At the University of New Hampshire, students develop personal and professional skills beyond the classroom by following the Wildcat Way to Professional Success. Our aim is to outline and share action steps students can take toward career readiness, and provide a guide for professional development to support each student’s academic experience. Career and Professional Success provides events, services, and coaching in each of these core areas to support Wildcats as they explore the option and opportunities that await them after graduation.
Build Awareness
What do I have to learn about myself and my potential field?
- Identify your interests, skills, and values
- Career and Professional Success staff can provide assessment tools to help with the exploration process
- Learn about your field of interest: industry areas, job types/titles, growth projection
- Review O*Net, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Potential Careers for your Major pages, and Vault
- Map your skills to industry needs
- Search job descriptions; indeed.com, LinkedIn, and company-specific pages to learn what skills are in demand
- Understand the career paths of fellow students and alumni
- Understand the salary ranges for your industry
- Search Salary.com, Glassdoor, O*Net, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find ranges for roles in your industry
Build Professional Image
How do I present myself?
- Create and update career documents
- Including resumes, cover letters, and other professional correspondence
- Develop your LinkedIn profile
- Attend Career Drop-In Hours to receive feedback and tips on optimizing your profile
- Create and practice your professional pitch
- Take part in networking events on and off-campus
- Practice interviewing for your specific industry/field and professional goals
- Cultivate your professional image
- Dress for success, learn industry-specific etiquette, and review your digital presence (social media and web search results)
Build Experience
How do I practice and build skills?
Academic
- Engage in research and field experience
- Connect with your faculty members, Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research or the UNH Research Office
- Publish your research and papers
- Submit your research to industry-specific journals
- Present at professional conferences and competitions
- Take part in the Undergraduate or Graduate Research Conference
- Secure a teaching assistantship, lab assistantship, or tutoring position
- Take on a leadership or service position within your department to support your peers
- Study away to build your national and global citizenship
- Find the right program for you with National Student Exchange, Semester in the City, Education Abroad, Washington Center, etc.
Co-Curricular
- Learn about all of the resources available on campus
- Explore the A-Z Resource Guide to see all UNH has to offer
- Volunteer to support your local or global community
- Visit the UNH Civic and Community Engagement website to identify opportunities
- Join and participate in clubs and/or student organizations
- Find through the Memorial Union & Student Activities, academic organizations, and Campus Recreation
- Pursue student leadership positions
- Apply to be a Resident Assistant, take a leadership position in an organization, run for student government, etc.
Professional
- Shadow professionals and companies of interest
- Use LinkedIn or campus connections to build relationships and request job shadowing experiences
- Secure at least one internship
- Search through Handshake, established department internship opportunities, or campus recruiting events to find options
- Get a part-time job to build transferable skills
- Use Handshake and filter by On-Campus, inquire with campus departments, or local businesses
Build Relationships
Who should I know and how do I meet them?
- Build professional and personal networks
- Maintain your network by following up with your new and established connections
- Send thank you notes after initial conversations and connect on LinkedIn when appropriate
- Attend employer events on campus and in the community
- Career and Internship Fairs, employer tabling information sessions, employer and alumni panels
- Conduct informational interviews
- Meet with a variety of professionals from desired industry/organizations to hear their career stories and advice
- Secure 3-5 professional references
- Connect with a combination of appropriate employers, faculty, staff, and/or supervisors
