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  1. Home
  2. Offices and Divisions
  3. Student Affairs
  4. Career Services
The nittany lion mascot next to text reading Career Services

Student Career Resources

Be proactive in your career planning! Career Services encourages you to start the exploration process early to fully take advantage of the resources at Penn State.

Are you career-ready?

Take the Career Launch assessment to determine your current aptitude on the top eight skills that employers seek and receive recommendations on how to further develop each skill. These skills are based on the NACE Career-Ready Competencies, which have been developed to help college students prepare for success in the workplace and lifelong career management.

Career Planning Timeline

Career decision-making involves increasing self-awareness, exploring career options, and developing self-marketing skills. The career planning process is unique to everyone and will continue throughout your lifetime. Below are Career Services’ recommendations, but revisiting steps is normal and highly encouraged.

Reflecting on the connections between your current knowledge and experiences, values, and your vision for the future can help you identify career areas to explore.

  • Reflect on your past experiences to explore what you enjoy, what you do well, and what is important to you.
  • Explore interests through volunteer work, job shadowing, coursework, and joining student activities.
  • Consider taking the Focus 2 career assessment.
  • Meet with a career counselor to identify interests, values, and abilities and clarify your career goals.

Exploration can take many forms, all of which require you to be active in gathering information and applying it to make informed career decisions.

  • Research a variety of career options of interest. Use online resources and learn more about career fields.
    • U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
    • O*Net Online
    • CareerOneStop Career Videos
    • GoinGlobal
      Sign in to Nittany Lion Careers to access GoinGlobal (click on the Resources tab)
  • Conduct informational interviews or job shadow professionals in a field of interest to learn more about day-to-day operations and what skills are of value.

Consider ways to gain exposure and get involved with career options that seem interesting to you.

  • Take on leadership roles in campus and community organizations to develop teamwork, interpersonal, and communication skills.
  • Obtain relevant experience by pursuing internships, part-time work, summer jobs, and research opportunities.
  • Expand your understanding of diversity through study abroad, foreign languages, community services, and cultural activities on campus.

Your resume, cover letter, and interview skills are some of the first impressions that you give a potential employer. Prepare and present yourself in a way that highlights the skills, experiences, and qualities that the employer or graduate school is seeking.

  • Attend career programs and events.
  • Track your accomplishments and achievements to include in your resume, cover letter, and portfolio.
  • Meet with a career counselor to develop your job search strategy, update your resume, and practice your interviewing skills.
  • Network with alumni and employers to build contacts and learn about an industry of interest.

Career Services

  • Student Career Resources
    • Exploring Majors and Careers
    • Resumes and Cover Letters
    • Internship and Job Search
    • Interview Prep
    • Networking
    • Career Events
    • Graduate School
    • Career Resources for International Students
  • Career Closet
  • Employer Career Resources
  • Faculty Career Resources
  • Alumni Career Resources

Career Guide

Looking for more information to get you started? Check out Penn State’s comprehensive Career Guide for advice, examples, and answers to your career questions!

Check out the Career Guide

Career Services Office

W115 Smith Building
814-949-5058
Fax: 814-949-5620

Schedule Appointment

Career Services Quick Links

Information for Alumni
Penn State Altoona Alumni Society
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Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Delays, Closings, and Early Dismissals
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Find Your Admissions Counselor
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Student Success Center
    • The Help Tool
    • Tutoring
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    • Safety at Penn State Altoona
    • Career Services
    • Eiche Library
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
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3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

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