Career planning and development can be stress-inducing and complicated, especially if you don’t know where to start. The good news is with so much of our everyday lives intertwined with technology, the wealth of career development knowledge has never been easier to access.
As a Career Peer with the Career & Co-op Center, Here are my 8 favorite virtual resources to help overcome the stress of career planning and boost your confidence to prepare for the future.
1). Interview Prep
As the name suggests, this is a fantastic resource for interview preparation. Not only does Interview Prep assist you in the preparation before your interview, but it also allows you to conduct virtual practice interviews that you can then watch back and review. The ability to watch back your virtual interviews can be crucial in refining your interview skills and preparing further for interviews you may feel hesitant about.
In addition to these fantastic “Conduct” and “Review” features, several resources regarding interviews are available in the form of PDFs. These resources range from a self-evaluation form to a guide on removing filler words from your vocabulary. Interview Prep is a website offered through UMass Lowell; therefore, it is important to use your UML credentials (school email and password) when signing in.
Who should use this tool: A great resource to anyone feeling stressed about their interview capabilities. Let Interview Prep help you feel more confident about who you are and what you bring to the table!
2). CandidCareer.com
For some, it is hard to think about career development when deciding what career path to take. You may have some ideas, but if you are unsure how to get on the right path to that career then Candid Career is the resource for you.
Candid Career offers a variety of resources, including:
- Exploration of different careers
- Resume writing
- Interviewing skills
- Networking
One of the most unique aspects of Candid Careers are the testimonials from real field individuals. These testimonials are broken down by industry, so if you are unsure of a specific position, but are set on a particular industry, this resource is best for you!
Candid Careers and uConnect have joined forces to offer students the most helpful and accurate career development services. Like Interview Prep, Candid Career is offered through UMass Lowell, so it is best to use this link to access the website here.
3). UML Connect
Using UML Connect allows you to further your network and connections, especially to other UML alums. This can be incredibly beneficial to your career development as it allows you to immerse yourself in a community of individuals who not only have experienced education similar to yours, but also may have similar career goals, and for some, even established careers.
One of the most important and influential ways you can build your career is through your connections and networking; UML Connect only makes this easier. You can use your UML credentials to set up an account or link your LinkedIn profile to your UML Connect account. I personally recommend using your LinkedIn account on this website, as fellow alums can easily look more into who you are as a person and as an employee.
4). LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of the most popular ways in which individuals can further their careers. LinkedIn not only functions as a longer resume of sorts (where you can provide a full and comprehensive history and explanation of yourself regarding past employment, present employment, volunteer experience, projects, etc.) but also another fantastic way to connect with others.
Often, a potential employer will look for you on LinkedIn, to learn more about who you are, your potential connections, and your professionalism. Therefore, putting in the time and effort into setting up your LinkedIn profile is very important. For some, you may not have much past experience to add to your profile. However, adding in a bio, a profile and background picture, education, skills, and interests, shows an employer that you have taken the time to showcase who you are. Additionally, it is always a good rule of thumb to include your LinkedIn link on your resume for easy access to potential employers.
5) HONORABLE MENTION: LinkedIn Learning
An honorable mention to this list is LinkedIn Learning which provides access to 16,000+ expert-led courses offering information and trainings on a variety of topics such as Adobe, using TypeScript, Google Apps, working with APIs and more. Many of these courses result in earning a certificate once completed, which can then be added to your LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn Learning is paid-subscription based service through LinkedIn; however, you can subscribe for a free month of service as advertised on their website.
Who would benefit from this resource: Students looking to add trainings and certificates to their profile and/or gain proficiency (+certification) for certain programs, such as Adobe or Microsoft Word, Python, or others.
6). Glassdoor
Glassdoor, a sister company to Indeed, allows you to look for jobs in your area or based on a specific company, join communities similar to your interests, compare salaries and obtain knowledge regarding salary advice. Glassdoor’s mission is to help people find jobs and companies they love while promoting radical transparency.
Glassdoor works to break down barriers that lead to toxic work environments such as discrimination and pay gaps. This can be a valuable resource when trying to gauge where you may fit best in a work environment, as worries about unfair treatment and toxic work environments are common and valid.
7). My Future
My Future provides additional guidance for career development, including information on highest-paying careers, jobs in demand, jobs in which degrees are not required, and leadership career positions. Additionally, My Future allows you to explore careers by industry and provides some great resources regarding career building such as how to find a job, resume writing, career networks, internships, and cover letters.
My Future also provides fantastic information about colleges and the military. My Future allows you to search for schools based on majors, degree pathways, selectiveness, financial aid, affordability, and ROTC. For military use, My Future provides information of highest-paying military careers, military enlisted careers, military officer careers, and careers using technology skills. This website allows you to further explore your options and may help you narrow down what career choice is best for you.
8). CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, is a resource that provides a comprehensive list of career development services, such as exploring career options, training and education, job search planning, and services for unemployment and specialized programs. This website is a wealth of knowledge for virtually all things employment, providing information on career planning with factors such as age, military experience, disabilities, and the impact of criminal convictions which may hinder someone’s ability to obtain employment.
Although some of these resources offer similar tactics, it is always good to explore multiple options when attempting to further your career. It is an intimidating process, but with some guidance, and resources like the ones featured above, career development is possible.
And, if after reading this list and exploring the various websites mentioned, you still are feeling overwhelmed and in need of guidance (which is perfectly normal!) we, the Career & Co-Op Center, are here to help! You can always schedule an appointment with a career advisor or come to a drop-in appointment via our website.
