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Frequently Asked Questions at the Career Design Lab

The following are a list of the most frequently asked questions at the Career Design Lab. Please review and familiarize yourself with this page in its entirety before contacting the CDL.

I. HOW DO I GET AN INTERNSHIP?

There are multiple ways to get internships, and it is recommended that you try all options to increase your chances of success.

  1. You can check Handshake for any available opportunities
  2. You can search the web and type in early career internships to get a list of companies to apply for.
  3. If you are interested in Financial Services, companies generally hire internships 1 year in advance. E.g., if you want an internship in 2025, deadlines are often Summer 2024.
  4. Search company websites that you are interested in and apply directly
  5. Apply to Service Corp
  6. Apply for Small Business Internship Program- For more information please check the FAQ for Small Business Development Initiative’s Small Business Internship.

II. HOW DO I WRITE A RESUME AND COVER LETTER?

  1. There are many free resources on LinkedIn Learning that you can leverage to write Resume and Cover letter.
  2. You can use Resume Nerd, Job Hero, Resume AI (Artificial Intelligence) or any other resume site. QC (Queens College) website has templates and examples that you can leverage.
  • Copy and paste non-personal information into ChatGPT or other AI tools and add a ‘prompt’ on how to improve my bullets
  • Submit your resume for approval to Eleanor Mavashev (emavashev@qc.cuny.edu) in the Subject line of the email please include your name and resume for the Meet the Firms event.

III. WHERE DO I GO TO PRACTICE MOCK INTERVIEW?

  1. You can make an appointment with a Career coach at any time.
    1. For Accounting Majors, please see Eleanor Mavashev
    2. For Business Majors, please see Gerry Marotta
  2. You can take the online Career Readiness Learning Module and/or take a Career Readiness Masterclass taught by Gerry Marotta each semester.
  3. You can attend a workshop hosted by Career Services
  4. You can leverage LinkedIn Learning videos

IV. HOW DO I DECLARE OR CHANGE MY MAJOR?

    1. You will need to speak to your Academic Advisor

V. WHAT COMPANIES WILL HIRE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

    1. If you are an international student, you only qualify for on campus jobs so please check campus job site.
    2. If you are an international student, only the companies in this link will provide sponsorship: Companies that hire or provide internships to international students.  Please review each company website for open job opportunities.

VI. WHERE DO I FIND ON-CAMPUS JOBS?

    1. You can check on campus job boards or Handshake.

VII. WHAT KIND OF JOBS CAN I GET WITH MY DEGREE?

    1. You can find that information by going to the Center for Career Engagement and Internships.

VIII. HOW DO I FIND A LIST OF COMPANIES HIRING?

  1. Handshake, Google, indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, Monster, Jenna, company websites.

IX. WHEN SHOULD I START LOOKING FOR AN INTERNSHIP AND/OR FULL-TIME JOB?

    1. You should start your internship search when you start your sophomore year and your job search when you start your junior or senior year.
    2. Most companies will open applications 1 year in advance usually in Summer/Fall timeframe.

X. WHERE CAN I GET MENTAL HEALTH/COUNSELING SERVICES?

    1. You can speak with Queens College Mental Health Services
      1. https://www.cuny.edu/current-students/student-affairs/student-services/counseling/
      2. Queens College Counseling Center is in Freese Hall Tel number ( 718) -997-5420

XI. HOW DO I GO ABOUT FINDING A CAREER I AM INTERESTED IN?

      1. Start with taking a Focus test which can be found on QC website under career services.
      2. Make an appointment with a Career Coach in Career Services or if you are interested in a career in business and have declared it as your major, make an appointment with the Gerry Marotta, Program Manager for the Career Design Lab. Prior to making an appointment you must have created a resume and LinkedIn profile.
      3. Register for a Career Readiness Master class.
      4. Research outside of QC by speaking to people in different industries and different jobs.
      5. Go to QC alum page on LinkedIn and connect with past alums and ask for a meeting to learn about their career paths.

XII. HOW DO I GET CREDITS FOR UNPAID INTERNSHIP?

  1. Inquire with your Faculty Advisor. The internship must be for the whole semester (14 weeks) to receive academic credit.

 

XIII. WHERE DO I GET INFORMATION FOR SCHOLARSHIPS?

  1. Application deadlines October 2024
    1. https://qc-cuny.academicworks.com/

XIV. HOW DO I FIND THE SCHEDULE FOR THE MEET THE FIRMS, CAREER FAIR AND EMPLOYER EVENTS?

      1. Check QC event websites under the career services section and the event calendar under the school of business website.

XV. WHERE CAN I GET PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/CAREER READINESS TRAINING?

XVI. HOW DO I CREATE A LINKEDIN PROFILE?