Welcome to Lee Business School's Career & Professional Development (C&PD) Office! Our staff is dedicated to helping students fulfill their career goals. We offer a variety of resources to assist students in choosing and preparing for their careers such as individualized career coaching, job and internship search assistance, interviewing practice, resume and cover letter critiques, and preparation for career events. Please browse our website for resources to help your student find career success during and after college.
What Students Should be Doing Each Year in School
The career preparation process begins the moment your student chooses to attend college. Review these career planning checklists with tips on what students should be doing each year in school:
- Adjust to college life and develop a routine.
- Develop good study habits and earn good grades (continue this habit throughout college!).
- Meet with your Academic Advisor each semester.
- Create your profile and become familiar with Handshake.
- Become familiar with Rebel mail and check your school email regularly.
- Get to know your professors and advisor; they may eventually serve as references and it’s good to build a great relationship from the start.
- Schedule an appointment with a career coach in the Lee Business School C&PD Office to explore your major and career options; learn which careers are best suited to your personality and interests.
- Begin gathering information on careers you are interested in pursuing.
- Look into part-time or summer jobs on Handshake.
- Learn about student activities and get involved on campus.
- Develop your writing and computer skills.
- Create your initial resume with the help of a career coach.
- Take elective courses outside of your major to explore a range of options.
- Gain experience through volunteer opportunities.
- Develop a positive, professional online presence.
- Follow Lee Business School C&PD Office on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about upcoming events and career opportunities.
- Seek out help if you need it, before you really need it; UNLV offers tutoring, disability services, counseling, and much more.
- Update your profile on Handshake.
- Explore careers using O*Net which is a database of occupational information.
- Become more involved with student organizations.
- Attend career development workshops and events hosted by Lee Business School C&PD; view a full list of events on Handshake.
- Develop a good work ethic and other soft skills that employers seek, such as communication, organization, time management and teamwork.
- Look into student employment opportunities on Handshake.
- Review internship guidelines.
- Research employers in your career field(s) of interest.
- Have your resume critiqued by a career coach.
- Talk with professionals to learn more about specific career fields.
- Choose a major if you have not already done so.
- Keep your grades up.
- Develop a LinkedIn profile and start learning more about careers in which you are interested.
- Conduct an informational interview with an alumnus or employer in your area of interest
- Have your resume critiqued by a career coach.
- Obtain an internship or other career-related experience to gain professional skills.
- Update your LinkedIn profile and follow specific employers and industries in which you are interested.
- Compile information on employers who hire in your field.
- Learn how to write an effective cover letter – refer to the Cover Letter & Internship Guide located in the resource section of Handshake.
- Meet with your faculty advisor; review academic progress and your projected graduation date.
- Practice your interviewing skills with a career coach.
- Attend career development workshops and events; see a full list of events on Handshake.
- Conduct informational interviews for insight into your career choice.
- Practice your elevator speech and networking skills.
- Participate in at least one community service/volunteer activity.
- Take leadership positions in student organizations and/or continue to actively participate.
- Cultivate your online brand through social media.
- Determine if graduate school would be beneficial in helping you reach your career goals, if so, research schools and requirements
- Update your Handshake profile.
- Meet with a career coach to ensure your resume is polished.
- Network, network, network! Network with recruiters and employers at career-related events and workshops; see a full list of events on Handshake.
- Follow up with employers/recruiters and thank them for their time and consideration.
- Practice a mock interview with a career coach.
- Develop a job search strategy; a career coach can help you come up with a plan.
- Research employers and salary ranges in the area you want to work.
- Ask professors, supervisors, and mentors to act as your references; discuss your plans with them.
- If graduate school is in your future, take graduate admission tests and apply to graduate programs.
- Join professional organizations focused on your career choice.
- Apply for jobs (or academic programs) now; don’t wait until graduation to apply for a full-time job!
- Remain open to the idea that many first jobs are entry-level and serve as a starting point for you to showcase your skills and value and help you move into a more ideal position.
- Stay connected with the C&PD Office and let us know you successfully found a job!
- Remember, the C&PD Office is here to assist you if you are having trouble or getting frustrated with the job search process.
- Lee Business School alumni may continue to utilize the services of C&PD Office.
Attending On-Campus Career Events
Current students and alumni are welcome to attend all career events hosted by Lee Business School's C&PD Office. All of our events are free and provide networking opportunities as well as job and internship leads.
What Parents and Families Can Do to Support Students
Some ways you can support your student:
- Help them define success, whether it’s working for a non-profit, going on to graduate school, or becoming an entrepreneur.
- Support their vision and be patient as they explore their options.
- Reinforce career skills by modeling business etiquette and making yourself available to answer questions, provide advice, and encouragement.
- Ask open-ended questions to keep a conversation going.
- Encourage your student to become involved both on- and off-campus by joining clubs, attending career fairs, volunteering, and more.
- Encourage your student to schedule an appointment with Lee Business School C&PD Office if they have questions regarding their future, whether it’s their major, career options, or a quick question; we are here every step of the way!
Helping a Student Choose Between Two Majors
You can help your student think through majors and their corresponding career choices. Encourage them to complete a free career assessment and schedule an appointment with a career coach to discuss their interests and goals. Remind your student that they can double major or add a minor if they are really stuck. We recommend that students choose a major by the end of their sophomore year of college so they can focus on taking the upper-level courses that correspond to their degree track.