniors experience as they complete their degree requirements and seek employment or admission to graduate school. Call X5790 to set up an appointment.

Q) I am a sophomore and I need to declare a major, how can I figure out what to major in and how it relates to a future career?
A) It is fairly common for first-year students and sophomores to be unsure about their choice of majors and future career plans. Contact Career Services at X5790 to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of our career counselors. The counselor will explore with you a variety of major and career options that suit your interests, skills and personality. Visit our content on What Can I Do With This Major? to begin exploring options.

Q) I to want to major in history, but my parents want me to major in business. They're concerned about future job opportunities with a liberal arts degree. What should I do?
A) The first step is to set up an appointment with a career counselor. Bear in mind that academic choices and career choices are not the same. If you're a history major, that doesn't mean that you must become a historian or history teacher. Many employers that recruit through Skidmore are more concerned with a candidate's skills than his/her major. They are looking for computer literacy, and strong communication, writing, analytical, and organizational skills - skills that your liberal arts degree can help you to develop.

Q) Can I have my graduate school personal statement reviewed?
A) Yes. Use scheduled appointments rather than drop in sessions.

INTERNSHIPS

Q) How do I find an internship?
A) Visit the Career Services website at http://www.skidmore.edu/administration/career/interncentral.htm. You will find many services and programs here for you to utilize in your internship search. It is also recommended that you meet with a career counselor to discuss your unique internship needs.

Q) How do I find out about getting credit for an internship?
A) The ability to receive academic credit for an internship is determined by your faculty sponsor and the Dean of Studies Office. Arrangements must be made before beginning the internship. Please note, you must pay for internship credits just as you would for independent study credits or regular academic course credits.

Q) Is it ever too late to find an internship?
A) Our office receives internship listings every week throughout the year. It is important to start your internship search several months in advance to increase your chances of finding the perfect opportunity. Most students begin actively searching between November and February for securing the most competitive summer internship opportunities. However, it's never too late. Note: if you want to do an internship for credit you must complete and turn in a Dean of Studies Internship Contract before the posted internship application deadline.

Q) As a first-year student, can I use the internship database?
A) Students obtain internships throughout their college careers. Some employers are looking for juniors, seniors, recent graduates or graduate students only, but many will consider candidates in all years and all majors.

Q) Do you have any internship listings in my field?
A) Each year Career Services receives hundreds of internship listings for all majors in almost every job category. To maximize your chances of finding an internship, it is important to be flexible in your internship search and consider a variety of opportunities both related and unrelated to your major. It is also recommended that you meet with a career counselor to discuss your unique internship needs.

More Internship FAQ
What is an internship, the value of internships, internship resources, and more information on doing an internship.

Updated: 06/19/08
Send comments to: Career Services