Category Archives: Rana Campbell ’13

Rana Campbell ’13, Major: Sociology. Lives in Mathey. Her favorite inspirational quote is: “Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it.”- Danny Kaye

Seniors, what are your post-graduation plans?

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Wow, I can’t believe it. Three years ago, as a sophomore, I began working in Career Services as a Communications and Marketing intern. During this time, I learned so many new skills in the communications arena. I know so much more about social media and social media marketing as well as a lot of other facets of being a GREAT communications professional. I had the opportunity to assist at many Career Services events where I got to connect with so many alumni and employers over the years—and, of course, the Career Services staff. This is one of the things I will miss most about this job.

I’ve loved working with each and every member of the Career Services team. During my time in the office each week, I was able to talk to about life on and off-campus as well as get answers to my many career-related questions. I urge anyone who has not taken the time to visit the office to meet the staff and make use of its many resources to do so ASAP. You are truly doing yourself a disservice if you don’t!

For my last blog, I decided to hit campus to talk to fellow seniors about their post-graduation plans.  I wanted to know all the cool and exciting things my fellow seniors will be pursuing after they leave Princeton.  Some students are planning to head off to full time employment after graduation, while others are planning to travel and do cool programs such as Princeton In Asia. Not every senior knows what they are doing after graduation just yet and that’s totally fine. Some are still considering their options and/or developing a plan of action for their post-graduation job search. Others have decided to take the summer off for some much needed R&R.

So what will I be doing next year? Great Question. I am pleased to announce that next year I will be a Puttkammer Fellow at the Vera Institute of Justice in New York City.  I will be working with the Center on Sentencing and Corrections helping with the Pathways from Prison to Postsecondary Education project as well as helping to develop a volunteer-based education model that will be implemented in three different U.S. states. I’ll also be dipping my feet into some cool social media and media relations projects! I’m so excited for my next year at the Vera Institute and hope to blog there, too.  I am also in the process of developing my own brand management/social media consultant freelance services company. I’m hoping to take this passion of my mine and turn it into something bigger!

For those who don’t have a clear sense of what path you want to pursue just yet, my advice to you is not to worry. You’ll figure it out.  For those who do know– good luck!  I hope you pursue your passions and embark on a journey that will yield much success for you in the future. We made it, you guys! We’ve finally reached what we have been working so hard for the last four years… so do well on those finals and I’ll see you all at graduation!  To my readers, I want to thank you for following my blog. This is a not goodbye, but rather, see you later.

I’m only an email or a tweet away. If you want to stay in contact with me, feel free to connect with me on Linkedin or via email at ranaelyse@gmail.com. Also, make sure to follow me on Twitter (@rainshineluv).  I know the next year will be filled with many great opportunities. Thank you Career Services! Thank you Princeton! Thank you to everyone who has helped and guided me to where I am now.

~ On behalf of the entire Career Services’ staff, we wish Rana Campbell ’13 all of the very best! We will truly miss her in Career Services!

Question of the Week # 9: “How do I manage looking for a job and writing my thesis?”

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“How do I manage looking for a job and writing my thesis?”  – Mary Adeogun ‘13

If you are a senior like me, you have a lot on your plate right now! Between classes, finishing your thesis, and staying involved in extracurriculars, it’s hard to find time for something really important to most seniors… the JOB SEARCH. There’s a lot that you have to do and not a lot of time to actually do it.  Though this time of the year can be especially busy, it is important to try to keep a balance and prioritize. Your job search is similar to any other endeavor in that your results will be directly proportionate to the amount of time and effort you expend. Don’t forget to leave time each week for your job search tasks.  Here are some easy tips to manage your time efficiently.

  1. Make your breaks worthwhile. It’s not reasonable to think that you can write for 24 hours straight (and it’s not good on your eyes).  Typing activityWrite in one hour chunks and thentake a break. Trust me, you’ll be more productive if you set realistic goals. Make your breaks something that you can look forward to. Maybe one of your breaks can be looking up jobs using social media networks. Create a daily schedule of breaks and make sure to include at least 2-3 (20-minute) blocks of time that you dedicate to looking for jobs. If you want it to happen, and you plan for it, it will!  Set alarms on your phone to remind you when these breaks will happen.
  2. Make an appointment with a Career Counselor.   Arrange some time to get away from academic work. Career counselors are here to help you. Maybe you need someone to vent to about your job search worries? Maybe you need someone to help refine your job search strategies? Take this time to get completely away from your thesis for thirty minutes. The Career Services office is pretty relaxing (it’s definitely better than being stuck in your dungeon-like carrel) and provides a change of scenery for thesis-stressed minds. You will also feel good about making the time to do something for yourself and focusing on life after Princeton.
  3. Set up Search Agents & Subscribe to Industry Newsletters.  You might be too busy to comb websites daily for the latest openings. Aggregating content is a great way to save time.  Make sure your TigerTracks profile is up to date based on your current interests (these may have evolved over the four years since your profile was created). You will receive emails as opportunities in your field of interest are posted. In addition, you can usually set up job search agents on company sites or other job boards. You can set up how frequent you want alerts. Another useful tip is to subscribe to industry newsletters. As someone who is interested in media and communications, I subscribe to the Mediabistro daily newsletter.  I like to set aside some time each day to read through my emails and check out what’s happening in the industry. This is a great way to keep up-to-date and save time while doing so. Because you are so busy right now, let the information come to you!
  4. Listen to Career Talks Online While Writing.  You might be the type of person who likes to listen to music while writing. While this is great for focusing, why not change around what’s coming into your sensory pathways? The Internet is filled with career-focused webinars, career advice videos, and professional testimonials that are available for free. Instead of opening iTunes, try listening to an inspirational career talk.  Not only will you be writing your thesis but you will also be gaining useful career information and advice.bigstockphoto_Graduation__1766172
  5. Relax. One of the best things you can do during this time period is to just relax! You will be able to get everything done—from your thesis to your job search. The latter may take a little time, but just remember to keep positive through everything. Graduation is right around the corner!

Question of the Week # 8: “Why is it important to connect with alumni?”

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Throughout your time at Princeton, you will meet so many people who will have an impact on your future. One of the groups that can be extremely helpful in the “career sphere,” in particular, is alumni. Princeton alumni are great — they want to see and help other Princetonians excel in the world. They are also extremely well connected and want to help leverage their networks in order to give back to their beloved alma mater’s students. Throughout my four years at Princeton, I’ve reached out and stayed in touch with many alumni — and have seen positive results through each interaction.

9708Tonight, Career Services is hosting their annual “Alumni Connections” student-alumni networking at Prospect House from 6-8 pm. Over 40 Princeton alumni from a host of industries and fields will be in attendance. Come learn how their major influenced their post-Princeton choice and also get advice on how to pursue your own career interests! RSVP today if you already haven’t. This is the largest student-alumni networking event of the year and you do not want to miss it! Tables are arranged by industry and each student will receive a booklet with biographical information of the alumni participants.

Last year, I scoured the Alumni Career Network (ACN) and set up interviews with alumni in my field of interest. (Of course, I blogged about this and you can read all about it here.) This is a searchable database of Princeton Alum who have volunteered to provide career-related advice to Princeton alumni and students. There are over 4800 volunteers worldwide!

In addition to the alumni volunteers in the ACN, it is also important to maintain your connection to “soon-to-be alums,” or graduating seniors. Some of my closest alum contacts/friends are from groups on campus. Since we were already friends (or acquaintances) on campus before they 9823graduated, I always make sure I get their phone number or stay connected to them through Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. I made an effort to check in with them every few months to see how they were doing. Another perk is that since these alums already know me in such a personal capacity, they have been really influential and helpful throughout my time here. I feel very comfortable going to them to ask for both school and “real world” advice. They also are closer to my age so the Princeton experience (both highs and lows) is still pretty fresh for them.

Another important aspect of reaching out to alumni is the help they can give during the job and internship search. Want to speak to someone in a field you are interested in? Want some general career advice? Need help connecting in a new city? Want real job search strategies from a Princetonian? Alumni can help with all of this! Career Services also offers so many other student-alumni engagement programs you can check out: Princeternship, Princeton-in-Washington, the IMAGINE Speaker Series, and Alumni Panel Events based on Industries.

9907If you want some more advice on how you can connect with alumni, make an appointment with a career counselor. A career counselor might be able to give you targeted suggestions based on your needs and interests.

Hope to see you all tonight at Alumni Connections!

Question of the Week # 7: What are some unexpected career paths for liberal arts majors?

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Question of the Week #7: What are some unexpected career paths for liberal arts majors? – Emanuel Castaneda ‘16

As you may know, Emanuel, career paths are not always perfectly linear. For instance, you may not know where you will be career-wise five years down the road.  In From Bullfighting to Finance, Carmen Bermudez gives a great portrait of her career path and shows that where one starts out may not be necessarily where one ends up! With a liberal arts degree, the path to one’s “ultimate” career usually involves many twists and turns. This is primarily because liberal arts majors are extremely well rounded and suited for positions in a variety of industries. Here at Princeton, liberal arts majors aren’t only well versed in their specific major, but they have developed analytical, writing, problem solving, research, and communication skills—all traits that are extremely valuable in today’s job market! Don’t believe me? Check out this great Daily Finance article What Good Is a Liberal Arts Degree in the Job Market?.  Author Vanessa Richardson outlines some great techniques for liberal arts majors as they explore their career options. Here are some highlights from her article:

  • Believe in your degree
  • Sharpen your skills
  • Market your skills
  • Give your skills a boost
  • Draft a portfolio and cover letter that shows off your degree
  • Determine whether you need more education

Another resource that can help you explore some “unexpected career paths” is the Links by Industry page on the Career Services’ website.  Career Services’ posts links to a host of industries that might not be typical for liberal arts majors. Some that really caught my attention were the following: TV, Film, Entertainment, Religion, Sports-related, Manufacturing, Fashion, and Pharmaceuticals & BioTech. The Career Services Annual Report is also a great place to learn about the post-graduation career plans of graduating Princeton seniors.  Students reported accepting positions in fields such as Retail Trade, Health Care & Social Assistance, Information, Educational Services, Construction, Public Administration, and many more! Also included in the 2012 Summer Experience Report that offers a look at the types of summer opportunities Princeton students have pursued. Take a look at these publications to get a better feel for the types of industries hiring Princeton students and graduates.

All career paths can in some ways be deemed “unexpected.” Unless you have very solidified career goals such as going to medical school to become a physician or law school to become a lawyer, there really is no set equation that can predict where you end up. My advice to you is to really use your liberal arts education to become a well-rounded student and person. Take classes that both challenge and interest you. Try to amass and refine your skills so that you can be marketable in the job market later on. In “Strengthen Those Soft Skills” on the SavvyIntern site, author Dave Ellis points out that employers are seeking candidates with the soft skills gleaned through a liberal arts curricula. Seek out opportunities such as extracurricular activities, internships, and even volunteer work where you can further develop these skills, make connections and turn interests into passions. Sometimes the best career information may come from out of the box thinking or unconventional experiences. (For example, take a look at this great article about how one woman’s volunteer experience turned into a career opportunity).  Don’t limit your options—explore them while you are in school so you will plenty of future opportunities to choose from.

Make sure to set up an appointment with a career counselor today to speak one-on-one to someone who can help you get started exploring your interests. There are also lots of programs and resources for freshmen such as you to get the ball rolling. Check out Career Services’ infographic “Freshmen Year: 12 Steps to Begin Your Career Development,” for specific steps you can take now. (In fact, you should consider applying for a Princeternship as a great way for you to get an inside look at different career paths and receive invaluable advice from alumni. Applications are now live on TigerTracks!)

Hope this helps, Emanuel.

Question of the Week #6: Is it too late to look for summer internships after exams?

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Is it too late to look for summer internships after exams?
–  Paul Riley  ‘15

Thanks, Paul! A lot of students have the same question on their minds—so, I think your question is very timely and important.

No, it is NOT too late to look for summer internships!  Although some of your friends have already secured summer jobs, a lot of industries and companies are still actively recruiting students for summer positions.  With that being said, you still need to begin looking as soon as possible! Though internships can still be found, application deadlines vary. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity because you didn’t know when the deadline was! Here are my quick tips on how you can START your internship search now.

  1. Make a list of your interests. What do you like to do? Where do you want to work? Before you start looking, you want to have an idea of the type of opportunities you are looking for.  Also, remember to keep your options open. Instead of looking for only paid internships, also look at unpaid opportunities. Set on staying in the U.S.? Why not research international internships, too? Don’t box yourself in too early.
  2. Check out the Online Resources page on the Career Services’ website. This is a great one-stop portal to a list of industry search engines that can help your internship search.  Of course, TigerTracks and UCAN should be your first stop. Make sure to register for both and start scouring the sites looking for positions that interest you. Try keeping track of each position’s deadline and needed materials. Some postings may require references, writing samples, or a link to a portfolio of some sort. Make sure you know what needs to be submitted and when!
  3. Ask around! Ask people you know about current opportunities they may have heard about. You never know who has information about available internships.  Take the time to email friends, family members, former employers, professional contacts, alumni or even professors you know and ask them to keep you in mind if they hear of any potential internship opportunities.
  4. Follow and like the Career Services Facebook and Twitter pages. We are constantly posting about career events, advice, and opportunities specifically for Princeton students.  You’ll also be reminded about our upcoming Career Services events such as our Summer Internship Fair and Nonprofit Fair, which will both take place on Feb. 15th from 11 am – 3 pm at Dillon Gym.
  5. Make an appointment with a career counselor. Our career counselors are here to help you at whatever point of the internship search stage you are at. They can help you make a customized plan and search strategy. They can also review your resume, cover letter, or interview applications. Go to Career Services website or call us at 609-258-3325 to schedule an appointment today.

 

Question of the Week #5: What are some ways I can get in contact with people whose careers I’m interested in?

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“What are some ways I can get in contact with people whose careers I’m interested in?”
– Chengcheng Gui ‘14

Great question Chengcheng! I think it’s great that you are already thinking about how to network and make connections with people of interest in the professional world. As a junior, you are making the right strides towards developing and building your professional contacts. Here are my quick tips on how you can find and make lasting connections with those in careers that are of interest to you.

  1. Ask people you know to refer you.  One of the best starting points for any networking endeavor is by asking people you know to connect you. Try asking family members, close friends, or coworkers if they know anyone in the field or profession that might be willing to talk to you. Getting personal referrals is always a benefit when making connections. Be specific about the kind of contacts you are looking for. You might be surprised to see how many people you are already connected to.
  2. Reach out to Princeton Alumni. Princeton alumni are always willing to help fellow tigers! The Princeton Alumni Careers Network is  a great way to find contacts in careers that are of interest to you. Through Tigernet, you can access the alumni directory and find potential connections. Use the “custom search” tool to search for employment information. Or, use the advanced search features in LinkedIn to identify Princeton alumni working at particular organizations
  3. Try setting up informational interviews at organizations in your field of interest. Most professionals love to talk about their career paths. If you don’t have a contact, look for one via searching by company name in the advanced search section of LinkedIn. Or, visit company websites or perhaps call companies directly to ask for the contact information of someone in the role or department you might be interested in. Explain that you are a college student who is looking to find out more about career paths in the field and that you would like to schedule an informational interview.  Be flexible, accommodating, and most of all, respectful of the individual’s time. Interviews can be held in person, on the phone, or via e-mail or Skype! Prepare a list of questions in advance. Don’t try to sell yourself or ask for a job during this meeting. Instead, focus on learning more about the individual and their field. Afterwards, be sure to send a thank you note and mention one or two specific pieces of advice you were given and how you will act upon those in the immediate future. One tip for making sure the relationship moves forward is to mention that you will be sure to keep in touch regarding your progress.
  4. Follow and Engage with professionals on social media. Social media is a great way to connect with people that you want to get to know. For example, you might want to follow industry leaders and professionals on Twitter and engage with them, too. You’ll be surprised by what happens. Let’s say they post a really great article. I recommend replying to his/her tweet with a personal response.  You might say “Thanks for sharing this. As someone who is really interested in this field it was good to learn something new!” Or, you might as a specific follow-up question such as “What did you think about _______(be specific if you can)?” is a great conversation starter.  Finally, why not mention this person in your own personal tweet. Once, on Twitter, I mentioned a particular company in a tweet and the CEO responded to me asking to know more about what I had learned about the company. I followed him and thanked him for his response. He ended up following me back! Other great sites to utilize are Facebook and Linkedin! Great networking contacts are available on social media so make sure you are utilizing it to your advantage. Check out this advice about using social media to make professional connections.
  5. Attend career fairs and employer presentations. Career fairs are great ways to connect with recruiters, hiring managers, and already-established professionals in different industries. When browsing booths, make sure to get the contact information from recruiters and make sure to reach out to them after the fair! Employer presentations and information sessions are also great ways to make connections. Not only do you get to learn more about an organization of interest, but you get to personally meet those who work there. Again, always do your homework in advance and come prepared with questions!
  6. Join professional organizations.  Most careers and industries have one, so make sure to do your research and try joining one today. Many of them offer mentoring programs, conferences, job boards, and other resources for their members. Plus, some even have special membership rates for students. For a list by industry, visit the “online resources” page.

Chengcheng, I hope this information was useful to you. There are so many ways that you can connect with individuals in careers that interest you. It’s all about keeping your options open, being creative, and doing the necessary legwork that is required to start building those relationships. For more advice, check out the Networking section in Career Services’ Career Planning Guide!

Question of the Week #4: I have interviews coming up. What’s the best way for me to prepare?

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“I have interviews coming up. What’s the best way for me to prepare?”
– Amina Yamusah ‘13

Great question, Amina! I am so glad that you asked this question.  Preparing for interviews is an absolute must!  You never want to go into an interview unprepared. Interviewers will pick up on this and will certainly not be impressed.  Even the most qualified job applicants can be turned down because of their lack of preparedness for what the interview will entail. Here are some important steps that you can take so that you will be adequately prepared and feel confident on the day of your interview!

Research the organization.  You should walk into an interview with some basic knowledge of what the organization does, how well it is doing, and its standing within the industry. Look for interesting facts about the company as well current news, recent press releases, and stock trends.  It will be beneficial for you to find out about the company’s newest products, projects or services. I also recommend connecting with the company via Facebook and Twitter. This is an easy way to find out how the organization is engaging with the public. After you do this, identify two key facts you can bring up during the interview and at least two questions you have for the company. Make sure to write them down on a piece of paper that you can bring into the interview. Don’t try to memorize them (you may be nervous and forget all the cool stuff you learned during your research).  Finally, you should know why you want to work for the organization you are interviewing for. Many interviews often start with the question “Why do you want to work here?” Take some time to synthesize all that you have learned about the company. What interests you the most? Create a two- liner that encapsulates how your skills, talents, and experience will ultimately serve as a future asset to the organization. 

Be prepared to talk about yourself.  Employers want to know about you–as a person! Take a few moments to jot down information about your education, work experience, and key strengths that really make you unique.  When talking about your education, highlight some of your academic experiences, mention memberships, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles you might have held. Talk about a topic that you are passionate about. Show how your experience thus far has helped you grow this passion.  Remember to let your personality shine through!

Know how you fit in.  Employers are looking for the best fit for their organizations. Some of the ways that you can find out how your personal qualities might align with that of the company you are interviewing for is by evaluating the employer’s mission statement.  Think of personal qualities in yourself that match their company values. Make a list of three personality traits that you will be sure to highlight in the interview. Oftentimes, interviewers ask interviewees how they will be an asset to the organization. If you already have a list, you’ll be one step ahead.

Match skills with job description. Make sure to review the job description for the position you are applying for before you interview. Reflect on the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities that the employer is looking for you. Comb your resume and past experience for examples that show how you are qualified for the position. An easy way to do this is by creating a list of employer requirements, followed by a “prove- it” statement that highlights your unique selling points for each employer requirement. Make sure these examples are specific. Also, you might want to prepare stories that showcase how you handled a unique situation, problem, or objective. Be sure to include the actions you took to resolve this problem and the results accomplished. Accomplishments should be quantified whenever possible. Also, remember to note any special recognition or award you received because of your work!

Set up a mock interview.  The career counselors at Career Services are a great resource for you to practice all of the above.  Our counselors will meet with you and conduct a “mock” interview. Afterwards, they will give you feedback and advice on what steps you can take to sharpen your interview skills. Make sure you set up an appointment with one of our counselors, if you haven’t already.

I hope you find this information useful, Amina. Good luck with your upcoming interviews!

(The information above contains excerpts from the Pre-Interview Worksheet written by Eva Kubu.)

Question of the Week #3: How can I find an internship over the summer as a sophomore?

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“How can I find an internship over the summer as a sophomore?”
– Nonny Okwelogu ‘15

Great question, Nonny! First of all, I want to let you know that it is not too late to find a summer internship as a sophomore! Sophomore year is an interesting time to be a student. This is the year when you are narrowing down your major choices and finding out what you really want to focus on during your future here at Princeton. Don’t limit yourself, per se, but take this year to really explore the range of opportunities open to you as a sophomore. You may find that many of your junior friends have already secured summer internships or are well on the path to securing one. Don’t let that discourage you. Career Services has many resources that will help you find an internship that fits you. Here are some resources here at Career Resources that you can utilize in your internship search!

  • Attend the Summer Internship Fair/Nonprofit Fair on February 15, 2013, from 1-3 pm in the Frist Multipurpose room. There will be a host of companies in attendance that are looking for eager future interns such as yourself. This will be a great time to network with professionals and learn about opportunities that are available to you. Not sure how to prepare for the fair? Click here for a link to our website that can help you prepare for the fair!
  • Create a profile on TigerTracks and start searching for internships there! TigerTracks is Princeton’s online system with current postings of internships, fellowships, and full-time jobs. Alumni and employers who are seeking candidates from Princeton are encouraged to post here.  In addition to searching for postings, you can research employers, upload and store application documents, apply for positions, and sign up for on campus interviews.  I encourage you to make the most of this tool!
  • Sign up for an account on UCAN, a shared online system just for internships! Its postings are geographically diverse and include opportunities that you may not be able to find on TigerTracks. As someone seeking an internship, it is in your best interest to sign up today and start checking out the internships being posted.
  • Check out the Finding an Internship webpage on the Career Services’ website. This page lists all the steps that you can take to really prepare for finding an internship. Some of the tips include:
    –  Identifying internship programs in a variety of industries
    –  Preparing a cover letter and resume
    –  Talking directly with employers
    –  Reaching out to and connecting with alumni…. and much more!
  • Check out the resources by industry page of our website for specific links within your area of interest.  There are dozens of industries listed and hundreds of helpful resources.
  • One of the most critical things that you should do is make an appointment with a career counselor as soon as possible. They can help you plan an internship search strategy that is specific to your needs. If you have a specific area of interest, try meeting with a career counselor who specializes in that area. For example, Abbey Racelis is our arts and nonprofit counselor, and can help you find out about opportunities available in these fields. Make sure you schedule an appointment online or call our office during normal business hours at 609-258-3325. Our counselors are here to help you no matter what step of the process you are in.

Nonny, I hope you found this information to be very useful. I wish you the best finding an internship! I know you can do it!

Question of the Week # 2: After seniors graduate, what kind of access do they have to Career Services’ resources?

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“Once seniors graduate, how much access do we get to Career Services’ resources?”
– Diana Li ‘12

Great question, Diana! Have no fear, Career Services will still be here for you once you graduate. Career Services is here to help you as a new alum and even when you become an experienced professional in the process of redefining or changing your career. In this blog post, I’ll identify the key Career Services resources that will be available to you as a new alum once you graduate in 2013.

  1. Career Services Appointments.  You will still be able to make Career Services appointments to meet with career counselors. You can either have an appointment in person or make an appointment to have a phone or Skype conversation with a counselor. Counselors are able to help you at whatever stage of your career.
  2. Another great resource that is still available to alum is our great Pre- Law Advising.  Our prelaw advisor is available to help you with all your law school questions and needs. You can make an appointment to speak by phone or in the office.
  3. Access to Tiger Tracks Alumni Portal.  As an alum, you still have access to Tiger Tracks, our online job-posting portal–however, you will now have access to the “alumni portal.” In fairness to each graduating class, the student portal is available only while you are an active student. This is why it is important to take advantage of the all of Career Services’ resources now, while you are still in school. After graduation, you will be allowed to access job postings that have been designated for alumni.
  4. Alumni Careers Network.  All Princeton alum have access to the Alumni Careers Network. This is a great Internet database of alumni who volunteered to offer career advice for students and fellow alumni. It is actually one of the most popular resources used by students and alumni. There are over 4,600 alumni volunteers worldwide. In an email introduction, you should mention that you found their name on the ACN and ask if they would be available to answer a few questions you had about their industry, organization or role. Be sure to have specific questions and to thank them in advance for their time and consideration.
  5. Credentials Files. Career Services offers a file storing service for your letters of recommendation and can send them out upon your request. This service is especially convenient for those applying to several schools with letters from multiple recommenders, or for those students and alumni who intend to apply in future years. Students and alumni who are interested in applying to any kind of graduate or professional school, as well as fellowships, scholarships, and special nominated internships should consider using this service. Please note,  The Credentials File Service is only for letters for graduate and professional schools—not employers. Your file will be maintained free of charge while you are a student at the University and for one year after graduation.
  6. Website. One of the greatest resources Career Services provides is its fabulous website—chuck full of helpful advice and resources! Log on to  www.princeton.edu/career and explore the site. There is so much career- related advice and resources directly on the website that can help you answer any career question you have. You can access this site from anywhere, which is why it is so great. In particular, you should browse the career resources under “links by industry.”
  7. Career Services Events.  If you are ever in the Princeton area, you are always welcome to come to any Career Services event or panel, including our annual career fairs.
  8. Alumni Partnering. One of the greatest things about being a Princeton alum is the opportunity to give back to the Princeton community. Here are the ways that you can be involved with Career Services post graduation. Click here for more detailed information.
  • Join the Alumni Careers Network to volunteer to help students and alumni with career advice and networking opportunities
  • Host a Princeternship. Want to take a Tiger under your professional wing? Princeternships are a great way to partner with current students and help them figure out what career is right for them.
  • Speak on Career Panels & Attend Networking Receptions. We actively seek alum to come back to campus and speak at our Career Services panels and networking events. Don’t forget about us when you graduate!

Diana, I hope I have answered your question. As a fellow senior, I think a lot of students might be wondering what happens after graduation. I would encourage you (and all seniors) to set up an appointment with a career counselor asap to review your job search strategy and make sure you are on track before we enter our final semester here at Princeton (if you haven’t already done so!).