To schedule an appointment with a counselor, simply stop by Founders, Room 121 between 8:00 am-4:30 pm or call the Middletown office at (860) 343-5826.

A variety of resources exist. Some measure occupational interests while others aid you in evaluating temperament, values, and work related skills. These include the Strong Interest Inventory, Self-Directed Search, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator as well as FOCUS, a computer based, interactive assessment tool. These are available through the Center, but you must first meet with a counselor to determine which tools might work best for you

 FOCUS is an online, self-paced career and education planning tool for use by college students. FOCUS will enable you to self assess your interests, values, skills, and personality and explore careers and majors that are most compatible with your assessment results. Current MxCC students interested in using FOCUS should contact the Career Development & Counseling Center at 860-343-5826 to set up an appointment. 
Information for first time FOCUS users 
Information for returning FOCUS users

Sometimes others close to us are able to better note our skills and talents. See if these have held true over time.

When were you most productive? What times have made you the happiest? etc. Try to be specific about these incidents. Remember the situation; were you working alone or with others? What skills were you using? Think about the environment. In most circumstances, a pattern will emerge. Next, share these anecdotes with a counselor. Between the two of you, some tentative decisions may be reached.

Read and gather more information on the careers and/or majors on which you have decided. These resources will most likely describe the type of position, educational background, training and qualifications, and potential income of people in the field as well as discuss the environment in which you would work.

Through doing an "informational interview" with those who are working in that occupation, you may gain a better understanding of what it is really like. To assist you in planning this informational interview process, it may be helpful to meet with a counselor.

Use this document to help prepare your informational interviews. 

This may be accomplished by reviewing directories in the career library, accessing the internet, or reading classified advertisements in a newspaper or on line. By knowing what your options are for employment, you will have more information on which to base your decisions.

Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), one of four colleges in the Connecticut State University System, is located in New Britain CT. CCSU is the most popular transfer college for Middlesex students. Below you will find links and files that will help you as you prepare for successful transfer to CCSU. Start by clicking on the Transfer Pathways link to learn about all of your transfer options.

• Transfer Paths to CCSU (pdf)
• General Transfer Guidelines for MxCC Students (pdf)
• CCSU Programs and Majors
• CCSU Course Equivalency web site
• Curriculum Sheets for CCSU Majors
• CSCU Transfer Tickets
• Transfer Compact/Dual Admission Program
• CCSU Transfer Admissions Web page 
• CCSU Financial Aid Web Page

Charter Oak State College is part of the Connecticut State College system. The college serves non-traditional students, adult students, and those students looking for flexibility and affordability in degree-completion.  Charter Oak offers “workforce-driven” online programs and allows the transfer of up to 87 community college credits. Click on the links below to learn about the unique programs Charter Oak has to offer.

• Charter Oak State College-What Makes Them Different?
• Community College Students
• Areas of Study/Concentrations
• Admissions
• Application
• Financial Aid
• Search for Courses
• Transfer Scholarship for Community College Graduates
• Transfer Paths to Charter Oak (pdf)

Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), one of four colleges in the Connecticut State University System, is located in Willimantic, CT. Below you will find links and files that will help you as you prepare for successful transfer to ECSU. Start by clicking on the Transfer Pathways link to learn about all of your transfer options.

• Transfer Paths to ECSU (pdf)
• ECSU Programs and Majors 
• ECSU Course Equivalency web site
• CSCU Transfer Tickets
• Transfer Compact/Dual Admission program
• ECSU Transfer Admissions Web page
• ECSU Financial Aid Web Page

Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), one of four colleges in the Connecticut State University System, is located in New Haven CT. SCSU is one of the most popular transfer colleges for Middlesex students. Below you will find links and files that will help you as you prepare for successful transfer to SCSU. Start by clicking on the Transfer Pathways link to learn about all of your transfer options.

TRANSFER GUIDES

SCSU LINKS

• SCSU Catalog
• SCSU Programs and Majors
• CSCU Transfer Tickets
• Transfer Compact/Dual Admission program
• SCSU Transfer Admissions Web page
• SCSU Financial Aid Web Page

The University of Connecticut (UConn) offers a variety of transfer opportunities for Middlesex students. Students may transfer to the main campus in Storrs or, depending on college major, to the branch campuses located throughout the state.  The following links and files will help you as you prepare for successful transfer to UConn.

TRANSFER GUIDES

• Transfer Guidelines for the College of Liberal Arts & Science
• Transfer Guidelines for Majors other than Liberal Arts & Sciences
• Transfer Guidelines for the School of Business

TRANSFER PROGRAMS FOR CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS

• The Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP) 
• Business Administration to Business Data Analytics Transfer Pathway Program (Details coming soon)
• The Connecticut College of Technology Pathway to Engineering Program

ADDITIONAL UCONN LINKS

• UConn Majors
• UConn Branch Locations and Majors
• UConn Bachelor of General Studies Degree Program
• UConn Course Equivalency Website
• UConn Transfer Admissions Web Page
• UConn Financial Aid Web Page

WHAT IS GAP?

• GAP is an agreement between the Connecticut Community Colleges and the University of Connecticut, designed for students who plan to continue their studies to earn a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources or Business.
•  Students in the GAP are guaranteed admission to the University of Connecticut once the associate degree has been earned, appropriate courses have been completed, and minimum grades and requirements for the selected program have been achieved. Advisors from individual community colleges and UConn meet with Guaranteed Admission Program students throughout their community college careers, helping their eventual transition to the University.
• Students wishing to enroll in the Guaranteed Admission Program must be matriculated in the Liberal Arts transfer program at one of the Connecticut community colleges.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR GAP?

• Students who have earned 30 transferable credits or less and are enrolled in the Connecticut Community Colleges. These 30 credits exclude any extraneous credits (e.g. CLEP, Credits by Examination, Tech Prep, DANTES), but may include credits earned through College Board Advanced Placement Examinations; and the University of Connecticut Early College Experience Program.
•  Transfer students to the community colleges may be eligible to participate in the GA Program. GA Program advisors will determine their eligibility.
• Former UConn degree-seeking students are not eligible to participate in the GA program.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS FOR IN GAP?

• Students must graduate with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average for entry into the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and the College of Agriculture, Health, & Natural Resources
• Students must graduate with a minimum 3.3 cumulative grade point average for entry into the  School of Business. The grade point average will be calculated on all courses taken, including all grades for any repeated courses. Students must complete all School of Business prerequisites with a minimum grade of B.
  • Students must earn an Associate Degree in a Liberal Arts transfer program and must earn the degree within five years of their enrollment in the Guaranteed Admission Program.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR GAP?

• Fill out a Guaranteed Admission application which must be signed by a community college Counselor. The application must be sent to UConn Undergraduate Admissions Office along with an official high school transcript and application fee. If the community college does not possess an official high school transcript, the applicant will be advised to request one to be sent directly by the high school to the University of Connecticut Undergraduate Transfer Admissions Office. The student selects their choice of major at the time of application.

• At the time of application to graduate with the associate degree, the student must complete and send to UConn an Intent to Enroll form available from a community college Counselor. Students must also send an official transcript from the community college and any other colleges they have attended.

• All interested Middlesex students should contact Gail Mozzicato in the Career Development & Counseling Center, Founders Hall, Room 121, 860-343-5826 (or at the Meriden Center on Wednesdays and Thursdays) for further information and assistance with the application process.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ON GAP ONLINE?

• The University of Connecticut GAP Web Site
• Business Degree Web Site with Majors

Western Connecticut State University (WCSU), one of four colleges in the Connecticut State University System, is located in Danbury, CT. Below you will find links and files that will help you as you prepare for successful transfer to WCSU. Start by clicking on the Transfer Pathways link to learn about all of your transfer options.

• Transfer Paths to WCSU (pdf)
• WCSU Programs and Majors
• WCSU Program Sheets
• WCSU Course Equivalency web site
• CSCU Transfer Tickets
• Transfer Compact/Dual Admission program
• WCSU Transfer Admissions Web page
• WCSU Financial Aid Web Page

There are a variety of teaching opportunities available in the Connecticut education field. Below you will find links and files that will help you as you prepare for successful transfer to a Connecticut Teacher Education program. Start by clicking on General Transfer Guidelines for Future Education Majors.

WEBSITES FOR FUTURE EDUCATION MAJORS

• Guide to Approved Education Programs in Connecticut
• Guide to Praxis and Assessments in Connecticut
• Connecticut Education Certification: regulations, fact sheets
• Connecticut Education Association (This site has a link for Praxis I preparation.)
• Test preparation review site for Praxis
• Praxis test exam and preparation
• Federal TEACH Grant
• Connecticut Minority Teacher Incentive Grant (Scroll page down to CT Minority Teacher Incentive Grant/Weisman Teacher Scholarship.)

LINKS TO UNDERGRADUATE TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS IN CONNECTICUT

Please visit these web sites regularly to check for changes to the education program requirements.

• Albertus Magnus
• Central Connecticut State University
• Connecticut College
• Eastern Connecticut State University
• Fairfield University
• Mitchell College
• Quinnipiac University
• Sacred Heart University
• Southern Connecticut State University
• University of Bridgeport
• University of Connecticut
• University of Hartford
• University of Saint Joseph
• University of New Haven
• Western Connecticut State University

Visit the CSCU Dual Admission site to learn more.

The New England Board of Higher Education’s Tuition Break Program enables New England residents to enroll at out-of-state New England public colleges and universities at a discount. Students are eligible for the Tuition Break when they enroll in an approved major that is not offered by the public colleges in their own state. Connecticut residents may find approved degree programs at specific state colleges and universities in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont.

• Click here to search the online Tuition Break Database.

There are numerous health care training opportunities in Connecticut with programs offered at a variety of educational levels. The links below will help you explore these programs and assist you with obtaining important transfer information. Students interested in transferring into a health care major are encouraged to meet with their advisor or a Counselor in the Career Development & Counseling Center for assistance with transfer planning.

HEALTH CARE CAREERS

• Allied Health Programs at Middlesex
  Find out about credit allied health programs right here at Middlesex: Ophthalmic Design and Dispensing ( a program to become a licensed optician), Radiologic Technology, Biotechnology and Veterinary Technology.
• Health Care Careers in Connecticut Web Site
  This web site is a comprehensive listing of credit and non credit programs in Connecticut. It includes a self-assessment “Is A Health Care Career for Me?”

NURSING CAREERS

• Nursing PathwaysThe profession of nursing is unique in that there are multiple levels available to enter the profession. This chart diagrams the nursing pathways in Connecticut.
• Registered Nurse (RN)This link explains the RN profession and the educational pathways to the degree; Associate, Diploma and Baccalaureate Programs
• The Connecticut Community College Nursing Program (CT-CCNP)
  The CT-CCNP is an associate degree RN program offered at six Connecticut Community Colleges. A graduate of the nursing program is awarded an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing and is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
• Guide to Selecting MxCC Courses for the CT-CCNP
  This handout provides information on how Middlesex courses can be used to meet the CT-CCNP Nursing admissions and graduation requirements. Please note: Though updated annually, the information in this handout is subject to change without notice by the CT-CCNP.
• Connecticut League for Nursing
  This site provides career, education and scholarship information for future and current nurses.

Middlesex Community College has developed transfer articulation agreements to assist students with transferring to four-year colleges and universities.  These agreements are of two types.  The first is for specific programs taught at Middlesex, like Radiologic Technology and are called program- to-program articulation agreements.  The second are general articulation agreements.  This second type of agreement shows how MxCC courses transfer to the four-year school and how courses can be used to meet graduation requirements.  MxCC can have both program-to- program and general articulation agreements with individual four-year institutions.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The transfer of MxCC courses does not depend on a formal articulation agreement.  Colleges and universities in Connecticut and throughout the country will accept transfer credits from any regionally accredited college or university.  The college that you transfer to determines which courses they accept. Students wishing to transfer should keep course syllabi and all course work for each course taken at MxCC and work carefully with your transfer institution, your academic advisor and/or a counselor in the Career Development & Counseling Center in order to ensure a smooth transfer experience.

The following are links or information about some of the MxCC articulation agreements in place at present.  MxCC is currently working on new articulation agreements which will be added to this list as they are established.

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

The University of Connecticut has program-to-program and general articulation agreements. Click on the University of Connecticut links on the left to learn more about transferring to UConn.

CENTRAL, SOUTHERN, EASTERN AND WESTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITIES

The State Universities have general education agreements and new program-to-program agreements.

Click on the link “CT State University Transfer Program” on the left for more information. To see how Middlesex courses transfer, click on Course Equivalency Website under each university.

CHARTER OAK STATE COLLEGE

Charter Oak State College has both program- to- program and general articulation agreements.

UNIVERSITY OF SAINT JOSEPH

The University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT has both program- to- program and general articulation agreements.

Community College Transfer Link Click on course equivalencies to see how all courses transfer to USJ
MxCC Program-to Program Articulation Guides Use this link for program-to-program guides.
Adult learners Guaranteed Admission Program

PROGRAM- TO- PROGRAM AGREEMENTS FOR THE MXCC RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

ST. VINCENT’S COLLEGE AND MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE – RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

This agreement is for students enrolled in the MxCC Radiologic Technology program who identify interest in enrolling in the Bachelor Science Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) Completion Program at St. Vincent’s College. Students participating in this agreement will be pre-approved for enrollment in the St. Vincent’s College BSRS Completion Program upon graduation from MxCC and licensure as a radiographer in the state of Connecticut. For more information about this agreement please contact Judy Wallace, Director of Radiologic Technology at JWallace@mxcc.edu.

UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD AND MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE – RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

This agreement is for MxCC students who complete the Radiologic Technology Program with an average GPA of 2.5 or better and pass the National Certification Examination in Radiologic Technology. Students will complete courses to receive the Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Science. For more information about this agreement please contact Judy Wallace, Director of Radiologic Technology at JWallace@mxcc.edu.

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY AND MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE – RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

This agreement is for MxCC students who complete the Radiologic Technology Program with an average GPA of 2.5 or better AND are recommended for transfer under the terms of this agreement.  Students following this agreement will complete courses to receive a B.S. degree in Diagnostic Imaging. For more information about this agreement please contact Judy Wallace, Director of Radiologic Technology at JWallace@mxcc.edu.

Download Transfer Guidelines pdf here

The Center can assist you in many ways as you contact employers, including job listings, on-campus recruitment, and local/regional professional directories.

Each year employers from business, nonprofit and educational sectors forward job listings to the Center. Many of these listings are professionally oriented, while others may provide students with a part/full-time income while attending school.

Though most jobs are listed on CNN (see link below), some jobs are posted on the bulletin board outside of our office in Founders Hall, Room 121.

How to Use a Career Fair

Many times you will see materials promoting a career fair in various outlets. Often colleges, departments of labor, regional groups, or corporations themselves will sponsor this type of event. Most often, these events are open to the public. On occasion, they are by invitation only geared to a specific group. Many times individuals are unsure what the purpose of this event is or how to utilize it in a job search. Here is some information that may assist you in utilizing these activities in your overall job search strategy.

There are three primary reasons why employers attend career fairs. Most companies attend these events to promote the company itself and its image. Often, recruiters, company representatives, will share information on careers, career tracks, or the mission and purpose of the organization itself. Lastly, many organizations will utilize a career fair to attract candidates for employment.

Attendees as well go career fairs for multiple reasons. More often than not, participants use career fairs to make contacts in the professional world. In additions, individuals utilize these venues to gather information on career fields as well as specific employers. Lastly, most people attend career fairs to obtain job leads. Seemingly, there is a reasonable match in purposes of employer and participants. Let’s explore how you may best prepare to participate in these events.

Preparation for the Fair

Prior to the Fair 

Before you attend a career fair, there is a certain amount of preparation to do. First, clarify your goals. Try to assess what you hope to accomplish. Are you attempting to gain information on careers? If you are still in the process of determining the type of major or career you hope to enter, career fairs are wonderful opportunities to gather this type of information. Another goal you may have to determine the types of companies and organizations that might hire you after you complete your education or who might be interested in the transferable skills you have. In addition, a career fair is a solid venue in which to make initial contact with recruiters for internship or employment opportunities. Quite often, employers will gather the credentials of potential candidates to review at a later date.

Once you have determined your goals for the career fair, it is time to research the companies that are attending. Most career fairs will provide a list of corporations that are attending the event. Utilize resources such as the internet, company profiles, and newspaper/journal articles to gather information on those companies you would like to explore.

Prepare a well thought out, error free resume to bring with you to the event. Many employers will scan your resume at the event and have a very brief conversation with you concerning your background and experiences. In order to provide the employer with accurate information, this document will aid in this conversation. To best utilize this interaction at the fair, prepare a brief introduction of yourself that you will utilize at the fair. Practice a firm handshake as you introduce yourself to the company representative. In this “one minute commercial,” attempt to demonstrate knowledge of the employer based on your research. In addition, relate how your background, skills, and experiences would prove useful to the organization. Express interest in exploring further interactions with the company. Although this should not be a “canned” statement, it should provide you with comments about yourself that may be modified to specific employers. Plan your professional wardrobe, suit, shoes, accessories, including a folder to hold information and your resumes for easy access before the event. Career fairs may be overwhelming, the better prepared you are, the more relaxed you will be at the event.

At the Fair

When you attend most career fairs, there will be individuals there to assist you. Typically, hosts of the event will provide you will a floor plan of where the employers are located. Acclimate yourself to the event. Take a walk around the venue to become more comfortable with your surroundings. Ensure that your resumes are easily accessible. Be prepared to positively sell yourself. Career fairs are an active process; be ready to approach the table the recruiters are at with a sense of confidence and a smile. Make eye contact and begin to utilize your introduction. As the conversation ensues, be prepared to be able to access your resume should the employer want it. After this brief conversation, the attendee should attempt to obtain the business card of the individual with who you spoke. Ask how to best follow up with the recruiter. Whether you are trying to obtain job leads or gather information on careers or the company itself, this information is vital for further contact with the company. After each conversation at the fair, take a couple of moments to take notes. Write down what was discussed, what you might feel you could have better described, and how the recruiter recommended you follow up.

After the Fair

Within 48 hours, prepare and send a thank you note to each recruiter with whom you spoke. Discuss the content of the brief interaction, re-express your interest in the organization, and identify what you hope will occur after the fair. This might take the form of statements such as: "I would like to further explore employment with your company or I would welcome the chance to speak with you about how students majoring in x might be utilized in your organization."

Many people attend career fairs. They go through the process of preparing, attending, but do not follow up with recruiters after the event is over. By doing so, you may minimally get your credentials reviewed a second time and hopefully obtain an opportunity to again interact with those companies and organizations in which you had an interest. By assessing your intent for attending, preparing prior to the event and following up after the event, career fairs will provide an additional component of a well thought out employment search. 

Informational interviews are a widely-accepted method of obtaining information about careers, job search methods and potential employers. Personal acquaintances, professional contacts, teachers, and family members are potential sources of advice as well as potential resources for informational interviewing. There is an etiquette involved in requesting an informational interview:

Use this document to help prepare your informational interviews. 

Upon request, the Career Development & Counseling Center arranges individual visits for employers who are interested in coming on campus to meet with students. Please see our weekly emails for up to date listings of employers who have planned visits to campus.

Within the Career Development and Counseling Center library there are a number of resources that may assist you in identifying employers within your field. These books contain overview information on employers you may choose to contact.

• Students/Alumni
• Employers
• Announcements

Job Seekers can register via this service to browse current job listings and employers can register to submit job announcements.

Preparation for your first job in your chosen field of interest should begin before you stroll across the stage at graduation. A successful job search starts with good information and well developed job hunting skills. Being a successful job seeker requires you to have an awareness of your goals and skills, an understanding of the labor market and a well planned job search process.

An ideal strategy would be to test and explore your career interests concurrently with your actual course of study. Whenever you begin the job search process, it begins with a process of self-assessment and exploration. Test your readiness to enter the highly competitive job market by asking yourself the following six questions.

1. Do You Know What You Want?
You might think that employers will appreciate your “I’m willing to do anything” approach to getting a job. However, most employers interpret that as a sign of desperation and lack of focus. Or, that you are willing to take a shot at whatever you stumble across.

Conduct a self-assessment by identifying and listing your values, temperament, interests, skills, accomplishments, experience and goals.

Values:
Temperament:
Interests:
Skills:
Accomplishments:
Goals:

If you are unsure about the type of job you want, now is the time to work with a counselor in the Career Development & Counseling Center, Room 121, Founders Hall. You can set up an appointment by calling (860) 343-5826. There, you can take a career assessment test, learn how and why informational interviewing can help you gain focus, and, talk over your specific concerns with someone who is trained to help you.

2. Do you have Experience?
Employers look for evidence that you have gained experience in your field through internships, practica, co-ops, part or full time jobs and even volunteering. If you have not picked up this type of experience yet, it is a good bet that many of your peers have and will likely have an edge over you in the entry-level market. Don’t despair if you lack experience. You can get it now or after you graduate by doing a post-graduation internship, volunteering or temping.

3. Do You Know Your Chosen Field?
Imagine going into an interview and saying, “I love this field and know a lot about it- that’s why I want to get into it myself.” The interviewer replies by saying, “Interesting. Tell me what you know.” If you have been BS-ing to that point, you’re in trouble!

Once you have chosen the field you plan to work in, study it thoroughly so prospective employers know you understand it. Research the field’s major players by reading industry publications, visiting industry websites and by participating in professional organizations, attending their conferences and seminars.

4. Do You Have A Strong Resume?
You may be the best entry-level job candidate the world has ever seen. But if you do not effectively market yourself through your resume a cover letter no one will ever know. You need to make the resume the best that it can be and tailor it to each specific job you pursue. Contact the Career Development & Counseling Office and pick up the handout How To Write A Resume. If you need help with the resume, arrange an appointment with a counselor.

5. Can You Back Up Claims You Make On Your Resume And In Interviews?
Employers have met all kinds of candidates, including some who have flat out lied about their accomplishments. It is only natural for employers to be a bit skeptical. That is why you have to effectively support any claims you make on your resume or in an interview with specific examples. A good strategy is to put together a career portfolio to prove your past achievements.

6. Are You Prepared For Your Encounter With The Real World And To Get The Most Out Of Your Opportunity To Interview For Your Dream Job?
At times, the real world can be a very strange place because of people’s diverse personalities, agendas and work styles. Sometimes decisions that ought to be made based on tangible information and logic are made based on office politics. Your success (or lack of it) on the job will depend as much on your people skills as your technical abilities. It is a good idea to role play and practice for the interview. Again, the Career Development & Counseling Office has a handout called Interview Preparation that will be useful in guiding you through the interview process.

The common approach to seeking a job is to scour the newspaper classifieds sending off cover letters and resumes for all the job opportunities that remotely seem to fit your interests. Today, you may also want to post your resume and look for opportunities on the many available online job boards (such as Monster.com, or Hotjobs.com). But there are many more things you can do to look for your ideal career position. Here are several effective tactics that will enrich your job search.

1. Get in Touch with Professional Organizations in Your Field.
Professional organizations on the local, regional and national level exist in part to help their members with career development. Many organizations regularly publish job opening information on their website or in their printed publications.

2. Visit Company and Organization Websites.
Many companies and organizations post their job opportunities on their own websites. These are usually listed under an “Employment” or “Career Opportunities” link.

3. Apply Directly to Organizations That Interest You.
If you know you want to work specifically for “Organization X” or “Company Y”, send a well-written cover letter and your resume directly to the company. Typically, this is sent to the attention of the Director of Human Resources. However, the most effective strategy is to send your material directly to the hiring manager for that part of the organization that interests you. This person is sometimes hard to identify, so you will have to do some digging. And the best way to dig is to Network.

4. Harness the Power of Networking.
Networking is simply talking to people to either track down helpful personal contacts or learn about job openings that may not necessarily be widely advertised or advertised at all. You can start by talking to your own family, friends and acquaintances. Let everyone in your life know you are looking for a job. Take the time to give them a good idea of the type of job you want. If there is a professional organization in your field, join it. Start participating in its meetings and other events so you can get to know people in your area of interest. Tap your professors’ connections. They are a good source of job leads and may be able to identify alumni that would be willing to work with you on your job search.

5. Participate in Job Fairs.
Many larger cities are host to Job Fairs throughout the year. Many colleges and universities sponsor Job Fairs individually or in collaboration with other institutions. This is a rare opportunity to have employers come to you, so attend Job Fairs as often as you are able.

6. Register with Placement Agencies and Recruiters.
There are companies out there that specialize in helping people find jobs by matching skills to specific needs of employers. Personnel Recruiters (often called “Headhunters” or “Shoulder Tappers”) usually collect fees from the employers they represent and not from candidates or job seekers. Some even focus on working with college students and recent grads. However, a word of caution. A growing number of agencies bill candidates directly for their services. It is wise to ask the question up front- who is paying for services rendered. In Connecticut, CAPS, the Connecticut Association of Personnel Services, provides leadership, education and ethical standards oversight to firms within the Personnel Industry. CAPS provides a list of member firms and their placement specialties. Their website is www.caps.org.

7. Temping May Get You Working in your Desired Specialty
By working briefly as a temp, you can often position yourself to be hired for a full-time permanent position that opens later on. However, even if that does not happen, temping can help you see several companies from the inside, meet people in your area of interest, and, earn money!

8. Visit the Career Development & Counseling Center
The Career Development & Counseling Center maintains information on regional and national employers. It is part of a consortium of colleges that share position listings over the interned via College Central Network, CCN.