Career Readiness
Learn About Yourself and Your Options
- Use the assessment test on Career Coach to determine your strengths and abilities; the results will give you direction for fields and careers to explore. You can search by field (ex: engineering), title (ex: mechanical engineer), or by related SUNY Broome program (ex: Engineering Science).
Learn About Your Field
- Follow social media accounts and visit websites for companies in your field.
- Subscribe to online versions of relevant professional publications to learn important concepts and industry buzzwords.
- Attend on- and off-campus career/job fairs to see what organizations are hiring and what positions they’re filling.
- Arrange for shadowing opportunities with a professional in a role you find interesting. Faculty may be able to assist, or you can call or email the individual directly. People are typically happy to share their knowledge – someone likely made time for them in a similar way.
Learn About Working
- Ask employed individuals the top five skills they need in their jobs. If you hear a common theme regardless of job title (ex: most people cite communication skills, basic budgeting, time management, etc.), you should develop these skills, either through a class, mentoring or other means.
- Participate in workshops and seminars.
- Familiarize yourself with the most popular hiring websites, including Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, CareerBuilder and others. There may be a site specific to your field as well.
- Gather information on realistic salary expectations for your field. GlassDoor is a helpful site.
- Research school-break job opportunities and volunteer positions that offer work experience.
- Attend local association meetings to meet potential employers.
Build Your Address Book
- Take advantage of SUNY Broome resources:
- Career planning – discuss your goals with Career Planning staff
- Faculty – professors are excellent resources and often have contacts in the business community
- Staff – utilize your academic advisor, success coach and career planning staff
- Alumni – attend events to make alumni contacts, meet alumni willing to serve as mentors, etc.
- Events – attend in-person and virtual events designed to connect you with employers
- Research professional associations for your intended field – can you become a student member? Are there meetings and conferences you can attend to begin making useful connections?
- Join on and off campus organizations and take on leadership roles when possible.
Present Yourself
- Create or update your resumé and review it with career planning staff.
- Get an interview outfit ready. You can visit the Hornet Hope Center for free interview clothes!
- Practice interviewing with career planning staff, a faculty member or someone else you know!
- Decide who you’ll ask to serve as references when you apply for positions. You’ll need their name, title, organization, email address and phone number, and you should plan to notify them each time you apply for a position so they’re prepared for a call or message. Former or current supervisors and faculty members are good choices.
- Create a LinkedIn profile.
Find a Job
- Set your LinkedIn profile to “open to work.”
- Spread the word – tell your professors, family and friends, internship mentors, and social media that you’re job searching.
- Apply for open positions via employment websites or through the Employment portal on specific company/organization websites.
Career Exploration
Ask someone in your field of interest for a zoom or in-person conversation. You can ask questions about tasks, business environment, and educational requirements. Shadowing opportunities allow you to spend a typical workday with someone in your role of interest, with an opportunity to observe and ask questions.
Informational Interviews and Shadowing
How to arrange these opportunities:
- Ask your professors to connect you with individuals in your field
- Use your personal network – do you know someone? Does someone in your family?
- Post on social media – you may not know the right individual personally, but someone in your circle might
- Online search – company websites may have contact information for individuals, or you can use a generic “contact us” email address or form to express interest in a meeting. This option may require follow-up by phone.
Some starter questions to consider. Be sure to take notes during your time with the professional. Be sure to seek permission before audio or video recording or taking photos during a conversation or shadowing opportunity.
- What got you interested in your career?
- How long have you been in this field?
- What role did you start in?
- How long did it take you to get into your current role?
- What is your typical workday like?
- What do you like most (and least) about your job?
- What is your least favorite thing about your job?
- What skills/abilities are most important to succeed in this job?
- What is your educational background? Is that still the current expectation?
- What types of internships or other experiences would you recommend for someone entering this field?
- What is the best way to get started in this field?
- What types of training do companies typically offer those entering this field?
- Do you have any additional advice to help me prepare?
- Is there anything else I didn’t ask about that would be useful to know?
What does it mean to be career-ready?
The National Association of Colleges and Employers have identified eight critical career competencies that college students should develop in order to be highly marketable to potential employers.
SUNY Broome students should meet with a Career Services representative as early as possible to identify how to develop these critical competencies. Developing a strong professional skill set is a crucial part of your academic journey and overall success post-graduation.
