You Asked, We Answered

This week in You Asked, We Answered!

Hello! I am O. Fiona Pratt-MacDonald, one of the career coaches at the UCC. I am here to support you in your career journey, whether you have questions related to exploration, networking, resumes, and/or job searches.

This week, our main topic of discussion is one of my favorite career subjects! Thus, without further ado, let’s dive into it.

Main topic of the Week: Career Exploration

How can I explore careers? How do I know if an opportunity is right for me? How do I learn more about different careers to see if they are a good fit?

Exploring Careers: Career exploration can be both exciting and thought-provoking in more ways than one. With any sort of exploration, I recommend starting from a place you are most comfortable with / interested in. Exploration does not always mean you have to dive into the deep end right away! Building up self-awareness in environments you may already know how to navigate allows you to flex that muscle in areas that may be unfamiliar.

Another great way to get started is by spending some time to reflect on your previous experiences and write down what you do and don’t like doing as it relates to learning, work, hobbies, lifestyle, etc.. It can be just as important to know what you don’t like to do as much as what you do like!

The “Right” Opportunity & Learning More: First, I want to take a moment to dispel this myth! The “right” opportunity lends itself to the idea that there may be just one, or only a few, opportunities that would be beneficial for your career development. In actuality, there are many opportunities that can develop the career you want for yourself. Sometimes, we won’t know what opportunity is “right” for us until we try it out, but there are avenues to ascertain what may be a useful experience, whether it is talking to professionals in a field of interest, receiving coaching on “where to go next,” or understanding how your interests may align with different careers and opportunities.

At the UCC, we have tons of resources to support you in your exploration including: Career Coaching (e.g., Career Exploration & Planning), Career Assessments, Employer Immersions, What Can I Do With This Major?, and the University Career Alumni Network (or UCAN - a great tool for informational interviewing and networking). This is just a sampling of the support we can provide!

And what is the most important thing to keep in mind? Exploration is productive!

In addition to career exploration, I want to dive into three other common questions that popped up!

Question 1: I went to a career fair recently and talked to employers – what should I do next?

So glad to hear you went to a career fair! Career fairs can be great places to learn about different opportunities and meet with prospective employers. If you received the contact information of a recruiter, professional, etc. that you would like to chat with, you can reach out to schedule an informational interview. Informational interviews are great ways to have an in-depth conversation about the job, organization, and/or industry. At its core, informational interviews (and networking, largely) is just another form of relationship building, and we have Networking Resources and Career Coaching available to support you with that. 

If you do have an informational interview with your new contact, make sure to send a ‘thank you’ note as a follow up after the conversation – and if you enjoyed the conversation, you can always ask to schedule another call.

Additionally, if you learned of interesting job and/or internship opportunities that you want to apply to, feel free to stop by the UCC for a Resume Lab workshop to buff up your application materials, talk to a Career Coach, and/or sign up for one of our Career Track newsletters so stay engaged with more career development opportunities.

Question 2: I am a first year student and I want an internship this summer. What should I do?

Welcome to Michigan! We’re so glad that you’re here and that you’re already thinking about your career development. 

Typically, students do internships in the spring/summer after their sophomore and/or junior years. As a first year student, you can start to develop your skillset and experience in other ways: joining clubs, engaging in career exploration, volunteering, participating in group projects, working a part-time job, etc.! All experience is good experience, and internships are just one piece of your career journey. 

Sometimes, searching for “early career programs” can be a good way to look at organizations that may take first year students as interns. The opportunities may not be as plentiful, but if you want to build up your internship search skills, we have career coaching appointments and Internship Search Labs that support that.

Question 3: What industries are recruiting right now vs who will be recruiting later in the year?

There tend to be certain “hot spots” during the year where some industries recruit more heavily (e.g., consulting companies, overall, recruit early in the fall).. One way to learn more about recruitment in certain industries is through our Career Tracks, which highlights a bunch of information, including industry trends and recruitment timelines. Additionally, attending alumni panels when they pop up and engaging in networking can be two more tools to add to your “career development” tool box to learn more about recruitment timelines!

Have more questions? We’d love to help! Use your Handshake profile to sign up for an event or career coaching appointment.

Cheering you on,

Fiona and the UCC Career Coaching Team

You Asked, We Answered: Career Fair Edition

This week's questions, answered:

Hi everyone, this is Nick, one of the career coaches at the UCC! Our career fairs are just around the corner, so this edition is all about getting you fair-ready. Let's dive into your questions!

Q: How do I see which employers are coming and which days?
Great starting point! Check out the fair listing on Handshake. Each fair has its own page showing the full roster of employers, plus which day they'll be there if it's a multi-day event. You can filter by industry or search for specific companies you're excited about. Pro tip: bookmark your top picks so you're not scrambling day-of.

Q: What do I actually say to employers?
Keep it simple: a short introduction (name, year, major), what you're looking for (internship, full-time role, just exploring), and one or two genuine questions about the role or company. You don't need a script; think of it as a friendly conversation, not an interview. If you're not sure where to start, "What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?" is always a safe bet.

Q: Why should I even go? Can I actually get hired from a career fair?
Yes, people absolutely land interviews and offers from career fairs. But even if you don't walk away with a job on the spot, it's still worth it. Fairs are one of the best ways to get face time with recruiters, ask questions you can't Google, and make an impression that can set you apart later in the application process.

Q: Should I go as a first-year student?
Definitely! You don't need to be job-hunting to benefit. Fairs are a low-pressure way to explore industries, practice your networking skills, and start building connections early. Employers know first-years are exploring, not necessarily applying, so there's no pressure to have it all figured out.

Q: How else can I prepare?
Check out our Go Blue Career Jam page, it's packed with prep events happening in the weeks leading up to the fair, like Resume Blitz sessions, Career Fair Prep workshops, employer panels, and industry-specific events. Drop into a few, and you'll walk into the fair feeling a lot more confident. Keep an eye on Handshake for the full event lineup and to grab a spot!

Q: What should I wear and bring?

Business casual is a safe default, think slacks or a skirt with a button-down or blouse, and comfortable shoes since you'll be on your feet. Employers know many students will be stopping by in between classes or after work, so it's okay to come as you are as well. Bring several printed copies of your resume, or have a digital copy ready on your phone so you can send it on the spot if the opportunity comes up, along with a notepad to jot down names, and a couple of thoughtful questions ready to go.

Have more questions? We'd love to help! Use your Handshake profile to sign up for an event or career coaching appointment.

See you at the fair!
Nick and the whole UCC career coach team

Welcome to Fall Semester!

Hi everyone! I’m Alexis Schmidt, the Experiential Learning Coordinator at the UCC. Welcome to the first You Asked, We Answered series of the school year!

A couple of times a month, the UCC takes some of the most commonly asked questions we hear from students and answers them here for you. We hope you find this resource helpful and that it provides some clarity as you navigate your career development questions.

We hope you have a great school year. Go Blue!

I didn’t get the internship I wanted last summer. What can I do to stand out in my next search, and what UCC resources can help me get started?

First, give yourself some grace, reset, and get into a good mindset to tackle the upcoming recruiting season! Not getting the internship you wanted last summer doesn’t mean you weren’t qualified. Instead, use the experience as an opportunity to think about what you can strengthen before your next search.

Think about the skills and experiences employers in your field are looking for and find ways to build them through classes, student organizations, campus jobs, projects, or leadership opportunities. Start networking early, tailor your resume and applications to each position, and practice telling your story in interviews.

The UCC also has a variety of resources to help you along the way. On Handshake, go to the “Events” page and check out our Internship Lab programs to learn about resources, refine your search strategy, and get tips for your internship search. If you’re looking to build additional skills and experiences, check out LinkedIn Learning, Parker Dewey, and Forage. And, of course, check out our Start Your Job or Internship Search page for additional resources and guidance. Additionally, you can schedule career coaching appointments through the UCC and meet one-on-one with a coach.

The most important thing? Start early, use your previous experience as feedback, and take advantage of the resources available to you!

How do I stay aware of all the career-related events happening at the beginning of the fall semester?

There are a few ways to stay in the know!

First, Handshake is your go-to resource for UCC and employer events. Head to the Events section to see what’s coming up, and use the filters to find programs that are most relevant to you. For example, this fall we are hosting “Go Blue Career Jam,” a month-long series of different career development events. If you go to Handshake, select Events, and search for “Go Blue Career Jam,” you’ll be able to see all of the different events happening as part of this initiative!

You can also sign up for Career Tracks, a UCC newsletter organized by industry. Based on the career track you choose, you’ll receive information about relevant career events, resources, and opportunities happening at the UCC. It’s a great one-stop shop for staying up to date on what’s happening in your industry and across the UCC.

Check out our Career Tracks page to learn more and sign up!

I know I should network, but where can I find U-M alumni who work at companies I’m interested in?

The University of Michigan has an incredible alumni network, so take advantage of it!

One great place to start is the University Career Alumni Network (UCAN). UCAN is exclusively for U-M students and alumni, and the alumni listed have chosen to participate in the network. You can use UCAN to explore alumni career paths, identify people you’d like to connect with, and reach out to set up informational conversations.

Learn more about UCAN here.

Another great resource is LinkedIn. Visit the University of Michigan’s LinkedIn page and select the Alumni option. You’ll be able to search and filter the U-M network by things like where people live, where they work, what they studied, and more. While the network includes current students, faculty, staff, and alumni, it can be a great way to identify people working in companies or industries that interest you.

Finally, your school or college may have its own resources for connecting with alumni. Don’t limit yourself to just one resource; use as many as you can! The more you explore, the more opportunities you’ll find to build your network.