Prior to initiating your job search or applying to graduate school, there are steps you can take to make certain you’ve created a professional network, polished your interviewing skills, and refined your application materials.
Career advisors are available to provide assistance with developing and revising your self-marketing tools, your résumé, and cover letters. They coordinate events to help you develop effective networking skills and they conduct mock interviews to provide feedback on your interviewing strengths and suggested improvements. In addition to working with the Career Center, use campus resources to secure internships, connect with employers, explore graduate schools, and prepare for the next steps in your career journey.
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Professional Documents
Professional documents are essential in the job search. Each of these items provides potential employers or graduate schools with personal information about yourself. They reflect your values, skills, and experiences. Consider what is most important for prospective employers to know about you. Visit the following links to learn more about developing your documents and how to personalize them for a specific purpose.
Mock Interviews
One of the most effective ways to prepare for an interview is to do a “mock interview” with a Career Center advisor. A mock interview provides you with the opportunity to practice answering questions and to receive constructive feedback about your answers and your non-verbal behavior and helps to enhance job prospects by improving interview skills.
Career consultants can answer your questions about interviewing preparation, provide strategies for answering questions that could be challenging and help you identify and practice different ways you might respond to interview questions.
Because it is common that you may have only 1-2 days notice before an interview, we strongly recommend that you schedule a mock interview when you are beginning your job search or have just submitted your graduate school applications. This allows you plenty of time for practice, polish and adjustments and allows you to schedule follow-up practice session if needed.
Mock interviews require a one hour appointment. Arrange a mock interview by making an appointment with a Career Center advisor. To schedule a mock interview, please contact the Career Center at career-center@education.wisc.edu or call 608-262-1755. Be prepared to provide the following information: focus of the mock interview (preparation for employment interview, graduate school, etc.); the date of the actual interview, if applicable; and your major within the School of Education
In order to get the most out of your mock interview experience, we encourage you to review our interviewing information webpage.
Networking
Networking could be what helps you land a job.
If you take part in social networking sites, you probably have a pretty good idea of how networking can enhance your personal life. But, if you’re like many new college graduates, you’re probably not as comfortable about incorporating networking into your job search.
In spite of your discomfort, you need to incorporate networking into your job search: Especially in a competitive job market, networking could be what helps you land a job. In fact, many jobs are filled before they are even advertised—filled by people who learned about the opportunity before it was formally announced.
What is networking when it comes to the job search? It’s not about using people. Just as you look to build personal relationships through social networks, you want to build relationships to foster your professional life. These relationships can help you not only in your current job search but down the road as you build your career.
Networking is not one-sided: It works both ways. You offer assistance to others just as they offer assistance to you. Perhaps the easiest way to think about networking is to see it as an extension of being friendly, outgoing, and active.
Here are some tips for building and maintaining a healthy network:
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- Make a list of everyone you know—and people they know—and identify how they could help you gather career information or experience. Who do you know at school? Professors, friends, and even friends’ parents can all be helpful contacts. Did you hold a part-time job? Volunteer? Serve an internship? Think about the people you came into contact with there.
- Sign up for an alumni mentoring program. Many colleges offer such programs, and they are a great way to build relationships in your field.
- Join the campus chapter of a professional society that relates to your career choice. In many ways, a professional society is an instant network: You’ll be with others who have the same general career interest. Plus, you may be able to learn more about your field from them. For example, you may be able to learn about the field and potential employers from others who share their internship experiences.
- Volunteer at a local museum, theater, homeless shelter—anywhere that even remotely relates to your field of study. By volunteering, you’ll not only learn about your chosen field firsthand, you’ll also be able to connect with people who are in the field.
- Speak to company representatives at career fairs, even if you’re not ready to look for a job. Be up front that you’re not currently in the job market and don’t take a lot of the representative’s time, but touching base with a potential employer now can help you down the road when you are ready.
- Attend company information sessions at your college and talk one-on-one to the recruiters who run them.
- Schedule informational interviews with people who can tell you about their careers. It’s best to ask to meet in person or by phone for a short interview, and don’t immediately start asking “How can you help me?” Plan your questions ahead of time, focusing on how the company works and how the person shaped his or her career path.
- Add your profile to LinkedIn. It’s free. And then, work your profile. Add work history (including internships!), skills, and keywords. Make connections to people you’ve worked with or met through networking. Ask for “recommendations” from people who have worked with you. You’ll find LinkedIn is a good source of suggestions for people in your field to contact for informational interviews.
- Remember to be courteous and tactful in all your conversations, to send thank-you notes to people who help you, and to find ways to help others as well. Don’t drop your network once you’ve gotten a job. Nurture the relationships you’ve built and look for opportunities to build new connections throughout your career. Getting started might be uncomfortable, but with time and practice, networking will be second nature.
Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Additional Articles
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are an important part of graduate school applications and job applications.
First, identify who you would like to ask to write letters of recommendation for you. Faculty members are a great choice, especially for graduate school applications. Consider those faculty members who you have interacted with multiple times, whether through research, advising, or being a student in their classes. It can also be helpful if the faculty member knows about the field/profession you are entering and has a positive impression of you from working with them or doing well in their classes. Other professional references can write letters of recommendation for you as well. Supervisors from related job experiences or internships can also be a great choice.
Ask your professional references if they would feel comfortable writing a strong positive letter of recommendation for you. If they don’t feel comfortable writing such a letter, it is much better to know that and ask someone else rather than have a possibly negative or generic letter as part of your application. Be aware that some references don’t let students read the letter before they mail it, so it is important to ask beforehand that the faculty member will be writing a positive letter.
When you do ask for your letter of recommendation, do so in a courteous way. Remember that they are doing you a favor by taking the time to recommend you!
If they are willing to write you a letter of recommendation, provide them with a clear list of the places you are applying to along with the due dates and pre-addressed envelopes with postage if necessary. It is appropriate to give your reference an adequate amount of time before the due date, typically a month or longer if possible. Furthermore, give them a copy of your résumé, personal statement, classes you’ve taken or date of employment, along with some of your important work. This can facilitate writing a letter of recommendation and also assure that the letter will be more personal. Be sure to keep your references updated throughout your search.
Finally, thank all of your references! Letters of recommendation take time to write and can often be the difference between getting into a graduate program or being selected for a job.
Professional Organizations
Professional organizations, whether you join, participate in functions that they sponsor, or explore their websites, can be valuable resources at points throughout your career development. Consider them for career exploration, networking, finding job postings, and for continued professional development.
In many ways, a professional society is an instant network: You’ll be with others who have the same general career interest. Additionally, you may be able to learn more about your field and potential employers from other members. Consider volunteering at or attending an organization’s events. They often offer special discounted rates for volunteers and students. Conferences are a great way to make connections and to learn about important trends and issues that impact your career field.
Professional organizations by field can also be accessed through What Can I Do With This Major.
Specific professional organizations that are applicable to different School of Education disciplines are grouped by department.
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Art
The following professional organizations are specific to those in the art field.
- Society of Illustrators offers a way for professional illustrators to connect as well as annual award and competitions, and is affiliated with The Museum of American Illustration.
- Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a professional organization for writers and illustrators of children’s literature that provides professional development opportunities and resources for those interested in the field.
- National Cartoonists Society is the largest organization of professional cartoonists.
- National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, every state arts agency contains a wealth of information on the artistic and cultural life in their state, as well as a host of resources for artists.
- The College Art Association supports practitioners, teachers, and researchers of the visual arts and humanities.
- American Institute of Graphic Artists includes common sense information for students looking for a career in design.
- Wisconsin Chapter of AIGA will identify member businesses offering student internships and group tours of their facilities. See contact information under Outreach section.
- Chicago Chapter AIGA
- Minnesota Chapter AIGA
Communication Sciences and Disorders
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association features comprehensive resources including job postings, current research, and information about career development and certification.
- Audiology Foundation of America features resources about private practice and considerations for pursuing graduate education in audiology.
- The Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders features job postings, scholarships, and information on how to apply to multiple graduate programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
- The Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association features job postings and professional development resources.
Counseling Psychology
- American Counseling Association is the world’s largest association representing professional counselors practicing in a variety of settings. Site includes CTOnline, the online news source for professional counselors, and employment classifieds.
- American Psychological Association is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States.
- American School Counselor Association provides professional development, publications and other resources, research and advocacy to more than 26,000 professional school counselors around the globe.
- American College Personnel Association is the leading comprehensive student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery.
- National Association of Colleges and Employers is the leading source of information on the employment of the college educated. The professional association connects more than 5,200 college career services professionals at nearly 2,000 colleges and universities nationwide.
Curriculum and Instruction
These are professional organizations for students in Art Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education, English as a Second Language, Music Education, Reading Teacher/Specialist, Secondary Education, and/or World Language Education.
- American Association of School Administrators (AASA) features postings and job seeker resources for educational leaders.
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages promotes the improvement and expansion of language teaching for learners at all levels.
- American Educational Research Association (AERA) encourages scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results.
- The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) provides a listing of institutional research and related positions across the United States.
- The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) is the only national membership organization dedicated solely to meeting the needs of special education teachers and those preparing for the field of special education teaching.
- National Association of State Boards of Education strengthens State Boards as the preeminent educational policy-making body for students and citizens. An internship program is available through their association.
- National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) is a professional organization for individuals involved in assessment, evaluation, testing, and other aspects of educational measurement. Their website features field-specific employment opportunities.
- The National Education Association (NEA), works to promote and support public education at every level throughout the United States.
Dance
- The American College Dance Association supports university and college dance departments through conferences and the sponsorship of a national dance festival.
- The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) provides information about the profession of dance therapy and the process of certification.
- The Congress on Research in Dance (CORD), a nonprofit organization, offers resources, publications, and workshops for professionals studying dance research.
- Dance/USA sustains and advances professional dance by addressing the needs, concerns, and interests of dance artists, administrators, and organizations.
- National Dance Council of America is the governing body for professional ballroom and other dance in the United States.
- The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), a non-profit organization, is committed to promoting quality dance education through resources, advocacy, and programs. Available resources about dance education include research articles, information about certification to teach, and publications.
- World Dance Alliance Americas (WDAA) is an organization that advocates for and supports dance through events, a scholarly journal, the International Young Choreographers Project, and other means.
Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
- The American Association of School Administrators is a professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world.
- American College Personnel Association(ACPA) is an association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery.
- The American Educational Research Association (AERA), founded in 1916, is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results.
- The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) is devoted to supporting the educational development of students through academic advising.
- The mission of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) is to lead in the advocacy and support for elementary and middle level principals and other education leaders in their commitment for all children.
- National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)serves as a leading society for student affairs professionals in higher education and offers networking as well as professional development.
- National Association of Secondary School Principals seeks to engage middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and school leaders through advocacy, resources, and professional development opportunities.
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators is an organization dedicated to international education and exchange.
- The University Council for Educational Administration is a consortium of higher education institutions committed to advancing the preparation and practice of educational leaders for the benefit of schools and children.
Educational Policy Studies
- The National Association of State Boards of Education exists to strengthen State Boards as the preeminent educational policymaking bodies for students and citizens.
- The American Educational Research Association (AERA), founded in 1916, is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results.
- The Legislative Education Staff Network (LESN) is a partnership between the Education Commission of the States and the National Conference of State Legislatures. It provides opportunities for individuals who work on legislature and education policy.
Educational Psychology
- American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States.
- The American Educational Research Association (AERA), founded in 1916, is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results.
- The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) represents school psychology and supports school psychologists to enhance the learning and mental health of all children and youth.
- The National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) is a professional organization for individuals involved in assessment, evaluation, testing, and other aspects of educational measurement.
Kinesiology
- Aerobic Fitness Association of America provides resources and services for health and fitness professionals.
- The American College of Sports Medicine promotes and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life. They offer career resources.
- The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the national professional association established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services.
- American Physical Therapy Association site includes job listings, continuing education courses, industry projections, legislative rulings, and advocacy. Membership required for some features.
- The International College of Applied Kinesiology is a non profit interprofessional organisation dedicated to advance manual muscle testing as a system of diagnosis for evaluating areas of dysfunction within the body.
- Learn How to Become features information about different types of careers in sports, strategies for getting involved in those careers, and resources for finding internships and jobs.
- The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and others who support the athletic training profession.
- As the worldwide authority on strength and conditioning, the National Strength & Conditioning Association supports and disseminates research-based knowledge and its practical application to improve athletic performance and fitness. They also provide career resources.
- SHAPE America, the largest organization of professionals in health and physical education, is committed to advancing research and professional practice. Professional development opportunities, educational resources, and current research publications are available.
- Wisconsin Health and Physical Education is an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting health enhancing lifestyles. Professional development opportunities and resources are available for health and physical educators.
- Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association site includes a listing of relevant job search links.
- Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association provides job listings, information on injuries and exercise, conference schedule, news in physical therapy, etc.
Rehabilitation Psychology
- American Counseling Association is the world’s largest association representing professional counselors practicing in a variety of settings. Site includes CTOnline, the online news source for professional counselors, and employment classifieds.
- The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the national professional association established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services.
- American Physical Therapy Association site includes job listings, continuing education courses, industry projections, legislative rulings, and advocacy. Membership required for some features.
- American Psychological Association is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States.
- The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. The CRCC sets the standard for quality rehabilitation counseling services through its internationally recognized certification program.
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is an association of educators who are committed to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities.
- The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) is a national membership organization dedicated solely to meeting the needs of special education teachers and those preparing for the field of special education teaching.
- National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials is a centralized resource for the development, collection, dissemination, and utilization of training materials for the Vocational Rehabilitation profession.
- Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association site includes a listing of relevant job search links.
- Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association provides job listings, information on injuries and exercise, conference schedule, news in physical therapy, etc.
Theatre and Drama
- American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) offers services and support to community theatres and strives to enhance community theatre experiences.
- Actors’ Equity Association, as a labor union, represents both stage managers and actors.
- Educational Theatre Association provides resources for those in theatre education as well as honors the success of theatre students.
- SAG-AFTRA is the combined labor union of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which provides support to a variety of professionals in entertainment.