Integrating career preparedness into the classroom
UAF Career Services’ mission is to provide the UAF community with professional guidance and networking opportunities. Whether you or your students are interested in finding a job or internship, exploring career options, changing careers, or getting your resume and cover letter reviewed, let us help you reach your career goals! Our services are available to any student, alum, staff, or faculty member—in person or virtually.
Career Services is always open to collaborating with different departments and colleges to put on events for students. If there are specific events you would like to see or if you would like Career Services to do a classroom presentation, please reach out directly to Nicole Goff.
How to Integrate Career Preparedness into the Classroom:
- Urge your students to make appointments with Career Services. We can help students with career exploration, resume and cover letter review, interview preparation, the job search process, and more. Students can schedule an appointment through Nanook Navigator. If students do not see an appointment time that works for them or is struggling to make an appointment, they can contact Career Services for support.
- Remind your students to use Handshake, UAF’s career management platform. Every student has access to a Handshake account through their UA login. On Handshake, students can search for jobs and internships, network with employers, and register for our career fairs. Show them this video on how to log into Handshake, or send them to our webpage on how to best utilize the platform.
- Encourage attendance at career events where students can network with employers, such as career fairs, industry panels, and professional workshops.
- Invite Career Services to your classroom. Career Services offer presentations on a variety of career-related topics, including how to write resumes and cover letters, how to prepare for interviews, and how to use Handshake. Contact us to schedule a presentation.
- Incorporate career preparedness into your syllabus. Turn scheduling appointments with Career Services, using Handshake, and attending career events into class assignments or extra credit. Highlight how your course helps students develop career readiness competencies, such as critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills, by explaining how your course assignments build those skills.
- Bring in guest speakers. Career staff, alumni, and employers can make great speakers, to help connect course content and real-world applications. If you need help identifying an ideal guest for your classroom, we are happy to assist you with uncovering professionals that align with your course content.
- Talk occasionally in class about the importance of internships and early career exploration. If you feel comfortable, share some of your own stories. What career advice do you wish you had sooner? How did you get to the position you are in today? How to make connections with those working in a student’s desired field?
Upcoming Events:
UAF Fall Career Fair Prep | October 28, 2022, | Virtual
Time: 11 am-12 pm AKT
Join UAF Career Services for a virtual Fall Career Fair preparation workshop We will provide information on how to prepare for the fall career fair, how to prepare an elevator pitch, and go over resources available to you
**Zoom link to be sent in a confirmation email
External Registration:
https://forms.gle/2Yui9BSCa2Pu9Pfg7
** I do record the first half of these sessions during the presentation portion. Students can reach out to uaf-career@alaska.edu to request a copy of these recordings.
Career Fairs:
Fall Career Fair:
Thursday, November 3rd
11 am – 3pm
Wood Center
What if I cannot attend the Fall Career Fair?
Students and alumni who are unable to attend this event are still welcome and encouraged to register for the event on Handshake. Once registered you are able to review employer profiles and apply to posted jobs and internships. We are asking that employers post their open positions on Handshake so that all students have access!
Nicole Goff
Director of Career Services
Nicole Goff was raised in the hot and sunny state of Arizona. She attended Arizona State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Nicole then spent the next 5 years teaching 5th, 4th, and then 1st grade. She received her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in March 2020 and began working for UAF’s Career Services office shortly after. She has a great passion for career services and supporting students and alumni in their career journeys.
When not in the office, Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband, friends, and her three dogs: Bjorn, Odin, and Freyja. She also spends much of her free time exploring new places, enjoying new restaurants, reading a good book, and spending time outside. Nicole considers herself a lifelong learner, and always enjoys learning new things.
nrgoff@alaska.edu
(907) 474-6630