Career Resources

Career Resources for Students

This page features tips and resources to support your career readiness, as you prepare for next steps beyond Skagit Valley College.

Note: Additional resources and topic areas will be added soon.

Looking for Career Exploration resources?

The Counseling & Advising Center offers online career exploration resources and assessments.

Academic Internships

Some SVC programs require an academic internship. To learn more, visit the Internships page.

Decorative Icon

Finding A Job

Handshake – SVC's Job/Internship Platform 

Handshake is SVC’s main platform for finding internships and post-grad jobs. It is specifically designed for students and recent grads, with a focus on early career opportunities. When employers post roles to Handshake, they are looking for students like you!  

As an SVC student, you automatically have a Handshake account. Activate your account, build your profile, and start exploring. 

Log in to Handshake  

Handshake FAQs

Why should I use Handshake?

Handshake is SVC’s hub for local job/internship opportunities. It is designed for  students and recent grads, with a focus on early career opportunities.  While you  are welcome to explore other job board platforms as well, we encourage you to  make Handshake a part of your job search toolkit!  

What should I include on my profile?  

Adding information to your profile improves the job recommendations Handshake provides to you. If your profile is visible to employers (set in the privacy settings), it also helps employers understand what makes you a great candidate. We recommend filling out your full profile.  If you’re short on time, start with: 

  • A profile picture where your face is clearly visible
  • At least one project or experience  
  • At least 3-5 skills, focusing on technical skills for your field when possible 
  • At least 2-3 types of jobs/internships in the “looking for” section 

 
How do I look for jobs/internships on Handshake? 

Check out this 2-minute video to learn how to find jobs or internships on Handshake.  

What are some tips for an effective job/internship search on Handshake?  

Vary your search terms: Use different keywords and combinations to broaden your results. If you are not finding opportunities that match your interests, try using fewer filters. Overly specific search criteria may exclude relevant opportunities. 
Save jobs/internships that interest you: Save promising opportunities so you can easily find them later. Saving postings also helps Handshake recommend similar postings and provide reminders about upcoming deadlines. 
Follow employers: Follow employers that interest you to receive notifications when they post new jobs or internship opportunities.  
Save searches: Create customized search alerts to receive notifications when new internship opportunities matching your criteria are posted. Keep in mind that new opportunities are posted every week.  

I have other questions about Handshake. Where can I find additional support?  

The Handshake Help Center has many tips and resources designed for students like you.  

Still not finding what you need? Email careerconnections@skagit.edu and   provide a detailed description of the challenge you are experiencing. 

While Handshake is our main platform for early career talent, you may find it helpful to have multiple options in your job search toolkit. Additional job search platforms you might consider include:

Please note that these are independent resources; SVC is not responsible for their reliability, accuracy, or content. Stay Secure While Job Hunting is provided by the National Cybersecurity Alliance to help you safely navigate your job search.

Career fairs are an excellent way to connect with multiple employers who are actively hiring.  Even if you are not yet seeking a new job, attending a career fair provides a valuable opportunity to gather career information, learn about possible future employers and opportunities, and practice interacting with hiring professionals. 

SVC hosts an annual Career Fair every spring at the Mount Vernon campus, with dozens of local and regional employers in attendance.  

EDASC and WorkSource also provide local job fairs, and some larger companies host their own recruiting and hiring events.  Check the organizations’ websites for upcoming opportunities. Company-specific events are also often posted to LinkedIn. 

  • Build a routine: Decide when you will work on your job search during the week and build it into your schedule.
  • Streamline your search: Create saved searches and job alerts to notify you of new posted opportunities.
  • Go to the source: Identify the top companies/organizations where you would like to work and check the “careers” page on their website.
  • Connect with community: Word-of-mouth can be a powerful way to find opportunities. Tell your community (professors, friends and family, former coworkers) that you are looking for a job. You may be surprised who knows of a potential opening or a person you should speak to.
  • Track your applications: Start a tracking document that identifies the position, organization, date you applied, and if you've heard back about the position. This will help when identifying who you want to follow up with. You can create your own or use a free job application tracker like Teal.
  • Save job descriptions: Be sure to save a copy or screenshot of each job description. The job posting is full of useful details for your interview preparation, and some companies take the posting down prior to making a hire.

Connect with WorkSource for additional individual support:

Phone: 360.416.3600
Email: info@NWC-Connect.org

Decorative Icon

Applying To Jobs

Resumes, cover letters, and references all work together to create a strong application. Learn about the purpose of each below and access tips, guides, and templates to create your own.

The resume is often your first opportunity to show an employer why you are a strong candidate for a job. The layout and content should make it easy for an employer to quickly find relevant information, assess your qualifications, and decide to invite you for an interview.

A strong resume is:

  • Concise
  • Clearly and consistently formatted
  • Focused on your unique contributions, accomplishments, and skills
  • Tailored to the position, addressing the qualifications posted on the job description

In deciding what to include on your resume, ask yourself: How can I demonstrate that I have the relevant skills, knowledge, and experience for the position I want? You can include a variety of details, such as work/internship experience, relevant coursework and projects, technical skills, volunteering, and club involvement.

Key Resume Resources:

Resume FAQs

We recommend using Word or Google docs and keeping the formatting simple. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to process applications. Some features, like text boxes, tables, graphics, cause issues with ATS resume scanning capabilities. Learn more about ATS.

It depends. We typically recommend a one-page resume. If you have a significant amount of relevant experience, you may have a two-page resume. Longer resumes also may be appropriate if you are applying to research positions, government positions, or roles in the performing arts.

Experience comes in many forms! If you don’t have relevant work experience yet, consider highlighting class projects, internships, and club involvement. If you have work experience that is less related to your desired field, include it and emphasize the transferable elements, such as teamwork, communication, and problem- solving.

Most job applications require you to list the name and contact information of your professional references. References can be past or current faculty, supervisors/managers, and co-workers.

Reference information is not included on your resume. Instead, provide this information in the application (if prompted to do so) or on a separate document.

Prior to listing them on an application, it is important to reach out to the references you've selected to:

  • Confirm that they willing to be a reference for you
  • Share a link to the position description along with a copy of your resume
  • Ensure you have the correct and preferred contact information for them

The cover letter is your opportunity to explain why you, this role, and this organization are a good fit for each other. It enables you to expand on the skills in your resume by providing examples and connecting them to the position you are seeking. A well-written cover letter will help you stand out as an applicant and increase your chance of getting an interview.

A strong cover letter:

  • highlights why you are an excellent candidate for the role
  • explains why you are interested in the role and/or organization
  • demonstrates your written communication skills

To learn more about the structure and content of a cover letter, download the template.

Interviewing is a critical step in the job application process. It is an opportunity for the employer to assess if you are a good fit for the role, and it is also a chance for you to learn if the role and organization are a good fit for you. Below are some recommended steps to prepare for an interview.

Gathering information about the organization will help you provide thoughtful answers for questions like: Why do you want to work for our organization? Why do you think you are a good fit for this organization?

In addition to answering these questions during the interview, they are also good reflection questions to evaluate if this organization is a good fit for you.

Here are some recommended research strategies:

  • Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the role.
  • Review the employer's website, looking for the following information:
    • What products/services does the employer provide?
    • How many employees work for the organization?
    • What is the organization’s mission and vision?
    • Check out the organization’s annual report if they have one posted.
    • Where is the organization located? Is there more than one location?
  • Search the internet for press releases and other information about the company in the news.
  • Check out the organization on LinkedIn: Are they posting about current projects, teambuilding, or work they are doing in the community?
  • Connect with someone who currently works (or has previously worked) at the company.

Responding to interview questions is a skill, which you can develop with practice. Familiarizing yourself with common questions and practicing possible responses will help you interview more effectively. Even if you are not asked the exact questions you practiced, the reflection and practice will help you think on your feet more confidently during the interview.

“Tell me about yourself.”

The interviewer is asking you to talk about yourself in relation to this opportunity. What education, skills, and experience make you a great fit for the position? This is an important question to practice in advance so you feel confident sharing your story.

“Why are you interested in this position/organization?”

This question is an opportunity to show that you have done your research and understand what makes the organization unique. Be specific in what excites you about the opportunity. What about the position, projects, mission/values of the organization, and/or team interests you? Avoid focusing on elements like pay or convenient location. (While these are valid reasons for pursuing a job, they are not the most compelling details to share in an interview.)

Behavioral Questions: “Give an example of a time when...”

Behavioral interviewing is one of the most common techniques. In this type of question, they will ask for a specific example of when you demonstrated a particular skill that is important for the job.

When responding to these questions, share a specific example using the STAR method to structure your answer. This simple storytelling framework will help you include the key points an interviewer wants to hear. Check out the STAR guide for instructions and examples.

“Do you have any questions for us?”

The answer should always be yes! Asking thoughtful questions shows that you are interested in the job, have researched the organization, and are excited to learn more. Prepare 3-5 questions in advance and bring them to your interview. Here are some sample questions to help you get started.

  • Create custom practice questions: Use the responsibilities and qualifications in the job posting to create practice questions. Brainstorm your own questions or prompt AI to generate sample questions based on the posting.
  • Practice aloud: Voicing your responses typically feels very different than thinking about them! The goal is not to memorize your responses word for word. Rather, focus on speaking at a comfortable pace and sharing examples when possible.
  • Make a plan: If your interview is in-person, plan your transportation and parking location (if application) so you can arrive on time. If your interview is virtual, check for video platform updates in advance, choose a quiet spot for your interview, and log on a few minutes early.