Career & Major FAQs

Anderson University has many resources available for students to engage in the career planning process from the very first day they step on our campus. As a parent or family member, you have a very important role to play in the success of your student. Your support throughout this time of academic and career exploration can make all the difference in whether the student actively engages in the work it takes, both in and outside of the classroom. The resources at AU, particularly in the Center for Career and Calling, are here to provide you with some information we hope you will find valuable when it comes to staying connected with your student’s progress toward his/her personal and professional goals.

Family FAQs

 

What direction can AU offer in helping my student select a major?

A liberal arts education is designed to expose students to a broad range of opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom that lead to a lifetime of learning and personal growth and development. In the Center for Career and Calling (CCC), we believe that to set that lifetime course, an individual must identify his/her own unique gifts and talents. The CCC has career exploration tools available to help students identify these areas and match them with occupational and academic options.

What does my student's major have to offer?

Students can talk directly with AU faculty in their area of study to learn more about what types of opportunities arise from study in the academic major. The Center for Career and Calling also has an abundant amount of information related to what occupations relate to particular major areas of study which students can access on the website.

Do you offer career interest testing? What does it cost?

Students have access to multiple career exploration assessments which help them to identify their unique work interests, skills & talents, personality traits, and values as part of their AU experience. To take full advantage, students should schedule an appointment with a Career Advisor to review their results and plan the next steps to reach their personal and professional goals.

Who does my student contact for employment during the school year?

Student employment opportunities are available through the Office of Work Life Engagement.

During the fall and spring semesters, the Center for Career and Calling also coordinates on-campus recruiting visits with employers who hire students for full-time and part-time summer jobs and internships.

Is there help writing a résumé and cover letter?
 

The Center for Career and Calling provides assistance with resume and cover letter writing either during drop-in hours with career peers or graduate assistants or by appointment with a Career Advisor. Students may submit documents online through their Handshake account for review by a CCC staff person as well.

What preparation is there before going to a job interview?

Center for Career and Calling staff members are available to assist students with interview skill development. We also provide opportunities for students to attend mock interview sessions to practice their interview skills with professional interviewers.

Are internships available for students at any level of their college education?

It’s never too early for students to start investigating internship opportunities. Employers expect today’s college graduates to have one or more of these types of experiences in their relevant field. The Center for Career and Calling provides access to multiple internship resources and helps students navigate the process of identifying and applying for these opportunities. While we do not place students in these positions, we teach students the skills they need to successfully find and secure these opportunities – skills they’ll use throughout their professional lives.

What about job placement after graduation?
In 2017, the placement rate for AU graduates was 97.5% in either a job or graduate school within 6 months of graduation.

The Center for Career and Calling offers job search and preparation services for all students who take advantage of these opportunities while they are here, and alumni can still take advantage of the many online resources, as well as the Raven CareerLink job posting board. We also coordinate on-campus recruiting visits through which employers come to campus to recruit and interview students for internship and job opportunities — and alumni are invited to a number of these fairs as well.

Where can students go for graduate school information?

Academic departments or advisors will be happy to discuss options for graduate school. The Center for Career and Calling also provides resources which help students to prepare for the graduate school application process. This includes writing personal statements, application essays, and preparing for graduate school interviews. We are available for mock interview appointments as well.

Can a student expect to be paid for interning? What about college credit?

Many students can earn a wage (minimum wage or above) or receive a stipend for their time in an internship. While it is wonderful if a student can earn money while completing an internship, we encourage students to be open to all opportunities which provide them with important professional skill development in their field of interest.

Students may receive academic credit for their time in an internship, but that will vary depending upon the student’s academic department and the employer. Students who are enrolled in an internship for academic credit are subject to associated tuition fees for each credit hour they receive.

How do students find out about job openings?

The Center for Career and Calling maintains the Raven CareerLink job board where employers can post countless job and internship opportunities. The site is a FREE service for AU students and alumni! We also have options for many industry-specific job boards available for students to explore.