Professional U

Customize YOUR career journey

Whether you are at Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, or Mansfield, Professional U is what YOU DO to engage with the career community of faculty, staff, alumni, and employer partners to gain the experiences and professional connections you need to graduate a confident professional.

Since Professional U looks different in every college, on every career path, and for every student, see your faculty advisor to take advantage of all the career opportunities in your major. Consider attending networking events, career expos, career road trips, alumni panels, workshops, and your annual college conference. 

For additional help and 1:1 career coaching, make an appointment on Handshake or contact the Alumni and Professional Engagement team for additional support.

So...how will YOU do Professional U?

First things first: Handshake and FOCUS 2

Activate your Handshake profile to keep up with every opportunity and connect with employers! Sign up for 1:1 career coaching, professional development workshops, labs, alumni panels, and networking events like Career Expos. 

Find a job shadow host, register for a mock or on-campus interview, and find and apply for internships and jobs as you near graduation. 

Take the FOCUS 2 assessment to help decide what you want to pursue. Log in with your university email and use the access code "explore"

Explore industries and practice networking

Explore industries, get comfortable interacting with employers, and find internships at a Career Connections Expo. Build relationships with recruiters who may hire you later! Visit the Greenly Center at Bloomsburg, South Hall at Mansfield, and the DACC in Lock Haven to find out what to expect and get a free professional outfit so you can dress for success.

Gain valuable experience

The easiest way to get experience is through on-campus student employment, where you can learn how to operate in a professional environment, work on projects tied to your major and skillset, and gain some campus mentors in the process — all with competitive pay and the convenience of working on campus during hours that fit your class schedule!  

All student employment opportunities can be found on Handshake. Internships, field study, research, and study abroad experiences are vital to finding that first professional position! Talk to a faculty member, advisor, or department secretary about the best fit for your path, then search Handshake and the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, or Mansfield LinkedIn Alumni Group and get ideas from alumni at college conferences like CASSHCon, ZIPD, COST Pathways, CATCH, or the Health Science Symposium. 

Once you have a site, consult your faculty advisor or department secretary for questions regarding active affiliation agreements on file, and if you have additional questions, email Internships@commonwealthu.edu. If you need a quiet, professional space to practice or participate in presentations, interviews, webinars, and conference calls, contact Alumni and Professional Engagement at your respective location.

Remember, a Professional Experience Grant (PEG) can help defray some of the costs associated with these high-impact experiences.

Continue your climb, long after you leave campus

Make the transition from college student to confident professional with some last-minute polish and preparation at the Career Intensive Boot Camp. Then, return to campus to help future alumni do the same! Parents, employers, faculty, staff, and alumni are all part of the Professional U Career Community. 

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