As soon as you arrive on campus as an undergraduate student, the Center for Career
Development and Internships’ unique Career Gateway Program begins preparing you for
life beyond college.
The program offers career counseling, experiential learning, and networking opportunities
that promote self-discovery and connections to potential employers. Programs and resources
include:
The emphasis of the program changes each year as you advance in your studies.
During orientation and the First-Year Foundations course, you will begin to evaluate
your strengths and interests, learn about different career fields, and create resumes.
You will have opportunities to connect with Career Peer Ambassadors, who will offer
individualized attention and guidance.
Check out Presence to get the inside scoop on events going on throughout campus!
Go to Club Day! Join one or two clubs and look for chances to build leadership and
teamwork skills in club activities.
Check out Work Study positions to see where you might want to work on-campus next year!
Activate your Handshake Account to explore internship, part-time, and volunteer opportunities. Please be on the lookout
for any events that can enhance your career development.
Further your understanding of various career paths through field trips to regional
companies, career conversations with industry experts, job shadowing, a variety of
employer and alumni networking events, and Career and Internship Fairs.
Attend the Career & Internship Fair on campus, check out employers coming through Handshake Events.
Check your eligibility for federal Work Study, which is a great way to get involved
and make further connections on-campus and apply for a Work Study position!
Start exploring research and experiential learning opportunities by contacting your
professors and reaching out to staff on-campus.
Attend events sponsored by clubs that will allow you to build your friend and professional
contacts. See all that Programming Board, Global Education & Diversity, Student Government
and campus clubs have to offer!
Do you need help creating or revising your resume? Check the Resume Checklist and
the in-depth Resume Guide to get some pointers.
Make further connections with advisors and professors in your major.
Sign up for People Grove and chat with someone who has an occupation which interests
you!
In addition to benefitting from the ongoing networking and career-awareness opportunities
referenced above, you will be encouraged to work with the staff at the Center for
Career Development and Internships to coordinate experiential learning opportunities
like internships, cultivate strategic job search skills, and develop a professional
brand. You can also enroll in a Life and Career Planning course designed to prepare
you for employment or graduate/professional school searches and career decision-making.
Engage in the practical experiences included in your major, like clinicals, practica,
teaching or research assistantships.
Consider becoming a Career Peer & Ambassador to get involved in the Career Center!
Perfect your professional pitch about yourself and conduct a mock interview!
Attend the Career, Internship, and Grad School Fair and talk to at least 10 different
employers.
Haven’t signed up for People Grove yet? Do so now! Connect with Wilkes Alumni who
are in your field of interest.
As you enter the final stretch of your Wilkes experience, the staff at the Center
for Career Development and Internships offers personalized counseling and coaching
to help you prepare for job interviews, apply to graduate school, and develop a comprehensive
job search strategy.
Connect with classmates and faculty by attending senior pop up events located around
campus.
Attend the Career, Internship, and Grad School Fair and talk to possible employers
or graduate schools.
Continue to stay involved in clubs, athletics, and work study positions to further
connect with peers and staff.
Check Today@Wilkes for the latest updates about graduation.
Career Readiness
You will be registered in a zero credit bearing course called The Career Gateway which will allow you to explore eight competencies all employers believe are necessary
to have when you get your first job, according to the National Association for Colleges
and Employers. It will be housed in LIVE and will be available to you throughout your
time at Wilkes University.
Each year you will be encouraged to complete two competencies. However, since this
is a self-paced course, you can earn the competencies at your leisure. Let's get Career Ready!
This program is based on NACE findings. The definitions of each competency are credited to NACE.
First Year
First Year
Professionalism
Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work
habits and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.
Communication
Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts and perspectives with persons
inside and outside of an organization.
Sophomore
Sophomore
Technology
Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks
and accomplish goals.
Teamwork
Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals,
while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.
Junior
Junior
Leadership
Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational
goals.
Equity & Inclusion
Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge and skills required to equitably engage
and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist
practices that actively challenge the systems, structures and policies of racism.
Senior
Senior
Critical Thinking
Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and
logical analysis of relevant information.
Career & Self-Development
Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional
learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities
and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.