Career conversations with students toolkit

As staff, advisers and faculty, students often turn to us for career and professional development advice. Many of these conversations focus on how to make informed decisions for the future. While we encourage colleagues to refer students to Career Services to customize support resources based on the student’s need, below are resources to share and weave into career conversations.

Identifying career paths

A free assessment that shares potential career titles based on interests and provides training/education needed for each occupation is at MyNextMove. Students can click on “I’m not really sure.” or ”Tell us what you like to do.” to access the assessment.

Career Preparation Maps

Career Preparation Maps provide students with guidance on education, hands on learning, and career preparation for each of the UW Bothell degrees. These co-curricular resources help students identify opportunities at UW Bothell based on their intended major or field of interest. The maps are accessible through the Meta-Major Pathways pages next to each degree map.

Career research and exploration

The following student resources are available on our majors & career exploration webpage.

  • What Can I Do With This Major is a database that connects majors with careers. It can assist students who may be exploring different majors by providing information about career options, employers that hire in those fields, professional associations and hiring databases specific for that industry.
  • Wois.org: The Washington Occupation Information System provides career interest assessments, occupational information, education needed for occupations, salary information and occupational outlook.
  • O’NET: This occupational information site, Sponsored by US Dept. of Labor/Employment and Training Administration, provides information on occupational outlook, summary, training, education, work styles, interests, and related occupations.

LinkedIn is a professional networking site designed specifically for the employment community. The site allows students to search for jobs and internships as well as connect with professionals and alumni working in fields of interest.

How to prepare for, research, and apply to graduate school

  • Our website provides guidelines for students attending graduate school including a Graduate School Resource Guide developed by UW Libraries.
  • GRDSCH200 – Preparing for Graduate Education is a 10-week hybrid course (2 C/NC) at UWS for juniors and seniors from all disciplines

Link academic assignments to career skills

Faculty can help students see the connections by making more explicit the link between academic learning and careers. This Skills Translation Template provides guidelines on how staff/faculty can make the career relevant skills developed within the major clearer to students and help them prepare for life after graduation.

Career & internship action guidelines

  • This Career Action Guide can help students be intentional about building experiences into their education, complementing their academic achievement.
  • The Career Guide is a resource for students in different stages of career planning and decision making. It provides information and activities on occupation information; job search strategies; resumes, interviews, and cover letters; graduate school and testing; and networking.
  • The Job & Internship Planning Spreadsheet is a great way for students to organize their search and identify next steps for networking and application.
  • Internship resources

Career events & workshops

  • Career Services hosts events throughout the year including career fairs, networking mixers and information sessions designed to help students explore interests, build job search skills and connect with the employment community.
  • Workshops & presentations can be requested on our website.

Job & internships postings

  • Handshake is a free resource for UW students and alumni to find hundreds of internships, part- and full-time jobs, volunteer opportunities and more. Advisors and faculty can request an adviser account in Handshake.
  • Career News is a weekly newsletter listing events, on campus and off campus jobs and internships for students.