What to Expect of the Career Center

Expectations of Individual Appointments:

Career planning can be an overwhelming process, complicated by many factors including self-perceptions, others' expectations, and the economy. Our career counselors are available to help you:

Clarify your career/major goals
Choose a career direction
Assess skills, abilities, interests, and priorities
Locate career information
Learn job search techniques
Develop interview skills
Complete graduate school applications

Confidentiality

All records kept by our office are STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. Records may include: counseling session notes, assessment results, resumes, and job-search information. Exceptions to this policy may be made only under the following circumstances: 1) with expressed written permission from the client to release records to appropriate agencies; 2) if there is a clear, imminent threat to the health and/or safety of a client or others, to notify responsible authorities. Resumes posted in our online system, Handshake, obviously are there for employer access.

What to Expect From Your Career Counselor

Career counselors are trained to listen to you, help formulate goals based on your needs, and assist you in finding the best resources to meet those needs. Formal assessments are often used to help you move toward realistic action plans to meet your goals. Career Center staff will be respectful of you and are genuinely willing to help. A career counselor can help you:

Explore your values and interests
Understand your skills and strengths
Find answers to your career-related questions
Explore majors and/or careers that might be a good fit
Develop decision-making skills
Research specific career questions
Expose obstacles which might hinder your career choices
Develop job-search and interviewing skills
Write a resume or other correspondence

Questions to Consider

Before meeting with a career counselor, take a few moments to consider the following questions. This will enable you to start thinking about what you would like to accomplish during your sessions. Your counselor can better assist you if you can articulate your career needs.

What made you decide to visit the Career Center?
What do you hope to accomplish during your first visit?
What are your favorite classes from high school or UNCW? Why?
Why did you choose the classes you have taken?
Who are the most influential people in your life and why?
What occupations do your friends and family have?
How do your friends or family feel about their careers?
What skills are you most proud of having?

What to Expect of Your Counseling Appointment:

Appointments are 60 minutes, if needed.
Be ready to discuss your current major/career status and your thoughts/feelings about that status.
Come prepared to discuss your interests and goals for the future.
It may be decided that an assessment will be helpful for you. If an assessment is involved, the counselor will explain the process.
A separate follow up appointment will be made to go over your assessment results.
The counselor may use books and/or distribute handouts for supplemental guidance.
Career Counseling is a chance for you to find out about yourself, so come ready to talk with your counselor and be open to questions and suggestions.
The counselor will NOT tell you what job/major is best for you, but will give you more information to help you decide on your own.
The career counselor is NOT your academic advisor and will not assist with course selection.
All information discussed during an appointment is strictly confidential and will not be shared with anyone unless you give written permission or there is a clear, imminent threat to your health and/or safety or to others. On occasion, students may want to give permission for information to be shared with academic advisors, personal counselors or parents.

What to Expect of Your Resume or Cover Letter Appointment:

Appointments are 30 - 60 minutes long.
Bring a copy of your resume and cover letter, or bring it on a flash drive or laptop computer.
If possible, know the specific position you are applying for and what skills that position requires.
If you have not targeted a specific job, be prepared to indicate the type of job or internship you will be seeking.
If possible, bring a copy of the job or internship advertisement.
Be ready to talk about your experiences and achievements.
Notify the reviewer if the appointment is a class assignment.
The reviewer will write critiques directly on your resume and go over it with you.
You may receive handouts and/or worksheets to supplement critiques.

What to Expect of Your Interview Skills Appointment:

Appointments are 30 - 60 minutes long.
Before the appointment, conduct an online practice interview using InterviewStream (uncw.interviewstream.com)
If possible, know what job you will be interviewing for and what skills the position requires.
If you do not have a particular job in mind, be prepared to indicate the type of job or internship you are seeking.
If possible, bring a copy of the job advertisement and your resume.
The counselor will review your online practice interview and ask you additional interview questions.
The counselor will provide feedback and offer suggestions.
If you do not wish to conduct a practice interview, you can use this time to go over basic interview strategies.
The counselor may suggest follow-up appointments if needed.

What to Expect of Your Job Search Appointment:

Appointments are approximately 30 - 60 minutes long.
If possible, bring a copy of your resume and/or cover letter.
Come prepared to discuss your interests and goals for the future.
Be ready to discuss your current employment status, any steps you have already taken to achieve your career goals, industries of interest to you, and geographic location of your job search.
The counselor will provide guidance regarding what steps to take next in your job search, and how to take those steps successfully.
The counselor will provide you with job searching tools.
Don't worry if you are just beginning your search; the counselor is there to help you, regardless of where you are in the process.

What to Expect of your Internship Search Appointment:

Appointments are approximately 30 - 60 minutes long.
Bring a copy of your resume.
If possible, know the specific internship you are applying for and what skills the position requires. Bring a copy of the internship advertisement.
If you do not have a specific internship in mind, be prepared to talk about your interests or goals so that the advisor can help you identify internship resources.
Be ready to talk about your experiences and achievements, and how they may relate to your internship.
You will be asked about what steps you have already taken, as well as receive guidance regarding what steps to take next.
Be sure to meet with your department's internship coordinator for information about internship credit and approved internship sites.

What to Expect of Your Graduate School Personal Statement Appointment:

Appointments are approximately 30 - 60 minutes long.
Bring a copy of your personal statement and resume.
Know the specific program you are applying to, and what the admission requirements are.
If possible, bring a copy of the essay question and guidelines.
Be ready to talk about your experiences and achievements.
The reviewer will write critiques directly on your essay and go over it with you.
You may receive handouts and/or worksheets to supplement critiques.