Most, if not entire, college students share the similar goal. Upon completing their degrees, if not going on to attain even greater levels of education, they need to pursue careers. Most colleges and universities have career services offices, which may be alternatively termed as a career center, career placement office, or career office. Regardless of the name, this office offers a variety of services to help students (and often alumni) meet that goal. Here are certain basic ones you can expect from your college’s career services offices.

If you are shopping around for a college, you might need to make sure yours provides these services.

Career Services Offices

• Career Decision Making: a counselor at the career services offices can assist you choose a career, whether you have no idea about what you need to do or are leaning toward a specific occupation. He or she will use self-assessment tools to examine your values, personality, interests, and abilities and then, based on the results, either suggest some possible options or help you figure out if the career you have in mind is suitable for you. The career counselor will subsequently help you decide what academic major will help you meet your goals.

• Career Exploration: You can go to the career services offices to learn about several occupations which is something you will have to do when you are trying to decide which one to choose. A counselor will point you toward resources that you can use to gather data that should include a job description, educational and other job requirements, earnings and job outlook. Career services offices commonly maintain libraries that contain career-related information. Most maintain websites that direct you to that information online. The career services offices should also have a database of alumni who are willing to discuss their careers with current students.

• Resume Writing / Cover Letter Writing: Career services offices assist students write their resumes and cover letters. They often conduct workshops and give one-on-one sessions during which they critique resumes and cover letters.
• Job Interview Preparation: Career services offices normally sponsor workshops to help you learn how to present yourself well in a job interview. They sometimes provide mock interviewing sessions where you can practice your skills.