Preparing for Your Professional Journey

You will be tasked with completing five short modules.  Each module will consist of content which will familiarize you with various professional development topics. You will be required to complete a short quiz or assignment about information presented in the module. Quizzes and assignments are not graded. You will be submitting your resume through an online platform called VMock (showed in module 3). We encourage you to complete modules at your own pace. You must complete all modules BEFORE meeting with your Career Advisor. 

Getting started is easy! Click on the Career Redd Up Canvas page to begin.

Module 1: Reidy Career Center Programming & Resources

This module introduces you to the essential resources, personnel, and programming offered by the Reidy Career Center. By completing this module, you will gain an understanding of how to navigate the Reidy Career Center’s services, access personalized career advising, and engage in career development activities tailored to your graduate experience. You will also learn how to leverage career tools and resources available through Handshake and other platforms, setting a solid foundation for your job search journey.  Access Module 1 here.

Module 2: Professional Profiles

In this module, you will become familiar with the key online platforms critical to your modern job search, including Handshake and LinkedIn. You will learn how to create, update, and optimize your professional profiles to reflect your skills and career goals effectively. You will also explore various job boards and career resources that will help you stay informed about opportunities and engage meaningfully in your career search.  Access Module 2 here.

Module 3: Professional Documents

This module guides you through the creation and refinement of essential job search documents such as resumes and cover letters. You will understand how to customize these documents for different roles and industries and apply feedback to strengthen your materials. By the end, you will have professional, polished documents ready for application submission that clearly communicate your qualifications and fit.  Access Module 3 here.

Module 4: Professional Communication

In this module, you will learn best practices for professional communication and networking with peers, faculty, and potential employers. You will develop skills in crafting clear, effective emails and personal introductions that reflect your goals and professionalism. This will prepare you to build and maintain meaningful professional relationships throughout your career journey.  Access Module 4 here.

MODULE 5: Code of Ethics & next steps   

This module covers the ethical standards and hiring policies relevant to your job search, introducing you the the Reidy Career Center Code of Ethics, and helping you understand your responsibilities and rights throughout the recruitment process. You will learn about CMU’s hiring guidelines for employers, typical hiring timelines, and how to prepare for the upcoming semester. This will empower you to approach your career search ethically and strategically, equipped for success.  Access Module 5 here. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at the Heinz College Redd Up.

When will I receive an introduction to the Reidy Career Center and my Career Advisor?
Throughout the summer preceding August orientation, you will begin to receive an introduction to your Career Advisor and resources to help you prepare for your arrival. Orientation will dive deeper into job and internship search resources, upcoming workshops, career fairs, and campus recruiting.

When and how will I schedule an appointment with my Career Advisor? What will we discuss?
Following Orientation, you will have access to schedule a one-on-one appointment with your Career Advisor via Handshake. If you have a pressing concern prior to Orientation, please email your Career Advisor. Appointment topics vary and are student directed. Most appointments cover topics such as career exploration/choosing a career path, development of resumes, internship/job search strategies specific to your background, mock interviews, job offer evaluation, and salary negotiation. There is no set number of appointments a student can have—schedule as needed.

When will I receive more info about Handshake and be provided access?
Incoming students will begin to have access to Handshake as students are loaded into the system (usually at some point in July). We will share more information in the summer to help you set up your profile and navigate all that Handshake offers. Career Redd Up, our summer virtual career prep program, also includes a Handshake tutorial module.

Does the Reidy Career Center provide guidance regarding the curriculum or choosing electives?
Your academic advisor will be the main point of contact regarding your coursework selections; however, some programs will have a Course to Career Guide in the program-specific resource section of Handshake may be helpful. This guide assists students in choosing courses that may be helpful for the career paths they are pursuing. This is only a guideline that will vary according to several factors: the professional and academic background of the student, the combination of courses, the specific company that the student is interested in working for, etc. We also recommended that you meet with your academic advisor and conduct informational interviews with professionals in your desired field to determine which skills you need to build upon in your coursework.

How will you help me prepare for interviews (behavioral, technical and/or, case)?
We offer advising sessions to conduct behavioral mock interviews with your Career Advisor and multiple online resources to prepare you. Online resources include Big Interview, which is a simulated, virtual mock interview, as well as Management Consulted, a case interview platform that provides the ability to practice cases and engage with current/former consultants. Technical interview resources are available online and through technical interview workshops and mock interviews conducted by alumni. Workshops conducted by staff, alumni and/or guest speakers are also offered for interview preparation. Additionally, some Heinz College student clubs may provide opportunities to practice interviewing.

Does my Career Advisor assist with salary negotiations?
If you would like to negotiate a job offer you received, we will offer guidance on the best way to proceed with that conversation. We will not speak to the company on your behalf but instead, provide you with tips on how to present yourself professionally. Students should do research about average salaries and cost of living in geographic areas and have assessed their values to best communicate during these salary negotiations.

My background is [XYZ] but I’d like to pivot my career path to analytics, consulting, product management, security engineering, etc. Will that be possible? I have minimal work experience; how will this affect my search? How does a student’s previous work experience correlate to their post-graduation employment?
Although we cannot guarantee the specific post-graduation career of any one student, a program’s curriculum is designed to take our students in a variety of professional directions. Your core classes, combined with the electives you choose will aid you in your goals, even if you are pivoting to a new job function or industry sector. Students with an internship requirement will build their knowledge and skills further during that experiential learning opportunity. Researching the industry or job you want to enter and reading internship and job descriptions will help you understand the desired skill sets in the current market. Additionally, many facets will influence your success including, but not limited to, your academic performance, internship/job search efforts, quality of resumes, applications and interviews, participation in on-campus recruitment opportunities, alumni outreach, and overall skill set for the desired career.

What companies and roles do graduates enter and how does this differ by program?
Career outcomes and detailed employment reports are found online. The data is shared in aggregate form. Please note, we are unable to identify the alumnus in each role due to privacy.

Do employers have hiring needs in January or early spring for those students graduating in December?
Yes! It is common for students to start their jobs as early as January following their December graduation with interviews and offers otherwise continuing into the spring months. Prospective employers are accustomed to graduate students completing their programs in December and entering the job market.

How many students end up securing full-time jobs/internships of their top choice?
As you can see from our post-graduation employment outcomes, students from Heinz College are extremely successful in both the jobs they obtain and the companies who hire them. You should remain flexible and open to the types of companies and jobs you entertain, especially as you go through the recruiting process. We recommend having a career path in mind, but you should always have an alternative as you never know what doors will open for you.

Can I attend career fairs or other events on campus at CMU?  How do I make sure I don’t miss out on events? How do I prepare?
The benefit of having a dedicated career center at Heinz College means that you not only have access to employers that recruit with Heinz College, but you can also take advantage of additional recruiting opportunities on-campus that are offered to ALL students. This includes career fairs, employer information sessions, hackathons, and networking events.
All events are posted on Handshake, and your Career Advisor will provide recommendations and guidance. Keeping your calendar up to date with events of your choice is an excellent time management habit.

Preparation in advance for the career fairs is key. There will be preparation sessions in advance of career fairs to help with navigation strategies as well as on-going access to career advisors for individual preparation/ strategies.

How do I interact with employers?
Many ways! On-campus recruitment efforts (whether they be in person or virtual) include employer information sessions, career fairs, office hours (1:1 meetings w/ alumni or employers), and on-campus/virtual interviews. We also strongly encourage you to build your professional network on your own using resources such as LinkedIn and Handshake. To discuss your communication and networking strategy, schedule a meeting with your Career Advisor.

When do we get access to the Handshake portal?
Access to Handshake will be given after your Reidy Career Center Orientation.

Is there any limitation to the number of companies to which we can apply? If I get a job offer, can I continue to participate in recruitment opportunities?
We encourage students to explore as many opportunities and employers as they are able to during their recruitment efforts! The only limitation is the amount of time you would have during a recruiting event; however, we offer workshops on how to maximize efforts and strategize your time spent. We take professional ethics very seriously and will review this during your Orientation before classes begin. We never encourage students to continue job search efforts after they have accepted a job or internship offer, per the Reidy Career Center Code of Ethics found under Platforms & Resources on our website. ​​It may be helpful in situations that require more time to make a decision about accepting an offer to be aware of the Hiring and Offer Policy, which guides students and employers on timing principles.

Is there a minimum GPA expected that we should maintain to be competitive in the job market?
This varies by company and industry so the short answer is: it depends. If there is a GPA expectation, employers will include this in the job posting. When you meet with your Career Advisor, you can discuss how to best leverage your GPA or other quantitative scores on your resume and on your Handshake profile for your job or internship search.

What is the internship and job search timeline?
Start when your program starts. Fall recruitment is robust through November; however, employers are still hiring even if formal recruitment events have slowed. Spring recruitment begins in January following winter break and is active through April. Again, as formal recruitment events slow, employers are still posting and hiring throughout the end of the semesters, summer, and over breaks. Pay attention to application deadlines, considering that some industries have early deadlines (one example being consulting) as early as the summer before you conduct your internship.

This document shows some early deadlines. Remember that this document is not comprehensive but representative of some early deadlines to be aware of and continues to update as more dates are disclosed by hiring organizations. 

How do I prepare for my internship or job search? When should I begin?
Before your program commences, you can prepare by updating your resume and researching companies and job descriptions, as well as completing Career Redd Up. Learning what interests you and what skills are required will help you prepare. Self-assessment is important. When your first semester begins, it is never too early to begin the internship or job search. Have your resume reviewed by your Career Advisor to be sure it is employer-ready and develop your search strategy, continue your research, apply to what makes sense with your goal and program’s timeline in mind, engage in the Reidy Career Center workshops, fairs, events and campus recruitment efforts and pay attention to Reidy
Career Center emails.

How do most students secure their internship and/or full-time job?
A variety of resources and pathways lead to the success of our students/graduates. Handshake is a primary and very important platform for identifying internships and jobs. Company websites and job search engines also result in interviews and subsequent offers. Emails from the Reidy Career Center with alumni referral internship/job opportunities, career fairs and students’ personal and professional networks can also result in employment opportunities. Leave no stone unturned!

Do all summer internships convert to full-time offers?
No, but many do! If you have a successful summer internship, you may receive a return offer of full-time employment for after you graduate. Students with return offers may or may not return to that employer depending on their goals and other offers they may secure. A student should never panic if a return offer is not received as the full-time recruitment efforts of companies are robust and you will actively engage in a full-time job search upon returning from your internship.

How do I obtain on-campus employment if I want to work during the semester?
If interested, you can read more about obtaining on-campus employment here.

Are internships paid?  Is there additional funding?
Many internships are paid, but some may be unpaid.  There is a wide range of internship salaries depending on the sector, organization, position, and location.  Work with your Career Advisor to determine salary expectations for the summer.  If you have a low or unpaid summer internship, there are additional funding sources that can help supplement your experience. The Reidy Career Center hosts a spring workshop to educate you on how to fund a low or unpaid internship.

Do students intern during the academic year?  How do we find those positions?
Some students accept internships for the academic year. If you are an international student, the ability to work external to the university depends on a student’s work authorization. Typically, students can manage working 8-12 hours per week in addition to their coursework.  Academic year internships can be found on Handshake, including work study and research assistant positions.  Additionally, the Reidy Career Center office hosts the Public Service Fair during the first week of the fall semester. This career fair is an opportunity for Heinz students to connect with local non-profit and government organizations which are recruiting for interns, work study, or volunteer positions during the fall and spring semesters.

Are there opportunities to be a Research Assistant (RA) or Teaching Assistant (TA)?
Yes. Teaching Assistant positions are emailed and promoted to current students each semester—you must first take the class before you can be a TA for it. Research Assistant opportunities can be found in Handshake and are also promoted through email by faculty and staff. You can also discover CMU’s Research Centers and Institutes here: https://www.cmu.edu/research/centers-and-institutes.html and email faculty directly expressing your interest.

How do I interact with alumni?
Many ways! During your time as a student, alumni very often participate in networking events, career fairs and workshops. You can also join the Heinz College LinkedIn Group as a student and the CMUniverse Mentoring Program, which gives you access to talk with alumni and gain advice on your career goals. Additionally, you may encounter alumni
through the Executive in Residence Program and through technical mock interviews, often hosted by alumni. Heinz College Alumni are extremely proud and supportive of current students’ efforts to obtain employment. They often share openings at their company or of other opportunities they are aware of, which your Career Advisor will relay to you on a weekly basis throughout your time at Heinz College via an email distribution list.

Will the Reidy Career Center provide me with career support after I graduate and leave my program?
Yes! This is a huge advantage and one we encourage you to consider as you are evaluating graduate programs. You will have lifelong access to the Reidy Career Center offerings just as you would if you were a current student.

I have questions about my Visa or work authorization. Can you help me?
Please direct all inquiries to the CMU Office of International Education.

How will the Reidy Career Center support me as an international student during my job/internship search?
Heinz College is proud to welcome many international students each year, and we strive to customize programming for those students to educate them on resources we have that are specific to their job search situation. We offer specialized workshops on job searching as an international student, provide alumni support, and educate employers on our robust and diverse student demographic as we build recruiting relationships.