Career Services

The Office of Career Services provides students valuable resources throughout all aspects of the career development process. Career development includes self-assessment (discovering personal interests, values and abilities), career exploration (applying self-assessment to career choices and exploring options), and job search (developing the skills to conduct a successful job search).

To help students and graduates discover their individual abilities, interests and values and relate these factors to relevant career choices and college majors, Career Services offers several assessment tools. FOCUS, a computer assisted career guidance system, allows students to determine individual values, skills, and interests. FOCUS also contains information concerning occupational and educational programs. One unique feature of FOCUS is that it provides information regarding careers that closely match the student's personal preferences. Another option is the COP System. This comprehensive, written inventory is comprised of three parts: Values, Abilities, and Interests. It is designed to increase self-awareness and facilitate connecting personal preferences with appropriate career choices. Other assessment tools are available. In addition to career assessment and individual career counseling, the office also offers a Career Exploration (ED 111) class twice each year. Career Services encourages students to start exploring possibilities early in their college tenure.

Career exploration resources are available in the Career Resource Center, including reference books, videos, articles, and other occupational information. In addition, the Career Resource Center houses numerous books on job search issues, salary information, company literature, employer directories, and graduate school information. On campus and off campus part-time employment opportunities are available for currently enrolled students. Gaining work experience while in school can be a big advantage upon graduation. The annual Fall and Spring Career Information Days offer an excellent exploration tool, as potential future employers talk with students about their companies, profession, and the types of employees they hire. A student credential file facilitates the job search process. Each senior, degree-seeking graduate student, and UAH alumnus who registers with the office establishes a credential file. The file includes 10 resumes and a candidate registration form. Register with OCS at least 9 months prior to graduation. Participants receive a newsletter which provides current employment trends, job search tips, and the monthly on-campus interview schedule. Registered individuals have access to the Resume Referral program, the full-time employment opportunities listings, and on-campus interviews. Held in conjunction with the Fall and Spring Career Information Days, Interview Days provide the opportunity for students to interview with companies one-on-one in pre-scheduled interviews. Other job search resources include workshops conducted each semester on Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, and Job Search Strategies, in addition to individual appointments on these issues.

The Office of Career Services seeks to provide students and alumni the knowledge to make informed career choices and the personal skills to reach their career objectives. Students may make appointments by contacting the Office of Career Services, 117 Engineering Building, (256) 824-6612, between 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.