Building relationships is one of the most valuable things you can do during your college experience. From a career perspective, conversations with professionals about their career paths, the organizational culture they work in, and tips for entering a career field can offer insights you won’t find anywhere else. These connections can help you explore career fit and uncover opportunities, often before they’re publicly posted. 

The articles and resources on this page are designed to help you gain confidence about engaging in conversations with people from a career lens. Sometimes these conversations may be a structured informational interviews. Sometimes these conversations will be a matter of asking a speaker a few questions after a presentation they give on-campus. Other times, you might engage in dialogue at a networking event. Whatever form these conversations may take, remember it is all about connecting with and learning from others.

How to Grow Your Network Without Awkward Small Talk

Stepping into a new field comes with a unique set of challenges – one of the biggest being the need to build a strong professional network. For those who thrive in structured conversations and prefer more profound, more meaningful discussions …

By Ivy Exec
Ivy Exec is your dedicated career development resource.
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Gen Z Anxiety at Work: How to Be the Leader They Need

Generation Z, born between the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2010s, is entering the workforce with brand-new challenges. As the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital age, they’re highly connected, socially conscious, and value-driven. However, studies show that …

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10 Characteristics of Gen X at Work

In today’s workplaces, Gen X characteristics bring a special mix of experience and practicality. This small generation, often quietly influential, has navigated many changes over the years. With their strong Gen X work ethic, they balance independence with teamwork, making …

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Building Your Personal Brand in the Digital Sphere

Now more than ever, with the ever-expanding reach of the internet and social media platforms, personal branding has transitioned from being merely advantageous to utterly indispensable. In this digital age, where information flows ceaselessly and first impressions are formed with …

By Ivy Exec
Ivy Exec is your dedicated career development resource.
Read more

How to Find Resources for First Generation Professionals

Understandably, entering the professional workforce can feel most intimidating for someone who might not have a point of reference. If you are a first generation professional, here’s how to integrate yourself into the professional world and find a support network to not only become comfortable in this environment, but learn to thrive in it. 

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Resources

Connect with other Alumni on LinkedIn!

Visit UMass Lowell Alumni Online Community!

PDF: An informational interview is an interview with someone currently working in a field of interest to you.

PDF: Cover Letter, Letter of Inquiry, Informational Interview Request, Thank you/Follow-up Letter

This worksheet will help you develop an elevator pitch to use at career fairs and in other networking situations.

The Career & Co-op Center is making available grants of $250 to support career-related programming by university recognized student groups. …

Contact & Location

Phone
978-934-2355
Address

Meehan Student Center, Suite 450
100 Meehan Way
Lowell, MA 01854-5148

O'Leary Library, Rooms 314 & 318
61 Wilder Street
Lowell, MA 01854-5148

Appointment Hours

Monday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.