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Hello, UM Griz families and friends! My name is Angie Thompson, and I work as a Career Coach with Experiential Learning and Career Success. In my role, I assist students with career exploration, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, networking, and even utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT for career services. My goal is to empower students to achieve their career aspirations by providing personalized guidance and support. 

What’s New in Our Department? 

We’ve just finished our first year with the Griz Career Skills program! This initiative is designed for students looking to enhance their professionalism, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills, which are highly valued by employers across various industries. Open to all students, participants can earn digital badges and a certificate, adding a competitive edge to their resumes. 

Additionally, we’re introducing our new Career Peer Program. These student employees will assist their peers in becoming career-ready by leading workshops, providing career guidance, and collaborating with other student workers on campus. This peer-to-peer support creates a holistic and supportive experience for all students. 

Tips and Tricks 

Utilizing AI can be a game-changer in your career preparation. For instance, ChatGPT is a free resource you can use to generate ideas before meeting with one of our career coaches. You might ask it, “I’d like to create bulleted points for a resume. What are some common duties of a barista, campus worker, or server that I might want to include?” Remember not to include personal information, but this can give you a head start so we can help refine and customize your content to make it uniquely yours. 

Myths or Misconceptions About Our Office 

One common myth is that visiting career services can be intimidating because job searching or preparing application materials can be daunting. However, our atmosphere is welcoming, inclusive, and judgment-free. We’re here to connect you with the best resources and support your career journey. 

Benefits of Using Career Services 

The benefits of using our career services are immense. We can help you set up a Handshake  account and locate a job or internship that aligns with your interests and skills. Additionally, we help in preparing your application materials, taking professional headshots with our Iris photobooth, practicing interview techniques, meeting with employers at career fairs and much more! These services ensure you stand out as a top candidate, ready to move to the top of the list for consideration. 

Many of our students have landed their dream jobs or internships, secured scholarships, and gained confidence in their career pursuits. For example, some students have secured internships at Ivy League schools and felt more prepared for their majors, interviews, or internships after engaging with our services. Our salary negotiation workshop has also empowered students to negotiate for higher pay successfully. 

Here's to your success, Griz students and families! Feel free to reach out to us or set up an appointment through Navigate at any time. We’re here to help you succeed!