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Career Resources for Faculty

Present Career Readiness Competency Topics in Your Class

  • Professional Writing (Resume and Cover Letters, References, Thank You Notes and Personal Statement)
  • Online Presence and Networking (Handshake and LinkedIn Profile Update)
  • Job Search, Internships and Job Shadowing
  • Interview Preparation and Professional Attire
  • Forage Job Simulations
  • NACE Competencies (soft skills development)

Contact Career Development Center

A group of students working at their desks on a project

Faculty Resources and Classroom Tools

Faculty play a crucial role in helping students connect their academic experiences to the world of work. By integrating career readiness assignments, simulations, and career language into courses, faculty can ensure students graduate with the skills, career readiness competencies, and confidence employers expect.

1. Career-Focused Assignments

Encourage students to build career readiness while meeting course objectives. Here are examples you can easily adapt to your syllabus:

  • Resume Assignment: Students create or update a resume tailored to their field. (Students may use the SXU Resume Template and the "Resume Standards by Major" guidelines listed on the Career Development Center's webpage. 
  • Cover Letter: Students draft a cover letter for a hypothetical job. The cover letter should be reflected of or in alignment with the job description.
  • LinkedIn Profile: Students create a professional LinkedIn profile showcasing class projects, internships, and leadership activities.
  • Informational Interviews: Students conduct short interviews with professionals in their fields (via LinkedIn or alumni networks).

2. Job Simulations through Forage

Forage offers free online job simulations developed by leading companies (e.g., JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, Pfizer). These simulations allow students to experience real-world tasks employers expect in entry-level roles.

How Faculty Can Use Forage:

  • Assign a Forage job simulation as a course project to give students practical experience with industry-specific challenges.
  • Connect tasks in simulations to NACE competencies (e.g., critical thinking, professionalism, technology).
  • Use Forage projects as part of a career readiness portfolio.

What Can I Do With This Major?

This resource provides opportunities for students to discover how their major aligns with career options, employers, and smart strategies to boost their resumes. The website features 100 major profiles with information on common career paths, types of employers that tend to hire in the field, and strategies to maximize opportunities. Featured are more than 1,700 links to professional associations, occupational information, and job search resources.

Students research profiles aligned to their chosen majors or majors of interest. Outcomes may be discussed in peer or small group sessions.

3. Classroom Activities to Build Career Readiness

  • Mock Interviews:
    Pair students to conduct practice interviews using questions tailored to their majors.
  • Skill Mapping:
    Have students identify which course assignments build NACE competencies and document them on a skill map.
  • Career Elevator Pitch:
    Students create a 60-second pitch introducing themselves and their career interests.
  • Professional Writing Assignments:
    Convert research papers or case studies into executive summaries or professional briefs.

4. Sample Syllabus Language

Faculty can signal career readiness by including a simple statement in their syllabus:

"This course will help you develop career readiness skills valued by employers, including [insert 2-3 NACE competencies]. You will engage in assignments and simulations (e.g., Forage job simulations) that mirror real-world professional tasks."

5. Sample Syllabus Language

Faculty can request:

  • Classroom Presentations: Career Development Center staff can facilitate resume workshops or job simulation walkthroughs.
  • Customized Assignments: Staff can help tailor assignments that align with your course objectives and student career pathways.
  • Co-Branded Forage Challenges: Partner with the Career Development Center to incorporate job simulations as extra credit or capstone projects.