Career Success
WORKSHOPS
Empower Career Development
Enhance students’ learning experience by hosting a career workshop. Our expert career coaches lead interactive discussions covering a range of topics, from resume and cover letter writing to networking and interview tips, all designed to provide students with practical, immediately applicable skills.
Career Success Workshops are perfect for integrating career development into your curriculum or programming.
To schedule a workshop, simply browse our workshop topics, choose the topic that fits your needs, and submit a request form.
Please note: Workshop requests are limited to current University of Utah faculty, staff, and students with 10 or more expected participants. Our office will reply by email; requested dates are confirmed at that point.
Workshop Topics
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15 minutes
This workshop covers:
- Basics about U Career Success – who we are and what we do for students
- What students can do right now to get started on their career journey
- What career coaches can do for students
- Resources available at the U Career Success Center
- Where to find the U Career Success Center
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Discover Your Path: A Career Exploration Workshop
Unsure about your career direction? This interactive workshop will guide you through the career exploration process, helping you uncover options that align with your interests, skills, and goals. Participants will learn how to:
- Navigate the Career Exploration Process: Engage in self-exploration to identify your strengths and passions, research potential career paths, try out opportunities through internships or volunteering, and reflect on and evaluate your experiences to make informed decisions.
- Utilize the Holland Code Interest Assessment: Discover how your interests align with career fields using this widely recognized assessment tool, and explore jobs that fit your unique personality and preferences.
- Access Key Career Exploration Resources: Learn to leverage tools like O*Net, "What Can I Do With This Major?", and other valuable resources to research career options, required qualifications, and industry trends.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a clear roadmap to explore and pursue fulfilling career paths confidently.
50 minutes
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50 minutes
This workshop covers:
- What is a personal image?
- Why is it important?
- How to develop your personal image
- Elements of a personal image
- Implementing your personal image in networking
- How to maintain your personal image
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Mastering the Job Search: Strategies for Success
Looking for a job can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can navigate the process with confidence. This workshop will provide you with essential strategies and tools to make your job search efficient and effective. Topics include:
- How to Prepare for a Job Search: Learn how to define your career goals, update your resume and LinkedIn profile, and gather the resources you’ll need to get started.
- Maximizing Your Job Search: Discover tips to stay organized, track applications, and leverage your network to uncover hidden opportunities.
- When to Start Applying: Understand ideal timelines for starting your search and submitting applications to align with hiring cycles and deadlines.
- The General Application Process: Gain insights into what to expect at each stage, from submitting applications to interviews and follow-ups.
- Where to Look for Jobs: Explore the best platforms and resources for finding job opportunities, including job boards, company websites, and professional networks.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a clear action plan to tackle your job search with focus and efficiency.
50 minutes
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Gaining Experience: Internships and Experiential Learning
Hands-on experience is a critical step in building your career. This workshop is designed to help you explore the value of internships and other experiential learning opportunities and how they can help you stand out to employers. Topics include:
- The Value of Work Experience: Learn how gaining practical experience can enhance your skills, build your resume, and clarify your career goals.
- Opportunities to Get Experience: Explore a variety of options, including internships, co-op programs, volunteer work, part-time jobs, and project-based learning.
- Is an Internship Right for Me? Reflect on your career path, goals, values and availability to determine if pursuing an internship is the best fit for your current situation.
- Where to Find Opportunities: Discover resources and strategies for finding experiential learning opportunities, including online platforms, career fairs, and networking connections.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a clear understanding of how experiential learning can benefit your career and the tools to start seeking valuable opportunities.
50 minutes
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Building Connections: Networking and Informational Interviews for Career Success
Networking is a powerful tool for career development, but it can feel intimidating if you’re not sure where to start. This workshop will help you demystify the networking process and equip you with the skills to build meaningful professional connections. Topics include:
- What is Networking? Learn what networking entails, its benefits for career growth, and how it can open doors to new opportunities.
- Where to Network: Discover the best places to connect with professionals, including events, social media platforms, and everyday settings.
- How to Network Effectively: Gain practical tips on starting conversations, maintaining relationships, and leveraging your network for career advancement.
- Hands-On Practice: Develop and refine your elevator pitch and participate in mock informational interviews to build confidence in real-world settings.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll feel prepared to approach networking with confidence and use it as a tool for achieving your career goals.
50 minutes
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Crafting an Impactful Resume: Strategies for Success
This workshop provides participants with the tools and knowledge needed to create a professional, well-crafted resume that stands out in today's competitive job market. Attendees will learn:
- The Purpose of a Resume: Understand the role of a resume in showcasing your skills, experience, and accomplishments to potential employers, and how it serves as your personal marketing tool.
- Formatting and Content Essentials: Explore best practices for resume structure, layout, and design to ensure readability and professionalism. Learn how to tailor content to align with specific job opportunities by emphasizing relevant achievements and experiences.
- Navigating Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Gain insight into how ATS scans and filters resumes, and learn techniques for optimizing keywords and formatting to increase your chances of passing initial screenings.
By the end of the session, participants will have the confidence to create a polished resume that highlights their strengths and meets modern hiring standards.
50 minutes
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Crafting a Winning Cover Letter
A strong cover letter can set you apart in the application process, but what makes one truly effective? This workshop will provide you with the tools and insights to write a compelling cover letter that grabs employers' attention. Topics include:
- What is a Cover Letter? Understand the purpose of a cover letter and how it complements your resume to highlight your unique qualifications.
- What Does It Look Like? Learn about proper formatting, structure, and how to create a visually professional and polished document.
- What Does It Include? Explore the essential components of a cover letter, including tailoring it to the specific job, showcasing relevant skills and experiences, and demonstrating enthusiasm for the role.
- How to Improve It: Discover practical tips to avoid common mistakes, refine your language, and ensure your cover letter is tailored, engaging, and impactful.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to craft cover letters that make a strong impression on hiring managers.
50 minutes
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90 minutes
This workshop covers:
- What is a resume?
- What to include on a resume
- Formatting a resume
- Accomplishment driven statements – what they are and how to use them
- What is a cover letter?
- The purpose of a cover letter
- Formatting a cover letter
- What to include in a cover letter
- About ATS (Applicant Tracking Software)
- Tailoring your resume and cover letter
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Career Fair Success: How to Prepare and Stand Out
Career fairs are a great opportunity to connect with potential employers and explore job opportunities, but preparation is key to making the most of them. This workshop will help you navigate the career fair experience with confidence. Topics include:
- What is a Career Fair? Learn about the purpose of career fairs and how they can help you explore industries, build connections, and land job or internship opportunities.
- What to Expect: Understand the typical setup of a career fair, the types of interactions you’ll have with employers, and what you can gain from attending.
- How to Prepare: Get practical tips on researching participating companies, dressing appropriately, and bringing the right materials, like your resume.
- Practicing Your Pitch: Develop and refine a concise and compelling elevator pitch to introduce yourself confidently to recruiters.
- What to Do After You Attend: Learn how to follow up with employers, reflect on your experience, and leverage the connections you’ve made to further your career goals.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll be ready to approach career fairs with preparation and professionalism, leaving a lasting impression on potential employers.
50 minutes
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Ace the Interview: Strategies for Success
Interviews are a critical step in the hiring process, and preparation is the key to making a great impression. This workshop will guide you through every stage of the interview process to help you present yourself confidently and professionally. Topics include:
- What is an Interview? Understand the purpose of interviews and how they allow employers to assess your skills, experiences, and fit for their organization.
- How to Prepare: Learn how to research the company, anticipate common questions, craft thoughtful responses, and prepare questions to ask the interviewer.
- What to Expect: Explore the different types of interviews (e.g., phone, video, in-person) and gain insight into the format, structure, and dynamics of an interview.
- What to Do After an Interview: Discover the importance of following up with a thank-you email, reflecting on your performance, and keeping track of next steps in the hiring process.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll feel equipped to handle interviews with confidence and leave a lasting, positive impression on employers.
50 minutes
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2 hours 30 minutes
This workshop covers:
- Why you should negotiate
- Developing a negotiation strategy
- Conducting negotiation research
- BATNA – Best Alternative To No Agreement
- Determining a “zone of negotiation” and “zone of potential agreement”
- Strategies for communicating during negotiation
Featured Workshops
This workshop covers:
- Basics about U Career Success – who we are and what we do for students
- What students can do right now to get started on their career journey
- What career coaches can do for students
- Resources available at the U Career Success Center
- Where to find the U Career Success Center
This workshop covers:
- What is a career fair?
- Steps for preparing for a career fair
- Getting to know your personal strengths
- Preparing an elevator pitch
- How to attend fairs
- Virtual fairs
- What to do at a career fair
- Researching employers
- What to do after a fair
Ace the Interview: Strategies for Success
Interviews are a critical step in the hiring process, and preparation is the key to making a great impression. This workshop will guide you through every stage of the interview process to help you present yourself confidently and professionally. Topics include:
- What is an Interview? Understand the purpose of interviews and how they allow employers to assess your skills, experiences, and fit for their organization.
- How to Prepare: Learn how to research the company, anticipate common questions, craft thoughtful responses, and prepare questions to ask the interviewer.
- What to Expect: Explore the different types of interviews (e.g., phone, video, in-person) and gain insight into the format, structure, and dynamics of an interview.
- What to Do After an Interview: Discover the importance of following up with a thank-you email, reflecting on your performance, and keeping track of next steps in the hiring process.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll feel equipped to handle interviews with confidence and leave a lasting, positive impression on employers.
50 minutes
This workshop covers:
- Why you should negotiate
- Developing a negotiation strategy
- Conducting negotiation research
- BATNA – Best Alternative To No Agreement
- Determining a “zone of negotiation” and “zone of potential agreement”
- Strategies for communicating during negotiation