At UB, your success is our priority. That’s why we offer comprehensive Career Development services, tailored to help students discover and achieve their professional goals.
At University of Bridgeport’s Center for Career Development — located conveniently in the Heckman Center in UB’s Wahlstrom building — director Stephanie Beach helps students explore different career paths, perfect their resumes, search for internship opportunities, and more. “Although students are at the University for an education,” Beach explains, “the end goal is to find a job. At the Center for Career Development, I focus on helping students understand and learn how to get to where they need to go.”
We sat down with Stephanie Beach to discover how the Center for Career Development can help you find future success. Read on to learn more about crushing your career goals the UB way.
First-year Seminar for Students
Receiving career support as an undergraduate is critical for student growth. “The idea is to do everything we can right now to achieve the career you want down the road,” Beach offers. “By researching different career roles, determining what experiences you’ll need to qualify, and creating a plan-of-action, you can improve your chances of finding the perfect role after graduation.”
At UB, career-centered support starts the moment you step onto campus. “I teach first-year seminars to freshmen,” Beach elaborates. “The seminar is a basic introduction to college and the career resources available to students. I tailor my course to focus on career-readiness with topics like resume-building and early professional development. I also encourage students to take early action by establishing and maintaining an active presence on LinkedIn.” Speaking of which…
Establishing an Online Presence
If you’re a savvy, career-focused student, you’ve likely heard of Indeed or LinkedIn. Both platforms provide job-seeking professionals with resources, networking opportunities, and tools for finding open positions.
At UB’s Center for Career Development, students use a similar platform called Handshake. Unlike LinkedIn and Indeed, Handshake is specifically designed for college and university students who are seeking internships and entry-level positions. “I introduce students to Handshake and explain how to use it, why it’s a good tool to have, and how it keeps you connected to local and national employers,” Beach explains.
Further detailing the benefits offered by Handshake, Beach elaborates on the networking opportunities it presents. “I work with a lot of local employers and alumni, all of whom know University of Bridgeport and want to hire our students.”
Although Beach encourages students to find internships on Handshake, she still urges them to establish a strong presence on LinkedIn. “I teach students to connect on LinkedIn and build a professional network,” she describes. “I explain how students should digitally present themselves to network with others. I encourage them to follow companies, connect with people in their desired field or position, read scholarly articles, and more. I want them to build on their professional skills while they’re still students.”
Pinpointing the Perfect Career Path
The Center for Career Development isn’t just a resource for career-readiness — it also provides tools for professional self-discovery.
As an incoming undergraduate, it’s possible that you’re feeling pressured to settle on a professional path. But before you make any hasty decisions, let’s put this into perspective — up to 50% of college students begin with an undecided major, and 75% change their major at some point during their studies.
Career Development is dedicated to helping students make this important decision. Providing key examples of the support services offered, Beach elaborates, “I provide resources to help students figure out what they want to do. For example, the Focus 2 platform generates career options based on their interests and personality types. This helps students find and research potential careers that could help them meet their professional and educational goals.”
The Flexible Support You Need
At UB, professional support isn’t limited to current students. Instead, Career Development services are available to undergraduates, graduates, and alumni alike. Additionally, the Center provides support that can be adjusted to fit students’ needs. “I offer 1-1 virtual or in-person appointments, as well as classes and workshops,” Beach offers.
When it comes to providing the most effective counseling, however, Beach finds that nothing helps students quite like individualized attention. “Classes and workshops often end with students reaching out for a private appointment,” Beach explains. “They’re typically seeking extra help with resume-writing, their job searches, mock interviews, or the application process.”
In supporting students throughout the job application process, the Center for Career Development has also arranged a valuable service — free LinkedIn headshots. This opportunity is especially pertinent given that your profile photo can play a significant role in securing you a job. “Free LinkedIn Headshots are available every month so students can have an up-to-date, professional-looking LinkedIn picture,” Beach elaborates.
At University of Bridgeport, we’re dedicated to making higher education affordable, accessible, and achievable. We offer comprehensive student support services geared toward your personal and professional success. Learn more about how UB can support your educational journey!
Readying Your Resume
While it’s important for 21st-century professionals to establish a strong cyber presence, effective resume-writing remains one of the most crucial elements of any job search. “I work closely with students to develop the language on their resumes,” Beach shares. “Some students need help learning how to use their experiences to market their career-ready skills and knowledge.”
For undergraduates with little or no professional experience, this process can be overwhelming. But Beach encourages students to emphasize their soft skills. “You can include abilities like time management, communication, and collaboration on your resume,” she explains. “If you lack job experience, you can still advertise the soft skills that will make you a great employee.”
To that end, Beach encourages students to engage in campus culture by participating in some of UB’s 50+ groups and clubs. “Getting involved can really strengthen your resume,” she offers. “It speaks to your professional and personal interests and abilities — all while providing you with opportunities to network, develop leadership skills, and gain other job-related experiences.”
Preparing for Professional Success
Stephanie Beach recently expanded Career Development’s ongoing mission to help students achieve their dreams. In spring 2023, Beach began teaching a new career-readiness course. This elective class prepares second-semester sophomores, juniors, and seniors for internships and entry-level positions.
Although the course is currently not a requirement, Beach hopes it will eventually be mandatory, citing its relevance to students’ long-term success. “I go over everything students will need to know if they’re preparing for an internship or getting ready to graduate,” she explains.
Beach goes on to describe the skills students hone in this new class. “I go over everything from resumes and cover letters to mock interviews,” she elaborates. “The big picture goal of the career-readiness course is to help students find a job or internship. We highly recommend that any student hoping to find an internship take this course.”
At UB, a Fulfilling Future Waits for You
Thanks to the comprehensive guidance provided by Stephanie Beach, the Center for Career Development, and University of Bridgeport’s many support services, our graduates enter the workforce with the confidence, skills, and knowledge necessary to secure a rewarding career. Our 80+ career-focused programs are taught by dedicated faculty experts, all of whom are prepared to provide you with relevant, state-of-the-art learning experiences.
At UB, #UBelong! Learn more about earning your degree at University of Bridgeport.