Student Career Development Resources | Northeastern State University
STUDENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Careers can be difficult to navigate. Northeastern State University has put together a variety of resources to support students in all stages of their career journey. These resources can be used as a starting point for career development or to fine tune career readiness skills.
Career Counselors are available to help you navigate the world of career readiness through appointments which are available in person, online (via Handshake), over the phone, and email (careerservices@nsuok.edu).
CAREER READINESS
The National Association of Colleges and Employers defines Career Readiness as a foundation from which students demonstrate requisite core competencies (soft-skills) that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management. There are 8 career readiness competencies, each of which can be demonstrated in a variety of ways.
The Career Readiness Certificate is a great way to develop and showcase skills you learn while at NSU that make you ready to compete in the workforce. The certificate is split into three levels: bronze, silver, and gold; and can be done at your own pace and are intended to be supportive regardless of the stage you are at in your career. Each level provides opportunities for students to customize their experience with the ability to participate in a variety of options. Earn one, or all, it's up to you!
Bronze Level (Level 1)
To earn the Bronze Level Career Readiness Certificate, participants must complete 7 of the following. Items indicated with an asterisk (**) are required within each level. No more than 2 recordings can be used within each certificate level and recordings cannot be counted across multiple levels. For more detailed instructions on any of these tasks, look at our instructions HyperDoc HERE.
- Complete Handshake Account**
- Create an Skills First Account**
- Create a Career Counselor Approved Resume and Upload to Handshake Account**
- Take the Career Assessment FOCUS2
- Complete a Mock Interview with Career Services (In-Person or Virtual on Handhshake)
- Join a Student Organization for at least 1 semester, attend meetings and events, and give a short presentation or reflection on how you being active benefitted the organization. Please upload reflections to your Bronze Level Certificate Portfolio in Skills First. Your reflection should include the name of the organization and the name of your professor if you are completing this for a class assignment.
- Learn more about the services we offer in our office through our Career Services Overview Webinar
- Learn all about Resumes & Cover Letters to help get your documents to approved status!
- Watch this Interviewing webinar for more information on interviewing skills.
- Find out the top skills employers look for in recent graduates through this webinar recording
**Webinars can be accessed through your portfolio once you have cloned the original**
**To keep track of your progress, use the Bronze Level Certificate Portfolio template on Skills First. Instructions for this process can be found HERE.
After you have completed 7 from the above requirements AND documented your progress in your portfolio, you MUST:
Submit Bronze Level Completion Form*
**IMPORTANT NOTICE** Please allow 72 business hours for certificate dispersal.
SILVER LEVEL (LEVEL 2)
To earn the Silver Level Career Readiness Certificate, participants must complete 6 of the following. Items indicated with an asterisk (**) are required within each level. No more than 2 recordings can be used within each certificate level and recordings cannot be counted across multiple levels.
- Join N-Link
- Conduct an Informational Interview within your Career Field, and post in your Skills First portfolio
- Shadow an Alumnus in your Career Field, and complete the Silver Level: Shadowing Reflection Form
- Attend the NSU Fall or Spring Career or Teacher Job Fair**
- Volunteer for Big Event or in the community, and post a reflection in your Skills First Portfolio
- Create an All Star LinkedIn Profile and meet with a Career Counselor for LinkedIn Review
- Learn how to create a digital presence on LinkedIn by watching this webinar.
- Learn about Salary & Benefit Negotiation through this Webinar Recording
- Learn how to create a digital presence on LinkedIn by watching this webinar.
- Watch this Interviewing webinar for more information on interviewing skills.
- Find out the top skills employers look for in recent graduates through this webinar recording
After you have completed 6 from the above requirements AND documented your progress in your portfolio, you MUST:
Submit Silver Level Completion Form*
GOLD LEVEL (LEVEL 3)
To earn the Gold Level Career Readiness Certificate, participants must complete 6 of the following in the semester leading up to graduation. Items indicated with an asterisk (**) are required within each level. No more than 2 recordings can be used within each certificate level and recordings cannot be counted across multiple levels.
- Attend Etiquette or GreenLink Dinner
- Fill out First Destination Survey**
- Collect at least 3 Reference Letters, and post in your Skills First Portfolio
- Give a 10 minute Interview Presentation in your Career Field to Career Counselor
- Apply for at least 3 internships in your field and post the application in your Skills First Portfolio
- Complete an Internship in your Career Field, and complete the Gold Level: Internship Reflection Form
- Learn about Salary & Benefit Negotiation through this Webinar Recording
- Watch this Interviewing webinar for more information on interviewing skills.
- Find out the top skills employers look for in recent graduates through this webinar recording
After you have completed 6 from the above requirements AND documented your progress in your portfolio, you MUST:
Submit Gold Level Completion Form
* Instructions on How to Create an Skills First Portfolio.
CAREER COUNSELING
Career Counselors are available on a one-on-one basis to help students with major exploration, career direction, professional document support, and interview assistance. Career Counselors are available to meet in-person, walk-in pending availability, online, or via the phone.
Career Counselors serve current students and alumni. Appointments can be scheduled via Handshake using your NSU Username and Password
Counseling Policies
If you are more than 15 minutes late, and have not let the counselor or front desk know prior, you may be required to reschedule the appointment for another time.
We request that if you have to cancel an appointment, please do it 24 hours in advance of the appointment
Career Counselors will review resumes and cover letters within 72 business hours of receiving it via email.