Starting or continuing a part-time, full-time job or internship search? The Career Management Center offers professional guidance, tools, and support for ODU students and alumni.
In this job market, starting and continuing a search can be a daunting task:
- Identify several industries where you are most likely to find your desired occupation
- Consider employers, companies, businesses in this industry regardless of location
- Target similar organizations that are in your geographic region
- Look for competitors, companies smaller than the initial list
Job Application Strategies
- ODU CareerLink and On-Campus Interviews
- Newspaper Want Ads
- Professional Journals
- Internet job banks such as USAJobs, Simply Hired, Career Connections, and Monster
Use various sources, apply directly to job openings that are posted. You will need an excellent resume and cover letter.
Targeting Strategy
- Develop good cover letters
- Address specific company representatives
- Target desired jobs whether or not the job is currently open
The key is to target a well-researched list of companies based on your company research.
Networking Strategy
- Career Fairs and Information Sessions
- Informational Interviews
Talk to people you know and develop a list of contacts. Utilize Informational Interviews to meet with contacts to gather industry information and to develop more contacts.
Let the Career Management Center provide personal coaching (via email, phone and in person) to help you with this difficult process.
- Evaluate your progress and manage your expectations
- Analyze your results, talk to a CMC coach
- Modify strategies, change inputs
- Inventory your own job search skills
- Get help from Career Management Center where needed
Job Search - Online Seminar
Job Banks - Use your Monarch Key Login
Looking for an opportunity to make a difference?
The United States Federal Government hires over 44,000 entry level hires in locations across the United States and overseas. In the next few years the federal government anticipates hiring tens of thousands of new employees to replace retirees.
Federal pay grades are based on level of education and location. There are numerous paths into the Federal Government; however there are three main Pathway programs for college students and. alumni.
- Student loan repayment assistance
- Flexible schedules and generous vacation and sick leave packages
- Competitive health and retirement benefits
- Training and professional development
- High levels of responsibility
- Excellent advancement opportunities
Pathway Programs
The Pathways Programs offer clear paths to Federal internships for students from high school through post-graduate school and to careers for recent graduates, and provide meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their Federal service. As a student or recent graduate, you can begin your career in the Federal government by choosing the path that best describes you and where you are in your academic career.
Internship Program
- Currently enrolled college students
- Paid opportunities to intern at federal agencies and explore different career paths
- Eligible for conversion to full-time employment upon successful completion of the program (640/320 hours of work)
- Current students in qualifying educational institutions and programs
Recent Graduates Program
- Undergraduate or graduate degree within the last two years
- Dynamic, one year developmental program
- Participants go to an orientation, receive 40 hours of T&D, complete an IDP and are assigned a mentor
- Eligible for conversion to full-time employment upon successful completion of the program
Presidential Management Fellows Program
- Qualifying advanced degree within the last two years
- Government's most prestigious two year leadership development program
- Participants go to an orientation, receive 80 hours of T&D, complete an IDP, are assigned a mentor, and have at least one rotational or developmental assignment
- Application generally opens in early October
Considering graduate or professional school to earn a competitive edge?
ODU Graduate Program
Graduate school is a major commitment. Fields such as law, medicine, and college or university teaching require education beyond the baccalaureate level, other fields have no clear-cut guidelines. Some students go to graduate school directly after finishing their undergraduate degree. Others take some time off before continuing their education. Many enter the workforce for a few years before returning to the classroom. Some fields, including nursing and business, recommend gaining work experience before beginning graduate a graduate degree.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements vary according to field of study, individual graduate programs may specify:
- Application forms
- Test scores
- Official, sealed transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume/Vitae
- Admissions Exams
Exams are commonly scheduled one year prior to entrance date. Popular examples:
Letters of Recommendation
A recommendation letter is a detailed discussion of the personal qualities, accomplishments, and experiences that make you uniquely suited for the program to which you have applied.
Who do I ask? Consider one or more people from your professional network such as faculty members, mentors, administrators, advisors, or internship supervisors who have known you long enough to:
- establish a high opinion, personally and professionally
- describe the quality of your work and positive character
- understand your educational and career goals
- write a compelling, articulate letter
How do I ask? Request permission and provide appropriate information to get them started, then follow-up to confirm letters were sent on time:
- A cover note that includes your contact information
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Admissions essay/personal statement
- Copies of graded assignments from the course you took with them
- A list of schools to which you are applying and the due dates
- Copy of the application recommendation forms
- Addressed and stamped envelope
