Point Park University Career Development Center - (412) 392-3950

Career Counselors are available by appointment, email, phone, & walk-in during normal operating hours. Monday thru Thursday, 9:00am - 5:00pm. Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm. Saturdays and evening appointments by request

After working with the Career Development Center, you will be able to:

• Conduct a successful job interview
• Create career goals and develop a plan on how to achieve those goals
• Create tailored resumes and cover letters for specific jobs
• Develop a professional network by taking part in networking opportunities
• Use the Point Park Career Network and other technology to research and apply for jobs and upload documents

Career Development Four-Year Guide

Freshman Year:
• Visit the Career Development Center to meet our staff and become familiar with our services.
• Figure out your skills, interests and values – talk to a career counselor to get started.
• Develop a list of majors and careers to consider.
• Create or update your resume and have it reviewed by a career counselor.
• Attend Point Park’s annual internship and job fair to learn about local employers and opportunities, and to begin to develop your professional network.
• Check out the Career Development Center website at www.pointpark.edu/careerdevelopment to learn about upcoming events.
• Access your account on the Point Park Career Network at www.pointpark.experience.com to begin your e-portfolio and learn about part-time and full-time opportunities.
• Find a summer job or volunteer opportunity to continue developing skills.

Meet with a career counselor to help with any of these activities!

Additional Campus Resources:
• Talk with your academic adviser about your academic plan and careers ideas.
• Get involved with at least one student organization or volunteer opportunity – learn more at www.pointpark.edu/studentactivities


Sophomore Year:
• Review the list from freshman year and continue working on these suggestions.
• Continue to develop and assess skills, interests and values through course work, part-time jobs and student organizations.
• Connect with professionals for job shadow and informational interview opportunities; learn about career options and develop your network.
• Refine your list of possible careers; meet with a career counselor to discuss your career goals.
• Update your resume and have it reviewed by a career counselor.
• Learn to write a cover letter and practice your interview skills.
• Participate in career programming through the Sophomore Year Experience.
• Find a summer job, internship or volunteer opportunity that relates to a career area of interest.

Meet with a career counselor to help with any of these activities!

Additional Campus Resources:
• Review your academic plan with your academic adviser to be sure you are on track.
• Begin exploring options for your first internship by visiting your Student Success Center.
• Seek a leadership position within a student organization or community service organization.
• Begin to develop professional relationships with your professors and other University staff.


Junior Year:
• Attend job fairs and networking events to learn about opportunities, practice networking skills and make connections.
• Conduct a mock interview in the Career Development Center.
• Participate in Career Development’s networking reception and etiquette dinner.
• Update your resume and cover letter and have them reviewed by a career counselor; continue to add to your portfolio.
• Conduct informational interviews with professionals in your field to continue developing your network.
• Explore graduate school options and requirements if this is a part of your plan.
• Continue involvement in leadership positions in student organizations.
• Secure your next internship experience.
• Research jobs of interest to you.
• Collect letters of recommendation from employers and professors.

Meet with a career counselor to help with any of these activities!

Additional Campus Resources:
• Meet with your academic adviser to make sure you are on track for graduation.
• Visit your Student Success Center to register your internship for academic credit.
• Ask professors, employers, advisers to serve as professional references.
• Take appropriate graduate admissions exams (GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT) if this is part of your plan.


Senior Year:
• Meet with a career counselor to refine your resume and cover letter, and to discuss job search strategies; follow through with job search activities; on average, start applying for jobs 3-6 months before graduation.
• Attend job fairs and networking events to support your job search.
• Apply for graduate school if that is in your plan.
• Acquire professional interview attire; consult with a career counselor if you have questions.
• Visit on-campus recruitment events advertised on the Career Development Center website.
• Schedule job interviews, follow up on job leads and send thank you letters.

Meet with a career counselor to help with any of these activities!

Additional Campus Resources:
Stay in touch with professors, employers and advisers who have agreed to serve as references; keep them up-to-date on your job search or graduate school activities.

Tags: College &