Events Your Student Should Attend

Career Fairs

We host career fairs on campus throughout the year. Your student can meet employers from a variety of fields including engineering, technology, law, teaching and more.

• See upcoming career fairs.

Workshops

Our workshops are led by highly qualified counselors who provide advice on attaining jobs and internships, building an excellent resume, the importance of networking and how to approach graduate school.

• See upcoming workshops.

Company Information Sessions & On-Campus Interviews

Prior to on-campus interviews, company representatives host information sessions. Typically, they give an overview of the company, provide specific information about the positions they are interviewing for and answer any candidate questions.

• See upcoming company information sessions.
• Learn more about on-campus interviews.

Help Your Student Gain Work Experience

Internships, volunteering and part-time jobs are great ways for your student to gain the work experience employers expect. Our counselors can provide advice and resources to help your student access those opportunities. UCR Handshake also lists hundreds of internships and part-time jobs.

Internships

An internship can provide real-world experience tied to your student’s major and allow them to see what it’s like to work in a particular industry. To earn academic credit through an internship, your student should contact their academic department directly.

• Attend an internship workshop. We offer several each quarter. See our calendar for upcoming internship workshops.

• Plan ahead. It can take one or two quarters of research to find the right internship. Many competitive summer internships have application deadlines as early as the prior Fall. Student should start planning early.

• Update their resume. For a quick critique, students can stop by during Drop-In Hours or make an appointment  for a more in-depth review.

• Attend career fairs and company information sessions. Employers attending these events are often seeking interns. See our calendar for upcoming career fairs and information sessions.

• Check UCR Handshake regularly. UCR Handshake lists hundreds of internships.

• Speak to family, friends, academic advisors, etc. This type of networking may reveal "hidden" internships.

• Participate in the On-Campus Interview Program. The On-Campus Interview Program  frequently hosts employers seeking interns.

Volunteering

Students seeking careers in education, human services and the humanities often discover that nonprofit or public service agencies don’t have the budget to hire interns. In these fields, volunteer work and community service are excellent pathways for students seeking experience. Many hospitals, local governments and school districts have a volunteer coordinator who can help students determine whether or not a volunteer experience would be helpful to their educational journey. We can help your student throughout the process.

Part-Time Jobs

The emphasis placed on internships in education often overshadows the reality that part-time jobs are equally important in helping students gain experience. Students can access Scotlink at any time to pursue part-time positions both on campus and in the surrounding community. Students should also take advantage of our information sessions, job preparation workshops and career fairs. These events provide opportunities to broaden networks and create leads for possible employment.

Is Graduate School the Right Choice?

Students and families often visualize a career path that includes graduate or professional school immediately following undergraduate graduation. This can be a great track, but many variables should be considered first. Deciding factors may include finances, long-term career goals and whether or not immediate practical experience would be more valuable.

To find out if grad school is the right choice, your student should:

• Attend our Graduate/Professional School Day Fair each fall. 
• Use our online services. 
• Make an appointment with us via Handshake.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When should my student visit the Career Center?

  We advise students to visit us during their first year on campus! Sadly, many wait until just before graduation to come in. We offer a full range of services to help students from their first year through graduate school. 

• Will career assessment or vocational testing tell my student what career is best?

  While our testing does a good job of assessing interests and values, it is not a foolproof means of choosing a job. It should be used in combination with personal goals, workshops, career counseling, and advice from family and friends.

• Should my student work while in school?

  We believe that during the first quarter of the first year, most students should not work. This gives them time to settle into a routine of studying, socializing and focusing on the future. After the first quarter, most students should consider undergraduate research, part-time work or internships.

• Will the Career Center give my student a job?

  The Career Center is not a placement agency. We provide resources and job search strategies to assist your student in finding a career path and acquiring the skills necessary to secure a job within that path.

• Will my student be able to interview on campus?

  Yes, our On-Campus Interview Program brings dozens of employers to campus each year. Juniors and seniors are eligible to interview without the difficulties of traveling. In the past, we have hosted companies such as Verizon, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Ernst & Young, KMPG, Pacific Life, Schlumberger, Xerox, Deloite and Touche.