Workshops and Classes
The UW Career Center offers a series of drop-in workshops each month for students and alumni. Each workshop is carefully designed by a member of our career counseling staff to address common career-related concerns and questions. Approximately 50 minutes long, workshops are generally held during the afternoon at the UW Career Center throughout Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters. See calendar for dates and times.
With the exception of the two-day Dependable Strengths seminar, which is offered quarterly, workshops are free. All you need to do is show up!
Workshops can also be presented to select groups. Advisers, faculty and student organizations interested in a workshop presentation are encouraged to contact us or fill out our online Workshop Request form.
Presentations of workshops are included with workshop descriptions below. Note: these presentations are not as complete as the workshops presented in our center. However, you may find them helpful if you canont attend a group session.
Workshop Descriptions and Handouts
Applying to Graduate and Professional School
Is going to graduate or professional school a good career choice for you? This workshop provides an overview on how to decide if graduate education is in your career plans. You'll learn how to identify and research the schools that are the best fit for you, explore alternative educational options, become familiar with the application process, learn more about personal statements, and find out about scholarship and funding sources. We'll also discuss resources for preparing and taking admissions tests, establishing a letter of recommendations file, and ways to practice doing well in the admissions interview.
Career Portfolio Basics
Gain a competitive edge in your job search! Career portfolios are being used in more employment areas (far beyond the graphic arts) to enhance one's ability to give a "picture" of accomplishments. You can use a career portfolio in an interview to help show how well you match the skills and abilities the employer is looking for. This workshop will tell you what career portfolios are (and aren't) and will help you develop your own career portfolio - and use it effectively.
Dependable Strengths Seminar
Assess your strengths and open up new opportunities. Identify what you enjoy, things you do well and events or experiences in which you take pride.
Internships and Student Jobs
Balance your studies with related experience! Learn where to look and how to make the most of opportunities by attending one of these workshops co-presented by the Carlson Leadership and Public Service Center and the Career Center.
Job Offer and Salary Negotiations
"Okay the employer is interested, now how do I get the offer and the salary and benefits I want?" This workshop will address that question and more. What is the employer concerned about? How do I decide between several job offers? When should I accept? How much time do I have to decide? When do I talk money? What if I change my mind? Learn how to solve these issues so that you keep options open and maintain your integrity and worth.
Job Search Strategies for International Students
Looking for work presents special challenges for international students. This workshop covers differences between U.S. employers' expectations versus differing values in other cultures and addresses how to overcome some of the obstacles that international students face when conducting a job search in the United States. Discuss answers to the questions: "When do I reveal that I am an international student?" and "Which job search strategies are most effective for international students?" Learn how to increase your job search skills and find out about employment eligibility options for working in the U.S.
Making the Most of a Career Fair
A workshop to help know what to expect at career fairs. Topics include: how to plan a strategy for most effective and efficient use of time at a fair; the introduction - making the first impression a good one; statistics on number of interviews and jobs offered at career fairs; follow-up after the fair.
Making Career Connections
The key to your career is embracing and sharing your strengths, meeting people, building relationships, exchanging ideas & information with contacts. Research indicates that most jobs are found via networking! Successful networking stems from preparation, reflection, asking good questions and follow up. This workshop will help you learn about the "whys & hows" of networking.
Navigating Career Options
Are you trying to choose a major or career direction? How do majors & careers connect? Need help finding an internship or job? About to graduate & not sure what to do? Take our class & join in an exploration of career options & learn how to navigate your course through the vast domain of career possibilities and job search strategies. Connect your academic & life experiences to your future career. This popular 3-credit class is offered each Autumn, Winter & Spring.
Resumes and Cover Letters
Is your resume up to date? Increase your understanding of how your resume is used in the job search and make sure it targets your career goal. Learn how to compose a resume that reflects your greatest strengths and talents. Explore formats that say, "Hire me!" Find out about Electronic Resumes: what they are, how to use them, and how to send them.
Roadmap for Choosing Your Major
Confused about majors and careers? Not sure what to do or who to talk to? Come to this mini-workshop and learn how to find a major that matches your interests, abilities, and values. Plus, get a great list of resources to help you develop your own personal action plan! This workshop is offered several times each quarter at the Career Center, the Gateway Center and, during registration periods, in the residence halls.
Successful Interviews
How to prepare for and conduct interviews that get that job offer! The following issues are addressed: interview formats, researching companies, answering those tough behavior-based and other interview questions, interview ethics and etiquette. A role-play is included to demonstrate an effective interview strategy.
What Can I Do With My Major
Whether you are interviewing for jobs or just talking to your Aunt Ellen, it is useful to be able to articulate the skills and abilities you have gained in college. Learn how to discuss with confidence the strengths you've developed in your major and discover how you can apply them to the world of work. This workshop includes small group interaction and practice exercises
