3 Questions to Ask Your School About Career Resources
There are a number of reasons students decide to pursue a graduate degree program, but one of those reasons is almost always increasing employability after graduation. However, it isn’t just the piece of paper you receive on graduation day or the added credential at the end of your name that makes grad school so valuable. It’s the resources and connections you make throughout your studies that increase your employability and prepare you for the job market after earning your degree.
If you’re currently enrolled in grad school or are in the process of applying, find out what career resources your school offers by asking your school these three questions.
Is there career counseling on campus, and will it increase my employability after graduation?
The first question you should ask your school is whether they have a career counseling service on campus. This is an extremely helpful but often overlooked resource. Career counseling can help you get ready for job interviews, build your resume and search for a job. If your school does offer career counseling, find out where it’s located and set up an appointment.
You might also want to ask other students if they have used this resource and how helpful it was for them so that you have an idea of what to expect. Remember that services like this are included in the cost of your tuition, so don’t forget to take advantage of them.
What kinds of internships and job opportunities does this graduate degree program offer me?
Internships and job shadowing are a great way to gain experience and often lead to full-time employment. Not only that, but they can help build your resume and give you a leg up against the competition when it comes to applying for jobs. Ask your school if they offer internships or have programs that can help students find internships near campus.
It’s also important to ask how many students take advantage of the internship opportunities the school offers because it might give you an idea of the quality of the program. For instance, if your school says that internships are extremely competitive, it probably means that there are a limited number of high-quality internships offered. On the other hand, if your school says that students rarely take advantage of the opportunities they provide, it could mean students are finding better internships on their own.
Getting a sense of the internships your school offers will allow you to know whether you’ll have established options to choose from, or if you’ll be looking for internships yourself.
What role will the school’s alumni association play in increasing my employability after graduation?
A school’s reputation is built by the list of notable alumni who’ve attended it. It’s important to know that your school’s alumni association is large and that past graduates are still actively engaged. These alumni are another great way to network and make valuable connections that can lead to jobs. Your school doesn’t have to have an incredibly famous alumnus or alumna: if it has the support of those who attended, it shows that the school is reliable and produced the results previous students expected.
Ultimately, what you put into your graduate degree program will determine what you get out of it. The more proactive and engaged you are with your campus’s career resources, the easier it will be to launch your career after you graduate.