Career Ready Program from the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies supports our online students and alumni in their career journey! Our Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help you throughout your career readiness journey, from exploration of careers as a student, through job search and interview preparation, to career growth, satisfaction, and success as an alumni.

The Career Ready Program consists of seven sections addressing career readiness skills. You may access these resources at any time by completing the access form on this page.

Career Exploration & Selection

Career Exploration is a process people can use to find (or confirm) a career that suits their personality, interests, and skills. It is a process of researching and learning about career paths, job functions, titles, roles, salaries, education, skills, and more. This section includes resources to help students and alumni do that important work.

Job Search Strategy & Preparation

Searching for jobs can be difficult, but CPS provides you with tools to help you with the process. This section explains how to create and build your profile, and search and apply for jobs, on Handshake, a powerful recruiting platform. We also provide links to a number of additional job boards, which provide valuable information on posted jobs with the details of what employers are looking for.

For those transitioning careers, we provide information on how to leverage your transferrable skills.

Your Professional Documents

Employers and recruiters are flooded with resumes, C.V.s and cover letters. This section addresses the basics of writing great documents, the importance of customizing them for each application, and top tips to help your resume stand out.

Resume and cover letter samples are provided for CPS programs.

Your Professional Network

Networking is about intentionally building professional relationships. It is important to learn techniques and practice to improve your skills and confidence. This section focuses on LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network online. With easy, step-by-step instructions, you will be able to build your LinkedIn profile and your network.

Interview Skills & Managing Offers

In the world of employment, the interview process can’t be avoided. While it can be intimidating for many of us, learning the skills to interview well, and practicing those skills, may lead to increased confidence and success. In this section we cover the highlights of what to do before, during, and after the interview to help you make a great impression and hopefully get the job!

Excel at Your New Job

It’s important to start your new job in a way that best positions you for success. This section includes tips to help you organize yourself, plan your work, prioritize your efforts, and show your value in the early days of your new job.

Keep Learning, Keep Growing

Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, making a proactive commitment to continuous learning is important to moving toward your full potential and achieving long-term career growth. In this section, we highlight the myriad of continuing education options offered by the College of Professional Studies.