Have you heard these questions from your students?
- How do I know what career I should choose?
- Can I get help with my resume or cover letter?
- I’m nervous about an interview, can you help?
- I know I want to work in this field, but I’m not sure what jobs there are and what they entail.
Faculty are the professionals that students interact with the most on campus. Students will probably ask career-related questions in classes and in advising. We can help answer these questions. When career-related questions and discussions come up, please tell students they can book appointments with Career Services on Starfish. Our office has additional expertise and specialized training in career advising and many tools to help students prepare for jobs in college and future careers.
We can also support YOU as you endeavor to prepare students for life after graduation.
Information you can take and drop into your class syllabus.
Please make time to visit the Career Services Office early and often. They are equipped with tools to help you create your career path.
Career Services | SUNY Potsdam
Go to services and choose career development or resume review.
Alumni Networking Event
Carson Hall
Friday, October 18, 2024
3:30 p.m. -5 p.m.
Career and Internship Networking Fair
March 19, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Barrington Student Union MPR
Below are various resources, many of which you can take and use anytime.
- Here is a link to career development software available to students and faculty.
Career Services for Students
Besides referring students with questions, how else can faculty help support students in their career readiness?
- Encourage students to attend Career Services events such as workshops and our Annual Career and Internship Networking Fair. Mark your calendars now and please add this date to your syllabus. March 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Barrington Student Union Multi-purpose Room.
- Get to know, highlight, and use the National Association of Colleges and Employers Career Readiness Competencies. Incorporate career readiness into existing assignments, simply by highlighting NACE competencies you are already teaching, and utilize pre-made materials such as those below.
Post the competencies in your office and around your building! We are happy to have copies printed for you. Just ask by emailing appliedlearning@potsdam.edu.
NACE Competencies
What is Career Readiness? (naceweb.org)
Take and use assignments: Coming Soon!
Workshops for Extra Credit Worksheet
Career and Internship Networking Fair Activity Sheet
- Stay in the know about current employment trends
“Overall, employment in bachelor’s-level occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.”
Education level and projected openings, 2022–32 : Career Outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Current Job Market Trends from NACE
Trends & Predictions - Job Market (naceweb.org)
Occupational Outlook Data for the United States and Canada
Home : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Labour Statistics (statcan.gc.ca)
Invite the Career Services Coordinator to visit your class and present any of the offerings below, or work with them to create something new for your class. When they visit, consider opening your class to other students to come and audit the workshop. The CSC can take care of listing the workshop on Get involved for you, and provide physical and digital copies of all materials.
Please email Nichelle Burnett, Career Services Coordinator, at burnetnm@potsdam.edu to find out about in-class presentations available. We will custom tailor any of the options below to suit your class’s needs and can develop new materials together.
Career Services Overview with Activity
Students receive an online tour of career services tools, learn about the NACE Career Readiness Competencies, and complete an activity to help focus them on the next step they can take in their education and professional development.
Resume Workshop
Students learn best practices for effective resumes and practice writing strong bullet points to articulate their experiences and strengths they bring to employers.
Cover Letter Workshop
Students learn the purpose and formatting of strong cover letters, and practice writing an introduction to a cover letter.
Jobs and Job Search Tips in Your Field Class
Students learn how to discover careers in their field using career services software, and vetted job boards, and various ways they can effectively search for job listings.
Networking and Elevator Speeches with Activity
Students learn about elevator speeches and networking strategies and create, practice and hone elevator speeches with classmates.
Negotiation Skills with Activity
Students learn about negotiation best practices and participate in a mock negotiation in pairs or small groups.
Professional Correspondence Skills Class
Students learn how best to communicate via writing in professional settings. Emails and thank you notes, letters and resumes, and more are covered.
Participate in career-related faculty training sessions
Career Services Software
Gain awareness of different types of career support software available to students and try using one of our resources.
NACE Competencies and Your Major Area
Spend time considering how your academic area can align with NACE competencies. Plan ways to add a focus on the competencies to course work.
Support students as they make post-graduation plans.
Direct students to available resources when discussing post-graduation and career plans.