Practical Suggestions for Getting the Job You Want
As you progress through your program of study, you should also consider gaining experience in your field of interest. You will want to move from a job for pay into your first career-oriented position. By the time you graduate and look for a full-time position employers will expect that you have some experience in the field.

One of the most common ways of doing so is through an internship or cooperative education experience, which you can set up with the help of Professor Susan Hacker, Coordinator of Cooperative Education and Internships at Westchester Community College or, in some cases, on your own. Similarly, you can gain experience through a related part-time job, a volunteer position or participation in a student organization.

Now is also a good time to:

• Develop a resume and cover letter, either on your own or with a career counselor's help, and learn how to tailor each document to the specific needs of specific employers. You’ll find the Career & Transfer Center’s Resume Guidelines 2006-2008 a big help in this regard.
• Start researching companies or organizations you might like to work for, in the future.
• Attend Westchester Community College’s job fairs to gain experience speaking with company recruiters.
• Pick up a copy of the Interview Guidelines 2006-2008 from the Career & Transfer Center or download here. 
• Attend an Interviewing Skills workshop and practice interviewing with a career counselor to become comfortable answering and asking employment-related questions. Click for workshop schedule.   
• Put the finishing touches on your resume and cover letters. 
• Use College Central Network, Westchester Community College’s official on-line job board, www.collegecentral.com/sunywcc, newspapers, your network of connections and other job boards to find job openings.   
• Research companies and organizations with whom you have scheduled interviews. Thorough preparation will help you to land the job you want!

 Career Resources Toolkit

The ultimate career, job, and college site, offering comprehensive free expert career and job-hunting advice (through articles, tools, tips, samples, and tutorials), as well as links to all the best job sites. Special sections for teens, college students, and all other job-seekers (by industry, geography, and job-seeker type) make this site a comprehensive resource for all.

The largest job listing & resume database for college students & alumni. 

CollegeGrad.com is the #1 entry level job site, with extensive information on careers, resumes, cover letters, interviewing, salary information, employer research and entry level job postings.

CareerZone is a free, career exploration and planning system designed especially for New York State students. The CareerZone website brings together multiple sources of career and labor market information to make career exploration and planning for the future a little easier. The CareerZone system is a product of the New York State Department of Labor and is currently hosted by AT&T.

AfterCollege™ is a network for college students and recent grads who are looking for entry level jobs, internships, and other opportunities 

The premiere information source for college students, grads and recent graduates who are seeking employment, continuing education and business opportunities

Provides useful advice on university and college majors for first year college students.
 

Questions? Please contact us.