November 18, 2002

It's time to start thinking about jobs, but you're not sure what's available. Maybe you need help crafting a CV or could use tips for an upcoming interview.

If you're a graduate student at UConn, Career Services can help.

"We reach out to graduate students' unique needs," says Cynthia Jones, director of Career Services. "Our job is to help graduate students formulate a plan to help them reach their professional goals and address their specialized needs."

The office is staffed with professional career consultants available on both an appointment and a drop-in basis. Consultants are assigned specific majors or colleges, and give one-on-one counseling. They help students with preparation of CV's, resumes, job search correspondence, and professional interviews.

According to Jones, many graduate students are not aware of the services available for them. "They think Career Services is just for undergraduates," she says.

A new brochure outlining graduate services has sparked fresh interest, she says. Career Services also offers a series of lunch-time seminars designed specifically for graduate students held the first Thursday of each month.

The Career Development Library has job search directories and books about resume and CV writing, as well as international resources and employer information. The library is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The department coordinates on-campus recruiting for graduate students up to the master's degree level, including on-campus interviews and job postings listed though a web-based system, called eRecruiting. To be eligible for on-campus recruiting, students must register with eRecruiting. To register, visit Career Services' web page, www.career.uconn.edu, complete a student profile, and apply for internships or full-time positions.

To help students identify potential employers, Career Services has purchased a web-based database searchable by industry, location, and keyword. It provides basic contact information about organizations across the nation. For access to the system, contact Career Services at 860.486.3013.

Jones advises graduate students to start planning for their futures early. Although their academic work takes up a lot of time, they shouldn't ignore their long-term goals, she says. "It's never too early to start the planning process."

Jan Jones, a graduate assistant and liaison at Career Services, understands the needs of graduates first-hand. "There's a big misconception that all graduate students know what they want to do," she says. She is developing a booklet for graduate students called Grad Paths, which will discuss exploring careers and provide resume and CV samples.

Jan Jones also organizes and teaches graduate seminars on a variety of topics. A seminar on networking was of particular interest to international students, Jones says.

Graduate student Jessica Carlson attended a seminar on writing CV's and resumes. "It was a very positive experience," says Carlson, who is a doctoral student in industrial/organizational psychology. "The tips were helpful and I plan to go to other seminars."

For a consultation, call Career Services at 860.486.3013 or stop by the office at 181 Auditorium Road, behind Student Health Services.

The next lunch-time seminar on career exploration for graduate students will take place on Dec. 5, from noon to 1 p.m., at Career Services.