Explore Careers

Use the below tools to find your interests and values.

Update your Resume and Cover Letter

Tailoring your resume and cover letter helps employers quickly understand why you are a good match for their job. It also helps your application get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which is a software many employers use to scan for keywords and skills that match the job description, before a human ever sees it.

Create or Update Your Professional Profiles

Keeping your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles up to date helps you get noticed by employers and show you customized opportunities—so you spend less time searching and more time applying to roles that make sense for you.

Handshake

At a minimum, keep these Handshake preferences updated to get better‑matched jobs and recruiter messages:

• The type of role you’re looking for (internship, part‑time, or full‑time)
• The location(s) where you’d like to work
• The job roles or career areas you want to explore

LinkedIn

Follow this checklist:

• Profile picture: Use a clear, professional photo. Business casual is fine—smile and face the camera
• Headline: Add keywords that reflect your interests or career goals
• About section: Write a short summary of your interests, experiences, and what motivates you
• Experience: Use résumé‑style bullet points to show skills and impact
• Education: Include your school, degree, major(s), and expected graduation date
• Skills: Add relevant skills that connect to the roles you’re exploring
• Connections: Grow your network and add a brief message when connecting with new people
• Banner image: Use a simple design or template to personalize your profile

For more help updating your Handshake or LinkedIn profile

Job and Internship Search Best Practices

• Tailor every application
  • Adjust your resume and cover letter to mirror the skills, language, and qualifications in the job description.
• Apply early
  • Submit applications as soon as postings open—early applicants often receive earlier review
• Track and follow up
  • Keep a spreadsheet or job‑search tracker with deadlines, contacts, and follow‑up dates
• Set a weekly routine
  • Dedicate specific time each week to applying, networking, and researching so the search stays manageable.
• Set Job Alerts
  • Updating your job preferences and setting job alerts will send you opportunities automatically instead of searching nonstop.
  • Learn how to:
    • Update your preferences in Handshake and uConnect
    • Set job alerts on LinkedIn

For help customizing your search

Networking

• Connect with alumni
  • Use LinkedIn or Ask A Scot to find alumni working in roles, organizations, or industries your interested in
  • Request a 20–30 minute informational interview to learn about career paths, hiring trends, and advice. Do not to ask for a job
• Attend employer events
  • Participate in career fairs, info sessions, panels, and webinars to ask questions and make yourself visible
• Ask faculty and mentors:
  • Ask about industry connections, research collaborators, and organizations