Build Career Skills

Fuel your growth—from exploring interests to launching your career. Use these curated tools and services to build skills that matter.

1. Career Assessments

Tools like Focus 2 Career help you explore majors and occupations by aligning your interests, values, skills, and personality. Complete assessments, combine your results, and reflect using the provided worksheets to uncover meaningful educational and career directions.

2. Career Competencies

Every campus job and experiential opportunity is designed to help you build the essential career competencies outlined by NACE—including communication, problem-solving, leadership, professionalism, and digital fluency. You’ll see these competencies embedded in job descriptions, helping you understand and articulate your skills.

3. Career Studio

Drop by the Career Studio—Mon–Thu, 2:00–6:00 p.m., in Plemmons Student Union Lounge, Room 222—no appointment required. Peer Career Guides offer:

• • Help exploring majors and career interests
  • Resume, cover letter, and personal statement reviews
  • Professional headshots
  • Guidance using Handshake and LinkedIn
  • Job search and interview preparation tips

Plus, you can email your resume or cover letter to careerguide@appstate.edu for edits within 5 business days.

4. Create a Resume / Cover Letter

Your application documents are your first impression—make them count. Guidelines include:

• • Keep résumé to one page; use PDF format with your name in the filename
  • Tailor content with results-oriented bullet points using strong action verbs
  • Cover letters should be one page, address “Why you?”, “Why this role?”, and maintain a similar design to your résumé

Need samples? Choose from a wide variety—including general, internship, or discipline-specific templates—and get expert feedback via the Career Studio or a coach.

5. Gap and Service Years

Whether you’re pausing to serve or explore, a gap or service year can be a meaningful experience. Reflect on how this time builds self-awareness, transferable skills, and aligns with future career paths.

6. Handshake

Handshake is your go-to platform for finding part-time jobs, internships, and full-time roles—even those posted by App State employers and alumni. Log in with your App State credentials, set notifications, and easily apply to roles tailored to your profile.

7. Interviewing

Interviews don’t have to be nerve-wracking. Build your confidence through:

• • Big Interview, an online tool offering mock interviews, training videos, a behavioral answer builder, and self-ratings
  • Practice interviews on campus—listed in Handshake and marked as “practice”
  • Tips including dressing professionally, bringing extra resumes, technical prep, and travel planning for in-person interviews.

8. Networking

Networking is one of the most effective ways to uncover opportunities and learn from professionals in your field. Start by keeping your Handshake profile up to date so employers and alumni can find you, and don’t be afraid to message recruiters directly through the platform. Tap into App State’s alumni network—many are eager to share insights and advice—and make the most of career fairs by introducing yourself, asking thoughtful questions, and following up afterward. On LinkedIn, connect with classmates, professors, and alumni, and personalize each request with a short note. Finally, schedule informational interviews with professionals whose careers interest you; even a 20-minute conversation can give you a clearer picture of your options and expand your circle of contacts.

9. Professional and Graduate School

If you’re thinking about graduate or professional school, start early by researching programs that fit your career goals, location preferences, and financial needs. As you narrow your options, plan ahead for application materials—most programs require a personal statement, résumé or CV, transcripts, and test scores. Give your recommenders plenty of time by requesting references at least a month before deadlines, and share your goals and materials so they can write strong, tailored letters. The Career Development Center can review your statements, résumés, and other application documents, helping you present a polished and competitive application.

10. Professional Development for Students

• • AppGROWS (Guided Reflection on Work + Service): Supervisors can facilitate brief, structured reflections with you—connecting classroom learning with your on-the-job experiences. These conversations promote growth and clarity.
  • Global Career Accelerator: A flexible, global experiential program open to all majors. You’ll collaborate online with peers from 50+ countries on projects for companies such as SpaceX and the Grammys—building global and professional competencies.

11. Remote Work

Succeeding in a remote role requires more than just a laptop and Wi-Fi. Employers expect strong digital communication skills, from writing clear emails to collaborating effectively in chat platforms and video calls. Equally important is time management—setting a schedule, meeting deadlines, and staying organized without direct supervision. Familiarity with virtual tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or project management platforms shows you can adapt quickly to digital workplaces. Finally, practice professional etiquette online: arrive on time to virtual meetings, mute distractions, and present yourself as you would in person. Building these habits now will prepare you to thrive in flexible and remote work environments.

12. Search for a Job / Internship

Ready to launch? Use Handshake to search and apply. Attend career fairs like the upcoming On-Campus & Part-Time Jobs Fair, as listed in Handshake and the Career Hub events calendar. Combine job searching with assessment insights and résumé prep to stand out.