The NAU Career Compass, September 2024

What will happen during my Resume/CV appointment with Career Development? This is a perfectly reasonable question, and understandable if you’re the type of person who checks the menu before eating at a new restaurant or takes the time to review each step of directions to navigate to a new location. Knowing what to expect helps you to get the best out of an experience!

While each appointment will vary based on your individual needs, the first thing you’ll do ahead of the appointment is to email your resume to career@nau.edu (don’t worry if you don’t have a resume or if you forget to submit it, we will just start from a blank document). A member of Career Development staff will review your resume for opportunities to improve formatting and wording to ensure your resume is readable and compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). We’ll also review the content of your resume for opportunities to better market your experience and achievements.

We will lead a conversation about your life experiences to identify transferrable skills and achievements, then guide you in creating accomplishment statements that illustrate your qualifications for whomever is reviewing your resume. Optionally, we will help you to tailor your resume to a specific role or opportunity, emphasizing experiences and using keywords that match up with a job description you provide.

Finally, we’ll collaborate with you to complete edits if time allows, strategize how to complete edits after the appointment, or refer you to Handshake to make additional appointments. Need something a little different? Here are some ways we can customize your resume appointment:

• Looking for federal or government jobs? We can help you create a Federal Resume to meet requirements for jobs listed on the official USAJobs.gov website.
• Need a CV? A curriculum vitae, or your life’s work (education, internships, volunteering, grants and scholarships, publications and presentations, etc.) is used for academic or international positions.

NAU Student Employment offers students the opportunity to work for the institution in a variety of different positions (over 4,000!). Often, students seek out opportunities that ‘line up’ with their major or chosen career path. Though that is a wonderful way to connect skill, class room learning, and future goals, we are here to tell you it’s not the only way! ALL student employee positions support students in strengthening the skills employers are looking for in recent graduates. The National Association of Colleges and Employers found the most important skills, or career competencies, by asking employers and universities directly! You are developing these eight skills already!

1. Career & Self-Development
   A key component of career and self-development is displaying curiosity and seeking out opportunities to learn. Applying for and starting in a new role is full of curiosity! By taking advantage of NAU employment, you are seeking out unique ways to learn and grow.
2. Communication
   There are a ton of ways to communicate, especially in a job. Writing emails, answering telephones, talking with a peer or supervisor, voicing when you need help with a task, etc. Effectively communicating is critical to success in any job!
3. Critical Thinking
   We all know critical thinking happens in the classroom, especially with those tricky subjects. But what about in our jobs? Multi-tasking and working in fast-paced environments strengthen critical thinking and allows for growth and development. Making quick decisions and solving problems happens everyday as you may answer emails, support students, or work in the lab on a research project.
4. Equity & Inclusion
   Working in environments with people who are different than us is such a gift. A key to successful inclusion is being open and willing to learn from each other and stretch in discomfort or newness. Asking for feedback and hearing the voices of others allows teams to keep an open mind to diverse ideas and new ways of thinking.
5. Leadership
   It may be challenging to think of yourself as a leader, but we are here to tell you everyone has the ability to motivate and inspire others! Using innovative thinking with new ideas, leading by example, having a positive attitude and tackling tasks with confidence are all key characteristics of leadership.
6. Professionalism
   Do you show up to work on time? Do you pay attention to detail and own errors or mistakes? Are you present and available when you are at work? Then you are demonstrating professionalism! Demonstrating dependability and being able to effectively prioritize competing tasks are skills future employers look for.
7. Teamwork
   Employing your own personal strengths, being willing to compromise, and being accountable are aspects of teamwork. Even if you are the only student employee in your office, you are part of a bigger team of staff and an even bigger team of Lumberjacks across campus!
8. Technology
   Did you know technology is the skill NAU students are least confident in, per a survey offered last year by Career Development? Don’t let it scare you! Student employee positions allow you a safe and comfortable place to learn new systems, processes, and utilize technology in exciting ways.

Having intentional conversations with your supervisor about your strengths, goals, and areas of improvement can help you tap into these skills. You are gaining skills throughout your journey and Career Development is here to help you in articulating those skills and highlighting how they transfer to your future endeavors. In the meantime, here is a Career Readiness Professional Skills Self-Reflection that can help you dive into your strengths, skills, and goals!

Career Development (in the Union, down the hall from Chick-fil-A) is all about internships, and we have exciting events and opportunities for NAU students of all grade levels to find an internship that can get you paid, give you valuable on-the-job experience, and even provide academic credit. Here are some ways that you can get connected with an internship this Fall:

1. Calling all future changemakers! Applications are open to apply for the Arizona Legislative Internship Program. This paid internship takes you to the capitol building in Phoenix where you’ll spend the Spring semester working full-time with a legislative staff member gaining firsthand experience in policymaking, legislative research, and constituent services. This experience not only provides invaluable insights into the workings of state government but also helps you develop critical skills in public administration, communication, and analysis. Participants in this program often find themselves well-prepared for careers in public service, law, and beyond. Make an appointment with our Internship Coordinator Tyler Lawhead to learn more about the program and start your application.
2. Want to work for the federal government? The State Department will be on campus Monday September 9^th and Tuesday September 10^th to share opportunities with the federal agency. The Department of State Fellowships and Internships are ideal for students aspiring to make a global impact. These programs offer internships in U.S. embassies, consulates, and various bureaus within the Department of State. Interns will engage in meaningful work in embassies, consulates, and various bureaus that supports U.S. foreign policy and international relations. From participating in diplomatic missions to assisting in policy development and cultural exchange programs, these internships provide a front-row seat to the intricacies of global diplomacy. This experience is particularly beneficial for students pursuing careers in international affairs, political science, and related fields.
   
   They will be hosting an information session at the Career Development office (in the Union down the hall from Chick Fil A) on Tuesday, September 10th from 3:00 to 4:00pm. Register on Handshake now to get updates and reminders.
   
3. Representatives from the Giffords Fellowship will also be hosting an information session in our office on Thursday, September 19th. Giffords, an organization dedicated to preventing gun violence in the United States, founded by former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, is beginning its recruitment for the 2025 class of Giffords Courage Fellows. For the last six years, Giffords has run the Courage Fellowship, a program designed for young people aging from roughly 18 to 24 years old who are interested in gun violence prevention advocacy that teaches them about the issue, how to be an activist, and gives them the opportunity to lobby on at their state capitol during one of three fly–ins fully funded by Giffords. This year, we have transitioned to a state–based approach to the fellowship and are creating our first Arizona–only class of Courage Fellows. To learn more, contact Ellie Raspet at eraspet@giffords.org. Register now on Handshake.

4. Chat with recruiters while you grab some coffee and cookies right outside the Hotspot! Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the Union, Career Development hosts one recruiter on campus to chat with students about jobs and internships that they’re hiring for. It’s called Career Coffee Corner! Drop by next time you’re grabbing lunch in the Union. Oh, and Tuesdays is typically internship day! You can also see all of Career Coffee Corner recruiters coming for the entire semester on Handshake.Another way to meet with recruiters is during our Part-Time Opportunities Fair on Thursday August 22^nd from 10:30am-2:30pm in the University Fieldhouse. You don’t want to miss this event! Register here. If you’d like 1-1 support with finding an internship, you can make an appointment with our office in Handshake.

We hope you enjoyed the fair! Go Jacks!

By engaging with NAU Career Development throughout their entire academic journey, students can make well-informed decisions, develop essential transferable skills, and build a robust professional network, ultimately leading to a successful transition into their chosen career path.  The follow benefits are waiting for students at every career fair and event:

Goal Setting: Early visits help students set career goals and plan their academic paths accordingly.

Awareness of Opportunities: Students become aware of internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer opportunities early on and can assure those valuable experiential learning experiences will fit within their degree progression plan.

Resume Building: Regular attendance ensures that students continually update and refine their resumes with new experiences and skills.

Interview Preparation: Ongoing practice and feedback from mock interviews and networking at career fairs enhances student confidence and performance.

Building Connections and Networking: Students can start networking with potential employers, alumni, and professionals from their freshman year.

Mentorship: Early engagement helps in finding mentors who can guide students throughout their college journey.

Access to Student Resources through NAU Career Development: Students can make an appointment to meet with our staff for in-person career readiness and preparation appointment, such as resume review, career/major exploration, and interviewing.

Competitive Edge: Early interaction provides students with information on internships and both on and off campus job openings.

Experience Accumulation: Securing internships, part-time jobs and volunteer opportunities can build a strong portfolio of work experience.

Market Trends: Students stay informed about the latest trends and demands in the job market.

Adaptability and Adjusting Plans: Continuous interaction allows students to adjust their major and/or career plans based on new interests or emerging industries.

Professional Development: Regular support from career advisors helps build self-confidence and professional demeanor.

Stress Reduction: Gradual preparation reduces the stress and pressure associated with job hunting in the senior year.

The NAU Career Development Office holds 5 career fairs each academic year:

• NAU Part-Time Opportunities Fair – Fall 2024
• NAU Career & Graduate School Fair – Fall 2024
• NAU Part-Time Opportunities Fair – Spring 2025
• NAU Career & Graduate School Fair – Spring 2025
• NAU Virtual Career Fair

We also host individual employers on campus for Career Coffee Corner on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  It’s a great opportunity for networking with employers in the NAU University Union.

Please visit our Career Events landing page for more information on all our events. We look forward to seeing you there!