Every college has a career center, but at Commonwealth University, we leverage our career community of faculty/staff, alumni volunteers, and employer partners to provide students with career experiences, professional connections, and financial support for the opportunities that move them from college student to confident professional.
Customize each phase of YOUR career journey
Whether you are at Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, or Mansfield, Professional U is what YOU DO to engage with the career community of faculty, staff, alumni, and employer partners to gain the experiences and professional connections you need to graduate a confident professional.
Since Professional U looks different in every college, on every career path, and for every student, see your faculty advisor to take advantage of all the career opportunities in your major. Consider attending networking events, career expos, career road trips, alumni panels, workshops, and your annual college conference. For additional help, and 1:1 career coaching, make an appointment on Handshake or check the events page for drop in hours.
So...how will YOU do Professional U?
First thing's first: Handshake and FOCUS 2
Activate your Handshake Profile to keep up with every opportunity and connect with employers! Sign up for 1:1 career coaching, professional development workshops, labs, alumni panels and networking events like Career Expos. Find a job shadow host, register for a mock or on-campus interview., and find / apply for internships and jobs as you near graduation. Take the FOCUS 2 assessment to help decide what you want to pursue. Login with your university email and use access code "explore"
Explore industries and practice networking
Explore industries, get comfortable interacting with employers, and find internships at a Career Connections Expo. Build relationships with recruiters who may hire you later! Visit the Greenly Center to find out what to expect and get a free professional outfit so you can dress for success.
Gain valuable experience
Internships, field study, research and study abroad experiences are vital to finding that first professional position! Talk to a faculty member, advisor, or department secretary about the best fit for your path, then search Handshake and the LinkedIn Alumni Group and get ideas from alumni at college conferences like CASSHCon, ZIPD, COST Pathways, or CATCH. Once you have a site, speak with your adviser, make sure there is a clinical or non clinical affiliation agreement on file and submit a 509 form to receive credit. If you're on the Bloomsburg Campus, reserve a Sekisui Professional Experience Lab at the Greenly Center for a quiet, professional space to practice or participate in presentations, interviews, webinars and conference calls.
Professional experiences can be expensive, especially if they involve travel, so apply for a Professional Experience Grant (PEG) to help defray costs.
Continue your climb, long after you leave campus
Make the transition from college student to confident professional with some last-minute polish and preparation at the Career Intensive Boot Camp. Then, return as an alumni volunteer to lift up the rest of the pack!