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What’s next after college graduation? For many freshly minted graduates, the next goal is landing a job, internship, or graduate school acceptance letter. But finding a job in a competitive climate can feel daunting, especially for graduates with limited experience. Fortunately, lots of higher ed institutions make it a practice to support recent alumni, as well as those who graduated years or decades earlier. Thanks to help from career services and strong alum networks, new college grads can gain critical help navigating the job market.
Keep reading to learn how schools are supporting alumni in their job hunts!
Assistance with Cover Letters and Resumes
Not everyone has a knack for piecing together the right words to construct a solid cover letter. Likewise, resumes can feel like a chore. Knowing how to articulate experiences like internships or volunteer work can overwhelm new grads who simply want to get their foot in the door. That’s where career centers, like Berks Career Services, can step in to offer much-needed help to new alums eager to make the best first impressions.
Alumni-focused resources and workshops can help alumni get another set of eyes looking at their resumes and offering feedback on cover letters. A video conference with a career services representative can be transformational for an alum. They’ll learn how to tailor the language in their resume to appeal to recruiters in given industries or regions. For green job seekers, this input might just be the game-changer that enables them to score an interview.
Open Job Boards
Graduating college students can access special job boards through career centers. Many employers in industries like healthcare and tech are eager to work with college career centers because they know applicants from the college will meet a certain standard and be job-ready. For alums seeking jobs in urban areas, career center job boards are especially useful for spotlighting well-matched and sought-after jobs. Alums won’t face the same level of competition when they apply through career center job boards, either.
Access to Ongoing Advising
Many alumni could benefit from career coaching. And many colleges offer this service to help alumni understand their career goals and gain interview prep tips. Sessions can cover strategies for job applications, interview role-playing, and negotiation skills. Alums can learn about new industries they may not have considered before, as well. In short, these sessions with career coaches can equip alums with confidence and knowledge to help them with their career search.
Networking Opportunities to Connect Graduates
For job seekers in any industry, networking is key. With so many applicants vying for the same position, networking can help some applicants gain an advantage over the competition. Not many new college grads have strong networks, however, so networking opportunities can provide a big boost. Many colleges understand this and, in response, offer intentional networking programs to unite established professionals with new alumni.
College alumni associations may offer networking sessions at restaurants, hotels, or event centers. Some may host meetups within the tech space or the healthcare industry. And online platforms like LinkedIn make it easier than ever for these initial connections to lead to lasting ones. Ultimately, the goal is to bring together like-minded individuals who already share a connection to the college.
Ongoing Learning Resources
While career services can help new alums find that first job after graduation, the effort doesn’t end there. Ongoing learning opportunities, like webinars and lectures, let alums nurture their talents and learn from seasoned professionals. Workshop topics can include gaining digital literacy skills or enhancing financial acumen. In any case, these ongoing learning opportunities help alumni stay fresh and active in their disciplines. Further, alumni learn how to adapt by discovering new skills and honing communication styles. A willingness to adapt can help alumni position themselves for career growth in the years to come.
Preparing for a Brighter Future
Graduation is a huge milestone for college students. But it’s not the end of the road for an alum’s connection to the school. With continuing access to robust career services, alumni can stay engaged in learning and network with other alumni. They can finetune cover letters with a career services office professional and make sure they’re prepared for their next interview. By maintaining a connection to their school, new alumni can be ready for any career move.
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