Office for Discovery and Professional Development

Mission

The mission of the Office of Career Development is to assist students with their Career Readiness through innovative and tailored programs, services, and strategic partnerships in the community and our broad alumni network.

Vision: To equip students with the skills necessary to explore, discern, and engage in purposeful careers that meet their personal and professional needs as well as enable them to be men and women for others.

The role of the Office for Discovery and Professional Development is to serve the needs of students and alumni of Spring Hill College, assist faculty with professional development programming, and liaise between job seekers and employers.

Services

The Office for Discovery and Professional Development provides a wide variety of services to SHC students and alumni, including: 

• Resume & Cover Letter Critiques 
• Major & Career Exploration 
• Professional Etiquette & Networking 
• Employer Communication & Research 
• Salary Negotiation 
• Interview Prep 
• Graduate/Professional School 
• Exploration Job & Internship Searching 
• Social Media & LinkedIn Tips 
• Career Fair Prep Evaluating Job Offers

Are you an SHC alumnus needing career assistance? SHC alumni enjoy life-long professional development services. We also look for alumni to assist current students with their career development, including:

• Facilitating career readiness programs
• Mentoring current students in the career process
• Job shadowing or internship opportunities

Contact the Office for Discovery and Professional Development today at careerdevelopment@shc.edu or by calling 251.380.3474. 

Career Readiness Competencies

The career readiness of college graduates is an important issue in higher education, in the labor market, and in the public arena. Yet, until recently, “career readiness” had been largely undefined, making it difficult for leaders in higher education, workforce development, and public policy to work together effectively to ensure the career readiness of today’s graduates.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers, through a task force of college career services and HR/staffing professionals, has developed a definition, based on extensive research among employers, and identified eight competencies associated with career readiness. (Details about the research are available here.)

Career Readiness is the attainment and demonstration of requisite competencies that broadly prepare college graduates for a successful transition into the workplace. Competencies can be developed through student leadership, civic engagement, and employment/internships. Job seekers are encouraged to consider how they can expressly demonstrate career competencies when writing resumes, cover letters, and interviewing.

Source: NACEweb

Job Hunting Resources

The Office for Discovery and Professional Development is here to help you prepare for any employment opportunity by helping you with your resume/CV/cover letter, preparing you for the interview, and showing you how to build your professional network.

Handshake is a valuable tool! In this easy-to-use mobile app, you can find amazing jobs and internships and keep up with Career Development Center events.

Handshake

• Represents the primary recruiting platform for more than 300,000 employers of all shapes and sizes, including all of the Fortune 500 companies.
• Let’s you tap into a network of large companies, start-ups, and nonprofits that spans all 50 states and 165 countries.
• Makes it easy to find potential jobs and internships through its search tool. More than 700,000 internship and job opportunities were shared in the last year.
• Lets you market yourself to employers by creating a professional profile that will help you stand out.
• Sends you personalized career recommendations based on your interests and network to identify new opportunities.

Ready to get started? Click HERE to Get Started using Handshake!

Handshake Technical Support

If you need technical support, take a moment to review the Handshake Help Center. Handshake representatives are readily available to troubleshoot for you! You can reach out by selecting the Help link in the blue navigation bar at the top of your Handshake screen. You can also contact the Office for Discovery and Professional Development at careerdevelopment@shc.edu or at (251) 380-3474 for any questions.

Please note: Handshake is best viewed with Chrome, Firefox, IE, and Safari.

Resume and Cover Letters

Once you’ve found a job or internship opportunity that interests you, your next step is to craft effective application materials. You should also prepare to demonstrate your professionalism and explain how you are qualified for the position in an interview with the employer. The Office for Discovery and Professional Development offers a series of tools below to help you with these phases of the application process. We highly encourage you to make an appointment with career development to discuss the position, review your application materials, and practice interviewing.

Resumes

A resume is intended to give an employer a snapshot of your background as it is relevant to a particular position. You may need more than one version of your resume if you are applying for positions in different fields.

• Resume Guide for Students
• Resume Template for Students
• Online Applicant Tracking System Tips and Tricks

Cover Letters

A cover letter gives an employer a sample of your ability to write clearly and concisely. It is your chance to expand on your most relevant experience as well as show your enthusiasm for and interest in the position. A cover letter can truly make or break your application, so remember: If you are serious about getting the job, your cover letter must be tailored for each position.

• Cover Letter Guide for Students
• Cover Letter Example

Events and Networking

Week of Welcome: On-Campus Part-Time Job, Internship, and Work-Study Fair

When: Tuesday, August 23, 2022, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Location: LeBlanc, Barter Student Center

Interested in working on campus, obtaining a part-time job, or internship? If yes, then this event is for you! This event is open to all SHC students and all majors are welcome! Representatives from SHC departments and local employers will be available to meet with students about part-time, work-study, and internship opportunities!

Employers, interested in participating? Please register through Handshake!

Don’t wait to register, spots are limited and there is NO registration fee!

#BadgersWork: Mini Career Fair Series

The Spring Hill College Office for Discovery and Professional Development is pleased to invite you to the Fall 2022 #BadgersWork Mini Career Fair Series!

This in-person event will take place over 5 days and will be organized broadly by industry:

• Badgers Work: Education– Tuesday, October 18, from 3 pm to 4:30 pm
• Badgers Work: All Business– Thursday, October 20, from 11 am to 1 pm
• Badgers Work: Non-Profit, Government & Service- Tuesday, October 25, from 11 am to 1 pm
• Badgers Work: STEM & Healthcare – Wednesday, October 26, 2022, from 11 am to 2 pm
• Badgers Work: Creative Industries– Thursday, October 27, from 11 am to 1 pm

Join us to connect with talented students and alumni from the Badger Community! With undergraduate and graduate degree programs, this is an opportunity for local and national employers to engage, recruit Spring Hill College students, and find the talent they need!

Be sure to register as soon as possible! Space is limited and there is NO registration fee!

An Afternoon with an Employer

Ready to connect with SHC Students face-to-face? An Afternoon with an Employer program features opportunities for you to meet students through on-campus recruiting, including information sessions, professional development workshops, and recruitment tables.  The Office for Discovery and Professional Development will promote your visit to campus and reach out to students.

This event will take place in the heavily trafficked Barter Student Center lobby during Common Hour, between 11:30 AM and 1:15 PM, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is the best opportunity for recruiters to reach students as they are out of class. 

To register for an Afternoon with an Employer recruitment table, please click the link below.

An Afternoon with an Employer Registration Form

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