Many students initially seek career guidance and assistance from faculty and staff advisors. We invite you to spend some time learning about the number of resources the Career Center uses to partner with WashU staff, faculty, and instructors for their departments and courses.
How the Career Center can partner with faculty and staff:
Career Advice within Your Curriculum
We can help you incorporate career information into your curriculum or syllabus. Please contact us if you would like to refer students to the Career Center as part of your course. A copy of your syllabus and instructions pertaining to career-related assignments will help our staff become aware of any requirements and due dates, and will prepare us to respond to students’ questions.
Class Presentations – Request a Career Program
The Career Center is happy to present to your class. Pick a popular program we have done in the past, or we will work with you to create a custom program that matches your particular needs. We are happy to serve as guest speakers in your class, offering instructions on career planning and job search topics. Use our easy form to request a Career Center program for your classroom.
Talking to Students about the Career Center
The Career Center is here to help students figure out their next steps. We work with all WashU students from first year to graduates and PHDs. It is never too late or too early to visit the Career Center. Please encourage your students to visit us and utilize our online guides and resources. For a full list of our services, please contact us.
Career Advising
The Career Center has trained Career Advisors who will meet one on one with your students to discuss resumes and cover letters, internship and post graduate search strategies, negotiating offers, and much more. Whether a student knows exactly what they want to do after graduation or they are still uncertain, our Advisors and Student Career Peers are here to help.
Resume and Cover Letter Assistance
In addition to the resume and cover letter information available online, our highly trained career peers can review the content and presentation of resumes during Quick Question Drop In hours. Students are also welcome to make an appointment with a career adviser to review their resume and cover letter.
Interview Preparation and Mock Interviews
The Career Center offers mock interviews with career advisors by appointment. In addition, WashU students now have free access to Big Interview. Students can learn the best strategies for interviewing and practice skills with this online tool.
Graduate School Application Preparation
The Career Center has a wealth of information to help students preparing for graduate school after graduation. Our career advisors can help students prepare application materials and advise best practices for getting into the school of their choice.
Jobs and Internship Opportunities for WashU
Handshake is the Career Center’s web-based recruiting platform. Search job and internship opportunities, upload resumes, and learn more about employers that work with Washington University.
On-Campus Recruiting
Over 400 employers visit campus each year to conduct info sessions a interview students for internships and post grad opportunities. Students can find employers who are recruiting on campus through Handshake.
Employer Information Sessions
We help employers organize sessions on campus to introduce students to their companies and build their brand on campus. These events are a great way for students to learn more about an organization, and make a connection with a possible future employer.
Career Fairs and Events
We host two campus-wide career fairs during the academic year, one in September and one in January or February. This allows students to develop networks and meet employers from a variety of organizations. Students from all class levels and departments are encouraged to attend! In addition, we often do specialized career fairs, such as the Architecture Career Fair, the Law School Fair, and the McKelvey Engineering Spotlight.
Self-Assessments
One of the first steps for students is to think about their interests. What are they passionate about? What is their dream job? How do their interests translate into a career? We offer workshops, as well as self assessment tools, including the MBTI, StrengthsQuest and Strong Interest Inventory to help students explore their interests. Students should stop by the Career Center or call to get access to self-assessment tools.
Career Resource Library
The Career Center houses a resource library where students can research information on careers, internships, majors and more. Students are welcome to take printed versions of our advising handouts, located on our library shelves. These resources are available during normal office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.
Email Communication and Career Interest Groups
Students should register with our system Handshake, and indicate their career interests in their profile and opt into Career Interest Groups. We will then send targeted notifications of events and opportunities, such as alumni information, networking events, information sessions hosted by employers, employer receptions/programs, interview and resume resources, along with targeted internships and post grad opportunities.
Employer Information
We can supply annual reports, company overviews and any information supplied by organizations that engage with the Career Center to help students research employers and prepare for interviews. We can also connect you directly with a company. If you are interested in learning more about our employer and alumni connections, we will be happy to assist you! For customized job and internship landing reports for your department please contact Scott McIntosh.
Handling Inquiries from Employers
Faculty members may receive phone calls from employers requesting names of top students in their fields. It is important to maintain a fair and equitable process for all students.
The Career Center at Washington University follows NACE’s Guide to Ethical and Legal Standards in Student Hiring. If you receive an inquiry from an employer, please let us know. In addition to referrals, our team will post the job to our website so all eligible students have the opportunity to apply.
Event Promotion
Do you have a career-related event coming up? The Career Center is happy to add your career-related event to our student newsletters and calendar. To request an event listing, please contact Scott McIntosh.
Send the Career Center Student Outcome Information
Every year the Career Center at Washington University surveys the graduating class to gather information about their post-graduation plans. We follow up with graduates throughout the summer and fall in an effort to collect information from the entire class, but we could use your help! Do you know where your students are going over the summer or after graduation? Did you help them get there? Please let us know!
If you have students’ plans to report, please contact Amanda Martin.
The Career Center is excited to partner with faculty and staff to help promote career preparation for all WashU students. Please let us know if you have any questions on how our services can fit your needs.