shortcut to content

Student FAQ

Page address: http://www.mnsu.edu/cdc/students/faq.html

When is CDC Quick-Stop?

Monday-Friday 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Stop in during "Quick Stop" for career & job search questions, resume reviews, interview tips, internship search help, a place to start with choosing your major, etc. 15-20 minute sessions, first come, first served. Available in the Career Resource Library when classes are in session.

How do I make an appointment?

To schedule an appointment with a CDC staff member, please call the CDC reception desk at 507-389-6061. The CDC is open Monday-Friday, year round. In addition to scheduling an appointment, students and alumni can visit the CDC Quick Stop. CDC Quick Stop is a no appointment, first-come, first-served option for quick questions (10 minutes or less) on resumes and other career-related issues.

IN ORDER TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT AS PRODUCTIVE AS POSSIBLE, PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING:  
  • Mavjobs.com:  All students and alumni must have an up-to-date mavjobs profile prior to meeting with a CDC career counselor.  The Career Development Center automatically creates a mavjobs.com account for all new students at the start of the semester in which they enroll.  Alumni of Minnesota State Mankato may register for the system at www.mavjobs.com or by contacting the Career Development Center. There is no charge to alumni for system access.
  • Resume review: bring with you a rough draft (hard copy) of your resume. If you need a place to begin, pick up the “MSU Job Search Handbook” from the CDC front desk or access the handbook online.
  • Job or internship search : be sure to bring your resume (hard copy) with you! If you’d like to get a head start, you can pick up a “Job Search Handbook” from the CDC front desk.
  • Internships: if you plan to do an internship for academic credit, you must also speak with the Internship Coordinator for your academic department . He/she will oversee the academic the “Intern Contacts” section of the CDC webpage for the list of Internship Coordinators by department.
  • Choice of major and/or career path: obtain a copy of the “Handbook for Students Choosing or Changing Their Major” (CDC front desk or online) and bring it to your appointment. If you’d like to get a head start, you can complete pages 1 through 8 of the handbook. Review sections in your undergraduate bulletin for majors in your area of interest prior to your appointment. It is also suggested that you bring your MSU undergraduate bulletin to the appointment.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS:

Principles

  • The Career Development Center (CDC) will keep all of your personal information private.  If you would like the CDC to share information with others, you must sign a written release.  An exception to this privacy can be made due to health and/or safety considerations necessitating emergency disclosure of such information.
  • The CDC is a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and follows the Principles for Professional Conduct for Career Services and Employment Professionals.  This document can be found at http://www.naceweb.org or upon request at the MSU Career Development Center.  The Career Development Center also complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MCSPA).
  • CDC staff members are committed to treat all clients with respect, regardless of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation or membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law.  CDC staff members demonstrate this respect and fair treatment by keeping appointments, by making every effort to notify you if a change in time is necessary, and by giving you their complete attention and avoiding interruptions during sessions.

Client Obligations

  • Arrive on time for your appointment.  Students who arrive over 15 minutes late for an appointment will be asked to reschedule.
  • If you need to cancel, please give the office at least 24 hours notice.
  • Keep your appointments.  If you miss 2 appointments and do not call the CDC 24 hours in advance, CDC privileges (including appointments and use of mavjobs.com will be revoked until the student meets with the CDC director.  Reinstatement of services after more than 2 missed appointments is at the discretion of the CDC director.
  • Work with your career counselor to set goals for your career development. Be prepared to spend time and effort to achieve your career development goals.  CDC staff can best assist clients if clients are committed to their career planning goals.

 

How do I find out about career events (Education Fair, Job Fair, Career Days, & Practice Interviews?) How do I register for them?

For information on all fairs and events, go to the Fairs & Events section of our website for all events and dates, as well as links to event information.

Are there any resources specifically for students with diverse backgrounds?

Students with diverse backgrounds can find resources on our Resources for Diverse Populations webpage.

The Career Resource Library has books and other resources available for checkout with a MavCard. Here are three examples:

  • Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling, Career Strategies for Asians by Jane Hyun
  • Best Careers for Bilingual Latinos by Graciela Kenig
  • Cracking the Corporate Code, The Revealing Success Stories of 32 African-American Executives by Price M. Cobbs and Judith L. Turnock

If you have a suggestion for a resource that we should include in our library or online, please email matt.carlson@mnsu.edu.

I'm trying to decide on a major. What resources do you have that can help me?

Individual appointments: Make an appointment with a career counselor by calling 507-389-6061 or stopping in to the Career Development Center in WA 209. Your counselor may suggest that you take a career assessment such as the Strong Interest Inventory or the MBTI or you may be assisted in other ways.

What is the placement rate for my major or the major I'm considering?

The latest graduate statistics are available in the Statistics or in the Career Resource Library.

How do I write a resume?

The MSU CDC Job Search Handbook is our #1 requested resource and the one we recommend you start with. You can pick it up in the Career Development Center. The handbook has step-by-step instructions on how to put together your resumes as well as some samples to help you get started. Visit our Career Resource Library to check out books on resume writing including Resumes for First Time Job Hunters and Adams Resumes. You may also view our Job Search Strategies online workshop for more resume tips. Once you've developed your resume, visit us during CDC Quick Stop for a critique..

How do I write a cover letter?

Pick up a copy of our CDC Job Search Handbook to help you to get started on your cover letter. There is also a cover letter section in our Job Search Strategies online workshop. We have a number of guides to writing cover letters available for checkout in our Career Resource Library including Dynamite Cover Letters and Idiots Guide to Cover Letters. Once you've written your cover letter, be sure to stop in for a critique during CDC Quick Stop hours.

How do I sign up for mavjobs.com? What do I need to do to look for jobs and post my resume on the system?

Login

As a benefit of being enrolled in classes at Minnesota State Mankato, all students are granted automatic, exclusive access to mavjobs.com-- the official career and job search system for MSU students and graduates. Use mavjobs to search for part-time jobs on-or-off campus, seasonal employment, internship experiences, post-graduation employment, and much more! 

Your username is your MSU e-mail address. You may request your password by clicking the "forgot password" button and entering you MSU e-mail address. Alumni may request an account by going to www.mavjobs.com; clicking on “student and job seeker log-in; and then “register”. 

* NOTE* To proceed with your job search, all registrants will need to complete their profile information. Alumni may request an account by clicking the register button at www.mavjobs.com.

Upload a resume

Log into your mavjobs.com account. Click on the Resumes & Documents tab on the navigation. Click Add New. Name the resume. Click Browse to select your document from your local machine. Choose the correct document, and click Open. Click Submit, and the resume will upload in a matter of seconds. To upload cover letters, transcripts, other documents, etc., follow the same steps only specify the type of document you are uploading by checking the document type. 

Search Jobs

Log into your mavjobs.com account. Click the Jobs, Internships, On-Campus Interviews tab at the top. Select Mavjobs.com from the drop down menu. To find specific areas of jobs, please use the six search fields to narrow down your results.
For information on setting up job search agents, apply for positions and additional information, please refer to the Student User Guide available at:

How do I find part-time or seasonal jobs?

The first step to finding part-time or seasonal jobs on or off campus is mavjobs.com. If you are currently registered for classes, you will already have an account. Please log in, fill out your profile information and click Jobs, Internships, On-Campus Interviews tab at the top.  In the Position Type drop down box, select Part Time off-campus or Part Time on-campus.  This will retrieve all positions that have been posted under these categories.  To view the position description, application instructions, etc, click on the job title.  Another great way to find part-time jobs is to attend the Part-Time Job Fair. For more tips and information on finding a part-time job, view our online Part-time Jobs online workshop

How do I find internships?

There are many options for finding internships in your field. If you are just beginning your search, we suggest using the CDC Job Search Handbook for guidelines on how to conduct your search. The Job Search Handbook is available in the CDC office, WA 209.
If you would like personal assistance with your internship search, please consider the following:

  • If you are planning to earn academic credits for your internship, you must also speak with the Internship Coordinator for your academic department. We suggest that you speak with your Internship Coordinator before scheduling an appointment with the CDC.
  • If you would like to discuss your internship search with a CDC staff member, please call the CDC at 507-389-6061 to schedule an appointment.

Resources we suggest for finding internships

How do I find job openings and employers in my field?

There are many options for finding job openings and employers in your field. If you are just beginning your job search, we suggest using the CDC Job Search Handbook for guidelines on how to conduct your search. The Job Search Handbook is available in the CDC office, WA 209. If you would like personal assistance with your job search, please schedule an appointment with a CDC staff member by calling the CDC reception desk at 507-389-6061.

Resources we suggest for finding find job openings and employers:

Is there anyone recruiting on campus for my major? How can I sign up to interview on campus?

Many employers recruit on campus for a variety of majors. To find the most current information about who will be recruiting on campus, see the Fairs and Events page. Students who want to interview on campus should use mavjobs.com, our online job posting system.

I'm nervous about interviewing. How can I be more prepared?

To begin your preparation, you can work through our online Strategies for Successful Interviews online workshop. We strongly encourage you to sign up for our Practice Interview Event held every semester. The Job Search Handbook includes a section on interviewing. Pick one up in the CDC. You may also set up an individual appointment to talk about strategies for improving your interview skills by calling us at 507-389-6061.

I'm an international student. How can I find jobs and internships?

If you are just beginning your job search, we suggest using the CDC Job Search Handbook for guidelines on how to conduct your search. The Job Search Handbook is available in the CDC office, WA 209. If you would like personal assistance with your job search, please schedule an appointment with a CDC staff member by calling the CDC reception desk at 507-389-6061.

Resources

What resources do you have for students with disabilities who are looking for jobs?

Students with disabilities can find resources on our Resources for Diverse Populations page. The Career Resource Library has books and other resources that are available for checkout for a week with a MavCard. These include:

  • Career Success for People with Physical Disabilities by Sharon F. Kissane
  • Job-Hunting for the So-Called Handicapped or People Who Have Disabilities by Richard Nelson Bolles and Dale Susan Brown
  • College and Career Success for Students with Learning Disabilities by Roslyn Dolber

If you have a suggestion for a resource that we should include in our library or online, please email your suggestion to matt.carlson@mnsu.edu

What do I need to send when I apply for a teaching job? What are credential files?

Credentials or credential files are the materials sent to school districts by teacher candidates to apply for teaching positions. Although you should always follow the instructions provided by the districts in job listings, our Guidelines for Self-managed Credential Files will help you to prepare your materials and to know what to include.

Site · Page · News

Owner: Career Development Center
Last Modified: 2009-10-29

Campus Quick Links | Email | Directories | Giving | Contact | Feedback

© 2005-2009 Minnesota State University · Mankato, Minnesota 56001 · United States of America · Tel: 1-800-722-0544
Minnesota State University, Mankato is a member of Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.