Career Development FAQs
Frequently asked questions about career services and the Office of Career Development.
What kinds of help can I get in this office?
You can get help with choosing a major, searching for an internship, writing a resume or cover letter, finding employment, and preparing for grad school admissions to name a few. We recommend you explore our website and check out the vast number of great resources available to you. Refer to our event calendar to decide what you might like to participate in.
Can I take a course to help me with my career planning?
Yes, we have a one-credit course entitled, “Careers: Theory and Strategies,” and the course is offered annually at Fayette Campus, Spring Semester/Session 1. You can register during the fall by looking under the Interdisciplinary Studies course listings. This course is for juniors and seniors who want to make a career plan, learn internship & job search skills, and incorporate acquired knowledge into a professional setting.
How can I best select a major or learn what I'd be good at doing?
We suggest you take a career assessment and evaluate your interests, skills, personality and values, and then match the results to majors. FOCUS, an online assessment tool, is used to accomplish this. You are also welcome to come in for an appointment to review the results and determine what is necessary to make that decision. Do the same if you are considering declaring or changing your major.
What can I do with the major I have or am currently choosing?
It is best to do some concentrated research before deciding by using reference materials and talking with people. We can refer you to the best websites for this type of investigation and help you set up an informational interview to visit with someone in a profession of interest to you. Your research can extend to faculty, current students and the UIU academic catalog. We encourage you to check out “What can I do with this major?”.
We have specific information and connections to help you explore global, green, public service, nonprofit and entrepreneurial opportunities. We invite you to attend the Global Opportunities pizza chat. Also, our public service and nonprofit materials are some of the best.
How can I learn to write a resume and cover letter or improve my interviewing skills?
You may schedule a time to meet with Career Development to review your resume. Email [email protected] to schedule an appointment or stop in 8am-5pm Monday through Friday.
How can I find an internship to help prepare me for my profession?
You must be in the “internship frame of mind,” and that excites us. Using a variety of resources, including your major advisor, we will help provide guidance in best choosing an internship. We also offer an internship fair each fall, a website “Virtual Internship Center,” additional ideas and contacts, and our one-credit course includes a section on how to make the most of an academic internship during the summer. This could potentially be the deal breaker when you hit the job market in the future.
How can I connect with employers or visit the workplace?
Our goal is to provide opportunities for you to make connections with employers and recruiters. We hope to help you develop skills in connecting and networking so you can do it comfortably. We offer help on how to use social networking in your job search, develop an elevator speech, and prepare for area job fairs.
What do I need to do if I want to go to graduate school?
Come see us about your needs in this area and fit yourself into a grad school admissions timeline. We can help you choose a school/program, find financial aid resources, take the exams and develop high-quality admissions documents.
How can I meet with someone who could help me with my questions?
All you need to do is set up an appointment in the UIU Office of Career Development or call/email us at 563-425-5229 (ext. 5229); [email protected]. We are happy to set up a 30-minute meeting to discuss your situation. Alumni are also welcome to do career transition work with us. We provide e-counseling if it seems to be an appropriate avenue.
