It’s been a busy year. Your student has been researching and writing papers, working on projects, studying for exams and participating in team meetings. He or she has been involved in campus organizations, making friends and meeting new people. However, when you ask where he or she stands on selecting a major, finding an internship, or setting up a career plan, you may get a blank stare.
If this sounds all too familiar, consider that summer is a perfect time for your student to explore majors and career fields, start the search process for a job or internship, or update a resume. Oftentimes students think that University Career Services (and other student offices on campus) are closed over the summer, when in fact we are open and ready to help your student create a plan for taking his or her next steps!
Finding a career is not always an easy process, but we are here to partner with your student through each stage. We offer support through all aspects of finding and securing a job or internship. We meet your student where he or she is. We start by helping your student identify his or her skills and interests and then determining careers that could be an ideal fit. We can also introduce your student to our job and internship database, HireMason. We can guide them in writing a targeted resume and cover letter, researching employers, industries, and occupational trends.
For those who are about to graduate and are starting to panic about their career, don’t despair. On May 20th, we are hosting our “Career Launch”. An all-day event (10am-5pm) featuring workshops on: resume and cover letter writing, networking, salary negotiation, interviewing, the “gap year” and our resume clinic. The next day we are hosting our “Just in Time” career fair, giving your student another chance to connect with employers on campus.
If your student will be in the Fairfax area over the summer months encourage him or her to stop by our office, located in Student Union Building I, room 3400 to learn more about the resources and services we offer. If your student is not in the Fairfax area this summer, no need to worry! We are available to students by phone or through Skype as well. Your student can schedule an appointment Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. We are also available for walk-in appointments Monday – Thursday, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Friday, 10:00 a.m. – noon.
Encourage your student to check out careers.gmu.edu for more information on University Career Services or call (703) 993-2370 for an appointment.
Carolyn Kleiman
Career Counselor
University Career Services
