The Career Development Office works with students from their first-year on campus until they are ready to graduate. Students are most successful when they meet with us early and often. Schedule an appointment with a Career Consultant or Career Peer to develop a plan for career success.
The Career Development team will be offering appointments both in-person and virtually. Schedule your appointment through Handshake. We will also continue to offer Electronic Resume Reviews.
The Career Development Office staff can help you with a variety of career-related topics including:
Drop-in hours for all majors are offered Monday-Friday from 10am-2pm in the Student Services Building, Room 113. Stop by anytime for help with resumes, cover letters, part-time job search, internship search, career fair prep, and more - no appointment necessary!
To schedule an appointment, login to your Handshake account and click "Career Center" in the upper right hand corner.
Current College of Social Science students have the option of having their resume reviewed electronically by a trained Career Consultant or Career Peer Intern. Receive a response with feedback on your document within one week. Resume reviews are also available in person by scheduling an appointment through Handshake at msu.joinhandshake.com. Before submitting, make sure you review the resume pages in the Career Handbook below.
Are you trying to decide on a major? Do you have a major but are wondering what career opportunities it presents? The following resources will give you an idea of the types of typical careers for our social science majors. It’s important to remember that major doesn’t equal career. While these are some of the paths social science majors take, it is important to develop skills that will help you be successful in any field.
This site will help to answer many of your questions about possible career opportunities as well as give you strategies to be a top candidate in your field.
Getting a degree and earning a good GPA does not guarantee getting a job. While your major plays an important role in providing you with discipline-specific knowledge, many employers will hire students from any major. So what gets you hired? Employers have identified 8 career competencies they are looking for in a new hire. Possessing these skills, and the ability to articulate your experiences and what you have learned, are essential to getting hired.
How do you gain these skills? While some can be gained in the classroom, it is important to get experience outside of the classroom as well. Experiences such as working part-time, doing an internship, participating in a student organization, getting involved in the community, or holding a leadership position can help you develop these skills.
Handshake is our online career management platform with thousands of job and internship postings. Using Handshake, you can search job (both part-time and full-time, on and off campus) and internship postings, find employer information, and find out about upcoming on-campus recruiting events, information sessions, and career fairs. Handshake is also where you will go to schedule a career advising appointment with a Career Consultant.
The Career Services Network provides a number of online resources and events every semester to assist you in your career development.
MSU Connect is a career networking and mentoring community for current MSU students and MSU alumni. Connect with alumni to explore your career interests and discover new possibilities.
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Every year, MSU surveys graduates to find out where they’re heading after graduation. These survey results offer a snapshot of job titles, employer names, and graduate schools of our College of Social Science grads.
In addition to Handshake and LinkedIn, there are a number of helpful job search websites available. Some of the most popular include:
You can also search for job search resources by interest area on the Career Services Network website.
All College of Social Science students are required to complete an experiential learning experience before graduation. One option for this experience is a for-credit internship. The Experiential Learning office offers credit for qualifying internships in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. For more information, visit the Experiential Learning page.
Every year, the Career Services Network produces a Career Handbook with valuable information on a number of career development related topics including career and major exploration, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing tips, and professional attire. You can find a PDF version online on the Career Services Network website or pick up a hard copy in the Career Services office in the Student Services Building Room 113.
The Career Services Network and various departments around campus host over 20 career fairs on campus every year. Career fairs are a great opportunity for students to meet with many employers all in one place. We host career fairs with opportunities for part-time jobs, internships, full-time jobs, and graduate/professional school. Attend a career fair to learn more about what’s available to you! Some of the most common career fairs Social Science students attend include:
For a full list of career fairs, visit the CSN calendar below.
The Career Services Network offers many workshops each semester on topics ranging from resumes/cover letters, to finding part-time jobs and internships, to navigating career fairs, and so much more!
A full list of Career Workshops can be found on the CSN website and Handshake labeled "CSN Fall Series".
Have you ever wondered how you’re supposed to make a decision about what sort of career you want to pursue when you don’t know what’s out there? Career Exposure events will help you learn about various career fields by connecting you with alumni who are working in your areas of interest!
A full list of Career Exposure events can be found on the CSN website and Handshake labeled "Career Exposure Series".