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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why should a student visit the Career Services Center ?

A. It's never too early for a student to start thinking about, and planning for, their future career. While most students see Career Services as a place to visit as they near graduation, we can provide assistance from a student's first days on campus. The Career Services Center can help a student select a major and career, locate a part-time student job, secure an internship, earn credit through testing, and much more!

Q. What if a student is experiencing difficulty choosing a major or career?

A. It is not unusual for a student to be unsure of their major and/or career. Fortunately, the Career Services Center has many resources available to guide students through the process of selecting a major and career. Students can take advantage of MyPlan or FOCUS, online career guidance programs, career counseling , and Collage: A Kent State to Career Portfolio. Another option is our 3 credit hour Career Exploration Course that provides students with information on the career decision-making process. Our Career Resource Library also provides numerous resources to help students decide.

Q. How is a student job different from an internship?

A. Internships and student jobs can be very valuable learning experiences for students. While some people may use the terms student job and internship interchangeably, they are often very different experiences. Usually, student jobs are positions that students hold part-time while they are enrolled in school full-time. Some student jobs may be closely related to a student's career goals; however, working in any position while in college can help a student build important skills such as effective communication, problem solving, leadership, time management, and accountability. Student jobs can also help a student acquire references, make contacts that can assist them with full time employment, and enhance the work experience section of their resume.

Internships on the other hand tend to be much more structured, include more training and supervision, are more closely related to full-time opportunities after college and can be completed for college credit. The structured, professional environment of most internships helps students to evaluate if the experience is something they want to pursue in the long term. Often a full-time job offer results from a successfully completed internship.

All on- and off-campus student jobs and internships are posted on the Experience Job Board, which allows students to view job postings, submit resumes electronically and even schedule interviews. Students must have a resume prepared to search for positions and should begin searching for student jobs and internships early.

Q. How can a student find a job after graduation?

A. The Career Services Center is one resource - among many - that students can use as they pursue a position after graduation. It is the responsibility of the student to conduct a multifaceted job search. Our web site contains many resources to help students prepare for a professional job search including the Quick Career Guides. Career counselors are available in the Career Resource Library to respond to brief questions, assist a student in identifying resources, and to critique resumes and/or cover letters. Individual appointments are also available if a student would like to meet with a counselor to participate in a mock interview.

Students also have many opportunities to interact with potential employers (corporate, nonprofit, government, school systems, etc.) in person throughout the year at our annual career fairs and events.

Q. What do employers look for in a candidate?

A. In general, employers look for students who are highly motivated, able to communicate their ideas clearly and concisely, and can demonstrate skills in leadership and teamwork. Employers also consider a candidate's academic background, appearance, their comfort level with the interview process and the initiative taken throughout the entire job search process. Students are encouraged to work with a career counselor to create a job search strategy as well as practice the skills that will help them succeed in the process.