San Jose State University : Career Center
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Main Content
FAQ'S
Frequently Asked Questions
- When should my student visit the Career Center?
It's never too early or too late for your student to start thinking
and planning for their future career. The Career Center assists
students at all stages of development in their career journey, from
helping with choosing a major to searching for their first full-time
job. Encourage your student to visit the Career Center in person or online.
- What services does the Career Center provide to assist my student's
career preparation?
The Career Center strives to meet the needs of our diverse student
population. We aim to promote the development of SJSU students as
professionals by providing the tools to guide them in making
career-planning decisions and in marketing their skills to employers.
Some services we offer include:
- SpartaJobs, the Career Center’s 24/7 online job database which currently has thousands of on-campus, work study, part-time, internship, and fulltime job opportunities specifically seeking SJSU candidates. We have office hours where students can meet with a career professional on a drop-in bassis to discuss topics that include choosing a major, Resume critique, and job/internship search strategies.
- Assessment inventories are tools that we use to assist students in clarifying students in their strengths and interests through an emphasis on self-understanding and career/major applications.
- The Career Center also organizes many opportunities to meet a wide variety of employers through job fairs and employer information sessions.
- Workshops and special events take place throughout the year and are targeted to specific areas of the job search process. For more information on specific job fairs and events, check the Calendar (*link to the calendar) section of our website.
- How can I help my student choose a major?
Research points to social engagement as an instrumental factor in the
academic success of students. Part of academic success for students is
to find an area of study that motivates and engages them to be
intellectually stimulated. Upon entering college as a freshman, it is
important for students to get involved within the campus community.
Exploration through, campus clubs, student organizations (links: http://studentorgs.sjsu.edu/ ), and internships, in addition to academic exploration, allows a student to make a well-rounded decision about their major based on their interests,
values, and strengths.
You can help your student by guiding them to resources like our Exploring Majors and Careers tutorial, and additional resources on job market demand, interest inventories, salary ranges, skills, and long-term opportunities.
Encourage your student to come into the Career Center and meet with a career counselor to offer support in the decision making process.
The Career Center provides weekly office hours as well as
counseling appointments to offer support in the decision making
process of choosing a major. Please check the calendar section (http://www.careercenter.sjsu.edu/calendar/calendar.html) of our web site for detailed information.
Top of Page
- Does Major equal career?
Choosing a major during college is an important aspect of the educational process, but one’s major does not equal their career. In today’s economy emphasis is placed on specific abilities and not a particular major. Some of the top transferable skills all employers value are communication (written and verbal), team work, leadership, and interpersonal skills. In fact, over 80% of workers in the US are currently in a career field that is not directly related to their majors (Indiana University Bloomington: www.nku.edu/~aarc). While some applied majors like accounting and engineering are pre-requisites for specific industries, it is important to remember that employers also value global and interpersonal skills developed through liberal arts majors and courses.
Specific on the job training is often provided through internships to help develop specific skills to a particular job or field but interpersonal skills, teamwork and problem solving skills are expected to be developed through a student’s general education.
Top of Page
- How important is it to do an internship?
An internship is an important aspect of a student's education in
today's competitive market. Internships serve as an opportunity for
students to get "real-world" training in their field. An
internship is a great way to get an inside glimpse of a company, an
industry, and a particular occupation. It can help clarify
whether or not a particular field is a good match for the candidate.
In addition, employers expect candidates to have multiple internships
on their Resumes by the time they graduate. Many employers offer internships to students of sophomore to senior standing. Encourage your student to explore internships early in their college career.
Top of Page
- What do employers look for in a candidate?
In today's economy employers place their emphasis on specific abilities and not so much a specific major. The top 5 personal qualities/skills employers seek, according to
NACE's (National Association of Colleges and Employers) Job Outlook 2007 survey, are:
- Communication skills (verbal and written)
- Honesty/integrity
- Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
- Motivation/Initiative
- Strong work ethic
Top of Page
- What is the importance of leadership experience?
SJSU students have numerous opportunities to get involved on campus in leadership activities. Activities such as student clubs/organizations, community service learning, study abroad, and volunteer work are available at SJSU.
Extracurricular activities are a great way for students to make friends and have a well-rounded experience at SJSU. Encourage your student to take a leadership role in a club or during a class project to develop key skills/abilities that are vital to the workforce and in life, such as: delegating, motivating, inspiring, problem solving, and managing conflict.
Find more information on the student clubs and organizations from the Office of Student Involvement at: www.getinvolved.sjsu.edu
Opportunities like community service learning and leadership and study abroad give students the chance to make a difference in the community and gain academic credit while increasing their marketability in our global economy. You can find more information for the Center of Community Learning and Leadership at: http://www.sjsu.edu/ccll/ and Study Abroad at: www.sjsu.edu/depts/studyabroad/
Top of Page
- When should my student start applying for full time jobs?
Generally it is best for a student to start the job search process
earlier rather than later. It is accepted that the average
time it takes to find full-time employment ranges from about 3-6
months. Students can start their job search through our 24/7 online
job database at SpartaJobs, but are also encouraged to pursue other
avenues such as job fairs, informational interviewing, and networking events.
Access for our events calendar for a listing of upcoming events.
Top of Page
- What is the average salary that my SJSU student can expect to receive upon graduation?
Questions surrounding salary are one of the most frequently asked questions in the job search process. On the recommendation of our professional staff, the Career Center lists salary, job, and career information sites that detail aspects of average salaries based on industry and major *(link). In addition, please refer to the Career Center Salary Survey
(link)* which examines salaries for SJSU students specifically.
It should be noted that the salary that a student garners can be affected by the way a candidate highlights their relevant skills, accomplishments, and education to an employer. Encourage your student to utilize all of the Career Center resources early, so that they may learn how to effectively market themselves.
Top of Page
- Why should I care about Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn?
According to a recent poll conducted by the National Association of
Colleges and Employers (NACE): More than one-quarter (26.9%) of the
employers reported that they have "Googled" candidates or reviewed job
applicant profiles on social networking sites.
In the context of a job search, be aware that any information posted on the web is public
information and could have a profound effect on future employment. Ethics and integrity are important to possess and employers highly value them.
Top of Page
Related Information
print
mail