Navigating Today’s Job Market: Preparing Immaculata Students for Career Success

Jeannine: The office helps students prepare for their careers through a variety of services. We review resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles; help students develop strategies for finding internships and jobs; conduct mock interviews; and provide guidance on interviewing, networking and professionalism.

We also work with undecided students and students who are considering changing majors. One of the benefits of our office is that students can continue to use our services after graduation. We provide a lifetime of career assistance to Immaculata alumni.

Heidi: Resume review, interview preparation, internships and networking are all important. Internships give students an opportunity to gain real-world experience, develop professional skills and make connections with employers that could lead to full-time employment.

Networking is also an important part of a successful job search as many open positions are never publicly advertised or are filled internally. Building professional relationships can help students learn about opportunities and connect with people in their fields.

Individualized career coaching allows us to help students develop effective job-search strategies and learn how to translate their academic and life experiences into marketable skills.

Heidi: Alumni are invited to participate in networking events, employer panels, career fairs, mentorship programs and classroom presentations. We also stay in contact with alumni who may have internship or job opportunities to share.We encourage students to connect with Immaculata alumni on LinkedIn and build professional relationships that may be helpful as they search for internships and jobs.

Jeannine: We offer a number of resources and programs designed to help students feel prepared and confident as they enter the professional world.

• Career Closet: Students can receive free professional clothing for internships, jobs, graduate school interviews and their first days in a new position. Students keep the clothing and do not need to return it.
• Career fairs: We host career fairs for students in social sciences and health professions, as well as a Mock Interview Night for senior education students.
• Employer panels: Students can hear directly from representatives of local companies and learn more about careers in their fields.
• Workshops and classroom presentations: We offer major-specific workshops and presentations on topics such as resumes, cover letters, professionalism, interviewing and networking.
• Professional photos: Students can have professional photos taken for use on LinkedIn and other professional profiles.

Jeannine: Career fairs give students an opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals while exploring internships and full-time and part-time positions related to their fields of study.We work with students on their resumes so they are prepared to speak with recruiters and share their materials at career fairs. Students can make personal connections with employers, learn about opportunities they may not have considered and gain a better understanding of the skills and qualifications employers are seeking.

Career fairs can also be valuable practice for seniors preparing for post-college job searches.

Our career fairs have had strong employer participation, and we consistently receive positive feedback about our students, particularly about how well prepared and professional they are.

Students have also reported positive outcomes, including securing internships and full-time employment as a result of connections made through career fairs.

Heidi: We help students understand current hiring practices, including applicant tracking systems (ATS) and AI-generated screening tools. We also work with students on how to use AI ethically and effectively when drafting resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews and conducting job searches.AI can be a useful resource, but students need to review, revise and personalize anything it produces. Their application materials should accurately reflect their own experiences, skills and voice.

Heidi: We help students understand how technology is being used throughout the job-search process, including resume screening, online career assessments and job-search databases.For example, students can use AI to compare their resumes with job descriptions, identify key skills and terminology and determine where their experience aligns with the requirements of a position. We emphasize that students should carefully review any AI-generated content for accuracy and make sure their final materials are authentic to them.

AI can also help students develop job-specific cover letters, prepare for interviews and research companies and industries. We encourage students to use these tools as resources while maintaining responsibility for the accuracy and authenticity of their applications.

Jeannine: Presenting in the First-Year Seminar helps students learn about our services early in their college experience. Faculty also invite us into their classrooms and incorporate assignments involving resumes, cover letters and professional photos.We also set up tables in academic buildings to connect with students where they are. As students pass by, we talk with them about our services, answer questions and help them schedule appointments. We also use Instagram and LinkedIn to reach more students.

Heidi: Sometimes students are hesitant to ask for help, or they seek assistance elsewhere without realizing how much our office can offer. We encourage students to engage with us early rather than waiting until they are close to graduation.

Building relationships with students early in their Immaculata experience helps them feel more comfortable using our services throughout their college careers.

Heidi: A college degree can provide greater employment opportunities along with opportunities for personal and professional growth. We also emphasize that students can contribute to their own career success by making the most of their college experience—pursuing internships, participating in campus activities, building professional networks and using the resources available to them.In addition to the knowledge gained through their academic programs, students develop professional and interpersonal skills that can support long-term career success.

Our office also uses data and resources from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) to stay informed and updated about hiring trends, labor markets and employer needs.

Heidi: Job searches can take time, and it is important to use all the resources available to you. Network, identify organizations and job titles that interest you, and tell people what you are looking for—you never know who may be able to help.Be proactive, flexible and persistent, and continually refine your application materials. There is no longer a one-size-fits-all resume or cover letter. Tailor your materials to each position and seek feedback along the way.

If you are getting interviews but not receiving offers, seek advice about your interview skills and be open to feedback. The Office of Career and Professional Development is here to help you throughout the process.