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.
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, help you set up an informational interview to visit with someone or job shadow in a profession of interest to you, network with alumni in your field, connect with employers, just to name a few. Your research can extend to faculty and current students as well. We encourage you to check out What Can I Do With This Major resource located in the Career Exploration section of our website.
We can work to provide you connections across the nation and globally to help you explore global, green, public service, nonprofit, entrepreneurial opportunities, just to name a few. Visit the Job Search section of our website to explore other resources that are available as well.
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, schedule a mock interview, or to discuss other career exploration and development needs that arise. Email [email protected] to schedule an appointment or stop in on the Fayette Campus between 8am-5pm Monday through Thursday and 8am-3pm on Fridays. Appointments are available face-to-face, through email, virtual, or over the phone.
How can I find an internship to help prepare me for my profession?
Using a variety of resources on and off-campus, we can help provide guidance in best choosing an internship. We offer an in-person internship and career fair each fall along with a virtual fair each spring that can provide benefit in securing an internship. We have a list of internship sites and connections along with other resources we can reach out to in order to best assist you in the internship search. Most majors at UIU will require a for-credit internship experience to be completed in order to complete your degree so it’s best to be prepared and start thinking of connections in your field sooner rather than later to help in the internship process. Unpaid, on-campus internships are also an option to consider.
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 have a network of employers and alumni that are willing to connect with students wanting more information and experience in the field. Job shadowing, informational interviewing, internships, and networking are just a few things that can assist in this process. Reach out to Career Development at [email protected] and we can talk about ways to get connected with employers. Connecting with employers can be a great way to know what additional skills or courses might be needed to be successful in your field.
What do I need to do if I want to go to graduate school?
All universities and programs has different admissions requirements and deadlines. Once you know graduate school is the next step for you, come see us to talk about what those options look like, if there are any testing requirements, the admissions process, and knowing which program might be the best fit for your career goals.
How can I meet with someone who could help me with my questions?
Schedule a time with Career Development by calling 563-425-5229 or emailing [email protected]. We are happy to schedule a time that works best into your schedule either through face-to-face, email, over the phone, or virtual. Alumni and walk-in appointments are also available.
