Have you ever wondered what a Career Coach is? Or have you contemplated whether or not you should participate in a Career Coaching Session? UConn’s Center for Career Development offers a personalized approach to all of your career exploration needs.
What is a Career Coach?
Dedicated Career Coaches are available to discuss your academic and career-related plans, and empower you to make decisions about your next steps. Undergraduate, Master’s, Doctoral Students, Postdoctoral Scholars, and Alumni can utilize Career Coaching and Practice Interviews.
Coaching sessions are free one-on-one private sessions with professional, trained consultants. A career coach listens to the student’s concerns and recommends action steps following the meeting. The Center for Career Development staff members will respect your values, ideals, and perspectives while offering insight and information on your career-related thoughts or concerns. Appointment availability can be from the same day to up to two weeks from when the appointment is scheduled.
What topics are covered in a coaching session?
Below you will find a list of some of the topics covered during coaching sessions:
- Career Exploration – discover and learn about careers that incorporate your knowledge, skills, experience, and values.
- Practice Interviewing – participate in role-playing and receive personalized feedback on traditional and behavioral style interview questions.
- Job, Internship, and Co-Op Search – gain strategies to find opportunities. ·
- Career Fair Preparation – discover how to prepare for in-person and virtual career fairs.
- LinkedIn Consultation – learn how to best present yourself on the biggest professional social media network.
- Networking Advice – explore UConn’s Husky Mentor Network, discuss informational interviews, and learn how to prepare an elevator pitch.
- Résumés, CVs, Personal Statements, and Research, Diversity, Teaching Statement Reviews – gain tips for improving your career and academic job application documents.
When should I work with a Career Coach?
It is suggested that you visit the Center for Career Development during your first year at UConn and continuously visit throughout your time at UConn and post-graduation as needed.
How do I prepare for a Coaching session?
Come with questions you would like answered and potential topics you would like to talk about. If you plan on having documents reviewed, print a draft for in-person meetings or email documents to the Career Coach before your virtual session.
What happens during an appointment?
The Career Coach will ask you what you are looking to accomplish in the appointment. Based on what is discussed during your appointment, some topics may be resolved in one appointment, while others are better suited for a follow-up conversation. For video and phone coaching sessions, the Career Coach can share their screen to provide you with resources and action steps. You may schedule appointments as often as needed, either for the same topic or for something different.
How can I make an appointment for a Coaching Session?
Appointments are set up in Handshake – UConn’s recruiting platform.
- Log into your Handshake account using your NetID and Password (or email/password)
- Once logged in, click on Career Center, top right of the page
- In the next screen, click on the box labeled Appointments
- In the Appointments screen, select Schedule New Appointment
- Choose a Category: Pick the appropriate campus
- Choose an Appointment Type
- Scroll through the available appointment times
If you are a UConn student and currently reside outside of the U.S., you can request an appointment time that works with your time zone.
We encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our Career Coaches today!
Desirée Martino, Career Coach, UConn’s Center for Career Development
