(Click on a question. The answer to your selected question will appear at the top of your screen. To ask another question, use your "Back" button and make another selection.)
General Questions:
What are your hours? Are you open during the summer?
How can I make an appointment?
Is there a charge to use your office?
I am a club/organization leader here on campus. What kind of services can you offer for my group?
How can I stay informed about CSC events?
I'm only a Freshman. Why should I visit your office?
Do you offer interest inventories? What are they and how can they help me?
Internship Questions:
When should I start looking for an internship?
I’m so busy with classes and other activities. Why should I do an internship?
Job-related Questions:
Can you help me find an on-campus job?
I’m a senior. When should I start my job search?
Does the CSC maintain a database of local job opportunities?
Graduate School Questions:
Should I go to graduate school?
What is the graduate school application process like?
Will I have to take a test to apply to graduate school? If so, which one?
How should I prepare for these tests?
General Questions
Where are you located?
The CSC office is located in the main hallway of Village II.
What are your hours? Are you open during the summer?
We are open 8:30 am- 4:30 pm during the school year and 8:30 am- 4 pm during the summer.
Do I need an appointment?
If you have a quick question or need a resume critique, you can stop by our office. To guarantee counselor availability, however, it is best to make an appointment.
How can I make an appointment?
Stop by the office, call 455-3337 or email us at career_services@vwc.edu.
What services do you offer?
We offer individual career counseling, seminars, job and internship search assistance, resume and cover letter critiques, graduate school information, personal statement help, mock interviews, a large resource room with over 300 print materials and a wealth of online resources, including an online job and internship listing database.
Will you place me in a job?
Our mission is to assist you with every step of the career development process. While we do not “place” students in positions, we can help you develop the critical skills and provide you with the resources and contact information you need to conduct a successful job search.
Is there a charge to use your office?
No. All of our services are free to current students and alumni of Virginia Wesleyan College.
I am a club/organization leader here on campus. What kind of workshops do you offer for my group?
Through the "Career Cafe" program, we offer workshops on dining etiquette, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, job search strategies and more. For more information, please email the Career Services Center.
How can I stay informed about CSC events?
Look for our weekly newsletter, Instant. Messenger, delivered right to your email inbox!
I’m only a freshman. Why should I visit your office?
We have found that students who visit our office early in their college years are better prepared to later secure internships, conduct job searches and apply to graduate school. If you are unsure of which major to declare, individualized career counseling can help clarify your interests and goals.
Do you offer interest inventories? What are they and how can they help me?
We offer the Self- Directed Search, Strong Interest Inventory, Campbell Interest and Skills Survey and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. These inventories help clarify your unique interests, skills and personality traits. A counselor will determine which inventory will best meet your needs.
Internships
What is an internship?
An internship is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a career field of interest. Internships can be paid or unpaid, and can often count towards academic credit in your major.
How do I find an internship?
Visit our internship listings to browse local opportunities. We also subscribe to several national and international internship databases. Make an appointment with a career counselor to discuss your unique career goals and talk with your advisor about options for academic credit.
When should I start looking for an internship?
Start early! Many application deadlines fall 3-4 months before your intended start date; very competitive internship positions may have an even earlier deadline. Be sure to allow enough time to gain approval from your faculty advisor and prepare your resume, cover letter and references.
I’m so busy with classes and other activities. Why should I do an internship?
Statistics show that students with internship experience are more competitive in today’s job market. As an intern, you also gain valuable insight into your field and make important networking contacts.
Jobs
Can you help me find an on-campus job?
Most on-campus jobs are work-study positions, coordinated by the Financial Aid office.
Career Services is available to assist you in your application and interviewing process.
Non work-study positions are often available in the Batten Center and the Boyd Dining Center.
I’m a senior. When should I start my job search?
Start networking and researching employers of interest early in your senior year. Seniors should begin applying for jobs in the fall semester. The average job search takes 3-6 months, with some highly competitive fields taking even longer. Don’t wait until the last minute!
What is a mock interview?
A mock interview is a practice interview that provides an opportunity for you to strengthen your interviewing skills with a counselor. We recommend you dress professionally and treat the mock interview as a real interview to gain full benefit from the experience.
Does the CSC maintain a database of local job opportunities?
Yes. Check out our job and internship database site to find full-time and part-time positions, as well as internships. While many of the postings are local in nature, we often receive listings from employers in Richmond, Northern Virginia and other cities around the country. To obtain the user name and password, call 455-3337 or email career_services@vwc.edu. We also have printed copies of the listings in our Career Resource Room job binders, available anytime during office hours without appointment.
Graduate School
Should I go to graduate school?
This is a big decision. Sit down with a counselor to discuss your unique situation and career plans. Degree programs often vary in preference for the best time for a student to apply.
What is the graduate school application process like?
While individual schools and programs may vary, typically you will fill out an application and submit a resume, a personal statement or essay, appropriate test scores, letters of recommendation and transcripts. This process can take awhile, so start early! Give your professors plenty of time to write letters of recommendation and provide them with a copy of your resume.
What is a personal statement?
A
personal statement is your chance to introduce yourself to your graduate program of interest. Unsure of what to write? Our resource room is full of helpful guides and samples. Our counselors are happy to review your drafts and offer suggestions.
Will I have to take a test to apply to graduate school? If so, which one?
Most graduate programs in the arts and sciences require the GRE (Graduate Record Exam). Currently the GRE can be taken here on campus at the Testing Center. Law schools require the LSAT. Business schools require you to take the GMAT, while medical schools look for MCAT scores.
How should I prepare for these tests?
Consider taking a Kaplan practice test here on campus. Each fall we proctor these practice tests for a small fee. Contact our office for more information about next fall’s test date.