Frequently Asked Questions about the Career Center
1. What services does the Career Center provide to students?
We help students and alumni decide on majors and careers, search for jobs and internships and decide on graduate schools. We also provide fun services such as vocational assessments, recruitment activities, career workshops and more. Our office is located in Room 210 next to Student Activities. Call (718) 489-5360 to make an appointment.
2. When is the Career Center open?
Center hours are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, with extended hours on Wednesday until 6 pm. The office remains open during the winter, spring, and summer breaks.
3. How do I make an appointment with a counselor?
It's easy! Just call (718) 489-5360. To help the counselor prepare for your visit, we'll need some basic information first, like your major and what assistance you need (e.g., making a career decision, resume critique, job search, applying to graduate school, etc.)
4. How long are appointments?
Appointments are usually scheduled for either 30 or 60 minutes depending on the type of assistance you need. We also have counselors available on a walk-in basis for "quick questions” on Wednesdays as well as our Career Corner and Career Café Programs.
5. What is MonsterTrak?
MonsterTrak is a free career database that allows you to view career opportunities such as internships, full-time and part-time jobs. You can also upload your resume to their online Resume Database which is available to employers seeking candidates.
6. What is the difference between Career Fairs and On-Campus Recruiting?
Career Fairs are annual events that our office sponsors, bringing employers to campus to informally meet with you and tell you about their job and internship openings as well as their organizations. We encourage you to treat the fairs like a job interview, dress appropriately and bring your resume to share with the employer. It's your first opportunity to talk to them about your strengths and abilities. We also partner with a Career Fair on Staten Island.
On-Campus Recruiting is a service where employers come to campus to formally interview seniors in the SFC Career Center in the fall semester, staying usually one day. You can view which employers are coming to campus and see their job & internship positions on our website. Employers generally pre-screen resumes, which means you must submit your resume online by the deadline dates. The employer then selects who they wish to interview, our office contacts you by email if you are selected, and then you sign up for an interview time. Interviews are generally a 1/2 hour each, and usually take place in or near our office.
7. What should I do if I'm interested in an internship?
Call (718) 489-5360 to set up an appointment with a counselor. We can help get you started on your search and provide you with resources and various contacts available.
8. Do you have information on the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, TOEFL, CLEP etc.?
Yes, stop by the center to receive information about computer based testing services like Kaplan and Petersen's.
9. How do I sign up for a practice interview?
Just call (718) 489-5360 or stop by the Career Center to make an appointment. We ask that you dress professionally and bring a copy of your resume to the interview. We will practice commonly asked questions and review answers with you.
10. Where can I take an interest test to help me make a career/major decision?
Vocational assessments (Living Your Colors, Strong Interest Inventory, Values/Interests Cards, and Personality Mosaic) are available. Just call or visit our office and make arrangements to take any of these career decision-making tools. You should also make an appointment with a counselor to have the results interpreted.
11. When should I start visiting the Career Center?
The Career Center welcomes students from their first day on campus. Counselors are happy to discuss potential majors and careers with you from the first semester of your freshman year to just before you graduate to years after you have left St. Francis and moved into the workforce. We also offer many workshops and activities geared to students at all levels.
12. What do employers look for in a candidate?
Employers look for students who are highly motivated, able to communicate their ideas clearly and concisely, and can demonstrate skills in leadership and teamwork. Employers also consider a candidate's academic background, appearance, their comfort level with the interview process and their initiative. The skills that students need to demonstrate to employers are the cornerstone of a SFC liberal arts education. Students are encouraged to work with a career counselor to create a job search strategy as well as practice the skills that will help them succeed in the process.
13. How are job opportunities found?
We pursue new employment opportunities for students and graduates, working with them throughout college and beyond. Alumni play an important role in these efforts and offer continuing support through their participation in recruitment activities. And, of course, the Internet plays an increasingly prominent role in the job search.
On-campus recruitment programs and off-site interview programs provide many interviewing opportunities. In addition, students find full-time or part-time employment year-round through job listings received by the center daily. The information may be accessed by students through the job listings on MonsterTrak.
14. What is the Alumni Mentorship Program?
The Career Center partners with the Alumni Office to locate alumni who have volunteered to mentor and share their career experiences with students and other alumni. These individuals have diverse academic backgrounds and represent many career fields.
15. How do I find an internship?
We offer many services and programs for you to utilize in your internship search. We recommended that you meet with a career counselor to discuss your unique internship needs.
16. Is it ever too late to find an internship, and is academic credit offered?
Our office receives internship listings from every field frequently throughout the year. It is important to start your internship search several months in advance to increase your chances of finding the perfect opportunity. We stress being flexible in your internship search and ask you to consider a variety of opportunities both related and unrelated to your major.
The ability to receive academic credit for an internship is determined by each college and/or academic department at SFC. Arrangements must be made before beginning the internship.
17. I am an F-1 international student looking for an internship. How can I identify companies that will hire me for internships or full-time jobs?
Whether or not employers can hire students with
F-1 Visas will vary depending on the employer and their specific hiring policy. Many employers do not want to hire F-1 students for internships because they are looking to identify potential full-time hires, and they cannot hire an F-1 Visa candidate for full-time employment, based on their hiring guidelines.
Schedule an appointment to discuss how to market your unique situation in more detail. This will give you an opportunity to identify additional resources or avenues to pursue your internship search aside from the on-campus recruiting program and online listings for which you may not meet the requirements. Finally, to increase your chances, you may want to consider looking for an internship at a company that has international offices.