Hi Villanova English!
My name is Amanda McKean and I am a senior English and Political Science major with the goal of going to law school in the future. As spring is around the corner and internship and job season is upon us, I wanted to share a few key pieces of information about my experience as a Career Center Ambassador and all the ways in which the Career Center and English Department work together to help English majors achieve their goals.
As a Career Center Ambassador, my role is to oversee front desk operations, including managing daily appointments and providing help/customer service to students and employees all across campus. In addition, over the past year I have become qualified to conduct resume reviews when students come in during our drop-in hours. During this time, myself, other CCAs, and our professional career counselors work with students to make their resume and cover the very best it can be while also answering questions they may have on interviewing, internship opportunities, and even tech issues regarding out platforms such Nova Network, Handshake, Big Interview, and LinkedIn. Lastly, you may see me around during some of the Career Center events that take place on campus helping out my coworkers to ensure everything runs smoothly.
If I could offer all English majors, from freshmen to seniors, three major pieces of advice based on my experience at the Career Center I would tell them:
- Take advantage of everything FREE this school and Career Center has to offer:
- Need a headshot but don’t want to hire a photographer? At the Career Center, we have a high-tech photo booth which allows you to take your own photo, and even make touch ups to your picture to improve teeth whiteness, skin blemishes, and overall lighting.
- Enjoy our Wildcat Wardrobe: Sign up on Handshake and you can take a look at what I call our free thrift shop with really nice professional clothes that have been generously donated.
- Sign up with Nova Network and Big Interview to connect with alumni and to check your resume or practice interviewing.
- Though some people do not like AI checking their resume, Big Interview is a great resource used by the Business and Engineering Schools to practice interviewing. Give it a try!
- Meet with a career counselor adviser at any point in your career!
- Here is a list of our fantastic Career Counselors and the industries they cover. I have been working with Alex Karlesses, the Pre-Law advisor who has helped me every step of the way in my journey to law school.
- The meeting can be 15 to 30 minutes and is just a nice way to start the conversation on what you want to do or what you are looking for.
- If you are more individual or do not have time to make it up to our office in Garey Hall 117, check out our Career Connections website that has everything you are looking for from major specific Career Resources, information on graduate school, law school, and medical school, and a calendar of upcoming events:
- **Tip: Type your desired field or job, such as “Legal Assistant” or “English Major,” into the search bar. From there you will get news articles, events, jobs and internships, resources, people, and videos if applicable.
SPECIAL NOTE: Career Center Services are for LIFE
● As an undergraduate and eventual alumni of Villanova, the Career Centers free services do not stop once you graduate. We have an entire department dedicated to our alumni so if at any point you want to change careers or jobs and need help, you can always come back or call and someone will help you.
● For more information you can click the link here.
For more information on the Career Center click here or call (610) 519-4060.
***If anyone is looking for a part-time student job, the Career Center is graduating a lot of Career Center Ambassadors like myself so they are looking for new applicants! It's a great way to connect with people who could help you get a job! ***
For more information on a potential student job at the Career Center, email laura.walker@villanova.edu or call (610) 519-4060.
