Career Services
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Contact Nan Thurston, Director
218-281-8557
umccareer@umn.edu
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The Career Services guides and inspires University of Minnesota Crookston students to take charge of their personal and career development, from their initial days on campus to graduation and beyond. Our office creates a supportive “College-to-Career" community of faculty, staff, advisers, and parents, by inspiring students to lead lives with a purpose by using their talents and strengths in social, financial, physical, career and community well-being.
All are Welcome!
Our office helps all students & alums from any major with their journey toward future careers.
Quick Links
Find a job at UMN
We have career opportunities for recent graduates
Handshake
Your best system-wide resource for jobs, internships, and alumni connections. Sign up for & attend events. Search for internships, co-ops, & full-time jobs. Research organizations.
Work-Study & Non Work-Study
Qualify for Work-Study? Apply now, it's a great addition to your resume!
Jobs and Internships
Employers looking for direct exposure to UMC Graduates and students seeking Off-Campus jobs and Internships. Short term Projects and Micro Internship Opportunities.
YOU@UMN
Your personalized digital platform to connect to online tools and campus resources to help support your goals to Succeed, Thrive, and Matter at the University of Minnesota.
Faculty: Request a Workshop
The Student Success Center offers a variety of workshops to engage your students while you are away-Request Workshop
For Students- Designing Lives, Not Careers.
For Students- Designing Lives, Not Careers.
Life. Career. Balance. Much like a large ship who needs some help coming into dock, we are here to support your goals as you navigate your career search.
- Graduate School Information - Thinking about Graduate school? Planning to take the GRE? Sign up for a GRE study group this semester! Led by Kelsey Torgerson, these study sessions will teach you what to expect from the test, how to find and use GRE resources, and ways to keep yourself accountable. We'll cover techniques and strategies to conquer all three sections - quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and analytical writing. We will meet for an hour every other week (in person or Zoom options available), and we hope to begin at the beginning of February. If interested, please fill out this interest form by Friday, January 28th. If you have any questions, please contact Kelsey Torgerson (kwatkins@crk.umn.edu)!
- Getting into Grad School: 5 Steps to Admission - https://www.phds.me/resources/getting-into-grad-school/ A guidebook walking students step-by-step through the grad school admissions process and providing tips to improve their chances of getting into their dream program. Choosing the right program and getting accepted might seem like the challenging part. But behind the scenes, research, planning, and staying organized significantly increases your odds of getting accepted into your top-choice program.
- Interview Prep - Use Interview Prep to get practice interviewing.
- YOU@UMN - YOU@UMN is built to align with on-campus health and wellness programs and resources and is divided into three main categories: Succeed—academic success and career preparedness; Thrive—physical and mental health; and Matter—sense of purpose and connection to campus.
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Tips for your Online Image - Make sure your online image helps, not hurts, your job search.
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Handshake - (formerly GoldPASS) - Download the Mobile Version Apple Store Link or Google Play Store Link
- Apply for a job
- Find career events such as: job fairs-informational events-on campus interviews -internships
- Register for virtual fairs
- Upload your resume
- Connect with Alumni
- CareerOneStop - Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Put together a successful job search with resources on resumes, interviewing, networking, and finding job openings.
University of Minnesota Jobs - We have career opportunities for recent graduates!- Local Jobs and Internships - Sometimes we get direct requests from employers for our students! Use your crk.umn.edu email to check it out. Your career or internship may be waiting for you to take action!
- Work-Study and Non-Work-Study (On-Campus Jobs) - Work-study is an opportunity for on-campus employment. Most students find work-study to be a convenient way to earn money while going to school. If you are not eligible for work-study, you may find on-campus employment or off-campus employment that is not considered part of a financial aid package.
- Projects from the Maroon and Gold Network - What are Projects? Projects are short-term, professional experiences, like a micro-internship. They can take place at any time, anywhere and typically last between 5-40 hours and are completed within one week to one month. The specific schedule will be determined between the Project poster and the Project recipient. Students or new graduates seeking a Project can explore different industries, gain new skills, and make important career connections.
Resources for Multicultural Students
- Women Student Resources
- Students with Disabilities Resources
- LGBTQIA Student Resources
- International Student Resources
- Multicultural Student Resources
Check out the Career Services Job & Internship Bulletin Board in Sargeant Student Center for the most up-to-date opportunities.
Major Exploration and Career Planning - Know yourself. Explore Options. Get Focused. Take Action.
Major Exploration and Career Planning - Know yourself. Explore Options. Get Focused. Take Action.
Undecided on a Major? Not a problem.
- What Can I Do With My Major?
- Career and Education Explorer / Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (mn.gov) - What kinds of jobs can I do? The Career and Education Explorer lets you explore a wide range of occupations and related education in a single easy-to-use online tool. Find wages, demand, job opportunities, and more.
- Career Development Process- Stage 1: Know yourself Stage 2: Explore your options Stage 3: Get Focused Stage 4: Take Action
- Career Videos (Candid Career) Short video advice from graduates in your field.
- Work Smart & Start Smart: Salary Negotiation for Women - Learn how to research your target salary, highlight your accomplishments and find the right words — and the confidence — to negotiate for better benefits and pay. Sign up for a facilitator-guided virtual workshop or use our Work Smart Online e-learning tool, which takes less than two hours to complete and can be done at your own pace — both are free!
- Career Webinars and Podcasts A variety of webinars for alumni and students to build knowledge and advance their careers. Although not exhaustive, it’s an extensive list of resources that will help you develop and achieve your career goals.
Career Search Resources
Career Search Resources
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Handshake - Handshake is for college students like you looking for an internship or job that opens the door to a fulfilling career.
- MN CareerForce Exploration Tool - What kinds of jobs can I do? The Career and Education Explorer lets you explore a wide range of occupations and related education in a single easy-to-use online tool. Find wages, demand, job opportunities, and more.
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Career & Internship Search Resources: What is an internship, what does it require, and how do you make the most of it?
- Match Jobs to Experience - The Match Jobs to Experience (JobSTAT) data tool lets you enter the title of a job you've done, and get a list of other jobs you can do with that experience. Then select job openings, typical wages, and training options.
- Learn to Network - The best way to learn about a career is to talk to someone who’s actually in it every day! Audacious Move Tip: After you’ve found connections from your friends, family, and research on industry, contact them to schedule a brief face-to-face or phone informational interview.
- Employment Links
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Job Search Guide - The guide from DEED provides the sound insights and practical advice you need to plan and launch a successful job search.
COMPANIES THAT ARE HIRING
Find the latest information on companies and industries that are in demand.
- National Association of Colleges and Employers Covid-19 Poll- NACE has conducted a poll on how employers and colleges are adapting their plans and operations in response to the pandemic. Learn how employers are responding to hiring, revoking employment offers, recruiting and onboarding at it relates to the class of 2020.
- Who’s Freezing Hiring - (Candor) Tracks information specific company and industry updates and report what your company’s doing.
- Who is Hiring Now? Linked Blog, list of companies hiring
- 100 Companies For Remote Jobs (Forbes)
- List of Companies Hiring Interns (Why GitHub?)
- Resources for Job Seekers in the 2020 Economy (SalesLoft)
- Coronavirus Job Search Advice (LinkedIn)
Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviews
Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviews
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Cover Letter (Anatomy)  |
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Resume (General 1) |
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Resume (General 2) |
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Resume (Skeleton) |
THE ATTRIBUTES EMPLOYERS SEEK ON STUDENTS’ RESUMES
| ATTRIBUTE | PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS |
|---|---|
| Ability to work in a team | 81.0% |
| Problem-solving skills | 79.0% |
| Analytical/quantitative skills | 76.1% |
| Communication skills (verbal) | 73.2% |
| Communication skills (written) | 72.7% |
| Initiative | 67.8% |
| Leadership | 67.8% |
| Technical skills | 67.8% |
| Flexibility/adaptability | 65.9% |
| Strong work ethic | 65.4% |
| Computer skills | 59.0% |
| Interpersonal skills (relates well to others) | 57.6% |
| Detail-oriented | 56.1% |
| Organizational ability | 39.0% |
| Creativity | 29.8% |
| Strategic planning skills | 28.3% |
| Friendly/outgoing personality | 25.9% |
| Entrepreneurial skills/risk-taker | 19.5% |
| Tactfulness | 17.6% |
| Fluency in a foreign language | 3.4% |
Source: Job Outlook 2021 Spring Update, National Association of Colleges and Employers
PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS TOP ATTRIBUTES EMPLOYERS SEEK ON RESUMES
| ATTRIBUTE | % OF RESPONDENTS SEEKING FOR CLASS OF 2022 | % OF RESPONDENTS SEEKING FOR CLASS OF 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Problem-solving skills | 85.5% | 79.0% |
| Analytical/quantitative skills | 78.6% | 76.1% |
| Ability to work in a team | 76.3% | 81.0% |
| Communication skills (written) | 73.3% | 72.7% |
| Initiative | 72.5% | 67.8% |
| Strong work ethic | 71.0% | 65.4% |
| Technical skills | 64.9% | 67.8% |
| Flexibility/adaptability | 63.4% | 65.9% |
| Detail-oriented | 62.6% | 56.1% |
| Leadership | 60.3% | 67.8% |
| Communication skills (verbal) | 58.8% | 73.2% |
| Interpersonal skills (relates well to others) | 56.5% | 57.6% |
Source: Job Outlook 2022 and Job Outlook 2021, National Association of Colleges and Employers
To help you succeed on your job hunt, we explain exactly how to write a good resume following basic steps, and provide detailed examples along the way:
- Choose the best resume format
- List your contact information
- Write a winning resume introduction
- Highlight your relevant work experience
- Create a clear education section
- Add relevant skills for the job. Does your resume address the requirements stated for the position?
- Tie in key certifications, awards, & honors
- Pick the ideal resume layout
- Write a matching cover letter
- Proofread your resume
Form
Please, please, please keep your resume on one page! Choose a form/style that is aesthetically-pleasing to you, and easy to read. Play around with the placement and titles of each section. Utilize shading, spacing and underlining to draw the readers’ eyes to particular words, phrases and roles. The white space on your resume is as important as the content.While some fields tend to be flexible about resume formats from potential candidates, others remain quite traditional. Take note of your roles of interest, and do a bit of research to learn more about company culture. We strongly encourage you to preview the resume samples available on the Career Services website for assistance, but there are many templates that are useful.
Formatting
When selecting a resume font (and there should only be ONE), please keep in mind the industry(ies) that you’re applying to. Maintain consistent formatting throughout your resume. Make use of the list of action verbs available on our resume guide to put forth a detailed and concise description of your roles and activities. Prioritize, consolidate, and cut when necessary. After completion, proofread for spelling AND grammatical errors.
Fun
Last, but not least, have fun! There is no one way to create a resume, so feel free to explore formats, styles and fonts
Also see...
- Career Guides Check out our comprehensive Career Guides for helpful information on major & career exploration, searching for jobs & internships, resumes, cover letters, and more!
- YOU@UMN is a personalized digital platform connecting students to online tools and campus resources to help support their goals to Succeed, Thrive and Matter at the University of Minnesota.
Employers
Employers
Employers, post your jobs and internship opportunities on
Handshake - used by all University of Minnesota campuses and is open to undergraduates, graduate students, and ALL University alumni.
- Please see our Employer Policies and the Handshake Employer User Agreement before signing up.
Internships
Employers can learn more about Internships at UMC
Career Fairs
- Campus & Community Part-Time Job Expo (August)
- UMC Job and Internship Fair (September)
- University of Minnesota Job & Internship Fair (February)
Employer Questions
Contact Nan Thurston - thurston@crk.umn.edu or 218-281-8557.
Make an Appointment- On Campus, Online, and Evenings available!
Make an Appointment- On Campus, Online, and Evenings available!
Make an appointment using Calendly
Evening appointments available upon request. Email: umccareer@crk.umn.edu
Sign up for our Workshops!
Sign up for our Workshops!
Request a Workshop
Take your career search to the next level. Complete this form to sign up for a workshop and get ready to Fly! Registration link
“Know Before You Go” Are you interested in Career Fair attendance? Prepare for your career fair conversations. Establish goals, outcomes, and tips for success. This is not only for students preparing to enter the job market, but freshman and sophomores too. Invite your friends and come and hang out with me for a bit!
"Audacious Moves; Your Plan for Designing your LIfe" Are you undecided in what you want for the future? Think audaciously and create your vision of what it could look like. Group workshop creating individual Vision Boards. Shared ideas, food, and camaraderie!
"Major & Career Exploration Quick Start Program" Undecided? Strategic Visioning for your Career Journey. Start with why. Finding what your personal why is will give you a GPS for everything that follows.
"Professionalism Defined" What does that mean? Every time you go out, you reflect an image that tells others how to treat you. Appearance is an important aspect of the impression you make with a current or future employer. In following with industry standards, we are encouraging students to attend all campus recruiting events in business casual or "smart" casual attire. Because someone's professional character can be built over time it is something you can start developing now as an undergraduate student. But how can you reflect your true self in the business world within a cultural context? Let's talk.
"Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews" Perhaps this would be up your alley? Once completed, you can submit your resume, cover letter, CV, personal statement, and/or diversity statement for final review through our Writing Center website.
"SAIL: A Career Explorer Series for UMC Students" Feeling lost at sea with life, career plans, and the future? Get clarity and confidence in 4 sessions with a Career Consultant. The Career Explorer Series provides you with a structured and personalized setting to explore your interests and careers. Our program will have you explore many aspects of who you are and identify the strategies that will bring you the life that you want! (Currently in Development)
Contact the Career Services Office for more information. Sign up for our newletter to stay informed. umc-career-services+subscribe@crk.umn.edu
Department Faculty & Staff
Career Services
University of Minnesota Crookston
270A Owen Hall
2900 University Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
PHONE: 218-281-8557
FAX: 218-281-8040
Hours
M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm