Top 6 Reasons to Visit Your Career Center

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Stephanie Fallas, undergraduate advisor, Chinsin Sim, a communication major, receives advising on Tuesday December 10, 20
Stephanie Fallas, undergraduate advisor, advises Chinsin Sim, a communication major, at UC Davis. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)

Career centers help you navigate college and beyond

As you prepare to graduate from high school, everyone asks you questions: Are you going to college? Where? What are you going to major in? What do you want to do for a career? 

By the time you arrive on campus, you should have answered two of those questions. To prepare for the rest, an entire department on most college campuses is there to help you choose a major and prepare for your next step after college. At UC Davis, this department is called the Internship and Career Center (also known as the ICC). The ICC is a first-class career center, with hundreds of internships opportunities and other services to walk with you toward your next step after college. 

Below are the top six reasons to visit the ICC in South Hall:

1. Career centers help you prep for career fairs

Julie McGilvray, Undergraduate Advisor for the Arts meet with Devon Bradshaw, a double major in Music and Statistics.
Julie McGilvray, undergraduate advisor for the arts, meets with Devon Bradshaw, a double major in music and statistics. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

The ICC hosts several career fairs each academic year to connect students and employers. Each general fair has 100 to 150 employers with top companies attending, such as Apple, Facebook, Genentech, Intel and many more. The ICC hosts several "Prepare for the Fair" workshops before each fair to help you get ready. The workshop includes information about how to dress, how to introduce yourself to an employer, thank you notes and more. Additionally, we offer two days of Resume Boost before each fair to help you get your resume in tip-top shape. 

2. Learn when employers visit campus at your career center

Alumna Colleen Hiner (red shirt) and Master's candidate Ryan Mayfield (gray sweater) practice their introductions during a GradPathways workshop in South Hall on June 11, 2013. The workshop is preparing students for an upcoming on campus job fair.
Alumna Colleen Hiner (red shirt) and master’s candidate Ryan Mayfield (gray sweater) practice their introductions during a GradPathways workshop in South Hall. The workshop is preparing students for an upcoming on campus job fair. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

Career centers often host company information sessions or participate in other networking events. Hundreds of companies visit campus each year to attend career fairs, to host company information sessions and to hold on campus interviews. Handshake is the best place to see when and which companies will be visiting campus.

3. Have your resume reviewed by an expert

5.	Hong Dao, Student affairs officer for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences participates in a role playing exercise during a Professional Development workshop for academic advisers in Hoagland Hall on Novemeber22, 2016. Karin Higgins/UC Davis
Hong Dao, Student affairs officer for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences participates in a role playing exercise during a professional development workshop for academic advisers in Hoagland Hall. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

Writing a resume is hard, and you want it to be a strong marketing piece. Having your documents reviewed is the best way to make sure your materials are ready to go. Meet with an ICC staff member to have your resume, cover letter and other application documents reviewed before submitting. 

4. Explore which careers are a good fit

2.	Maria Sandate-Reyes, a third year plant sciences major, poses for a photo at the Veg Crops greenhouses on May 21, 2018. Sandate-Reyes is an intern, working with Garry Pearson, the lead greenhouse manager for CA&ES. She wants to be a Pest Control Advisor. Karin Higgins/UC Davis
Maria Sandate-Reyes, a third year plant sciences major, poses for a photo at the Veg Crops greenhouses. Sandate-Reyes is an intern, working with Garry Pearson, the lead greenhouse manager for CA&ES. She wants to be a pest control advisor. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

ICC staff are available to help you explore and design a career that will be a good fit for you. In addition, we teach several career-related courses. Talk to your academic advisor to see what might be the best option for you. Also, check out the ICC’s industry pages.

5. Build a mentorship with a career advisor 

3.	Managerial Economics majors Kristi Juwono (floral shirt) and Anshita Jain (pink shirt) are photographed with their bikes near the Social Sciences building on July 1, 2016. ALthough both women are from Jakarta, Indonesia, they didn't become friends until meeting at UC Davis. They are both peer advisors.  Karin Higgins/UC Davis
Managerial economics majors Kristi Juwono (floral shirt) and Anshita Jain (pink shirt) are photographed with their bikes near the Social Sciences building. Although both women are from Jakarta, Indonesia, they didn't become friends until meeting at UC Davis. They are both peer advisors. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

The ICC has a team of professional and student advisors available to meet with you to talk through your career questions. Appointments to meet with professional advisors can be made through Handshake, and student staff advisors are available on a drop-in basis Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

6. Attend workshops and studios at your career center

summer advising
Summer advising at UC Davis. (Debbie Aldridge/UC Davis)

At our workshops and studios, topics include “Resume and Interview Basics,” “Cover Letters and Professional Correspondence,” “Hacking the Hidden Job Market,” “Finding a Job or Internship,” “Prepare for the Fair” and a “LinkedIn and Resume and Cover Letter Studio.”

In addition to these services, check out Handshake to find a job or internship. Handshake is where students and employers connect online. Visit us in South Hall if you need help using the platform.

Hope to see you in South Hall soon, and don’t forget to check out the ICC’s website to help plan for your career.


Andrea Hanson is the associate director of the UC Davis Internship and Career Center.

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