Resources for Students During COVID-19

Our number one priority is your health and safety, as well as the health and safety of our staff and community. As such, in light of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and Governor Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, we have moved the majority of our services online.

If you’re a student or recent alumni and have any questions that are not addressed here, please email us at [email protected].

We’re open (virtually) and have coaches, tools, and resources to assist you. Let’s connect today!

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The following information is in response to students' questions that have been submitted.

How do I get started in this market?

We are hearing from employers everyday. Employer responses vary by industry, location, job function, and more. Some events and positions have been canceled but most are just being modified to address current challenges. There are still many opportunities available.Connect with a Career Coach to understand how to navigate this market.

  • Appointments with a Career Coaching: Check in with a Career Coach via phone or Google Meets to strategize or re-strategize your job or internship search, to explore graduate/professional school options, to explore careers, and to get your individual questions answered. Schedule your appointment today through Handshake.
  • Programs and Labs: Stay on top of your planning and preparation with these expertly-lead sessions on timely topics * such as resume writing, internship & job search, maximizing your Handshake profile, and more. New topics, in response to your questions, are added weekly.
  • We are available 24/7: Looking for resume tips and feedback, links to key resources, tips on interviewing, exploring careers, applying to graduate/professional school, and a lot more? Visit our website at careercenter.umich.edu

How do I connect with alumni?

Check in with professionals in fields of interest and get your questions answered.

  • University Career Alumni Network (UCAN ): Michigan’s vast alumni connection platform is always a great resource for students. Gain valuable insights about how COVID-19 is impacting an industry of interest and where to find opportunities. You can also learn about career preparation and job/internship search tips, about a job’s day-to-day responsibilities, and tips on applying to professional schools.  Stay on track with some great advice and input from a fellow Wolverine using UCAN.
  • LinkedIn: Expand your outreach and connect with other professionals in the industries and jobs of interest to you. 

How do I find out who’s hiring?

  • Job and Internship postings for U-M students in Handshake: Visit Handshake for more than 130 new postings each day, on top of the thousands of positions already listed. Additionally, Handshake has added a new feature that is updated routinely: 500 in-demand employers that are actively hiring on Handshake right now.
  • Employer Programs and Information Sessions: Employers continue to be interested in engaging with U-M students about current and future opportunities. For more information on these virtual sessions, see Handshake and check the "Events" section. You can search by employer name or keyword there.
  • Micro-internships and other career-related experiences: Many employers offer short term, virtual, paid, professional experiences to get projects completed and to test potential applicants for permanent positions.  For students, these practical experiences are great for skill building, testing out your interests, making some money, and getting a foot in the door. For access to paid micro-internships, check out: Parker Dewey, MindSumo (click I’m a problemsolver), and Forage.
  • Other resources: A number of resources highlight organizations that are currently hiring.  Here are a couple of examples of where you can find more ideas: LinkedIn, The Muse.

I planned to apply to grad/professional school. Now what?

Many of you are grappling with decisions over whether to uncover grades for certain classes, while others are trying to develop contingency plans if your test administration got cancelled, your internship offer was withdrawn, or your shadowing opportunities evaporated.  Fortunately, although it is hard to make sweeping generalizations across disciplines and professions, most graduate and professional schools are being flexible and open minded in these unprecedented times. And we can help!

What can I do right now to stay marketable?

  • Sharpen materials:

    • Use VMock and Targeted Resume for instant feedback.

      • VMock uses artificial intelligence to show you how you can improve your resume while TargetResume gives you feedback on how your resume can be uniquely tailored to each internship or job posting you’re applying to.
      • Together, these two resources give you a way to increase the odds of your resume landing in the hands of the person responsible for hiring and interview decisions. Hint: This is also a great topic for an appointment with a career coach.
    • Handshake profiles matter. Make yours work for you.  
      • Do you want recruiters to see your profile on Handshake and reach out to you directly? Enhance your profile with the 3 must-haves for recruiters. This will significantly increase recruiter interest.
      • And don't forget your LinkedIn profile too. In these days of virtual engagement, your online profiles are more important than ever. Here are a couple of great resources for tips on making your profile pop. LinkedIn and LearnLearnRetire.
  • Prepare to ace a virtual interview (e.g., phone, Google Meets, Zoom, and more): While many of the same best practices apply to both in-person and virtual interviews, there are some unique considerations as well. Big Interview is a tool to help you learn the basics of interviewing and to practice answering interview questions. You can also check out these resources with timely tips from the pros. Hint: This is also a great topic for an appointment with a career coach.
  • Build skills: Sharpen the skills that will be important in any future position or learn something totally new. Checkout free websites or apps: LinkedIn Learning, Kahn Academy, Udemy, Coursera, DuoLingo, Vault, and more. Some possible skills include:
    • SPSS, SAS, Tableau and other data analysis tools
    • Excel
    • Google AdWords 
    • Learn a foreign language
    • Learn a programming language
  • Gain Experience: This could be a time to try new things or to get involved in your community. These are an excellent way to meet new people, build skills, and expand your interests.
    • Create a website 
    • Launch a blog
    • Create and share a video
    • Volunteer in the community and offer your services to a community organization

We’re all likely experiencing some emotional discomfort given COVID-19 and the disruption to our lives. If you're experiencing feelings of anxiety, worry, and/or fear during these uncertain times and are concerned about how to best manage your mental health we encourage you to reach out to CAPS. 

CAPS remains open during the Pandemic. Their services include tele-counseling, crisis support, and virtual outreach.

For updated clinical services info: https://caps.umich.edu/article/caps-services-regarding-covid-19-update
For COVID-19 Mental Health info: https://caps.umich.edu/topic/caps-covid-19-support