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When Polina Boteva ’21 first visited the University’s Career Development Center, she was looking for help with her resume and cover letter. She admits she didn’t know how to start creating a "good" resume, but she was grateful for the friendly and helpful staff members who helped her.

Boteva has come full circle, as she is now helping her fellow students with their own resumes, cover letters, and all aspects of their job and internship searches as a peer career adviser (PCA). She and her colleagues have continued their services online amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

"What is most different about my role as I work remotely is the loss of face-to-face, in-person contact with my coworkers and with fellow students," said Boteva, a criminal justice major who has a double minor in Russian and sociology. "I didn't realize just how much I loved interacting with students on a daily basis until that human interaction was cut off. Working virtually has definitely been an adjustment for all of us, but we are committed to making it work."

‘It is almost the same as if students were coming to our office on campus’

The Career Development Center continues serving students virtually, with staff members available via email, phone, and . PCAs, including Omar Khosht ’20 M.S., have been connecting with students through Zoom virtual office hours.

"It is almost the same as if students were coming to our office on campus, but now they are getting the help they need from the comfort of their homes," said Khosht, a candidate in the University’s graduate program in finance. "I want students to know that we are here for them whether on-campus or virtually. We want to see them succeed and reach their professional goals."

The Career Development Center has continued offering a full schedule of Zoom workshops for students on topics such as resume writing, interviewing, and using . Staff members are staying connected with students and posting job updates on myCharger, ChargerLink, and on their Instagram page, . They have continued to work with faculty members, delivering live Zoom presentations to classes, and they have moved their mock interview events online.

"I want students to know that we are here for them whether on-campus or virtually."Omar Khosht ’20 M.S.

Staff will continue to host workshops, share job and internship postings, and be available to students over the summer. If circumstances allow, they are still planning to move forward with the Bergami Family Summer Internship Program, a competitive program that awards stipends to students completing unpaid internships during the summer.

"Given the uncertainty of the virus situation, we have been working with our employer partners to move students to remote-based internships where possible," said Matt Caporale, executive director of the Career Development Center. "Our employer relations team has been aggressively and consistently reaching out to every employer in our database to discern any available internship opportunity or full-time job openings out there. We are also looking at the feasibility of offering virtual recruiting events over the summer."

‘They send me notifications when they learn about new opportunities that fit my profile’

Staff continue to post internships and job opportunities each day in ChargerLink, and they sent a resource tip sheet to faculty members to help them advise and support students in their internship and job searches. They are also compiling a tip sheet and resource guide to support international students, such as Aimanosi Campbell ’21, a candidate in the University’s graduate program in engineering and operations management.

Campbell, who has previously sought the Career Development Center’s assistance with writing his resume and cover letters, is now working with the CDC as he seeks an internship. Interested in supply chain management, six-sigma, and operations/process improvement, he has been working with Kate Borho, the Center’s employer relations manager.

"After the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to work remotely, almost nothing changed – they are still as helpful as ever," Campbell said. "I started searching for an internship just before the pandemic, and it has been challenging as a lot of companies are unable to move forward with hiring because of the economic toll the virus has taken. But the Career Development Center has continued to provide assistance, and they send me notifications when they learn about new opportunities that fit my profile."

The Career Development Center is endeavoring to keep the University and local communities updated on the job market through a new podcast. Hosted by Marcus Paca, assistant director of employer relations, the podcast is a collaboration with Bruce Barber, general manager of the University’s radio station WNHU, and Communication faculty members and students. It covers University programs, job market trends and updates, and features guest commentary from faculty, students, and employer partners in programs such as cybersecurity and esports.

‘We are still here for them and ready to help in any way that we can’

The Career Development Center is also continuing to assist students through the Career Closet/Campus Pantry initiative, which provides students in need with gift cards to to purchase food and other necessities.

"We want students to be prepared for any opportunity that comes their way, and we are adjusting our delivery methods to adapt to the current environment."Polina Boteva ’21

Boteva, the PCA, looks forward to continuing to support her fellow Chargers remotely, and she wants them to know that career support is just an email, phone call, or Zoom chat away.

"The Career Development Center is still offering all of the same resources and tools as before," she said. "We will get through this. We want students to be prepared for any opportunity that comes their way, and we are adjusting our delivery methods to adapt to the current environment. I hope that students know that, despite the impact of the pandemic, we are still here for them and ready to help in any way that we can."

In the coming weeks, look for a first-person reflection from one of the Career Development Center’s peer career advisers on engaging with students virtually.

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