Are you a current student wondering where you’re headed after graduation? Are you confused and overwhelmed about where to start when it comes to transitioning from college to a career?
Whether you’re a current student or an alumnus, planning your next steps post college can be stressful. But, it doesn’t have to be. The University of Oklahoma Career Center offers an array of in-person and online services to help you get on the right path, no matter where you are in your journey and no matter your physical location.
“Whether you are a new student, transfer student or current student, seasoned professional, veteran or recent alum, our office is here to assist you,” said Debbie Boles, senior assistant director for the OU Career Center and career liaison for the OU College of Professional and Continuing Studies. “Career resources and services are available online through our website and Handshake.”
The OU Career Center offers free customized career advice that will help guide you in your decisions, whether its career exploration or nailing a job interview. Following are a few of the services you’ll want to take advantage of, whether you’re a current student or a recent alumnus.
Handshake
Handshake allows you to access online resources all in one place. Students, as well as alumni who have graduated within the last three years, have access to Handshake at no cost. If you’re a current student, just log into Handshake using your 4x4 and password.
Alumni more than three years out are also eligible for access to Handshake and its included services by requesting an OU alumni email address and signing up for an account.
Once logged in, you can access the following services, no matter where you are:
- Appointments with your career adviser (Zoom, phone or email)
- Resume checks
- Mock interviews
- Career planning
- Career fairs and events
- Apply for jobs and internships
- On-campus interviews
Other Online Resources
Not only can you plan your career fields, organize your resumes and practice job interviews, but you can also use several search engines to look for jobs on a national and global level. Some of those resources include:
“Whether you are a new student, transfer student or current student, seasoned professional, veteran or recent alum, our office is here to assist you. Career resources and services are available online through our website and Handshake.”
- Career Shift
- GoinGlobal and GoinGlobalUSA
- Passport Career
- Internships.com
- Art Search
- Optimal Interview/Optimal Resume
- InstaCareers Toolkit
The OU Career Center website also offers additional resources, including:
- Career Paths
- Career Planning
- What Can I Do With This Major?
- Job Search Guide
- Helpful Handouts
- Online Career Research Resources
Career Communities
One of the newest resources offered by the OU Career Center is Career Communities, where you can search for jobs based on industry rather than your major. By choosing one of six career communities, you are connected to specialized advising, career resources, job opportunities, networking events and more.
“These communities help students narrow their career aspirations into manageable and relevant fields of interest,” said Boles. “Students are encouraged to explore more than one Career Community.”
If you’re not sure which path you want to take, you can find information and support through the Exploration Community.
LinkedIn Learning
Another service OU community members don’t always realize they have access to is LinkedIn Learning. This service is also free for current students. Just sign in with your OU email address.
LinkedIn Learning offers a variety of subjects and courses taught by instructors with real-world experience. You can even add certificates of completion from the courses to your LinkedIn profile.
In addition to its many online features, students can always meet with a staff member in person at the Oklahoma Memorial Union, Suite 323. For more information, including directions and operating hours, visit the OU Career Center website.
Have questions or need help with these services? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Boles by sending an email to dboles@ou.edu. Make sure to include your name in the subject line.
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies offers University of Oklahoma degrees 100% online. Learn more at PACS.OU.EDU, or bookmark the Resources section of the PACS blog for regular news and updates about the resources available to you as an OU student.
