Jenelle Bayus
Over the past year, much of how individuals connect and work with one another has changed. The same can be said for recruiting strategies, job and internship searches, and applying for graduate or professional schools. Recruiters are relying on technology to engage with applicants, so it’s more important than ever to stand out virtually.
In light of the changes, Bethani Burkhart, director career and academic development, recently talked with Alex Krutchik of Cleveland Jewish News about the ways Hiram is helping students adjust to virtual interviewing and networking. Read the full story.
Hiram’s Office of Career Development offers a variety of services and resources to help students find a major, internship, or job. Here are just a few:
Choosing a major or finding a career:
All Hiram students have access to PathwayU, an online assessment tool that takes approximately 18-22 minutes. Students complete four assessments, and then they are provided with hundreds of career matches that align with their interests, values, personality traits, and workplace preferences. It’s highly encouraged that students meet with an advisor in Career Development to discuss the platform and their results. Several other assessments and resources are available to students that are exploratory when it comes to major and career path.
Resumes and cover letters:
Focused resumes and persuasive cover letters are key for every internship or job a student is looking to apply for. Career Development can help at any stage of the process, whether that is creating the first resume and cover letter or reviewing professional documents. The office also hosts resume workshops throughout the fall and spring semester and offers scheduled appointments at any time throughout the year.
Interviewing:
The number one skill employers value in new college graduates is good communication skills, and learning to convey skills, interests, and experiences to potential employers in a clear, confident manner is crucial to a successful search. Interviewing gets easier with practice, so Career Development offers students the following:
- Mock interviewing assistance (drop in or scheduled appointments)
- Annual mock interviews with employers and alumni
- Interviewing etiquette workshops
- Resources on how to interview successfully in-person, on the phone, or via video-conferencing technology
Internships and internship funding:
Employers and graduate schools often want candidates with experience. So where do students get experience? From campus involvement, volunteer work, service learning, summer jobs, and internships. Students can schedule an appointment with a member of the Career Development staff to learn more about internship options, or visit the online job board (Hiram CareerNet) to find positions posted just for Hiram students. If a student doesn’t find an internship that fits with what they are looking for, the Career Development staff can help to identify companies and opportunities. To see where some of our students have completed internships in the past, click here.
If a student’s internship is unpaid or underpaid, Hiram has several internship funding opportunities for eligible internships. In 2019-2020, Hiram College was able to provide over $130,000 to students for unpaid or underpaid internships. Please visit the internship funding page for more information!
Email careercenter@hiram.edu to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
