Unlock Your Potential: UC’s Bearcat Promise Career Studio
Written by Serigne Thiam, Graduate Assistant for the Graduate College
Jordan Cunningham, first year mental health counseling master's student and Bearcat Promise Career Studio graduate assistant.
With an increasingly competitive job market, are you ready to level up your career game? Well, UC has an auspiciously adept resource for you. A resource that’s been hiding in plain sight, and one that can supercharge your portfolio, resume, and even refine your interviewing skills. The Bearcat Promise Career Studio is a place where you can enjoy career planning, coaching, and several tools and resources. Housed in the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS), the studio is your one-stop shop for professional development. We sat down with Jordan Cunningham, CCPS graduate assistant, to uncover this innovative gem and to express how you can use the Career Studio to help you stand out amongst the competition.
How can graduate students maximize the resources of the Career Studio?
Graduate students can maximize the resources of the Career Studio by first visiting the studio and familiarizing themselves with the location and available resources. As a current graduate student, I had no idea what the Career Studio was or the resources it provides before I started working here. Meeting with professional career coaches can provide valuable personalized guidance on career planning, resume building, and interview preparation. Additionally, online tools like BigInterview and Handshake offer great resources to help students prepare for their careers and ease the transition after graduation.
Additionally, I believe all graduate students should participate in career fairs. These events offer opportunities to explore various organizations and employers, network, and build personal connections. Participating in career events and workshops provides valuable opportunities to connect with potential employers. You never know if the person you’re conversing with could lead you to your next position or a new career path.
Students can receive free professional clothing via the career closet.
Do you feel students are adequately aware of the services provided by the Career Studio?
When it comes to the Career Studio, students are often unaware of of our many resources. which can provide assistance without the need to come into the studio or schedule appointments.
For example, whenever I work with students on refining their resumes and show them some online resume templates, they are often surprised. They’ll express that they did not know this resource existed or that they had access to it. Or even when students walk in and see our career closet, that usually catches a few eyes.
Reservable, soundproof interview booths.
BigInterview is an online virtual interview practice tool that simulates the real-life interview process. This tool helps students improve their interview skills and build confidence. Filler words like "umm," "like," and "so" often slip into our speech during interviews. BigInterview detects these habits and alerts users, helping them avoid such phrases and project the confidence employers value in real interviews. Students can then apply these tips and more with our reservable, soundproof interview booths.
What are some common career-related challenges students face, and how does the Career studio help address them?
Some common career-related challenges students face include refining their career development documents, such as resumes and cover letters. In my experience, many students struggle to secure a job despite having impressive experiences. The Career Studio helps students by providing resources to assist with career development documents and teaching them how to comfortably and confidently pitch themselves to employers and companies. This preparation ensures that when students engage in these interactions and conversations, they can walk away feeling good, knowing they have professionally represented themselves. By coming into the Career Studio and working with staff and professionals to practice and prepare for these interactions, students can begin to work through the natural nerves that come with networking. This practice helps build confidence in talking about and showcasing their skills and interests.
Professional photo booth.
What is your favorite student resource of the Career Studio?
One of my favorite student resources at the Bearcat Promise Career Studio is the headshot booth, which is also one of the more popular services we offer. Students can get a professional headshot taken in the Career Studio. Within 5-10 minutes, they receive the image to upload to their online professional profiles. It may seem simple, but adding a professional photo can help you stand out while building your personal brand, leading to lasting impressions and potential connections. In my opinion, a student with an online profile that includes a professional headshot is likely to have a higher advantage than one without.
Additionally, the resource of one-on-one career coaching is extremely valuable and beneficial for students, regardless of where they are in their educational journey. Having the option to receive personalized guidance outside of academic advising regarding career goals is incredibly beneficial in helping students feel comfortable and confident in formulating a clear career path.
With the spring semester approaching, based upon your experience in the career studio, what are some of the best ways graduate students can position themselves for upcoming career opportunities?
The best way graduate students can position themselves for upcoming career opportunities is to network both in person and online. Many students, including myself at one time, do not network as often or intentionally as we should, which limits our ability to access those hidden positions that interest us. I can’t recommend enough that students, especially graduate students, have professional profiles on websites like Handshake and LinkedIn. These platforms allow you to market yourself professionally to others you don’t interact with on a daily basis.
Promising Resources
The Bearcat Promise Career Studio provides a variety of services to UC students, including:
Drop-In Hours: Stop by the Career Studio in TUC 310.
Individual Career Coaching: Career Coaches provide free career coaching on a wide variety of career topics, like salary negotiation and job offers. Request an appointment today.
Interstride: An iteractive tool to enhance the international experience and employment potential.
ResumeAI: BigInterview is an online tool that lets you practice job interviews. The ResumeAI tool provides feedback on your resume and suggestions to improve it based on an AI scoring guide.